Animal Meals Research Articles

Catalytic Production of Liquid Fuels from Organic Residues of Rendering Plants

AbstractAnaerobic low temperature conversion (LTC) converts organic residues such as animal meal or meat and bone meal (MBM) to bio‐crude, a solid product, containing carbon and phosphorus, reaction water and non‐condensable gases. The yield of bio‐crude increases with the content of volatile solids. The efficiency of the conversion as well as the calorific value of the liquid fuel produced are favorably affected by the partial recycling of inorganic constituents, high amounts of volatile solids and a low percentage of heteroatoms present in the feeding material. Heating values are 32.3 MJ/kg for bio‐crude from animal meal and 19.5 MJ/kg for bio‐crude from MBM. Both bio‐crude and animal fat produced were effectively converted in a vertical reactor construction with a fixed bed of aluminosilicates of the zeolite family or acidic clays, respectively. Products are bio‐fuels of varying chemical qualities. Depending on the reaction temperature and the catalyst type, aliphatic hydrocarbons (T = 400 °C, ∼97 %) or alkylbenzenes (T = 550 °C) are the main products. The calorific values of these bio‐fuels are in a range from 40.1 to 41.9 MJ/kg and the kinematic viscosities are between 0.9 and 2.29 mm2/s. The solid products of LTC from different biomass (sludge, animal meal, MBM) contain a significant amount of phosphorus. In the case of the solid product from MBM it was as high as 242 mg P2O5/g. Solubility in citric acid showed that in the case of MBM, 98.8 % of total phosphorus is potentially available to plants. Pot experiments demonstrated a similar plant growth as with other organic fertilizers.

Protein quality of various raw and rendered by-product meals commonly incorporated into companion animal diets1

Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the protein quality of various raw and rendered animal by-product meals commonly used in companion animal diets. Six freeze-dried raw animal meals (beef lungs, pork lungs, sheep lungs, pork livers, oceanfish, chicken necks) and 3 rendered animal meals (lamb meal, regular ash poultry by-product meal, and low ash poultry by-product meal) were fed in chick assays to determine Lys and TSAA bioavailability, protein efficiency ratio (PER), and net protein ratio (NPR). Each experimental diet was offered to 4 replicates of 5 chicks per pen in all growth assays. Furthermore, each animal by-product meal was fed to mature White Leghorn roosters for determination of true AA digestibility. All freeze-dried, raw animal meals were offered to 5 replicate roosters, and all rendered animal meals were offered to 4 replicate roosters. Most raw animal meals exhibited moderate to high protein quality. Lysine bio-availabilities ranged from 86 to 107% and 70 to 99% for raw and rendered animal meals, respectively. Bio-availability of TSAA ranged from 64 to 99% and 61 to 78% for raw and rendered animal meals, respectively. The PER values ranged from 2.83 to 4.03 and 2.01 to 3.34 for raw and rendered animal meals, respectively. The NPR values ranged from 3.83 to 4.8 and 3.05 to 4.12 for raw and rendered animal meals, respectively. Despite a numeric increase in NPR vs. PER values, the overall ranking of animal meals remained similar. Lamb meal had the poorest PER and NPR values, and pork lungs had the greatest values. Total essential AA digestibility and total AA digestibility ranged from 93.6 to 96.7 and 90.3 to 95.5%, respectively, for raw animal meals and 84.0 to 87.7 and 79.2 to 84.8%, respectively, for rendered animal meals. Rendered animal meals generally had lower protein quality than raw animal meals, with lamb meal consistently having the poorest protein quality and pork livers having the greatest protein quality.

APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY OF SELECTED FEED INGREDIENTS IN DIETS FOR MUD CRAB (Scylla paramamosain)

Cultured mud crabs (Scylla spp.) are commonly fed with ‘trash’ fish. Insufficient supply, high cost and variable quality of ‘trash’ fish has lead to a need to develop costeffective and environmentally friendly formulated diets. This study was conducted to determine quality of selected feed ingredients as protein sources in mud crab diets based on their nutrient composition and digestibility coefficients for dry matter (ADMD), crude protein, lipid and energy. The digestibility coefficients for ADMD ranged from 82.46% to 89.20%. Animal-based feedstuffs such as shrimp head, tiny shrimp and squid liver meal had higher ADMD values than fish meal. Of the plant-based feedstuffs, soy bean meal had the highest ADMD values (89.20%) and corn gluten had the lowest (82.46%). Corn gluten had the lowest protein digestibility (78.81%) and soy bean meal had the highest (96.05%). The lowest energy digestibility (71.13%) was obtained in corn gluten meal. Soy bean meal had a higher energy digestibility value (98.48%) than fish meal (85.95%). All animal meal sources had similar energy digestibility values (85.86%—92.09%).

APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY OF SELECTED FEED INGREDIENTS IN DIETS FOR MUD CRAB (Scylla paramamosain)

Cultured mud crabs (Scylla spp.) are commonly fed with ‘trash’ fish. Insufficient supply, high cost and variable quality of ‘trash’ fish has lead to a need to develop costeffective and environmentally friendly formulated diets. This study was conducted to determine quality of selected feed ingredients as protein sources in mud crab diets based on their nutrient composition and digestibility coefficients for dry matter (ADMD), crude protein, lipid and energy. The digestibility coefficients for ADMD ranged from 82.46% to 89.20%. Animal-based feedstuffs such as shrimp head, tiny shrimp and squid liver meal had higher ADMD values than fish meal. Of the plant-based feedstuffs, soy bean meal had the highest ADMD values (89.20%) and corn gluten had the lowest (82.46%). Corn gluten had the lowest protein digestibility (78.81%) and soy bean meal had the highest (96.05%). The lowest energy digestibility (71.13%) was obtained in corn gluten meal. Soy bean meal had a higher energy digestibility value (98.48%) than fish meal (85.95%). All animal meal sources had similar energy digestibility values (85.86%—92.09%).

Selection of new markers for animal by-products characterization by classical microscopy

The aim of this study was to identify possible markers to distinguish differences between land animals by using the microscopic method in association with computer image analysis. For this purpose bone fragments from poultry and mammals were obtained and analysed by microscopic method. Through a digital camera and an image analysis software 85 bone lacunae images have been processed and elaborated in order to obtain for each lacuna a monochrome mask on which several measurements were performed. Data were analysed by ANOVA and LDA. Results obtained in the present study indicated that of 32 descriptors processed by image analysis software, only 12 were significantly (P<0.001) different between mammalian and poultry. However, when morphometric measurements were analysed by LDA, 86% of lacunae were correctly classified into the animal class of origin (i.e. mammalian as mammalian and poultry as poultry). By contrast 14% of lacunae were incorrectly classified. In conclusion, data here presented indicate that some of descriptors used by image analysis appears promising not only for a reliable distinction between the different origins of animal meal at the level of vertebrate classes, but also for further characterisation and identification of processed animal proteins in animal feeds.

Application of Quantitative Real-Time PCR in the Detection of Prion-Protein Gene Species-Specific DNA Sequences in Animal Meals and Feedstuffs

This study describes a method for quantitative and species-specific detection of animal DNA from different species (cattle, sheep, goat, swine, and chicken) in animal feed and feed ingredients, including fish meals. A quantitative real-time PCR approach was carried out to characterize species-specific sequences based on the amplification of prion-protein sequence. Prion-protein species-specific primers and TaqMan probes were designed, and amplification protocols were optimized in order to discriminate the different species with short PCR amplicons. The real-time quantitative PCR approach was also compared to conventional species-specific PCR assays. The real-time quantitative assay allowed the detection of 10 pg of ruminant, swine, and poultry DNA extracted from meat samples processed at 130°C for 40 min, 200 kPa. The origin of analyzed animal meals was characterized by the quantitative estimation of ruminant, swine, and poultry DNA. The TaqMan assay was used to quantify ruminant DNA in feedstuffs with 0.1% of meat and bone meal. In conclusion, the proposed molecular approach allowed the detection of species-specific DNA in animal meals and feedstuffs.

Validation of a PCR-Based Method for the Detection of Various Rendered Materials in Feedstuffs Using a Forensic DNA Extraction Kit

A method trial was initiated to validate the use of a commercial DNA forensic kit to extract DNA from animal feed as part of a PCR-based method. Four different PCR primer pairs (one bovine pair, one porcine pair, one ovine primer pair, and one multispecies pair) were also evaluated. Each laboratory was required to analyze a total of 120 dairy feed samples either not fortified (control, true negative) or fortified with bovine meat and bone meal, porcine meat and bone meal (PMBM), or lamb meal. Feeds were fortified with the animal meals at a concentration of 0.1% (wt/wt). Ten laboratories participated in this trial, and each laboratory was required to evaluate two different primer pairs, i.e., each PCR primer pair was evaluated by five different laboratories. The method was considered to be validated for a given animal source when three or more laboratories achieved at least 97% accuracy (29 correct of 30 samples for 96.7% accuracy, rounded up to 97%) in detecting the fortified samples for that source. Using this criterion, the method was validated for the bovine primer because three laboratories met the criterion, with an average accuracy of 98.9%. The average false-positive rate was 3.0% in these laboratories. A fourth laboratory was 80% accurate in identifying the samples fortified with bovine meat and bone meal. A fifth laboratory was not able to consistently extract the DNA from the feed samples and did not achieve the criterion for accuracy for either the bovine or multispecies PCR primers. For the porcine primers, the method was validated, with four laboratories meeting the criterion for accuracy with an average accuracy of 99.2%. The fifth laboratory had a 93.3% accuracy outcome for the porcine primer. Collectively, these five laboratories had a 1.3% false-positive rate for the porcine primer. No laboratory was able to meet the criterion for accuracy with the ovine primers, most likely because of problems with the synthesis of the primer pair; none of the positive control DNA samples could be detected with the ovine primers. The multispecies primer pair was validated in three laboratories for use with bovine meat and bone meal and lamb meal but not with PMBM. The three laboratories had an average accuracy of 98.9% for bovine meat and bone meal, 97.8% for lamb meal, and 63.3% for PMBM. When examined on an individual laboratory basis, one of these four laboratories could not identify a single feed sample containing PMBM by using the multispecies primer, whereas the other laboratory identified only one PMBM-fortified sample, suggesting that the limit of detection for PMBM with this primer pair is around 0.1% (wt/wt). The results of this study demonstrated that the DNA forensic kit can be used to extract DNA from animal feed, which can then be used for PCR analysis to detect animal-derived protein present in the feed sample.

Evaluation of Two Commercial Lateral-Flow Test Kits for Detection of Animal Proteins in Animal Feed

Performance characteristics were evaluated for two lateral-flow test kits, Reveal for Ruminant in Feed (Neogen Corporation) and FeedChek (Strategic Diagnostics Inc.), designed to detect ruminant or terrestrial animal proteins in feeds. The stringent acceptance criteria used were developed by the Center for Veterinary Medicine Office of Research to identify test kits with comparable selectivity and sensitivity to microscopy and PCR assay, the analytical methods used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Guidelines were developed for evaluating the selectivity, sensitivity, ruggedness, and spec-ificity of these kits. These guidelines further stated that ruggedness and specificity testing would be performed only after a test passed both the selectivity and sensitivity assessments. Acceptance criteria for determining success were developed using a statistical approach requiring 90% probability of achieving the correct response, within a 95% confidence interval. A minimum detection level of 0.1% bovine meat and bone meal, consistent with the sensitivity of the methods used by the FDA, was required. Selectivity was assessed by testing 60 dairy feed samples that contained no added animal proteins; sensitivity was determined by evaluating 60 samples (per level of fortification) of the same feed that contained 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2% bovine meat and bone meal. The Reveal test passed the selectivity assessment but failed the sensitivity assessment, detecting only samples fortified at the 2% level and then only 17 to 33% of those samples, when read according to the label directions. The FeedChek test passed the sensitivity assessment but failed the selectivity assessment, with rates for false-positive results ranging from 34 to 38%, depending on the user. The sensitivity of the Reveal test was affected by the concentration of trace minerals present in the feed; concentrations toward the high end of the normal range prevented the detection of true positive feed samples containing bovine meat and bone meal. Better sensitivity assessments were obtained when lamb meal was used either alone or in combination with bovine meat and bone meal. The FeedChek test was not affected by the concentration of trace minerals or by the type of animal meal used. These results indicate that neither of the two tests is adequate for routine regulatory use.

Performance and sensory evaluation of silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus Mitchell) fed soybean or meat meal-based diets in earthen ponds

The performance of silver perch fed a commercially available diet based on meat meal (38%), grain legumes (18%), oilseeds (10%), wheat millrun (20%), fishmeal (5%) and fish oil (3%) was compared with experimental diets based on alternative protein sources in two experiments. In Experiment 1, two experimental diets contained similar contents of fishmeal and fish oil as the commercially available reference diet, but soybean (25%) and wheat millrun (>31%) were used to reduce animal protein meals by approximately 50%. The digestible protein and digestible energy of the two experimental diets was either slightly lower (31.5% and 12.8 MJ kg−1) or slightly higher (34.9% and 14.3 MJ kg−1) than the reference diet (32.1% and 13.2 MJ kg−1). In Experiment 2, the two experimental diets contained no fishmeal but included higher amounts of rendered animal meals (41–48%). One of the diets had similar digestible protein to the reference diet (32%) while the other had only 25% digestible protein. Silver perch (38 g for Experiment 1 and 59 g for Experiment 2) were stocked into each of nine 0.1 ha earthen ponds with fish in three ponds fed each diet for 191 days (Experiment 1) or 187 days (Experiment 2). Survival was >94% in all ponds in both experiments. In Experiment 1, growth rates and feed conversion ratios (FCRs) ranged from 2.1 to 2.4 g fish−1 day−1 and 1.7 to 1.9 respectively. Growth rates were significantly (P 0.05). In Experiment 2, growth rates and FCRs ranged from 2.3 to 2.4 g fish−1 day−1 and 1.6 to 1.7. There were no significant differences in fish performance indices for any of the three diets although experimental power was low (power=0.31). A blind consumer sensory evaluation (taste panel) of fish fed the three diets in Experiment 2 rated fish as ‘highly acceptable’. The diet with the lowest digestible protein content produced the best fish in terms of ‘smell liking’, ‘flavour liking’, ‘muddy flavour strength’ and ‘fresh flavour strength’. These results confirm that soybean meal and/or rendered animal protein ingredients including meat meal and poultry offal meal, and wheat can form the basis for high-performance, low-cost diets for intensive pond culture of silver perch.

Substituição de farinhas de origem animal por ingredientes de origem vegetal em dietas para frangos de corte

Devido às exigências de alguns importadores, por motivação cultural ou devido a zoonoses recém acontecidas na Europa, tem havido um direcionamento para fabricação de rações vegetais com base em milho e farelo de soja (FS). Esse direcionamento traz conseqüências na produção e por isso, objetivou-se avaliar a resposta de frangos de corte alimentados com dietas contendo farinhas de carne e ossos (FCO) e farinha de vísceras de aves (FV) e dietas contendo milho e FS. As dietas foram calculadas para conterem 3.050 e 3.150 kcal EM/kg de ração nas fases inicial e de crescimento, respectivamente, e com os demais nutrientes calculados para atenderem às exigências das aves. A substituição de ingredientes foi testada variando-se os níveis de proteina nas fases inicial e de crescimento respectivamente, da seguinte forma: 1. Dieta com inclusão de 4% de FCO suína e 3% de FV, calculada por proteína ideal, com 22% (inicial) e 20 % de PB (crescimento); 2. Dieta semelhante à dieta 1, sem farinhas de origem animal, formulada a base de milho e FS, com PB e lisina digestível semelhantes à dieta 1; 3. Dieta semelhante à dieta 2, com 23% (inicial) e 21% de PB (crescimento) e lisina digestível semelhante a dieta 1; 4. Dieta semelhante à dieta 2, com 24% (inicial) e 22% de PB (crescimento) e lisina digestível 6% e 5% superiores à dieta 1. Houve diminuição significativa da matéria seca da cama das aves devido à presença de ingredientes exclusivamente vegetais e aumento do teor de proteína das dietas (P&lt;0,0002), sendo que as fêmeas apresentam maior teor de matéria seca das camas do que os machos (P&lt;0,0003). O desempenho das aves alimentadas com proteína de origem vegetal foi superior ao de dietas contendo proteína animal; porém, em geral, é maior o custo de dietas exclusivamente vegetais. Nas dietas de origem vegetal, a dieta 4, com níveis superiores de aminoácidos, proporcionou melhor desempenho (P&lt;0,0002), não havendo resposta ao aumento apenas da PB. Não houve diferença nos cortes da carcaça devida às fontes protéicas (P&gt;0,05); havendo, porém, maior peso dos pés (P&lt;0,01) nas dietas com menor porcentagem de matéria seca da cama de aviário.

Destruction des farines animales : valorisation des fractions lipidiques en biolubrifiants et additifs biocarburants, et du résidu protéique (ou de l’ensemble)

L’objectif des travaux est d’étudier la faisabilité de nouvelles voies d’élimination et de valorisation des farines animales. Nous abordons ici l’étude de deux voies de valorisation complémentaires et indépendantes: d’une part, la valorisation de la fraction lipidique en «biocarburant» et «biolubrifiant» et, d’autre part, celle du résidu délipidé ou de l’ensemble de la matrice dans la fabrication de matériaux polymères. Dans un premier temps, les études développées se proposent de mettre en oeuvre un suivi qualité selon les recommandations de la Direction Générale de l’Alimentation. Ensuite, l’étude de la mise en oeuvre d’outils d’extraction à haut débit et de méthodes rapides de caractérisation des constituants majeurs et mineurs a pour but de caractériser la matrice «farines animales». La connaissance de la composition de la matrice a gouverné l’orientation de la stratégie de transformation de la fraction lipidique axée sur les études de transfert d’acyles. Elle permet d’obtenir des acides gras à partir des lipides extraits, puis de les utiliser pour synthétiser des esters gras simples. En perspective, nous proposons d’associer cette méthodologie à des technologies spécifiques qui permettront d’envisager la décontamination des farines animales lors de leur transformation. La deuxième partie des travaux consiste à utiliser les farines animales ainsi que les farines obtenues après extraction des lipides comme matières premières dans le cadre d’une étude de faisabilité concernant de nouveaux matériaux polymères. Il s’agit de procéder à la déstructuration thermochimique des macromolécules animales (susceptible de dégrader l’agent pathogène) dans le but de les réduire à l’état de monomères destinés à participer à la synthèse d’un nouveau polymère. Les essais de liquéfaction de cette matrice en présence de phénol ont donné des résultats encourageants. La fabrication de matériaux polymères constituerait une voie de valorisation permettant d’écouler de grandes quantités de farines animales.

In-house validation of a method for detection of animal meals in ruminant feeds by microscopy

The aims of this work were the optimization and the in-house validation of a qualitative method for detection of meat and bone, steamed bone, blood, poultry offal, feather and fish meals in ruminant feeds by microscopy. Specificity, detection limit and fitness for purpose were evaluated by procedures with reference materials, sample blanks and samples spiked with each analyte at 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.20%, 0.40% and 0.80%, in at least three independent replicates. Detection limits were 0.05% for meat and bone, steamed bone, blood, feather and fish meals and 0.10% for poultry offal meal.

Hydrolysis of the amyloid prion protein and nonpathogenic meat and bone meal by anaerobic thermophilic prokaryotes and streptomyces subspecies.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are caused by accumulation of highly resistant misfolded amyloid prion protein PrPres and can be initiated by penetration of such pathogen molecules from infected tissue to intact organism. Decontamination of animal meal containing amyloid prion protein is proposed thanks to the use of proteolytic enzymes secreted by thermophilic bacteria Thermoanaerobacter, Thermosipho, and Thermococcus subsp. and mesophilic soil bacteria Streptomyces subsp. Keratins alpha and beta, which resemble amyloid structures, were used as the substrates for the screening for microorganisms able to grow on keratins and producing efficient proteases specific for hydrolysis of beta-sheeted proteic structures, hence amyloids. Secretion of keratin-degrading proteases was evidenced by a zymogram method. Enzymes from thermophilic strains VC13, VC15, and S290 and Streptomyces subsp. S6 were strongly active against amyloid recombinant ovine prion protein and animal meal proteins. The studied proteases displayed broad primary specificities hydrolyzing low molecular mass peptide model substrates. Strong amyloidolytic activity of detected proteases was confirmed by experiments of hydrolysis of PrPres in SAFs produced from brain homogenates of mice infected with the 6PB1 BSE strain. The proteases from Thermoanaerobacter subsp. S290 and Streptomyces subsp. S6 are the best candidates for neutralization/elimination of amyloids in meat and bone meal and other protein-containing substances and materials.

Use of alternative fuels in cement manufacture. Effect on clinker and cement characteristics and properties

This paper compares industrial clinker and cement produced using conventional and alternative fuels (animal meal, tyres or a mixture of the two). The results show no relevant differences in terms of mineralogical composition between the clinker manufactured with alternative fuels and the product obtained using conventional fuel. Clinker produced with alternative fuels at any one factory have a very similar or even lower content in heavy metals than the product manufactured with conventional fuel in the same plant (with the sole exception of Zn when the alternative fuel used is shredded tyres). Mineralogical and morphological analyses reveal no significant differences between the two types of products that can be attributed to the type of fuel used in their manufacture. All six types of cement studied are compliant with the existing legislation as regards both physical and chemical properties. Cement compressive strength is found to be to legal standards regardless of the type of fuel used. Finally, the rheological properties of the cement paste are observed to be unaffected by the type of fuel.

Application of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method as a complementary tool to microscopic analysis for the detection of bones and other animal tissues in home‐made animal meals

AbstractA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was compared with a variation of the official microscopic technique (Directive 98/88/EC) for the detection in animal meals of cereals (wheat and corn) and animal parts (bone, feathers, meat, liver, fat and blood). Microscopy successfully detected animal bones in raw feeds with a sensitivity of 1 g kg−1, while the sensitivity of the PCR method was in the range of 5–10 g kg−1. Microscopy also allowed the detection of animal bones and feathers in feeds processed at 115 and 133 °C but failed to detect other animal materials. The PCR method successfully detected cereals (wheat and corn) as well as meat, bone, liver, fat and feathers after processing at 115 °C for 20 min. Heating at 133 °C under overpressure (autoclave) conditions resulted in more intense DNA fragmentation and lower DNA extractability. Nevertheless, bone and liver, as well as wheat and corn in home‐made animal meals, were successfully detected even after heating at 133 °C for 20 min. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

Life cycle emissions of greenhouse gases associated with burning animal wastes in countries of the European Union

Burning animal wastes for the production of electricity is stimulated in the European Union because of the ‘climate neutrality’ of its life cycle. In doing so fossil fuel inputs in animal husbandry and the N 2O and CH 4 emissions associated with animal husbandry are neglected. Here types of relatively fossil fuel efficient animal husbandry in the European Union are analysed without neglecting such inputs and emissions. The burning of pig derived animal meal, a single-output process, was found to be associated with an emission of greenhouse gases equivalent to 33 × 10 2–44 × 10 2 g CO 2/kilowatt-hour (kWh). In most cases, however, animal wastes can be viewed as outputs from a multi-output production process. If system expansion is not possible, one may allocate multi-output process emissions on the basis of financial value or on a physical basis. Allocating on the basis of energy content of outputs of animal husbandry the burning of manure from poultry, dairy cows and pigs was estimated to generate between 6.3 × 10 2 and 19.5 × 10 2 g CO 2 equivalent per kWh. When allocating on the basis of financial value, burning manure in the Netherlands corresponds with net-sequestration, as the monetary value of manure is negative. For chicken manure a net sequestration was found of 2.5 × 10 2–3.9 × 10 2 g CO 2 equivalent/kWh. Thus life cycle emissions of burning animal waste are extremely sensitive to the allocation principle favoured. One may extend the life cycle for instance by including indirect effects such as the substitution of carbon that is lost to agriculture due to burning animal wastes. Such an extension may well lead to a changed emission in terms of CO 2 equivalent emitted per kWh.

Plasma and whole blood taurine in normal dogs of varying size fed commercially prepared food.

The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of signalment, body size and diet on plasma taurine and whole blood taurine concentrations. A total of 131 normal dogs consuming commercially prepared dog food had blood drawn 3-5 h post-prandially to be analysed for plasma amino acids and whole blood taurine. Body weight and morphometric measurements of each dog were taken. Plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations were 77 +/- 2.1 nmol/ml (mean +/- SEM) and 266 +/- 5.1 nmol/ml (mean +/- SEM), respectively. No effect of age, sex, body weight, body size, or diet was seen on plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations. Mean whole blood taurine concentrations were lower in dogs fed diets containing whole grain rice, rice bran or barley. The lowest whole blood concentrations were seen in dogs fed lamb or lamb meal and rice diets. Plasma methionine and cysteine concentrations were lower in dogs fed diets with animal meals or turkey, and whole grain rice, rice bran or barley. Fifteen of 131 dogs had plasma taurine concentrations lower than, or equal, to the previously reported lowest mean food-deprived plasma taurine concentration in normal dogs of 49 +/- 5 nmol/ml (mean +/- SEM) (Elliott et al., 2000). These findings support the theory that taurine deficiency in dogs may be related to the consumption of certain dietary ingredients. Scientific and clinical evidence supports the hypothesis that dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with low blood taurine concentration in dogs; therefore, further work is indicated to determine the mechanism by which diet can affect taurine status in dogs.

Milling and mixing animal meal with solid fuels to produce an enriched fuel : Marechal, J. M. Fr. Demande FR 2,818,658 (Cl. C10L9/10), 28 Jun 2002, Appl. 2000/17,052.19. (In French)

Milling and mixing animal meal with solid fuels to produce an enriched fuel : Marechal, J. M. Fr. Demande FR 2,818,658 (Cl. C10L9/10), 28 Jun 2002, Appl. 2000/17,052.19. (In French)

Ingredient apparent digestibility coefficients for the Australian short-finned eel (Anguilla australis australis, Richardson)

AbstractFish meal is the most widely used protein source in commercial eel foods and information on the nutritive value of more economical protein sources is needed in order to improve cost-effectiveness of diets. This investigation was conducted to determine apparent digestibility coefficients of available plant and animal meals for juvenile Australian short-finned eel (Anguilla australis australis, Richardson). The suitability of a modified Guelph-type settlement faecal collector in eel digestibility studies was assessed. Animal by-product (spray-dried meat solubles; blood meal; high fat poultry meal) and plant protein (soya bean; canola; maize gluten; lupin; field pea) meals were mixed with a reference diet and marker (0·3: 0·69: 0·01) and the resultant test diets given to the juvenile eels (3·15 (s.e. 0·42) g) at 0·05 live weight per day. The reference diet and all the test diets were well accepted by the fish. Apparent digestibility coefficients for crude protein (ADCCP) for maize gluten meal (MGM), lupin meal (LM) and blood meal (BM) were found to be 0·97, 0·96 and 0·96 respectively and they were significantly (P &lt; 0·001) higher than that for the other ingredients. However, apparent digestibilities for dry matter (ADCDM) and energy (ADCkJ) were significantly (P &lt; 0·0001) higher for animal by-products than for plant proteins except for maize gluten meal. This was explained by the higher content of nitrogen free extractives in the former plant proteins. There was a strong positive correlation between ADCDM and ADCkJ for all ingredients (P &lt; 0·01). Weaker positive correlations were also found between ADCCP and ADCDM and between ADCCP and ADCkJ. Similar results obtained for warm water species using similar faecal collection techniques and over limited eel digestibility data support the suitability of the modified Guelph-type settlement collector system in digestibility studies with juvenile eels.

Rapeseed Cake as a Biomass Source

The term biomass source covers purpose-grown agricultural crops (oil seeds), conventional agricultural crops (sugar and starch), trees, and novel species (C 3 and C 4 ), as well as agricultural, forest, agroindustrial and domestic wastes, effluents, and residues. Among these sources, cakes (meals) that are residual products derived from oil seed plants have significant potential. All over the world rapeseed plant is grown widely and a significant amount of it can be obtained following rapeseed oil making. Most of the cake is evaluated as an animal meal. In this study, physical and chemical properties of rapeseed cake have been determined and presented as a biomass source candidate.