Dried Beet Pulp Research Articles

Relationship between pyrimidines, purines and fatty acids in milk of dairy cows fed distinct carbohydrate types: a metabolomic approach

The aim of this research was to evaluate changes in the milk metabolome of dairy cows fed different carbohydrate types from silages and concentrates, with special focus on purines and pyrimidines, likely associated with the microbial activity in the rumen. Furthermore, the relationship between the milk fatty acids and pyrimidine and purine metabolism retrieved in milk was investigated for potential correlations between these 2 groups of potential milk biomarkers. Twenty-four lactating dairy cows were used in a crossover design, where each cow received 2 of 4 diets. Diets were formulated based on a 2 by 2 factorial arrangement, using either grass-clover or corn silage as a forage source, and barley or dried beet pulp in the concentrate fraction. Fatty acids and LC-MS metabolome of the milk were analyzed. The milk metabolome and fatty acid concentration could differentiate the 4 diets used in the trial, while the milk metabolome alone could only differentiate the 2 silage types. Milk odd-chain fatty acids (C17:1 and C17:0) were correlated with pyrimidine and purine derivatives, with uric acid being significantly higher in milk samples associated with corn silage diets. Therefore, the results indicate potential differences in microbial protein synthesis between the diets, but a validation with actual ruminal microbial protein synthesis and investigation in digestive biofluids are necessary for further confirmation.

Research on hydrodynamics of the thermal agent flow for the beet pulp filtration drying

The reuse and recycling of secondary raw materials is essential to ensure sustainable development and the rational use of natural resources. One of the most important types of secondary raw materials is plant-based food waste, which is generated in large quantities at food processing plants, including sugar beet pulp, which is a valuable resource for further use. One of the main problems with using beet pulp is its high moisture content, which is ≈ 80 % wt. It is proposed to dry beet pulp by filtration drying, which is highly efficient. The calculation of industrial equipment for filtration drying should take into account the costs of overcoming the hydraulic resistance of a stationary layer of material. The aim of the article was to study the hydrodynamics of the flow of a thermal agent through a stationary layer of beet pulp of different heights and to perform computer modelling of this process. The obtained results will allow predicting the hydraulic resistance of a material layer of different heights and the required pressure drop to ensure the course of the drying process under various possible technological modes. For computer modelling of the flow of a thermal agent through a stationary layer of beet pulp, the porous media method was used in the ANSYS Fluent 2022 R2 software package. The process was simulated on the basis of the Navier-Stokes system of differential equations and the flow continuity equation with the additional use of the Darcy equation to determine the value of the hydraulic resistance of the layer ΔP. Computer simulations of the hydrodynamics of the thermal agent flow through a stationary layer of beet pulp were performed for the range of stationary layer heights H = 90÷110 mm with an interval of 5 mm. The obtained data showed a relative average deviation of 2.19 % from the experimental data, which indicates a high accuracy of calculations in this range. The study for the extended range of layer heights H = 80÷120 mm with an interval of 10 mm showed an increase in the relative average deviation to 4.09 % from the experimental data, but the results are still sufficiently accurate for practical use in the calculation of drying equipment. The obtained dependencies may be used to determine the value of the hydraulic resistance of a stationary layer of material using the filtration drying method and for practical calculations of drying equipment. Together with the results of the kinetic regularities of filtration drying, the obtained experimental data and computer modelling data on the hydrodynamics of the flow of a heat transfer agent through a material layer will allow us to calculate the optimal parameters of filtration drying for beet pulp and to assess the efficiency of filtration drying for drying beet pulp in comparison with other methods of dehydration.

Ensiling sugar beets: Effect of mixer feed used for co-ensiling on fermentation products and losses when ensiled in vacuum bags

Co-ensiling beets with other feeds allows for year-round feeding of beets and reduces the risk of dry matter (DM) loss as effluent from the silage. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of co-ensiling high DM beets with maize and grass/clover silage, grass seed straw, fresh beet pulp, and high DM concentrates (dried beet pulp, wheat distillers’ grain solubles; DDGS, wheat bran, rapeseed meal, sunflower meal, soybean hulls, and maize gluten feed) on gaseous weight loss (GWL), loss of effluents, and silage quality. Beets from harvest year 2021 were used to produce two sets of silages in laboratory silos, resulting in a total of 2 pure beet silages and 12 mixed beets silages. GWL was measured by weighing the laboratory silos until 181 days of ensiling. Fermentation was terminated by freezing after 30, 92, and 181 days of ensiling where loss of effluent was also measured. Total GWL was highest in the two pure beet silages (mean ± SEM; 282 ± 5.47 and 250 ± 7.94 g/kg DM, respectively), and differed among the mixed silages depending on mixer feed. Effluent was only observed in the pure beet silage in Set 1. Silage DM content at 181 days of ensiling was lowest for the two pure beet silages (180 ± 10.9 and 165 ± 5.95 g/kg). For all silages, pH was below 4.25 by 30 days of ensiling. Ethanol concentrations at 181 days of ensiling were highest in the two pure beet silages (345 ± 11.5 and 287 ± 11.8 g/kg DM). L-lactate content of pure beet silages was 38.4 ± 1.85 and 31.1 ± 1.21 g/kg DM at 181 days of ensiling. In Set 1, L-lactate content was lower in beets ensiled with maize silage, grass seed straw, dried beet pulp, or DDGS compared to pure beet silage. In Set 2, L-lactate content was higher in beets ensiled with maize gluten feed compared to pure beet silage. Silage concentration of NH3 varied depending on mixer feed. The NH3 content at 181 days of ensiling was 0.817 ± 0.626 and 2.05 ± 0.601 g/kg DM for pure beet silages and was highest in beets ensiled with grass/clover silage in both silage sets (16.4 ± 0.63 and 17.6 ± 0.60 g/kg DM). Co-ensiling beets with forages, high DM concentrates, and protein-rich feeds included in this study lowered fermentation weight loss, eliminated the loss of effluent, and resulted in silages of good fermentation quality.

Effect of carbohydrate type in silages and concentrates on feed intake, enteric methane, and milk yield from dairy cows

Dietary carbohydrate manipulation can be used to reduce enteric CH4 emission, but there is a lack of studies on the interaction of different types of carbohydrates that can affect feed intake and ruminal fermentation. Understanding this interaction is necessary to make the most out of CH4 mitigation feeding strategies using different dietary carbohydrates. The aim of this study was to test the effect on enteric CH4 emission, feed intake and milk production response when cows were fed either grass-clover (GCS) or corn silage (CS) as the sole forage source (55% of dry matter, DM), in combination with either barley (BAR) or dried beet pulp (DBP) as a concentrate (21.5% of DM). Twenty-four (half first and half second parity) cows were used in a crossover design with 2 periods of 21 d each, receiving 2 of 4 diets obtained from a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of the experimental diet. Feed intake, CH4 emission metrics and milk production were recorded at the end of the experimental periods. The diets had NDF concentrations between 258 and 340 g/kg of DM, and starch concentrations between 340 and 7.45 g/kg of DM (CS-BAR and GCS-DBP, respectively). The effects of silage and concentrate on dry matter intake (DMI) were additive, with the highest feed intake in cows fed COR-BAR, followed by cows fed COR-DBP, GCS-BAR, and GCS-DBP (21.2, 19.9, 19.1, and 18.3 kg/d). Energy corrected milk (ECM) yield was not affected by silage source in first parity cows, but it was higher for cows fed CS than cows fed GCS in second parity. The effects of silage and concentrate on CH4 production (g/d), yield (g/kg of DMI) and intensity (g/kg of ECM) were not additive as cows fed GCS had similar responses regardless of the concentrate used, but cows fed CS had lower CH4 production, yield and intensity, when fed BAR instead of DBP. The lower CH4 production, yield and intensity in cows fed CS-BAR compared with other diets could be partially explained by the nonlinear relationship between ruminal VFA and carbohydrates (NDF and starch) concentration reported in literature, however, we observed a linear relationship between acetate:propionate ratio and CH4 yield, suggesting possible other effects. The effects of silage and concentrate on the ruminal VFA were additive in first parity cows, but not in second parity cows. The interaction between dietary CHO type and parity might indicate an effect of feed intake or the energy balance of the cow. Feeding cows silage and concentrate both rich in starch can result in the lowest enteric CH4 emission.

Feed intake in housed dairy cows: validation of a three-dimensional camera−based feed intake measurement system

Measuring feed intake accurately is crucial to determine feed efficiency and for genetic selection. A system using three-dimensional (3D) cameras and deep learning algorithms can measure the volume of feed intake in dairy cows, but for now, the system has not been validated for feed intake expressed as weight of feed. The aim of this study was to validate the weight of feed intake predicted from the 3D cameras with the actual measured weight. It was hypothesised that diet−specific coefficients are necessary for predicting changes in weight, that the relationship between weight and volume is curvilinear throughout the day, and that manually pushing the feed affects this relationship. Twenty-four lactating Danish Holstein cows were used in a cross-over design with four dietary treatments, 2 × 2 factorial arranged with either grass-clover silage or maize silage as silage factor, and barley or dried beet pulp as concentrate factor. Cows were adapted to the diets for 11 d, and for 3 d to tie-stall housing before camera measurements. Six cameras were used for recording, each mounted over an individual feeding platform equipped with a weight scale. When building the predictive models, four cameras were used for training, and the remaining two for testing the prediction of the models. The most accurate predictions were found for the average feed intake over a period when using the starting density of the feed pile, which resulted in the lowest errors, 6% when expressed as RMSE and 5% expressed as mean absolute error. A model including curvilinear effects of feed volume and the impact of manual feed pushing was used on a dataset including daily time points. When cross-validating, the inclusion of a curvilinear effect and a feed push effect did not improve the accuracy of the model for neither the feed pile nor the feed removed by the cow between consecutive time points. In conclusion, measuring daily feed intake from this 3D camera system in the present experimental setup could be accomplished with an acceptable error (below 8%), but the system should be improved for individual meal intake measurements if these measures were to be implemented.

Feeding up to 91% concentrate to Holstein and Jersey dairy cows: Effects on enteric methane emission, rumen fermentation and bacterial community, digestibility, production, and feeding behavior.

Due to climate change, periods of drought might be longer and occur more frequently, which challenges roughage production and requires changed feeding of dairy cattle by increasing the grain content of the diet. This study investigated the effect of diets with concentrate proportions up to 91% of dry matter on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, enteric methane emission, rumen fermentation, rumen bacterial community structure, nutrient digestibility, and feeding behavior of Holstein and Jersey dairy cows. Twelve Danish Holstein and 12 Danish Jersey cows were fed ad libitum with one of 3 total mixed rations differing in concentrate proportion in a continuous design with staggered approach over 19 to 29 d. Dietary concentrate proportions were 49% (C49), 70% (C70), and 91% (C91) on dry matter basis, and were based on increasing proportions of chopped barley straw, dried beet pulp, barley, NaOH-treated wheat, dried distillers grain, and rapeseed cake at the expense of grass/clover silage, corn silage and soybean meal. Cows were adapted to the diets over a 12- to 19-d period, before rumination activity was measured over 3 d. Subsequently, spot samples of feces were collected for digestibility determination over 2 d, and gas exchange was measured on the last 3 d of the experimental period. Shortly after chamber stay, rumen liquid was collected using an oro-ruminal device. Dry matter intake was higher for Holstein than Jersey. Methane emissions (all expressions) were affected by the interaction between breed and diet. Methane per kilogram of DMI was lowered by 18 and 48% for Holstein fed C70 and C91, respectively, compared with C49, whereas this was 17 and 22% respectively for Jersey. Rumen propionate molar proportion increased more, rumen bacterial community was less diverse, and rumination time and rumination chews relative to DMI reduced less for Holstein than for Jersey cows with increasing concentrate level. In conclusion, Holstein dairy cows responded stronger to increased dietary concentrate level regarding methane mitigation, changes in rumen VFA profile, and effect on the rumen bacterial community structure than Jersey cows, whereas Jersey cows responded stronger with regard to rumination time and rumination chews (per kilogram of DMI and per kilogram of neutral detergent fiber intake) than Holstein cows. Thus, diets high in concentrates are a less effective methane mitigation strategy for Jersey than for Holstein.

Medical management of gastric distension secondary to massive dry beet pulp ingestion in a dog

AbstractA 4‐year‐old, spayed, female Jack Russell terrier dog presented after ingestion of 0.135 kg of dried beet pulp pellets. Survey radiographs revealed severe gastric distension. The dog was hospitalised and received intravenous fluids, analgesics and an antiemetic and recovered without complication. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of medical management of gastric distension secondary to beet pulp ingestion in a dog. This case illustrates that surgical intervention of severe gastric distension secondary to dry beet pulp ingestion may not be required. Close monitoring for evidence of gastric obstruction or perforation is warranted.

Life cycle assessment of the production of beet sugar and its by-products

This work presents estimates of the emissions resulting from the production of white sugar and its by-products (molasses, pressed beet pulp and dried beet pulp) from sugar beet cultivation to the final product at the factory gate. The study covers the impact of global warming potential, eutrophication potential (freshwater and marine) and particulate matter. The analysis was based on detailed primary data provided by Nordic Sugar A/S, from the Örtofta Sugar Factory (southern Sweden). The results of this analysis are presented for the functional unit of 1 tonne (t) white sugar without allocation. Economic and energy allocations were also applied and compared for white sugar and its by-products. The allocation of emissions to the product and by-products reduced the emissions for white sugar by 9% in the economic allocation, and by 21% in the energy allocation. The low economic value of the by-products gave rather low emissions for all by-products when applying economic allocation. These results were compared with those in the literature for white sugar in terms of global warming potential (GWP), and the results showed the lowest impact for both allocations. Replacing fossil natural gas as the main process energy source with softwood chips reduced the GWP for white sugar (without allocation to by-products) from 623 to 342 kg CO2eq/t, illustrating the considerable potential for greenhouse gas emission reduction by replacing fossil fuels in the production process.

Sugar Beet Cultivation in India: Prospects for Bio-Ethanol Production and Value-Added Co-Products.

Sugar beet is an important crop in the advent of COVID 19 as it has a high potential for ethanol production in less growth span. The life cycle of this crop is of five to six months with a root yield of 60–80 t ha−1 and sugar content of 15–17%. Sugar beet is known as a temperate crop of short duration grown in the month of September to October and harvested in April and May, but successful efforts have been made in establishing this crop for Indian agro-climatic conditions. India stands to gain from capitalizing on the potential of sugar beet for sugar, ethanol, and fodder. It offers the increment in the farmer’s income especially hill farmers with respect to seed production of this crop in India The crop has been bestowed with a natural endowment of reclaiming saline soils which will help in cultivating the Indian saline areas. The crop is full of carbohydrates content which is being used for multiple purposes giving value addition to the crop. The green top and, wet and dry pulp are a good source of fodder material for lactating animals like cattle. Beet pulp is another good source as silage feed and as an adhesive in beauty products as well as in printing ink. An amount of 5250 L of ethanol per hectare crop can be produced. Due to 30% galacturonic acid content, the dry beet pulp can also be used as a source of Vitamin C. Lactic acid is also being produced from the juice of sugar beet through fermentation. The pectin content of this crop is useful in paper and board manufacturing industries as a raw material and also in dishwashing detergents and leather production. The fiber content works as dietary fibers which are used in meat and baking industries as important ingredients in food commodities. The vinasse produced as an industrial by-product is useful as a fertilizer. Sugar beet tails and other parts have also been used in biogas production in some countries. Intercropping of this crop with other crops is an added benefit of this crop. New prospects are also available for this crop in pharmaceutical industries and material sciences in times to come.

Application of an Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Method to Recover Betalains and Polyphenols from Red Beetroot Waste

Agriculture and food industries generate substantial quantities of waste material with a huge potential for bioactive ingredients to be recovered and converted into high-value chemicals. Red beetroot, known for its high content in betalains, natural red pigments, as well as polyphenols, fiber, and nitrate, is experiencing increasing demand, in particular as juice, which is leaving behind large amounts of waste. The present study focused on the recovery of betalains and polyphenols from dried whole beetroot and wet and dried beet pulp waste from the juicing industry. As part of an ultrasound-assisted extraction, ethanol/water-based solvent mixtures were used as they were found to be more effective than single solvents. Enzyme-assisted extraction was initially examined in the case of wet pulp but was not able to retain betalains. Betalains appear to be more stable in dried pulp. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was found to be more suitable to effectively extract both betalains and polyphenols with a high bioactive yield from dried pulp. The total betalain and polyphenol profiles as well as storage stability and antioxidant capacities were evaluated over a period of four weeks after extraction from the dried waste. During the four-week storage, betalains quickly degraded at room temperature in contrast to −20 °C, whereas polyphenols and antioxidative activity were much less influenced by temperature. When compared, dried samples from the beetroot juicing industry demonstrate good betalain and polyphenol extractability; thus, these data indicate that dried beet waste can serve as a good source of betalains for the color industry and other technological sectors.

Effect of Tomato Pomace, Citrus and Beet Pulp on Productive Performance and Milk Quality of Egyptian Buffaloes.

Using agro-industrial waste in animal diet became a new strategy in the animal feeding system to decrease the cost of nutrition. This study aimed to investigate the effects of usage tomato pomace, citrus and beet pulp in dried form in diets on the performance of lactating buffaloes and milk quality. Fifteen milking Egyptian buffaloes at the second and third seasons of lactation were divided into five groups (3 animals in each) to fed on five experimental rations. The experimental rations were: R1(control group) fed on Concentrate Feed Mixture (CFM1) contains 20% wheat bran+roughage, R2: CFM2 replacement wheat bran 10% Dried Tomato Pomace (DTP) and 10% Citrus Pulp Dried (CPD)+roughages, R3: fed CFM2 with 15 g fibrolytic enzyme/head/day+roughages, R4: Fed CFM3 replacement wheat bran 10% DTP and 10% Dried Beet Pulp (DBP)+roughages and R5: CFM3 with 15 g fibrolytic enzyme/head/day+roughages. Tested by-products observed different effects of nutrients digestibility and nutritive values comparing with control ration. There was no significant difference in fat corrected milk and milk fat among treatments. Polyunsaturated fatty acids especially C18:2c and C18:3n3 were recorded highly significant values with ration four. Rations 4 and 5 led to increased blood albumin, total protein. It could be concluded that tomato pomace, citrus and beet pulp could be used as alternative sources to replace wheat bran in buffalo's rations without adverse effects on milk yield with positive effects on milk quality and fatty acids profile.

Multivariate statistical analysis of the mixing process in the preparation of feed additives based on beet pulp

Beet pulp is the main by-product of the sugar industry, obtained by the traditional technology of sugar production. Pulp is used for livestock feed in fresh, sour and dry form. Molasses is the second by-product. It is a dark brown viscous liquid. It thickens and loses fluidity at low temperatures (below 10 ° C). Its viscosity depends on the heating temperature to a large extent. Caramelization of sugars occurs with increasing temperature in molasses, i.e., their transformation into a solid crystalline mass takes place. Molasses is used in the feed industry for granulating and briquetting feeds as a binding ingredient. When molasses is introduced into dried beet pulp, the mixture becomes very viscous, which complicates mixing. High demands are made on the mixing of the components of feed briquettes, since upon obtaining such products this process should ensure its high uniformity and stability. In the technological processes for the manufacture of feed mixtures, the initial task is the operation of the components mixing, the results of which affect the eatability and digestibility of feed. The task of mixing is to obtain the best mixture uniformity. This process takes a lot of time and therefore has a large energy consumption. To solve this problem, we offer a mixer with 3 chambers with different working elements, each of which has different elementary mixing processes: convective mixing, diffusion mixing and segregation. The choice of rational parameters of the mixing process will ensure the high quality product with minimal energy costs..

Food with Specialized Dietary Fiber Sources Improves Clinical Outcomes in Adult Cats with Constipation or Diarrhea

Changes in gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome composition and metabolism have been identified in many patients with gastrointestinal diseases, and the GI microbiome may play an important role in promoting and maintaining GI health. This study evaluated the efficacy of a fiber‐supplemented Control Food (CF) and a therapeutic food (TF) with specialized plant fibers known to contain antioxidant and polyphenol compounds in cats with constipation or diarrhea. A prospective clinical study was conducted with 44 adult cats, recruited from private veterinary practices across the United States. Cats exhibiting clinical signs of diarrhea or constipation were enrolled in the study. Cats were excluded from this study if they were under 1 year of age, had systemic disease including kidney disease (IRIS stage 3 or greater), had a Body Fat Index less than 20, were unwilling or unable to exclusively consume the study food, had megacolon or were otherwise unlikely to benefit from a fiber supplemented food, chronically used colonic motility drugs, or were currently receiving oral antibiotics or probiotics and were unwilling to discontinue. Enrolled cats were randomized to one of two complete and balanced dry therapeutic foods (25 CF, 19 TF). Fiber sources included CF: cracked pearled barley, ground whole grain corn, dried beet pulp, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) & psyllium seed husk; TF: ground whole grain corn, ground pecan shells, cracked pearled barley, whole grain oats, dried beet pulp, pea fiber, flaxseed, dried citrus pulp, pumpkin, pressed cranberries, FOS & psyllium seed husk. Veterinarians performed physical examinations, evaluated clinical signs of constipation or diarrhea and rated the cat’s response to the study food at days 2, 3, 4, and 28 using a defined scale (Negative Response, Non‐Response, Positive Response, and Complete Response). This study was reviewed & approved by the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Veterinarian evaluations were analyzed using a Cochran‐Mantel‐Haenszel test with modified ridit scores. Results significant at p<0.05 are reported. The proportion of cats receiving CF rated by the veterinarian as Positive or Complete Response vs. study start was 36% at day 2, 48% at day 3, 60% at day 4, and 69% at day 28 (p=NS); the proportion of cats receiving TF rated by the veterinarian as Positive or Complete Response vs. study start was 42% at day 2, 63% at day 3, 65% at day 4, and 100% at day 28 (p<0.01). TF rapidly and effectively resolved veterinarian‐assessed clinical outcomes in cats with constipation or diarrhea. Fiber sources rich in antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory compounds were more effective than traditional fiber sources in improving clinical response in cats with diarrhea or constipation.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.

Polyphenol‐rich Dietary Fiber Sources Increased Antioxidant & Anti‐inflammatory Polyphenols in the Lower Gastrointestinal Tracts of Healthy Adult Cats While Maintaining Fecal Characteristics Similar to Control

Plant fibers may benefit feline gastrointestinal (GI) health. Healthy adult cats (n=46) were fed control food (CF) for 4 wks, randomized to either Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Gastrointestinal Biome Feline (GB) or Royal Canin Feline Gastrointestinal Fiber Response™ (FR) for 8 wks, CF for 4 wks & the opposite test food for 8 wks (CF: 4129 kcal/kg, 1.6 g total dietary fiber, TDF; 0.7 g soluble fiber, SF; & 0.9 g insoluble fiber, INSF, per 100 kcal; GB: 4010 kcal/kg, 3.2 g TDF, 0.3 g SF, 2.9 g INSF per 100 kcal; FR: 3890 kcal/kg, 2.8 g TDF, 0.8 g SF, 2.0 g INSF per 100 kcal). All foods were complete & balanced dry foods (2017 AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient profiles for adult cats). CF fiber sources included cracked pearled barley, corn, dried beet pulp, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) & psyllium seed husk; GB: corn, ground pecan shells, cracked pearled barley, whole grain oats, dried beet pulp, pea fiber, flaxseed, dried citrus pulp, pumpkin, cranberry pomace, FOS & psyllium seed husk; FR: corn, psyllium seed husk, chicory & FOS. Feces were collected every 4 wks & scored on a 6‐point scale (1=watery to 6=very hard), cleaned, weighed, photographed, & scored for blood, mucus, segmentation, casing, odor & unusual texture; feces were scored for color & size vs. photos from same cat on CF. Feces were homogenized & frozen within 1 hr of defecation. A commercial lab analyzed untargeted metabolomics. Fecal short chain fatty acids were analyzed by liquid‐liquid extraction & gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed‐model (PROC GLIMMIX). Stool characteristics were analyzed with Fisher’s exact test. All analyses used SAS® v. 9.4. This study was reviewed & approved by the IACUC, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Cats had free access to water & were housed with daylight & enrichment. By 4 wks, GB increased fecal butyric acid (unadj. p=0.012; adj. p=0.083) vs. FR; this difference was not significant at 8 wks. Both foods yielded acceptable stool scores though cats fed FR had larger feces by weight vs. cats fed GB at 4 & 8 wks (adj. p <.0001). Feces from cats fed FR more often had mucus, casing, unusual texture, unusually light color, & unusually large size at wks 4 & 8 (all p<0.01); feces from cats fed GB were more similar in size, weight, color & characteristics to feces from the same cat fed CF. Feces from cats fed GB had increased fecal saccharolytic products ribulose/xylulose, maltose, arabinose & fecal anti‐inflammatory & antioxidant plant compounds & postbiotics naringenin, eriodictyol, limonin, ponciretin, poncirin, secoisolariciresinol & secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, hesperidin & hesperetin at wks 4 & 8 (all adj. p<0.0001) vs. feces from cats fed FR. Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Gastrointestinal Biome Feline with specialized polyphenol‐rich fiber sources delivered anti‐inflammatory & antioxidant plant‐derived polyphenols & postbiotics to the lower GI tract of healthy adult cats, & produced fecal characteristics more similar to control vs. a competitor product.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.

Effect of Feeding Hazelnut Skin on Animal Performance, Milk Quality, and Rumen Fatty Acids in Lactating Ewes.

Simple SummaryThe by-products originating from the agro-industry processes are often rich in bioactive compounds. This is the case of hazelnut skin, waste biomass of the pastry industry, rich in polyphenols and fatty acids that, if included in animal feeding, could contribute (i) to improve animal health and products’ quality and (ii) to reduce the feed costs and feed-to-food competition in animal production. We tested this by-product as an ingredient of the diet for lactating ewes. Noteworthy, despite we observed a slight reduction of milk protein percentage, the dietary administration of hazelnut skin improved the composition of the milk lipid fraction by increasing the presence of health-promoting fatty acids and by reducing atherogenic fatty acids. Also, a healthier status of the udder could be hypothesized as a consequence of the inclusion of hazelnut skin in the diet of lactating ewes.The hazelnut skin is waste biomass rich in bioactive compounds that may affect lipid rumen metabolism, ruminant performance, and products’ quality. Therefore, we investigated the effect of dietary hazelnut skin on milk production and composition and on rumen fatty acids in ewes. During 28 days, 20 Comisana lactating ewes received alfalfa hay ad libitum plus 800 g/head/day of pelleted concentrate containing 36% dried beet pulp (CTRL group; n = 10) or 36% hazelnut skin (HS group; n = 10). The protein percentage was lower in HS milk. Milk fatty acids (FA) partially reflected those of rumen content. Total saturated FA (SFA), odd and branched-chain FA, and n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) were greater in CTRL milk. Total monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and 18:1 trans were greater in HS milk; moreover, HS milk showed a double percentage of oleic acid than the CTRL group. Individual SFA were greater in CTRL milk except for 18:0. Differing from the rumen content, total PUFA, n-6 PUFA, and 18:2 n-6 were comparable between groups. Vaccenic and rumenic acid were greater in HS milk. To conclude, dietary HS slightly reduced milk protein percentage but improved atherogenic index and healthy FA in milk. The content of the somatic cells suggested a healthier udder in the HS group.

Fermentation of fibre rich ingredients exposed in vitro to the faecal inoculums of swine and turkeys.

This study was focused on in vitro fermentation and in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility of different fibre rich ingredients that can be used in diets of pigs and turkeys. In vitro DM digestibility was determined by Daisy system via using faecal or excreta fluid of swine/turkeys as a source of inoculum. The ingredients used as substrates were commercial swine or turkey diet, dried beet pulp, wheat bran, hay, straw and two types of lignocelluloses (A and B). Marked differences between the ingredients were found and the values were: dried beet pulp (80%), swine/turkey diet (75%), wheat bran (60%), hay (40%) and straw (10%–20%). Of special interest are the data on the two lignocellulose products, the in vitro DM digestibility of product A was in the range of 20% (in turkeys) up to 30% (in pigs), whereas the product B had values of <5%. Moreover, the inoculums were incubated with the same substrates for 24h using gas measuring technique. Consecutively, commercial swine or turkey diet, dried beet pulp, wheat bran and hay produced high amounts of gas and volatile fatty acids. Lignocellulose A and straw provided lower and equal amounts of gases and fatty acids. However, lignocellulose B showed very little fermentation compared to the product A. In conclusions, faecal or excreta can be used as a source of microbial activity to determine the in vitro DM digestibility or fermentation of feeds. Comparing lignocellulose products with traditional fibre sources, the DM digestibility of lignocellulose A was greater than straw but its fermentation rate seems to be equal to straw. Thus, lignocellulose A can be used as a new source of fibre in diets of monogastric animals to optimize the gut health and improving the faeces or excreta quality.

Specialized Dietary Fibers Alter Microbiome Composition & Promote Fermentative Metabolism in the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract of Healthy Adult Cats (P20-045-19)

ObjectivesThe feline gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome is capable of fermenting fibers. We evaluated specialized dietary plant fibers on feline GI microbiome composition & metabolism. Methods46 healthy adult cats were fed control food (CF) for 4 wks & test food (TF) for 8 wks (CF: 4129 kcal/kg, 1.6 g total dietary fiber, TDF; 0.7 g soluble fiber, SF; & 0.9 g insoluble fiber, INSF, per 100 kcal; TF: 4010 kcal/kg, 3.2 g TDF, 0.3 g SF, 2.9 g INSF per 100 kcal). All foods were complete balanced dry products & met 2017 AAFCO maintenance guidelines. CF fiber sources: cracked pearled barley, corn, dried beet pulp, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) & psyllium seed husk; TF: corn, ground pecan shells, cracked pearled barley, whole grain oats, dried beet pulp, pea fiber, flaxseed, dried citrus pulp, pumpkin, cranberry pomace, FOS & psyllium seed husk. Feces were collected after 4 wks of CF & after 4 & 8 wks of TF, cleaned of litter, homogenized, & frozen at −70C within 1 hour of defecation. Cats had free access to water, natural daylight & enrichment from toys, other cats & people. The study was reviewed & approved by the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Fecal microbiome 16 s rRNA sequencing was performed using Illumina MiSeq & processed by Mothur. Predicted microbial functions were determined by PICRUSt & analyzed using PERMANOVA. The copy number corrected OTU counts were analyzed using negative binomial mixed models. Fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were analyzed using liquid-liquid extraction & gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Results significant at P < 0.05 are reported. ResultsAt 4 & 8 wks, TF significantly increased acetic & propionic acids, decreased isobutyric, 2-methylbutyric, & isovaleric acids. The genera Peptococcus, Succinivibrio & Enterococcus were significantly decreased vs. CF at 4 & 8 wks while Blautia, Bacteroides, & Turicibacter were significantly increased vs. CF at 4 & 8 wks. Predicted microbial functions representing arginine, benzoate, butyrate, phenylalanine, propionate, tryptophan & tyrosine metabolic pathways were significantly different from CF at 4 wks. ConclusionsTF shifts feline GI microbiome composition & metabolism toward saccharolytic fermentation & decreases putrefactive metabolites, characteristics which may benefit feline GI health. Funding SourcesThis study was funded by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.

Select Dietary Fibers Alter GI Microbiome Composition & Promote Fermentative Metabolism in the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract of Healthy Adult Dogs (P20-044-19)

ObjectivesThe canine gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome is capable of fermenting fibers. We evaluated select dietary plant fibers on canine GI microbiome composition & metabolism. Methods39 adult dogs were fed a control food (CF) for 4 weeks, then fed a test food (TF) for 4 weeks. (CF: 3411 kcals/kg, 2.2 g total dietary fiber, TDF; 0.5 g soluble fiber, SF; 1.7 g insoluble fiber, INSF per 100 kcal; TF: 3273 kcal/kg, 5.0 g TDF, 0.8 g SF, 4.2 g INSF per 100 kcal). Foods were complete & balanced dry foods & met 2017 AAFCO nutritional guidelines. CF fiber sources: cracked pearled barley, whole corn, whole grain oats, cellulose; TF: cracked pearled barley, whole corn, whole grain oats, ground pecan shells, cellulose, flaxseed, dried beet pulp, dried citrus pulp, pressed cranberries, dried pumpkin, psyllium seed husks, & ginger root. Feces were collected after 4 weeks of feeding CF and TF, homogenized, & frozen at −80C within 1 hour of defecation. Fecal microbiome 16 s rRNA sequencing was performed using Illumina MiSeq and processed through Mothur. Predicted microbial functions were determined by PICRUSt and analyzed using PERMANOVA. Count-normalized data were CLR transformed & analyzed using negative binomial mixed models. Fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were analyzed using liquid-liquid extraction & gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Results significant at P < 0.05 are reported. The study was reviewed & approved by the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Dogs had access to clean fresh water at all times. ResultsTF significantly increased fecal acetic acid, decreased putrefactive metabolites such as isobutyric, 2-methylbutyric, & isovaleric acids. The acetate-& lactate-producing genera Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium were significantly increased while Streptococus and Enterococcus were significantly decreased vs CF. Predicted microbial functions representing butyrate, phenylalanine & tyrosine metabolic pathways were significantly different from CF. ConclusionsTF shifts canine GI microbiome composition and metabolism toward saccharolytic fermentation & decreases putrefactive metabolites, characteristics which provide beneficial impacts to canine GI health. Funding SourcesThis study was funded by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.

Specialized Dietary Fiber Sources Improved Stool Parameters, Increased Fecal Saccharolytic and Fermentative Metabolites, &amp; Delivered Antioxidant &amp; Antiinflammatory Polyphenols to the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract of Healthy Adult Cats

Cats possess a gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome capable of fermenting a range of plant fibers. Specialized fiber sources may offer opportunities to optimize feline health. 46 healthy adult cats were fed control food (CF) for 4 weeks, randomized to one of two test foods (TFA or TFB) for 8 weeks followed by CF for an additional 4 weeks and the opposite test food for 8 weeks (CF: 4129 kcal/kg, 1.6 g total dietary fiber, TDF; 0.7 g soluble fiber, SF; &amp; 0.9 g insoluble fiber, INSF, per 100 kcal; TFA: 4010 kcal/kg, 3.2 g TDF, 0.3 g SF, 2.9 g INSF per 100 kcal; TFB: 3890 kcal/kg, 2.8 g TDF, 0.8 g SF, 2.0 g INSF per 100 kcal). All foods were complete &amp; balanced dry products &amp; met 2017 AAFCO maintenance guidelines. CF fiber sources included cracked pearled barley, corn, dried beet pulp, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) &amp; psyllium seed husk; TFA: corn, ground pecan shells, cracked pearled barley, whole grain oats, dried beet pulp, pea fiber, flaxseed, dried citrus pulp, pumpkin, cranberry pomace, FOS &amp; psyllium seed husk; TFB: corn, psyllium seed husk, chicory &amp; FOS. Feces were collected after 4 weeks of feeding CF &amp; after 4 &amp; 8 weeks of TFA &amp; TFB and scored on a 6 point scale (1=watery to 6=very hard), cleaned, homogenized, &amp; frozen at −70C within 1 hour of defecation. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed by a commercial lab. Fecal short chain fatty acids were analyzed using liquid‐liquid extraction &amp; gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed models; results significant at p&lt;0.05 are reported. This study was reviewed &amp; approved by the Institutional Animal Care &amp; Use Committee, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. Cats had free access to water &amp; were housed with natural daylight &amp; enrichment provided by toys, other cats &amp; people. At 4 &amp; 8 weeks, both TFA &amp; TFB significantly increased fecal acetic &amp; propionic acids, decreased isobutyric, 2‐methylbutyric, &amp; isovaleric acids, increased moisture &amp; decreased pH vs. CF while maintaining acceptable stool scores. TFA and TFB significantly increased fecal saccharolytic products ribulose/xylulose &amp; arabinose as well as fecal anti‐inflammatory &amp; antioxidant plant compounds naringenin, eriodictyol, hesperidin &amp; hesperetin vs. CF at weeks 4 &amp; 8; however, the values for TFA were significantly greater than TFB for all compounds &amp; time points. Only TFA significantly increased fecal saccharolytic product maltose as well as fecal anti‐inflammatory &amp; antioxidant plant compounds limonin, ponciretin, secoisolariciresinol &amp; secoisolariciresinol diglucoside vs. CF &amp; TFB at weeks 4 &amp; 8. TFA with specialized polyphenol‐rich fiber sources increased fecal saccharolytic &amp; fermentative metabolites indicating increased fiber metabolism by GI bacteria. TFA increased anti‐inflammatory &amp; antioxidant plant‐derived polyphenols in the lower GI tract of healthy adult cats, which may have implications for management of feline inflammatory GI diseases.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Bacterial Metabolism of Polyphenol‐rich Fibers in a True Carnivore, Felis catus

Domestic cats, Felis catus, are true carnivores with short gastrointestinal (GI) tracts, rapid GI transit, minimal production of enzymes for carbohydrate digestion &amp; vestigial ceca. These characteristics suggest cats have limited ability to effectively metabolize fiber; however, rich sources of plant‐derived polyphenols &amp; fermentable carbohydrates may benefit feline GI health. 30 adult cats (healthy or with mild GI distress) consumed the Control food (CF) during a 3 week prefeed. Cats were randomized to either CF or Test food (TF) for a 4 week treatment period then crossed to the opposite food for 4 weeks (CF: 3913 kcal/kg, 1.5 g total dietary fiber, TDF; 0.2 g soluble fiber, SF; &amp; 1.3 g insoluble fiber, INSF, per 100 kcal; TF: 3991 kcal/kg, 2.2 g TDF, 0.4 g SF, 1.8 g INSF per 100 kcal). All foods were complete &amp; balanced, fed in dry form &amp; met 2017 AAFCO maintenance guidelines. Fiber sources included, CF: corn &amp; cellulose; TF: corn, ground pecan shells, flaxseed, dried citrus pulp, dried beet pulp, &amp; cranberry pomace. Feces were collected on prefeed day 18 &amp; on treatment days 24 &amp; 52, scored on a 5 point scale (1= &gt;75% liquid to 5= &gt;90% firm), cleaned, homogenized, &amp; frozen at −70C. Microbiome 16s sequencing was performed; count‐normalized data were CLR transformed. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed by a commercial lab. Fecal short chain fatty acids were analyzed using liquid‐liquid extraction &amp; gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Results were compared at 4 weeks using paired t‐tests with a significance threshold of p&lt;0.05. Cats had free access to water &amp; were housed with natural daylight &amp; enrichment provided by toys, other cats &amp; people. This study was reviewed &amp; approved by the Institutional Animal Care &amp; Use Committee, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. TF significantly increased fecal propionic acid &amp; decreased pH vs. CF while maintaining acceptable stool scores; there was a trend toward increased acetate. TF increased acetate &amp; propionate‐producing bacterial taxa including Bacteroides, Clostridia, Prevotella, &amp; Ruminococci. TF increased fecal saccharolytic products including erythrose, fucose, maltose, ribulose/xylulose, glucose, arabinose, glucuronate, fructose, xylose, &amp; mannose. Fecal anti‐inflammatory &amp; antioxidant plant compounds including eriodictyol, hesperidin, naringenin, limonin, &amp; ponciretin from citrus, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside from flax, &amp; ferulate, quinate, sinapate, vanillate &amp; gentisate organic acids were increased in TF‐fed cats. TF also increased fecal hesperetin, secoisolariciresinol &amp; dihydroferulic acid. TF with fibers rich in polyphenols and fermentable carbohydrates increased fecal saccharolytic &amp; fermentative metabolites, lowered fecal pH and increased fermentative bacterial taxa, indicating increased fiber metabolism. TF increased anti‐inflammatory &amp; antioxidant plant polyphenols in the lower GI tract of cats and promoted bacterial transformation of polyphenols to biologically active postbiotics. The specialized polyphenol‐rich fiber sources found in TF may be beneficial in optimizing feline GI health.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.