Dry Fiber Research Articles

A promising degumming method to prepare kenaf fibers by using recyclable deep eutectic solvents

Traditional degumming methods of bast fibers are largely limited due to long procedures, high energy consumption, serious environmental pollution, or low efficiency. In this study, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) synthesized with hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and three representative hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) were applied to kenaf bast degumming. The morphologies, chemical compositions, crystallinities, polymerization degrees and physical properties of the kenaf fibers were determined. The effects and mechanisms of different DESs on dispersing kenaf bast were discussed. The results showed that alkalinity amide DES (ChCl-urea, CU) showed the best degumming effect. The optimal processing temperature is 160 °C and the processing time is 2 h. Due to competition from chloride ions, DES first weakens the hydrogen bond interaction in kenaf fibers. Then, the alkalinity amide DES removed lignin by deprotonation of phenolic hydroxyl groups and breakage of β-O-4 bonds for different lignin units. Finally, the solvent can be reused at least 3 times. The results showed that CU degumming treatment could effectively remove the gummy components in kenaf bast and had the potential to prepare refined dry kenaf fibers. This study provided a simple and green degumming method for kenaf bast. Scheme. The flowchart of DES degumming experiments. • A facile and greener DES degumming method for preparation of kenaf fibers. • Recycable and reusable DES degumming waste. • The mechanisms of kenaf bast degumming by three kind of DESs.

The effect of a fermented herbal feed supplement on the digestion of horses

The main goal of recent study was the impact assessment of a commercially available fermented herbal feed supplement on the digestion of horses and the intestinal microflora. The experiment was made with four adult horses. The product was consumed by the animals for seven days in addition to the usual oats and hay diet, in an amount of 200g. Sampling was made before and immediately after the treatments and 21 days later. From the fresh faecal samples the number of lactic acid and coliform bacteria was determined. At the end of the experiment, the dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, and acid-insoluble ash (AIA) content of hay, oats and faecal samples were measured. According to our results it can be concluded that the horses participating in the experiment responded favourably to the treatments. The positive effect of the product was clearly evident for all nutrients only 21days after the treatments. Based on our results, the lactobacillus content of the product was relatively low. Thus, we concluded that the positive effect of the product is mainly due to the beneficial effect of herbs. The favourable values obtained by crude fiber suggest that the tested product had a positive effect on the bacterial processes in the post-intestine and the efficiency of fiber breakdown. The results of the recent experiment are also confirm the important role of herbs and plant extract in the modern equine nutrition.

Comparison of the Quality of Mountain Sheep Milk Obtained from Animals Kept on a Natural and Organic Mountain Pasture

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of mountain sheep milk obtained from animals kept on mountain pastures: natural and organic. The experimental procedure was conducted under production conditions, during annual grazing of mountain sheep on two mountain pastures in the region of the Polish Carpathians: on organic pasture certified for organic farming and natural mountain pasture belonging to the National Park. This study showed greater plant species diversity in the organic mountain pasture, but its yielding was lower than that of the natural pasture. The sward of the natural pasture was characterised by lower dry matter and fibre content but contained more total protein. The type of pasture did not affect the basic composition of the milk of mountain sheep, while differences were found in terms of acidity, alcohol number, fatty acid profile of fat and milk protein fractions. Milk obtained from sheep grazed on organic pasture was characterised by a higher proportion of medium chain fatty acids, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids, and also essential unsaturated fatty acids, both linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. In milk originating from the natural mountain pasture, a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and the CLA c9-t11 isomer was found. The composition of milk protein fractions varied according to the location of grazing: milk from sheep grazing on natural pasture had a higher content of whey fractions, important for consumer health, milk from organic pasture had a higher content of κ-casein, of greatest importance in dairy processing technology. The floral composition of the pasture had an influence on the quality of sheep milk in relation to the fatty acid profile of fat and protein fractions of milk, which is important in terms of both the health-promoting and technological aspects of the raw material and may affect the quality of products made from it.

Effect of fermented cottonseed meal on growth performance and carcass traits in broiler chicken

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary inclusion of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance and carcass traits in broiler chicken up to 42 days of age. A total of 160, day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatment groups, viz. T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 with four replicates having eight bird each, in a completely randomised design. The birds in the control group (T1) were fed with standard broiler ration formulated as per BIS (2007). The diets in groups T2 to T5 were formulated by inclusion of five per cent cottonseed meal (CSM), five per cent FCSM (T3), 10 per cent FCSM (T4) and 15 per cent FCSM (T5), respectively. All the experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Fermentation of CSM significantly (p<0.05) increased its moisture, crude protein and total ash content and reduced dry matter and crude fibre content. The mean body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio of broilers in different treatment groups at sixth week of age did not differ significantly. The carcass characteristics at sixth week also did not differ significantly among treatments, except ready to cook yield per cent which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in FCSM groups. The highest net profit per kilogram body weight was obtained in 10 per cent FCSM group (T4 group), followed by T3, T5, T2 and T1.

Effects of pretreating wheat middlings and sunflower meal with fiber degrading enzymes on components solubilization and utilization in broiler chickens.

Pretreating fibrous feedstuffs with exogenous enzymes may improve their utilization in broiler chickens. Pretreatment of wheat middlings (WM) and sunflower meal (SM) with fiber degrading enzymes (FDE) was investigated for 1) in vitro solubilization of crude protein (CP) and fiber-degrading (experiment 1), and 2) apparent retention (AR) of CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), as well as the concentration of ceca digesta metabolites in broiler chickens (experiment 2). In experiment 1, WM was pretreated with FDE and SM with FDE ± protease and incubated in a shaker for 24 or 48 h at 40°C and 200 rpm. Samples were centrifuged, and the supernatant used for assay of sugars and organic acids and pellet processed for determination of apparent disappearance (AD) of dry matter (DM), fiber, and CP solubilization. In experiment 2, WM and SM were pretreated with FDE for 24 h, oven-dried, and incorporated in iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets. Diets were: 1) a corn-soybean meal positive control (PC); 2) PC plus untreated WM and SM (negative control, NC), and diets 3, 4, 5, and 6 test diets, in which the untreated WM and SM in NC were replaced with pretreated WM and SM at 25% (N25), 50% (N50), 75% (N75), and 100% (N100), respectively. Diets were prepared in mash form in two phases (starter, days 0 to 21 and finisher, days 22 to 42) and had TiO2 (0.3%) as an indigestible marker. A total of 288 Ross708 d-old male broiler chicks were placed in cages based on body weights (6 birds/cage) and allocated diets (n = 8). Birds had free access to feed and water. Samples of excreta for AR and AMEn, and of ceca digesta for the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were collected at the end of each phase. Pretreatment with FDE increased (P < 0.001) solubilization of CP, AD of NDF, and release of sugars and organic acids in the supernatant. The mixture of FDE and protease further increased (P < 0.001) CP solubilization in SM. Feeding pretreated WM and SM had a linear response (P ≤ 0.038) on AMEn, and gross energy (GE) (day 21) and a quadratic response (P < 0.05) on AR of components and AMEn (day 42) and concentration of total SCFA on day 42. On day 42, N25 and N50 had higher AR of DM, CP, NDF, and GE than N75 and N100. In conclusion, pretreatment of WM and SM with enzymes increased CP and fiber degradation. Incorporating moderate amounts (N25 and N50) of pretreated WM and SM in a corn-soybean meal diet fed to broiler chickens improved nutrient and energy utilization.

Nutrient intake, body weight changes, digestibility and nitrogen utilisation of West African dwarf goats fed Pleurotus tuber-regium treated cassava root sievate based diets

Context Biodegradation of agricultural wastes by enzyme from microorganisms, especially white rot fungi has been promising in degrading structural carbohydrates or structurally modifying proteins and their anti-nutritional properties thereby producing high quality products. Aims To evaluate the nutrient intake, body weight changes, digestibility and nitrogen utilisation of West African dwarf goats (WADG) fed Pleurotus tuber-regium treated cassava root sievate (PTRCRS) based diets. Methods The experimental diets were formulated such that PTRCRS was included in the different diets at 0, 20, 40 and 60% inclusion levels. Thirty-two WADG between six and eight months old averaging 5.26 kg in weight were randomly divided into four groups of eight goats each. The groups were randomly assigned to four experimental diets {T1 (0%), T2 (20%), T3 (40%) and T4 (60%)} in a completely randomized design. Each animal received a designated treatment diet in the morning (08:00 h) for 90 days. Feed offered was based on 3.5% body weight per day in addition to 1 kg wilted chopped Panicum maximum which was fed at 16:00 h. Fresh drinkable water was provided ad libitum. Key results There were significant (P &lt; 0.05) differences for dry matter intake (DMI), DMI as percentage of body weight (% BW), crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) intakes. Daily weight gain was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) improved in T3 and T4. Feed conversion ratio decreased (P &lt; 0.05) with increasing levels of PTRCRS. Dry matter, CP, crude fibre, NDF and ADF were better (P &lt; 0.05) digested in T4. Nitrogen intake was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in T4 (19.62 g/day) and lowest in T1 (12.39 g/day). Nitrogen balance, nitrogen retention and nitrogen absorbed were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher for T4 goats. Conclusion Incorporation of PTRCRS in WAD goat diets generally enhanced intakes, body weight gain, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilisation. Implications The treatment of cassava root sievate, which is in abundance and hitherto without any known economic value other than causing environmental nuisance with PTR, could solve the challenges of feed scarcity which has been a major factor in ruminant production. The feeding of WAD goats with PTRCRS generally enhance their performances.

Evaluation of encapsulated probiotics containing Pediococcus and Lactobacillus strains on nutrient digestibility of pig finisher ration

A nutrient digestibility trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding encapsulated probiotics on the nutrient digestibility of pig finisher ration. A total of eighteen Large White Yorkshire pigs were randomly assigned into three treatment groups having three replicates with two piglets per replicate. Encapsulation of probiotics (1x1011CFU/ml) was done by extrusion process using sodium alginate and calcium chloride. The encapsulated probiotics Pediococcus acidilactici (NCIM 5721) and Lactobacillus plantarum (NCIM 2374) were given separately mixed with fermented maize for T2 and T3 group pigs, respectively, and supplemented from 42nd day of its age and pigs in the control group (T1) received only fermented maize. The pigs in all groups were fed with pig grower and finisher ration as per ICAR (2013) recommendations. One pig from each group was selected randomly for a nutrient digestibility trial at the 213th day of its age using Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an external marker mixed at 5 g/kg of feed and fed for six days. On day six, faecal content was collected and Titanium dioxide was estimated. The results revealed supplementation of encapsulated probiotics showed a significant (P&lt;0.01) increase in dry matter, ether extract, crude fibre, crude protein and organic matter digestibility in encapsulated probiotic supplemented group pigs compared to the control. Further, it was concluded that encapsulated L. plantarum (NCIM 2374) supplemented T3 group showed better digestibility of nutrients than encapsulated P. acidilactici (NCIM 5721) (T2) group animals.

An investigation of the effect of drying methods on the nutritive value of forage grasses

Drying methods have been identified as a critical factor in forage evaluation because there are changes in their chemical components that are affected by different drying temperatures. The study evaluated the effect of three drying methods (sun-drying, shade-drying and oven-drying (60°C) on the chemical components of three local grass species (Pennisetum purpureum, Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria arrecta) grown under tropical conditions. The objective was to determine how drying methods influence the nutritive value of forage grasses to optimize feeding practices. The harvested grass samples were dried to a constant weight under the three drying methods before being milled and then subjected to chemical analysis. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ash, ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), and nitrogen free extracts (NFE) were determined. Across drying methods, the DM content was highest (p&lt;0.05) in B. ruziziensis (908 g/kg DM). The OM of the oven dried species was significantly higher in B. ruziziensis (885 g/kg DM) when compared to the species of B. arrecta (867 g/kg DM) and P. purpureum (859 g/kg DM). The CP content was highest (p&lt;0.05) in B. ruziziensis (123 g/kg DM) (shade dried) and lowest (p&lt;0.05) in B. arrecta (87.6 g/kg DM) (sun-dried). Across drying methods, the CF content was highest (p&lt;0.05) in B. arrecta (367 g/kg DM) (oven dried) and lowest (p&lt;0.05) in P. purpureum (264 g/kg DM) (shade dried). Species demonstrated higher levels of OM, CP, and lowest CF levels under shade-drying when compared to other drying methods. It was concluded that drying methods do influence the chemical components of grass species with shade-drying, indicating a greater potential for laboratory analyses and field processing. Keywords: Chemical composition, drying temperatures, fibre, forages, sun-drying, shade-drying.

Evaluating the influence of coir fibres on solar still efficiency and economic viability

The primary objective of this study is to determine the Coir fibres (CF) utilization in solar stills (SS) to boost the quantity of freshwater production. By placing dry CF fibres in the absorber basin, researchers were able to accelerate the rate at which water evaporated from the SS. Under various CF densities, the freshwater production of the absorber basin was measured (8, 11, 14, 18, 20, 23, and 26). The outcomes demonstrated that yield was raised by 27.23 percent after 18-fiber SSCF was added to the absorber basin. There were 14.27 percent, 19.40 percent, 24.57 percent, 25.00 percent, 16.28 percent, and 6.23 percent yield improvements for solar stills with 8, 11, 14, 18, 20, 23, and 26 fibres in the absorber basin, respectively, as compared to a CSS. The results demonstrate that compared to CSS, the cost to produce one litre of freshwater with SSCF is reduced by 23.1%. The return of investment for SSCF is much more immediate than it is for CSS. An estimated ₹242 was needed to produce 1 litre of freshwater using CSS, while an estimated ₹199 was needed to produce 1 litre of freshwater using SSCF. The payback time for SS was only 6.23 months, which was significantly less than that of solar panels. CF are preferable to other materials for use in the solar still due to their lower cost and higher energy efficiency.

Use of homeopathic products in pigs feed improves the percentage, quality and marbling of meat.

Studies and innovations on alternative feed additives, especially on homeopathic remedies have been highlighted in order to replace or reduce the use of antibiotics in pig production. This paper aimed to assess the addition of homeopathic products in pig diet and their effects on the growth performance, serum metabolites, nutrient and energy digestibility, carcass traits and meat quality. A total of 60 immunocastrated male pigs, weighing on average 30.91 ± 0.95 kg, were distributed in two treatments, 10 replicates and three animals/experimental unit. There was no effect (P≥0.05) of treatment on the growth performance and serum metabolites. The percentage of acid-insoluble ash recovered in the diet was greater (P≤0.01) in diets containing homeopathic products. The apparent digestible energy of diets containing homeopathic products was reduced (P≤0.01) in the growing phase and reduced (P≤0.01) the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, soluble neutral and acid detergent fibers, and gross energy in the growing and finishing phases. Pig that received diets with homeopathic products had higher (P≤0.05) amount of meat, percentage of meat and marbling. The use of homeopathic products in diets improves the percentage and quality of meat, as well as the marbling of the pig carcass, maintaining the performance.

NUEVOS MÉTODOS AUTOMATIZADOS PARA APLICACIONES DE CARROCERIA

The transport sector has exerted and continue to be the driving force for the development of new materials and lightweight solutions. The present study focuses on the work developed in a European project (CARBODIN&nbsp;https://carbodin.eu/) where one of the main objectives is to develop innovative and affordable solutions for advanced car body shells. Thus, contributing to the development of the next generation of passenger trains that will be lighter as well as more energy- and cost-efficient. Composite materials appear to be one of the most promising candidates to attain these ambitious targets. Therefore, new strategies to achieve greater automation are presented as novel manufacturing routes and offer a cost-effective industrial solution. This study has allowed the integration of unconventional technologies, such as AFP, within conventional production systems, such as VIP, which is the key to developing sustainable units, overcoming the common difficulties associated with processing and achieving the modularity of the manufacturing process and the reduction of the weight of the final rail structure. For this reason, a comparison of the manufacture of both monolithic composites and sandwich structures have been obtained through the VIP process, manufactured in an automated and manual way. Several automated approaches have been studied, with the choice of the robotized lay up of bindered dry fibers. An out of autoclave manufacturing was assisted through different monitoring technologies such as resin arrival sensors and thermography in order to ensure high quality components.

English

Pumpkin is a significant part of dish when in season in Malawi. In this study, the proximate composition, physicochemical and phytochemical properties were determined from pumpkin seed and oil. The Cucurbita maxima seed proximate compositions (%) were dry matter (97.58&plusmn;0.26), crude protein (32.47&plusmn;0.15), ash (7.38&plusmn;0.05), crude fat (46.39&plusmn;0.06), crude fiber (12.29&plusmn;0.17) and carbohydrate (4.18&plusmn;0.21), respectively. The physicochemical composition showed that saponification and ester values, in mg KOH/g oil, were the highest, registering 161.705&plusmn;12.281 and 161.022&plusmn;12.018 values followed by peroxide value (32.213&plusmn;0.677 meq O2/kg), iodine value (17.769&plusmn;0.147 g I2/g), free fatty acid as oleic acid (1.964&plusmn;0.025 mg/100 g), refractive index (1.446&plusmn;0.000), acid value (0.987&plusmn;0.0125 mg KOH/g) and specific gravity (0.8985&plusmn;0.00370). Results in seed flour on phytochemical properties, in mg/100 g, were phytate (119.07&plusmn;6.65), oxalate (1462.77&plusmn;97.518), alkaloids (90.997&plusmn;1.574) and flavonoids (61.7605&plusmn;7.6035). The oil phytochemical content, in mg/100 g, were highest in alkaloids (826.08&plusmn;0.71), followed by phytate (309.7&plusmn;16.4), flavonoids (235.36&plusmn;8.97) and oxalate (87.272&plusmn;0.612). In seed flour, the pH value was 6.9&plusmn;0.00, titratable acidity (0.03&plusmn;0.00 mg/g), vitamin C and phosphorus, in mg/100 g were 4.9876&plusmn;0.0075 and 329.92&plusmn;52.04, respectively. Findings from this study showed that pumpkin seed is a good source of essential nutrients for human nutrition and vegetable oil for industrial uses. Key words: Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), vegetable oil, proximate composition, physicochemical, phytochemicals, saponification value, vitamin C, minerals.

Comparison of Nutritional Value between Broiler Feather Flour and Fermented Broiler Feather Flour

The aim of this study was to acknowledge the change in the nutrient content of fermented feather flour use a mixture of yeast tape and yeast bread. Feather flour used is a waste broiler feather flour obtained from the Oesao Presidential Market, Kupang Regency. Trial method used was a direct methods and fermented result through proximate analysis would be compared with before fermented. The design used was complete randomized design with 2 treatments and 3 replications. The treatment tested were R0: Broiler feather flour without fermented and R1: fermented broiler feather flour used yeast tape and yeast bread. Variable observed were the change in nutrient content in form of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and material extract without nitrogen feather meal after fermented. Statistical analysis showed significant result (P&lt;0.05) on variables and fermented used yeast tape and yeast bread could increase crude protein and crude fat with could reduce content of crude fiber, carbohydrates and material extract without nitrogen feather meal. The conclusion of this study was yeast tape and yeast bread could increase the nutrients in feather flour that could be used as indgredients mixed diet.

Manufacture and Buckling Test of a Variable-Stiffness, Variable-Thickness Composite Cylinder Under Axial Compression

Variable-angle tow (VAT) manufacturing methods significantly increase the design space for elastic tailoring of composite structures by smoothly changing fiber angle and ply thickness across a component. Rapid tow shearing (RTS) is a VAT manufacturing technique that uses in-plane shearing (rather than in-plane bending) to steer tows of dry or pre-impregnated fibers. RTS offers a number of benefits over conventional bending-driven steering processes, including tessellation of adjacent tow courses; no overlaps or gaps between tows; and no fiber wrinkling or bridging. Further to this, RTS offers an additional design variable: fiber orientation to tow thickness coupling due to the volumetric relation between tow shearing and the tow’s thickness and width. Previous computational work has shown that through a judicious choice of curvilinear fiber trajectories along a cylinder’s length and across its circumference, the imperfection sensitivity of cylindrical shells under axial compression can be reduced and load-carrying capacity increased. The present work aims to verify these predictions by manufacturing and testing two cylinders: an RTS cylinder and a straight-fiber, quasi-isotropic cylinder as a benchmark. The tow-steered manufacturing process, imperfection measurements, instrumentation, and buckling tests of both cylinders are discussed herein. The experimental tests results are compared against high-fidelity geometrically nonlinear finite element models that include measured geometric and loading imperfections before and during the tests. Finally, a discussion is provided on the outstanding challenges in designing and manufacturing RTS cylinders for primary aerostructures.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Fibre Yield of Sisal (Agave sisalana) in North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh, India

Sisal (Agave sisalana) historically an important crop grown in marginally degraded soils in north coastal zone of Andhra Pradesh. The leaf fiber from sisal is used for multiple purposes. The semi- perennial xerophytic sisal crop is significantly responding to nutrient management practices in rainfed soils. Pooled results of the field experiment conducted during 2020-21 to 2021-22 at Agricultural Research station, Amadalavalasa, Andhra Pradesh under All India Network Project on Jute and Allied Fibres revealed that, the growth and fibre yield parameters are responding positively to nutrient management practices. Combined application of 90: 30: 60 kg NPK ha-1 + vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 increased number of leaves / plant by 50.4% as compared to control. Same treatment combination influenced the leaf length and width to the tune of 26% and 14% respectively compared to control. Among the treatments imposed in the experiment, the higher green leaf (49.2%) and dry fibre yield (49.4%) was recorded with 90: 30: 60 kg NPK ha-1 + vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 over control. The effect of integrated application of nutrients to sisal was reflected in higher soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium status compared to only NPK application and control treatments. Overall the sisal crop growth, green leaf yield, dry fibre yield and post-harvest soil fertility status was significantly higher with conjunctive use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients compared to inorganic NPK alone. Hence, the integrated nutrient management proved to be highly rewarding in marginal, nutrient depleted and degraded soils, particularly in rainfed, semi-perennial crops like sisal.

Proximate Composition and Mineral Profile of Some Agro-Allied By-Products Wastes in the Kingdom of Lesotho

The study was carried out to investigate the feed value of four agro-allied by-products consisting of two tubers wastes namely; Irish potato peel meal (IPPM) and sweet potato peel meal (SPPM) and two fruits wastes namely, sweet orange peel meal (SOPM) and banana peel meal (BPM) as feed ingredients in livestock and poultry production in a temperate environment. Fresh fruits of banana and sweet orange and fresh tubers of Irish potato and sweet potato were purchased from the Maseru District in Lesotho. The tubers were rinsed and peeled, the peels of the fruits were removed and all the peels were separately shade-dried to attain about 10% moisture. Drying of Irish potato, sweet potato, and sweet orange peels lasted 48 hours, while for banana peels it lasted 72 hours. The peels were milled and stored in sealed plastic bottles prior to chemical analyses. Chemical analyses were carried out in triplicate to determine the proximate constituents, energy content, and mineral profile. The results revealed significant (P&lt;0.05) differences in the proximate composition and metabolisable energy, among the peels without any sequence of variation. The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), ash, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), and metabolisable energy varied between 88.83% - 93.67%, 5.72% - 14.26%, 0.77% -7.83%, 5.67% - 11.67%, 3.50% - 15.00%, 52.33% - 70.94% and 2782.28 kcal/kg - 2834.14 kcal/kg, respectively among the peels. The mineral elements profile showed significant (P&lt;0.05) difference among the peels in phosphorus which ranged from 0.64 g/kg - 2.49 g/kg, calcium 0.24 g/kg - 3.32 g/kg, magnesium 1.35 g/kg - 2.07 g/kg, potassium 0.77 g/kg - 64.13 g/kg, sodium 0.08 g/kg - 1.43 g/kg and chloride 0.36 g/kg - 0.68 g/kg without a definite sequence of variation among the different peels. The results obtained showed that the peels of Irish potato, sweet potato, sweet orange, and banana peel can be utilised as unconventional feed resources in poultry and livestock nutrition in Lesotho. How to Cite: Teboho Jobo, Oluwabiyi Oluremi, 2022. "Proximate Composition and Mineral Profile of Some Agro-Allied By-Products Wastes in the Kingdom of Lesotho." Journal of Agriculture and Crops, vol. 9, pp. 114-121.

Pengaruh Penambahan Probiotik Mix Culture Pada Fermentasi Anaerob Kulit Kopi Terhadap Kadungan Serat Kasar, Dan Protein Kasar

This research aim to determine the effect of addition probiotic mixculture on the anaerobic fermentation of coffee peel on the content of dry matter, crude fiber, and crude protein. This research conducted by experimentally using a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 repeats. The treatment was P1 (coffee peel + 3% molasses), P2 (coffee peel + 3% molasses + 0.5% Heryaki probiotic), P3 (coffee peel + 3% molasses + 1% Heryaki probiotic), P4 (coffee peel + 3% molasses + 1.5% Heryaki probiotic). The results showed that the addition of probiotic mix culture had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on crude fiber and crude protein. The crude fiber (15.738%-17.714%) and crude protein (10.676%-12.019%). The conclusion of this study was that the addition of mix culture probiotics on anaerobic fermentation of coffee peel did not affect the crude fiber and crude protein content.&#x0D;

Varietal performance of jute based on yield and yield contributing characters under the Terai region of Province -1 Nepal

A research experiment was conducted to know the varietal performance of some jute varieties at the farm of Jute Research Programme, Itahari, Sunsari, Nepal, during the jute growing period in 2019 and 2020. A total of fifteen tossa jute varieties viz. CO-58, JRCM-2, JRO-524, JRO-2407, SM-100, JRO-204, NJ-7010, Mahabij, JBO-2003H, JRO-7835, YA-41, Itahari-2, OM-1, JRO-632 and KEN-DS-058 were used as experimental crops. The experiment was laid out in Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, and each replicate had 12 lines with an inter and Intra row spacing of 25 cm and 5 to 7cm, respectively. Varietal performances of jute showed statistically significant variation for all the traits. Among the tested varieties, the jute variety NJ-7010 showed the tallest plant height (366 cm), highest basal diameter (20.6 mm), bark thickness (1.7 mm), leaf width (4.8 cm), petiole length (4.7cm), lowest disease incidence (2.5 %) respectively. However, the variety JRCM-2 and JRO-524 showed the highest leaf length (15.1 cm), while the variety JRO-524 showed the lowest pest incidence (4.2 %). Furthermore, the jute variety NJ-7010 also showed greater results on various yield characters viz. green leaf weight (17.3 ton/ha), green plant weight (100.3 ton/ha), green fibre weight (44.7 ton/ha), green stick weight (57 ton/ha), dry fibre weight (7.2 ton/ha), dry stick weight (17.3 ton/ha). Thus, the jute variety NJ-7010 understood superiority in growth, yield, and yield-attributing traits. Therefore, the jute variety NJ-7010 could be a more successful, productive variety than other tested varieties in the terai region of Province-1 Nepal.

Interactions between Entodinium caudatum and an amino acid-fermenting bacterial consortium: fermentation characteristics and protozoal population in vitro.

Ruminal protozoa, especially entodiniomorphs, engulf other members of the rumen microbiome in large numbers; and they release oligopeptides and amino acids, which can be fermented to ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) by amino acid-fermenting bacteria (AAFB). Studies using defaunated (protozoa-free) sheep have demonstrated that ruminal protozoa considerably increase intraruminal nitrogen recycling but decrease nitrogen utilization efficiency in ruminants. However, direct interactions between ruminal protozoa and AAFB have not been demonstrated because of their inability to establish axenic cultures of any ruminal protozoan. Thus, this study was performed to evaluate the interaction between Entodinium caudatum, which is the most predominant rumen ciliate species, and an AAFB consortium in terms of feed degradation and ammonia production along with the microbial population shift of select bacterial species (Prevotella ruminicola, Clostridium aminophilum, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius). From an Ent. caudatum culture that had been maintained by daily feeding and transfers every 3 or 4 days, the bacteria and methanogens loosely associated with Ent. caudatum cells were removed by filtration and washing. An AAFB consortium was established by repeated transfers and enrichment with casamino acids as the sole substrate. The cultures of Ent. caudatum alone (Ec) and AAFB alone (AAFB) and the co-culture of Ent. caudatum and AAFB (Ec + AAFB) were set up in three replicates and incubated at 39°C for 72 h. The digestibility of dry matter (DM) and fiber (NDF), VFA profiles, ammonia concentrations, pH, and microscopic counts of Ent. caudatum were compared among the three cultures. The co-culture of AAFB and Ent. caudatum enhanced DM degradation, VFA production, and Ent. caudatum cell counts; conversely, it decreased acetate: propionate ratio although the total bacterial abundance was similar between Ec and the Ec + AAFB co-culture after 24 h incubation. The ammonia production and relative abundance of C. aminophilum and P. anaerobius did not differ between AAFB alone and the Ec + AAFB co-culture. Our results indicate that Ent. caudatum and AAFB could have a mutualistic interaction that benefited each other, but their interactions were complex and might not increase ammoniagenesis. Further research should examine how such interactions affect the population dynamics of AAFB.

Evaluation of Lapatinib-Loaded Microfibers Prepared by Centrifugal Spinning.

Lapatinib (Lap) is a lypophilic drug frequently used in cancer treatment; however, due to its limited solubility and permeability, achieving therapeutic dose through oral administration proves to be a challenge. There are various methods for enhancing the solubility of Lap and other similar drugs, one being the preparation of amorphous solid dispersions (ASD). In this study, a Lap-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fiber mat was created with centrifugal spinning from a PVP/Lap solution in dimethyl formamide and ethanol. The production rate was 12.2 g/h dry fibers, and the fibers had an average thickness of 2.55 ± 0.92 μm. In the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogram of the fiber mat, the melting peak of the crystalline Lap was not visible, suggesting that Lap was in an amorphous state. A dissolution study was carried out in 0.2 M phosphate buffer saline solution at 37 °C. UV spectrophotometry data indicated that in the sample containing the fiber mat, the Lap concentration was 332 μg/mL (66%) in 10 min, decreasing to 227 μg/mL by 45 min. Meanwhile the crystalline Lap formed a 30-40 μg/mL (6-8%) solution in 5 min, maintaining that concentration. We conclude that centrifugal spinning can be an effective and easy method to produce ASDs.