Apparent Digestibility Of Diets Research Articles

Effect of dietary supplementation of xylanase in a wheat-based diet containing canola meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, organ weight, and short-chain fatty acid concentration in digesta when fed to weaned pigs.

This study was designed to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of xylanase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, organ weight, digesta pH, and concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) of weaned pigs fed wheat-canola meal (CM) diets over a 35-d period. A total of 144 piglets (72 barrows and 72 gilts) weaned at 18 ± 2 d of age, with initial body weight (BW) of 6.2 ± 0.7 kg, received one of eight dietary treatments based on randomized complete block design. BW and feed intake were recorded weekly to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (G:F). Treatments consisted of a control wheat-soybean meal-based diet and wheat-regular (RCM), dehulled (DCM), or coarse CM (CCM) without and with 16,000 BXU/kg xylanase (Econase XT). All diets contained 500 FTU/kg of phytase (Quantum Blue 5G) and titanium dioxide (0.3%). Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP), phosphorous (P), calcium (Ca), dry matter, and diet were determined. On day 35, one pig per pen was euthanized to evaluate the main factors of protein, xylanase supplementation, and sex on organ weight, ileal and colon digesta pH, and colon digesta concentrations of SCFA. The main factors did not affect growth performance. Xylanase supplementation improved nutrient digestibilities in all diets and increased ileal and colonic digesta pH without affecting the growth performance of weaned pigs fed wheat and CM-based diets. A protein-xylanase effect (P < 0.05) resulted in increasing the ATTD of NDF from 28% to 32% and from 29% to 37% for RCM and DCM, respectively. The ATTD of CP was greater (P < 0.05) with xylanase supplementation (75% vs. 70%). Xylanase supplementation increased ATTD of P and Ca. A three-way interaction (P < 0.05) for protein-xylanase-gender for colon pH, acetic, and propionic acid in the colon digesta of pigs indicated that, in addition to the protein source, piglet sex could have influenced how xylanase works. Xylanase supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the weight of the liver and spleen and tended (P < 0.10) to increase the size of the kidney. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of xylanase increased nutrient digestibility and digesta pH but did not influence the growth performance of weaned pigs fed wheat and CM-based diets over a 35-d period.

Methane emissions, feed intake, and total tract digestibility in lambs fed diets differing in fat content and fibre digestibility

This study determined enteric methane (CH4) emissions, intake, and apparent total tract digestibility of diets varying in fibre digestibility and fat content. A Latin square design with two levels of fat [2.0% and 6.0% dry matter (DM); low and high] and two levels of fibre digestibility [low fibre digestibility (LFbD) or high fibre digestibility (HFbD)] was used. Higher dry matter intake (DMI) was observed (P &lt; 0.01) for LFbD versus HFbD diets (2.56 vs. 2.14 kg d−1, respectively), with no effect of fat. Fibre, DM, and organic matter digestibility were higher (P &lt; 0.01) for HFbD than LFbD diets. Increasing fat did not affect intake or digestibility of DM or dietary constituents but there was a fibre digestibility × fat content interaction (P &lt; 0.01) for fat digestibility. There was also a fat content × fibre digestibility interaction (P &lt; 0.05) for CH4 (g kg−1 DMI, organic matter intake, neutral detergent fibre intake, and percent gross energy intake), with emissions being higher when fat was added to the HFbD than the LFbD diet. The CH4 emissions per kilogram of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digested were higher (P &lt; 0.01) for the HFbD than the LFbD diet. Methane emissions were increased by the HFbD diet, but inclusion of fat had a differential impact on CH4 emissions as a proportion of DMI or NDF intake in diets differing in fibre digestibility.

Evaluación de dietas formuladas para la corvina rubia, Micropogonias furnieri (Osteichthyes: Sciaenidae)

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar los efectos del reemplazo parcial (50%) de la harina de pescado por harina de carne bovina en dietas formuladas para juveniles de corvina rubia, Micropogonias furnieri. Se determinó el crecimiento, la eficiencia de conversión del alimento, la digestibilidad aparente de proteínas y lípidos y la supervivencia utilizando dos tipos de dietas isonitrogenadas (proteína cruda 38%), control y reemplazo. El incremento en longitud (cm) y en peso (g) fue mayor en los ejemplares alimentados con la dieta control (10,34 y 9,77% respectivamente), a los que se les suministró la dieta con reemplazo el incremento fue del 6,78 y 7,10%, respectivamente. La supervivencia fue similar para los ejemplares alimentados con la dieta control (88,9%) que con la dieta de reemplazo (86,3%). La digestibilidad aparente de proteínas para los individuos alimentados con la dieta control fue del 88,8%, para los individuos alimentados con la dieta con reemplazo de harina de carne el valor obtenido fue del 85,9%. El porcentaje de digestibilidad aparente para lípidos totales fue similar para ambos tratamientos (96,6 y 96,8%). La composición proximal de proteína y lípidos en músculo no varió significativamente con los tratamientos. Se concluye que la harina de carne puede utilizarse como fuente alternativa de reemplazo de la harina de pescado para la fabricación de dietas utilizadas en el engorde de Micropogonias furnieri. Se requiere continuar las investigaciones para aumentar el conocimiento de los requerimientos nutricionales de esta especie.

First insights on Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae meal dietary administration in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt) juveniles

The Hermetia illucens (L.) larvae meal (HIM) has been tested on different fish species but its use on Siberian sturgeon has not been investigated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fish meal (FM) substitution with a highly defatted HIM on growth performance, biometric and morphometric indices, apparent digestibility of diets, whole body proximate and fatty acid compositions of Acipenser baerii (Brandt) juveniles. Five experimental groups were fed with a FM-based diet without HIM (HIM0), three diets with 25% (HIM25), 50% (HIM50) and 100% (HIM100) of FM substitution with HIM, or a vegetable protein based diet (VEG) without HIM. The feeding trial lasted 118 days and 4 replicates per diet were used. The HIM100 diet was refused by the fish and therefore this experimental group was excluded from statistical evaluation. Moreover, a decrease in feed consumption was recorded with the increase of HIM inclusion. The HIM50 diet negatively affected the growth performance of the fish. The somatic indices were not affected by treatment. Increasing levels of HIM showed increases of dry matter and ether extract contents in the whole body. Compared to HIM0, HIM diets caused modification in lauric acid (up to 65-fold increase) and total saturated fatty acids (up to 1.4-fold increase) contents in the fish whole body. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy were the highest for the VEG diet (77.0%, 90.4% and 85.8%, respectively). HIM25 and HIM50 showed lower apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein (86.5% and 86.6%, respectively) when compared to HIM0 (88.5%). Overall, this study showed that it is possible to replace up to 25% of FM with HIM in the diet of Siberian sturgeons (equal to 18.5% HIM inclusion level) without affecting the growth performance, condition factor, biometric and morphometric indices, and whole body proximate composition of the fish. The fatty acid composition of the sturgeons’ whole body was significantly modified already at 18.5% dietary HIM inclusion level.

Use of indigestible markers to estimate the apparent dry matter digestibility of diets containing a cocoa by-product

Fecal production and apparent dry matter digestibility (ADMD) were evaluated using external markers (chromium oxide; titanium dioxide; isolated, purified, and enriched lignin (LIPE®); and isolated, purified, and enriched lignin nanoparticles (NANOLIPE®) and internal markers (indigestible DM (IDM), indigestible neutral detergent fiber (INDF), and indigestible acid detergent fiber (IADF) in diets based on Tifton 85 bermuda grass (Cynodon sp.) hay containing different concentrations of a cocoa by-product. Sixteen crossbred (Holstein × Zebu) dairy heifers with a mean live weight of 363.00 ± 27.70 kg were evaluated and distributed in a completely randomized block design with a split-plot arrangement. The plots corresponded to the diets, which differed in the substitution of bermuda grass hay with different concentrations (0, 8, 16, and 24% of DM) of the cocoa by-product, whereas the splitplots represented the indigestible markers. Chromic oxide, LIPE®, NANOLIPE®, and INDF accurately estimated ADMD and fecal production whereas titanium dioxide, IDM, and IADF did not accurately estimate these parameters.

EVALUACIÓN DE LA DENSIDAD Y USO INTEGRAL DE TRES ÁRBOLES LEGUMINOSOS EN LOS SISTEMAS SILVOPASTORILES EN EL TRÓPICO DE GUERRERO, MÉXICO.

In the Tropic of Guerrero Mexico the distribution, the density and uses of trees Pithecellobium dulce Roxb Benth, Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) Steud, Haematoxilum brasiletto Karst were studied and its foliage was added to the diets of kids and productive response and apparent digestibility was measured. The livestock farmers have six complementary uses (firewood, poles, shade, medicinal, human consumption and artisanal). The species were identified in live fences and scattered in paddocks with densities of 4.87 trees per 100 linear meters and 1.79 trees ha -1 ; P. dulce was the largest size and identified from 250 to 1332 masl. The ashes (P<0.0001) and detergent fibre (P<0.01) of P. dulce (T1) had higher apparent digestibility. The feed conversion and daily weight gain of the kids were different due to the effect of foliage trees. The rectal temperature was only affected (P<0.0001) by the time of evaluation. The ruminal pH of kids was affected by time evaluation (P<0.0001) and the treatments (P<0.0003). It is concluded that the density of trees is low and could be of impact on soil fertility and the contribution of biomass for animal feed; the apparent digestibility of diets and productive response were more efficient in the animals fed with P. dulce (T1)

Oilseeds in diets of fattening lambs

An experiment was conducted to compare different oilseeds in substitution of ground corn in fattening lambs’ diet, evaluating ingestive behavior, apparent diet digestibility, performance and carcass characteristics. Twenty-four crossbred lambs, 3 month-old and initial body weight of 25.97 ± 0.75 kg, were kept in individual pens. They received one of the following diets: control (no oilseeds, 3.01% Ether Extract - EE), with cottonseed (6.86% EE), sunflower seed (6.93% EE), or soybean (4.75% EE). All diets contained 23.63% of coast cross hay and 76.37% of concentrate. After 84 days of feedlot, the animals were slaughtered and the carcasses evaluated. The dry matter intake and daily weight gain of animals fed with control diet was higher than with oilseeds (P≤0.05). Final body weight and carcass weight were higher (P≤0.05) with control (42.42 kg and 19.27 kg, respectively) than sunflower diet (34.85 kg and 16.05 kg, respectively). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility was reduced (P≤0.05) when the animals received cottonseed (50.34%) than soybean (71.07%); sunflower (67.07%) and control (66.50%) diets did not differ among others. Lower (P≤0.05) ether extract digestibility was observed for the control diet (73.67%). There were no differences (P≥0.05) in the ingestive behavior, however, the inclusion of cottonseed or sunflower negatively affected (P≤0.05) the rumination efficiency of NDF. Cottonseed, sunflower and soybeans should not be included in high concentrate diets for fattening lambs.

Digestibility and Physicochemical Characteristics of Tambaqui Waste Biological Silage Meal Included in Commercial Layer Diets*

ABSTRACT This study aimed at evaluating the effects of the physicochemical and nutritional characteristics of a biological silage meal made of tambaqui waste on dietary nutrient apparent digestibility and energy metabolism of commercial layer diets. Seventy-two 61-week-old Hisex White hens were assigned according to a completely randomized experimental design in two treatments: control diet and diet with 5% tambaqui waste biological silage meal (TWBSM), with six replicates of six birds each. The ensiled biomass presented grey brown color, acid aroma, viscous texture, 5.27±0.016pH, 96.28% dry matter (DM), 33.29% crude protein (CP), 33.65% ether extract (EE), 14.37% ashes, 13.63% non-nitrogen extract (NNE), 65.16 g.kg-1 calcium (Ca), 22.90 g.kg-1 phosphorus (P), and 5,666.07 kcal.kg-1 gross energy (GE). Higher (p>0.05) coefficients of apparent digestibility of DM, crude fiber, EE, and ash, and higher coefficient of GE metabolizability were obtained in the diet with 5% TWBSM. Due to its high CP content (33.29% on DM basis), TWBSM may be considered a protein feedstuff. Although no differences in CP digestibility (p>0.05) were detected, TWBSM presented high CP digestibility than the control diet due to proteins hydrolysis as a result of lactic fermentation by microorganisms during the ensilage process, yielding autolysed proteins of high biological value. Our results indicate that the biological silage meal produced from the residual biomass of tambaqui can be included up to 5% in commercial layer diets as it has good nutrient digestibility, and therefore, may potentially be used as a dietary energy and protein source.

Acceptance, tolerance and apparent nutrient digestibility of complete diets based on larvae meal of Hermetia illucens in cats

Insect meal can be used as a component of cat food for several reasons. In addition to veterinary indications, particularly for animals suffering from food allergy, economic or ecological reasons might be relevant. Because no data in cats are available on the acceptance, tolerance or nutrient digestibility of a diet based on insect protein, it was the aim of the present study to evaluate these aspects more closely. Ten healthy, adult cats received two different diets (A, B) based on larvae meal of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) for 6 weeks each. At the end of each feeding period, the faeces of the cats were collected and analysed. Both diets contained titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker to calculate the apparent nutrient digestibilities. The results demonstrated a generally good food tolerance and acceptance. However, one cat displayed emesis after the ingestion of diet A and subsequently refused the diet, thus this animal was removed from the study. With regard to diet B, no emesis of the cats was observed. However, three cats displayed a low feed intake or refused the diet, thus these cats were also removed from the study. The calculation of the apparent nutrient digestibilities revealed a high crude fat digestibility (96.0 ± 1.26 % for diet A and 92.7 ± 1.53 % for diet B). However, the apparent digestibility of crude protein (77.0 ± 3.48 % and 73.4 ± 3.73 % for diets A and B, respectively) and of the specific amino acids was only moderate. Both diets based on larvae meal of Hermetia illucens were generally tolerated by most of the cats. However, individual differences were also present. Because the apparent crude protein digestibility was only moderate, it is recommended to consider an adequate safety margin when formulating diets based on insect protein to prevent nutrient deficiencies.

Intake and feed utilization in two breeds of pregnant beef cows fed forages with high-fiber concentrations.

Hereford and Charolais beef cows (n = 24 per breed) were used to study the effect of breed and to evaluate late-cut reed canarygrass (RC) and whole-crop oats plus urea (WCO) compared with late-cut timothy (TG) with respect to feed intake and digestibility, rumination time, fecal particle size (PS) distribution, N excretion, and ruminal microbial CP production (MCP). The TG and RC were cut at flowering and WCO at hard dough stage of maturity. Cows were group-housed, 6 groups per breed, and fed 3 diets ad libitum in 3 periods. The study was designed as two 3 × 3 Latin squares amalgamated to form a 3 × 6 rectangle for each breed. All data were statistically analyzed on group level. Indigestible NDF (iNDF) and urinary creatinine excretion were used as markers to estimate apparent diet digestibility and daily urine volume, respectively. Fecal PS distribution was determined by dry sieving, and ruminal MCP synthesis was estimated based on urinary output of purine derivatives. The TG diet had a higher apparent digestibility of OM and NDF (P < 0.001) than RC and WCO, which did not differ. The TG diet resulted in the greatest daily DMI, followed by WCO and RC (P < 0.001). Intake of NDF (NDFI, kg/d and % of BW) was greatest for TG, followed by RC and WCO (P < 0.001). Rumination time per kg DMI was longest for RC (P < 0.001), and RC and WCO resulted in longest rumination time per kg NDFI (P < 0.001). The WCO diet resulted in the largest geometric mean fecal PS and proportion of large particles and in the smallest proportion of small particles, whereas the opposite was found for RC, with TG being intermediate (P < 0.001). Intakes in kg per day were higher for Charolais than for Hereford (P = 0.002), but no breed effect was detected when intake was expressed in relation to BW. Charolais ruminated longer per kg NDFI corrected for BW (P = 0.02) and had smaller mean fecal PS (P = 0.049) than Hereford. Total N excretion was highest for RC and lowest for WCO (P < 0.001). The TG diet stimulated MCP production to a greater extent than RC and WCO (P < 0.001). The results indicate that late-cut RC and WCO could be suitable alternatives to late-cut TG for ad libitum feeding of early pregnant beef cows, and that intake was associated with cow BW, but not with breed. The variations in NDF and iNDF concentrations between forage diets were reflected in their effects on intake, rumination, apparent digestibility, and fecal PS.

An Evaluation on the Ratio of Plant to Animal Protein in the Diet of Juvenile Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus): Growth, Nutrient Digestibility and Nonspecific Immunity

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant/animal (P/A) protein ratios (viz.1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1,2:1, 3:1, 4:1) on growth performance, body composition, apparent digestibility of diets, and nonspecific immunity of juvenile sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus). Sea cucumbers were divided into 21 plastic tanks, and each tank was stocked with 15 individuals (initial weight: about 23.73 g). Each feed was allocated to three replicates of sea cucumbers. The feeding experiment lasted for 50 days. Results indicated that weight gain rate (WGR) and body wall weight (BWW) significantly increased as dietary ratio of P/A increased from 1:4 to 3:1, and then decreased significantly with further increase of this ratio (P 0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein and lipid increased with ratio of P/A increasing from 1:4 to 2:1 (P < 0.05), and then decreased with further increase of this ratio. Correspondingly, activities of trypsin and amylase were significantly increased as P/A increased from 1:4 to 2:1 (P < 0.05). The activities of SOD and CAT showed a similar trend with WGR, with the highest value observed in the ratio of 1:2 and 1:1, respectively. Results above showed that moderate or relatively higher ratio of P/A protein (1:1–3:1) significantly increased the growth performance, apparent digestibility, and nonspecific immunity of sea cucumber. This will contribute to improving the feed formulation for juvenile cucumbers.

Dietas para ovinos contendo capim elefante maduro e raspa de mandioca: estimativa de digestibilidade aparente por meio de indicadores

Objetivou-se a avaliar a estimativa da digestibilidade aparente (DA) em dietas para ovinos por meio dos indicadores internos MSi (matéria seca indigestível), FDNi (fibra em detergente neutro indigestível) e FDAi (fibra em detergente ácido indigestível) e o indicador externo LIPE®. Utilizou-se oito ovinos machos Santa Inês, castrados, fistulados no rúmen, com peso médio corporal de 50 kg. Os animais receberam dietas a base de raspa de mandioca e do capim elefante maduro (120 dias). Os indicadores internos (MSi, FDNi e FDAi) foram estimados após 288 horas de incubação in situ das amostras de alimentos e fezes. O indicador externo LIPE® foi fornecido na forma de cápsulas na dosagem de 250 mg/animal/dia. Os resultados de DA estimados pelo indicador externo LIPE® diferiram estatisticamente (P0,05) entre o método da coleta total de fezes e os indicadores internos FDNi e FDAi. Os indicadores internos FDNi e FDAi podem ser utilizados em estudos de digestibilidade em ovinos, pois, permitem estimar de forma semelhante ao método da coleta total de fezes.

In vitro assays predicts mineral retention and apparent protein digestibility of different fish feed measured using a juvenileP. mesopotamicusmodel

Feed chemical composition only provides information about nutrient content of a diet, but not its bioavailability. The aims were to determine mineral bioaccessibility and protein digestibility of three different fish feed, using in vitro methods and to correlate them with feed mineral retention and apparent protein digestibility measured by juvenile Piaractus mesopotamicus model, considering elliptical joint confidence region (EJCR) of weighted least-squares analysis. For in vivo assays, juvenile P. mesopotamicus were randomly stocked into conical tanks and fed during 38 days with a commercial diet, an experimental diet, or the same experimental diet added with phytase (0.2 g/kg). Total body mineral retention (mineral bioavailability indicator) and apparent protein digestibility of different diets were measured. For in vitro methods, mineral dialysability (mineral bioaccessibility indicator) and protein digestibility of the same diets were determined. No significant difference in morphometric and haematological markers were detected between diets. For iron, zinc and phosphorous bioavailability, and protein digestibility, weighted least-squares analysis showed the optimal point (1, 0) was included in EJCR, indicating in vivo and in vitro methods were comparable and correlated satisfactorily. In vitro methods were able to reproduce accurately the results obtained from traditional in vivo assays using juvenile P. mesopotamicus model.

White lupin bran and its effects on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and digestibility of nutrients in fattening rabbits

&lt;p&gt;The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of including white lupin bran (WLB) in a fattening rabbit diet on growth, carcass traits and nutrient digestibility. The C diet (control) based on alfalfa meal, whereas the WLB 5 and WLB 15 diets were based on white lupin bran (crude protein 152 g/kg, neutral detergent fibre 524 g/kg as-fed basis). The WLB 5 diet contained 50 g of white lupin bran/kg instead of 50 g of alfalfa meal/kg, whereas the WLB 15 diet contained 150 g of white lupin bran/kg, 5 g of soybean meal/kg and 10 g of sugar beet pulp/kg instead of 165 g of alfalfa meal/kg. The diets had similar digestible protein/digestible energy ratios. A total of 150 Hyplus rabbits between the ages of 30 to 73 d were randomly allocated into one of 3 groups and fed one of the 3 experimental diets. Additionally, another 30 Hyplus rabbits (10 per dietary treatment) at the age of 30 d were selected to determine coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of diets between 63 and 67 d of age. The dietary treatments did not affect the final live weight of rabbits (mean=2969 g). There was a higher feed intake (+30 g/d; P&amp;lt;0.001) in both groups of rabbits fed the WLB 5 and WLB 15 diets compared to rabbits fed the C diet, which led to impaired feed conversion ratios (P&amp;lt;0.001). Sanitary risk index was not affected by dietary treatment. The rabbits fed the WLB 15 diet exhibited a higher drip loss percentage (+0.65%; P&amp;lt;0.001) than the rabbits fed the other diets, as well as a lower dressing-out percentage (by 1.6%; P=0.024). The CTTAD of the lignocellulose fraction (acid detergent fibre) was significantly higher in rabbits fed the WLB 5 and WLB 15 diets than in those fed the C diet. White lupin bran may be used as a dietary fibrous by-product without significant impairment of the nutritive value of the diet. This lupin by-product can be included in diets for fattening rabbits up to 15% as a partial replacement of alfalfa meal.&lt;/p&gt;

Digestibility and palatability of isolated porcine protein in dogs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the digestibility and palatability of an isolated porcine protein (IPP) for adult dogs. In the digestibility assay, eight adult Beagle dogs were distributed in a double Latin square (4 × 4) experimental design. Diets containing 0, 100, 200, or 300 g IPP/kg were offered. Diets (0–300 g IPP/kg) presented 229.6–265.3 g/kg crude protein (CP) and 17.59–18.73 MJ/kg metabolisable energy (ME). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of diets and of the IPP were evaluated by analysis of regression. For the palatability test, diets containing 0 and 300 g IPP/kg were compared using 16 adult dogs. Dry matter (DM) and CP ATTD and the ME content of the IPP were determined as 99.2%, 86.4% and 22.48 MJ/kg, respectively. Faecal DM (424–342 g/kg) and pH (6.86–5.98) were linearly reduced (p < .01) as dietary IPP increased. The other evaluated faecal characteristics were not influenced by the treatments (p > .05). Lower intake ratio was obtained with the diet with 300 g IPP/kg, compared with the diet with 0 g IPP/kg (p < .01). The inclusion of IPP in the diet increases the digestibility of dietary nutrients and ME content; however, it reduces food palatability and faecal DM. Isolated porcine protein presents high nutrient digestibility and ME content for dogs.

Evaluation of genetically-improved (glandless) and genetically-modified low-gossypol cottonseed meal as alternative protein sources in the diet of juvenile southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma reared in a recirculating aquaculture system

Cottonseed meal (CSM) proteins from genetically-improved (glandless) low-gossypol seed (GI-CSM, 52.1% crude protein, CP), genetically-modified low-gossypol seed (GMO-CSM, 56.0% CP) and from an untreated regular (glanded) seed (R-CSM 49.9% CP) were evaluated to replace fish meal (FM) protein (59.5% CP) in juvenile southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma diets. Eight isonitrogenous (45% CP) and isolipidic (16% crude lipid, CL) diets were formulated. A control diet (0% CSM) contained 40% fishmeal (FM) and other practical protein sources. Six diets replaced 50, 75 and 100% FM protein with GI-CSM or GMO-CSM protein. One diet replaced 100% FM protein by R-CSM protein. Fifteen fish (mean = 1.81 g) were stocked in each of twenty-four 75-L tanks (N = 3 per treatment) and were fed the treatment diets for eight weeks. Final percent weight gain was not significantly (P > 0.05) different in fish fed the GI- and GMO- and R-CSM protein diets (898–1405%) compared with the control diet (0% CSM) (1242%), but percent weight gain was greater (P < 0.05) in fish fed the 50% GI-CSM diet (1405%) versus the 100% GI-CSM diet (898%). Feed conversion ratio was excellent for all treatments (FCR = 0.70–1.00), with no treatment differences (P < 0.05). Protein efficiency ratios (PER) were also not significantly different among the treatments (2.26–3.24), although the lowest value was for 100% R-CSM diets. After 8 weeks of feeding, survival of fish ranged from 80 to 91%, with no treatment differences. Apparent protein digestibility of diets was significantly higher for the fish fed 75% and 100% GI-CSM and 100% GMO-CSM protein diets (83.5, 83.5 and 86.5%, respectively) compared with the control diet (79.4%). After 8 weeks, no significant (P > 0.05) interactive effects between CSM sources and FM replacement levels on final weight, FCR and PER were observed. Arginine levels in the diets increased as CSM was increased, consistent with the high arginine concentrations found in CSM. Liver gossypol was only detectable in fish fed the 100% R-CSM diet (37 μg/g). Replacing up to 75% FM protein by GI- or GMO-CSM protein did not affect on whole body omega-3 PUFAs, or liver gossypol. The results suggest that up to 75% of fish meal protein may be replaced by GI- or GMO-CSM protein in the diet of juvenile flounder without adverse effects on growth performance and body composition. Statement of relevanceCottonseed meal (CSM) is a potentially cost-effective alternative plant protein source for use in aquafeeds. The results suggest that a 75% of fishmeal protein could be replaced by genetically-improved and genetically modified (GMO) low gossypol based cottonseed flour protein in the diet of southern flounder. These ultra-low gossypol cottonseed flour proteins could be inexpensive protein sources for the commercial culture of southern flounder and other finfish species.

Effect of odontoplasty on apparent digestibility and consumption time of diet for equines

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of odontoplasty on apparent digestibility of diet for horses, consumption time, and particle size of feces. Nine horses were used, aged 14.5±3.3 years and weightng 531±38.7kg. The diet consisted of 1.5% of live weight (LW) in Tifton 85 hay and 0.75% of LW in concentrate for both assays. The experiment consisted of two tests of apparent digestibility using the method of total collection, before and after the odontoplasty, where the consumption time of hay and concentrate was also evaluated and the particle size of the feces was analyzed. An effect (P&lt;0.05) of odontoplasty on the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was observed. Effect of the consumption time for the concentrate (P&lt;0.05) was observed, but not for the forage (P&lt;0.05). There was more retention (P&lt;0.05) of the fecal particles in the sieves of bigger granulometry. The odontoplasty increases the digestibility of dietary nutrients and feces particle size, without changing feces quality. Animals after the procedure have shorter concentrate consumption time.

Apparent and standardized ileal nutrient digestibility of broiler diets containing varying levels of raw full-fat soybean and microbial protease

BackgroundAlthough soybean meal (SBM) is excellent source of protein in diets for poultry, it is sometimes inaccessible, costly and fluctuates in supply. The SBM can partially be replaced by full-fat SBM, but the meals prepared from raw full-fat soybean contain antinutritional factors. To avoid the risk of antinutritional factors, heat treatment is always advisable, but either excessive or under heating the soybean could negatively affect the quality. However, the potential for further improvement of SBM by supplementing with microbial enzymes has been suggested by many researchers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and ileal nutrient digestibility of birds fed on diets containing raw soybeans and supplemented with microbial protease.MethodsA 3 × 2 factorial, involving 3 levels of raw full-fat soybean (RFFS; 0, 45 or 75 g/kg of diet) and 2 levels of protease (0 or 15,000 PROT/kg) was used. The birds were raised in a climate-controlled room. A nitrogen-free diet was also offered to a reference group from day 19 to 24 to determine protein and amino acid flow at the terminal ileum and calculate the standardized ileal digestibility of nutrients. On days 10, 24 and 35, body weight and feed leftover were recorded to calculate the body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). On day 24, samples of ileal digesta were collected at least from two birds per replicate.ResultsWhen RFFS was increased from 0 to 75 g/kg of diet, the content of trypsin inhibitors was increased from 1747 to 10,193 trypsin inhibitors unit (TIU)/g of diets, and feed consumption of birds was also reduced (P < 0.05). Increasing RFFS level reduced the BWG from hatch 0 to 10 d (P < 0.01) and hatch to 24 d (P < 0.05). The BWG of birds from hatch to 35 was not significantly (P = 0.07) affected.Feed intake was also reduced (P < 0.05) during 0 to 35 d. However, protease supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the BWG and FCR during 0 to 24 d. Rising levels of RFFS increased the weight of pancreas (P < 0.001) and small intestine (P < 0.001) at day 24. Except for methionine, apparent and the corresponding standardized ileal digestibility of CP and AA were reduced (P < 0.01) by increasing levels of RFFS in diets.ConclusionThis study showed that some commercial SBM could be replaced by RFFS in broiler diets, without markedly compromising productivity. The AID and SID of CP and lysine were slightly improved by dietary supplementation of microbial protease.

151 Apparent diet digestibility and morphometric measurements of ruminal papillae of water buffaloes finished in feedlot

151 Apparent diet digestibility and morphometric measurements of ruminal papillae of water buffaloes finished in feedlot

359 In vitro apparent ruminal digestibility of diets containing corn distiller's grain with different quantities of crude fat

359 In vitro apparent ruminal digestibility of diets containing corn distiller's grain with different quantities of crude fat