Effects Of Fiber Sources Research Articles

Effects of fibre sources on physiological properties and reproductive performance in gestating and lactating sows

Context Few experiments have demonstrated how alternative fibre sources such as micronised citrus pulp in the diet of sows during pregnancy and lactation can influence the productive and biochemical parameters of the sows. Aims The aim of the study was to compare different fibre sources fed to sows during gestation for effects on serum biochemical and reproductive parameters, and to determine how these effects may relate to sow and piglet performances. Methods In total, 220 sows of average initial liveweight 240.72 ± 29.42 kg were allotted to a completely randomised design with four treatments and 55 sows per treatment. The treatments comprised different fibre sources (micronised citrus pulp, soybean hulls and coffee husks) included in the feed, with a maize–soybean-meal-based diet as the control. Productive and biochemical parameters were assessed. Key results Productive and reproductive performance during gestation and lactation, and litter birth weight, were not influenced (P > 0.05) by treatment. Placental efficiency (g fetus produced/g placenta) was lower (P < 0.05) in sows receiving soybean hulls than coffee husks (4.9 vs 5.4). Control sows presented lower (P < 0.05) stillborn rate than those supplemented with soybean hulls (1.08% vs 2.72%). Blood glucose, creatinine, lactate, triglycerides, total protein, cholesterol and urea were not influenced (P > 0.05) by treatment. Postprandial blood glucose and triglycerides levels were higher (P < 0.05) than preprandial levels, whereas preprandial cholesterol was higher (P < 0.05) than postprandial (67.74 vs 62.51 mg/dL). Conclusion Diverse fibre sources minimally impacted sow performance; coffee husks emerged as a potentially advantageous choice. Implications Nutritional strategies to enhance reproductive and productive performance can be developed by incorporating coffee husks, micronised citrus pulp or soybean hulls in sows’ feed. Use of these fibre sources did not alter reproductive and productive parameters or blood metabolites of the sows.

GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND GUT PROMOTING ACTIVITY OF THREE CONVENTIONAL FIBRE FEEDSTUFFS IN DIETS OF GROWING PIGS

<p><strong>Background.</strong> The increasing utilisation of fibre feedstuffs in diets of pigs nowadays calls for concerns not only on the growth but also the health status of the animals and the possibility to eradicate the use of in-feed antibiotics for pigs. <strong>Objective.</strong> To evaluate the growth performance and gut promoting activity of three fibre feedstuffs (Palm kernel cake (PKC), Brewers’ dried grain (BDG) and Wheat offal (WO)) in diets of growing pigs. <strong>Methodology</strong>. Three dietary treatments containing 40 % each of PKC, BDG and WO were randomly allotted to 24 growing crossbred (Large White x Hampshire) pigs of average initial weight of 30± 0.50 Kg in an 82 d feeding trial. <strong>Results.</strong> There was an influence (p<0.05) of sources of fibre feedstuffs for the arabinoxylan- and mannan-oligosaccharide concentrations of the dietary treatments with BDG having comparatively higher values than WO and PKC diets. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations and pH of gut digesta were different (p<0.05) across dietary groups with pigs fed BDG diet having higher SCFA concentration in the foregut and hindgut. In the gut flora, BDG and WO promoted the highest (p<0.05) <em>Lactobacillus</em> population in the small and large intestines respectively. There were significant (p<0.05) effects of fibre sources on the final weight, average daily gain and daily intake of pigs fed the different treatments with those fed WO diets showing superior performance over pigs fed either PKC or BDG diet. <strong>Implication. </strong>The WO diet promoted the fastest growth and better gut effects but BDG resulted in the most efficient feed to gain conversion. <strong>Conclusion.</strong> All the diets exhibited prebiotic activity, enhanced the growth of beneficial bacterial in the gut and could reduce the use of in-feed antibiotics for pigs.</p>

Research Note: Effects of fiber source on the physicochemical properties of lean poultry meat products

Plant fiber addition (citrus A and B, apple, pea, bamboo, and sugar cane) to lean turkey meat was evaluated and texture, yield, and microstructure were compared to a control. The best 2 were the sugar cane and apple peel fibers which reduced cooking loss, and increased hardness by 20% compared to the control. The bamboo fibers significantly improved hardness but not yield, while the citrus A and apple fibers reduced cooking loss but did not affect hardness. The differences in the effect of fiber type on texture appear to be related to their origin (e.g., sugar cane and bamboo originating from large plants requiring strong fibers, compared citrus and apple fruits), and fiber length determined by the fiber extraction procedure.

Effect of fiber source and crude protein level on nursery pig performance and fecal microbial communities.

Reduction in dietary crude protein and addition of fiber could mitigate the incidence and severity of post-weaning diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal condition in newly weaned pigs. Therefore, 360 weanling pigs, initially 5.0 ± 0.10 kg, were used to evaluate the effects of crude protein (CP) level and fiber source on growth performance and fecal microbial communities. At weaning, pigs were randomly assigned to pens and allotted to 1 of 8 dietary treatments in a 2 × 4 factorial with main effects of CP (21 or 18%) and fiber source (none, coarse wheat bran, oat hulls, or cellulose). There were 5 pigs per pen and 9 pens per treatment. Experimental diets were formulated in two dietary phases from d 0 to 10 and 10 to 24, with a common post-treatment diet fed from 24 to 45. The 21% CP diets contained 1.40% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys in phase 1 and 1.35% SID Lys in phase 2. By using a maximum SID Lys:digestible CP ratio of 6.35%, the 18% CP diets contained 1.25% SID Lys in both phases. Diets containing a fiber source were formulated to the level of insoluble fiber provided by 4% coarse wheat bran, resulting in the addition of 1.85% oat hulls and 1.55% cellulose. No fiber source × CP level interactions (P > 0.05) were observed. Decreasing CP (and subsequently SID lysine) decreased (P = 0.05) ADG and G:F during the experimental period. From d 0 to 45, ADG decreased (P = 0.05) for pigs fed 18% CP diets compared to pigs fed 21% CP. No effect of fiber source was observed for growth performance. Fecal DM on d 17 increased (P < 0.001) for pigs fed 18% CP diets compared to pigs fed 21% CP diets. Pigs fed diets with added cellulose had increased (P < 0.05) fecal dry matter during the experimental period compared to pigs fed no fiber source or wheat bran. Bacterial community structure was investigated by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Analysis indicated a significant difference between CP content at d 24 (P = 0.023) using a Weighted UniFrac distance matrix. Further investigation identified five differential Amplicon Sequence Variants associated with CP content at d 24. In conclusion, reducing crude protein (and subsequently SID Lys) decreased growth performance but increased fecal dry matter content. The source of dietary fiber in nursery diets had no impact on growth performance; but pigs fed added cellulose had increased fecal DM compared with other treatments. Microbial analysis identified differential taxa associated with CP content.

Effect of fiber source on growth performance and gastrointestinal tract in broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of the addition of a fiber source on growth performance and gastrointestinal tract in 7–28 day broiler chicken. In total, of 1600 mixed-sex Cobb 500 chicks aged 7 days were assigned to 4 treatments composed of 4 replicates with 100 birds per replicate. The 4 treatments were: control diet (T1), control diet + 0.6% commercial fiber source 1 (T2), control diet + 1% commercial fiber source 2 (T3), control diet + 2% rice hulls (T4). The addition of fiber did not affect on growth performance, relative weight, and digestive length of broiler chickens aged 7 to 28 days. In summary, adding some fiber at a moderate level as insoluble fiber not any negative impact on growth performance and gastrointestinal development, and can be a strategy to reduce feed cost in broiler farming.

Effect of fiber source and carbohydrase enzyme on chukar partridge growth performance, blood characteristics, digestive enzyme activity, cecal microbial population and ileal morphology

Effects of fiber source with various particle size and carbohydrase enzyme on growth criteria, carcass and blood characteristics, digestive enzyme activity, cecal microbial population and ileal morphology of chukar partridge were evaluated for a total period of 90 days. 300 day-old partridge were randomly allotted to a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement with 4 different fiber inclusion with different mean particle size (MPS) (none; rice hulls (RH) (711 ± 1.8 μm); wheat straw (WS) Coarse (3211 ± 1.2 μm); wheat straw Fine (755 ± 1.9 μm); and wheat bran (WB) (767 ± 1.8 μm)) along with a low-fiber control diets and two levels of carbohydrase enzyme (0 or 50 mg/kg). There were 10 treatments and 5 pens with 6 partridge chicks per each treatment. The results indicated that fiber inclusion regardless of fiber source significantly increased body weight (BW) of birds during the whole experimental period (P < 0.01). Among the fiber sources, the highest BW attained when fine WS and WB was incorporated into the low fiber diet (P < 0.01). The effect of enzyme on body weight was significant on days 60 and 90. Moreover, there were interactive effects (P< 0.01) between fiber sources and enzyme on BW during the trial. Feed intake significantly (P< 0.001) increased at starter (30 days) phase of trial by inclusion of fiber to control diet, but no significant differences were noted after on days 60 and 90. Enzyme addition had no effect on feed intake and also no interactive effect was observed between fiber source and enzyme for feed intake. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was reduced by inclusion of fiber into control low fiber diet especially at late stage of rearing period (P< 0.05). Plasma uric acid concentration was reduced by inclusion of fiber on day 28 (P< 0.05). Inclusion of fine WS increased plasma triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) concentration on day 90 (P< 0.05). There were interactive effects (P< 0.05) between fiber sources and enzyme on total cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) cholesterol on day 90. Jejunum and ileum relative weight were reduced by inclusion of fiber to control diet and the effect was more pronounced for coarse wheat straw (P< 0.05). Duodenum and ileum weight were increased by addition of enzyme to diets (P< 0.05). Fiber inclusion regardless of fiber source and particle size significantly (P< 0.01) reduced duodenum, jejunum and ileum relative length. Addition of coarse WS and RH into the low fiber diet significantly increased alkaline protease, trypsin and α-amylase activity (P< 0.01). There were interactive effects (P< 0.05) between fiber sources and enzyme on digestive enzyme activity (P< 0.01). Enzyme addition reduced trypsin activity (P< 0.05). Ceca E. coli population was increased when fiber sources were incorporated into the low fiber diet (P< 0.05). Villi length, crypt depth and villi to crypt ratio were reduced (P< 0.01) considerably regardless of fiber source compared to the low fiber diet. Inclusion of coarse WS increased and RH reduced (P< 0.01) submucosa, lamina propria and epithelial cells layer thickness compared to the low fiber diet. The results confirmed that partridge growth performance was improved by inclusion of fiber. Results obtained from current trial suggest that the fiber is a very important part of partridge diets which could improve the performance with advancing age especially in long-lived partridge.

244 Effect of Fiber Source and Crude Protein Level on Nursery Pig Performance

Abstract A total of 360 pigs (DNA 200′400, initially 5.0 kg) were used in a 45-d growth trial to determine the effects of fiber source and crude protein (CP) level in diets without pharmacological levels of ZnO on nursery pig growth performance and fecal dry matter (DM). Pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 treatments with 5 pigs/pen and 9 pens/treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2×4 factorial with main effects of CP (21 or 18%) and fiber source [none, coarse wheat bran (CWB), oat hulls, or cellulose (Arbocel, J. Rettenmaier USA, Schoolcraft, MI)]. Fiber source was added to equalize the level of insoluble fiber contributed from 4% CWB, resulting in the addition of 1.85% oat hulls or 1.55% cellulose. Diets were fed in two phases (d 0 to 10 and 10 to 24) followed by a common diet (d 24 to 45). The 21% CP diets contained 1.40% SID Lys in phase 1 and 1.35% SID Lys in phase 2. Treatment diets were formulated to a maximum SID Lys:digestible CP level of 6.35%, thus SID Lys decreased in the 18% CP (1.25% SID Lys) diets. Data were analyzed using the lmer function in R. No fiber source × CP level interactions (P &amp;gt;0.05) were observed. Decreasing dietary CP decreased (P = 0.05) ADG, G:F, and d 24 BW. Overall, ADG and d 45 BW decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for pigs fed 18% CP diets. No main effects of fiber source were observed for growth performance throughout the study. Fecal DM increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for pigs fed added cellulose compared to pigs fed no fiber or CWB in the experimental period. In conclusion, reducing dietary CP decreased growth performance and the inclusion of cellulose improved fecal DM of nursery pigs.

Effects of fibre source on nutrient digestibility of diets for finishing lambs

Inexpensive fibre sources might be used as an alternative to lucerne hay in diets for finishing lambs. Thus, effects of providing fibre from lucerne hay (LH), soyhulls (SH), maize stover (MS) and Eragrostis teff hay (ET) on the nutrient digestibility of diets of finishing lambs with comparable NDF and nutrient concentration were evaluated. Thirty-six individually housed Merino ram lambs (x̄ = 43.03, SD = 3.72 kg) were randomly allocated to four diets (n = 9 lambs/treatment). A digestibility study was conducted to determine the nutrient availability of these diets. Dry matter (DM) intake of SH (1436 g) was lower than ET (1716 g). No differences were recorded between treatments for digestibility of NDF (0.32 - 0.34), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (0.41 - 0.44), and ether extract (EE) (0.67 - 0.75), except that MS (0.23) had lower NDF digestibility. Digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM) and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) were similar for the LH (0.72; 0.75; 0.96) and SH (0.70; 0.74; 0.95) diets, whereas digestibility of crude protein (CP) (0.71 vs. 0.68), metabolizable energy (ME) (9.49 vs. 8.90 MJ/kg DM), and the available ash fraction (0.39 vs. 0.28) were altered. The SH and ET (8.70 MJ/kg DM) treatments had similar ME concentrations, but ET had lower DM digestibility (0.68). The MS treatment had the lowest ME concentration (8.25 MJ/kg DM). The LH treatment resulted in overall better nutrient availability compared with SH, MS, and ET.

The effects of fiber source on extrusion parameters and kibble structure of dry dog foods

Beet pulp (BP) and cellulose (CE) are fibrous ingredients commonly used by pet food companies to produce diets targeting weight management and gut health. Miscanthus grass (MG) is a novel fibrous ingredient that might affect food manufacturing in a similar manner to CE. The objective was to determine the effects of these three fiber sources on extrusion processing and kibble characteristics of dog foods. Diets were composed of 90 % basal ration and 10 % of each MG (827.4 g/kg insoluble fiber, 72.6 g/kg soluble fiber), CE (1000 g/kg insoluble fiber), or BP (360.0 g/kg insoluble fiber, 263.7 g/kg soluble fiber). Three batches of each treatment were mixed separately prior to extrusion. During production, processing conditions were recorded every 20 min after steady state was achieved. At each time point, 10 kibbles were randomly sampled to measure diameter and length out of the extruder and exiting the dryer. Sectional expansion ratio index (SEI) was calculated using the die and kibble diameter. Diet total dietary fiber (TDF) was similar among treatments (MG = 199.7 g/kg, CE = 204.7 g/kg, BP = 175.9 g/kg). The fiber source did not affect preconditioner and extruder parameters, except specific mechanical energy (SME), in which BP was higher than MG and CE (P<0.05; 111.8 vs. 108.9 and 108.7 W h/kg, respectively). Additionally, kibble from the BP diet had larger diameter and SEI than MG and CE (P<0.05). Kibbles from the BP diet tended (P>0.10) to have greater volume than MG kibbles. MG kibbles had a smaller volume than CE and BP kibbles. CE kibbles were less dense than BP kibbles. These results indicate that a diet containing MG can be processed with similar conditions to a diet containing CE. In conclusion, the extrusion parameters were minimally affected by fiber source, and differences in kibble characteristics could be corrected with modest process adjustments.

The effect of fibre sources on the performance of young rabbits

A feeding trial lasting 84 days was conducted using 45 weaned rabbits (with weught range 643-652g) to investigate the effect of using millet husk (MH), Rice bran (RB) and Sorghum panicle (SP) as fibre sources for growing rabbits in a completely randomized design. Forty-five young rabbits were randomly assigned to 3 different groups. Fifteen rabbits per treatment. MH, RB, and SP were randomly incorporated at the rate of 150g/kg of diets. The diets were isonitrogenous (16% CP). The effect of these fibre sources on average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency nutrient digestion was determined. Results of the study showed that rabbits on MH based diets had a significantly higher (P&gt;0.05) ADFI, feed efficacy and final weight. Though the results of the ADG and average daily crude fibre intake was highest in the MH diet, it was not significantly (P&gt;0.05) different from the results obtained for RB. The RB diet had a better digestibility of all nutrients. This was however not reflected in the performance of the rabbit. It was concluded that different sources of fibre affect the performance of rabbits differently. In this study, MH was superior to MB and SP as a fibre source for growing rabbits. It is therefore necessary to study the effect of the different fibre sources before incorporating them in concentrate diets.

PSVI-1 Effects of dietary nonforage fiber sources and starch levels on nutrition digestion and rumen fermentation of fattening Hu lambs

Abstract The primary objectives of this experiment were to study the effects of fiber sources [beet pulp (BP) vs. soybean hull (SH)] and dietary starch levels [low = 22% dry matter (DM), medium = 25% DM, and high = 27% DM] on nutrition digestion, rumen parameters and rumen bacteria in fattening Hu lambs. A total of 360 Hu lambs were assigned a 2×3 factorial arrangements, including a 63-day experimental periods. Six diets were formulated to include two fiber sources and three starch levels, and the samples including feed, feces, rumen contents, and rumen fluids were collected in different experimental periods. Analysis of fiber sources and starch levels was performed using two-way ANOVA by SPSS software version 17.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, United States). The digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) declined in (P = 0.005) increasing starch contents. Increasing starch levels increased the concentrations of propionate (P = 0.002) and valerate (P = 0.001) and decreased the concentrations of acetate (P &amp;lt; 0.001) and the ratio of acetate/propionate (P = 0.005). At the genus level, increasing starch levels reduced the abundance of Butyrivibrio_2 (P = 0.020). Nevertheless, the ADF digestibility was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in lambs fed SH than lambs fed BP. The concentrations of butyrate were higher (P = 0.005) while the rumen pH was less (P = 0.001) in lambs fed BP than those fed SH. Fiber sources influenced the abundance of Succiniclasticum, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Ruminococcus_1 and Christensenellaceae_R-7, which were higher in lambs fed SH compared with those fed BP (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In summary, the interaction of fiber sources and starch levels had no differences on growth performance, and lambs fed SH increased final BW compared lambs fed BP. Fiber sources mainly changed the abundance of cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen community.

Effect of fibre sources on performance, serum parameters, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities and microbiota in weaned pigs

ABSTRACTThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of wheat bran (WB) as insoluble fibre source, and sugar beet pulp (SBP) as soluble fibre source, on performance, serum parameters and intestinal health in weaned pigs. A total of 90 weaned pigs (BW: 7.33 ± 1.24 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: (1) a control diet (CON) based on corn and soybean meal; (2) CON + 6% WB; (3) CON + 6% SBP. Each treatment had five replicate pens with six pigs per pen. The experimental period was divided into two phases (d 0 to 14 and d 14 to 28). Pigs in group WB tended to have greater avarage daily gain than those in group SBP. Compared with CON, SBP reduced (p < 0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, organic matter (OM), gross energy and neutral detergent fibre on d 14 and 28, while WB decreased (p < 0.05) the ATTD of OM on d 28. Pigs in group SBP had higher (p < 0.05) glucagon-like peptide 1 concentration than the other groups on d 14 and 28. The villus height to crypt depth (V:C) ratio of duodenum and jejunum in pigs fed diet WB were greater (p < 0.05) than in group SBP. The WB increased (p < 0.05) the V:C ratio of ileum compared with CON or SBP. Compared with SBP, WB increased (p < 0.05) the sucrase activity in the duodenum. Moreover, pigs in WB had higher (p < 0.05) activities of maltase and sucrase in the jejunum compared with CON or SBP. The abundances of Ruminococcaceae and Prevotellaceae were increased (p < 0.05) in WB, while the Lachnospiraceae abundance was increased (p < 0.05) in SBP. WB increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), while SBP increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of acetate and total SCFA when compared with CON. In conclusion, WB was beneficial to performance in weaned pigs by improving morphology, enzyme activities and microbiota when compared with SBP, highlighting that effects of fibre depends on the fibre sources.

Effect of fiber source and particle size on chick performance and nutrient utilization

The addition of fiber in chick feeds is known to dilute nutrients; as a result, this may reduce nutrient digestibility and performance. However, recent studies suggest that moderate inclusion of insoluble fibers (2 to 3%) may stimulate gizzard development, which could result in better nutrient utilization and chick growth. The previous fiber sources evaluated were subject to wide fluctuation in their nutritional and chemical composition due to variation in processing. Miscanthus giganteus is a C4 grass purposefully grown for its fiber content which has a consistent fiber composition compared to food process residues. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of dietary fiber source and particle size on day-old chick performance and nutrient digestibility. Day-old chicks (8 chicks per cage, 5 cages per treatment) were fed diets containing 3% of either sepiolite (SEP), cellulose (CEL), coarse beet pulp (BP), fine BP, coarse Miscanthus grass (MG), and fine MG. At the end of days 7, 14, and 21, chicks and experimental diets were weighed to compute average daily gain and feed intake. In addition, excreta from the previous 48h of each data capture point was collected to determine nutrient digestibility. In general, chicks fed diets containing fiber consumed more feed, gained more weight, and had better feed conversion rate than birds fed the SEP diet. Particle size of the fiber had no effect on chick performance; however, nutrient utilization was higher (P < 0.05) for chicks fed coarse fiber particles compared to these fed fine fiber particles. Birds fed diets containing MG performed similar to chicks fed CEL (P > 0.05), but digestibility coefficients of birds fed BP diets were generally higher than chicks fed MG diets. In conclusion, chicks performed better with fiber in their diet and MG was comparable to CEL.

PSXIII-3 Descriptive analysis of the effects of fiber source on processing settings, nutrient composition, and physical characteristics of extruded high fiber pet foods.

PSXIII-3 Descriptive analysis of the effects of fiber source on processing settings, nutrient composition, and physical characteristics of extruded high fiber pet foods.

Effect of fiber sources on fatty acids profile, glycemic index, and phenolic compound content of in vitro digested fortified wheat bread.

In this study, some dietary fiber (DF) sources were investigated as fortifiers of wheat bread: oat (OB), flax (FB), and apple (AB). Adding oat and flax fibers to bread significantly changed the fatty acid profiles. OB was highest in oleic acid (33.83% of lipids) and linoleic acid (24.31% of lipids). Only in FB, γ-linolenic fatty acid was present in a significant amount-18.32%. The bioaccessibility trails revealed that the DF slow down the intake of saturated fatty acids. PUFA were least bioaccessible from all fatty acids groups in the range of (72% in OB to 87% in FB). The control bread had the greatest value (80.5) and was significantly higher than values for OB, FB, and AB in terms of glycemic index. OB, FB and AB addition led to obtain low glycemic index. AB had a significant highest value of total phenolic (897.2mg/kg) with the lowest values in FB (541.2mg/kg). The only significant lowering of caloric values in this study was observed in AB. The study could address the gap in the area of research about taking into consideration glycemic index, fatty acid profile and phenolic content in parallel in terms of DF application in breads.

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

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

The effect of fibre source on the numbers of some fibre-degrading bacteria of Arabian camel's (Camelus dromedarius) foregut origin.

The total bacterial community of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens in fibre-enriched culture of the foregut contents of 12 adult feral camels (Camelus dromedaries) fed on native vegetation in Australia was investigated using quantitative PCR. Foregut contents were collected postmortem, pooled and filtered before divided into two fractions. One fraction was used for extraction of DNA, while the other fraction was inoculated straight away into BM 10 contained filter paper (FP), cotton thread (CT) or neutral detergent fibre (NDF) as the sole carbohydrate sources in Hungate tubes. The tubes were incubated anaerobically at 39 °C for 1 week. After a near complete degradation of the FP and CT and extensive turbidity in the NDF, media subculturing was carried out into fresh media tubes. This was repeated twice before genomic DNA was extracted and used for quantification of bacteria. Using an absolute quantification method, the numbers of cells in 1 ml of each sample ranged from 4.07 × 10(6) to 2.73 × 10(9) for total bacteria, 1.34 × 10(3) to 2.17 × 10(5) for F. succinogenes and 5.78 × 10(1) to 3.53 × 10(4) for R. flavefaciens. The mean cell number of F. succinogenes was highest in the FP enrichment medium at approximately 107-fold, whereas for the R. flavefaciens targeted primer, the NDF enrichment media had the highest mean cell number at approximately 4-fold when compared to the rumen content. The data presented here provide evidence of fibre type preference by the two main fibre-degrading bacteria and would help us understand the interaction between fibre type and fibre-degrading microorganisms, which has ramification on camel nutrition at different seasons and environments.

Engineering microfluidic papers: effect of fiber source and paper sheet properties on capillary-driven fluid flow

In the present study, we introduce a novel approach to control and modulate fluid transport inside microfluidic papers using lab-engineered paper sheets. Lab-sheets consisting of different fiber sources (eucalyptus sulfate and cotton linters pulp) and varying porosities were designed and further modified with small millimeter-scaled channels using hydrophobic barriers consisting of fiber-attached, hydrophobic polymers. The capillary-driven transport of an aqueous solution was monitored visually, and the influence of parameters such as fiber source, paper grammage, and channel width on the flow rates through the channel was investigated. The experimental results were compared with those obtained with commercially available filter papers. Our findings suggest that accurate control of fluid transport processes with standard filter papers is complex. Additionally, if the channel width is smaller than the mean fiber length, flow rates become dependent on the geometric parameters of the channel because of the formation of dead-end pores at the hydrophobic barriers. Finally, control of the paper sheets porosity, by varying the fiber density of the lab-made paper, affords the fabrication of chemically identical sheets whereby capillary flow is largely influenced and can be modulated accordingly by simple papermaking processes.

Effects of Fiber Source and Heat Processing of the Cereal on the Development and pH of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Broilers Fed Diets Based on Corn or Rice

We studied the influence of the cereal (corn and rice), heat processing (HP) of the cereal (raw and steam cooking), and fiber inclusion (none; 3% oat hulls, OH; and 3% soy hulls, SH) in low-fiber diets on the development and pH of the digestive tract in broilers. There were 12 treatments arranged factorially and 3 replicates (a cage with 12 chicks) per treatment. Digestive traits were measured at 1, 5, 9, 15, and 22 d of age, and digesta pH was determined at 22 d of age. The relative weight (% BW) of proventriculus and gizzard was greater in chicks fed corn than in chicks fed rice (P ≤ 0.01). Heat processing had little effect on relative weight (RW) of the digestive organs. An interaction between cereal and HP of the cereal was detected for the gizzard and the liver; HP of corn reduced RW of the gizzard and increased that of the liver, but no effect was observed with HP of rice. The RW of the proventriculus was increased by SH inclusion (P ≤ 0.05), whereas the RW of the gizzard was increased by OH inclusion (P ≤ 0.001). Also, SH inclusion increased gizzard digesta (P ≤ 0.01) and moisture (P ≤ 0.001) content. Dietary treatment did not affect relative length (cm/kg of empty BW) of the intestines. Feeding rice tended to increase gizzard digesta pH (P = 0.081) but reduced that of the intestines (P ≤ 0.001). Neither HP of the cereal nor hull inclusion affected pH of the digestive tract. We conclude that the RW of the proventriculus and gizzard is reduced by feeding rice and increased by hull inclusion. Dietary treatment had little effect on the weight and relative length of the intestines. Chicks might require a minimal amount of fiber in the diet to stimulate the development of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Effects of dietary fibre source and enzyme supplementation on faecal apparent digestibility, short chain fatty acid production and activity of bacterial enzymes in the gut of piglets

The effects of fibre source, either wheat bran (WB) or maize cobs (MC), and dietary exogenous enzymes (ES) on performance and digestive parameters of weaned piglets were studied in 24 Duroc × Landrace male piglets, weaned at 21 days of age. There were four treatments arranged factorially, with two sources of fibre (WB or MC) and two concentrations of ES (0 or 0.15 g/kg) that contained 800 U/kg of endo-1,4-β-cellulase, 1800 U/kg of endo-1,3(4)-β- d-glucanase and 2600 U/kg of endo-1,4-β-xylanase. The digestibility of the neutral detergent fibre was higher (P<0.001) in diets containing WB and the digestibility of the acid detergent fibre increased with ES. Small intestine digesta contents (g/kg live weight) at slaughter were higher (P<0.01) in pigs fed MC than in pigs fed WB. Fibre source did not affect the amounts (mmol/l) of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the small intestine. However, replacement of WB by MC increased acetic acid and decreased butyric acid concentrations (P<0.05) in the caecum. In addition, pigs fed diets with MC as the major fibre source had lower (P<0.05) concentration of butyric acid in the colon than pigs fed diets with WB. Enzyme supplementation affected molar proportions of SCFA formed in the small intestine and tended to increase acetic acid, propionic acid and total SCFA concentrations in the colon of piglets fed WB (P<0.10). The xylanolytic and cellulolytic activities in the caecum and colon were higher (P<0.05) for piglets fed WB than for piglets fed MC. In conclusion, ES increased the digestibility of acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre and the replacement of WB by MC reduced neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre digestibility, caecal butyric acid production and hindgut activity of bacterial enzymes.