Digestibility Coefficients Of Crude Protein Research Articles

Oat bran and wheat bran impact net energy by shaping microbial communities and fermentation products in pigs fed diets with or without xylanase

BackgroundDietary fiber can be fermented in gut of pigs and the end products of fermentation were short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The SCFA had positive effects on gut bacteria and host immune system. In addition, SCFA can provide a part of available energy for pigs. However, there were limited reports on the relationship between dietary fiber, gut bacteria, and energy metabolism. Therefore, this study investigated how dietary fiber and enzyme addition impacted energy metabolism by acting on the microbial community and SCFA.MethodsWheat bran (WB) was added to the corn-soybean meal-based diet at the levels of 12% and 27%, and oat bran (OB) at 15% and 36%. One of each diet was supplemented with or without 5000 U/kg feed of xylanase, so a total of 10 diets were allotted to 60 growing pigs (initial body weight: 27.2 ± 1.2 kg) using a randomized complete block design. The experiment was conducted in 10 consecutive periods using 6 similar open-circuit respiration chambers. Each pig was used for one 20-day period. During each period, six pigs were allowed 14 d to adapt to the diets in metabolic cages followed by 6 d (from d 15 to d 20) in respiration chambers to measure heat production (HP).ResultsPigs fed 36% OB diets had greater (P < 0.05) nutrient digestibility and net energy (NE) values compared to those fed 27% WB diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed 27% WB diets compared with those fed 12% WB diets. Enzyme addition improved (P < 0.05) the NE values (11.37 vs. 12.43 MJ/kg DM) in diets with 27% WB. Supplementation of xylanase did not affect NE values for basal diets, OB diets and 12%WB diets. Compared with diets with 36% OB, pigs fed 27% WB-based diets excreted more total SCFA, acetate and propionate (expressed as g/kg feed DM) in fecal samples of pigs (P < 0.05). Pigs in the WB diets had greater proportion of phylum Bacteroidetes while phylum Firmicutes were greater in pigs fed OB diets (P < 0.05). Pigs fed WB diets had greater (P < 0.05) abundance of Succinivibrio and Prevotella, which were associated with fiber degradation and SCFA production.ConclusionOur results indicated diets supplied by high level of OB or WB promote the growth of fiber-degrading bacteria. The differences in fiber composition between WB and OB led to differences in nutrient digestibility and bacterial communities, which were ultimately reflected in energy metabolism. Enzyme supplementation improved nutrient digestibility as well as NE values for 27% WB diets but not for other diets, which indicated that effects of enzyme were related to type and level of dietary fiber in diets.

Animal by‐products with or without enzymatic hydrolysis completely replacement of fish meal in genetically improved farmed tilapia diets ( Oreochromis niloticus )

An 8-week feeding trial was performed to examine the potential of total replacement of fish meal with animal by-products with or without enzymatic components in juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) diets, Oreochromis niloticus, (mean initial weight, 19.71 ± 0.28 g), reared in RAS system. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with fish meal for the diets with total replacement of the isonitrogenous amounts of enzymatic fish meal (E-FM), chicken liver meal (CLM), enzymatic chicken liver meal (E-CLM), dried porcine solubles (DPS) and enzymatic dried porcine solubles (E-DPS) respectively. The results indicated that the weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) in the FM group were significantly higher than the E-FM and E-CLM groups (p < .05), but the specific growth rate (SGR) in the E-CLM group lower than the E-FM group. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) in FM and CLM was significantly lower than the E-FM, E-CLM and E-DPS groups (p < .05), and no significant difference was observed among the FM, CLM and DPS groups (p > .05). The values of the protein retention efficiency (PRE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) in FM, CLM and DPS groups were significantly higher than the E-CLM group (p < .05). The values of feed intake ratio (FIR) in FM and CLM groups were significantly lower than the E-FM, E-CLM and E-DPS groups (p < .05). There was no significant difference in the whole body contents of moisture, crude lipid and crude ash among the FM and E-CLM groups (p > .05). The whole body contents of crude protein in the FM group were significantly higher than the E-FM, CLM, E-CLM DPS and E-DPS groups (p < .05). The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, crude protein and crude lipid in the FM, E-FM, E-CLM and E-DPS groups were not significantly different (p > .05). The serum glucose(GLU), total cholesterol (TCHO) and triglycerides (TG), or the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not affected by the different treatments (p > .05). There was no significant difference in serum total protein (TP) or albumin (ALB) and between the FM group and other groups (p > .05). There was no significant difference in the serum urea nitrogen (BUN) content in the FM, CLM, E-CLM and DPS groups (p > .05). Fish fed with the CLM and DPS diets had significantly lower hepatic GHR1, IGF1 and IGF2 gene mRNA expression levels than in fish fed the FM diet (p < .05). The present data showed that 6% of dietary fish meal can be totally replaced by the chicken liver meal and dried porcine solubles with no effect on the growth performance of GIFT strain tilapia.

Effects of microencapsulated sodium butyrate supplementation on growth performance, intestinal development and antioxidative capacity of juvenile black sea bream ( Acanthopagrus schlegelii )

Eight weeks of feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of microencapsulated sodium butyrate (MSB) on juvenile black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii). A basal diet was designed with 24% fish meal, and the other four diets were formulated with dietary supplementation of graded levels of MSB at 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.20% and 0.40%, respectively. Triplicate tanks were randomly assigned to each diet with 20 fish having an initial weight of 9.98 ± 0.13 g. The weight gain rate, specific growth rate and feed efficiency ratio of fish fed the MSB 0.2% diet were significantly (p < .05) higher compared to the control group. Proximate compositions of the whole body and dorsal muscle were non-significantly different among the groups (p > .05). The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, and crude lipid were significantly higher in the MSB-supplemented treatments (p < .05). The contents of total protein, cholesterol and albumin in serum were non-significantly different in all groups (p > .05). The superoxide dismutase activity, immunoglobulin M content and total antioxidant capacity were significantly (p < .05) higher in the group fed with MSB-supplemented diets compared with the control group. The villus height and the number of goblet cells per villus in the fore intestine were significantly (p < .05) higher in the group fed with MSB-supplemented diets. From the present study, we concluded that MSB-supplemented diet enhances fish growth and its intestinal health.

Single and combined effects of phytase and citric acid on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone characteristics, intestinal morphology, and blood components in meat-type quails fed low-phosphorous diets

Five dietary treatments were applied in a 35-day trial to evaluate the single and combined effects of phytase and citric acid on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, tibia bone mineralization, intestinal morphology, and blood parameters in growing Japanese quails fed diets with reduced content of nonphytate phosphorous (nPP). On day 1, a total of 500 quail chicks were randomly allotted to 5 treatments with 5 cages of 20 birds for each diet: PC (positive control; adequate amounts of nPP), NC (negative control; 0.12 % reduction in dietary nPP content), PHY (NC + 500 FTU phytase /kg), CA (NC + 30 g citric acid /kg), and PHY + CA (NC + phytase + citric acid). After 35 days, the body weight, average daily gain, and apparent total tract digestibility coefficients (ATTDC) of crude protein in quails fed with any of the diets were higher (P < 0.01) than those in birds fed diet NC, where the birds fed diet PHY + CA had the highest values. Quail chicks fed diets PHY and PHY + CA also had improved overall feed conversion ratio (P = 0.024) and ATTDC of phosphorous (P = 0.005) than those fed diet NC. All diets, except diet PC, resulted in the increased nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) value and ATTDC of ash and energy (P < 0.05) compared to the NC diet, where the highest AMEn was obtained using the combination of phytase and citric acid. At 35 days of age, quails fed with any of the diets had greater (P < 0.05) tibia diameter, tibia ash content, villus height (in both jejunum and ileum), villus height/crypt depth ratio (in the jejunum), and villus surface area (in the ileum), but lower (P < 0.05) serum alkaline phosphatase activity than those fed diet NC. Feeding diets PC, PHY, and PHY + CA also increased (P < 0.05) tibia phosphorous content and serum concentrations of phosphorous, albumin, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) compared with the NC diet, where quails fed diet PHY + CA had the highest tibia phosphorous content and serum PTH level. Overall, the present data indicate that the simultaneous inclusion of phytase plus citric acid in the low-nPP diets was more beneficial for improving growth performance, protein digestibility, AMEn, and bone mineralization, but not for intestinal morphology, compared with either phytase or citric acid alone in growing Japanese quails.

Supplementation of citric acid in plant protein‐based diets for juvenile tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum

AbstractWe evaluated citric acid supplementation (0, 10, 20, and 30 g/kg) in plant protein‐based diets for juvenile tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum. In Experiment 1, fish (n = 160; 27.56 ± 2.73 g) were distributed in 310 L tanks (n = 16) for 80 days. Zootechnical performance, hematological parameters, and mineral composition (muscle and bones) did not differ significantly (p &gt; .05). The inclusion of citric acid‐reduced pH of diets (p = .001) and stomach (p = .035). In Experiment 2, fish (n = 60; 48.00 ± 1.98 g) were distributed in fecal collection aquaria (200 L) for 21 days. The following were observed: a linear effect for the crude protein (p = .0004) and crude fat (p = .0037) digestibility coefficients; a quadratic effect for crude energy (p = .0037) and dry matter (p = .0004); an optimal supplementation level of 18.5 g/kg. Calcium (p = .0060) and magnesium (p = .0222) showed a linear effect, while phosphorus (p = .0001) had a quadratic effect with the 20 g/kg optimum supplementation level. To conclude, the supplementation of this organic acid in diets does not negatively affect fish nutritional status, health or welfare, and increases nutrient and mineral availability.

Digestibilidade aparente e valor energético do ovo integral em pó para frangos de corte

Com a necessidade de buscar alimentos alternativos que visam baratear os custos na ração de frangos de corte e reaproveitar os resíduos de incubatório que compreendem material residual do processo de incubação, objetivou-se avaliar a digestibilidade e valor energético do ovo em pó desidratado para frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 300 frangos machos da linhagem COBB, distribuídos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, composto por dois tratamentos constituídos por cinco repetições, com três animais em cada repetição. O experimento foi composto por um tratamento controle (ração referência) e um tratamento composto por ração referência + 15% de ovo desidratado em pó. Foi utilizado o método de coleta total de excretas para realizar as análises. Nas avaliações foram constatadas 7,010Kcal/kg de energia metabolizável e coeficiente de digestibilidade da proteína bruta e da matéria seca de 86,81% e 72,17%, respectivamente. Conclui-se que o Ovo em pó integral desidratado pode ser utilizado adequadamente na alimentação de frangos de corte, pois possui alto valor energético e boa digestibilidade, assim seguindo os parâmetros nutricionais descritos.

Apparent digestibility of protein hydrolysates from chicken and swine slaughter residues for Nile tilapia

The objective of the study was to determine the physical-chemical composition of protein hydrolysates from meat by-products from poultry and swine processing, as well as to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of crude protein (ADCCB), crude energy (ADCCE), essential (ADCEAA), and non-essential (ADCNEAA) amino acids for juvenile Nile tilapia. The physicochemical composition (dry matter, crude protein, crude energy, essential and non-essential amino acids) of the hydrolyzed swine liver proteins (HSLP), porcine mucosa (HSMP), feathers (HFP) and chicken (HPP) was analyzed. Five diets were formulated, with one reference diet and four tests diets composed of 80% of the reference diet and 20% of hydrolyzed protein (HSLP, HSMP, HFP and HPP). For the apparent digestibility test, 500 juvenile Nile tilapia (69.08 ±0.69 g) were randomly distributed, 25 fish per tank adapted with a fecal collection cup. The animals were fed at a rate of 4% of live weight per day divided into five daily feedings, for a total of 30 days. The indirect method of feces collection was followed using 0.1% chromium oxide III (Cr2O3) as an inert marker. Significant differences were found between the ADCs of the different protein hydrolysates evaluated (p<0.05) for practically all nutritional fractions analyzed, except arginine, tryptophan, cystine and taurine. The mean values of the experimental groups HSLP (87.53 and 79.53%), HFP (89.05 and 83.37%) and HPP (90.84 and 87.29%) referring to ADCCP and ADCCE respectively were lower (p>0.05) to the ADCCP (97.12%) and ADCCE (96.62%) averages obtained for HSMP. In general, the averages of the ADCEAA; ADCNEAA for HSMP (98.59%) were higher than that observed in the HSLP group (90.54%; p<0.05), but not differing from the HFP (95.45%) and HPP (93.85%) groups. It is concluded that the hydrolysates evaluated showed high values of the nutritional fractions of interest for aquaculture, in addition to high apparent digestibility rates for Nile tilapia.

An evaluation of replacing fish meal with fermented soybean meal in the diets of largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ): Growth, nutrition utilization and intestinal histology

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with soybean meal (SBM) and fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on growth performance, nutrition utilization and intestinal histology of largemouth bass. The basal diet contained 350 g/kg FM (control), and then, FM was replaced with SBM or FSBM of 15%, 30%, 45% and 60% respectively. The results showed that the specific growth rate of fish fed FSBM-60, SBM-45 and SBM-60 diets significantly decreased, and the feed conversion ratio of SBM-30, SBM-45, SBM-60, FSBM-45 and FSBM-60 groups increased when compared to the control group (p < .05). The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and crude protein of SBM-45, SBM-60 and FSBM-60 groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < .05), and the substitution of FM with SBM and FSBM (45% and 60%) significantly reduced the protein retention (p < .05). Serum total protein contents of SBM-60 and FSBM-60 groups and serum cholesterol contents of SBM-45, SBM-60 and FSBM-60 groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < .05). The SBM-30 and SBM-60 groups showed significantly higher alanine aminotransferase activity than the control group (p < .05). The intestinal histology analysis resulted that the villus length of the SBM-60 group and the villus width of the SBM-45, SBM-60 and FSBM-60 groups decreased when compared to the control (p < .05). In conclusion, FSBM could replace 30% FM in diet of largemouth bass containing 350 g/kg FM, while the substitution level of FM with SBM was only 15%.

Oxidative stress, hemato-immunological, and intestinal morphometry changes induced by ochratoxin A in APRI rabbits and the protective role of probiotics.

This work studied the protective effects of Aspergillus awamori against ochratoxin A (OTA)-induced toxicity in APRI maternal line rabbits. A total number of 48 APRI line weanling rabbits (5weeks) were divided into 4 groups (12 rabbits each) and fed the basal diet, 30ppb/kg diet of OTA, 1g/kg diet of A. awamori, and a mixture of OTA and A. awamori for 8weeks. OTA reduced the final body weight and weight gain as well as the intestinal villi length and thickness, whereas increased the feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Rabbits fed diets with OTA showed significantly reduced crude protein, lipids, and fibers apparent digestibility coefficients (P < 0.05). The red blood cells and hemoglobin were significantly decreased in the OTA group comparing with the other groups (P < 0.05). The blood total protein and albumin displayed significantly lower levels by OTA than the other groups. In contrast, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, and creatinine levels were significantly increased by OTA (P < 0.05). Phagocytic activity (PA) and phagocytic index (PI) showed significantly (P < 0.05) decreased levels in OTA-contaminated group, while rabbits fed A. awamori significantly showed the highest PA and PI levels (P < 0.05). Dietary A. awamori kept the levels of PA and PI in rabbits fed OTA significantly higher than those fed without A. awamori (P < 0.05) and not significantly different from the control group (P > 0.05). Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) displayed significantly lower levels in the OTA group, while malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher than the other groups (P < 0.05). Rabbits fed OTA-contaminated diets displayed significantly lower CAT and SOD and higher MDA than rabbits fed OTA combined with A. awamori (P < 0.05). Our results indicated that dietary A. awamori ameliorated the damage in APRI rabbits fed OTA through alleviation of oxidative stress and immunity.

Apparent digestibility of protein, amino acids and gross energy in rainbow trout fed various feed ingredients with or without protease

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, amino acids, and gross energy in various feed ingredients with or without protease supplementation (Jefo Nutrition Inc., Quebec, Canada) were determined for rainbow trout in a two-year study. The ingredients consisted of two feather meals, two poultry by-product meals, two meat and bone meals, sardine meal, menhaden meal, black soldier fly larvae meal, Methanococcus maripaludis single cell protein, soybean meal, canola meal, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), cottonseed meal, peanut meal, sunflower meal, and algae (Spirulina sp.) meal. A reference diet with 0.1% yttrium oxide as inert marker was mixed with test ingredients in a 70:30 ratio to produce a series of test diets. Fish were fed their respective diets and fecal samples were collected by stripping. ADC of dry matter for rainbow trout ranged 51.0–86.6% for animal products and single cell protein and 33.1–70.1% for plant products without protease supplementation. ADC (without protease supplementation) of protein and energy ranged from 55.4–84.5% and 58.1–90.2%, respectively, for animal products, and 70.0–83.8% and 32.9–76.0%, respectively, for plant products. Supplementation with the commercial protease (175 mg protease complex/kg of diet) resulted in ingredient-specific ADC increases for dry matter, energy, cysteine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tyrosine, alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, with most ingredients having improved digestibility of at least one amino acid. Protease supplementation had the most profound improvement on ADCs for soybean meal, including dry matter and the majority of individual amino acids. Overall, this research demonstrates the benefit of protease supplementation on the digestibility of feed ingredients commonly used in rainbow trout and other commercially cultured fish feeds, although the degree of improvement in digestibility varied among ingredients. Further studies with this protease are recommended to evaluate its effects at higher inclusion levels and in other species of cultured fishes.

Partial replacement of fishmeal with corn gluten meal, pea protein isolate and their mixture in diet of black sea bream ( Acanthopagrus schlegelii ) juveniles: Effects on growth performance, feed utilization and haematological parameters

Corn gluten meal (CGM), pea protein isolate (PPI) and their mixture (CPP, 1:1 ratio) were evaluated as fishmeal (FM) alternatives in black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) juveniles (9.02 ± 0.12 g). A FM diet was designed as control, and other six diets had 20% and 40% FM protein replaced by CGM, PPI and CPP, respectively, with the supplementation of crystalline methionine, arginine and lysine. After the 8-week feeding trial, significantly lower weight gain was found in fish fed the 40% CGM diet (p < .05), whereas other treatments had no statistical difference (p > .05). The values of feed efficiency ratio and feed intake, as well as proximate compositions of muscle and whole body, were not significantly influenced in all treatments. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and lysine were significantly influenced by protein source. Fish fed the 40% CGM diet had significantly higher content of essential amino acid in muscle than that of the 20% PPI diet. Fish fed the 40% CGM diet had significantly lower content of serum cholesterol than other treatments (p < .05). Elevated serum superoxide dismutase activity was found in fish fed the 40% plant protein diets. In conclusion, between 20% and 40% FM protein could be replaced by CGM, while about 40% FM protein derived from PPI and CPP could be applied in black sea bream.

Honey Bee Pollen in Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) Juvenile Diets: Effects on Growth, Diet Digestibility, Intestinal Traits, and Biochemical Markers Related to Health and Stress.

Simple SummaryRecently, several studies have focused on the use of nutraceuticals and honey bee products to improve the welfare and sustainability of animal husbandry. Honey bee pollen is rich in bioactive substances, presenting a strong antioxidant activity with possible positive effects on growth performance and non-specific immune responses in reared fish. Despite its favorable characteristics, the addition of honey bee pollen to a meagre (Argyrosomus regius) diet in our trial resulted in a reduction of growth performances and diet digestibility, histological alterations of intestinal morphology, and high levels of biomolecular stress markers, probably due to its complex ultrastructure, which is indigestible for monogastric animals. These negative effects could be overcome by using bioactive component extraction methods and thus eliminating the indigestible fractions. Our results confirmed the general assumption that it should always be considered necessary to test nutraceutical additives of natural origin in a given species in order to verify the effective positive action and exclude any negative repercussions on animal health.This research aimed to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of honey bee pollen (HBP) in meagre (Argyrosoumus regius) juveniles’ diets on growth performance, diet digestibility, intestinal morphology, and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, stress-related molecular markers and biochemical blood profile of fish were evaluated, together with mineral trace and toxic element concentration in pollen and diets. Specimens of meagre (360) of 3.34 ± 0.14 g initial body weight, were randomly allocated to twelve 500 L circular tanks (30 fish per tank). Four diets were formulated: a control diet and three experimental diets with 1%, 2.5%, and 4% of HBP inclusion. All the growth parameters and crude protein and ether extract digestibility coefficients were negatively linearly affected by increased HBP inclusion (p < 0.0001). Histology of medium intestine showed slight signs of alterations in group HPB1 and HPB2.5 compared to control. Fish from HBP4 group showed severe alterations at the intestinal mucosa level. Immunohistochemical detection of TNF-α in the medium intestine showed the presence of TNF-α+ cells in the lamina propria, which resulted in accordance with the increased level of the TNF-α protein detected by immunoblotting in the liver. This stress situation was confirmed by the increased hepatic level of HSP70 (p < 0.05) in fish fed the HBP4 diet and by the linear decrease of total serum protein levels in HBP-containing diets (p < 0.0001). These negative effects can be related to the ultrastructure of the bee pollen grain walls, which make the bioactive substances unavailable and can irritate the intestine of a carnivorous fish such as meagre.

Protein-energy supplementation frequency on ruminal variables, intake and digestibility in steers receiving low quality hay

Abstract The aim was evaluated the effect of reduce in protein-energy supplementation frequency on nutrients intake, forage digestibility and degradability, as well as, ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3) concentration in beef cattle receiving low-quality hay. A 4 x 4 Latin square design were used. Four steers were fed with low-quality hay and subjected to four treatments: no supplementation (control); protein-energy supplementation with 0.82% of body weight (BW) offered three times per week (3WK); 0.49% of BW offered five times a week (5 WK), and 0.35% of BW offered seven times per week (7 WK). The use of protein-energy supplementation increased intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ether extract (EE), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and the digestibility coefficients of CP, EE, and NFC. However, no differences in DM and NDF degradation visit the website to get the how were observed between treatments in the evaluated hay. Supplementation did not alter ruminal pH, but the N-NH3 concentration was highest in treatment 7WK. Reduction in protein-energy supplementation frequency of daily to 3WK or 5WK does not negatively affect intake, digestibility and degradability of nutrients in beef cattle receiving low quality hay.

Mango pulp meal in diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Digestibility, Growth performance, Biochemical analysis, Digestive enzyme activity, hematological variables

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of mango pulp meal (MPM) as an ingredient for extruded diets for Nile tilapia juveniles. In the first trial, the digestibility of energy, dry matter, crude protein, and amino acids was determined, using 80 juveniles (average weight 25.00 ± 0.50 g), fed with a reference diet and a test diet containing the proportion of 70% of the reference diet and 30% of the MPM. Chromium oxide (Cr2O6) was used as an digestibility indicator and feces were collected using the Adapted Guelph System. The second assay assessed the growth performance; biochemical analysis; digestive enzyme activity; hematological variables for 300 juveniles fish (average weight 26.66 ± 0.17 g), fed for 45 days with balanced diets containing 0 (control), 40, 80, 120, and 160 g of MPM per kg-1. The dry matter, crude protein, and crude energy apparent digestibility coefficients of MPM were 39.26, 50.18, and 44.5%, respectively. The growth performance of the animals was negatively impacted by the MPM, however the hematological parameters and plasma concentrations of albumin, total proteins and cholesterol were not altered. However, the increase on hepatic glycogen reserves, glycemia, and alanine aminotransferase plasmatic enzyme activity demonstrated that MPM diet inclusion promoted oxidative metabolism conditions that could cause hepatocellular damage and affect fish health, if fed for long periods or at higher levels of MPM than analyzed in this study.

Effect of Conditioning Temperature on Pellet Quality, Diet Digestibility, and Broiler Performance

SUMMARY Pelleting is the most common heat processing method used in the poultry feed industry and the quality of feed processing directly impacts the efficiency of the utilization of feedstuffs by broilers, and consequently, their performance. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of conditioning temperature on pellet physical quality, and on the apparent ileal digestibility coefficients of dry matter (CIADDM), crude protein (CIADCP) and starch (CIADstarch), coefficient of apparent metabolizability of dry matter (CAMDM), and the apparent metabolizable energy content (AME) of the diets. The live performance of broilers (feed intake, FI; weight gain, WG; and feed conversion ratio, FCR) was evaluated. Treatments consisted of a mash diet and pelleted/crumbled corn-soybean meal based diets submitted to different conditioning temperatures (no conditioning or conditioned at 60, 70, 80, and 90°C). Feed was steam-conditioned for 15 s at a 1.5 kgf/cm2 for all pelleted treatments. Pellet quality was determined as a function of Pellet Durability Index (PDI), percentage of fines, and pellet hardness. Conditioning temperature linearly increased (P

Dietary synbiotics improved the growth, feed utilization and intestinal structure of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) juvenile

This study investigated the effect of dietary synbiotics on the growth, feed utilization and intestinal histology of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). A commercial synbiotic product containing dried powder of yeast, Bacillus subtilis and mannan oligosaccharides was supplemented in basal diet with 0 g/kg (control), 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 g/kg, respectively, and then, the five diets were fed to largemouth bass with body weight of 4.5 ± 0.1 g for 8 weeks. The results showed that the supplementation of 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 g/kg synbiotics increased weight gain by 20.6%, 17.7% and 11.8% (p < .05) and decreased feed conversion ratio by 0.20, 0.18 and 0.12 (p < .05), respectively, when compared to the control. The protein retention, lipid retention, apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter and crude protein, and the intestinal villus height and width of 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg synbiotic groups were significantly higher than those of the control (p < .05). The intestinal protease activity and serum lysozyme activity were increased by the addition of 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg synbiotics (p < .05). In conclusion, dietary synbiotics improved the growth, feed utilization and intestinal structure of juvenile largemouth bass, and the recommended inclusion level was 2.0–4.0 g/kg.

Pepper (Capsicum ssp.) as a feed additive in sheep rations using two types of inoculum: Effects on in vitro digestibility and fermentation parameters

The influence of pepper (Capsicum ssp.) as a feed additive to balanced sheep rations on the in vitro digestibility coefficient of nutrients and their fermentation parameters was evaluated in two different inocula: rumen liquid and sheep feces. Four inclusion levels of pepper (0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% of DM) and two types of inoculum were arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement, in a completely randomized design. Experimental rations were balanced to include 0.0%; 0.2%; 0.4% and 0.6% Capsicum ssp., with 13.5% crude protein and 70.0% total digestible nutrients (TDN). A basal diet of 60% bulk (corn silage) and 40% of the concentrate containing 0.0% Capsicum ssp. was given to the inoculant donor animals. Two sheep with a mean bodyweight of 27.6 + 1.6 kg were used as inoculum donors (ruminal fluid and feces) for the determination of the IVDC of nutrients. The variables studied were submitted for analysis of variance and the inclusion levels of pepper. Regression analysis was performed at 5% of probability and for the different inocula, a Tukey test was performed at 5% significance. The different levels of inclusion of pepper (0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%) in the balanced sheep rations were not altered (P &gt; 0.05) the IVDC of DM; OM; CP and NDF for both inocula (ruminal fluid and sheep feces). However, the use of the different inocula resulted in a change (P &lt; 0.05) in the IVDC value of DM, OM, CP, and NDF, in which the ruminal liquid inoculum presented higher (P &lt; 0.05) values of IVDC for the ration nutrients in relation to sheep feces. The levels of 0, 0%; 0.2%; 0.4% and 0.6% of pepper in ruminant feeds did not change the pH value of the fermented content after a 24-hour in vitro incubation (P &gt; 0.05). However, the use of ruminal liquid as inoculum for the in vitro fermentation of the experimental rations provided a lower value (P &lt; 0.05) for the pH of the fermented content in relation to the sheep feces. The inclusion of this phytogenic additive in ruminant feeds and the use of inoculum based on rumen fluid or sheep feces did not cause changes in the concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH3) in the fermented rations after incubation (P &gt; 0.05) for 24 hours in vitro. Thus, the inclusion of up to 0.6% Capsicum ssp. (pepper) in balanced rations for ruminants does not alter the in vitro digestibility coefficient of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber, or the in vitro fermentation parameters. However, the use of ruminal fluid as inoculum for the in vitro fermentation presented values of a higher degree of confidence in relation to feces to determine the in vitro digestion coefficient of the nutrients.

First insights on Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae meal dietary administration in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt) juveniles

The Hermetia illucens (L.) larvae meal (HIM) has been tested on different fish species but its use on Siberian sturgeon has not been investigated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fish meal (FM) substitution with a highly defatted HIM on growth performance, biometric and morphometric indices, apparent digestibility of diets, whole body proximate and fatty acid compositions of Acipenser baerii (Brandt) juveniles. Five experimental groups were fed with a FM-based diet without HIM (HIM0), three diets with 25% (HIM25), 50% (HIM50) and 100% (HIM100) of FM substitution with HIM, or a vegetable protein based diet (VEG) without HIM. The feeding trial lasted 118 days and 4 replicates per diet were used. The HIM100 diet was refused by the fish and therefore this experimental group was excluded from statistical evaluation. Moreover, a decrease in feed consumption was recorded with the increase of HIM inclusion. The HIM50 diet negatively affected the growth performance of the fish. The somatic indices were not affected by treatment. Increasing levels of HIM showed increases of dry matter and ether extract contents in the whole body. Compared to HIM0, HIM diets caused modification in lauric acid (up to 65-fold increase) and total saturated fatty acids (up to 1.4-fold increase) contents in the fish whole body. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy were the highest for the VEG diet (77.0%, 90.4% and 85.8%, respectively). HIM25 and HIM50 showed lower apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein (86.5% and 86.6%, respectively) when compared to HIM0 (88.5%). Overall, this study showed that it is possible to replace up to 25% of FM with HIM in the diet of Siberian sturgeons (equal to 18.5% HIM inclusion level) without affecting the growth performance, condition factor, biometric and morphometric indices, and whole body proximate composition of the fish. The fatty acid composition of the sturgeons’ whole body was significantly modified already at 18.5% dietary HIM inclusion level.

Apparent digestibility of amino acids in feedstuffs used in diets for the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) for dry matter, energy, crude protein (CP), and amino acids (AA) were evaluated for 4 feedstuffs used to feed juvenile white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei): fish meal (73.5% CP), potato protein concentrate (89.3% CP), brewer’s yeast (42.5% CP), and crustacean meal (47.2% CP). Experimental diets included 30% of the test ingredient and 69% of a commercial diet supplemented with 1% chromium oxide as inert marker. Amino acid contents in the ingredients, experimental diets, leached diets, and feces were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Nutrient loss in water was highest in the fishmeal diet (25%). The AA with the highest losses in water were lysine, methionine, and arginine (25%, 23%, and 21%, respectively). The ADC for dry matter oscillated between 79.2% and 90.6%, for CP between 78.1% and 91.8%, and for AA between 75.4% and 96.6%. In all cases the lower limit corresponded to the meal with potato protein concentrate and the upper limit to the crustacean meal. The ADC for energy fluctuated between 89.1% and 95.2%, with the lower limit for the crustacean meal and the upper limit for the meal with potato protein concentrate.

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphology of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) fed graded levels of the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Wickerhamomyces anomalus

In a 10‐week study, we evaluated the effects of replacing 20%, 40% or 60% of fishmeal (present in control diet at 300 g/kg) on a digestible protein basis with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae or a yeast mixture of Wickerhamomyces anomalus and S. cerevisiae on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nutrient retention and intestinal health of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Triplicate tanks with 35 rainbow trout (144.7 ± 25.1 g mean ± SEM) were fed rations of 1.5% of total biomass per tank. Replacement of 60% of fishmeal with yeast mixture resulted in lower specific growth rate of 1.0% versus 1.2%/day for other diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients for crude protein and most amino acids were highest in fish fed fishmeal‐based diet, with similar values for fish fed the diet with 20% replacement with yeast mixture. Diet with 20% replacement with yeast mixture resulted in highest phosphorus digestibility. Replacement of 60% of fishmeal with S. cerevisiae resulted in oedematous mucosal fold tips in the proximal intestine. The results of this study suggest that these yeasts can replace up to 40% of fishmeal under current inclusion levels in diets for rainbow trout without compromising growth performance, nutrient digestibility or intestinal health.