Crude Protein Fractions Research Articles

In situ ruminal digestibility of red osier dogwood in finishing beef heifers

An in situ study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding red osier dogwood (ROD) on ruminal digestion of barley, ROD, and barley silage in beef heifers. Heifers were fed diets that varied by substituting ROD for barley silage at 0%, 3%, 7%, or 10%. Slowly degradable fraction and effective degradability (ED) of ROD crude protein (CP) linearly (P < 0.02) increased with increasing ROD. The ED of CP of barley and barley silage was reduced (P < 0.01) by feeding ROD. These results indicate that feeding ROD potentially reduces ruminal protein degradability, thereby improving protein efficiency.

Detect molecular spectral features of newly developed Vicia faba varieties and protein metabolic characteristics in ruminant system using advanced synchrotron radiation based infrared microspectroscopy: A preliminary study.

Recently, advanced synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (SR-IMS) has been developed as a rapid, direct, non-destructive and bioanalytical technique. To date, there has been very little application of this technique to study the molecular structure make-up in pulse seeds. Thus, the objectives of this study were to detect the interactive association between protein molecular structure and nutrient availability of newly developed Vicia faba varieties. Two different varieties of faba beans (CDC Snowdrop = low-tannin variety; vs. FB9-4 = high-tannin variety) were selected for this study. The molecular spectra data were collected by using SR-IMS. The ratio of both amide I to II area and height were higher (P < 0.01), while the ratio of α-helix to β-sheet was lower (P < 0.05) in CDC Snowdrop compared to FB9-4. The crude protein (CP) content and the predicted truly digestible nutrients as well as the bioenergy values did not vary between two varieties. The CDC Snowdrop had exhibited a higher (P < 0.01) rapidly degradable CP fraction (75.99 vs. 71.45% on CP) and a lower (P < 0.01) moderately degradable CP fraction (19.43 vs. 22.85% on CP), resulting in a higher (P < 0.01) rumen degradable protein and a lower (P < 0.01) rumen undegradable protein content than that of FB9-4 variety. However, the total supply of digestible rumen undegraded feed protein was higher (P < 0.05) in FB9-4 than CDC Snowdrop. Strong positive correlations were found between the ratio of α-helix to β-sheet and CP contents (R = 0.86, P < 0.01) as well as the truly digestible CP contents (R = 0.83, P < 0.01); respectively. In conclusion, the results of this study reveal that the protein are metabolized differently between different type of faba bean varieties and the advanced SR-IMS molecular spectroscopy can be used to rapidly delineate protein molecular structure motifs along with their nutritive value in ruminant livestock system.

Protein value and degradation characteristics of pulp fibre fractions from screw pressed grass, clover, and lucerne

Biorefinery of grassland plants may enable the production of feed for both ruminants and monogastrics at the same time. The pulp fibre fraction from twin-screw processed white clover, red clover, lucerne, and perennial ryegrass, is a major side-stream commonly considered of low value. However, it maintains a crude protein (CP) fraction of which a high proportion is expected to be fibre-associated. The pulp is expected to be suitable as forage for ruminants but knowledge of the feed value is limited.The objectives of this study were to assess the protein degradation in the rumen and the protein value of pulp compared to the original plant material, and to study the protein distribution among fibre fractions in order to evaluate the pulp as a source of forage for dairy cows.The ash concentration in the pulp was 51.1–72.3 g/kg DM compared to 86.3–104 g/kg DM in the original plant, while the in vitro digestible organic matter (DOM) in dry matter (DM) did not decrease significantly in pulp (532–689 g/kg DM) compared to plant (564–694 g/kg DM). Neutral detergent fibre (aNDF) concentration was higher in pulp (529–694 g/kg DM) than in original plant (342–503 g/kg DM), while the CP concentration of the aNDF from pulp (77.8–186 g/kg aNDF) did not differ from the concentration found in the plant aNDF (74.7–137 g/kg aNDF). Furthermore, the total amino acid (AA) concentration increased in pulp (825 g/kg CP) compared to original plant (768 g/kg CP), and the individual concentration of all essential AA in DM increased.The in situ rumen degradation of CP showed that the potentially degradable fraction was not different between plant (889–953 g/kg) and pulp (817–939 g/kg), although the fractional rate of degradation was lower in the pulp (0.093–0.109 h−1) than in the plant (0.113–0.192 h−1). Thus effective degradability (ED) of CP was lower in pulp (579–647 g/kg) than in plant (657–786 g/kg) increasing rumen escape protein (REP). The intestinal digestibility of REP was similar, thus a higher proportion of the pulp CP (225–256 g/kg) was digested in the intestine compared to plant CP (125–190 g/kg). The indigestible neutral detergent fibre (INDF) proportion of aNDF was not different between plant (88.1–422 g/kg aNDF) and pulp (85.3–460 g/kg aNDF).This study demonstrated that pulp from twin-screw pressing of white clover, red clover, lucerne, and perennial ryegrass has a protein concentration and value for ruminants, which is similar to the original plant material.

Variation in the solubilization of crude protein in wheat straw by different white-rot fungi

Besides their unique ability to depolymerize cell wall components, white-rot fungi are known to assimilate nitrogenous compounds from substrates. This modification may change protein solubility and fermentation in the rumen. To investigate this, the crude protein (CP) in fungal treated wheat straw (3 fungal species, 2 strains each) was fractioned according to the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) and assessed for in vitro protein fermentation using a modified gas production technique (IVGPN). Results showed that fungi increased fraction A (instantaneously soluble CP; ∼2.6 times) and B1 (rapidly degradable; ∼1.2 times); and decreased the slowly degradable fraction B3 (∼41.6%) and unavailable fraction C (∼48.3%). The IVGPN of straw treated with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora strains were not different to the control, but increased by 30.2 to 47.1% in Pleurotus eryngii and Lentinula edodes strains. The IVGPN was significantly (P < 0.01) correlated to all fractions of CP, except fraction B1 and B2 (intermediately degradable). All fungi also increased the arginine (∼56%) and lysine (∼15%) contents. This study shows the importance of assessing the protein solubilization by different fungal strains, which can uncover unique mechanisms in the cell wall depolymerization.

Effects of length of ensiling and maturity group on chemical composition and in vitro ruminal degradability of whole‐crop maize

AbstractNine hybrids (three maturity groups, dry matter 343 ± 5.6 g/kg) of whole‐crop maize were ensiled in eight replicates in laboratory‐scale silos. Each hybrid was sampled at harvest and after 30, 60, 90 and 120 days (d) of ensiling. Samples were analysed for chemical composition (proximate constituents, fermentation products and pH), starch, non‐protein N (NPN) and NH3‐N. Each sample and its neutral detergent fibre (NDF) fraction were incubated in the Hohenheim gas test system. In vitro gas production was measured after 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 hr of incubation. Gas production of the neutral detergent soluble (NDS) fraction (mainly starch) was calculated using a curve subtraction method. Gas production dynamics over time were estimated using a nonlinear regression equation; afterwards, a two‐factorial analysis of variance (storage length, maturity group and their interaction) using the general linear models procedure was conducted. After 30 d, all silages were well fermented. Most fermentation products and proximate constituents only changed until 30 or maximum 60 d of ensiling. Only few changes in in vitro nutrient degradability were detected after the first 30 d or as influenced by maturity group. Ensiling per se increased the ruminal degradability of the NDS, but there was no further increase caused by a prolonged duration of storage. However, extensive changes in crude protein fractions occurred with a linear increase in NPN and NH3‐N compounds from 0 to 120 d of storage, indicating continual protein and amino acid degradation.

Growth Performance and Ruminal Metabolic Variables of Goats Fed Rain Tree (Samanea saman) Pods.

The effect of rain tree pods (RTP) or acacia pods on the growth performance, rumen metabolites, and digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in goats was evaluated through feeding trial and in situ methods. Eighteen 7 month-old Philippine native goats with body weight range of 7.86±1.28 kg were divided into three groups consisting of six replicates and randomly assigned to one of treatment diets containing 0%, 50%, and 100% RTP in the concentrate portion of a ration containing 65% roughage and 35% concentrate. Three rumen-cannulated mature goats were used in the in situ studies to determine the dietary effects on rumen fluid pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia, and rumen DM and CP digestibilities. Differences (P values 50% RTP generally resulted in lower above-stated performance parameters. Rumen fluid pH of goats decreased after feeding and was lowest in goats fed with 50% RTP. Concentrations of VFA and ammonia were not significantly different. Slowly degradable DM of the test diets were higher in concentrate mixture without RTP. Degradable fractions of CP had highest value on concentrate mixture without RTP while lowest on 100% RTP. However, no differences were observed on potentially digestible fractions and degradability constants of DM and CP. It could be concluded that RTPs can be an alternative ingredient in concentrate mixtures given up to 50% in the mixture as part of a daily ration for goats.

Influence of drought stress on afalfa yields and nutritional composition

BackgroundIt is predicted that climate change may increase the risk of local droughts, with severe consequences for agricultural practices.MethodsHere we report the influence of drought on alfalfa yields and nutritional composition, based on artificially induced drought conditions during two field experiments. Two types of alfalfa cultivars were compared, Gold Queen and Suntory. The severity and timing of drought periods were varied, and the crop was harvested either early during flowering, or late at full bloom.ResultsThe obtained dry mass yields of Gold Queen were higher than Suntory, and the first was also more resistant to drought. Early harvest resulted in higher yields. Decreases in yields due to water shortage were observed with both cultivars, and the fraction of crude protein (CP) decreased as a result of drought stress; this fraction was higher in Gold Queen than in Suntory and higher in early harvest compared to late harvest. Severe drought late in spring had the highest effect on CP content. The fraction of fibre, split up into neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) increased as a result of drought and was lower in early compared to late harvested plants. Suntory alfalfa produced higher fibre fractions than Gold Queen. The fraction of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) was least affected by drought. It was consistently higher in Gold Queen compared to Suntory alfalfa, and late harvest resulted in higher WSC content.ConclusionsIn combination, these results suggest that the nutritive value of alfalfa will likely decrease after a period of drought. These effects can be partly overcome by choosing the Gold Queen cultivar over Suntory, by targeted irrigation, in particular in late spring, and by harvesting at an earlier time.

Performance of Assaf Lambs Fed Two Upgraded Agricultural Wastes

Effects of ensiled greenhouse wastes (GHW), alkali-treated GHW and almond hulls (AH) on growth performance were studied on 24 Assaf lambs. All lambs were males with an average weight of 36.2 kg (S.D. = 2.1 kg) at the beginning of the experiment. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 lambs each. Lambs in each group received individually corn-soybean meal (SBM) total mixed rations (TMR). Rations were incorporated with a fixed amount (200 g/kg) of the treated raw ingredients: ensiled greenhouse wastes, alkali-treated GHW and ensiled AH. All rations were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The growth experiment lasted 80 d. Both chemical and biological treatments had significant effects on improving crude protein (CP) and fiber fractions. At termination of the experiment, lambs fed treated ingredients (i.e., ensiled GHW, alkali-treated GHW, ensiled AH) had better (P &lt; 0.05) feed conversion ratios and consumed less (P &lt; 0.05) feed. Treated GHW and AH had no effect on average daily gain (P = 0.14) and total gain (P = 0.21). Cost of gain was significantly lower in lambs fed the treated ingredients.

In situ and in vitro evaluation of crude protein degradation and utilisable crude protein content of barley, rye and triticale grains for ruminants.

Rations for dairy cows are comprised of high proportions of cereal grains. Thus, despite their low crude protein (CP) content, grains can contribute considerably to the CP intake of dairy cows. This study was conducted to describe and compare ruminal CP degradation of a broad range of barley, rye and triticale genotypes in situ and in vitro and different methods to estimate the utilisable CP at the duodenum (uCP). Twenty samples each of rye, barley and triticale were incubated in situ and in vitro. Exponential regression analyses were used to estimate in situ degradation parameters. Further, the effective degradability (ED), ruminal undegraded CP (UDP) and uCP for ruminal passage rates of 5% and 8% per hr were estimated. The uCP was estimated in vitro and based on two different approaches using in situ UDP data and estimates of microbial synthesised protein (based on fermented organic matter [fOM] or equations of the Gesellschaft für Ernährungsphysiologie). The degradation rate declined from rye (43% per hr) to triticale (27% per hr) to barley (20% per hr), and it exhibited remarkable variation between the genotypes of a single species. The maximal degradable CP fraction also differed between the species, but was overall very high (94%-99%). The lowest washout fraction (26%) and the highest variation in ED (77%-86% and 69%-80% for a passage rate of 5% and 8% per hr, respectively) were found in barley. The in situ uCP content (estimated using fOM) was lower for barley than for rye and triticale at ruminal passage rates of 5% and 8% per hr (barley: 157g/kg DM at both passage rates; rye and triticale: 168 (at 5% per hr) and 169 (at 8% per hr) g/kg DM). In vitro estimations of uCP did not differ between the grain species and uCP estimated according to GfE was higher for triticale than for barley and rye, which did not differ. The low variation within a single grain species and the weak correlations between ruminal CP degradation and nutrient concentrations suggested that differentiation of ED and uCP between the genotypes of a single grain species is not necessary.

Integration of protein extraction with a stream of byproducts from marine macroalgae: A model forms the basis for marine bioeconomy

The present study describes an advanced biorefinery model for marine macroalgae that assumes significant importance in the context of marine bio-economy. The method investigated in this study integrates the extraction of crude proteins with recovery of minerals rich sap, lipids, ulvan and cellulose from fresh biomass of Ulva lactuca. The protein content extracted was 11±2.12% on dry weight basis with recovery efficiency of 68.75±4.01%. The amino acid composition of crude protein fraction showed iso-leucine as the most abundant amino acid with 16.51±0.03% followed by histidine, arginine, tyrosine, serine, aspartic acid, threonine, phenyl alanine, leucine, alanine, lysine, glycine and glutamic acid (0.22±0.24%). The digestibility of protein was as high as 85.86±5.92% indicating its suitability for use in food supplements. The protein production with co-recovery of other products would not only result in effective utilisation marine macroalgal resources but also forms the basis for marine bio-economy.

Feed intake and urinary excretion of nitrogen and purine derivatives in pregnant suckler cows fed alternative roughage-based diets

This study compared intake of alternative roughage-based diets and of common late-cut grass silage and related intake to urinary nitrogen (N), urea-N and purine derivative (PD) excretion, where PD is an indicator of rumen microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis. Total urine was collected from 36 Hereford cows, blocked into three groups based on expected calving date. Cows within calving groups were randomly assigned to one of four roughage diets: common mixed grass silage (MGS), festulolium silage plus urea (FLS), reed canarygrass silage (RCS) and barley straw plus urea and rapeseed meal (BRM). Diet crude protein (CP) content was classified into five fractions (A, B1, B2, B3 and C), based on degradability characteristics. Feed intake and urinary excretion data were analysed by ANOVA in a randomised block design. To further explain the ANOVA results, multiple regression analyses were conducted to study relationships between intakes of total N (g/d); sum of the CP fractions A, B1 and B2 (AB1B2; g/d), most of which is considered rumen-degradable; digestible organic matter (DOMI; kg/d); protein balance in the rumen (g/kg dry matter); and urinary excretion of N, urea-N (g/d) and PD (mmol/d). Urinary N and urea-N excretion was positively related to N intake and was better explained by N intake than intake of AB1B2. Feeding BRM resulted in the lowest N intake and urinary N output (P < 0.001). Cows fed MGS, FLS and RCS had similar N intake, but urinary N and urea-N excretion was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in cows fed RCS, which probably was attributable to the significantly lower DOMI of this diet (P < 0.001). Furthermore, addition of DOMI to N intake in the multiple regression analysis increased the proportion of explained variation in urinary N and urea-N excretion. The MGS and FLS diets stimulated rumen MCP production to a greater extent than the BRM diet, as indicated by the higher urinary output of PD in cows fed the grass silage-based diets (P < 0.001). Diet had no significant effect on urinary PD excretion when expressed per kg DOMI. Overall mean urinary creatinine excretion was 0.197 ± 0.047mmol/kg body weight, with no significant effect of diet. This study showed that intake of both N and DOM need to be assessed when choosing a suitable alternative roughage diet for suckler cows, in order to prevent undesirable losses of urinary N.

Protection of protein from ruminal degradation by alkali-induced oxidation of chlorogenic acid in sunflower meal.

Lactating ruminants require an adequate supply of absorbable amino acids for the synthesis of milk protein from two sources, that is crude protein (CP) synthesized microbially in the rumen and ruminally undegraded CP (RUP) from feed which can both be digested in the small intestine. Several chemical and physical methods have been identified as being effective in increasing the proportion of RUP of total CP of a feedstuff, yet there is a continuing need for developing and establishing methods which protect feed protein from ruminal degradation with acceptable expenditure of labour and other costs. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify effects of and interactions between chlorogenic acid and protein in solvent-extracted sunflower meal (SFM) as induced by alkali treatment. Response surface methodology was employed to investigate the influence of pH, reaction time and drying temperature on the resulting SFM and, subsequently, its protein value for ruminants estimated from laboratory values. For this purpose, alkali-treated SFM was subjected to a fractionation of feed CP according to the Cornell net carbohydrate and protein system as a basis for estimating RUP at different assumed ruminal passage rates (Kp ). To estimate the intestinal digestibility of the treated SFM and its RUP, a three-step enzymatic in vitro procedure was applied. Alkaline treatment of SFM increased RUP values with factors ranging from approximately 3 (Kp =.08/hr) to 12 (Kp =.02/hr). Furthermore, the intestinal digestibility of the alkali-treated SFM was enhanced by approximately 10% compared to untreated SFM. Increasing pH and reaction time led to both increasing RUP values and intestinal digestibility. In conclusion, a targeted alkaline treatment of naturally occurring compounds in feedstuffs might be a promising approach to provide high-RUP feeds for ruminants which, at the same time, have improved intestinal digestibility values.

Exploiting charge differences for the analysis of challenging post-translational modifications by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) is typically employed for mapping modifications in proteins and peptides. Here we applied a low-flow capillary electrophoresis (CE) −electrospray ionization interface coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometers to analyze challenging modifications such as asparagine deamidation, aspartate isomerization, arginine citrullination, and phosphopeptide isomers. We achieved excellent resolution of asparagine (Asn), aspartic acid (Asp) and isoaspartic acid (iso-Asp) containing peptides using a synthetic peptide mixture. The migration order in CE enabled a clear assignment of in vitro deamidation/isomerization sites in a protein standard mixture of intermediate complexity (48 proteins) as well as the determination of the in vivo deamidation rate of histone H1.0 directly in a crude nuclear protein fraction. Besides these well-known modifications citrullination, a post-translational modification which changes the positively charged guanidinium group of arginine to the uncharged ureido group of citrulline, was investigated. Applying CE-MS for fast and sensitive analyses of various post-translational modifications of intact and enzymatically digested histone H4, we were able to detect a variety of citrullinated proteoforms. MS/MS analysis with electron transfer dissociation (ETD) fragmentation identified the presence of deiminated Arg at position 3 and 17 of histone H4. Moreover, based on CE-MS, isobaric mono-phosphorylated peptides obtained in the course of a kinase activity study were separated and individual positional isomers quantified.

Effects of sequence of nylon bags rumen incubation on kinetics of degradation in some commonly used feedstuffs in dairy rations

Nowadays, most available information on the degradative behaviour of feeds in ruminants is based on in situ incubation in the rumen, and it is adopted by many feed evaluation systems currently in use for ruminants. However, the outcome of this technique might be affected by many factors such as sequence of nylon bags incubation in the rumen. The objective of current study was to investigate effects of sequence of nylon bag incubation on degradative behavior of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in some feed ingredients commonly used in dairy rations, including alfalfa haylage, corn silage, corn grain and soybean meal. Four multiparous Holstein lactating cows fitted with permanent ruminal cannulas were used. The nylon bags containing feed samples either were placed in the rumen at once and removed at designated time intervals (all in-gradually out method; AG) or were placed in the rumen at designated time points and retrieved at once (gradually in-all out method; GA). Fractional rate of degradation of potentially degradable fraction, lag time and effective rumen degradability (ED) of DM and CP were significantly higher in the AG compared to the GA method (P<0.05). Fractional rates of DM and CP degradation was higher in alfalfa haylage samples incubated in the rumen using the AG method compared to that using the GA method (0.138 h−1 vs. 0.073 h−1 and 0.002 h−1vs. 0.1125 h−1, for DM and CP, respectively; P<0.05). Due to a higher fractional rate of degradation (Kd) of DM and CP, the ED of DM and CP at different fractional passage rates were higher in the AG than those in the GA method (P<0.05). Potentially degradable fraction and lag time of NDF were higher in the AG method compared to the GA method (P<0.05). Placing all bags in the rumen at once and removing them at designated time intervals compared with introduction of bags in reverse sequence and removing them all at once led to a lower undegradable fraction (U) of NDF in alfalfa (1.8% vs. 4.0%, respectively; P<0.05) and corn silage (3.3% vs. 6.7%, respectively; P<0.05) samples. Potentially degradable fraction of ADF was significantly higher in the AG method compared with the GA method (P<0.05). Bag incubation sequence had profound effects on kinetics of degradation of DM, CP and NDF in situ in the feed samples studied. The effects were more evident in the forages (especially alfalfa haylage) than in the concentrate ingredients namely corn grain and soybean meal. This experiment is the first time to investigate effects of two methods under the same experiment conditions, providing basic data for the determination of ED.

Protein fractions of intercropped pea and oat for ruminant nutrition

The quantification of the main crude protein (CP) fractions during the growing period of pea and oat mixtures may be used to optimize the forage management. The determination of protein fraction could improve balancing rations for ruminants. The first factor (A) is ratio of germinated seed in mixtures. The pea and oat were tested at two different mixture rates: A1 ? 50% pea + 50% oat and A2 ? 75% pea + 25% oat. The second factor (B) is a cutting time in three stages of growth: B1 ? a cutting of biomass at the start of flowering pea (10% of flowering), B2 ? a cutting of biomass at forming the first pods on 2/3 plants of pea, and B3 ? cutting of biomass at forming green seeds in 2/3 pods. Stage of growth and pea-oat ratio in mixtures are significantly related to the change in the quality and chemical composition of biomass. The highest level of crude protein was obtained in pea at flowering stage (184.85 g kg-1 dry matter (DM)). The high level of easily soluble protein and non-protein nitrogen compounds (over 50%) represent specific characteristics of the mixture. Unavailable fraction PC increased with plant maturation from 75.65 to 95.05 g kg-1 of CP.

Protein characteristics in grass–clover silages according to wilting rate and fermentation pattern

AbstractEffects of wilting rate and fermentation stimulators and inhibitors on protein characteristics of forages typical for organic production were assessed using traditional analytical methods and a gas production in vitro assay. The hypotheses were that the proportion of the crude protein (CP) fraction that was soluble would be lowest, and the protein feed value highest, under rapid wilting and restricted fermentation. The solubility of the CP fraction varied according to treatments and between a first and a second cut, with moderate and high content of clover respectively. It was, however, of minor importance for the protein value, both calculated as amino acids absorbed in the small intestine (AAT20) and estimated as effective utilizable crude protein (uCP04) by the in vitro assay. In ensiled herbage, AAT20 was highest in rapidly wilted and restrictedly fermented silages made from a first cut dominated by highly digestible grasses. Silages from the second cut dominated by red clover were far lower in AAT20. The in vitro assay did not separate silages according to herbage composition or wilting rate, but ranked restrictedly fermented above extensively fermented with regard to protein supply. The assay might still have caught the characteristics that determine the true protein value in vivo.

Productivity, chemical composition and ruminal degradability of irrigated Napier grass leaves harvested at three stages of maturity

The effect of the stage of maturity on the productivity, chemical composition, and ruminal degradability of Napier grass ( Pennisetum purpureum ) leaves under irrigation was studied. Samples were collected at three stages of maturity, at intervals of four weeks starting from the fourth week until the twelfth week (April–July) after sprouting and then harvested to determine biomass. The stages of maturity had significant effects on longest leaf length per plant and plant height, but had no effect on number of leaves per plant and number of tillers. Dry matter (DM) increased significantly with maturity, while crude protein (CP) and fat content decreased significantly, with no significant effect on acid detergent lignin (ADL), ash, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). Maturity significantly decreased potassium, copper and sodium, while calcium and zinc increased significantly up to the intermediate stage, then declined toward the late stage of maturity. Maturity did not affect the magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and iron contents of the forage. Ruminal degradability of CP at 48, 72, 96 and 120 incubation hour decreased significantly with maturity, with no effect on all other incubation times for DM and CP. Maturity significantly decreased the soluble fraction (a) of DM, with no significant effect on other fractions of DM and CP. Effective degradability (%) of DM and CP decreased with maturity when the rate of passage increased from 2% to 8%. Napier forage should be harvested before maturity to retain its high nutrient content, and the degradability of DM and CP. Keywords: mineral composition, in sacco, dry matter, crude protein disappearance

Effect of feeding warm-season annuals with orchardgrass on ruminal fermentation and methane output in continuous culture

A 4-unit, dual-flow continuous culture fermentor system was used to assess nutrient digestibility, volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, bacterial protein synthesis, and methane (CH4) output of warm-season annual grasses. Treatments were randomly assigned to fermentors in a 4 × 4 Latin square design using 7 d for adaptation to treatment and 3 d for sample collection. Treatments were (1) 100% orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.; ORD); (2) 50% orchardgrass + 50% Japanese millet [Echinochloa esculenta (A. Braun) H. Scholz; MIL]; (3) 50% orchardgrass + 50% brown midrib sorghum × sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench × S. bicolor var. sudanense; SSG]; or (4) 50% orchardgrass + 25% millet + 25% sorghum × sudangrass (MIX). Fermentors were fed 60 g of dry matter (DM)/d in equal portions of herbage 4 times daily (0730, 1030, 1400, and 1900 h). To replicate a typical 12-h pasture rotation, fermentors were fed the orchardgrass at 0730 and 1030 h and the individual treatment herbage (orchardgrass, Japanese millet, sorghum × sudangrass, or 50:50 Japanese millet and sorghum × sudangrass) at 1400 and 1900 h. Gas samples for CH4 analysis were collected 6 times daily at 0725, 0900, 1000, 1355, 1530, and 1630 h. Fermentor pH was determined at the time of feeding, and fermentor effluent samples for NH3-N and VFA analyses were taken daily at 1030 h on d 8, 9, and 10. Samples were also analyzed for DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein, and fiber fractions to determine nutrient digestibilities. Bacterial efficiency was estimated by dividing bacterial N by truly digested OM. True DM and OM digestibilities and pH were not different among treatments. Apparent OM digestibility was greater in ORD than in MIL and SSG. The concentration of propionate was greater in ORD than in SSG and MIX, and that of butyrate was greatest in ORD and MIL. Methane output was greatest in MIL, intermediate in ORD, and lowest in SSG and MIX. Nitrogen intake did not differ across treatments, whereas bacterial N efficiency per kilogram of truly digestible OM was greatest in MIL, intermediate in SSG and MIX, and lowest in ORD. True crude protein digestibility was greater in ORD versus MIL, and ORD had lower total N, non-NH3-N, bacterial N, and dietary N in effluent flows than MIL. Overall, we detected little difference in true nutrient digestibility; however, SSG and MIX provided the lowest acetate to propionate ratio and lower CH4 output than MIL and ORD. Thus, improved warm-season annual pastures (i.e., brown midrib sorghum × sudangrass) could provide a reasonable alternative to orchardgrass pastures during the summer months when such perennial cool-season grass species have greatly reduced productivity.

Nutrient Content, Protein Fractionation, and Utilization of Some Beans as Potential Alternatives to Soybean for Ruminant Feeding

This experiment aimed to determine nutrient content, protein fraction, and in vitro rumen fermentation of some alternative beans in comparison to soybean. Samples used were napier grass, soybean, redbean, groundnut, pigeonpea, cowpea, bambarabean, and mungbean. Samples were determined for their proximate composition, Van Soest’s fiber fraction, and Cornell protein fraction. The samples were subsequently evaluated for their fermentation characteristics and digestibility by using a two-stage in vitro rumen fermentation technique, maintained at 39 oC for 2 × 48 h. The in vitro incubation was performed in three consecutive runs by following a randomized complete block design in which each sample per run was represented by four fermentation tubes. Results revealed that all experimental beans contained high crude protein (CP), i.e. above 200 g/kg dry matter (DM), but only soybean and groundnut had CP contents higher than 300 g/kg DM. Redbean had the lowest crude fiber and acid detergent fiber contents among the beans. Soybean contained high proportion of rapidly degraded CP fraction, but low in slowly degraded and unavailable CP fractions. High proportion of slowly degraded CP fraction was found in redbean and bambarabean. Redbean, pigeonpea, cowpea, and mungbean were better than soybean, groundnut, and bambarabean with regard to DM degradability and DM digestibility values (P<0.05). Concentration of total VFA was the highest in the incubation of redbean. It was concluded that groundnut, redbean, pigeonpea, cowpea, and mungbean have the potency to be used to substitute soybean for ruminant feeding.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ЭКСТРУЗИОННОЙ ОБРАБОТКИ НА ХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СОСТАВ И ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНО-ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ СВОЙСТВА СЕМЯН ТЫКВЫ

The purpose of research is assessment of thermoplastic extrusion influence with Ternova-quannum effect on chemical composition and functional and technological properties of pumpkin seeds, processed together with the shell. Raw crude from shell pumpkin seeds were processed within 10-15 s at a temperature of 130-1400С using a single screw press extruder KMZ-2U, equipped with a vacuum chamber, contributing to the implementation of the new technological possibilities of extrusion processing of vegetable raw materials. Determination of the mass share of moisture, fat, crude fiber and ash was performed using standard techniques. The substance total nitrogen was determined by Kjeldahl method and then converted to crude protein. Water and fat absorption of flour made from extruded pumpkin seeds with shell was determined on the basis of generally accepted methods. The results are presented as the mean value of three repeated measurements. The chemical composition of the extruded pumpkin seeds with shell (mass fraction of moisture, crude protein, lipid, ash and crude fiber) and wheat flour used for production of bakery and flour confectionery products. The results obtained indicate a high content in the extrudate pumpkin seeds with the shell of protein, dietary fiber, palingenesy whelping fatty acids, as well as a wide range of minerals that characterizes the resulting product as an effective Supplement for development of the technology of bakery and flour confectionery products of functional purpose. In addition, high water and fat absorption of the extrudate pumpkin seeds with the shell will generate the given structure, nutritional value, taste indicators and losses in the development of such products.