Explore the vast range of titles available.

This experiment evaluated the effects of doses of essential oil of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) in rumen fermentation, nutrients digestibility and nitrogen balance in lambs. The treatments: negative control/CTL (no additives); positive control/MON (addition of 25 ppm of monensin Kg- of dry matter); and 1.25, 2.5 and 3.75 mL essential oil Kg of diet as feed. Twenty-five crossbreed Dorper x Santa Ines lambs with 45.6 ± 10.7 Kg of body weight and cannulated in the rumen allocated into randomized complete blocks design with five replicates per treatment. It was possible to verify that all the treatments began to alter some parameters of the ruminal fermentation of the diet offering. Essential oil of lemon grass used had similar results to monensin on parameters of ruminal, on day 21 compared with day zero, essential oil presented high concentrations of ammoniacal nitrogen in the rumen, indicating that there was protein degradation greater than monensin. Not verified effect of essential oil in nutrient intake and nitrogen retained, even though there was improvement in the digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, and these effects were similar to monensin. During the 21 days, essential oil evaluated is effective manipulating some parameters of the ruminal fermentation.

Objective: The principal objective of this research was to examine the influence of zinc-methionine (Zn-Met) addition on feed on the in vitro ruminal enzyme activities, fermentation characteristics, methane production, and digestibilities of feed nutrients. Materials and Methods: The dosage of Zn-Met as a source of organic Zn was added to feed based on dry matter (DM) as follows: 0-without Zn addition (CON), 30 Zn mg/kg-low (LZM), 60 Zn mg/kg-medium (MZM), and 90 Zn mg/kg-high (HZM). Results: The results indicated significant impacts of Zn-Met addition on various parameters. Compared to the CON group, all Zn-Met treatments resulted in increased total volatile fatty acids (VFA) (linear; p < 0.001), carboxymethyl-cellulase activity (linear; p < 0.001), and gas production at 48-h of incubation (linear; p < 0.001, quadratic; p < 0.001). Additionally, the MZM and HZM groups exhibited higher levels of amylase activity (linear; p < 0.001), protease activity (linear; p = 0.006), microbial protein (linear; p = 0.009), DM digestibility (linear; p < 0.001), organic matter (OM) digestibility (linear; p < 0.001), crude protein (CP) digestibility (linear; p = 0.004), and crude fiber (CF) digestibility (linear; p = 0.003) than CON treatment. However, the treatments did not have any noteworthy effects on pH, the individual VFA (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) proportions, NH3-N concentration, and methane production (p > 0.05). Conclusion: It could be summarized that supplementing 60 and 90 Zn mg/kg DM as Zn-Met could improve the in vitro ruminal enzyme activities, fermentation characteristics, and nutrient digestibility without affecting methane production.

Abstract The objective of this study was to develop prediction equations (EQS) that estimate DE and ME content of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) using digestible (DIG) nutrients from in vitro or in vivo assays. Chemical composition data from 12 sources of corn DDGS were obtained using laboratory chemical analysis (LCA) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) from gastric and small intestine hydrolysis (IVDMDh), large intestine fermentation (IVDMDf), and total tract digestion (IVDMDt) were also determined along with in vivo apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, CP, ether extract (EE), NDF, and ADF, and energy values (GE, DE, and ME). Correlation analysis was used to compare chemical composition from LCA with NIRS, and a stepwise selection of variables was performed using linear regression to establish DE and ME prediction EQS. Composition determined by NIRS did not correlate with values from LCA. Consequently, significance and R2 were poorer when using NIRS data as inputs to predict DE (P = 0.11; R2 = 0.23) and ME (P = 0.11; R2 = 0.24). However, when using LCA data, DE (P = 0.04; R2 = 0.35) and ME (P = 0.04; R2 = 0.52) estimates of corn DDGS obtained from prediction EQS had significant P values, but low R2. Better prediction of DE (P < 0.01; R2 = 0.83) and ME (P < 0.01; R2 = 0.76) was observed when using in vivo DIG nutrients as inputs (DM basis) for DE, kcal/kg = 854.5 + (3.6 × DIG DM, g/kg) + (3.7 × DIG EE, g/kg) + (2.0 × DIG NDF, g/kg) and ME, kcal/kg = 704.5 + (3.3 × DIG DM, g/kg) + (4.8 × DIG EE, g/kg) + (2.6 × DIG NDF, g/kg). In vitro DIG DM, but not in vitro DIG NDF, was selected for use in EQS (7) DE, kcal/kg = 6,383.6 − (42.5 × in vitro DIG DM, g/kg) + (35.4 × DIG EE, g/kg) and (8) ME, kcal/kg = 6,635.1 − (49.8 × in vitro DIG DM, g/kg) + (41.3 × DIG EE, g/kg), but the significance and accuracy for both DE (P = 0.07; R2 = 0.45) and ME (P = 0.05; R2 = 0.49) predictions was less using in vitro DIG nutrient values than using in vivo DIG nutrient values. If chemical composition was used to replace in vivo EE, along with in vitro DIG NDF and DM, the prediction EQS only used the concentration of ADF and EE as predictors instead of in vitro DIG NDF and DM. In conclusion, in vivo DIG NDF, DM, and EE are the best predictors for DE and ME content of corn DDGS for swine. Using NIRS to determine chemical composition, in vitro DIG NDF, and in vitro DIG DM did not result in accurate predictions of DE and ME.

Objective: This study evaluated the utilization of marigold leaves (MGLs) in rations and their impact on rumen enzyme activity, fermentation parameters, methane (CH4) emission, and nutrient digestibility in vitro. Materials and Methods: The experimental diets comprised different proportions of MGL incorporated into the dry matter (DM) rations. Experimental design: The MGL treatments in diets include 0% (MGL-0), 7% (MGL-7), and 14% (MGL-14). Results: Results indicated that MGL-14 substantially raised (p < 0.05) the rumen parameters, including NH3–N and microbial protein, total volatile fatty acids, acetate (C2), propionate (C3), butyrate (C4), and the C2:C3 ratio. In contrast, the MGL-7 and MGL-14 groups experienced a noteworthy reduction (p < 0.05) in the total protozoa population. The MGL-7 and MGL-14 treatments also led to a substantial increase in the digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), and crude fiber (CF) in the rumen. However, they also resulted in a decline (p < 0.05) in crude protein (CP) digestibility. The DM and OM total digestibilities were higher (p < 0.05) in the MGL-14 and MGL-7 groups. The utilization of MGL did not influence (p > 0.05) the ruminal enzyme activities (carboxymethyl cellulase, amylase, protease), cumulative gas production, kinetics, ruminal pH value, CH4 and CO2 production, total CF, and CP digestibility. Conclusion: The utilization of MGL until 14% DM in diets can enhance ruminal fermentation parameters and nutrient digestibility in vitro without negatively affecting gas production kinetics or ruminal enzyme activities. However, it did not have any impact on CH4 production.

Reducing livestock negative environmental impacts get great interest in last years. So, present study was carried out to determine the effect of adding different levels of mixture of thyme and celery versus salinomycin on ruminal fermentation, gas production, dry, organic matter and fiber degradation. Four experimental treatments were used by in-vitro batch culture technique, as follow: 60% CFM, 40% clover hay (control), control diet + 2.5 gm thyme + 2.5 gm celery kg-1 DM (T1), control diet + 5 gm thyme + 5 gm celery kg-1 DM (T2), control diet + 10 gm thyme + 10 gm celery kg-1 DM (T3), control diet + 0.4 gm Salinomycin kg-1 DM (T4). Ruminal pH value was significantly increased (p < 0.05) with T4 compared with other treatments. While, the T4 recorded the lowest value (p < 0.05) for microbial protein, short chain fatty acids concentrations (SCFA), total gas production, dry matter and organic matter degradability (DMd and OMd) compared with other treatments. Fiber fraction degradability (NDFd and ADFd) appeared no significant variance (p > 0.05) between control and other treatments except for T1 that recorded the lowest value (p < 0.05). It is concluded that mixture of thyme plus celery could be alternate for ionophores in the ruminant diets to enhance ruminal fermentation, reducing gas production without any negative effect on nutrients degradability.

Cereals and legumes are important part of dietaries and contribute substantially to nutrient intake of human beings. They are significant source of energy, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Primary processing of cereals and legumes is an essential component of their preparation before use. For some grains, dehusking is an essential step, whereas for others, it could be milling the grain into flour. Grains are subjected to certain processing treatments to impart special characteristics and improve organoleptic properties such as expanded cereals. All these treatments result in alteration of their nutritional quality which could either be reduction in nutrients, phytochemicals and antinutrients or an improvement in digestibility or availability of nutrients. It is important to understand these changes occurring in grain nutritional quality on account of pre-processing treatments to select appropriate techniques to obtain maximum nutritional and health benefits. This review attempts to throw light on nutritional alterations occurring in grains due to pre-processing treatments.

Dietary fiber (DF) is an intrinsic component in plant feedstuffs that has been associated with physiological, structural, and functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract. DF is composed of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), oligosaccharides, and lignin that scape digestion and enzymatic hydrolysis. In general terms, fiber can be classified as insoluble or soluble based on their solubility in water. Both fiber types have direct nutritional implications in broiler diets. Inclusion of insoluble DF in broiler diets modulates intestinal morphology, digestive organ development, nutrient absorption, growth performance, and intestinal microbiota. Soluble DF is thought to increase intestinal viscosity and is associated with negative changes in intestinal microflora and reduction in nutrient absorption. Nevertheless, there is a group of soluble fibers, integrated by oligosaccharides, that function as prebiotics positively modulating intestinal microbiota. Due to the changes in chemical structure and subsequent variation in functionality, it is a difficult task to assign clear attributes to DF as a whole. Therefore, the following review paper compiles data from research conducted using DF and tries to unify such information into practical decisions to be considered when using DF as a functional nutrient in poultry nutrition.

Much of the recent research in companion animal nutrition has focussed on understanding the role of diet on faecal microbiota composition. To date, diet-induced changes in faecal microbiota observed in humans and rodents have been extrapolated to pets in spite of their very different dietary and metabolic requirements. This lack of direct evidence means that the mechanisms by which microbiota influences health in dogs are poorly understood. We hypothesised that changes in faecal microbiota correlate with physiological parameters including apparent macronutrient digestibility. Fifteen adult dogs were assigned to two diet groups, exclusively fed either a premium kibbled diet (kibble; ;  = 8) or a raw red meat diet (meat; ;  = 7) for nine weeks. Apparent digestibility of macronutrients (protein, fat, gross energy and dry matter), faecal weight, faecal health scores, faecal VFA concentrations and faecal microbial composition were determined. Datasets were integrated using mixOmics in R. Faecal weight and VFA levels were lower and the apparent digestibility of protein and energy were higher in dogs on the meat diet. Diet significantly affected 27 microbial families and 53 genera in the faeces. In particular, the abundances of , , and were lower in dogs fed the meat diet, whereas , and were all more abundant. Our results show clear associations of specific microbial taxa with diet composition. For example, Clostridiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae and Bacteroidaceae were highly correlated to parameters such as protein and fat digestibility in the dog. By understanding the relationship between faecal microbiota and physiological parameters we will gain better insights into the effects of diet on the nutrition of our pets.

Algae are natural sources of nutrients, but the presence of anti-nutritional factors often compromises nutrient apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) in several fish species. In this study, physical-mechanical and enzymatic technological processing was applied to two seaweeds (Gracilaria gracilis and Ulva rigida) and three microalgae (Nannochloropsis oceanica, Chlorella vulgaris, and Tetraselmis sp.) in order to evaluate its effectiveness in improving nutrient ADC values in diets for European seabass. A practical commercial-based diet was used as reference (REF) and experimental diets were prepared by replacing 30% of REF diet with each test alga used either intact or after processing. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) analyses revealed that enzymatic processing was more effective than the physical one in changing the protein and peptides composition, increasing the amount of low-molecular-weight compounds in seaweeds and N. oceanica microalgae. Protein digestibility was significantly affected by algae species and in the case of the microalgae by the technological process. Gracilaria gracilis is better digested than U. rigida and physical processing enhanced protein and energy ADC values. Nannochloropsis oceanica and C. vulgaris are better digested than Tetraselmis sp.; the highest protein and energy ADCs were observed in diets containing enzymatically processed N. oceanica (NAN-ENZ) and physically processed C. vulgaris (CHLO-PHY), followed by the diet with physically processed Tetraselmis sp. (TETR-PHY). Results clearly showed that it is possible to increase nutrient accessibility and digestibility of algae by fish, by selecting the most adequate method to disrupt the cell wall. Moreover, the physical-mechanical and enzymatic technological processes used in this study are scalable to the industrial level.

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of inoculation of whole crop corn silage with a mixture of heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) composed of Lactobacillus hilgardii and Lactobacillus buchneri on ensiling, aerobic stability, ruminal fermentation, total tract nutrient digestibility, and growth performance of beef cattle. Uninoculated control corn silage (CON) and silage inoculated with 3.0 × 105 cfu g−1 of LAB containing 1.5 × 105 cfu g−1 of L. hilgardii CNCM I-4785 and 1.5 × 105 cfu g−1 of L. buchneri NCIMB 40788 (INOC) were ensiled in silo bags. The pH did not differ (P > 0.05) between the two silages during ensiling but was greater (P < 0.001) for CON than INOC after 14 d of aerobic exposure (AE). Neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (NDICP) content (% of DM and % of CP basis) of terminal INOC silage was greater (P ≤ 0.05) than that of CON. In terminal silage, concentrations of total VFA and acetate were greater (P < 0.001), while water-soluble carbohydrates were lower (P < 0.001) for INOC than CON. Yeast and mold counts were lower for INOC than CON (P ≤ 0.001) in both terminal and aerobically exposed silages. The stability of INOC was greater (P < 0.001) than that of CON after 14 d of AE. Ruminal fermentation parameters and DMI did not differ (P > 0.05) between heifers fed the two silages, while there was a tendency (P ≤ 0.07) for lower CP and starch digestibility for heifers fed INOC than CON. Total nitrogen (N) intake and N retention were lower (P ≤ 0.04) for heifers fed INOC than CON. Dry matter intake as a percentage of BW was lower (P < 0.04) and there was a tendency for improved feed efficieny (G:F; P = 0.07) in steers fed INOC vs. CON silage. The NEm and NEg contents were greater for INOC than CON diets. Results indicate that inoculation with a mixture of L. hilgardii and L. buchneri improved the aerobic stability of corn silage. Improvements in G:F of growing steers fed INOC silage even though the total tract digestibility of CP and starch tended to be lower for heifers fed INOC are likely because the difference in BW and growth requirements of these animals impacted the growth performance and nutrient utilization and a greater proportion of NDICP in INOC than CON.