Rapeseed Meal Research Articles

Chemical composition and quality of rapeseed meal as affected by genotype and nitrogen fertilization

Rapeseed meal (RSM) is known for its high nutritional quality as animal feed. However, there has been little studies on the effect of nitrogen fertilization on RSM chemical composition, mainly neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and ash content. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of nitrogen application rate on chemical composition of RSM in interaction with different spring rapeseed varieties (Brassica napus L). A field experiment was conducted during 2018/19 cropping season at the experimental station of the Ecole Nationale d’Agriculture de Meknès” according to a split-plot design with three replications, using six nitrogen application rates, as main plot, and six rapeseed varieties, as subplot. After seeds harvest and oil extraction, meals derived from the different treatments were used in this study. Results showed that increasing nitrogen rate from 0 to 120 kg N ha−1 led to a significant rise in meal yield up to 74.58%. A positive effect of nitrogen fertilization was observed on dry matter, protein content and ash content, recording the highest values at 120 kg N ha−1 treatment. However, cellulose and lignin content were affected negatively by nitrogen fertilization. The nitrogen supply of 150 kg N ha−1 resulted in a reduction of ADF and ADL contents by 23% and 28%, respectively, compared to the unfertilized control (N0). Variability within rapeseed varieties for all parameters except dry matter and ADL content was highlighted.

The application of biochar improves the nutrient supply efficiency of organic fertilizer, sustains soil quality and promotes sustainable crop production

AbstractRapeseed meal, a nutritious organic fertilizer (OF), contributes to improving soil environment and crop productivity. However, there are also problems, namely slow fertilizer efficiency and low nutrient utilization during the growing season. This 2‐year field trial was conducted to explore the effect of biochar addition on improving the nutrient availability of OF through a comparative study of various biochar application rates under rice‐rapeseed rotation conditions. The findings revealed that, compared to the individual application of chemical fertilizers (CF), OF alone decreased rice yield (2%/2%) and rapeseed yield (6%/10%) in 2019/2020. Compared with OF, combining biochar (15 t ha−1) with OF (OF + B15) significantly increased rice yield (17%/10%) and rapeseed yield (25%/20%) in the first/second year. Additionally, OF + B15 still increased rice yield (14%/7%) and rapeseed yield (12%/13%) for two consecutive years compared to CF. The co‐application of biochar and OF had positive impacts on soil physicochemical properties and enzymes. Compared to OF, OF + B15 elevated soil organic carbon (SOC) by 57%–81%, soil catalase 19%, invertase 14%–20%, urease 17%–19%, and phosphatase 13%–17% during rice season, and similarly increased SOC by 77%–90%, soil catalase 14%–16%, invertase 14%–20%, urease 18%–24%, and phosphatase 16%–17% in rapeseed season. Biochar addition improved soil conditions and enzymatic activities, and the available nutrient supply of OF. Also, the co‐application of biochar and rapeseed meal surpassed the effect of chemical fertilizer alone on the growth and yield of crops. Therefore, biochar coupling with organic fertilizer is an effective fertilization strategy based on resource recycling, which promotes both crop yield and sustainable agriculture.

The effects of diets containing rapeseed meal on Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) growth, muscle composition, and physiological performance

Sturgeon farming is a rapidly developing aquaculture sector which requires high-quality feeds. As an ingredient of animal feeds, fishmeal is often replaced with cheaper plant-based protein sources, such as rapeseed cake meal, a by-product of canola oil pressing. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of diets containing various levels of rapeseed cake meal on the juvenile Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) growth, hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as muscle composition. An 8-week feeding trial was conducted on fish with average body weight of 216.2 ± 45.7 g. Fish were fed diets were 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of fish meal and soybean meal were replaced with rapeseed meal (groups A, B, C, and D, respectively). Additionally in E diet (30% rapeseed meal) effects of phytase addition RENOZYME® HiPhos 20000 in concentration 2000 IU was tested. During the experiment, no mortalities were observed in each of the studied groups. Similar values of morphometric and breeding parameters were observed in groups A, B, C, D and E. No hematological effects of rapeseed diets occurred, except for significantly lower erythroblast levels in groups B, C, D, and E compared to A. Group B showed a higher plasma glucose concentration compared to the other groups. ALT activity in groups D and E were lower than in groups A, B, and C. The muscles of individuals from group B showed the highest dry matter and fat content, while the highest protein content occurred in group C. Despite significant differences in the values of some parameters, the obtained results indicate that the replacement of 10–30% of fishmeal with rapeseed meal in the feed for the juvenile Siberian sturgeon did not compromise fish survivability, growth performance, health, or body composition, although phytase addition did not improve the effects of administering rapeseed-containing feed.

Fermented rapeseed meal subjected to a biosorption process: A potential new feed additive with microelements for laying hens

The antinutritional substances contained in rapeseed play an essential role in the bioavailability of microelements contained in feed. This problem can be solved by fermentation of rapeseed products, which can also be enriched with selected microelements through biosorption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the biosorption capacity of fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) by enriching its biomass with Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Fe(II) ions and then using the FRSM prepared in this way in laying hens’ diet and examining its impact on performance, egg quality and transfer of microelements to eggs content. Seventy-two laying hens of the Lohmann Brown line (26 weeks of age) were used in the experiment. The experiment lasted 90 days. The birds were randomly divided into two experimental groups, each group consisted of 12 replications (cages), and each replication of 3 hens (36 birds per group). The first group (BURSM) was the control group and received 30 g/kg unfermented rapeseed meal (URSM) after the biosorption process (enrichment in Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Fe(II) ions) in the feed, the second group (BFRSM) received 30 g/kg of fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) after the biosorption process (enrichment in Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Fe(II) ions) in the feed. The results conclude that both URSM and FRSM can be used as a substrate in the biosorption process. However, in the case of laying hens’ performance and egg quality, the form of the rapeseed meal (RSM) was not statistically significant. Hens in the BURSM group were characterized by higher bioaccumulation factor (BF), while hens from the BFRSM group were characterized by higher transfer coefficients (TC), which may be important in the design of functional foods.

Эффективность использования разного уровня ферментированного рапсового шрота в рационах лактирующих коров в период раздоя

Purpose. Evaluation of the effectiveness of using different levels of fermented rapeseed meal in the diets of lactating cows during the milking period. Materials and Мethods. Scientific, economic and physiological experiments were carried out in the conditions of the farm of Delta-F LLC in the Sergiev Posad district of the Moscow region on three groups of Holstein cows: control, experimental 1 and 2. Cows from the control group were fed the main diet with the addition of 2.5 kg of traditional rapeseed meal, animals from experimental 1 additionally received 1.25 kg of natural rapeseed meal and 1.25 kg of fermented rapeseed meal, from experimental 2 – 2.5 kg of fermented rapeseed meal. The physiological experiment was carried out at the end of milking period, for which 3 heads were selected from each group. The amount of feed given and consumed was weighed daily. Sampling of feed, milk, preservation of feces and urine was carried out according to generally accepted methods. Data processing was carried out using specialized computer software using methods of dispersion and correlation analysis. Results. During the 92-day experiment, it was found that the animals of the experimental groups (1 and 2) were characterized by high parameters of gross and daily milk yield. The gross milk yield of natural and 4% fat milk was higher in cows of the 1st experimental group compared to the control group by 3.3 and 4.4% (P≤0.05), and the protein yield was by 5.1 kg (P≤0.05). The inclusion of different levels of fermented rapeseed meal in the diet had a positive effect on protein digestibility in animals of the experimental groups. The highest amount of digestible nitrogen, as well as nitrogen excreted in milk, was observed in cows of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups. Conclusion. The addition of fermented rapeseed meal (1.25 kg) into the diet of cows during the milking period and the content of non-cleavable protein at a level of at least 39.3% has a positive effect on animal productivity and milk quality.

Effect of Miscellaneous Meal Replacements for Soybean Meal on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Gut Microbiota of 50-75 kg Growing Pigs.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of miscellaneous meal (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower seed meal) as a replacement for soybean meal on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters, serum free amino acid contents, and gut microbiota of 50-75 kg growing pigs. A total of 54 healthy growing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with initial body weights (BWs) of 50.64 ± 2.09 kg were randomly divided into three treatment groups, which included the corn-soybean meal group (CON), corn-soybean-miscellaneous meal group (CSM), and corn-miscellaneous meal group (CM). Each treatment included six replicates with three pigs in each replicate. Dietary protein levels were maintained at 15% in all three treatment groups. Additional rapeseed meals, cottonseed meals, and sunflower seed meals were added to the CSM group's meals to partially replace the 10.99% soybean meal in the CON group in a 1:1:1 ratio. Pigs in the CM group were fed a diet with a mixture of miscellaneous meals (7.69% rapeseed meal, 7.69% cottonseed meal, and 7.68% sunflower seed meal) to totally replace soybean meal. Our findings revealed that there was no significant impact of replacing soybean meal with miscellaneous meal on the ADG (average daily gain), ADFI (average daily feed intake), or F/G (feed-to-gain ratio) (p > 0.05) of growing pigs weighing 50-75 kg, nor on the crude protein, crude fat, or gross energy (p > 0.05) of the diet. On the other hand, compared to the CON group, the CM group exhibited significantly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and triglyceride (TG) levels (p < 0.05), while urea levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). No significant effect was observed on the serum free amino acid contents (p > 0.05) following the substitution of soybean meal with miscellaneous meal. A t-test analysis indicated that compared with the CON group, the CM group exhibited a significantly diminished abundance of Euryachaeota at the phylum level and augmented abundance of Desulfobacterota at the genus level. This study demonstrated that the miscellaneous meals (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower seed meal) as a substitute for soybean meal in the diet had no significant negative effects on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, serum amino acid content, or diversity of fecal microbiota in 50-75 kg growing pigs. These results can be helpful in developing further miscellaneous meals (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower seed meal) as functional alternative feed ingredients to soybean meal in pig diets.

Molecular characterization and dietary regulation of the forkhead box O3 (foxo3a and foxo3b) in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

The forkhead box O3 (foxo3) regulates the target genes expression involved in regulating cell cycle and biological metabolism. In the study, foxo3a and foxo3b of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were cloned. The foxo3a cDNA have a complete open reading frame (ORF) spanning 1431 bp, which encodes a polypeptide of 476 amino acids. The foxo3b cDNA contains a complete ORF encompassing 1959 bp, encoding a protein consisting of 652 amino acid residues. The analysis of genetic codon preference and phylogenetic relationships revealed that the foxo3a and foxo3b genes in grass carp are closely related to the counterparts of Danio rerio and Megalobrama amblycephala. Tissue expression analysis showed that foxo3a expression reached the maximum in the brain while foxo3b expression in the muscle being the highest. Circadian expression pattern showed that, foxo3a expression presented a periodic upward trend from 3:00–9:00, 12:00–18:00 and 21:00–24:00, and the maximum level of foxo3b was detected at 9:00. Moreover, dietary regulation of foxo3a and foxo3b expression were performed in our research. In the feeding trial with different protein sources, the groups of fishmeal, rapeseed meal and soybean meal are in contrast to each other. Foxo3a expression was significantly higher in fish fed with rapeseed meal compared to those fed with soybean meal and fishmeal at 14th and 21st days of the experiment. Foxo3b expression was highest in the fishmeal group, followed by rapeseed meal, while it was lowest in soybean meal at 14th and 28th days. Analysis of the effect of dietary alanine-glutamine dipeptide on foxo3 expression in grass carp revealed that the expression of foxo3a gradually increased with increasing dietary Ala-Gln dipeptide concentration and reached its highest level at a concentration of 1.5%. Conversely, foxo3b expression significantly decreased when the dipeptide concentration reached 2%. The findings of this study may provide new insights into the molecular properties, spatiotemporal dynamics, and nutritional regulation of foxo3 in fish.

Effects of fermented rapeseed meal on performance, intestinal morphology, the viscosity of intestinal content, phosphorus availability, and egg quality of laying hens

Fermented rapeseed meal has the potential to partial replace soybean meal in feed mixtures for poultry without a negative impact on the health condition and performance of birds. This is due to the fact that the fermentation process can reduce the amount of antinutritional factors, improve the use of nutrients and impart probiotic properties to rapeseed meal. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of fermented rapeseed meal on the performance, egg quality, intestinal morphometry, the viscosity of intestinal content and total phosphorus availability. A total of 108 Lohmann Brown laying hens at 26 wk of age were used in the 90-day study. All hens were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups, with 12 replicates (cages) each, as follows: control group received no rapeseed meal, the URSM group received 3% unfermented rapeseed meal and the FRSM group received 3% fermented rapeseed meal. In the case of performance, egg traits, sensory evaluation of eggs, the viscosity of intestinal content and the availability of total phosphorus, if the distribution was normal, a 1-way analysis of variance was performed. If the distribution was not normal, the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed. In the case of histomorphometric evaluation of the intestine, if the distribution was normal, the Student t test for independent samples was performed. If not, a Mann-Whitney U test was performed. The performed analyses showed that the supplementation of fermented rapeseed meal had no negative effect on the performance of birds and the quality of eggs. Fermented rapeseed meal was also associated with improved histomorphometric parameters of the small intestine compared to the group receiving unfermented rapeseed meal in the feed. Laying hens from FRSM group were characterized by significantly lower viscosity of intestinal content (P < 0.05) compared to URSM group. Phosphorus in FRSM group was significantly more available to the birds (P < 0.05) compared to URSM group. These results suggest that supplementation with fermented rapeseed meal may be beneficial, especially in times of unstable prices of soybean meal and problems with its availability.

246 Evaluation of the Complete Replacement of Soybean Meal by Rapeseed Meal on Performance and Carcass Composition of Grow-Finishing Pigs

Abstract The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) by rapeseed meal (RSM) as main protein source in diets for grow-finishing pigs. The trial included a total of 1,248 crossbred boars and gilts [Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White), with an initial body weight (BW) of 38.3 ± 5.29 kg (Mean ± SD)], distributed in 96 pens of 13 pigs. Pens were randomly distributed in 2 dietary treatments, balanced by BW, block and sex within each of the 8 slurry pits. The inclusion of SBM and RSM in the growing diets was 13.8% and 20.0%, whereas in the finishing diets (days 52-91) was 10.5% and 14.4%, respectively. Diets were formulated to have the same net energy (NE) value and crude protein differences were below 0.5%. To achieve isoenergetic diets, the inclusion of animal fat was increased by 2.4% and 1.7% in RSM diets compared with SBM for the growing and finishing phases, respectively. Standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys was kept at 0.95% and 0.86% in the growing and finishing phases, respectively. Performance variables were analyzed by using a linear mixed model with treatment and sex as fixed effects and initial BW as covariate, while pit was included as a random effect. Individual carcass data were analyzed in a linear mixed model with treatment, sex and marketing group as fixed effects, and hot carcass weight as a covariate, and pen within a pit as random effect. During the growing phase, pigs showed lower ADFI when fed the RSM diet (1.68 vs. 1.62 kg; P = 0.002) that resulted in decreased ADG (0.842 vs. 0.803 kg; P = 0.015), but FCR was not affected (2.00 vs. 2.02; P = 0.459). Contrarily, in the finishing phase, ADFI was not significantly reduced (1.98 vs. 1.95 kg; P = 0.586) but less FCR was observed when feeding RSM (2.59 vs. 2.49; P = 0.007). Final BW was not significantly affected (112.0 vs. 110.7 kg; P = 0.404), but hot carcass weight tended to be less in RSM fed pigs (92.2 vs. 91.3 kg; P = 0.078). No significant differences were reported on carcass yield (P = 0.815), carcass leanness (P = 0.850) or backfat thickness (P = 0.850). In conclusion, feeding growing pigs diets without SBM might negatively affect their performance during the growing phase, but those effects can be partly counteracted in the finishing phase without modifying carcass composition.

243 The Effect of Totally or Partially Replacing Soybean Meal by Alternative Protein Sources on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing Finishing Pigs

Abstract In many countries, soybean meal (SBM) is the premier protein source in pig diets because of the optimal amino acid (AA) content. However, due to developments in sustainability and local availability of SBM, it is of great interest for the feed industry to explore the effect on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of replacing SBM inclusion in pig diets by alternative protein sources. The objective of the current study was to explore the effect of partially and/or totally replacement of SBM in the starter, grower and finisher diets formulating based on the same NE, dig AA/NE, and similar AA profile on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs (25 kg to slaughter at ±120 kg). In total, 120 boars and 120 gilts (Top Pi x T20) entered the experiment with an average body weight of 23.4 ± 1.87 kg and age of 61.4 ± 1.43 days. Pigs were blocked and randomly allocated to four dietary treatments depending on the inclusion level of SBM in the starter, grower and finisher phases. In treatment 1, the starter, grower and finisher feeds contained 16.0, 12.0 and 8.0% of SBM, respectively. In treatment 2, the starter, grower and finisher feeds contained 10.8, 8.1 and 0% of SBM, respectively. In treatment 3, the starter, grower and finisher feeds contained 5.3, 0 and 0% of SBM, respectively. In treatment 4, none of the feeds contained SBM. Pigs were housed in pens with 10 pigs per pen. The pens were equipped with individual feeding stations (IVO-G stations), which allowed for the measurement of individual feed intake. Pigs were individually weighed at the start of the experiment and at the diet changes at approximately 50 and 80 kg body weight and slaughter (±120 kg). During the grower phase, pigs fed according to treatment 1 showed reduced ADFI than the other treatment groups (1.91 vs. 2.0, 2.02 and 2.02 kg/d, P = 0.021) and subsequently decreased ADG (882 g/d vs. 927, 924 and 948 g/d, P = 0.005). Similar results were found during the starter + grower phases, where the pigs fed according to treatment 1 showed less ADFI than the other treatment groups pigs (1.63 vs. 1.71, 1.73 and 1.71 kg/d, P = 0.013) and subsequently less ADG (842 vs. 878, 878 and 874 g/d, P = 0.039). No major differences were found regarding the carcass characteristics. In conclusion, feed intake and growth performance were improved and carcass quality was not penalized by totally or partially replacing the SBM by other protein rich feedstuffs including rape seed meal (RSM), sunflower seed meal (SFM) and peas in diets for growing-fishing pigs.

152 The Effect of a Multi-Enzyme Containing Xylanase, β-Glucanase, Protease and Amylase Added to a High-Fiber Corn-Based Diet in Comparison to a Conventional Diet, on the Growth Performance of Weaned Pigs

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of a multi-enzyme complex on growth performance in weaned pigs fed a wheat-barley-rye-based diet containing fiber-rich by-products and with a low level of highly digestible protein and energy ingredients. Two experimental runs were performed, each with 96 (DE x DL) × Pi pigs [24–26 days of age; 8.0 ± 0.06 kg initial body weight (BW)] assigned to two treatments in 24 pens per run (4 pigs/pen, 2 males and 2 females; 12 pens/treatment/run) in a randomized block design. Pigs were allocated to treatment on the day of weaning. Treatments comprised: 1) a nutritionally adequate wheat-barley-rye-soybean meal-based diet with added wheat bran and rapeseed meal, containing 750 FTU/kg of a commercial Buttiauxella sp. phytase (ALT), and 2) the same diet supplemented with a multi-enzyme containing 4,000 U/kg xylanase, 200 U/kg β-glucanase, 2,000 U/kg protease and 100 U/kg amylase (ALT+multi-enzymes). Diets were formulated in two phases (Pre-starter, d 0–14; starter, d 15–42) and fed ad libitum as pelleted diets for 42 days. The analyzed content of crude fiber and neutral detergent fiber in ALT diets were, respectively, 4.0% and 11.5% in pre-starter, and 4.2% and 14.8% in starter phase. Body weight was measured at the start and end of each phase, feed intake was determined weekly. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA using IBM SPSS 21 including run as a random effect. During pre-starter phase, average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were greater in pigs fed ALT+multi-enzymes vs. ALT, by 8.4% (232 vs 214 g/day) and 6.7% (300 vs. 281 g/day), respectively, although this was not statistically significant (Table 1). During starter phase, pigs fed ALT+multi-enzymes exhibited increased ADG vs. ALT (+35 g/day or 5.5%; P &amp;lt; 0.05). For the overall period (d 0 to 42), pigs fed ALT+multi-enzyme were, on average, 1.3 kg heavier than pigs fed ALT (P &amp;lt; 0.05), ADG was increased by +32 g/day (4.4%; P &amp;lt; 0.05) and FCR tended (P = 0.07) to be reduced (1.48 vs 1.44). Total feed costs per kg BW gain, exclusive of the cost of the enzymes, tended to be reduced in ALT+multi-enzymes vs. ALT, (-0.014 USD/kg BW gain, overall; P = 0.09). These results demonstrate that the multi-enzyme supplemented on top of phytase improved growth performance. Given the established mode of action of the individual enzymes, this may have been mediated by enhanced digestibility and utilization of nutrients in the ALT diet. In conclusion, supplementing a high-fiber mixed diet containing by-products and low inclusion of highly digestible energy and protein ingredients with a multi-enzyme complex improved growth performance in weaned pigs and led to economic benefit.

151 The Effect of a Multi-Enzyme Containing Xylanase, β-Glucanase, Protease and Amylase Added to a High-Fiber Wheat-Barley-Rye-Based Diet Containing by-Products, on the Growth Performance of Weaned Pigs

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of a multi-enzyme complex on growth performance in weaned pigs fed a wheat-barley-rye-based diet containing fiber-rich by-products and with a low level of highly digestible protein and energy ingredients. Two experimental runs were performed, each with 96 (DE x DL) × Pi pigs [24–26 days of age; 8.0 ± 0.06 kg initial body weight (BW)] assigned to two treatments in 24 pens per run (4 pigs/pen, 2 males and 2 females; 12 pens/treatment/run) in a randomized block design. Pigs were allocated to treatment on the day of weaning. Treatments comprised: 1) a nutritionally adequate wheat-barley-rye-soybean meal-based diet with added wheat bran and rapeseed meal, containing 750 FTU/kg of a commercial Buttiauxella sp. phytase (ALT), and 2) the same diet supplemented with a multi-enzyme containing 4,000 U/kg xylanase, 200 U/kg β-glucanase, 2,000 U/kg protease and 100 U/kg amylase (ALT+multi-enzymes). Diets were formulated in two phases (Pre-starter, d 0–14; starter, d 15–42) and fed ad libitum as pelleted diets for 42 days. The analyzed content of crude fiber and neutral detergent fiber in ALT diets were, respectively, 4.0% and 11.5% in pre-starter, and 4.2% and 14.8% in starter phase. Body weight was measured at the start and end of each phase, feed intake was determined weekly. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA using IBM SPSS 21 including run as a random effect. During pre-starter phase, average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were greater in pigs fed ALT+multi-enzymes vs. ALT, by 8.4% (232 vs 214 g/day) and 6.7% (300 vs. 281 g/day), respectively, although this was not statistically significant. During starter phase, pigs fed ALT+multi-enzymes exhibited increased ADG vs. ALT (+35 g/day or 5.5%; P &amp;lt; 0.05). For the overall period (d 0 to 42), pigs fed ALT+multi-enzyme were, on average, 1.3 kg heavier than pigs fed ALT (P &amp;lt; 0.05), ADG was increased by +32 g/day (4.4%; P &amp;lt; 0.05) and FCR tended (P = 0.07) to be reduced (1.48 vs 1.44). Total feed costs per kg BW gain, exclusive of the cost of the enzymes, tended to be reduced in ALT+multi-enzymes vs. ALT, (-0.014 USD/kg BW gain, overall; P = 0.09). These results demonstrate that the multi-enzyme supplemented on top of phytase improved growth performance. Given the established mode of action of the individual enzymes, this may have been mediated by enhanced digestibility and utilization of nutrients in the ALT diet. In conclusion, supplementing a high-fiber mixed diet containing by-products and low inclusion of highly digestible energy and protein ingredients with a multi-enzyme complex improved growth performance in weaned pigs and led to economic benefit.

The Importance of Hazard Analysis by Critical Control Point for Effective Pathogen Control in Animal Feed: Assessment of Salmonella Control in Feed Production in Sweden, 1982-2005.

This study is the first to show that Hazard Analysis by Critical Control Point (HACCP)-based monitoring can be an effective tool for ensuring Salmonella-safe feed, by virtually eliminating feedborne Salmonella infection even in broiler production. Data from the control of Salmonella in feed and food animal production during 1982-2005, showed that conventional endpoint testing in feed mills did not ensure a Salmonella-safe feed, and in one feed mill failed to detect Salmonella contamination, resulting in the feed infecting 80 out of 197 (40.6%) recipient broiler flocks. Following implementation in 1991 of a HACCP-based control in feed mills, the annual number of samples tested at specified critical control points during a 15-year period increased from ∼4400 to 10,000, while the proportion of Salmonella-contaminated samples decreased from 2.0% to 0.3%. Thus, introduction of HACCP was followed by a dramatic decrease, from 40 to <5, in the annual number of Salmonella-infected broiler flocks identified by preslaughter monitoring. Incidence has generally remained at that low level, despite production since 1980 increasing from 39 to 112 million chickens per year. Feed mills start using soymeal with an unsafe Salmonella status and possibly with a suboptimal HACCP control, increased their level of Salmonella-contaminated HACCP samples, and their feed subsequently infected 78 swine-producing herds. The results also show that the HACCP concept can be an effective tool to supply feed mills with Salmonella-safe feed ingredients as demonstrated for a soybean crushing plant, which produced Salmonella-safe soymeal over a 19-year period despite frequent (34%) and highly varied (92 different serovars) Salmonella contamination in samples from incoming soybean. Similar results are reported for a plant producing rapeseed meal. It is emphasized that the achievements described through use of the HACCP required interventions of relevant preventive biosecurity measures and corrective actions when the HACCP-based monitoring identified Salmonella contamination.

Antimicrobial potential of polyphenols obtained from agro-industrial by-products

Abstract Antibiotics and zinc oxide are therapeutic agents widely used in the livestock industries, reducing significantly the negative effects of weaning by improving the growth rate and decreasing mortality. Although, due to the potential public and environmental risks associated with antibiotic resistance and soil pollution their use in the E.U. has been drastically reduced or banned, thus, alternative solutions been necessary to be develop. The addition of polyphenols to animal feed has shown promising results, as they have a broad antimicrobial activity including against E. coli F4 (K88). Moreover, it has been observed to hold a wide range of beneficial properties such as antidiarrhoeic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. In the present study in vitro experiments were performed in order to investigate the antimicrobial activity of several polyphenolic extracts obtained from mustard seed meals of two origins (Poland and Moldavia), grape seed meal, sea buckthorn seed meal, rapeseed meal, and rapeseed meal fermented with S. cerevisiae, against E. coli F4 (K88) proliferation measured at different intervals for 24 hours. The results revealed that polyphenols have a considerable antimicrobial effect in high concentrations. The inhibition was dependent also on polyphenol composition and even the origin place. Withal, it was observed that the polyphenols extracted from rapeseed meal and fermented rapeseed meal presented noticeable differences in inhibition, in similar concentrations, this suggesting that the fermentation process considerably affects the profile of rapeseed meal polyphenols. Likewise for the Moldavian mustard seed extract which significantly inhibited bacterial growth from very low concentrations although it had a low concentration of total polyphenols. Thus, the polyphenolic content of fermented rape seed meal extract presented an enhanced antimicrobial activity against E. coli F4 (K88) compared with the non-fermented rape seed meal extract. Although the total polyphenol concentration was lower in FRSM than in RSM. Polyphenols extracted from Moldavia mustard seed meal exhibited remarkable efficacy in inhibiting bacterial growth. Notably, even at a concentration as low as 3.71 µg/ml, the polyphenols demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, effectively combating bacterial development. Overall, our study demonstrated that polyphenols represent a promising substitute for antibiotics and zinc oxide and might represent an encouraging long-term solution in overcoming the weaning crisis in pigs. In vivo experimentations are needed to validate these results.

Evaluation of in vitro digestibility of Aspergillus oryzae fungal biomass grown on organic residue derived-VFAs as a promising ruminant feed supplement

BackgroundAs demand for high quality animal feed continues to raise, it becomes increasingly important to minimize the environmental impact of feed production. An appealing sustainable approach to provide feed fractions is to use organic residues from agro-food industry. In this regard, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) such as acetic, propionic and butyric acids, derived from bioconversion of organic residues can be used as precursors for production of microbial protein with ruminant feed inclusion potential. This study aims to investigate the in vitro digestibility of the Aspergillus oryzae edible fungal biomass cultivated on VFAs-derived from anaerobic digestion of residues. The produced fungal protein biomass, along with hay clover silage and rapeseed meal were subjected to various in vitro assays using two-stage Tilley and Terry (TT), gas, and bag methods to evaluate and compare its digestibility for application in ruminant feed.ResultsThe produced fungal biomass contained a higher crude protein (CP) (41%–49%) and rather similar neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (41%–56%) compared to rapeseed meal. The rumen in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of the fungal biomass in the TT method ranged from 82% to 88% (statistically similar to that of the gas method (72% to 85%)). The IVDMD of fungal biomass were up to 26% and 40% greater than that of hay clover silage and rapeseed meal, respectively. The type of substrate and bag method had pronounced effect on the fermentation products (ammonium-N (NH4+-N), total gas and VFAs). Fungal biomass digestion resulted in the highest release of NH4+-N (340–540 mg/L) and the ratio of acetate to propionate ratio (3.5) among subjected substrates.ConclusionThe results indicate that gas method can be used as a reliable predictor for IVDMD as well as fermentation products. Furthermore, the high IVDMD and fermentation product observed for Aspergillus oryzae fungal biomass digestion, suggest that the supplementation of fungal biomass will contribute to improving the rumen digestion by providing necessary nitrogen and energy to the ruminant and microbiota.

Chelating peptides from rapeseed meal protein hydrolysates: identification and evaluation of their capacity to inhibit lipid oxidation.

An optimized proteolysis process was applied to rapeseed meal proteins (RP) and the hydrolysate was separated by membrane filtration allowing the production of highly metal-chelating peptides in the permeate. In order to identify the chemical structure of the most active obtained metal-chelating peptides, immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) was applied. The RP-IMAC peptide fraction was mainly composed of small peptides from 2 to 20 amino acids. Using the Ferrozine assay, RP-IMAC peptides showed a significant chelating efficiency higher than sodium citrate and close to that of EDTA. The peptide sequences were identified by UHPLC-MS and several possible iron binding sites were found. β-carotene oxidation assay and lipid oxidation in bulk oils or emulsion were carried out to evaluate the potential of such peptides as efficient antioxidants to protect lipids from oxidation. While chelating peptides showed a limited efficiency in bulk oil, they performed more efficiently in emulsion.

Possible Uses of Decommissioned Coke Batteries

Since the 80s of the 20th century, as a result of the reduction in demand for coke, economic crises and the availability of coking coal, the operations of coke plants in Europe have been ending. Furthermore, the pressure for using renewable energy sources continues to increase, including the production of fuels. In most cases, the current solution is to add biocomponents to fuels produced in the classical way from oil. There are considerations about reusing these coke batteries, this time for the production of liquid fuels. Therefore, this work is devoted to the processing of biomaterials mixed with brown coal by the pyrolytic process. Extracted rapeseed meal, sunflower seed husks and dry distillery grain with solubles (DDGS) were selected as biomaterials. They are waste material from various productions, but these materials also show good energy potential. The brown coal came from the ČSA quarry, which is characterized by a low content of sulfur and ash and also improves the properties of liquid pyrolysis products, because it reduces polarity of organic phase, which enables easier separation of the aqueous and liquid phases of the product. Pyrolysis experiments were carried out in two different pyrolysis devices - i) in a micropyrolysis unit (sample loading: in the order of mg, heating rate: 100 °C s-1, fast removal of pyrolysis products); ii) in the pilot unit (sample weight: approx. 10 kg, heating rate: 5.2 °C min-1 and slower removal of pyrolysis products, cuboid shape of the pyrolysis retort simulating a coke oven battery). On the basis of mass balances and characteristics of micropyrolysis products, the pyrolysis temperature for pilot experiments was set at 650 °C. Behind the pyrolysis retort of the pilot unit, a thermic-catalytic reactor (catalyst: sulfurized aluminosilicate based on Ni-W) was connected in order to improve the quality of volatile pyrolysis products. The highest yields of organic phases of liquid products came from co-pyrolysis of coal and DDGS and coal with rapeseed meal. However, the characteristics of organic phases determined as the most advantageous material for the pyrolytic processing the rapeseed meal (specifically a higher proportion of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, a lower proportion of hydrocarbons with heteroatoms and a higher proportion of light fractions). The most beneficial pyrolysis mixture contained 35 % of rapeseed meal and the temperature in the catalytic part of the thermic-catalytic reactor was 300 °C.

Effect of a Bacillus-Based Probiotic on Performance and Nutrient Digestibility When Substituting Soybean Meal with Rapeseed Meal in Grower-Finisher Diets.

The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis supplementation to a negative control diet in comparison to a standard control diet, had the potential to improve the performance and nutrient digestibility of growing-finishing pigs. For this purpose, 384 fattening pigs of 85 d of age were allotted to three treatments: a standard diet, a negative control (NC) diet (5% soybean meal replaced by 5% rapeseed meal), or a NC diet + probiotic. After reaching a body weight of approximately 110 kg, all animals going to the slaughterhouse (87% of total pigs) were selected to measure carcass quality. Moreover, the apparent total tract digestibility of protein was evaluated at the end of the grower period. The results of this study indicate that supplementation of the tested Bacillus-based probiotic significantly improved average daily gain (ADG, +14.6%) and Feed:gain ratio (F:G, -9.9%) during the grower phase compared to the NC diet. The improvement observed during the grower phase was maintained for the whole fattening period (ADG, +3.9%). Probiotic supplementation significantly improved the total apparent faecal digestibility of dry matter and crude protein in pigs at the end of the grower period. The improvements observed with the additive tested could indicate that supplementation of the Bacillus-based probiotic was able to counteract the lower level of crude protein and standardised ileal digestible amino acids in the NC diet by means of improved protein digestibility.

Chemical profile of phenolic extracts from rapeseed meal and inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase: UPLC-MS/MS analysis, multispectral approaches, molecular simulation and ADMET analysis

Rapeseed meal (RSM) is the by-product of rapeseed processing that enriches phenolic compounds. However, the comprehensive characterization of its phenolic substances in terms of composition and potential activities remains incomplete, leading to limited utilization in the food industry. In this study, the phenolic profile from RSM (referred to as RMP) was identified, and their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase were investigated. UPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that a total of 466 phenolic compounds were detected in RMP. The primary components were sinapic acid (SA), caffeic acid (CA), salicylic acid (SAA), and astragalin (AS). Multispectral approaches demonstrated significant inhibitory capacity of RMP against α-glucosidase with a half inhibition value (IC50) of 0.32 mg/mL, with a stronger inhibition compared to CA/SAA/AS (IC50: 4.0, 5.9, and 0.9 mg/mL) in addition to the previously reported SA, suggesting a synergistic effect. Both RMP and CA/SAA/AS altered the secondary structure of α-glucosidase to quench its intrinsic fluorescence. Molecular simulation results revealed that hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces primarily contributed to the interaction between CA/SAA/AS and α-glucosidase, as well as verified the stability of the binding process over the entire simulation duration. The ADMET analysis showed that CYP2D6 was not inhibited by CA/SAA/AS, which had no AMES toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and skin sensitization. This finding suggests the potential of RMP against α-glucosidase for the treatment of diabetes.

Enrichment of a Plant Feedstuff Mixture's Nutritional Value through Solid-State Fermentation.

Plant feedstuffs are the main ingredients of animal feed. Owing to food-feed competition, increasing the utilization efficiency of these feedstuffs is important for animal nutrition. This can be achieved via solid-state fermentation (SSF). SSF of a plant feedstuff mixture (PFM) (25% rapeseed meal, soybean meal, rice bran, and sunflower meal) by three fungi (Aspergillus ibericus MUM 03.29, Aspergillus niger CECT 2088, and Aspergillus niger CECT 2915) resulted in an increase in protein content by 5%, irrespective of fungi, a reduction in cellulose content by 9 to 11%, and of hemicellulose content by 21 to 34%, relative to unfermented PFM. Enzyme production was measured: the highest cellulase (123.7 U/g), xylanase (431.8 U/g), and beta-glucosidase (117.9 U/g) activity were achieved with A. niger CECT 2088. Principal component analysis showed a positive correlation between all fermented PFMs and enzyme production, protein content, digestibility, and fiber reduction. Bioprocessing of the PFM by SSF increased its nutritional value and digestibility, making it more appealing for animal feeds.