Meat qualitative composition of broiler chickens and feed digestibility when introducing a new organo-mineral feed additive into the diet as an alternative to antibiotics

The studies were conducted on broiler chickens of the cross “KOBB—500” in the research laboratory of “Feed Additives” and “Animal Nutrition and Feed Quality” of the Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology named after P.D. Pshenychny National University of Life Resources and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. The digestibility of nutrients in high-protein sunflower concentrate was carried out in a simple way, with two modifications: by the direct method and by the method of inert substances. Lignin, a natural component of plant-based feeds, was used as an inert substance. The determination of digestibility in broiler chickens was carried out on 12 broilers aged 32–42 days. The chickens were kept in individual cages. The area per head was 0.2 m2, the feeding front was 15 cm, and the watering was 3 cm. The experiment lasted 10 days. During this period, various methods were employed to assess digestibility in a group of experimental chickens. The physiological experiment consisted of two periods: preparatory and primary. During the preparatory period, which lasted 5 days, the bird was accustomed to consuming the studied feed and new conditions of detention, and the level of feed consumption was established. The digestibility of crude protein was relatively high, at 95 %. Moreover, the discrepancy between the indicators obtained for determining digestibility by the direct method and the method of inert substances was minimal, less than 0,11 %. The same picture was observed for the digestibility of crude fat; the indicator was within 84 %. The discrepancy between the two methods was minimal, 0.4 %. The digestibility of structural carbohydrates was low, which is typical for poultry, especially young birds. The digestibility of crude fiber ranged from 11,8 to 14 %, with a slightly higher difference between the direct and inert matter method determinations – about 3 %. The rather high digestibility coefficient of neutral-detergent fiber – 64.4 – 65.2 % and the low digestibility of acid-detergent acid – 3.9 – 6.2 % indicate that the hemicelluloses of the high-protein sunflower concentrate were digested quite well. In general, the digestibility of organic matter was quite typical for plant-based feed, 78.4 – 78.9 %. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients of the high-protein sunflower concentrate for broiler chickens were established by the direct method: crude protein – 94.9 %; crude fat – 83.7 %; crude fiber – 11.8 %; nitrogen-free extractives – 71.3 %; organic matter – 78.4 %; neutral detergent fiber – 64.4 %; acid detergent fiber – 3.9 %. The total energy value of high-protein sunflower concentrate for broiler chickens is 12.073 – 13.129 MJ/kg.

Four experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of organic or inorganic acid supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal measurements and white blood cell counts of weanling pigs. In growth trial (Exp I), a total of 100 crossbred pigs ({LandracexYorkshire}xDuroc), weaned at 23′2 days of age and 7.25′0.10 kg average initial body weight (BW), were allotted to 5 treatments by body weight and sex in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Three different organic acids (fumaric [FUA], formic [FOA] or lactic acid [LAA]) and one inorganic acid (hydrochloric acid [SHA]) were supplemented to each treatment diet. Each treatment had 5 replicates with 4 pigs per pen. During 0-3 wk, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed efficiency (G/F ratio) were not significantly different among treatments. However, pigs fed LAA or SHA diet showed improved ADG by 15 or 13% respectively and 12% greater ADFI in both treatments compared to CON diets. Moreover, compared to organic acid treatments, better ADG (p = 0.07) and ADFI (p = 0.09) were observed in SHA diet compared to pigs that were fed the diet containing organic acids (FUA, FOA or LAA). However, during 4-5 wk, no differences in ADG, ADFI and G/F ratio were observed among treatments. Overall, ADG, ADFI and G/F ratio were not affected by acidifier supplementation. Although it showed no significant difference, pigs fed LAA or SHA diets showed numerically higher ADG and ADFI than pigs fed other treatments. In metabolic trial (Exp II), 15 pigs were used to evaluate the effect of acidifier supplementation on nutrient digestibility. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), crude ash (CA), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) was not improved by acidifier supplementation. Although the amount of fecal-N excretion was not different among treatments, that of urinary-N excretion was reduced in acid-supplemented treatments compared to CON group (p = 0.12). Subsequently, N retention was improved in acid-supplemented groups (p = 0.17). In anatomical trial (Exp III), the pH and Cl - concentrations of digesta in gastrointestinal (GI) tracts were not affected by acidifier supplementation. No detrimental effect of intestinal and lingual (taste bud) morphology was observed by acidifier supplementation particularly in inorganic acid treatment. In white blood cell assay (Exp IV), 45 pigs were used for measuring white blood cell (WBC) counts. In all pigs after LPS injection, WBC counts had slightly declined at 2 h and kept elevating at 8 h, then returned to baseline by 24 h after injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, overall WBC counts were not affected by acidifier supplementation. In conclusion, there was no difference between organic and inorganic acidifier supplementation in weanling pigs' diet, however inorganic acidifier might have a beneficial effect on growth performance and N utilization with lower supplementation levels. Furthermore, inorganic acidifier had no negative effect on intestinal measurements and white blood cell counts in weanling pigs. These results suggested that inorganic acidifier might be a good alternative to organic acidifiers in weanling pigs.

This contribution reports the effects of Moringaoleifera leaves (MOLs) meal on the growth performances, nutrient digestibility, carcass trait, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters of growing New Zealand white rabbits. The MOL was substituted for alfalfa meal at levels of 0, 10%, 20% and 30% to obtain respective diets MOL0, MOL10, MOL20 and MOL30. Each treatment was replicated five times with 10 rabbits per replicate. Results showed the average daily weight gain (ADWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of rabbits fed MOL20 diet were significantly better (p<0.05) than those of other three dietary groups. Liver and spleen index of rabbits fed MOL20 and MOL30 diets was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the groups fed with lower M.oleifera leaves (MOL0, MOL10). The meat drip loss of rabbits fed with diet MOL10 was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of rabbits fed other diets. All rabbits fed MOL dietary groups had lower (p<0.05) shear force of longissimus dorsi than the group without M.oleifera leaves. No significant differences were found in the digestibility of crude fibre (CF), crude fat (EE), ash, crude protein (CP) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) among the dietary groups. Moringaoleifera leaves also have a significant impact on serum albumin (ALB), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), triiodothyroxine (T3 ) and tetraiodothyroxine (T4 ) values and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver. The results indicated that M.oleifera leaves could be developed as a good feed source, and it not only could substitute for alfalfa meal well but also has a significant effect on growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant and biochemical parameters of rabbits.

Chapter 3 - Acidifiers and organic acids in livestock nutrition and health

Currently, a pressing problem in industrial poultry farming is the development of feed additives as an alternative to feed antibiotics in connection with the fight against resistance and the ban on feed antibiotics in poultry farming. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a phytobiotic additive on the digestibility of nutrients and the retention of mineral elements of feed in laying quails. The use of a phytobiotic additive in quail feed increases the digestibility of dry matter in quails of the 2nd group by 9.6 % (p&lt;0.01), in the 3rd by 6.3 % (p&lt;0.01) and in the 4th by 5.0 % (p&lt;0.05), compared to control analogues. With the use of phytobiotics, the digestibility of crude protein and fat in poultry of the 2nd group was 7.2 % and 8.1 % (p&lt;0.001), in the 3rd by 10.1 % and 12.2 % (p&lt;0.001), and in the 4th by 9.3 % and 10.0 % (p&lt;0.001) higher than in the control group. Additional feeding of quails with phytobiotic feed additive increases the digestibility of crude fiber in the 3rd group by 6.2 % (p&lt;0.05), compared to the control sample. Under the influence of the herbal additive, the digestibility of BER in the 2nd group of quails was higher by 5.3 % (p&lt;0.01), in the 3rd by 12.1 % (p&lt;0.001) and in the 4th by 9.7 % (p&lt;0.001), compared to the control group. Additional consumption of phytobiotics increases the retention of Calcium in the 3rd group by 9.2 % (p&lt;0.001) and in the 4th by 4.3 % (p&lt;0.05) and Phosphorus, Zinc and Copper in quails of the 3rd group by 3.1 %, 8.9% and 6.6 % (p&lt;0.05), respectively, relative to the control. The feeding of the plant-based additive increased the absorption of iron and manganese in the second group. by 10.1 % (p&lt;0.01) and 5.8 % (p&lt;0.05), respectively, in the 3rd by 12.8 % (p&lt;0.001) and 14.0 % (p&lt;0.01), and in the 4th by 11.1 % (p&lt;0.001) and 9.1 % (p&lt;0.01) compared to the control samples. It was found that the highest Nitrogen absorption coefficient was observed under the action of the average dose of phytobiotic, which is 19.4 % higher than the control indicator. It was detected that under the influence of the phytobiotic additive, the Сalcium digestibility coefficient increased in the 2nd group by 4.4 %, in the 3rd by 5.1 % and in the 4th by 3.4 % (p&lt;0.05), compared to the control indicators. Key words: quails, feeding, phytobiotic, digestibility, retention, mineral elements, nitrogen balance.

Simple SummarySilybum marianum is a well-known herb in terms of its pharmacological activities, and it is used as both a medicament and a dietary supplement (phytobiotics). Milk thistle seeds contain a mixture of flavonoids known as silymarin, which consists of silybin, isosilybin, silychristine, and silydianin. Until now, there has been no evidence of monitoring the digestibility of silymarin complex in horses. The aim of the research was to evaluate digestibility of silymarin complex and the effect of nutrient digestibility in horses. Different daily feed doses of milk thistle expeller (0 g, 100 g, 200 g, 400 g, 700 g) were administered to five mares kept under the same conditions and at the same feed rations. We monitored the digestibility of silymarin, digestible energy, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, crude ash, calcium, phosphorus, and plasma profile. Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found between daily doses in digestibilities of flavonolignans and nutrients. Our findings showed the digestibility of flavonolignans increased with the daily dose and then stagnated with the dose of milk thistle seed cakes at 700 g/day. Milk thistle seeds contain a mixture of flavonoids known as silymarin, which consists of silybin, isosilybin, silychristine, and silydianin. Until now, there has been no evidence of monitoring the digestibility of silymarin complex in horses. The aim of the research was to evaluate the digestibility of silymarin complex and the effect of nutrient digestibility in horses. Different daily feed doses (FD) of milk thistle expeller (0 g, 100 g, 200 g, 400 g, 700 g) were administered to five mares kept under the same conditions and at the same feed rations. Digestibility of silymarin complex was monitored by HPLC-UV. Digestible energy (DE), crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), crude ash, calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) were determined according ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The biochemical profile of blood plasma (total protein, albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triacyl glyceride (TAG), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), creatine kinase (CK), creatinine, urea, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant status (TAS), glucose, calcium, and inorganic phosphate) was investigated. Moreover, the flavonolignans of the silymarin complex in plasma were detected. Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found between daily doses of milk thistle expellers in digestibilities. Our findings showed the digestibility of flavonolignans increased with the daily dose and then stagnated with the dose of milk thistle seed cakes at 700 g/day.

Digestibility of pet food can affect the health of dog, especially of aged animals. To maintain the health of dogs in an overall good status it is necessary to provide nutritionally balanced food. For example, the digestibility of dogs was known to be decreased along aging. In addition, losing teethes is an often event in aged dogs that could induce a problem to eat a large size dry pet food. Nonetheless, few detailed information is available on the most suited feeding for aged dogs. As part of the nutritional study of food for aged dogs, in this study, we tested whether food type impacts on digestibility on adult versus senior dogs. The methodology to measure the digestibility of nutrients was chosen the index method using chromium oxide. Dogs were fed the same commercial dry or wet diets, which were supplemented with 0.5% chromium oxide. The wet food was prepared by adding twice volume of water in the dry food prior to incubated overnight (14–16 hours) at room temperature. After five days, their feces were collected up to a total weight of > 200 g which was the amount to analyze undigested nutrients in feces as 3 repeats. In the apparent total tract digestibility analysis of the experimental breed, no difference in the digestibility of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, and energy was observed regarding the moisture content of the food. Noteworthy, the digestibility of nitrogen free extract was significantly increased in senior dogs fed dry dog food compared with adult dogs fed the same diet, whereas no difference was observed between senior and adult dogs fed wet food. The small breed dogs showed similar results to the experimental breed dogs. However, the digestibility of crude fat was additionally affected by age and food type unlike the experimental breed dogs. This finding suggests that the food moisture content affects the digestibility of nutrients in dogs with aging. Hence, it may be helpful to determine the nutrient contents in foods for senior dogs depending on the food type.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of varying dietary fat levels (3%-10%) on the digestibilities of crude protein, crude fat (CF), nitrogen-free extract and ash at different sites of fistulized chicken intestines. Chickens were fistulized to either the middle part of the jejunum (MJ), the distal end of the jejunum (DJ), the middle part of the ileum, the distal end of the ileum or the distal end of the rectum. Intestinal digesta were collected from each site of intestine, and contents of crude protein, crude fat, nitrogen-free extract and ash were measured. The true digestibility of crude protein in intestinal digesta at MJ in the 10% CF group was significantly lower than that in other groups. The digestibility of crude fat in intestinal digesta at MJ in the 10% CF group was also significantly lower than that in other groups. The digestibility of nitrogen-free extract at MJ and DJ in the 10% CF group was significantly lower than that in other groups. There were no significant differences in digestibility of ash among groups. These results clearly demonstrate that dietary fat levels influence the digestibility of protein, fat, and carbohydrate at MJ in chicken.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary protein levels (0, 10, 15, 20 and 30%) on the digestibilities of crude protein, crude fat, nitrogen-free extract and ash at different sites of fistulized chicken intestines. Chickens were fistulized to either the middle part of jejunum (MJ), distal end of jejunum (DJ), middle part of ileum, distal end of ileum or distal end of rectum. Intestinal digesta were collected from each site of intestine, and contents of crude protein, crude fat, nitrogen-free extract and ash were measured. The true digestibility of crude protein in intestinal digesta at MJ and DJ in the 10% group and at MJ in the 15% group was significantly lower than those in the 30% group. The digestibility of crude fat in intestinal digesta at MJ and DJ in both the 0 and 10% groups were significantly lower than those in other groups. The digestibility of nitrogen-free extract at MJ and DJ in the 0% group and at MJ in the 10% group were significantly lower than those in other groups. The digestibility of ash at all sites of intestines in the 0% group showed the lowest value among groups. These results clearly demonstrate that dietary protein level influences the digestibilities of protein, fat, carbohydrate and ash in chicken intestines.

The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient digestibility and physiological status of local sheep at late pregnancy fed with flushing diet containing palm oil, lemuru oil, and their combination. In this research, the livestock used were 12 female local sheep at late pregnancy with an average body weight of 43.58 ± 5.57 kg were placed in metabolic cages. This study used a randomized block design (RBD) with 4 treatments and 3 block replications. The treatments were P1 = control ration (30% grass + 70% concentrate), P2 = control ration + 6% palm oil supplementation, P3 = control ration + 3% lemuru oil and 3% palm oil supplementation, P4 = control ration + 6% lemuru oil supplementation. The feed consumption, nutrient digestibility, and physiological status were measured in this study. The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA. Means values differences were analyzed using Duncan test. The results showed that the addition of palm oil and lemuru oil to the concentrate diet increased (p&lt;0.05) crude fat consumption, dry matter digestibility, and crude fat digestibility, but decreased (p&lt;0.05) Nitrogen free extract consumption. Addition of palm oil and lemuru oil on the concentrate diet had no significant effect on dry matter consumption, crude protein consumption, crude fiber consumption, crude protein digestibility, crude fiber digestibility, Nitrogen free extract digestibility, and TDN value. The treatments did not affect significantly on physiological status. It can be concluded that the use of 6% palm oil in the ration can increase crude fat consumption and crude fat digestibility in pregnant ewes.&#x0D; Key words: digestibility, ewes, flushing, oil, physiological status

Chlorella and vegetable oil inclusion in diets for growing rabbits: effects on growth, digestibility, plasma metabolites, and caecal fermentations and microbiota

The energy values of commercial laboratory animal diets have been customarily calculated by applying physiological fuel values (PFV) in this country. In order to ascertain accuracy of this application, apparent digestibility of crude protein, crude fat, nitrogen-free extracts (NFE), carbohydrate (NFE + crude fiber) and nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy (MEn) of 10 commercial diets were determined using rats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs, respectively, and true digestibility of crude protein and crude fat of 12 feed ingredients was determined using rats. Apparent digestibility of the nutrients in the diets decreased with an increase in the crude fiber content of the diets. MEn values of the diets ranged between 2.18 and 3.75 kcal per g dry matter depending upon the crude fiber content of the diets. The energy values of the 10 diets calculated using PFV values of 4 kcal/g for protein and carbohydrate and 9 kcal/g for fat were compared with each MEn. The calculated values were 1.04 to 1.39 times higher than those of the respective MEn. All of the diets and most feed ingredients did not show high digestibility of nutrients assumed for the application of PFV. Therefore, it is concluded that application of PFV to the diets results in over-estimation of energy values and use of PFV for commercial laboratory diets in our country is not warranted. It is advisable to use MEn to evaluate energy value of commercial laboratory animal diets.

This experiment evaluated the effects of dietary lysine restriction and energy density on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality of finishing pigs. A 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments was utilized in a randomized complete block (RCB) design, and factor 1 was lysine restriction and factor 2 was energy density. The control diet was formulated to contain 3.265 Mcal of ME/kg, 0.75% lysine in the early-finishing phase and 3.265 Mcal of ME/kg, 0.60% lysine in the late-finishing phase and other nutrients met or exceeded NRC (1998) standards. Compared to the control diet (CON), lysine levels of experimental diets were restricted to 15% (treatment EL, EEL) or 30% (treatment ELL, EELL), whereas energy level of experimental diets was increased by 0.100 or 0.200 Mcal of ME/kg. A total of 100 crossbred pigs ([YorkshirexLandrace]×Duroc), with average initial body weight of 58.47±1.42 kg, were allotted to 5 dietary treatments based on sex and body weight. Each treatment had 5 replicates with 4 pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. ADG, ADFI and feed efficiency were calculated in an 8-week growth trial. In the late finishing period (5-8 weeks), pigs fed ELL or EELL diets had decreased ADG and feed efficiency (p 0.05). In a metabolic trial, 15 pigs were used to evaluate the effect of dietary lysine restriction and energy density on nutrient digestibility. The digestibility of dry matter, crude fat and crude ash was not improved by restricting dietary lysine or energy density. However, crude protein digestibility was decreased (p<0.05) as dietary lysine was restricted. When dietary lysine was restricted, fecal nitrogen was increased whereas nitrogen retention was decreased. BUN concentration was affected by dietary lysine restriction; treatments ELL and EELL had higher BUN values than other treatments (p<0.01). Carcass characteristics and meat quality were measured when average body weight of pigs reached 107.83±1.50 kg. Treatment ELL had higher last rib backfat depth (p<0.05) than treatment CON, but ELL and EEL did not differ significantly. The ELL and EEL treatments had higher (p<0.05) subjective marbling score than treatment CON. Treatment EEL showed higher longissimus fat content than treatment EL and CON (p<0.01). The results indicated that finishing pigs fed a diet with 15% lysine restriction and 3.465 Mcal of ME/kg energy density had no detrimental effects on growth performance and N utilization, and could achieve substantial increases in marbling and longissimus fat content of pork.

It is known that necessary to replace the components of organic acids, which are part of acidifiers when drinking water to poultry in order to prevent the adaptation of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract. In the poultry industry organic acids are widely used, which are used as acidifiers to preserve the properties of water consumed. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of broiler meat production when using acidifying agents of drinking water Aquasafe and Veleguard. The experimental part of the work has been performed in JSC “Kurinoe Tsarstvo-Bryansk” broiler area “Roshcha” in the Pochepsky district. The object of research was the livestock of broiler chickens cross Cobb 500 at floor housing. The effect of water acidifiers on meat productivity has been studied. Groups of chickens have been formed on the principle of pairs-analogues. Broiler chickens of experimental groups have been separated from the main livestock by a grid in the corner of the room for 100 heads in each group. It has been found by a result of research to be optimal dose usage of acidifying agents water Aquasafe and Veleguard to drink to broiler chickens. The positive effect of these acidifiers on the digestion of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, contributing to the effective use of nitrogen, which led to an increase in the intensity of growth, young animals’ livability and improved feed conversion. Slaughter yield in the control group was 55,1 %, and in the experimental group 57,2 and 58,4 %, which was by 2,1 and 3,3 % higher with the same level of metabolic energy and nutrients. In chickens that consumed acidifi ers more intensively used nutrients feed for deposition in the body of the components of the carcass, which affected the production. A positive impact of acidifying agents Aquasafe and Veleguard on meat quality in broiler chickens has been found.

This fermentation technology can increase the structural digestibility of carbohydrates and increase the amount of protein by chemical, physical, and biological fermentation.It is expected that palm oil-based waste can be used as an alternative to goat feed, with high feed intake, can