Feed Composition Research Articles

Asparagopsis taxiformis inclusion in grass silage-based diets fed to Norwegian red dairy cows: Effects on ruminal fermentation, milk yield, and enteric methane emission

Efforts to mitigate enteric methane (CH4) emission from ruminants by using the red macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT) have demonstrated promising results both in vitro and in vivo. We assessed the effects of wild harvested and freeze-dried AT inclusion in the grass silage-based diets of Norwegian Red dairy cows on feed intake, milk yield and composition, rumen fermentation and CH4 emission. Fifteen (9 rumen cannulated and 6 intact) multiparous cows with an average (±SD) covariate period milk yield (MY) of 33.0 (3.8) kg/day were used in the experiment. The cows were divided into three groups (n = 5) after blocking for cannulation, and initial MY. After feeding on a common diet for 21 days (i.e., Covariate period), the groups were randomly allocated to three treatments: Control (no seaweed), 0.125%AT (Control + 0.125%AT, on organic matter (OM) basis) and 0.25%AT (Control + 0.25%AT, on OM basis). The cows were adapted to their diets for 13 days, followed by 39 experimental days for data collection. Inclusion of AT at 0.125% level did not affect dry matter intake (DMI, kg/d) but signicantly reduced both MY and energy corrected milk yield (ECM, kg/d) (P < 0.05) with a tendency for lower CH4 production (g/d) relative to the control group. Dry matter intake, ECM and CH4 production were reduced (P < 0.05) by 0.25%AT inclusion relative to the Control group. Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility (%), ECM per kg DMI, CH4 yield (g CH4/kg DMI) and CH4 intensity (g CH4/kg ECM) were not affected by AT inclusion. Inclusion of AT, at both levels, significantly reduced (P < 0.05) ruminal fluid total short chain fatty acids and molar proportions of actate, while increasing (P < 0.05) the molar proportion of propionate and isovalerate. Inclusion of AT decreased contents (%) of milk fat (P = 0.018) and protein (P = 0.010) resulting in significanly lower fat and protein yields. Lactose content (%) was higher for the AT groups (P = 0.021) but this did not compensate for lower MY resulting in lower milk lactose yield. Milk iodine content increased in a dose dependent manner with AT inclusion. In conclusion, AT inclusion at 0.25% level reduced CH4 emission from dairy cows with a grass silage-based diets. However, the reduced DMI for the 0.25%AT group along with reduced MY and elevated milk iodine content for both AT groups, for this particular harvest of AT, would suggest possible constraints for large scale inclusion of AT in dairy cow production.

Thermodynamical Analysis of the Distillation Column for Targeting Minimum Energy in Ammonia–Water Absorption Refrigeration Cycle

In this study, a comprehensive method to optimize distillation columns in ammonia–water absorption refrigeration, power, and cogeneration cycles is introduced. The novelty of this work lies in a comprehensive analysis of the distillation column's thermal performance and the introduction of a new design framework that maximizes heat integration. Key findings include the critical role of the solution heat exchanger, especially at lower generation and evaporation temperatures. Using a saturated liquid or two‐phase feed can achieve up to 80% efficiency at a feed composition of 0.3. Moreover, in the results, the substantial potential for improving the coefficient of performance (COP) through strategic design is highlighted. Notably, minimizing the pinch point temperature difference to 0 °C can boost the COP by 6%, while optimal feed placement can increase it by 9%. Incorporating feed preconditioning and side exchangers can lead to a 22% COP enhancement, indicating the significance of heat integration to the distillation column. In this study, a graphic guideline for selecting cycles that can achieve a minimum of 10% COP improvement without introducing unnecessary complexity is delivered and it suggests that distillation columns can be simplified by using a combination of separators, heaters, and coolers in certain cases.

Bulk Free Radical Terpolymerization of Butyl Acrylate, 2-Methylene-1,3-Dioxepane and Vinyl Acetate: Terpolymer Reactivity Ratio Estimation.

This investigation introduces the first estimation of ternary reactivity ratios for a butyl acrylate (BA), 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO), and vinyl acetate (VAc) system at 50 °C, with an aim to develop biodegradable pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs). In this study, we applied the error-in-variables model (EVM) to estimate reactivity ratios. The ternary reactivity ratios were found to be r12 = 0.417, r21 = 0.071, r13 = 4.459, r31 = 0.198, r23 = 0.260, and r32 = 55.339 (BA/MDO/VAc 1/2/3), contrasting with their binary counterparts, which are significantly different, indicating the critical need for ternary system analysis to accurately model multicomponent polymerization systems. Through the application of a recast Alfrey-Goldfinger model, this investigation predicts the terpolymer's instantaneous and cumulative compositions at various conversion levels, based on the ternary reactivity ratios. These predictions not only provide crucial insights into the incorporation of MDO across different initial feed compositions but also offer estimates of the final terpolymer compositions and distributions, underscoring their potential in designing compostable or degradable polymers.

Optimising seafood nutritional value and environmental sustainability in aquaculture through a novel integrated modelling tool applicable to IMTA and monoculture

Aquaculture policies that decrease the reliance on wild-caught fish and promote integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) both aim to lessen the environmental footprint but often overlook economic-environmental trade-offs and neglect social, health, and broad-scale sustainability considerations. Here we present a new bio-physical model (FYNE) that bridges some of these gaps, by linking farm operational choices, such as feed choices and farm siting, with the nutritional value of the farm-gate seafood products and the resulting environmental eutrophication footprint at the farm level. The FYNE model operates both in conditions of monoculture or of IMTA production, and estimates feed composition effects on growth and omega-3 fatty acid content of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), and nitrogen and carbon concentrations, the latter being a measure of the environmental eutrophication footprint of the farm. The model here developed integrates for the first time (i) an ecosystem model of an IMTA and (ii) a fatty acid dynamics model, with new models for salmon feed digestibility and mussel ingestion. The outputs span (i) production analysis for simulation of biomass; (ii) farm mass-balance analysis on deposition analysis and environmental eutrophication footprint; and (iii) product nutritional quality, in terms of fatty acid content. An application of the model to an IMTA farm in Scotland (UK) demonstrates how fatty acid and environmental changes can be modelled in tandem and could be used to support the industry to optimize the nutritional value of cultured species and manage aquatic environmental eutrophication footprint at farm level, informing feed and siting decisions. The model effectively predicts changes in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA, in response to variations in feed composition. Notably, our results confirm that salmon waste has limited influence on mussel growth due to the spatial separation within the IMTA system, which emphasizes the need for strategic siting to enhance system productivity through effective waste recycling. Additionally, results show that while increasing fishmeal in diets enhances environmental outcomes, it reduces levels of critical fatty acids like DHA and EPA, underscoring the need for balanced feed formulations. The method developed in this study described a novel integrated model (FYNE) that extend previous modelling work by incorporating the influence of farmed species feed composition on fatty acid dynamics as well as the farming environmental factors.

Simulation of the physical temperature probes for soft sensor design under feed composition changes for naphtha plant

This paper presents a versatile strategy for using simulations to identify control stages of naphtha distillation plant where additional temperature probes can be installed. This search is based on sensitivity analysis applied to the real distillation columns under different operating modes, while simulating the data probed with added thermocouples. It was shown that feed composition has a crucial influence on the resulting position of the control stage(s) and efficiency of the soft sensor (SS) in predicting the quality product. In most practical cases, when the oil field changes, the accuracy of the SS decreases significantly and requires rebuilding, which poses a problem in the control of the technological process. As shown in the paper, SS built with additional thermocouples used as inputs has demonstrated increase in the prediction accuracy under different feed compositions. The effectiveness of the suggested strategy is confirmed by comparing the results with those assuming the use of only physically available probes as inputs for SS.

Effect of Maize (Zea mays) Substitution by Sprouted Off-season Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) on the Growth and Physiological Response of Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus) in Maroua, Far North, Cameroon

Effect of Maize (Zea mays) Substitution by Sprouted Off-season Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) on the Growth and Physiological Response of Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus) in Maroua, Far North, Cameroon

Applying Nanofiltration to Decrease Energy Consumption and Sensitivity toward Feed Composition Fluctuations in Salt Production.

The only currently active industrial-scale plant that uses coal mine brines, located in Czerwionka-Leszczyny, uses ZOD (Zakład Odsalania Dębieńsko, the name of the plant's former owner) technology, based on mechanical vapor compression evaporators. The plant produces evaporated salt that meets the specifications for edible salt; however, the technology is highly energy-consuming. The presented work focuses on the modeling of ZOD technology if applied to the water treatment of the 'Ziemowit-650' coal mine. Using the results of bench-scale investigation of brine nanofiltration and a mathematical model of ZOD technology based on Czerwionka-Leszczyny performance, the energy consumption per ton of produced salt was estimated for two cases: (1) ZOD technology treating the 'Ziemowit-650' brine and (2) ZOD technology treating the permeate of nanofiltration (NF) working on the 'Ziemowit-650' brine. The sensitivity of the system was investigated in the range of -10% to + 10% of Cl-, SO42-, Mg2+, and Ca2+ concentration, assuming that the sodium concentration also changes to meet the electroneutrality requirement. The results show that nanofiltration pretreatment not only decreases energy consumption but it also makes salt production less sensitive to fluctuations in feed water composition.

Water reuse and resource recovery from greenhouse wastewater by capacitive electrodialysis at pilot scale

As food production dominates global freshwater consumption and nutrient discharge regulation tightens, the performance of novel technologies at applied scale needs to be studied to optimize water use and minimize environmental impact. Water reuse and the nutrient recovery from greenhouse wastewater were assessed utilizing one-pass capacitive electrodialysis (CED) at a pilot scale (19.32 m2 membrane area, 1–4 m3/day capacity), employing carbon-based electrodes. CED was optimized for key parameters, including applied voltage, cross-flow velocity, staging, water recovery, and varying feed concentrations. High-quality greenhouse irrigation water (conductivity<0.2 mS/cm and Na+ < 0.1 mmol/L) was produced, meeting specified guidelines. Na+ was retained less compared to Ca2+ and Mg2+ (86 % ± 4 %, 97 % ± 2 %, and 98 % ± 3 % removal, respectively) and nutrients concentration factors for K+, NO3− and PO43− reached up to 2.3 (596 ± 5 mg/L), 2.7 (1330 ± 20 mg/L), and 1.9 (130 ± 2 mg/L), respectively. There was no significant improvement in ion removal for all feed compositions beyond 12 V and 80 % water recovery. CED's specific energy consumption (SEC) with optimized parameters was 4-fold lower than the modeled RO system, and lower than previous electrodialysis studies. The highest SEC obtained was 0.24 kWh/m3. These findings suggest that CED is a promising technology for the greenhouse horticulture sector, aiding the move toward zero liquid discharge.

USO DEL ENSILADO DE SORGO VARIEDAD TOP GREEN Y VARIEDAD CAÑA DULCE PARA LA PRODUCCIÓN DE LECHE EN SISTEMAS DE PEQUEÑA ESCALA

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;. Sorghum is a crop that stands out as an alternative to maize due to its higher drought tolerance and lower soil fertility demand. &lt;strong&gt;Objective&lt;/strong&gt;. To evaluate the productive response of lactating cows fed maize silage (&lt;em&gt;Zea mays&lt;/em&gt;) in substitution with sorghum silage (&lt;em&gt;Sorghum bicolor&lt;/em&gt; L.). &lt;strong&gt;Methodology&lt;/strong&gt;. The research was carried out in the central highlands of Mexico, in the farmer of a small-scale dairy family. Nine cows were used, distributed in three 3X3 Latin squares with test periods of 14 days, of which 12 were for adaptation of the animals to diets and 2 d to the collection of samples. The treatments were: 1) Top Green = 5 kg DM sorghum silage cv Top Green + 5 kg DM maize silage; 2) Caña Dulce = 5 kg DM sorghum silage cv Caña Dulce + 5 kg DM maize silage; 3) Maize silage = 10 kg DM maize silage (testigo). The study included the productive behaviour of the cows, feed composition and feeding costs. Treatment data were analysed with a split-plot arrangement. &lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;. Inclusion of sorghum silage in the diet reduced dry matter intake (P&amp;lt;0.05), but did not affect average production (22.9 kg/day) and milk composition of cows (P&amp;gt;0.05). There were no differences (P&amp;gt;0.05) for variables related to the nutritional value of the silages. Although there were no significant differences in animal response variables, economic analysis showed that the inclusion of sorghum silage increased feed costs by 15% due to lower dry matter yields. &lt;strong&gt;Implications&lt;/strong&gt;. Sorghum has been proposed as a resilient alternative to maize especially in drought stress scenarios, when the availability of quality forages decreases and grain and forage prices increase. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusions&lt;/strong&gt;. Although feeding costs were higher, sorghum silage can be a substitute for maize silage.&lt;/p&gt;

Impact of Dietary Factors on Metabolic Disorders in Animals: A Case of Uganda

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate impact of dietary factors on metabolic disorders in Animals in Uganda Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study found that metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver syndrome are prevalent among various livestock species in Uganda. The role of dietary components, including energy content, nutrient composition, and the presence of anti-nutritional factors, in contributing to the development and severity of these disorders cannot be understated. Moreover, socio-economic and environmental factors such as limited access to quality forage and the effects of climate change exacerbate the situation, posing additional challenges to maintaining optimal metabolic health in Ugandan livestock Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Nutritional Balancing Theory &amp; Homeorhetic Regulation Theory may be used to anchor future studies on Impact of dietary factors on metabolic disorders in Animals in Uganda. Implement evidence-based dietary interventions tailored to the specific needs of different livestock species in Uganda. These interventions should aim to optimize nutrient composition, balance energy intake, and minimize the presence of anti-nutritional factors in animal feed. Promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices that enhance access to quality forage and mitigate the impact of climate change on animal nutrition. This may include strategies such as agroforestry, rotational grazing, and the cultivation of drought-resistant forage crops. Develop and enforce regulations governing the composition and labeling of animal feed in Uganda to ensure the quality and safety of feed ingredients. These regulations should include guidelines for the appropriate use of supplements, additives, and feed additives to minimize the risk of metabolic disorders in animals.

Biochemical indices of blood protein metabolism as criteria of broiler nutrition adequacy

The experiments were conducted on the broiler chickens of the cross "Smena-9" in the vivarium of the Selective Genetic Centre "Zagorskoe Experimental Breeding Farm" in Sergiev Posad. The results of the blood plasma biochemical tests showed wavelike changes in the trypsin activity at all ages stu- died. The increased concentration of total protein at 7 days of age in all groups could have been induced by switching from endogenous feed when receiving exogenous feed containing more protein than the yolk sac. The age dynamics of the alkaline phosphatase activity had sharp fluctuations throughout the whole rearing period. At 1–7 days of age, there was an increase in the phosphatase activity with a subsequent decrease until 35 days of age relative to the control in all groups. The peak of high activity of this enzyme occurs on the 7th day – 31030 units/l in the control group and on the 14th day in the experimental group 2. Thereafter, there is a gradual decrease in the activity of this enzyme. A sharp increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood of broiler chickens at 7–21 days of age indicates intensive growth and formation of the organism, but a sharp surge in activity at 7 days of age could also be caused by the transition to a new diet, which in itself is a stress factor. A decrease in the activity of this enzyme at 28–35 days of age indicates a slowdown in the growth process. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to investigate the biochemical composition of blood in different periods of post-embryogenesis of broiler chickens of the cross "Smena-9" at changing the level of protein in the diet, which in this case remains a relevant and informative source of information on the effect of changes in the ingredient composition of feed on the bird organism as a whole.

The halalan thayyiban supply chain in handling blood products of slaughtering cattle, chicken, and pig for feeding and handling al-jallalah 1 (cattle, chicken, and catfish)

Blood from the slaughter of cattle and chicken, is an economically valuable waste that can not be disposed into the environment. Its application in animal feed requires careful consideration of the composition and potential impact. The Indonesian Ulema Council issued a Fatwa regarding the Law on Livestock Animals Fed with Unclean Items. From a Sharia perspective, the feed composition is crucial, since it needs to be free from unclean ingredients to prevent animals from becoming classified as Al-Jallalah (Livestock Animals Fed with Unclean Items). To ensure compliance with the religious guidelines, it is necessary to implement a quarantine (Al-Istibra) or purification period (Istihalah). Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the halalan thayyiban supply chain in the management of blood from slaughtering ruminants (cattle), poultry (chicken), and pig for feed. Implementation of good practices in managing blood from slaughterhouses was assessed. The suitability of feed labels, including the presence of prohibited ingredients, adherence to good practices, and the application of Al-Istibra or Istihalah in cattle and chicken farms, as well as catfish farming units, was evaluated through questionnaire interviews and conformity scores. The results showed that 2 out of 7 (seven) objects received lower scores due to the limited effectiveness of the Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and unclear regulations regarding the use of blood. Based on the suitability value of the feed label, 1 (one) out of 8 (eight) objects received a lower score for failing to meet technical requirements. The feed was contaminated, and there were no operational procedures for implementing Al-Istibra or Istihalah.

Hydrogen production in protruded millisecond microchannel reactors by catalytically reforming methanol

Flow of a fluid past a body is a very complicated phenomenon. Computational fluid dynamics is used for studying the characteristics of flow past an array of hemispherical protrusions that is disposed on the wall surfaces of a millisecond microchannel reactor. Protrusions can be used to improve the transport processes involved, but the causes of the phenomena are still incompletely understood. Parametric analyses are performed under different sets of circumstances to delineate the role of geometric features and operation conditions in reactor performance. Dimensionless quantities are used to simplify the characterization of the reactor system with multiple interacting transport phenomena. The mechanisms involved in the intensified processes are analysed, and performance improvement recommendations are presented. The results indicate that the protruded reactor behaves effectively and good yields can be obtained with only milliseconds residence of the mixtures within the channels. The reactor offers the unique advantage for hydrogen production from methanol in that process intensification is realized while preserving the energy balance between the exothermic and endothermic processes. However, the flow rates, feed compositions, and channel dimensions must be adjusted as needed to maximize production of hydrogen and minimize pressure drops. While the thermal diffusivity dominates the overall reactor behaviour, expectable compromises have to be made between hydrogen productivity and pressure drop. The results have implications for hydrogen production and beyond for the study of transport phenomena in microchemical systems.

Cost-effectiveness and economic growth potential evaluation of olive pomace gasification process to sustainable fuel: Comparison study of different gasifying agent

This research addresses the growing global demand for sustainable and renewable energy solutions, focusing on biomass gasification (BG) as a promising avenue. Olive pomace is explored as a primary feedstock, assessing its potential as a plentiful and renewable energy source. The study aims to bridge existing gaps in the literature, particularly in the simultaneous and comparative examination of CO2, steam, and air as traditional gasifying agents. Utilizing Aspen Plus, a validated simulation tool, the research models the gasification process (GP) while considering key parameters such as gasifying agent, feed composition, and temperature. Through meticulous simulation and validation against experimental data, the goal is to develop a robust model tailored for gasification. A thorough sensitivity analysis evaluates critical parameters' impact on exergy efficiency, levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), and molar flow of hydrogen (H2). Parameters include temperature variations (600°C to 1000°C), equivalence ratio (ER) for the air agent (0.15–0.3), C/CO2 ratio for the CO2 agent (1–2.5), and SBR for the steam agent (0.5–2). The aim is to provide a nuanced understanding of these parameters and their influence on system performance, offering valuable insights for process optimization. The response surface methodology is employed to optimize critical parameters for distinct gasification agents, aiming to identify the most economically efficient agent. The study's findings are crucial for enhancing BG efficiency and developing sustainable energy systems. An economic evaluation underscores the cost-effectiveness of the GP, emphasizing its potential for economic growth in the renewable energy sector and long-term savings. In the concluding phase, optimization of the GP aimed at minimizing LCOH and maximizing molar flow of H2 and exergy efficiency was conducted. Upon scrutinizing the optimization results, a compelling conclusion arose: The steam agent emerged as the most suitable, with 48% exergy efficiency, 1.77 €/kg LCOH, and an optimal temperature of 884°C. Notably, steam showcased remarkable exergy efficiency, even when subjected to lower temperatures, positioning it as a superior choice.

Promising Directions in Chemical Processing of Methane from Coal Industry. Part 3. Catalytic Tests

For the processing of coal mine methane into hydrogen-containing gas, a catalytic process of methane tri-reforming (СH4 + O2 + CO2 + H2O) was proposed and its component reactions were studied – partial oxidation (СH4 + O2, POM), dry reforming (СH4 + CO2, DRM) and steam reforming (СH4 + H2O, SRM) of methane. Promoted nickel supported on aluminum oxide was used as a catalyst. Experiments were carried out by varying temperature (600–850 ºC), contact time (0.04–0.15 s), linear feed rate (40–240 cm/min) and composition of the reaction mixture (POM – СH4 : O2 : He = 1 : (0.5–0.7) : (3.3–3.4); DRM – СH4 : CO2 : He = 1 : (0.8–1.4) : (2.6–3.2); SRM – CH4 : H2O : He = 1 : (0.8–2.0) : (2.0–3.2)). Optimal reaction conditions were determined to ensure maximum efficiency of hydrogen production by reforming methane-containing mixtures of various compositions (temperature in the range of 800–850 ºC, contact time 0.15 s, linear feed rate 160 cm/min, molar ratio of CH4 : O2 = 1 : 0.5 for POM, CH4 : CO2 = 1 : 1 for DRM and CH4 : H2O = 1 : 1.1 for SRM). The degree of catalyst carbonization during the reactions was reduced (from 3 to 1.5% for POM, from 20.7 to 2.2% for DRM, and from 15.2 to 0.4% for SRM) due to an increase in the O/C molar ratio in the initial reaction mixture. Regulation of H2/CO molar ratio was achieved over a wide range (0.9–6.5). It has been shown that the hydrogen concentration in the resulting hydrogen-containing mixture is determined by the type of process and is equal to 30±5 vol.%.

Use of lupine with bischofite in feeding of broiler chickens

Currently, feed and mineral substances of non-traditional origin are widely used in feeding animals and poultry. The effectiveness of using new mineral complexes and non-traditional feed ingredients is constantly being studied. In this regard, the study of mineral additives and non-traditional feeds, as well as the eff ectiveness of their use in feeding animals and poultry is an urgent problem. The purpose of the work was to study the use of lupine together with bischofite in feeding of broiler chickens. In order to achieve the purpose of research two scientific and economic experiments were carried out on broiler chickens of the cross Ross 308 to study the infl uence of an alternative feed protein (lupine variety Deco) and a natural mineral additive (bischofi te) on the quality of the resulting products. The duration of each scientific and economic experiment was 37 days. It was found in the results of the first scientific and economic experiment that the use of lupine of the variety Deco and the natural mineral additive bischofite in the diets of broiler chickens in the feed composition made it possible to obtain additional profi t in the amount of 197,64–1345,38 rubles per 120 heads of broilers. The level of profi tability in the 1st experimental group of broiler chickens was higher by 1,01 abs.%, in the 2nd experimental group by 6,72 abs.% and in the 3rd experimental group by 4,03 abs.% compared to the control group. In the control group this figure was 19,77 %. It was established in the results of the second scientific and economic experiment that the use of variety lupine Deco and the natural mineral additive bischofi te in the diets of broiler chickens contributed to additional profi t in the amount of 1171,51 rubles per on 120 heads of broilers. The level of profitability in the experimental group was higher by 5,56 abs.% compared to the control group.

Influence of thermal heat load accumulation on daily rumination time of lactating Holstein cows in a zone with temperate climate

In the future, conflicts between animal welfare and climate change will gradually intensify. In the present study, we investigated the daily rumination time (RT) of lactating Holstein-Friesian cows in a zone with temperate climate and the effects of heat load duration and heat load intensity. Responses of individual cows to heat load were assessed, adjusting for milk yield, lactation number, days in milk as well as reproductive status and season. A total of 27,149 data points from 183 cows in a naturally ventilated barn in Brandenburg, Germany, were collected from June 2015 to May 2017. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded at eight positions inside the barn every 5 min, and the temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated. Based on THI, the degree of heat load was determined, using critical thresholds of THI = 68, 72, and 80. Daily RT was measured with a microphone-based sensor system (collar) on the cow's neck. The analysis models included autocorrelations in time series as well as individual cow-related effects. With each 5 min exposure to contemporaneous heat load, a decrease of approximately 1.17 min d−1 in RT per cow from non-heat stress to heat stress conditions by exceeding THI ≥68 (p < 0.01). This effect was intensified by exceeding the critical THI thresholds of 68 and 72.As heat load duration and intensity increased, daily RT decreased in comparison to daily RT under non-stress conditions. High-yielding (>38.4 kg milk/day) cows were more influenced in rumination time than low-yielding (≤28.8 kg milk/day) cows. With moderate contemporaneous heat load, RT decreased by 0.14 min d−1 per 5 min in high-yielding cows compared to low-yielding cows under moderate heat load. A decrease of 0.1 min d−1 was found in daily RT of mid-yielding cows. However, the delayed effects of heat load (one to three days after the heat stress event) were associated with days in milk and reproduction status. When the heat load duration lasted for several days, the responses were less pronounced than the impacts of contemporaneous heat load (when the heat stress event lasted for one day). Delayed mild heat load resulted in an increase in RT by 0.13 min d−1 in lactating cows ≤60 DIM. This was also found with delayed moderate heat load. Lactating cows ≤60 DIM showed a rise of 0.09 min d−1 in RT. RT also showed interactions with reproduction status of cows under delayed moderate heat stress. Lactating cows with ≤180 days of pregnancy showed an increase of 0.61 min d−1 in RT. Similarly, cows with >180 days of pregnancy had 0.64 min d−1 more RT compared to non-pregnant cows. Further analysis with higher temporal resolution of RT than data accumulation in 24-h blocks as well as the assessment of the correlation between feed composition, intake and rumination will elucidate the influence of heat load on daily RT.

Decipher syntrophies within C2-C4 organic acids-degrading anaerobic microbiomes: A multi-omic exploration

In methanogenic ecosystems, carboxylic acid degradation is a crucial process facilitated by specialized bacteria working in syntrophy with methanogens. This study explores the transcriptomic responses in 178 metagenome-assembled genomes upon changes in feeding composition, specifically lactate, butyrate, propionate, and acetate, in four lab-scale bioreactors. Methanothrix soehngenii and Methanoculleus sp. emerged as key biomethanation contributors. Through metatranscriptomics, machine learning-based functional annotation, and flux balance analysis the underlying microbial interactions and dynamics were deciphered. Syntrophomonadaceae and Mesotoga species maintained mutualistic metabolite exchanges with hydrogenotrophic methanogens, degrading primarily butyrate and lactate, respectively. Acetate was mainly consumed by Smithellaceae sp., in competition with M. soehngenii in all reactors. Furthermore, the acetoclastic archaeon exhibited a previously undocumented capability to metabolize lactate, thereby confirming the prevalence of acetotrophic pathway. Transcriptomic profiles revealed an additional layer of complexity, where propionate dismutation and beta-oxidation pathways are interconnected by the exchanges of butyrate between putative syntrophs, including Syntrophomonadaceae and Smithellaceae species. Integrating multi-omics data with genome-scale metabolic modeling enabled the accurate reconstruction of dynamics within the controlled ecosystem. This composite novel approach was applied to the AD system to unveil the intricate relationships operating within the microbiome to promote thriving. Results elucidated the still poorly explored organization of the so-called microbial dark matter.

Functionalized ionic liquid coatings in the Pd-catalyzed selective hydrogenation of acetylene in ethylene-rich feeds

This study explores the tuning of a Pd/Al2O3 hydrogenation catalyst for the selective removal of trace acetylene from ethylene-rich feeds by coating the catalyst with non-functionalized and functionalized ionic liquids (denoted as SCILL and Advanced SCILL materials, respectively). These materials were tested in an automated continuous hydrogenation rig converting 3300 ppm of acetylene in excess ethylene, a gas mixture mimicking a technical front-end steam cracker feed composition. While the sulfonic-acid-functionalized IL coating resulted in a highly active but very unselective catalyst converting mainly ethylene to ethane, an Advanced SCILL catalyst prepared from a nitrile-functionalized IL reduced the acetylene concentration down to less than 1 ppm, while leaving over 99% of the ethylene untouched. We also examined the potential transformations of the IL layer under reaction conditions by means of 1H NMR. Except for a ketone-functionalized IL, which was inherently labile, all tested ILs primarily underwent C2-ethylation or remained unaltered. Our findings highlight the great potential of functionalized ILs in modifying heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts.

Influence of Process Parameters on the Efficiency of Pervaporation Pilot ECO-001 Plant for Raw Ethanol Dehydration.

Pervaporation is a membrane-based process used for the separation of liquid mixtures. As this membrane process is governed by the differences in the sorption and diffusivities of separated components, close boiling mixtures and azeotropic mixtures can effectively be separated. The dehydration of ethanol is the most common application of hydrophilic pervaporation. The pilot scale properties of hydrophilic composite poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA membrane (PERVAPTM 2200) in contact with wet raw bioethanol are presented. The wet raw bioethanol was composed of ethanol (82.4-89.6 wt%), water (5.9-8.5 wt%), methanol (2.3-6.9 wt%), cyclohexane (0.2-2.4 wt%), higher alcohols (0.2-1.3 wt%), and acetaldehyde (0.004-0.030 wt%). All experiments were performed using a SULZER ECO-001 plant equipped with a 1.5 m2 membrane module. The efficiency of the dehydration process (i.e., membrane selectivity, permeate flux, degree of dehydration) was discussed as a function of the following parameters: the feed temperature, the feed composition, and the feed flow rate through the module. It was found that the low feed flow rate influenced the dehydration efficiency as the enthalpy of evaporation caused a high temperature drop in the module (around 25 °C at a feed flow rate equal to 5 kg h-1). The separation coefficient during pervaporation was in the range of 600-1200, depending on the feed composition. The increase in temperature augmented the permeation flux and shortened the time needed to reach the assumed level of dehydration. It was revealed that dehydration by pervaporation using ECO-001 pilot plant is an efficient process, allowing also to investigate the influence of various parameters on the process efficiency.