Digestibility Coefficients Of Crude Protein Research Articles

Fishmeal substitution with low-gossypol cottonseed meal in the diet for juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.): Effects on growth, nutrients utilization and haematological responses

An 8-week feeding trial was carried out to explore the effects of fish meal replacement with low-gossypol cottonseed meal, a potential alternative protein source, in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets, with different substitutional levels (0%, 15%, 25%, 35% and 45%, respectively), were formulated. The growth performance, feed utilization and haematological responses were determined. Compared with the fishmeal group, fish growth was not affected when the replacement level was no more than 35%. The feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio in LC45 group were significantly lower. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter and crude protein, as well as the ADCs of lysine and proline, were inhibited when the replacement level reached 25%. Furthermore, the glucose and cholesterol levels in plasma in LC45 group were significantly lower than that in FM group. Significantly lower content of malondialdehyde was observed in LC25 group while the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in LC45 were significantly induced. The height of intestinal villi in LC45 was significantly lower than in other groups. Overall, the results indicate that low-gossypol cottonseed meal could be used as an alternative plant protein source in turbot and it could replace 35% fishmeal in the diet.

Nutritive Value of Wheat Bran Diets Supplemented With Fresh Carrots and Wet Brewers' Grains in Yellow Mealworm.

We evaluated the effect of supplementation of a wheat bran (WB) diet with fresh carrots (FC) or wet brewer’s grains (WBG) on the growth performance and chemical composition of Tenebrio molitor larvae. Additionally, a digestibility trial was performed to determine the nutritional value of the raw materials used. The control diet was based on WB-only. Two other diets were formulated in which WB was supplemented with FC (FC diet) or with WBG (WBG diet). The experiment was conducted in trays (12 per treatment) and lasted 90 d. Larval weight, feed intake, and excreted feces were controlled in each tray the experiment. The digestibility trial was performed from 48 to 62 d post-hatch. Results showed digestibility coefficients of ashes, crude protein, and gross energy were significantly higher in FC diet compared with the other diets. Consequently, both digestible energy (DE) and digestible protein (DP) contents of FC were also significantly higher than those obtained for WB and WBG diets (on av. +1.12 megajoule [MJ] DE and +9.15 g DP per kg dry matter [DM]; P < 0.003). Mealworms fed FC diet showed significantly higher final weight and average daily gain than those fed the WBG diet (+12.4%), being higher in WBG than in WB diet (+3.5%). Dietary treatment did not affect DM, ashes, ether extract, and crude protein content of mealworms obtained. Some dietary effects on amino acid and fatty acid composition were observed. This study provides novel data and a unique experimental approach to assess the nutritional value of raw materials in mealworms.

Water restriction periods affect growth performance and nutritional status of Santa Inês sheep in the Brazilian Semi-arid

This study aimed to assess the growth performance and nutritional status of sheep under intermittent water supply by means of performance, intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients, water balance and nitrogen. Thirty-two intact male sheep (20.7 ± 2.63 kg, 8 months of age) were distributed in a completely randomized design with 4 water supply intervals via drinking trough (0h00, 24h00, 48h00, and 72h00), with 8 replicates. The extension in the water restriction period caused a reduction in the intake of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, digestible energy, and metabolizable energy (P &lt; 0.05). The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber showed a linear decrease with increasing periods of water restriction (P &lt; 0.05). Water intake via food, total water intake, and water excretion via feces showed a linear increase in response to an increase in the water supply interval (P &lt; 0.05). Water intake via drinking, metabolic water, total water excretion and water balance presented a linear decrease, with increasing periods of water restriction (P &lt; 0.05). Nitrogen intake and absorbed nitrogen were influenced by water restriction, presenting a linear decreasing trend according to water supply periods (P &lt; 0.05). Final weight, daily weight gain, and total weight gain, were influenced by the periods of water restriction, showing a linear reduction (P &lt; 0.05). Feed conversion increased as the water restriction period increased (P=0.004). Intermittent water supply at intervals of up to 72h00 reduced nutrient intake and digestibility, resulting in a decrease in weight gain of the studied animals.

Sources of acid insoluble ash as marker of corn digestibility in broilers

The objective was to evaluate three sources of acid insoluble ash (AIA) (celite, kaolin, and sand), as indicators, to determine the apparent metabolizable energy of corn on a natural matter (AME) basis, dry matter digestibility coefficient (DMDC), and crude protein digestibility coefficient (CPDC) using total and partial excreta collection methods. Two hundred and ten Ross broiler chicks of 18 to 27 days of age were used. Broilers were adapted to experimental the diet for four days, and excreta were collected for 5 days. A reference diet (RD) based on corn and soybean meal was prepared to meet the nutritional requirements of the birds. A test diet was prepared with 40% replacement of RD with corn. The formulated diets were: D1, 99% Reference diet + 1% celite; D2, 59.4% RD + 39.6 % corn + 1% celite; D3, 99% Reference diet + 1% kaolin; D4, 59.4% RD + 39.6 % corn + 1% kaolin; D5, 99% Reference diet + 1% sand; D6, 59.4% RD + 39.6 % corn + 1% sand. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design, with six diets and five replicates of seven birds each in a 2x3 factorial arrangement. There were significant interactions for all variables investigated. It was observed that the AME and DMDC values of corn were similar in the two methods of collection, and PDC values using kaolin and celite makers were similar. However, the AME and CPDC of corn using sand with partial collection method were underestimated by 17.70 and 15.53%, respectively compared to those with the total collection method. The AME values of corn with the collection methods using celite and, the DMDC using celite and sand were significantly different. It was observed that the DMDC using celite and sand provided significantly lower values (4.67 and 5.15%), respectively, and the AME using celite was 2.86% lower than that obtained by total collection. To determine the EMA, DMDC, and CPDC in broilers, it is more efficient to use celiteTM and kaolin as markers with partial collection of excreta. Sand should not be used with partial excreta collection method, because it provides lower values of AME and CPDC compared to with total excreta collection method.

An Evaluation of Replacing Fish Meal with Fermented Soybean Meal in Diet of Hybrid Snakehead (Channa argus × Channa maculata): Growth, Nutrient Utilization, Serum Biochemical Indices, Intestinal Histology, and Microbial Community

The present study investigated the effect of fish meal (FM) replacement with fermented soybean meal (FSM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, serum biochemical indices, intestinal histology, and microbial community of hybrid snakehead. Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated with FSM inclusion to decrease dietary FM from 350 g/kg (the control diet) to 300, 250, 200, and 150 g/kg, referring to CON, FM-30, FM-25, FM-20, and FM-15, respectively, and then fed to hybrid snakehead with initial body weight of 6.49 ± 0.03 g for 60 days. The control group showed the best growth with a weight gain rate (WGR) of 417.0% and a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 0.84, but the WGR in FM-25, FM-20, and FM-15 groups was decreased by 26.25%, 40.60%, and 42.23% and FCR was increased by 0.24, 0.45, and 0.45, respectively, when compared to those in the CON group ( P &lt; 0.05 ). The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and crude protein, the protein efficiency and retention, the serum total cholesterol content, and the intestinal muscle thickness in FM-20 and FM-15 groups and the villus height in all FSM groups were significantly lower than those in the CON group ( P &lt; 0.05 ). Intestinal microbiota analysis indicated that the main microorganisms included Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. At the genus level, Plesiomonas was the dominant genus with the highest relative abundance in the FM-20 group. In summary, in a diet containing 350 g/kg FM, FSM can successfully replace 50 g/kg dietary FM without negative effects on growth performance, nutrient utilization, serum biochemical indices, and intestinal health of hybrid snakehead juvenile.

SUPPLEMENTATION OF HERBAL SEEDS TO IMPROVE THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND DIGESTION IN JAPANESE QUAIL (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA)

The demand for free range and organic poultry products is on the rise and there is a discouraging trend of using poultry reared on feed containing antibiotics as growth promoters. The growing concerns about the use of antibiotics is not baseless though as there are fare chances that they may leave residues in animal tissues and can cause drug-resistance among pathogens. Therefore, the use of natural growth promoters in poultry feed is getting popularity and demand for scientific research is intensifying. The present study was planned to investigate the use of natural growth promoters in Japanese quail diet. The treatments were designated as follows: A (5g Curcuma longa (Turmeric), B (5g Capsicum annum (Red Pepper), C (10g Nigella sativa (Black Cumin), D (10g Pimpinella anisum (Anise seed), E (Combination of treatments A, B, C and D) and F (Control). The data were recorded on following parameters: Body weight, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, giblet weight, digestibility coefficients for CP (crude protein), CF (crude fiber), EE (ether extract) and NFE (nitrogen free extract), and nutritive value of DCP% (digestible crude protein), TDN% (total digestible nutrients), ME (metabolizable energy) and mortality. The results showed best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (2.15±0.02), better digestibility coefficients of CP (84.02±1.3), CF (27.97±0.3) and NFE (87.96±1.8), higher nutritive value of TDN% (68.81±1.2) and ME (2895±20), and lowest mortality (2.33±0.50) for birds fed on 5g Turmeric i.e. treatment A. Use of Black Cumin (treatment C) produced highest body weight (122.5±0.2), better FCR (2.31±0.02), good dressing percentage (56.7±0.4) and higher gizzard (2.7±0.01) and intestinal weights (7.5±0.02) than control. Nevertheless, the best dressing percentage (59.5±0.4) was obtained in case of feeding Anise seed i.e., treatment D. However, treatments B and E did not show significant improvement in any of the observed parameters. Results concluded that use of natural herbs and seeds such as Turmeric, Black Cumin and Anise seed is beneficial for quail growth production.

Effects of lysine levels on performance, blood parameters, and nutrient digestibility of Duroc barrows in the starter phase.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of digestible lysine, at fixed amino acid ratios, in performance, blood parameters and diet digestibility of barrows from 15 to 30 kg. Fifty barrows of the Duroc breed with an average initial body weight of 14.95±3.22 kg were assigned to five treatments in a completely randomized experimental design with five replicates and of two animals per experimental unit. Treatments consisted of crude protein and lysine levels, maintaining a fixed ratio with the other digestible amino acids (8.4, 9.4, 10.4, 11.4, and 12.4 g kg-1lysine/kg of diet). The feed conversion decreased linearly according to lysine levels. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and crude protein increased linearly, and the same response was observed for serum total protein and urea. The results indicate that digestible lysine level for Duroc barrows in the starter phase is 12.4 g kg-1 of diet, as it improved feed conversion ratio and apparent nutrient digestibility.

Effect of &lt;i&gt;Chlorella&lt;/i&gt; on hematological parameters and nutrient bioavailability in the diet of rhesus monkeys (&lt;i&gt;Macaca mulatta&lt;/i&gt;)

Chlorella shows a wide spectrum of biological activity, in particular, it exhibits a pronounced antioxidant activity and demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antiviral properties. A number of research works have been devoted to studying feed advantages of this unicellular green algae when used in the diets of livestock animals, but the possibility of including different Chlorella species in the diet of primates has not been practically studied. The aim of this work was to assess the possibility of replacing high-protein animal and vegetable feeds with Chlorella , to calculate the digestibility coefficients for the diet nutrients and the effect of algal dry and suspension forms on hematological and serum biochemical parameters in male rhesus monkeys. The data obtained during the experiment indicate that the inclusion of Chlorella in the diet both in the dry form and cell suspension improves nutrient digestibility. Thus, the digestibility of crude protein in the animals receiving algae suspension increased by 4.18% ( p &lt; 0.05), that of crude fat – by 4.70% ( p &lt; 0.01), crude fiber – by 4.14% ( p &lt; 0.05) and crude ash – by 12.32% ( p &lt; 0.001). The digestibility coefficients of crude protein in the primates receiving compound feed supplemented with Chlorella powder were higher by 6.83% ( p &lt; 0.001), those of crude fiber – by 4.78% ( p &lt; 0.05) and crude ash – by 18.93% ( p &lt; 0.001) The hematological study results indicate the absence of side effects from long-term Chlorella consumption by primates. The introduction of dry Chlorella into the diet increased blood glucose levels to the upper limit of the control values, while Chlorella suspension did not produce this effect. Thus, Chlorella can be successfully used as a component of a balanced laboratory diet for primates or as a feed additive.

Growth performance and metabolic responses of Nile tilapia fed diets with different protein to energy ratios

The effect of dietary digestible protein to digestible energy (DP/DE) ratio on the growth performance and metabolic responses of Nile tilapia juveniles was evaluated. Five experimental diets were formulated with increasing DP/DE ratio (13.2, 15.5, 18.4, 20.0, and 22.6 mg kJ−1) and fed to eight replicates of Nile tilapia (initial body weight of 9.3 g) for 110 days. The apparent digestibility coefficients of the diets were determined in a parallel trial. Digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, and crude energy linearly decreased with increasing dietary P/E ratios. A quadratic effect of dietary DP/DE ratio on growth performance was observed, and maximum weight gain (g kg−1 day−1) or daily growth increment was attained with a dietary DP/DE ratio of 16.5 and 17.2 (mg kJ−1), respectively. Feed intake and energy retention (kJ ABW kg−1 day−1) linearly decreased, and feed efficiency linearly increased with increased dietary DP/DE ratio. The increase of dietary DP/DE ratio decreased the whole body, muscle, hepatic, and visceral lipid content and increased the fillet yield. The decrease of dietary DP/DE linearly increased nitrogen retention (% N intake) and whole-body lipid deposition through the reduction of amino acid catabolism (GDH and ALAT) and gluconeogenesis (FBPase) related enzymes and the increase of glycolysis (GK and HK) and lipogenesis- (G6PDH and ME) related enzymes.In conclusion, a dietary DP/DE ratio of 16.5–17.2 mg kJ−1 promoted the maximum growth performance of Nile tilapia juveniles. However, further studies are required to evaluate if a fine-tuning of the protein amino acid profile would allow a further reduction of the optimum dietary DP/DE ratio. Metabolic response to the decrease in dietary DP/DE levels suggested activation of glycolysis and lipogenesis and inhibition of amino acid catabolism and gluconeogenesis, highlighting the high capacity of Nile tilapia for metabolic utilization of dietary carbohydrates.

Dietary condensed tannins improved growth performance and antioxidant function but impaired intestinal morphology of Litopenaeus vannamei

Although effects of dietary condensed tannins (CT) on growth and health of fish have been evaluated, limited information is available on shrimp. This study investigated the effects of CT on growth, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant response and intestinal histomorphology of Litopenaeus vannamei. A 56-day feeding trial was conducted by randomly distributing 600 shrimp into 15 tanks with 40 shrimp per tank and fed five diets containing 0 (G0), 0.5 (G0.5), 1 (G1), 2 (G2) and 4 (G4) g/kg of grape seed CT respectively. Shrimp were fed to apparent satiation during the entire feeding trial and feces were collected daily for the last 14 days to determine nutrient digestibilities. Hepatopancreas and intestine samples were collected to analyze antioxidant-related genes expression and histomorphology. Results indicated that dietary CT linearly increased final body weight, weight gain rate and specific growth rate (0.05 < P < 0.10) but linearly decreased feed coefficient of shrimp (0.05 < P < 0.10). All shrimp had similar apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid and ash (P > 0.05). As compared with G0, dietary CT increased superoxide dismutase (G0.5, G1 and G2), glutathion peroxidase (G1 and G2) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (G0.5, G1, G2 and G4) mRNA levels (P < 0.05). Intestinal villus in G1, G2 and G4 were shown to have different degrees of deformation with villus length was higher and villus width was lower in G1 and G2 than in other groups (P < 0.01). In summary, dietary inclusion of 0.5–4 g/kg grape seed CT increased growth but did not alter nutrient digestibilities of Litopenaeus vannamei. Supplementation of CT in shrimp diets up-regulated the antioxidant-related genes expression but induced intestinal histomorphology lesions.

The Efficacy of Mycosorb in Broiler Diets Contaminated with Low Doses of Aflatoxin B1

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Mycosorb in broiler diets containing a low level of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). A total of 200 male broiler chicks (Lohmann) were randomly distributed into 20 pens (10 birds/pen). The experimental design used was a 2 x 2 factorial completely randomized design with two main factors which were the AFB1 levels (non-detectable level; 2.58 ppb) and mycotoxin binder (MB) (0 and 0.15% Mycosorb), respectively. The treatments were control diet (P1), control diet + MB (P2), 2.58 ppb AFB1 diet (P3), and 2.58 ppb AFB1 diet + MB (P3). The AFB1 diets were formulated by replacing the whole proportion of fresh corn with moldy corn containing 4.22 ppb AFB1. The results showed that except for the digestibility coefficient of crude fat (DCCF), AL x MB interaction was not significant (P&gt;0.05) for the growth performance and DCCP. The AFB1 levels (AL) improved (P&lt;0.001) feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and reduced the DCCF of broilers. The AFB1 levels enhanced the body weight gain (BWG) of growing broilers, but it did not augmented (P&gt;0.05) the BWG of starter broilers. The digestibility coefficient of crude protein was not influenced (P&gt;0.05) by the AFB1 levels. DCCF of broilers who received AFB1 diets were lower (P&lt;0.05) than that of the control diet. Mycosorb did not affect (P&gt;0.05) all variables measured. In conclusion, 1) except for DCCF, AFB1 levels x MB interaction did not improve growth performance and DCCP; 2) the AFB1 level of 2.58 ppb in the diets increased FI and BWG of broilers, but reduced the feed efficiency and DCCF; and 3) Mycosorb did not improve all variables measured.

ENERGY AND PROTEIN INGREDIENTS FOR USE IN PIAPARA (&lt;i&gt;Megaleporinus obtusidens&lt;/i&gt;) DIETS: NUTRITIVE VALUE AND INTESTINAL MORPHOMETRY

The apparent digestibility coefficients for crude protein (ADCCP), dry matter (ADCDM), and gross energy (ADCGE) of ingredients were determined for piapara (Megaleporinus obtusidens). Test diets were formulated to contain 69.5% of reference diet, 0.5% of chromium oxide, and 30% of test ingredients. The protein ingredients evaluated were tilapia processing residue meal (TPRM), feather and poultry blood meal (FPBM), poultry by-product meal (PBM), meat and bone meal (MBM), cottonseed meal (CM), corn gluten meal (CGM), and soybean meal (SM); the energy ingredients tested were corn (C), corn germ meal (CGRM), rice meal (RM), wheat bran (WB), and sorghum (S). Groups of 30 piaparas were fed twice daily during five days with test diets. Intestinal morphometry of fish were also evaluated. Digestibility coefficients of protein and energy ingredients were highest for soybean meal (ADCDM = 85.8%; ADCCP = 95.2%; and ADCGE = 87.2%) and corn (ADCDM = 94.5%; ADCCP = 76.2%; and ADCGE = 89.3%), respectively. Of the energy test ingredients analyzed, corn had the highest digestibility coefficients and induced beneficial changes on intestinal morphology compared to sorghum and corn germ meal. All protein ingredients showed potential for use in piapara diets, except meat and bone meal .

Top‐sprayed phytase enhances the digestibility of energy, protein, amino acids and minerals, and reduces phosphorus output in Nile tilapia fed all‐vegetable diets

This study aims to evaluate the effects of top-sprayed phytase (PHY) on the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), amino acids (AA), phosphorus (P) and cationic minerals, and its impacts on nitrogen (N) and P outputs in juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. A basal diet without (Control) or supplemented with PHY at 500, 1000 and 1500 FTU (phytase units)/kg was evaluated. Data were obtained during two subsequent 10-day runs of faeces collection. Trials 1 and 2 totalled four replicates with two replicates per run. The data on initial body weight and fish age were considered in the experimental design. Compared to control group, the ADC of GE, CP, P, cationic minerals and AA increased linearly in response to the graded PHY level and were notably higher in fish fed the 1500 FTU/kg PHY diet. Moreover, in this fish, P’s ADC increased 3.9 folds and, consequently, the P output reduced from 13.83 to 5.26 g/kg body weight gain (BWG). Overall, a 1500 FTU/kg PHY can optimize energy and nutrient utilization and can be used as an eco-friendly diet for Nile tilapia.

Yeast as a novel protein source - Effect of species and autolysis on protein and amino acid digestibility in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Yeasts are gaining increasing attention as alternative protein sources in fish feeds. The nutritional value of yeast depends on cultivation conditions, yeast species and processing conditions used after harvesting. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of autolysis on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of crude protein and amino acids (AA) of different yeasts species in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Three yeast species (i.e. Cyberlindnera jadinii, Blastobotrys adeninivorans and Wickerhamomyces anomalus) produced from hydrolysates of pre-treated wood and chicken products were used. After harvesting, each yeast was either directly heat-inactivated with spray-drying or autolyzed at 50 °C for 16 h followed by spray-drying. The treatments consisted of a high-quality fishmeal-based reference diet and six test diets containing 30% of each of the yeast product and 70% of the reference diet. The results showed that protein and AA digestibility differed among the yeast species and that the effect of autolysis on nutrient digestibility was inconsistent among the three yeast species. The ADCs of protein in inactivated yeasts were 63%, 72%, 66% in C. jadinii, B. adeninivorans and W. anomalus, respectively. Autolysis increased the ADCs of protein by 12% and 9% in C. jadinii and W. anomalus, respectively, while it remained unchanged for B. adeninivorans. The ADCs of lysine were 67%, 79% and 72% in inactivated C. jadinii, B. adeninivorans and W. anomalus, respectively. Autolysis improved the ADCs of lysine by 15%, 7% and 13% in C. jadinii, B. adeninivorans and W. anomalus, respectively. The ADCs of methionine in inactivated yeasts was 47% in C. jadinii, 81% in B. adeninivorans and 74% in W. anomalus. After autolysing the yeasts, the ADC of methionine improved by 26% and 4% in C. jadinii and B. adeninivorans, respectively, while it slightly reduced by 2% in W. anomalus. Data from regression analyses showed that digesta viscosity, digesta dry matter and nitrogen solubility are important determinants of protein digestibility of yeasts in fish. In addition, cell wall porosity as demonstrated by nitrogen solubility test, had a larger impact on nutrient digestibility of yeasts compared to the cell wall thickness. In conclusion, the digestibility of protein and AA of yeasts in Atlantic salmon depends on type of yeasts and down-stream processing applied after harvesting. Also, the particular in vitro digestibility method used in the current study did not adequately reflect the protein digestibility of yeasts in Atlantic salmon.

Feeding value of sorghum stover fed to tropical hair sheep as complete rations in chop, mash, pellet, and block forms.

Background and Aim:Poor palatability, low bulk density, and low nutritive value restrict the utilization of the crop residues as animal feeds. Altering the physical characteristics of feed by blending the roughage and concentrates in the form of complete feed improves the nutrient use efficiency and reduces the feed wastage, feed cost, and labor cost. The study aims to determine suitable processing methods (mash, pellet, or block forms) for efficient utilization of sorghum stover-based complete rations vis-a-vis conventional feeding methods in sheep.Materials and Methods:The sorghum stover was incorporated in complete rations with roughage to concentrate ratio of 50:50 proportion in a growth trial of 120 days. The feed ingredients were chaffed, ground in a hammer mill, passed through expander-extruder, and compressed by feed block machine to prepare chop, mash, pellet, and block form of rations, respectively. Twenty-four male intact growing Nellore×Deccani cross lambs (3.5±0.5 months age, 14.50±0.41 kg (mean ± SD) at the start of the experiment) were divided into four experimental groups of six animals each in a complete randomized design. The experimental rations were randomly allotted to each group and evaluated for their intake, nutrient utilization, and growth performance.Results:The sheep fed on pellet-based ration consumed a higher (p<0.05) quantity of dry matter. The digestibility coefficients of organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber were higher (p<0.05) in processed rations (mash, pellet, or block). Further, the nitrogen balance (g/d) was higher (p<0.05) in the mash, pellet, and block form of rations, compared to chopped ration. The processing method did not influence calcium or phosphorous balance parameters, except for their urinary losses, which showed an increasing trend (p=0.07). The ram lambs fed with pelleted ration showed higher (p<0.05) weight gain than mash, block, or chaff forms. The efficiency of feed utilization in gaining one kg body weight was higher (p<0.05) in lambs fed a pelleted diet. Feeding pelletized ration was more economical to gain one kg body weight. The bulk density was highest for block-based ration followed by pellet, mash, and conventional rations, and the carrying capacity of truck was highest with the least transport cost in block-form of rations.Conclusion:Physical processing (mash, pellet, and block) of sorghum stover-based complete rations increased the nutrient utilization and growth performance of sheep compared to conventional chopped form. Pelleting the mash with expander-extruder procedure was found to be more profitable. Nevertheless, the cost economics revealed blocks as more preferable forms for transporting the complete rations to larger distances.

Mineral digestibility of different animal sources for the silver catfish Rhamdia voulezi

This study aimed to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, gross energy, and minerals of marine fish meal (MFM), salmon meal (SM), tilapia by-product meal (TBM), meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry by-product meal (PBM), blood meal (BM), and feather meal (FM) by silver catfish Rhamdia voulezi. Groups of 12 fish were fed the experimental diet three times a day until apparent satiation, and the fecal samples were collected from an accumulation device. SM and PBM exhibited the highest digestibility values for dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy, while MBM and FM presented significantly lower ADCs for dry matter. BM and FM exhibited higher ADCs for phosphorus, 65.05 and 63.87%, respectively. The ADCs for calcium were 58.8% for MFM, 56.69% for TBM, and 60.08% for PBM. PBM and FM had the highest iron ADCs, 44.01 and 46.29%, respectively. Magnesium ADCs ranged from 44.87% for MBM to 75.50% for TBM. BM had the highest digestibility for zinc (62.77%), whereas MBM (36.68%) and FM (39.39%) had the lowest. In general, SM and PBM showed higher values as feedstuffs for silver catfish feeds. At the same time, the digestibility was lower for TBM and MBM for macronutrients and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, and zinc.

Effect of α-tocopherol supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant activity and nutrient digestibility of Labeo rohita (Hamilton 1822) fingerlings fed corn gluten meal-based diet

A 70 days feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) on the growth performance, antioxidant activity and nutrient digestibility of Labeo rohita (Hamilton 1822) fingerlings fed corn gluten meal based diet. Fingerlings (initial average weight: 6.35 g) were fed seven graded levels of α-tocopherol viz., 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mg kg-1. Triplicate tanks were used and each tank housed 15 fingerlings. Fish were fed at the rate of 5% of live wet weight. Collected data was subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that fingerlings fed with 200 mg kg-1 of α-tocopherol showed significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher weight gain (32.73 g), weight gain% (261%) and suitable feed conversion ratio (2.49). Among other experimental and control diets, optimum apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC%) of crude protein (CP) (73%), ether extract (EE) (74%) and gross energy (GE) (63%) was noted in the fish fed 200 mg kg-1 diet. Minimum oxidation (%) (7.66%) was observed at 600 mg kg-1 predicting that the antioxidant activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. Keywords: α-tocopherol, Antioxidant activity, Aquaculture, Corn gluten meal, Growth

Chemical composition and apparent digestibility of a panel of dried microalgae and cyanobacteria biomasses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Despite a growing interest in microalgae and cyanobacteria as potential sources of nutrients in aquafeeds, little information is presently available on their nutritive value for carnivorous fish species. The aim of this study was to evaluate chemical composition and nutrient digestibility of a panel of microalgae and cyanobacteria dried biomasses (MACB), using rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.) as a fish model. Nine test diets were obtained by mixing 80 parts of a reference diet, added with 20 g/kg of acid insoluble ash as an indigestible marker, to 20 parts of each of the following dried whole-cell biomass: Arthrospira platensis, Nostoc sphaeroides, two strains of Chlorella sorokiniana, Nannochloropsis oceanica, Tisochrysis lutea, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Porphyridium purpureum and Tetraselmis suecica. The digestibility measurements were conducted with rainbow trout (52.4 ± 1.5 g) kept in six tank units each including three 60-L vessels singularly stocked with 12 fish and fitted with a settling column for faecal recovery. Per each diet, faeces were collected over three independent 10-day periods. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein (CP), organic matter and gross energy (GE) of single MACB were calculated by difference relative to those of the reference diet. The MACBs had heterogeneous chemical composition (CP, from 20 to 69%; Lipid, 5–27%; GE, 12.5‐–22.6 MJ/kg dry matter basis) reflecting their overall biodiversity. Most of them can be considered as virtually good sources of minerals and trace elements and exhibit an essential amino acid profile comparable or even better than that of soybean meal commonly used in fish feeds with P. purpureum showing the best protein profile. The digestibility results obtained with rainbow trout allowed ranking the MACBs into two major groups. A first one, including C. sorokiniana, N. oceanica and T. suecica, resulted in markedly lower (P < 0.05) crude protein and energy ADC (64–73%; 51–59%, respectively) compared to a second group including P. purpureum, T. lutea and cyanobacteria (CP-ADC, 83–88%; GE-ADC, 74–90%) while P. tricornutum resulted in intermediate values. Overall, the present study confirms the consistently reported role of cell-wall structure/composition in affecting accessibility of nutrients to digestive enzyme. Based on the overall outcomes, only T. lutea and cyanobacteria actually meet the requirements for being used as protein sources in aquafeeds provided their mass production becomes more feasible and cost-effective, hence attractive for the feed-mill industry in the near future.

Manejo nutricional de novillos criados en pastoreo y en corral: efectos en el consumo, digestibilidad, rendimiento y viabilidad económica

This study aimed to evaluate nutrient intake and digestibility, performance and economic viability of steers during the rearing phase in Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandu graze and in feedlot. Were used fifty crossbred steers in the rearing phase, with a mean weight of 275 ± 8.18 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with ten replications per treatments: Mineral supplementation, nitrogen supplementation, Concentrate supplementation in the order of 1 and 2 g/kg body weight and total feedlot. The total dry matter intake and body weight showed a difference (P&lt;0.05) for animals in feedlot. Crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber corrected for ashes and protein, non-fibrous carbohydrates, total digestible nutrients showed differences for the animals that received mineral supplementation in comparison to the other managements adopted. The same performance was observed for animals in feedlot. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients showed a difference (P&lt;0.05) for the animals that received mineral supplementation, in comparison to the other managements adopted. (P&lt;0.05). The mean daily gain was lower (P&lt;0.05) for animals receiving mineral supplementation. The gross margin was higher (P&lt;0.05) for animals handled in feedlot. Considering the obtained results, it was possible to observe that the animals kept in graze with good availability of dry matter presented satisfactory performance. It is feasible to confine the animals in rearing, since it shortens the production cycle, generating favorable economic results.

Tilapia processing waste meal: nutritional composition and apparent digestibility

ABSTRACT The aim was to evaluate the nutritional composition of fishmeal from the processing of Nile tilapia, obtained at six different fish processing plants, as well as to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein (ADCCP), crude energy (ADCCE), ether extract (ADCEE) and available phosphorus (PA) by Nile tilapia juveniles. Treatments consisted of a reference diet, and six tests composed by 70% reference diet plus 30% of the meals. The nutritional contents of meals showed variations. Significant differences (P < .05) were observed for ADCCP, which varied from 88.37% to 92.89%. No differences were observed for ADCCE, ADCEE and PA, which were 84.67%, 84.92%, and 25.99%, respectively. The meals obtained from Nile tilapia processing presented variations in its nutritional contributions; however, no differences were observed in its biological values that might compromise its utilization in diets for tilapia.