Cottonseed Meal Research Articles

Effects of dietary cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate on growth, antioxidants and immunity of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir Sinensis

One hundred and sixty crabs (average initial weight: 51.32±0.08 g) were fed with four experimental diets containing cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate (CPH) at 0% (CPH0, control), 0.3% (CPH0.3), 0.6% (CPH0.6), and 1.2% CPH (CPH1.2). The experiment results show that no difference was observed in specific growth rate and survival rate of crabs fed with CPH diet. Moisture content of crabs fed with CPH0.6 diet was significantly reduced than that of the CPH0 group. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of crabs fed with CPH0.6 diet were significantly increased and the difference was not significant between the CPH0.3 and CPH0.6 groups. Malondialdehyde content of CPH0.3 group was significantly lower than that of the CPH0 group. Lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase activities of CPH0.3 diet crabs were significantly higher than that of the CPH0 group. Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity of crabs fed with CPH0.3 diet was significantly decreased compared to the CPH0 group. The relative expression levels of Toll1, Toll2, MyD88, LITAF, and ILF-2 of crabs fed with CPH0.3 diet were significantly higher than that of the CPH0 group. The expression level of SOCS2 showed an opposite pattern. After CPH perfusion, the expression levels of SOCS2 and Toll1 in intestine at time 3 h and SOCS2 in hepatopancreas at time 18 h increased significantly to the highest value. The expression level of Toll2, MyD88, LITAF decreased at times 6 h, 6 h, 12 h, respectively, then increased gradually. Therefore, supplementation of dietary CPH could improve antioxidant capacity and immune function; the appropriate supplement dosage of CPH for crab could be 0.3%–0.6%. Furthermore, the short-term CPH stimulation could significantly increase or decline the expression levels of immune-related genes at different times after CPH perfusion.

278 Replacing cottonseed meal and sorghum grain with corn dried distillers grains with solubles in lamb feedlot diets: volatile compounds from cooked lamb chops

Abstract Dorper ram lambs (n = 46) were fed diets replacing cottonseed meal (CSM) and sorghum grain with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Lambs were fed with ad libitum access to 70.9% concentrate diets for 61 d in individual pens. The positive control diet (CNTL) contained CSM, sorghum grain, and other concentrates, but no DDGS. The four treatment diets were similar to CNTL, but did not contain CSM. Corn DDGS replaced 0%, 33%, 66% or 100% of the sorghum grain in the treatment diets. Lambs fed CNTL were contrasted to those fed 0% DDGS and linear and quadratic effects were evaluated within the four treatment diets. At 48-h postmortem, the longissimus muscle was removed from the carcass, frozen, thawed, cooked, and volatiles were collected using SPME/GC/MS. One volatile, 3-methyl,1-butanol was greater (P = 0.03) in CNTL, while 0DDGS had effectively no volatile present. For linear effects, 1-heptanol (fruity aroma) and 2-pentyl furan (caramel aroma) tended to increase linearly (P = 0.06 and 0.05, respectively), while 2-butanone tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.06; fruity-green aroma) in chops as DDGS increased in the diet. Additionally, 2-heptanone (P = 0.02; banana aroma) and heptanol (P = 0.03; woody aroma) both increased linearly in chops as DDGS increased in the diet. In the quadratic effects, decanoic acid (ethyl ester; grape aroma) tended to decrease quadratically (P = 0.07), while 2-butanone, methyl pyrazine (meaty, roasted aroma), and 2-ethyl-5-methyl pyrazine (coffee, nutty aroma) tended to increase quadratically (P = 0.05, 0.09, and 0.08, respectively) in chops with an increase in DDGS. The volatiles 2,5-dimethyl pyrazine (musty, cocoa aroma) and 2,3-octanedione (warmed-over aroma) both increased quadratically (P < 0.05) in chops as DDGS increased in the diet. Except for 2,3-octanedione, volatile aroma compounds were enhanced when DDGS replaced CSM and sorghum grain in lamb feedlot diets.

275 Replacing cottonseed meal and sorghum grain with corn dried distillers grains with solubles in lamb feedlot diets: carcass characteristics and sensory panel traits

Abstract Carcass and sensory panel traits were evaluated in Dorper ram lambs (n = 46) fed feedlot diets where cottonseed meal (CSM) and sorghum grain were replaced with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). In a randomized design study, lambs were individually fed ad libitum 70.9% concentrate diets for 61 d in individual pens. The positive control diet (CNTL) contained CSM, sorghum grain, and other concentrates, but no DDGS. Four treatment diets were similar to CNTL, but did not contain CSM. Corn DDGS replaced 0% (0DDGS), 33% (33DDGS), 66% (66DDGS) or 100% (100DDGS) of the sorghum grain in the treatment diets. Lambs fed CNTL were contrasted to those fed 0DDGS and linear and quadratic effects were evaluated within the four treatment diets. At 48-h postmortem, the longissimus thoracis was removed from the carcass, frozen, thawed, cooked, and evaluated by a trained sensory panel. Lambs fed CNTL had greater (P ≤ 0.03) hot carcass weight (HCW) and ribeye area (REA) than lambs fed 0DDGS. As DDGS incrementally replaced sorghum grain, HCW and flank fat quadratically increased (P ≤ .05), marbling linearly decreased (P = 0.03), ribeye area tended to linearly increase (P = 0.06), and skeletal maturity tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.06). No differences in sensory characteristics were observed (P ≥ 0.06) between lambs fed CNTL or 0DDGS. As DDGS incrementally replaced sorghum grain, juiciness linearly increased (P = 0.03), cook loss quadratically increased (P = 0.05), lamb flavor identity tended to quadratically increase (P = 0.09) and certain flavor attributes quadratically increased (brown, roasted, umami; P ≤ 0.03), quadratically decreased (metallic; P = 0.004), or linearly increased (bloody; P = 0.003). Results indicated that carcass and sensory characteristics are not negatively affected (some are enhanced) when DDGS replaces CSM and sorghum grain in Dorper lamb feedlot diets.

PSXI-26 Assessing diet integrity and potential sorting behavior in backgrounding diets fed in a GrowSafe feed intake monitoring system

Abstract The integrity of a diet fed as a total mixed ration (TMR) in feedlot and backgrounding scenarios is essential to maintain animal performance and minimized digestive upsets. The objective of this study was to quantify crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM) and ash concentration of a backgrounding diet fed as a TMR in a GrowSafe feed intake monitoring system. Angus crossbreed heifers (n = 70; 360 ± 60 kg of BW; 470 ± 26 d of age) and steers (n = 20; 386 ± 65 kg of BW; 465 ± 30 d of age) were allocated to 18 concrete-floored pens (108 m2), equipped with two GrowSafe feed bunks each to receive a backgrounding diet fed ad libitum as a TMR. Diet was comprised of (DM basis): 35% cottonseed hulls, 34% cracked corn grain, 20% pelleted corn gluten feed, 5% cottonseed meal, 4% liquid supplement (molasses-based), and 2% limestone. Feed samples were collected from three segments of each bunk (top; TOP, middle; MID, and bottom; BOT).Samples from the TOP was collected immediately after feed was provided and further samplings were conducted when feed was consumed throughout the day to obtain the MID and BOT samples in a 24 h interval. Approximately 90 kg (as fed) of the TMR was provided at 0800 h in each clean feed bunk. Concentration of CP did not differ (P = 0.89) throughout the day. However, DM content decreased as feed was consumed (P < 0.001). Concentration of ash was greater for the MID and BOT portions compared to TOP (P = 0.04). In conclusion, CP concentrations in the backgrounding diet fed were not altered throughout the day as diet was consumed. Increased ash concentration towards the bottom of the feed bunk prior to the new feed delivery may result from vertical stratification of the TMR.

Effects of replacing soybean meal with cottonseed meal on growth, feed utilization and non-specific immune enzyme activities for juvenile white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Cottonseed meal (CSM) was evaluated as a protein source for partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with iron supplementation in diets of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. In the control diet (D0), SBM protein was replaced with increasing dietary levels of CSM (0 %, 9.2 %, 15.2 %, 21.3 %, 27.4 %, and 30.4 %) at 0 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 %, 90 %, and 100 % levels (D0 to D100, respectively) with ferrous sulfate supplementation at level of 0 %, 0.04 %, 0.08 %, 0.1 % and 0.12 %, respectively. An eight-week feeding trial was conducted on shrimp (0.383 ± 0.000 g). Up to 90 % of SBM could be replaced with CSM without causing a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in growth and feed utilization in L. vannamei. Related whole-body composition indexes (moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash) were significantly affected with the CSM level in the diets increased (P < 0.05). Regarding serum non-specific immune enzymes, phenoloxidase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities of shrimp were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) with the CSM level in the diets increased. Glutathione peroxidase activity was the highest in shrimp fed the D50 diet, and significantly higher than D0 group (P < 0.05). Total-superoxide dismutase of shrimp fed D90 and D100 diets were significantly lower than that of shrimp fed other diets, whereas malondialdehyde content was significantly higher in the D90 and D100 diets than in the other dietary treatments. Based on the findings in changes in growth and feed utilization, this study found that the optimum ratio is to replaced 87.44 % of SBM with 26.82 % CSM in L. vannamei feed.

Environmental sustainability assessment of tropical dairy buffalo farming vis-a-vis sustainable feed replacement strategy

Feeding management in dairy animals is crucial for ensuring optimal production apart from making the farming as a whole, a more sustainable activity. In our study we evaluated the production and environmental effects of two different feeding regimens i.e., one dominated by traditional cottonseed meal (CSM) and other with coated urea (slow release urea - SRU) as a replacement for CSM on dairy buffalo production. The SRU at 2% level was evaluated by conducting two different trials using twelve lactating Murrah buffaloes and four adult Murrah buffalo bulls. Neither diet nor dry period management showed any substantial effect on milk components, intakes, nutrients’ digestibility coefficients, and nutritive values. The SRU diet revealed increased (P < 0.01) rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen, volatile fatty acids, and microbial nitrogen yield, which were interacted with time of post-prandial sampling. The dynamics of nitrogen metabolism revealed unaltered N-based parameters, except for degradable-N intake and serum urea-N at 3 hr post-feeding. The CSM replacements did not influence (P > 0.05) the residual feed intake, but led to an enhanced milk retention efficiency of nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus contents, thus reducing their impact on soil pollution and eutrophication of water bodies. Despite an unaltered (P > 0.05) enteric methane emission, SRU diets achieved in decreasing manure methane and nitrous oxide emission. Furthermore, the virtual water flow and lifecycle assessment revealed a water sparing effect and low carbon foot print per unit milk production. In summary, the CSM replacements with SRU could achieve an economical and eco-friendly production system from animal nutrition perspective.

Effect of Fermented Cottonseed Meal on the Lipid-Related Indices and Serum Metabolic Profiles in Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryExcessive fat deposition in broiler chickens is detrimental for both producers and consumers. Fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) was proposed as a potential method to relieve fat deposition in broilers’ rearing, while the physiological and metabolic mechanisms behind that still remain unclear. This study showed that both abdominal fat content and subcutaneous fat thickness significantly decreased in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at the age of 21 d, and altered the lipid-related metabolites index in serum, liver, and abdominal fat. Moreover, serum metabolic pathways were clustered into organic acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism.This study aimed to investigate the changes of lipid-related gene and serum metabolites in broiler chickens fed with fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) diet, through quantitative real-time PCR and metabolomics analysis. Totally, 180 1-day-old Cobb broilers were randomly assigned to two groups with six replicates of 15 birds in each. The two diets consisted of a control diet supplemented with 0% FCSM (CON group) and an experimental diet with 6% FCSM (fermented by Candida tropicalis) replacing the soybean meal (FCSM group). The results showed that both abdominal fat content and subcutaneous fat thickness significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at the age of 21 d. Serum concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased (p < 0.05) in FCSM fed broilers compared with CON fed broilers, while the levels of epinephrine and growth hormone in serum, liver and abdominal fat tissue were higher (p < 0.05) in FCSM than in CON fed broilers. The activity of hormone-sensitive esterase and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in the liver and abdominal fat were higher (p < 0.05) in FCSM than CON group. Additionally, compared with the CON group (p < 0.05), the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and LPL genes were upregulated in the livers of FCSM group broilers. Gene expressions of hormone-sensitive lipase and LPL in the abdominal fat tissue were also upregulated (p < 0.05) with the broilers fed with FCSM diets. A total of 20 significantly different metabolites were obtained in the serum of different dietary FCSM supplemented fed broilers. The mainly altered pathways were clustered into organic acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. These results not only provide a better understanding of broilers’ lipid metabolism with FCSM but also can be helpful in further improvement of the broilers’ healthy production and utilization of FCSM.

Optimization and practical application of cottonseed meal-based wood adhesive formulations for small wood item bonding

The interest in biobased wood adhesives has steadily increased in recent years. Our previous studies have shown that water-washed cottonseed meal (WCSM) could be used as low-temperature and high-solid content biobased wood adhesives for non-structural bonding as European Standard Class D1 adhesives. In this work, we optimized WCSM-based adhesive formulations with high solid contents up to 49% for bonding of small wood items at low temperatures (40 °C). Chemical denaturing reagents guanidine hydrochloride (GdmCl) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were added to improve the bonding capability and viscosity of WCSM. Reviewing industry preferences, four formulations with 20% and 30% of WCSM as well as 9.6% and 19.1% of SDS were used to glue “real world” pencil slat sandwiches for pencil making. All the pencils made from these sandwiches bonded at 40 °C and 1 MPa for 120 min passed the Industrial Temperature Cycle test. The results indicated that WCSM could be used as a low temperature wood adhesive, possibly for the domestic furniture and small utensils niche markets. The pencil sandwich bonding represents a specific application that could benefit from the non-toxic glue and also be an example of an interior application.

Steam Explosion Treatment of Byproduct Feedstuffs for Potential Use as Ruminant Feed.

Although many byproducts of milling industries have potential as a ruminant feed, they have not been widely used due to their low nutritive value, especially high-fiber content and difficult processing techniques. Steam explosion can increase the degradation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin and make byproduct feedstuffs more suitable as ruminant feed. Five byproduct feedstuffs: cassava alcohol residue (CAR), distillers' grains (DG), cottonseed meal (CM), rapeseed meal (RM) and potato starchy residues (PSR), were steam-exploded using five different processing parameters and the effects on the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, energy value, and Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System composition were assessed in order to provide a theoretical basis for the technique's development and utilization for ruminant feed production. In this study, after steam-explosion treatment, the nutritive value and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of CAR, DG, RM and PSR were improved (p < 0.05), while there was no effect on nutritive value of CM (p > 0.05). Specifically, steam explosion treatment decreased the contents of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, available cell wall, and slowly degraded protein, and increased the total digestible nutrients, digestible energy, metabolic energy, net energy for maintenance, and net energy for gain, sugar, non-structural carbohydrate and IVDMD. Therefore, steam-explosion treatment offers the potential to improve the suitability of byproduct feedstuffs as ruminant feed.

Characterization of Soluble Glandless Cottonseed Meal Proteins Based on Electrophoresis, Functional Properties, and Microscopic Structure.

This investigation aimed to extract and characterize the GCSM proteins, determine their solubility potential at two different temperatures and different solvents, and explore their functional properties. During the extraction, no water- or ethanol-soluble protein was found. Most of the protein was extracted with KOH solution. GCSM showed major protein bands between 13,273 and 56,564 Da with an isoelectric point of 5.1. The results showed that extraction temperature and solvent affected the amount of protein extracted from GCSM. The highest protein yield (63.4%) was obtained with KOH at 55 °C. Fat content negatively affected the protein solubility. The highest protein purity (99.9%) was obtained with 6% of fat content and the lowest one with 19% of fat content. GCSM has a high glutamic acid content, followed by arginine and aspartic acid compared to the other amino acids. The essential amino acids make up about 30.0% of the total amino acid concentration in KOH-soluble fractions. The results showed a denaturation temperature of GCSM protein ranging from 61.4 to 63.6 °C. Scanning electron microscopy reveals a microglobular protein structure. GCSM protein isolate showed lower (P < 0.05) water-holding and oil-holding capacity but similar gelation properties as soy protein. GCSM protein shows a high foaming capacity at high pH values and high emulsion stability. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of this investigation have a direct impact on the plant protein processing industry. This paper presents a new source of plant protein with a high foaming capacity in alkaline conditions with potential applications for human consumption and feed for aquaculture and animals. The results of this research may impact the cotton producers who can increase their income, and the aquaculture industry will have a cheaper source of protein that can partially substitute the expensive fishmeal. Cottonseed protein can be used to develop high protein extruded snacks and other functional foods, such as plant protein-based food products.

Improvement of Nutritional Quality of Some Oilseed Meals Through Solid-State Fermentation Using Aspergillus niger

This study aimed to investigate the effect of solid-state fermentation on the nutritional composition of cottonseed meal (CSM), sunflower meal (SFM) and hazelnut kernel meal (HKM). In this study, each feedstuff was divided into two treatment groups (unfermented and fermented) with five replicates. Nutritional changes in the feedstuffs were determined by analyzing crude protein, ether extract, ash, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber contents. Solid-state fermentation had effects on the nutritional composition in all feedstuffs. The best improvement in nutritional quality was obtained from the HKM with increasing the crude protein and decreasing the structural carbohydrates content. Fermented HKM can be considered as an alternative protein feed for soybean meal considering the nutritional composition.

198 Replacing cottonseed meal and sorghum grain with corn dried distillers grains with solubles in lamb feedlot diets: Growth performance and ruminal fluid parameters

Abstract Effects of replacing cottonseed meal (CSM) and sorghum grain with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in Dorper ram lamb (n = 46) feedlot diets on growth performance and rumen fluid parameter were evaluated. In a randomized design study, lambs were individually fed ad libitum 70.9% concentrate diets for 56 d in individual pens. The positive control diet (CNTL) contained CSM, sorghum grain, and other concentrates, but no DDGS. Four treatment diets were similar to CNTL, but had no CSM which was replaced 0% (0DDGS), 33% (33DDGS), 66% (66DDGS) or 100% (100DDGS) of the sorghum grain. Lambs fed CNTL were compared to 0DDGS and linear and quadratic effects were evaluated within the four DDGS diets. A treatment × day interaction was observed (P &lt; 0.001) for lamb BW, but not for ADG, DMI, or G:F (P &gt; 0.10). Lambs fed CNTL had greater (P ≤ 0.02) BW on d 42 and 56 and greater (P &lt; 0.01) overall ADG and G:F than lambs fed 0DDGS. On d 42 and 56, lamb BW quadratically increased (P ≤ 0.04) as DDGS increased in the diet. Averaged across all days, ADG quadratically increased (P &lt; 0.001) and DMI and GF tended to quadratically increase (P ≤ 0.08) as DDGS increased in the diet. On d 56, ruminal pH quadratically decreased (P &lt; 0.001), acetate linearly increased (P &lt; 0.001) and acetate:propionate tended to linearly increase (P = 0.08) as DDGS increased in the diet. Results indicated that lamb growth performance is enhanced when CSM is used to increase dietary CP (CNTL vs. 0DDGS) and that all of the CSM and up to 66% of the sorghum grain can be replaced by DDGS (66DDGS) without negatively affecting growth performance.

Optimization of the process parameters for reduction of gossypol levels in cottonseed meal by functional recombinant NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and cytochrome P450 CYP9A12 of Helicoverpa armigera

Gossypol is a toxic polyphenolic product that is derived from cotton plants. The toxicity of gossypol has limited the utilization of cottonseed meal (CSM) in the feed industry. The gene, Helicoverpa armigera CYP9A12, is a gossypol-inducible cytochrome P450 gene. The objective of our study was to obtain the functional recombinant H. armigera CYP9A12 enzyme in Pichia pastoris and to verify whether this candidate enzyme could decrease gossypol in vitro. Free and total gossypol contents were detected in the enzyme solution and in CSM. The H. armigera CYP9A12 enzyme degraded free concentration of gossypol. After optimization of the single-test and response surface method, free gossypol content could be decreased to 40.91 mg/kg in CSM by the H. armigera CYP9A12 enzyme when the initial temperature was 35 °C, the enzymatic hydrolysis time lasted 2.5 h, the enzyme addition was 2.5 mL, and the substrate moisture was 39%.

The effect of vinasse on the growth performance and feed digestibility of Holstein male calves

Industrial effluents of alcohol production are problematic for the environment. One of the proposed solutions to the reduction of harmful effects of the wastewater is to convert it into vinasse. The purpose of the present study is to investigate effects of rations with different levels of vinasse as a source of protein in the diet of 28 male Holstein calves, previously health checked, with an average initial weight of 300 ± 22.56 kg and the maximum similarity of weight and age. The calves were divided randomly into four treatments varied in vinasse (substituted for cottonseed meal): 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15 % with seven replications and each group was given its own specific diet for 110 days. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and feed intake were examined. Final body weight, average daily weight gain and dry matter intake were significantly higher in calves fed diet with 10% vinasse compared to other treatments (p 0.05), but treatments with 10 and 15% vinasse significantly increased organic matter andcrude protein digestibility compared with control (p < 0.05). Totally substituting cottonseed meal with 10% vainasse in calves diet improved body weight gain and organic matter digestibility without any significant effects on rumen pH.

The effects of dietary cottonseed meal and oil supplementation on laying performance and egg quality of laying hens.

Cottonseed meal (CSM) and cottonseed oil (CSO), two cottonseed products, are rich in protein and lipids, respectively, but their use is limited by antinutritional factors in the products. This study investigated the effect of different dietary levels of CSM and CSO supplementation on the laying performance and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 162 24‐week‐old Hy‐Line brown laying hens were randomly assigned to diets supplemented with 0, 6%, or 12% CSM and 0, 2%, or 4% CSO in a 3 × 3 factorial design. During the 8‐week feeding trial, laying performance and egg quality parameters were measured weekly. Furthermore, a texture profile analysis (TPA) of the egg yolks was conducted, and the fatty acid profiles and protein composition of the yolks were measured to further determine egg quality. CSM supplementation decreased (p < 0.01) egg production and feed efficiency and increased (p < 0.01) yolk color, eggshell rate, and shell thickness, but had no significant effects on the TPA parameters, fatty acid profiles, and protein components of egg yolks. CSO supplementation resulted in decreases (p < 0.01) in egg production, egg weight, and feed efficiency and an increase (p < 0.01) in yolk color. In addition, CSO supplementation with two weeks of cold storage changed the physical properties of boiled egg yolks, as indicated by increased (p < 0.01) hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness. Furthermore, 4% CSO supplementation increased the ratio of saturated/monounsaturated fatty acids (SAFA/MUFA) and the protein content of egg yolks, which was accompanied by a modified protein composition. These results indicate that CSM supplementation reduces laying performance and egg quality, and CSO supplementation decreases laying performance and results in egg yolk hardening by modifying its components.

Growth and nutrient and nitrate accumulation of lettuce under different regimes of nitrogen fertilization

For plant growth and composition, the effects of fertilizers including blood meal (BLO), cottonseed meal (CSM), dehydrated cow manure (COW), and urea (UREA) factored with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) of different morphological phenotypes including iceberg, romaine, loose head, and loose leaf were studied in a greenhouse. Lettuce growth increased with increasing nitrogen (N) applications from 0 to 800 mg N/pot (kg), but the top application of BLO, CSM, or UREA suppressed yields. Lettuce grown with BLO, CSM, or UREA had higher concentrations of N than with COW. Nitrate-N concentration in leaves of all varieties exceeded some standards at high application of organic fertilizer or urea except for COW. In general, increasing N application resulted in higher concentration of NH4-N in lettuce with increases in applications of fertilizers. Organic fertilizers and urea were equally effective in supporting growth and affecting nutrient accumulation in lettuce if sufficient N was supplied.

Effects of High Dietary Levels of Cottonseed Meal and Rapeseed Meal on Growth Performance, Muscle Texture, and Expression of Muscle‐Related Genes in Grass Carp

AbstractA 10‐week feeding experiment was conducted to estimate the effects of rapeseed meal (RSM) and cottonseed meal (CSM) as a replacement for equal proportions of fish meal and soybean meal for Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella. Two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated; a basic commercial formula was fed to the control (CT) group, while the RSM and CSM diet was fed to the experimental (ET) group. The results showed that the survival rates were 98% (CT group) and 99% (ET group), which were not significantly different. Compared with the CT group, the weight gain rate of Grass Carp in the ET group was significantly decreased; hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of muscle in the ET group showed significant increases; and adhesiveness of muscle was significantly increased. The expression levels of the myosin heavy chain (MyHC*) and myogenic regulatory factor 5 (Myf5*) genes in the muscle of the ET group were significantly increased compared with those in the CT group. Moreover, the expression level of the troponin gene in the ET group muscle was significantly increased compared with that in CT fish. This study indicated that a high proportion of CSM (27%) and RSM (27%) in feed had negative effects on the growth performance and muscle texture of Grass Carp.

Effects of cottonseed meal on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, and serum biochemical parameters of geese

Cottonseed meal (CSM), an oil industry by-product, is an attractive alternative protein source in poultry diets. To investigate the effects of CSM on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, and serum biochemical parameters of geese, a total of 300 healthy, 28-day-old, male Jiangnan geese were randomly divided into 5 treatments, with 6 pens of 10 geese each. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental diets were formulated to produce diets in which 0% (control), 25% (CSM25), 50% (CSM50), 75% (CSM75), and 100% (CSM100) of protein from soybean meal was replaced by CSM (corresponding to 0, 6.73, 13.46, 20.18, and 26.91% CSM in the feed, respectively). At 28, 42, and 70 d, BW and feed intake for each pen were measured. Blood, small intestine, and chyme samples were collected at 70 d. The results showed that dietary 13.46% CSM or more decreased BW at 42 d and ADG from 28 to 42 d but increased the feed/gain ratio (F/G) from 28 to 42 d (P < 0.05). From 42 to 70 d, geese in the CSM groups had higher ADFI and ADG than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Geese in the CSM75 and CSM100 groups had a higher ADG from 28 to 70 d and BW at 70 d and a lower F/G from 42 to 70 d than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Dietary 6.73% CSM also improved ADFI from 28 to 70 d (P < 0.05). Compared to the control, geese in the CSM groups had decreased pepsin and lipase activities, and those in the CSM25, CSM50, and CSM75 groups had increased villus height in the jejunum at 70 d (P < 0.05). All groups had similar concentrations of total protein, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, calcium, and phosphorus in serum (P > 0.05). In conclusion, excessive use of CSM (>6.73%) decreased growth performance at an early age (28 to 42 d) in geese, whereas 6.73 to 26.91% CSM in feed improved growth performance from 28 to 70 d.

Evaluation of polyblends of cottonseed protein and polycaprolactone plasticized by cottonseed oil

Recently, there has been an increasing trend toward replacing conventional fossil-based plastics with bioplastics that are eco-friendly and biodegradable. In this work, blends of polycaprolactone (PCL) and cottonseed protein plasticized with cottonseed oil were made and analyzed for their mechanical, adhesive, and thermal properties. The addition of water-washed cottonseed meal (WCSM) to PCL increased the Young’s modulus but decreased the tensile strength and elongation-at-break of PCL. The addition of cottonseed oil to the PCL/WCSM blend kept the tensile strength about the same but enhanced the elongation. The PCL blends with WCSM and cottonseed protein isolate gave about the same mechanical properties, both somewhat better than the PCL/soy protein isolate blend. As plasticizers, cottonseed oil performed slightly better than coconut oil, both better than poly(ethylene glycol). The addition of WCSM and cottonseed oil (up to a PCL:WCSM:plasticizer ratio of 60:40:20) did not change the adhesive performance of PCL on fiberboard. Thus, the combination of PCL/cottonseed protein/cottonseed oil seems to be a viable bioplastic, and one possible application for this material may be in the hot melt adhesive area.

Effects of dietary plant protein sources influencing hepatic lipid metabolism and hepatocyte apoptosis in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀)

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing dietary fish meal (FM) with a complementary mixture of plant protein (PP) consisting of soybean meal (SBM), corn gluten meal (CGM) and cottonseed meal (CSM) on hepatic lipid metabolism and hepatocyte apoptosis in juvenile hybrid grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × E. fuscoguttatus♀ (31.64 ± 0.82 g). A basal diet (FM60) with FM as the sole protein source was compared to diets progressively replacing 25% (FM45), 50% (FM30) and 75% (FM15) of FM protein. No significant differences were observed in growth performance and feed utilization when up to 75% of FM protein was replaced by PP sources. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) was markedly increased as dietary PP inclusion increased, but crude lipid content in the liver showed the opposite trend. Plasma cholesterol (CHO), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of fish fed the PP containing diets were all significantly lower than the control. Liver histological analysis showed a higher levels of hepatocyte vacuolization and nuclear pycnosis occurred as dietary PP inclusion increased, but the amounts of hepatic lipid droplets showed a decreasing trend with increasing PP inclusion levels. Moreover, dietary PP inclusion down-regulated the mRNA levels of lipid metabolism-related genes including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), apolipoprotein AI (Apo-AI) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). On the other hand, dietary PP sources also down-regulated the apoptosis-related genes including caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-8 and p53. The present study provided new evidence for the PP sources-induced lipid metabolism in carnivorous fish, and provided new insight into the relationship between dietary PP sources and cell apoptosis.