Coefficient Of Total Tract Apparent Digestibility Research Articles

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of finisher pigs offered either a by-product or cereal based diet at two different concentrations of net energy

A 2 (cereal plus soybean meal (SBM) and by-product based diets) × 2 (9.3 MJ NE (net energy)/kg and 9.9 MJ NE/kg) factorial experiment was used to investigate the inclusion effects of a combination of rapeseed meal (RSM) and maize distillers dried grain with solubles (MDDGS) at two NE concentrations in diets offered to finisher pigs on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics. One hundred and sixty pigs (80 males, 80 females) with an initial live weight of 47.5 kg (SD 3.93 kg) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: (T1) a cereal based diet formulated to give 9.3 MJ NE/kg; (T2) a cereal based diet formulated to give 9.9 MJ NE/kg; (T3) a by-product based diet formulated to give 9.3 MJ NE/kg; (T4) a by-product based diet formulated to give 9.9 MJ NE/kg. The by-product diet included 350 g/kg MDDGS and 210 g/kg of RSM. The diets were formulated to contain similar levels of standardized ileal digestible lysine (8.5 g/kg). Soya oil was included in the diet to increase the NE content. Pigs offered the cereal based diet had a higher (P < 0.001) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and a poorer feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the by-product based diet. The diets containing the high energy concentration decreased ADFI (P < 0.010) and improved FCR (P < 0.002). Pigs offered the cereal based diet had increased coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) (P < 0.001) and coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) (P < 0.001) of nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE) compared with pigs offered the by-product based diet. The diets containing the high energy concentration had increased CATTD of dry matter (DM) (P < 0.045) and GE (P < 0.014) as well as the digestible energy (DE) (P < 0.001) and predicted NE (P < 0.008) values compared to the low energy concentration diets. Pigs offered the cereal based diet had a higher carcass weight (P < 0.050), carcass ADG (P < 0.024) and kill out percentage (P < 0.050) compared to pigs offered the by-product based diet. In conclusion, including high levels of by-product feeds negatively affected animal performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics. The high energy concentration of the diets reduced ADFI but improved FCR.

Diet nutrient and energy digestibility and growth performance of weaned pigs fed hulled or hull-less barley differing in fermentable starch and fibre to replace wheat grain

Starch and fibre composition of feed grain may alter site of digestion and fermentation of energy-yielding nutrients within the swine gut. Especially dietary amylose and β-glucan increase fermentation; however, their effect on growth performance has not been well defined. Starting 1 week post-weaning (BW, 7.3 kg), 240 pigs were fed 5 diets that contained 630–706 g cereal grain/kg differing in fermentable carbohydrates: high-fermentable β-glucan hull-less barley (HFB), high-fermentable amylose hull-less barley (HFA), moderate-fermentable hull-less barley (MFB); low-fermentable hulled barley (LFB) or low-fermentable hard red spring wheat (LFW). Diets were formulated to provide 9.7 and 9.4 MJ net energy (NE)/kg and 1.32 and 1.22 g standardised ileal digestible lysine/MJ NE for Phase 1 (day 1–14) and Phase 2 (day 15–35), respectively. The coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of gross energy (GE) was greatest (P < 0.05) for MFB and LFW for both phases and was lower (P < 0.05) for LFB than HFB and HFA for Phase 1 and HFA for Phase 2. The CATTD of crude protein (CP) was greater (P < 0.05) for LFW than the 4 barley diets for both phases. The CATTD of CP was greater (P < 0.05) for HFA and LFB than HFB and MFB for Phase 2. Calculated NE value for Phase 1 was greatest (P < 0.05) for MFB, greater (P < 0.05) for LFW than LFB and HFB and greater (P < 0.05) for HFA than HFB. Calculated NE value for Phase 2 was greater (P < 0.05) for MFB than LFB, HFB and HFA and greater (P < 0.05) for LFW than HFA. For the entire trial (day 1–35), gain:feed (G:F) did not differ (P > 0.05) among diets. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was greater (P < 0.05) for LFB, LFW or MFB than HFA. The ADFI was greater (P < 0.05) for LFB than HFB. Average daily gain tended to be greater (P = 0.07) for LFB than HFA. Faeces consistency was greater (P < 0.05) for LFW than HFB or HFA and greater (P < 0.05) for LFB than HFB. In conclusion, moderate dietary fermentable carbohydrates did not alter feed intake, gain and G:F of weaned pigs; however, high dietary fermentable carbohydrates may reduce feed intake, gain and faeces consistency. Nevertheless, hulled and hull-less barley replacing wheat grain in diets did not affect feed intake, gain and G:F in weaned pigs.

Nutrient and energy digestibility, and microbial metabolites in weaned pigs fed diets containing Lactobacillus–fermented wheat

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nursery diets containing fermented wheat, with or without enzyme complex, on nutrient and energy digestibility as well as microbial metabolites in weaned pigs. Wheat was fermented using either L. plantarum (Homo) or L. buchneri (Hetero), with or without an enzyme complex (multicarbohydrases + phytase) for a 90-d of period. The Homo produces lactic acid during fermentation whereas Hetero can further convert the lactic acid into volatile fatty acids and alcohol. Control diets were formulated with unfermented wheat without (negative control) or with (positive control) 0.5 g/kg of the enzyme complex whereas the treatment diets contained fermented wheat at 437.5 g/kg without enzymes. A casein (50 g/kg)-corn starch-based diet was used to estimate the basal endogenous amino acids losses. Fourteen weaned piglets (7.8 ± 0.3 kg initial body weight) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula at the distal ileum and allocated as per an incomplete replicated 7 × 3 Latin square design with 7 dietary treatments and 3 periods. The inclusion of fermented wheat increased (P < 0.05) the coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) of GE and starch, and coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), gross energy (GE), and phosphorus. Further, pigs fed fermented wheat diets showed greater (P < 0.05) CAID of methionine, cysteine, and tyrosine, and coefficient of standardized ileal digestibility (CSID) of methionine, alanine, and proline than those fed unfermented wheat diets. Pigs fed Hetero-fermented wheat diets demonstrated greater (P < 0.05) CAID of DM, OM, and GE, and CATTD of calcium and phosphorus than those fed Homo-fermented wheat diets. However, no differences in amino acids digestibility were observed between the inoculants. The addition of an enzyme complex for wheat fermentation increased (P < 0.05) the CATTD of calcium and phosphorus; the CAID of isoleucine, phenylalanine, valine, and tyrosine; as well as the CSID of isoleucine, phenylalanine, valine, and tyrosine. However, any changes in the volatile fatty acids and lactic acid concentrations and pH of the feces or the ileal digesta were not observed among treatment. In conclusion, feeding a nursery diet comprising fermented wheat increased the nutrient and energy digestibility. Inoculating wheat with Hetero is more beneficial than inoculating it with Homo in terms of energy and mineral digestibility. The addition of an enzyme complex to wheat fermentation increased mineral and amino acids digestibility.

Adaptation duration for net energy determination of high fiber diets in growing pigs

This study was conducted to determine the optimal adaptation duration of growing pigs to high fiber diets for net energy (NE) determination and the effect of soluble and insoluble fiber on nutrient digestibility and energy metabolism using indirect calorimetry. Eighteen growing barrows (initial BW: 36.1 ± 3.1 kg) were allotted in a completely randomized design to 3 dietary treatments. The 3 experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 2 test diets formulated to contain either 220 g/kg sugar beet pulp or 200 g/kg soybean hulls at the expense of corn, soybean meal and amino acid (AA) in the basal diet. The experiment was conducted in 3 consecutive 28-d periods consisting of a 7-d preliminary period followed by a 21-d heat production (HP) measurement period, and the HP measurement period was artificially divided into 4 adaptation duration (collection periods) of 5 d (from d 8 to d 12, d 13 to d 17, d 18 to d 22, d 23 to d 27) in order to calculate DE, ME and NE values and digestibility coefficients of nutrients within each collection period and pig. Pigs required to be adapted to the three diets for these many days before they could finish the daily feed allowance. Indeed, pigs needed 7, 12 and 10 days finishing eating the basal, sugar beet pulp and soybean hulls diet, respectively. The coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of dry matter (DM), total dietary fiber (TDF), neutral detergent fiber assayed with a heat stable amylase and expressed inclusive of residual ash (aNDF), ether extract (EE) and organic matter (OM) were not significantly changed with adaptation duration for respective diets. Nitrogen retention was increased (P < 0.05) in respective diets with adaptation duration. The total heat production (THP), retained energy as protein (REP) and retained energy as lipids (REL) were not changed with adaptation duration in their respective diets. Similarly, the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) and NE values of diets and ingredients were not changed with adaptation duration. Sugar beet pulp and soybean hulls had a negative effect (P < 0.01) on energy values and CATTD of gross energy (GE), DM, OM, crude protein (CP) and EE. However, the CATTD of fiber constituent were greater (P < 0.01) in pigs fed the sugar beet pulp diet than pigs fed other diets. In conclusion, considering the effect of high fiber diets on feed intake, a 12-d adaptation period will be necessary for NE determination of fiber-rich ingredients, even though the CATTD of most nutrients and energy values were not changed with adaptation duration. High fiber diets had a negative effect on nutrients digestibility and energy values.

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;

Mycotoxin binder increases growth performance, nutrient digestibility and digestive health of finisher pigs offered wheat based diets grown under different agronomical conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a wheat-based diet, exhibiting different levels of mycotoxin contamination and the presence of a mycotoxin binder on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and digestive health in finisher pigs. Sixty-four pigs (38.7 kg (SD 3.48 kg)) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: (T1) low quality wheat diet, (T2) low quality wheat diet containing 2 g/kg of a mycotoxin binder, (T3) high quality wheat diet, (T4) high quality wheat diet containing 2 g/kg of a mycotoxin binder. The inclusion of wheat was 500 g/kg. The mycotoxin binder used was a Hydrated Sodium-Calcium-Aluminum-Silicate, which also included calcium propionate and calcium formate. The low quality wheat grain had a higher level of zearalenone (233.02 vs. 33.36 μg/kg), aflatoxin (4.08 vs. 2.94 μg/kg) and ochratoxin (28.20 vs. 4.23 μg/kg). Pigs offered the low quality wheat diet had a lower average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05), average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P < 0.001) and had a reduced coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) (P < 0.05) of nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE) compared with pigs offered the high quality wheat diets. The inclusion of a mycotoxin binder improved ADG and ADFI (P < 0.05) and also increased the CATTD of N and GE compared to diets without a mycotoxin binder. Pigs offered the low quality wheat diets had increased (P < 0.05) expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the duodenum and colon and of claudin 2 (CLDN2) (P < 0.001) in the duodenum, compared to pigs offered the high quality wheat diets. Pigs offered diets containing a mycotoxin binder had increased expression of ghrelin (GHRL) (P < 0.05) in the duodenum compared to pigs offered diets without a mycotoxin binder. There was a wheat × mycotoxin binder interaction on the expression of peptide transporter 1 gene (SLC15A1/PEPT1) and sodium-glucose linked transporter 1 gene (SLC5A1/SGLT1) (P < 0.05) in the duodenum. Pigs offered the low quality wheat with a mycotoxin binder had lower expression of SLC15A1/PEPT1 and SLC5A1/SGLT1 expression compared to the low quality wheat diet only. However, there was no response to mycotoxin binder supplementation with the high quality wheat diet. In conclusion, the low quality wheat reduced ADG, ADFI, nutrient digestibility and modified the gene expression of genes involved in intestinal nutrient transport and inflammation. The supplementation of a mycotoxin binder improved ADG, ADFI, nutrient digestibility and also improved digestive health through increases in nutrient transporter and tight junction gene expression.

Effect of β-glucanase and β-xylanase enzyme supplemented barley diets on nutrient digestibility, growth performance and expression of intestinal nutrient transporter genes in finisher pigs

The study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of an enzyme mix (β-glucanase and β-xylanase) to barley based diets that had different chemical compositions achieved through different agronomical conditions on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal nutrient transporters. Ninety-six pigs (44.7 kg (SD 4.88)) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments. The treatments were as follows: (T1) low quality barley diet, (T2) low quality barley diet supplemented with β-glucanase and β-xylanase enzyme supplement, (T3) high quality barley diet and (T4) high quality barley diet supplemented with β-glucanase and β-xylanase enzyme supplement. The inclusion of barley was 500 g/kg. There was an interaction between barley type and enzyme supplementation on average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P < 0.05). Pigs offered the low quality barley diet supplemented with enzymes had an increase in both ADG and ADFI compared to the low quality barley diet only. However, there was no response to enzyme inclusion in the high quality barley diet. Pigs offered the low quality barley diet with enzymes had a higher coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of gross energy (GE) compared to the low quality barley diet only (P < 0.05). However, the increase in the high quality barley diet with enzyme supplementation was not as great as with the low quality barley diet. Pigs offered the low quality barley had an upregulation in the expression of the ghrelin gene (GHRL) in the jejunum compared to pigs offered the high quality barley diet (P < 0.05). There was a barley × enzyme interaction observed for the expression of the cluster of differentiation gene (CD36) in the duodenum and the peptide transporter 1 gene (PEPT1/SLC15A1) and sodium-glucose linked transporter 1 gene (SGLT1/SLC5A1) in the ileum (P < 0.01). Pigs offered the high quality barley diet with enzymes had increased expression of CD36, PEPT1/SLC15A1 and SGLT1/SLC5A1 compared to the high quality barley diet alone. However the low quality barley diet with enzymes down regulated the expression of CD36, PEPT1/SLC15A1 and SGLT1/SLC5A1 compared to the low quality barley diet alone. In conclusion, offering a low quality barley diet supplemented with an enzyme mix improved ADG, ADFI and nutrient digestibility as well as modifying the expression of CD36, PEPT1/SLC15A1 and SGLT1/SLC5A1. The inclusion of an enzyme mix to the high quality barley diet improved nutrient digestibility and caused an upregulation in the expression of CD36, PEPT1/SLC15A1 and SGLT1/SLC5A1 but it did not improve animal performance.

Dietary protein level affects nutrient digestibility and ileal microbiota structure in growing pigs.

This study aimed to determine whether dietary protein content influences pig health as indicated by ileal microbiota structure and coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients. Seventy-two gilts, with an initial body weight of 29.9±1.5kg, were used in this 42-day feeding study. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments of corn-soybean meal contained 14, 16 or 18% crude protein (CP). As dietary CP content decreased, the CTTAD of most essential amino acids (AAs), except for arginine and histidine, increased linearly, while those of most nonessential AAs decreased linearly. The concentration of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) was higher in pigs fed the diet with 14% CP content than others. Ileal microbiota structure was changed by dietary treatments. In particular, at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Tenericutes in ileal digesta decreased as the dietary protein content reduced, while that of cyanobacteria increased. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Weeksella, Phaseolus acutifolius, Slackia, Sulfurimonas and Aerococcus showed significant differences among the three dietary treatments. In conclusion, ileal microbiota structure was changed by dietary protein content. Moderate reduction of protein intake can benefit gut health by enhancing the gut microbial fermentation and SCFA formation.

Nutritional value of crude and partially defatted olive cake in finishing pigs and effects on nitrogen balance and gaseous emissions

By-products from the food industry can be valuable ingredients in animal feeds. One example is olive cake (OC), generated in large amounts by the olive oil industry, which contains oil with a high proportion of oleic acid and polyphenols. An experiment was performed using pigs to determine the nutritional value of crude (COC) and partially defatted (PDOC) olive cake, and to evaluate their effect on nutrient balance, slurry properties and potential ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4) emissions. Five experimental feeds were designed; a basal diet and another four diets produced by substituting 100 or 200 g/kg of the basal diet with either COC or PDOC. Thirty finishing male pigs (76.1 ± 4.2 kg initial BW) were used in the experiment (6 animals/treatment). After a 14-day adaptation period, faeces and urine were collected separately for 7 days to measure nutrient digestibility and the excretory patterns of nitrogen. Potential NH3 and CH4 emissions were measured in reconstituted slurry samples over 11 and 100 days, respectively. The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), cellulose, starch and energy coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) were negative and linearly (P < 0.05) affected by OC inclusion level. However, the type of OC did not influence any of the digestion efficiencies studied. The energy digestibility of the ingredients tested, estimated by substitution, were 0.479 (±0.040, SEM) and 0.327 (±0.049) for COC and PDOC, respectively. Overall, the results indicate a digestible energy (DE) value from COC and PDOC that account respectively for around 80 or 60% of the DE provided by barley grain in pigs. Faecal content of cellulose, polyphenols and gross energy (GE) increased linearly with OC inclusion, whereas ash content decreased. The total N content of urine decreased linearly with OC inclusion, but benzoic and hippuric acid contents increased, which resulted in lower pH values for the OC diets. The ratio between faecal and urine N excretion decreased from 2.48 in the basal diet to 1.01 on average in the 200 g/kg OC diets. As a result, increasing both COC and PDOC levels in diets resulted in lower NH3 emissions per volume of slurry and in a lower biochemical CH4 potential. Although slurry excretion increased with OC inclusion, daily NH3 emissions still decreased with increasing OC inclusion. However, potential CH4 emissions per animal increased. A global perspective throughout the production chain is needed to assess the impact of including OC in pig diets on gaseous emissions.

Effect of substituting guinea grass with soybean hulls on production performance and digestion traits in fattening rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of soybean hulls (SH) to substitute guinea grass (GG), traditionally used as fibre source in the diets of fattening rabbits on performance, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, gastrointestinal tract development and caecum fermentation. A total of 160 mixed sex Hyla commercial meat rabbits were allocated to 4 experimental groups (40 per treatment) differing in the SH level inclusion in the diet offered to rabbits from 40 to 90 d of age: 0, 50, 100 and 200 g/kg as-fed basis: SH0, SH50, SH100 and SH200 groups, respectively. Growth performance was recorded from 40 to 90 d of age, CTTAD of nutrients from 86 to 90 d of age, and gastrointestinal tract development, caecum fermentation and carcass traits were determined at 90 d of age. Average daily feed intake and the feed/gain ratio were lower in SH100 and SH200 groups than in SH0 group (P0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that SH can substitute GG in the diets of fattening rabbits up to 200 g/kg in diet with no adverse effects on the growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass traits and meat quality.

Use of monensin in lactating crossbred dairy cows (Holstein × Gyr) raised on tropical pastures with concentrate supplementation

Monensin is a feed additive produced by a strain of Streptomyces cinnamonensis that has been used to improve milk production and feed efficiency by a mechanism linked to rumen fermentation of lactating dairy cows. Evaluation on performance, digestibility and blood parameters of crossbred dairy cows supplemented with monensin is still scarce. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of monensin supplementation on intake, digestibility of nutrients, lactational performance and blood parameters in crossbred dairy cows grazing tropical pasture subjected to rotational stocking and supplemented with concentrate. Sixteen crossbred Holstein-Gyr cows (initial milk yield=20kg/d; body weight=505.5kg±47.64) were blocked according to stage of lactation and milk production, and assigned to two treatments in a crossover design. The treatments were (1) control diet (pasture and concentrate) or (2) control diet plus 300mg per cow per day of sodium monensin. There were 24 paddocks used of 1750m2 each (total of 42,000m2) with Tanzania Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), irrigated and managed under intermittent stocking systems. Concentrate supplementation was offered after milking in individual stalls (12.5m2). The first 18days were considered an adaptation period, followed by 10days of the sampling period of milk, feces, blood, pasture and concentrate. The intakes of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDFom) and total digestible nutrients (TDN), and concentrate as well as the digestibility of CP were similar between treatments. Monensin supplementation increased the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of DM (P=0.03) and NDFom of crossbred dairy cows. Blood parameters such as glucose and urea were similar among the two groups. Monensin did not affect milk yield and 3.5% fat-corrected milk, but fat and total solids contents were reduced in cows fed ionophore. There was a tendency for the beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) level to be lower, while the nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was reduced in dairy cows supplemented with feed monensin additive. These results demonstrate that monensin may increase the nutrient digestibility and fiber digestion. Furthermore, ionophore use could be beneficial to reduce fat mobilization as the ionophore tended to reduce BHBA with lower NEFA levels. Therefore, monensin has the potential to be used as an additive for crossbred dairy cows grazing on Tanzania-grass pasture (Panicum maximum) under tropical conditions.

Nutritional value of a partially defatted and a highly defatted black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) meal for broiler chickens: apparent nutrient digestibility, apparent metabolizable energy and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility

BackgroundThe study aimed to determine the apparent total tract digestibility coefficients (ATTDC) of nutrients, the apparent metabolizable energy (AME and AMEn) and the amino acid (AA) apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AIDC) of a partially defatted (BSFp) and a highly defatted (BSFh) black soldier fly larvae meal. The experimental diets were: a basal diet and two diets prepared by substituting 250 g/kg (w/w) of the basal diet with BSFp or BSFh, respectively.ResultsSignificant differences were found between BSFp and BSFh meals for ATTDC of the nutrients: BSFp resulted more digestible than BSFh, except for ATTDC of CP which did not differed between meals, while a statistical trend was observed for ATTDC of DM and EE. The AME and AMEn values were significantly (P < 0.05) different between the two BSF meals, with higher levels for BSFp (16.25 and 14.87 MJ/kg DM, respectively). The AIDC of the AA in BSFp ranged from 0.44 to 0.92, while in BSFh they ranged from 0.45 to 0.99. No significant differences were observed for the AA digestibility (0.77 and 0.80 for BSFp and BSFh, respectively), except for glutamic acid, proline and serine that were more digestible in the BSFh meal (P < 0.05).ConclusionsDefatted BSF meals can be considered as an excellent source of AME and digestible AA for broilers with a better efficient nutrient digestion. These considerations suggested the effective utilization of defatted BSF larvae meal in poultry feed formulation.

Combination of digestibility marker and fiber affect energy and nitrogen digestibility in growing pigs

This study was conducted to investigate if (i) the coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD) of gross energy (GE) or nitrogen (N) was influenced by the type of digestibility marker (DMr) and dietary fiber, and (ii) the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of GE or N was influenced by the type of method (i.e. total collection (TC) and DMr) and dietary fiber. Eighteen barrows fitted with a T-cannula at the end of the ileum were used in a 2-period randomized complete block design. Three corn-soybean meal-based diets were formulated with corn starch, corn bran or oat bran at 100g/kg. All 3 diets contained 3 DMr, which were chromic oxide (Cr), titanium dioxide (Ti), and acid-insoluble ash (AIA). The ileal digesta were collected for 3days, and the CIAD of GE and N were determined by measuring Cr, Ti or AIA. The feces were collected by using TC method, and the CTTAD of GE and N were determined by using Cr, Ti, AIA, or TC method. There were interactions between diet and DMr (P<0.001) for CIAD of GE and N and DMr recovery (P<0.001), and between diet and method for CTTAD of GE and N (P<0.001). The DMr had similar effect on CIAD of GE and N within each diet, but different effects among the 3 diets. For corn starch and corn bran, the greatest CIAD of GE or N was determined by Ti, while for oat bran, the greatest CIAD was determined by AIA. However, the CTTAD of GE or N of corn starch and the CTTAD of N of corn bran determined by the 3 DMr were not different. The greatest CTTAD of GE of corn bran was determined by Ti or AIA, while the greatest CTTAD of GE or N of oat bran was determined by Cr or AIA. For all 3 diets, the CTTAD of GE and N determined by the TC method was greater (P<0.001) than those determined by using DMr. The recovery of Ti in feces of pigs fed the oat bran was 78.3%, which was the least among all the 3 diets (P<0.05). In conclusion, the CIAD of GE or N was more influenced by the choice of DMr compared with CTTAD, and the Ti recovery of pigs fed oat bran was less than corn starch or corn bran.

Fractionation of rapeseed meal by milling, sieving and air classification—Effect on crude protein, amino acids and fiber content and digestibility

Rapeseed meal (RSM), obtained as solvent extracted or expeller meal, is a feed commodity that is highly available. The high levels of fiber is a bottleneck for high inclusion in feed for monogastric farmed animals. In the present study, sieving and air classification were used to reduce fiber content in rapeseed products. The two first experiments unveiled the possibility to air classify rapeseed products with lipid content ranging from 20 to 160g/kg, and to obtain fractions where crude protein (CP) content was increased from 325 to 376g/kg and neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) was reduced from 185 to 78g/kg. Experiment 3 showed that ball milling of RSM in combination with sieving gave high separation of hulls and kernel. In the finest sieved fraction (0–150μm), CP was increased from 336 (parent meal) to 394g/kg with a fraction yield of 423g/kg. Air classification of pre-sieved RSM had minor effect on CP and fiber levels, indicating a limited potential to further increase CP content when the hulls have partly been removed. Coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of CP, amino acids and lipids in RSM fractions obtained with ball milling and sieving was determined in mink (Neovison vison). The average CTTAD for CP was higher (P<0.05) in the high CP fine fraction (0.748) compared to the parent meal (0.702) and the coarse RSM fraction (0.635). In general, the CTTAD for amino acids followed the same trends as for CP, with significantly lowest digestibility for the coarse RSM fraction containing most hulls. The CTTAD of threonine and lysine was lowest among the essential amino acids, while cysteine had the lowest CTTAD among non-essential amino acids. To conclude, ball milling and sieving showed higher potential for fiber removal from RSM than ball milling and air classification. The reduced fiber content and increased CP content resulted in a higher digestibility of CP and amino acids.

Effect of soya hulls on diet digestibility, palatability, and intestinal gas production in dogs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the palatability, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of food nutrients, metabolizable energy (ME), faecal characteristics (FC), and intestinal gas production (IGP) of dog foods containing different fibre sources. Three experiments were carried out. In experiment 1, a reference diet (REF), and diets containing 40g/kg, 80g/kg, 120g/kg, and 160g/kg soya hulls (SH); 130g/kg sugarcane (SC); 160g/kg beet pulp (BP); or 120g/kg cellulose (CE) were tested. Total food digestibility was evaluated in eight dogs distributed according to an 8×8 Latin square experimental design. In experiment 2, palatability was evaluated in five paired comparisons. Experiment 3 measured IGP according to a completely randomized experimental design in 12 dogs fed diets containing 160g/kg SH or not. The inclusion of fibre sources did not affect diet palatability. Increasing SH dietary levels linearly reduced CTTAD and ME content and increased faecal output (FO, P<0.05). The reference diet presents higher nutrient CTTAD (P<0.05), ME content, and faecal pH and lower FO compared with the diets containing soya hulls (SHG) and with those containing other fibres (OFG−SC, BP, and CE). Faecal dry matter content of the SHG was lower than REF, SC, and CE, but higher than BP (P<0.05). Faecal sialic acid content and faecal score were not different among the treatments (P<0.05). Total dietary fibre, and insoluble and soluble fibre intakes were negatively correlated (P<0.05) with nutrient CTTAD and faecal output. Sialic acid content, faecal score and intestinal gas area (IGA) were not different among treatments. However, dogs fed the diet with 160g/kg SH presented larger IGP area. Because SH presented similar results as typical fibre sources, it can be added to dog foods.

Effect of substitution of oat hulls for traditional fiber source on digestion and performance of fattening rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of oat hulls (OH) to substitute traditional fiber (a mixture of rice hulls and mugwort (RHM) leaf) in the diets of fattening rabbits by examining on its effect on the growth performance, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, gastrointestinal tract development, cecum fermentation and carcass traits. A total of 160 mixed sex Hyla commercial meat rabbits (40/treatment) were used to study the effects of including OH in the diet from 30 to 80 days of age. A control diet based on RHM and containing 175.2 g crude fiber and 169.7 g CP/kg was included. Growth performance and CTTAD of nutrients were recorded from day 35 to day 80 and day 74 to day 80, respectively, whereas gastrointestinal tract development, cecum fermentation and carcass traits were determined at day 80. Increasing concentrations of OH in the diet increased average daily feed intake (P=0.0018), but have no effects on average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (P>0.05). Moreover, the 150 g/kg OH diet decreased the relative weight of full cecum and cecal content (P<0.05), but did not affect other gastrointestinal organs. The CTTAD of NDF and gross energy decreased with the inclusion of OH (P<0.05). No effects of CTTAD of ADF, ADL, dry matter, CP and ether extract were observed (P>0.05). The concentrations of total volatile fatty acid, acetic and butyric acids were greater in rabbits fed the lower levels of OH (0 to 100 g/kg) compared with higher rate (150 g/kg; P<0.05). However, the proportions of acetic, propionic and butyric acids were not affected by treatments (P>0.05). Furthermore, no significant effect on the ratios of acetic/(propionic+butyric) was observed (P>0.05). Hot carcass weight, pH (45 min, 24 h), lightness, redness, yellowness, 24-h drip loss of longissimus lumborum muscles were not affected by diet OH (P>0.05). However, dressing out percentage increased with higher (150 g/kg) inclusion of OH. It is concluded that OH can be included in rabbit diets at levels up to 100 g/kg, but negative effect on digestion and performance were observed with the increasing of OH (150 g/kg).

Nutrient utilization in grower pigs fed boiled, ensiled or milled sweet potato roots blended with a wheat-based protein concentrate

Sweet potato (SP) roots are highly palatable and digestible for pigs as fresh, boiled, ensiled or dried feed. The form of presentation and blending with other highly digestible protein ingredients could improve nutrient utilization by grower pigs. A metabolic experiment was conducted utilising a 4×4 Latin Square design with four (Landrace×Large White)×Duroc pigs at nine weeks of age (26.5±1.4kg), where four dietary treatments offered ad libitum over four consecutive eight-day feeding periods tested the hypothesis that there would be no difference in nutrient digestibility and utilization in pigs fed SP roots when prepared as boiled (BR), ensiled (ER) or milled roots (MR) and blended with a complementary protein concentrate, and compared against a standard wheat-based pig feed (STD). SP products were blended with protein concentrate at 43%:57% DM, and provided total lysine:DE ratios of 0.57, 0.58, 0.60 and 0.58g/MJ DE for BR43, ER43, MR43 and STD respectively. DM intake, ADG and FCR were similar (p>0.05) among treatments. Coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of DM, OM, fibre, calcium, total phosphorus and energy retention (%) in SP root diets were superior to STD (p<0.05). Ash CATTD of ER43 and MR43 were improved over STD whereas BR43 was similar to all three diets. CATTD of fats (EE) was similar. Protein (CP) CATTD of BR43 was superior to MR43 and STD whereas ER43 was similar to the other three diets. N intake (g/d), N digestibility (% intake) and N utilization (% digested) were similar. N retained on STD (30.6gN/d) and MR43 (30.4gN/d) were similar. The much higher N retained on BR43 (35.4gN/d) and ER43 (35.8gN/d) was due to a significant shift in N loss from urine (8.2 and 7.0gN/d) to faeces (13.7 and 10.1gN/d) which, combined with greater OM digestibility and energy retention, suggested increased microbial use of N in the hindgut. The SP diets were highly digestible and provided improved nutrient utilization, ADG and FCR in pigs compared to the wheat-based commercial feed.

Influence of soybean protein source on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of piglets from 21 to 57 days of age

The effects of including soy protein concentrate (SPC) and soybean meal (SBM) of different origins in the diet on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weanling pigs were studied in 2 experiments. In both experiments, pigs received in phase I (21–49 d of age) one of five diets that differed in the soy protein source used. Two diets were based on SPC from USA or Brazil (BRA) origin and the other three diets were based on SBM from USA, BRA or Argentina (ARG) origin. In phase II (49 to 57 d of age), all pigs received a common maize-SBM diet. Pre-planned orthogonal comparisons (SPC vs. SBM; USA vs. BRA SPC; and USA vs. BRA vs. ARG SBM) were conducted to detect differences among soy treatments. In experiment 1, growth performance was similar for piglets fed diets containing SPC than for piglets fed diets containing SBM. In phase I (P=0.067) and cumulatively (P=0.082), post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) was lower in pigs fed SPC than in pigs fed SBM. The inclusion of USA meal in the diet improved ADG (P<0.01) and G:F ratio (P<0.01) compared with the inclusion of South American meals. The coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of crude protein was higher in pigs fed SPC (P<0.05) than in pigs fed SBM. Nutrient digestibility was similar for both SPC diets but lower (P<0.001) in pigs fed BRA SBM than in pigs fed USA or ARG SBM. In experiment 2, growth performance of the pigs was not affected by the soy product used, but in phase I (P=0.062) and cumulatively (P=0.083), PWD was lower in pigs fed SPC than in pigs fed SBM. Also, pigs fed the USA and BRA SBM had lower incidence (P<0.05) of PWD than pigs fed the ARG SBM. No differences in the CTTAD were detected between diets based on SPC and diets based on SBM, or between SPC origins but nutrient digestibility tended to be higher (P<0.10) for the USA than for the South American SBM. The data indicate that the chemical composition and nutritive value of commercial soy products varied between sources and among commercial batches of SBM, affecting growth, PWD and nutrient digestibility of the piglets.

Nutrient digestibility of canola co-products for grower pigs

A study was conducted to determine the coefficient of standardized ileal digestibility (CSID) of amino acids (AA) and calculate net energy (NE) for 4 canola co-products namely: Brassica (B.) juncea canola meal and B. napus canola meal, B. napus expeller and B. napus press-cake for growing pigs. From canola seed, the co-product meal is from solvent extraction, expeller from expelling after conditioning and press-cake from pressing without conditioning. Five ileal-cannulated barrows (initial body weight=65.7kg) were fed 5 diets in a 5×5 Latin square. Five diets were maize starch-based diets with one of each of 4 canola co-products as sole source of protein and an N-free diet. The CSID of AA for diets was calculated using the N-free diet. Amino acid digestibility was determined by the direct method, whereas gross energy (GE) digestibility of test feedstuffs was determined by difference from the N-free diet. On as is basis, B. juncea canola meal and B. napus canola meal, expeller and press-cake contained 381, 384, 391 and 248g/kg crude protein; 19.9, 21.4, 22.6 and 13.8g/kg lysine; 24.6, 28.5, 104 and 313g/kg ether extract and 183, 261, 231 and 182g/kg neutral detergent fibre, respectively. The CSID of lysine, coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) and calculated NE value were greater (P<0.05) for B. juncea canola meal than for B. napus canola meal (0.79 vs. 0.72, 0.79 vs. 0.67, 9.7 vs. 8.3MJ/kg; respectively). The CSID of lysine for B. napus canola meal (0.72) and B. napus canola press-cake (0.68) did not differ, but was lower (P<0.05) than that for B. napus canola expeller (0.80). The CATTD of GE for B. napus canola meal (0.67) and B. napus canola press-cake (0.64) did not differ, but was lower (P<0.05) than that for B. napus canola expeller (0.74). However, the calculated NE value for B. napus canola press-cake (10.9MJ/kg) was greater (P<0.05) than that for B. napus canola expeller (10.5MJ/kg), but both were greater (P<0.05) than that for B. napus canola meal (8.3MJ/kg DM). In conclusion, B. juncea canola meal had greater CSID of AA and calculated NE value than B. napus canola meal, indicating that B. juncea canola meal can contribute more dietary digestible AA and energy to the pig than B. napus canola meal. Differences in CATTD of GE, NE value and CSID of AA data among B. napus canola co-products indicate that method of oil extraction from canola seed can affect energy and AA availability in the resulting canola co-products.

Digestibility of energy in four cereal grains fed to barrows at four body weights

This study was conducted to determine the digestible (DE) and metabolisable energy (ME) content and the coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of gross energy (GE) in 4 cereal grains (corn, wheat, barley and sorghum) fed to barrows and to quantify the effect of body weight (BW) on the digestibility of the 4 cereal grains. Twenty-four weanling barrows (13.3±0.8 BW, stage 1), 24 growing barrows (31.6±1.5 BW, stage 2), 24 finishing barrows (56.7±1.8 BW, stage 3) and 24 fattening barrows (111±3.8 BW, stage 4) were individually housed in metabolic crates and allotted to 1 of 4 diets with 6 pigs fed each diet at each BW in a completely randomized design. The 4 diets consisted of 973.4g/kg of a cereal grain and 26.6g/kg of vitamins and minerals. Faeces and urine samples were collected for 5 d following a 10 d adaptation period. The DE and ME content and the CATTD of GE in corn and wheat were greater (P<0.05) than in barley and sorghum for barrows weighing 13.3 and 31.6kg. Wheat had higher (P<0.05) DE and ME values than barley and sorghum, but these were lower (P<0.05) than corn when fed to barrows weighing 56.7 and 111.4kg. Pigs weighing 111.4kg had the highest (P<0.05) DE and ME values and CATTD of GE when fed corn, wheat or barley. The DE and ME contents and CATTD of GE in sorghum were unaffected by increasing BW of pigs. There was a significant interaction in ME content and CATTD of OM between cereal grain and BW with ME content and CATTD of OM increasing with BW in the corn, wheat and barley and not changing with BW in sorghum (P<0.05). Overall, DE and ME values and CATTD of GE were greater for pigs fed corn and wheat than barley and sorghum and the digestive ability of pigs fed any of the cereal grains excluding sorghum was increased with increasing body weight. Therefore, differences in the DE and ME content of different cereal grains for pigs of different BW indicate that the effective energy values of various ingredients for pigs at different physiological stages should be considered in order to accurately and economically formulate diets based on these cereal grains.