Bran Diet Research Articles

Fermented crop straws by Trichoderma viride and Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhanced the bioconversion rate of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae).

Crop straw is an abundant renewable resource whose usage is limited due to its high cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents. Here, Trichoderma viride, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Musca domestica were used to transform crop straws, and we investigated their impact on housefly rearing performance and optimized their utilization. The weights of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in fermented crop straw diets significantly decreased after bioconversion by M. domestica larvae. The highest bioconversion rate was recorded in corn straw diet (16.19%), followed by wheat straw diet (10.31%) and wheat bran diet (8.97%). Similarly, high larval weight (yield) and pupation rate and fecundity and fertility rate were recorded in fermented crop straw diets composed of corn straw and wheat bran in 1:1 proportions. These results indicated that fermenting crop straw with T. viride and S. cerevisiae represented an efficient strategy that enhanced crop straw bioconversion and improved the rearing capacity of the housefly larvae. The resulting larvae could further be used as proteinaceous feed in poultry and aquaculture industries. Graphical abstract.

161 Impact of insoluble dietary fiber on the efficacy of the phytase enzyme in nursery pigs

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of insoluble fiber on the efficacy of phytase in nursery pig diets. A total of 480 weaned pigs (BW 5.48 ± 0.14 kg; L337 X Camborough, PIC, Hendersonville, TN) were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to 48 pens. A common nutrient-adequate diet was fed from d 0–9. From d9-14, 2 phosphorus [P] deficient basal diets were fed: a low fiber [LF] corn-soybean meal diet (neutral detergent fiber [NDF]=7.5%; standardized total tract digestible [STTD] P = 0.16%) or a higher fiber [HF] corn-soybean meal plus 20% corn bran diet (NDF=15.2%; STTD P = 0.14%). From d 15–35, pigs received 8 dietary treatments (6 pens per treatment): 4 increasing levels of added phytase (0, 109, 218, and 327 phytase units [FTU]/kg; Quantum-Blue-5G, AB-Vista, Wiltshire, UK) applied to either the LF or HF basal diets. Titanium dioxide served as a digestibility marker. Fecal samples were collected on d 32–34. On d 35, one pig per pen was euthanized and fibulas harvested for bone ash assay. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. There were no interactions between fiber and phytase (P > 0.100). Adding phytase increased ADG (0.268, 0.282, 0.291, 0.306 kg/d; P < 0.001) and G:F (0.52, 0.55, 0.56, 0.58; P < 0.001) for the 4 increasing phytase levels, respectively. Fiber decreased ADG (0.282 vs 0.291 kg/d; P = 0.033) and tended to decrease G:F (0.54 vs 0.56; P = 0.097). There were no effects of phytase or fiber on ADFI (P > 0.100). Phytase increased bone ash (P = 0.005), but there was no effect of fiber (P = 0.949). Phytase did not affect the ATTD of DM, NDF, or ADF (P > 0.100) while fiber decreased the ATTD of DM, NDF and ADF (P < 0.001). In conclusion, increasing insoluble fiber did not affect the ability of phytase to improve growth performance and bone mineralization when pigs were fed a P deficient diet.

Effect of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics and gastrointestinal tract development of geese

Cassava foliage is a by-product of cassava and has been widely used in animal feed. However, little information is available on its utilization for geese. In this study, we investigated the effects of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development of geese. A total of 108 28-day-old Hainan indigenous male geese with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 pens of 6 geese per group and fed for 42 D on either the control diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran or the experimental diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran supplemented with 5% or 10% cassava foliage, respectively. On day 70, their body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development were compared. The results showed that cassava foliage diet significantly improved goose's BW (P < 0.05), ADG (P < 0.05), and ADFI (P < 0.05), affected carcass characteristics such as relative meat content (P < 0.05) and abdominal fat content (P < 0.05), and facilitated goose's gastrointestinal tract development. These findings suggested that incorporating cassava foliage into the diet of geese (day 28-70) could have positive effects, and supplementing 5% cassava foliage was more beneficial than 10%.

Effect of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics and gastrointestinal tract development of geese

Cassava foliage is a by-product of cassava and has been widely used in animal feed. However, little information is available on its utilization for geese. In this study, we investigated the effects of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development of geese. A total of 108 28-day-old Hainan indigenous male geese with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 pens of 6 geese per group and fed for 42 D on either the control diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran or the experimental diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran supplemented with 5% or 10% cassava foliage, respectively. On day 70, their body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development were compared. The results showed that cassava foliage diet significantly improved goose's BW (P < 0.05), ADG (P < 0.05), and ADFI (P < 0.05), affected carcass characteristics such as relative meat content (P < 0.05) and abdominal fat content (P < 0.05), and facilitated goose's gastrointestinal tract development. These findings suggested that incorporating cassava foliage into the diet of geese (day 28-70) could have positive effects, and supplementing 5% cassava foliage was more beneficial than 10%.

Performance of Newly Described Native Edible Cricket Scapsipedus icipe (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) on Various Diets of Relevance for Farming.

A new native edible cricket species, Scapsipedus icipe Hugel and Tanga, has been described in Kenya for the first time. However, there is lack of information on suitable diets and their effects on the developmental time, survival, weight gain, body length, growth index, preoviposition, oviposition, postoviposition, fecundity, egg eclosion period, adult emergence, and longevity of this species, which are prerequisite for large-scale production. In this study, six diets (wheat bran, soybean, fish offal, pumpkin leaf, carrot, and maize meals) selected to vary in protein, carbohydrate, and fat content were evaluated. The developmental time and survival rate of the different life stages varied considerably on the various diets, with the shortest development and highest survival rate recorded when fed wheat bran diet. Preoviposition duration was significantly longer on maize and carrot diets (>10 d) compared with that recorded on the other diets (<8 d). Body weight and body length were significantly influenced by the different diets tested. Females of S. icipe fed on protein-rich diets (fish offal, soybean, and wheat bran) had significantly higher lifetime fecundity and fertility. Female-biased sex ratio was recorded on wheat bran and soybean diets, whereas male-biased sex ratio was recorded on maize and carrot diets. Our findings reveal that the impact of diet quality on the biological fitness parameters of S. icipe and the implication of the results are discussed in light of effective mass rearing of this species.

Beneficial Effects of Non-Conventional Feedstuffs on Carcass Characteristics And Ileal Mucosal Morphology of Finisher Pigs

This study investigated differences in carcass characteristics and ileal mucosal morphology in pigs offered 4 isocaloric grower-finisher diets formulated using non-conventional feedstuffs from 99-180 days of age upon which barrows were slaughtered. The diets consisted of a basal maize-soybean meal diet, a 20% cold-pressed canola meal diet, 20% rice polishing diet and 20% rice bran diet. The 20% rice polishing diet resulted in a higher (p≤0.05) average daily gain compared to pigs on the basal diet. Rice polishing diet resulted in an increase in killing-out percent, 24.5% increase in loin eye area which implied better lean tissue deposition and a 19.3% decrease in villous height, and noted increases were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05). The 20% rice bran diet resulted in a higher (p≤0.05) average daily gain compared to pigs on the basal diet and larger loin eye size (p ≤ 0.05) implying better lean tissue deposition. Ileal villi were significantly longer (p ≤ 0.05) in in pigs fed rice bran diet and was attributed to higher dietary fibre. The 20% Canola meal diet increased (p ≤ 0.05) back-fat thickness and an increase (p ≤ 0.05) in ileal crypt depth. The study concludes that high NDF rice bran has reduces backfat and increases gut surface area thereby improving utilisation of dietary fibre. Low protein non-conventional feedstuff in finisher pigs had beneficial effects on ileal epithilia. Further studies on the role of dietary lipids and glycosinolates commonly present in Canola meal on changes in intestinal epithelial morphology should be done.

Epidemiologic evaluation of urolithiasis in Bareilly area of Uttar Pradesh, India

ABSTRACTThe present study was undertaken to record the prevalence of urolithiasis in buffalo calves, caprine and canine at Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, of Indian Veterinary Research Institute. Different epidemiological parameters like age, sex, and castration status, feeding status were recorded. Animals presented with signs of urolithiasis like dysuria, anuria, urinary incontinence, abdominal pain, tensed abdomen were included in this study. Urolithiasis was confirmed by ultrasonography and urine microscopy before inclusion in the present research. Incidence rate was highest in the month of January (13.93%) and lowest in October (2.57%). The disease is most prevalent between October and February in every year. Prevalence was highest in the year 2015 (6.99%) and lowest in 2016 (5.96%). Among the various species, bovine (buffalo calves) were affected the most, followed by caprine and canine. Female:Male ratio among affected animals was 1:56, 1:81 and 1:10 among bovine (buffalo calves), caprine and canine, respectively. Animals were fed solely on bran diet. Incidence of urolithiasis was higher in animals castrated at early age.

Effects of different supplementary feeds on the growth performance and survival of Labeo bata fry

An experiment was conducted with Labeo bata fry for 60 days to examine the growth performance and survival in response to three supplementary feeds i.e. wheat bran, maize bran and mixed diet. The length gain, percent length gain, weight gain, percent weight gain and specific growth of the fry were found significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in mixed diet. The highest survival rate (74.38±8.1%) was shown by the mixed diet treated fry which was significantly higher than those of maize bran and wheat bran treated fry respectively. There were no significant differences (p&lt;0.05) among the treatments in term of water temperatures, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO). Thus, on the basis of the fry growth performance and survival rate, it could be suggested that the mixed diet of wheat bran and maize bran is suitable for the culture of L. bata fry.Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 7(1): 15-21, 2018 (June)

Abstract 1265: Protective efficacy of gut microbiome and microbial metabolites after rice bran consumption against colon tumorigenesis

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in US. Therefore, practical interventions that reduce incidence of adenomatous polyps and/or prevent their progression to CRC are urgently needed. In this regard, several studies have reported the chemopreventive potential of dietary rice bran [a wasted ‘by-product' of white rice (Oryza sativa) processing] against CRC. Given that high heat can stabilize rice-bran for safe human consumption, our research efforts are evaluating ‘stabilized-rice bran', as a functional food for CRC control and prevention. Rice bran has been previously shown to increase colonization of native gut probiotics and undergo microbiota fermentation. However, little is known about rice bran constituents as prebiotics, microbial substrates that promote healthy gut microbiota, and how these microbes produce novel, bioactive microbial metabolites. In this regard, our studies show that native gut probiotic - fermented rice bran extracts have strong in vitro activity against CRC cells and significantly decrease their colonosphere formation (a stem cell characteristic). Rice bran (fermented and non-fermented) also strongly inhibits TNF alpha-induced NF-kappa B activation and interleukin (IL)- 4-induced expression of CD44, which along with its variant form (CD44 v3-v6) plays an essential role in the adhesion and infiltration of inflammatory cells in CRC. Notably, even the stool extracts from rice bran-fed CRC survivors showed increased inhibitory effects on CRC cell viability compared to the stools collected from the same individuals prior to rice bran consumption. Next, extensive in vivo investigations were performed to determine the relative efficacy of dietary rice bran-modified gut microbiota and microbiota-fermented rice bran on inflammation associated-colon tumorigenesis. First, Bifidobacterium Longum -fermented (fermented with selected rice bran responsive microbe that was induced during rice bran feeding clinical trials) and non-fermented dietary rice bran were fed to conventionally-raised or germ-free mice and evaluated for their comparative efficacy against azoxymethane (AOM)/ dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced CRC. In second set of studies, we ‘humanized' gut of germ-free mice with stool inoculum from rice bran feeding human clinical trials and evaluated their efficacy against AOM/DSS-induced CRC. In conventional mice study, both the rice bran diets showed protective efficacy against CRC. Interestingly, germ-free mice having undergone transfaunation with rice-bran modified stool inoculum showed significantly less cancerous lesions compared to mice humanized with control stool inoculums, indicating that rice bran has the potential to re-structure the ‘high risk' gut microflora of CRC patients towards the colonization of populations with protective effects against CRC growth and progression. Citation Format: Akhilendra K. Maurya, Sushil Kumar, Rama Kant, Dileep Kumar, Bupinder Raina, Anita Yadav, Elizabeth P. Ryan, Komal Raina. Protective efficacy of gut microbiome and microbial metabolites after rice bran consumption against colon tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1265.

USING XYLANASE, FRESH OR WHEY POWDER ALONE OR IN COMBINATION FOR IMPROVING LOW ENERGY BROILER DIET CONTAINING WHEAT BRAN

The aim of this study is examine the ability of xylanase (XY), fresh whey (FW), dried whey (DW) alone or in combination to improve broiler low energy diet containing 30% wheat bran (WB). This experiment conducted in Egypt from April to May (23.9 oC-34.8oC).Two hundred and ten unsexed Cobb broiler chicks seven days old were randomly distributed into seven treatments received control diet, WB (30%) diet,WB+0.1%XY, WB+1% FW,WB+ 0.5% DW, WB+ XY +1% FW or WB+ XY + 0.5 % DW. At 35 days. Birds fed WB diet recorded significantly higher body weight by 2.43% compared to control diet. The birds fed WB +XY was significantly higher in body weight compared to all treatments. Dried whey failed in affecting performance of WB diet. Addition of XY to WB diet significantly increased carcass percentage compared to WB diet or control diet. Wheat bran diet alone increased plasma globulin and phosphorus by 114.8 and 48.54 %, respectively compared to control diet. Xylanase is a suitable additive for WB diet. It could be concluded that the diets containing 30 % wheat bran low energy diet alone or with 0.1% Xylanase improve broiler performance under condition of this study.

Methodology effects on determining the energy concentration and the apparent total tract digestibility of components in diets fed to growing pigs.

ObjectiveAn experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different diet formulations: F1 (Two complicated basal diets containing different crude protein levels plus tested feedstuff) vs F2 (A simple corn soybean meal [SBM] basal diet plus tested feedstuff) combined with total collection (TC) or chromic oxide (Cr2O3) marker or acid-insoluble ash (AIA) marker method, and freeze-dry or oven-dry (OD) technique on estimation of nutrient digestibility in diets fed to growing pigs.MethodsIn F1, twelve barrows were allocated to two 6×4 Youden Squares. The treatment diets included a high protein basal (HPB) diet, a low protein basal (LPB) diet, a corn diet and a wheat bran (WB) diet formulated based on the HPB diet, and a SBM diet and a rapeseed meal (RSM) diet formulated based on the LPB diet. In F2, eight barrows were allocated to two 4×4 Latin Squares. The treatment diets included a corn basal diet, a SBM basal diet formulated based on the corn diet, and a WB diet and a RSM diet formulated based on the SBM diet.ResultsConcentration of digestible (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME), and the apparent total tract digestibility of gross energy, ash, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre determined by Cr2O3 marker method were greater than those determined by TC and AIA marker methods in HPB, LPB, and RSM diets formulated by F1 and in corn diet formulated by F2 (p<0.05). The DE values in WB and both DE and ME values in SBM and RSM estimated using F1 were greater than those estimated using F2 (p<0.05).ConclusionFrom the accuracy aspect, the AIA marker or TC method combined with OD technique is recommended for determining the energy concentration and nutrient digestibility of components in diets fed to growing pigs.

Gamma-aminobutyric Acid Enriched Rice Bran Diet Attenuates Insulin Resistance and Balances Energy Expenditure via Modification of Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids.

In this study, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) enriched rice bran (ERB) was supplemented to obese rats to investigate the attenuation of metabolic syndromes induced by high-fat diet. ERB-containing diet stimulated butyrate and propionate production by promoting Anaerostipes, Anaerostipes sp., and associated synthesizing enzymes. This altered short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) distribution further enhanced circulatory levels of leptin and glucagon-like peptide-1, controlling food intake by downregulating orexigenic factors. Together with the enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation highlighted by Prkaa2, Ppara, and Scd1 expression via AMPK signaling pathway and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease pathway, energy expenditure was positively modulated. Serum lipid compositions showed ERB supplement exhibited a more efficient effect on lowering serum sphingolipids, which was closely associated with the status of insulin resistance. Consistently, genes of Ppp2r3b and Prkcg, involved in the function of ceramides in blocking insulin action, were also downregulated following ERB intervention. Enriched GABA and phenolic acids were supposed to be responsible for the health-beneficial effects.

High Levels of Avenanthramides in Oat-Based Diet Further Suppress High Fat Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Ldlr-/- Mice.

Oats, in addition to cholesterol-lowering properties, contain unique antioxidants called avenanthramides (Avns), which inhibit both inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells in culture. This study evaluated the effects of Avns of oats on atherosclerosis in Ldlr-/- mice, one of the most commonly used atherosclerosis mouse models with their similar cholesterol distributions to humans. The Ldlr-/- mice were fed a low fat, high fat, high fat containing regular oat brans with low levels of Avns (HFLA), or high fat containing regular oat brans with high levels of Avns (HFHA) diet. After 16 weeks of intervention, blood cholesterol and extent of aortic lesions were evaluated. We found that both oat-based diets reduced high fat diet-induced atheroma lesions in the aortic valve (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the effects of oat-based diets are more profound in HFHA mice than mice fed HFLA. Total plasma cholesterol levels were similarly reduced in both oat-supplemented mice. We concluded that oat bran diets reduce atheroma lesions and higher levels of Avns further reduce aortic lesions compared to regular oat bran. These preliminary in vivo data indicate that consumption of oats bran, with high Avns, has demonstrable beneficial effects on prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Iron requirements of broiler breeder hens

A study was conducted to investigate Fe requirements of broiler breeders. One-hundred-fifty-six Cobb 500 broiler breeder hens were individually placed in electrostatically painted cages at 22 weeks. The study was composed of an adaptation phase, in which hens were fed corn-soy-wheat bran diets until 35 wks. An Fe deficient mash diet (24.6 ppm Fe) was provided from 35 to 46 wk in order to induce a partial body Fe depletion. A production phase followed from 47 to 70 wk when hens were fed 6 diets with increasing Fe sulfate supplementation, which, upon analyses had 24.6, 48.6, 74.3, 99.6, 125.6, and 148.2 ppm Fe. Thirty hatching eggs from each treatment were randomly collected in the last wk of each production period and incubated. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were analyzed from 6 hens as well as all hatched chicks per treatment. Analyses of production and hatching data were conducted using quadratic polynomial (QP), broken-line (BL), and exponential asymptotic (EA) models. Effects of dietary Fe were observed for total eggs and total hatching eggs, egg yolk Fe content, and hen and chick hematocrit and hemoglobin (P < 0.05). These responses to added Fe were optimized when dietary Fe were 96.8, 97.1, 130.6, 122.6, 120.0, and 125.0 ppm (QP) and 76.4, 89.3, 135.0, 128.4, 133.8, and 95.0 ppm (BL) for total hatching eggs, egg yolk Fe content, and hen and chick hematocrit and hemoglobin, respectively. Optimization with the EA model was obtained for total hatching eggs, egg yolk Fe, and hen and chick hemoglobin at 97.9, 111.0, 77.9, and 96.3 ppm Fe for total hatching eggs, egg yolk Fe, and hen and chick hemoglobin, respectively. Adequate Fe levels are needed to maintain egg production as well as hatching chicks’ indexes. Fe concentration in the yolk and diet are positively influenced. The average of all Fe requirement estimates obtained in the present study was 106 ppm total Fe, whereas averaged values for BL, QP, and EA models were 107, 113, and 97 ppm Fe, respectively.

Comparative digestibility of nutrients and amino acids in high-fiber diets fed to crossbred barrows of Duroc boars crossed with Berkshire×Jiaxing and Landrace×Yorkshire.

ObjectiveThis experiment was conducted to determine the differences in the apparent ileal (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and indispensable amino acids (IAA) in high-fiber diets with wheat middlings, rice bran or alfalfa meal fed to Duroc×(Landrace× Yorkshire) (DLY) and Duroc× (Berkshire×Jiaxing) (DBJ) growing barrows.MethodsEighteen DLY and 18 DBJ growing barrows were randomly allotted to a 2×3 factorial arrangement involving 2 crossbreeds and 3 high-fiber diets. The experiment lasted 15 d with 10 d for diets adaptation, 3 d for feces collection and 2 d for digesta collection. Three diets were based on corn and soybean meal with 25% wheat middlings, rice bran and alfalfa meal respectively.ResultsDBJ had a greater (p<0.05) AID of isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine and valine and a lower (p<0.05) AID of methionine than DLY. The hindgut disappearance of acid detergent fiber for DBJ was greater (p<0.05) than DLY. The ATTD of gross energy, dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber in wheat middlings diet were greater (p<0.05) than in rice bran and alfalfa meal diets. The hindgut disappearance of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber in wheat middlings diet or rice bran diet were the highest or lowest (p<0.05), and those of alfalfa meal diet were the middle. Barrows fed rice bran diet had a greater (p<0.05) hindgut disappearance of gross energy, dry matter and organic matter and lower hindgut disappearance of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber than barrows fed alfalfa meal dietConclusionDBJ growing barrows showed a significant higher digestibility of fiber in the hindgut and most IAA in the small intestine compared with DLY barrows. The digestibilities of chemical constituents and IAA were affected by the diets formulated with different fiber sources.

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of dietary fibre from distillers grains on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli detection from the rectoanal mucosa and hides of feedlot steers.

Feeding high levels (≥40% dry matter) of distillers grains may increase the risk for cattle to carry enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157. The mechanism for the increased risk is not known nor whether non-O157 EHEC are similarly affected. Our objective was to test whether the fibre content or other components of modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) affects the probability for cattle to carry EHEC serogroups of public health importance. A 2×2 plus 1 factorial treatment arrangement within a randomized block design was utilized. Within each of four blocks, 25 feedlot pens (n=8steers/pen) were assigned randomly to (i) corn-based control diet; (ii) 20% dry matter (DM) MDGS; (iii) 40% DM MDGS; (iv) corn bran added to corn-based diet to match fibre of 20% MDGS or (v) 40% MDGS. Rectoanal mucosa swabs (RAMS) were collected on day (d)0, d35, d70 and d105; hide swabs were collected on the last feeding day. Samples were tested for EHEC by a molecular screening assay. The effects of fibre source and fibre level on EHEC carriage were tested using multilevel logistic regression (generalized linear mixed models; α=0.05). EHEC O45 RAMS detection was associated with fibre level, source and sampling day. EHEC O103 RAMS detection increased by feeding 40% MDGS but not the corresponding corn bran diet. Hide contamination by EHEC O45 or O103 was less likely in cattle fed MDGS compared to corn bran diets. EHEC O111 RAMS detection decreased by feeding 40% MDGS but not by feeding the corresponding corn bran diet. Detection of EHEC O157 or O145 was not associated with dietary factors. Feeding 40% MDGS increased the probability for carriage of some EHEC serogroups but decreased probability of others, which indicated that EHEC serogroups have different risk factors associated with feeding MDGS and little association with dietary fibre.

Alternative forced-molting methods in japanese quails

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different forced-molting methods on the performance and quality of laying quail eggs. The experiment was conducted in a conventional shed for quails and lasted 115 days. 480 Japanese quails at an initial age of 52 weeks were used. The following treatments were evaluated: total feed fasting (control treatment); corn and soybean bran diet; high- zinc diet (7,300 ppm); wheat bran diet; and ground corn diet. A fully randomized experimental outline was used with 5 treatments and 4 repetitions. Each lot was formed by 24 quails with a total of 480 birds. Performance (production and egg weights, feed intake, feed conversion ratio per kg egg mass and per dozen eggs, viable eggs and egg viability) and egg quality (eggshell thickness and yield, specific weight and Haugh unit) were evaluated. Treatment differences were compared using the Scott-Knott test (5%). Wheat bran and high- zinc diets yielded poorer averages of egg production and feed conversion ratioper dozen eggs. Studied treatments had no influence on egg quality. Hence, we can conclude that corn- only or corn and soybean bran only feeds can be adopted as forced molting methods in Japanese quails instead of traditional fasting methods.

Effects of COMBO® Enzyme Supplemented Wheat and Wheat Bran Diet on Growth Performance and Digesta Physicochemical Properties of Broilers

Effects of COMBO® Enzyme Supplemented Wheat and Wheat Bran Diet on Growth Performance and Digesta Physicochemical Properties of Broilers

Impact of Novel Sorghum Bran Diets on DSS-Induced Colitis.

We have demonstrated that polyphenol-rich sorghum bran diets alter fecal microbiota; however, little is known regarding their effect on colon inflammation. Our aim was to characterize the effect of sorghum bran diets on intestinal homeostasis during dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 20/diet) were provided diets containing 6% fiber from cellulose, or Black (3-deoxyanthocyanins), Sumac (condensed tannins) or Hi Tannin Black (both) sorghum bran. Colitis was induced (N = 10/diet) with three separate 48-h exposures to 3% DSS, and feces were collected. On Day 82, animals were euthanized and the colon resected. Only discrete mucosal lesions, with no diarrhea or bloody stools, were observed in DSS rats. Only bran diets upregulated proliferation and Tff3, Tgfβ and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) transporter expression after a DSS challenge. DSS did not significantly affect fecal SCFA concentrations. Bran diets alone upregulated repair mechanisms and SCFA transporter expression, which suggests these polyphenol-rich sorghum brans may suppress some consequences of colitis.

Dietary fibres modulate the composition and activity of butyrate-producing bacteria in the large intestine of suckling piglets.

Dietary fibres have been shown to affect early-life microbiota colonization in the large intestine of suckling piglets, however, much less is known as to whether they also modulate the composition and activity of butyrate-producing bacteria. Here, we investigated the effect of dietary fibres on the abundance, composition, and activity of butyrate-producing bacteria in suckling piglets. Piglets were fed a control diet or creep feeds containing alfalfa, wheat bran, or pure cellulose, respectively, from postnatal day 7 to 22. Large intestinal digesta and mucosa samples were collected for quantitative analysis of bacterial group-specific 16S ribosomal RNA- and butyrate production-related genes, and digesta samples for quantification of short-chain fatty acids. The alfalfa diet increased (P<0.05) Clostridium cluster XIVa abundance, copies of genes encoding proteins involved in butyrate production (butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase, butyrate kinase), and butyrate concentration compared to the wheat bran diet in the digesta of the proximal colon. In the distal colonic digesta, animals fed the alfalfa diet had the highest number of butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase gene copies (P<0.05) and numerically the highest butyrate concentration, albeit not significant (P>0.05), compared to other groups. In the distal colonic mucosa, the cellulose diet increased (P<0.05) the abundance of Clostridium cluster XIVa and copies of the butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase gene compared to the alfalfa diet. These results indicated that dietary fibres modulate the abundance and activity of butyrate-producing bacteria in the large intestine of suckling piglets, and that a moderate supplementation of alfalfa and cellulose may benefit early-life gut health through the delivery of butyrate to the mucosa.