Energy Source For Ruminants Research Articles

Isolation and Screening of Indigenous Filamentous Fungi Producing Ligninolytic, Cellulolytic and Hemicellulolytic Enzymes from Decomposed Oil Palm Frond

Oil palm frond (OPF) is a palm oil plantation by-product commonly used in animal feeding in Malaysia. The large production, availability, and nutrient content make OPF the best candidate for utilization as animal feed. However, OPF contains high lignin bonds to cellulose and hemicellulose that further limit the digestibility of rumen microbes to produce volatile fatty acids as an energy source for ruminants. This study aims to identify and determine the enzyme activity (ligninolytic, cellulolytic, and hemicellulolytic) of enzymes extracted from filamentous fungi in the pre-treatment of OPF using the solid-state fermentation (SSF) technique. The enzyme extracted from SSF was determined by its enzyme activity (laccase, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, carboxymethylcellulose, avicelase, and xylanase). Eight fungi were successfully identified to produce enzymes determined in this experiment. Phanerina mellea showed the highest average ligninolytic enzyme activity with a value of 0.37 U/mL and an average cellulolytic + hemicellulolytic of 0.18 U/mL. In this experiment, P. mellea was the most desired fungi for the pre-treatment of OPF. The optimum ligninolytic enzyme production time of OPF pre-treatment is 10 days of SSF.

Solar drying of apple and orange waste: Evaluation of a new thermodynamic approach, and characterization analysis

During the industrial processing of agricultural products, the steps to be followed are more numerous and lead to the appearance of a varied range of waste, a source of pollution in the environment. However, this waste is an important source of energy for ruminants, which greatly benefit from it. This work is an experimental and thermodynamic study of the solar drying of apple and orange waste. In this work, we present a new approach for the thermodynamics study of drying apple and orange waste, as well as the evaluation of this waste as a complement in the feeding of ruminants. This evaluation has led to the study of the properties of four powders obtained by drying apple and orange waste with two methods, namely thin-film drying under the sun, and thin-film drying in the greenhouse solar dryer. Several experiments were carried out on the powders obtained, to study the effect of drying on their physical, physicochemical, microbiological, and microscopic properties. The goal is to know and determine the optimal drying method that provides us with dry, healthy, nutritious, and better quality food waste to be included in ruminant rations. According to the obtained results from this comparative study, it was found that the waste dried inside the greenhouse dryer is of better quality. The thermodynamic parameters derived from the proposed new approach are discussed and compared with literature results. The negative values of Gibbs free energy indicate that solar drying of apple and orange waste is a spontaneous process.

Carbohydrates molecular structure profiles in relation to nutritional characteristics of newly developed low and normal tannin faba bean varieties in dairy cows analysed by using standard methods and the vibrational molecular spectroscopy (Ft/IR‐ATR)

To our knowledge, there was no study on interactive relationship between CHO molecular structure spectral profiles of newly developed cool-season adapted faba bean and nutritional characteristics in ruminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of genotypes and tannin levels on the physicochemical and nutritional characteristics of faba bean as an alternative protein and energy source for ruminants and its relation to CHO molecular structure spectral profiles using vibrational molecular spectroscopy (Ft/IR-ATR). Eight genotypes with two tannin levels (low and normal) grown at three different locations in Saskatchewan (CDC crop research fields) were analysed. Chemical analyses were performed using AOAC standards and energy was evaluated using NRC standards. Rumen degradation kinetics were determined using in situ dairy trial. Intestinal digestion was analysed by a modified three-step in vitro technique with 12h pre-rumen incubation in dairy cows. Molecular spectral study was performed using Ft/IR-ATR, and the molecular structural features were analysed at ca. 4000-800cm-1 using the Spectra ManagerII. CHO-related functional groups were analysed with OMNIC 7.3. The results showed low-tannin faba bean (LT) presented a highly significant difference (p<0.05) on rumen bypass starch (BSt) compared to normal tannin faba bean (NT). On the other hand, NT had more total tract digested starch (TDST) compared to LT. No significant differences (p>0.10) were observed for total digestible nutrients (TDN1x ), metabolizable protein (MP), feed milk value (FMV) or rumen undegraded crude protein (RUP). Results showed differences in physicochemical characteristics among faba bean varieties; however, the predicted production performance was not different within faba bean genotypes. These outcomes suggest that faba bean can be used as nutritive ingredient for dairy cattle without a significant genotype or tannin level effect on metabolic characteristics. Results from vibrational spectroscopic study showed a higher ATR-Ft/IR absorbance (p<0.05) in NT on inherent structural CHO (STCHO), total CHO (TCHO) area and peaks (H_1015, H_1076, H_1145), and cellulosic compounds (CEC) to total CHO (TCHO) ratio. Significant correlations could be found between CHO spectral profiles and metabolic characteristics of faba bean, which indicates that structural spectral features of faba bean could be used to predict metabolic characteristics in ruminants.

Nutrient evaluation and ruminal degradation of dry matter and protein from amarula (Sclerocarya birrea), macadamia (integrifolia) and baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) oilcakes as dietary supplements for ruminants.

Inadequate availability of feed ingredients significantly contributes to reduced animal production. Nutritional evaluation of feed ingredients for potential use in feed ration is key. Triplicate samples of oil extraction by-products viz.: amarula (Sclerocarya birrea), macadamia (integrifolia) and baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) oilcakes were analysed for proximate, mineral and amino acids content. To determine the in situ rumen degradability of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) from the oilcakes, polyester bags were used to incubate triplicate subsamples of each oilcake in the ventral rumen of each of the three cannulated mid-lactating Holstein cows for 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, or 48h. Amarula oilcake (AOC) had higher (P < 0.05) CP, ether extract and essential amino acid content than macadamia (MOC) and baobab (BOC) oilcakes. Fibre fractions were higher (P < 0.05) in MOC and BOC than in AOC. While calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) concentrations were high (P < 0.05) in MOC and BOC, phosphorus (P) concentration was high (P < 0.05) in AOC. The effective degradability of DM and water-soluble, rapidly degradable fractions of DM and CP were high (P < 0.05) in AOC. Insoluble but degradable fraction of CP was high (P < 0.00) in BOC and effective degradation of CP was high (P < 0.05) in AOC and BOC. The AOC with its high CP, EE and essential AA can be used as both protein and energy source for ruminants. Seemingly, MOC and BOC can be used as supplements for fibre as well as Ca and K in ruminant diets. Hence, these non-conventional oilcakes have the potential to partially replace conventional oilcakes in ruminant diets. Evaluation of growth performance, nitrogen digestion and carcass characteristics in ruminants fed diets containing the AOC, BOC and MOC are recommended.

Formulation and preparation method of pine sawdust-based food for rumiants

The waste products of the wood industries, particularly pine sawdust, represent a great potential source of dietary energy for ruminants. Even though the use of pine sawdust as part of a ruminant’s diet represents an important environmental impact, studies on this subject are scarce. It is worth mentioning that pine sawdust is currently being used as a source of fibre in ovine diet. However, its digestion is limited due to its high lignin content. The objective of the present investigation consists in the design of a new treatment process for lignin degradation into pine sawdust through the use of the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus. From the results obtained, a new and sustainable food for the ruminants based on degraded pine sawdust is proposed. The experiments carried out showed significant elevation in the exploitation of the nutritious components of pine sawdust contained in the developed product due to the improvements in the digestive parameters of the ruminants. With the results obtained, besides the nutritional and environmental impact, a better control of the costs generated by the feeding of the ruminants is intended. This is due to the fact that pine sawdust does not suffer from production variation in comparison with other consumables.

In vitro rumen fermentation of soluble and non-soluble polymeric carbohydrates in relation to ruminal acidosis

The end-products of dietary carbohydrate fermentation catalysed by rumen microflora can serve as the primary source of energy for ruminants. However, ruminants provided with continuous carbohydrate-containing feed can develop a metabolic disorder called “acidosis”. We have evaluated the fermentation pattern of both soluble monomeric and non-soluble polymeric carbohydrates in the rumen in in vitro fermentation trials. We found that acidosis could occur within 6 h of incubation in the rumen culture fermenting sugars and starch. The formation of lactic acid and acetic acid, either alone or in mixture with ethanol, accounted for high build-up of acid in the rumen. Acidosis resulted even when only 20% of a normal daily feed load for all soluble and non-soluble carbohydrates was provided. DNA-based microbial analysis revealed that Prevotella was the dominant microbial species present in the rumen fluid.

Glycerol as an Energy Source for Ruminants: A Meta-Analysis of in Vitro Experiments

Glycerol or glycerin is generally recognized as a safe compound to be used in animal feed, especially for ruminants. A number of in vitro studies related to glycerol supplementation in ruminant ration have been published but to date the results have not been summarized. The objective of this study was, therefore, to evaluate in vitro digestibility, ruminal fermentation characteristics, total gas and methane production through the meta-analysis approach. Meta-analysis was applied to 13 experiments and 42 treatments dealing with glycerol supplementation in ruminants. Data were analyzed by general linear model procedure in which the glycerol levels and the different studies were treated as fixed effects. Results revealed that glycerol supplementation did not affect the in vitro digestibility and total VFA production, but significantly decreased molar proportion of acetate and iso-valerate (P<0.05). In contrast, molar proportion of propionate, butyrate, and valerate significantly increased, and thus the ratio of acetate to propionate declined linearly (P<0.05). Methane production decreased linearly and accompanied with an increase of total gas production with increasing levels of glycerol supplementation (P<0.05). It is concluded that the use of glycerol as an energy substitution in animal feed has no detrimental effects in the rumen and environmentally friendly.

0234 Glycerin as alternative energy source for ruminants: In vitro fermentation, total gas and methane production

0234 Glycerin as alternative energy source for ruminants: In vitro fermentation, total gas and methane production

Nutritive Evaluation Of Variously Treated Mucuna Seeds As Feed For Ruminants

Mucuna as a feed has great ability to serve as a source of energy and protein in dry season feeds due to the fact that it has high crude protein content comparable to other well known legumes. The study was designed to evaluate the nutritive compositions of Mucuna beans subjected to various treatments. The treatments that the Mucuna beans were subjected to include: roasting, boiling, autoclaving and raw, thereafter, the chemical analysis of the variously treated beans was determined. Similarly, the invitro gas production was determined. The results showed significant differences in the roasted beans for all the parameters determined. Invitro gas production showed boiled, autoclaved and raw beans to be more utilizable as sheep feed than the roasted form. Heat treatment made the protein content in beans steadily unavailable for ruminant use as such Mucuna can gradually serve as a source of energy for ruminants especially in dry season when there is scarcity of energy sources for ruminants.

In vitro gas production and ruminal fermentation of glycerol, propylene glycol and molasses

Ruminal fermentation pattern and in vitro gas production was determined for three energy sources for ruminants, glycerol, propylene glycol and molasses with ruminal fluid from sheep. Substrates incubated were alfalfa, corn silage, glycerol (320 and 640 μl), propylene glycol (320 and 640 μl) and molasses (320 μl). The greater volume of gas produced was observed at the highest dose of glycerol which also showed the slowest rate of gas production and the longest lag time ( P<0.05). Propylene glycol presented the minor volume of gas and was rapidly metabolized with short lag time. Molasses presented typical characteristics of a rapidly available substrate, with the fastest rate of gas production ( P<0.05). Glycerol fermentation resulted in a reduction of acetate, a slight increase in propionate and an increment in percentage of butyrate. Incubations with propylene glycol also reduced acetate and butyrate, but increased propionate ( P<0.05). Molasses fermentation reduced acetate and increased propionate and butyrate. Increasing dose of energy sources resulting in a greater volume of gas produced. In conclusion, glycerol fermentation reduced acetate and increased the molar proportion of butyrate and propionate was the main product of fermentation of propylene glycol.

Manipulation of Rumen Fermentation with Organic Acids Supplementation in Ruminants Raised in the Tropics

Locals feed resources are prime importance for ruminants raised in the tropic particularly low- quality roughages and agricultural crop-residues. Manipulating rumen fermentation through treatment of roughage, concentrate and strategic supplementation with organic acids could improve rumen efficiency by maintaining higher pH, optimum ammonia-nitrogen (NH -N), thus reducing methane (CH ) and increasing 3 4 microbial protein synthesis and essential volatile fatty acid (VFAs), for enhancing ruminant productivity in the tropics. The manipulation of rumen efficiency through the use of organic acids especially malate with local feeds would be an advantage. Indeed, organic acids potentially provide an alternative to currently used antimicrobial compounds by stimulating rather than inhibiting specific ruminal microbial populations. At the same time, local feed resources especially cassava chip could be used effectively at high level as an energy source for ruminants especially for beef and lactating cows. More recently, the combined use of concentrates containing high level of cassava chip with supplementation of sodium dl-malate and urea could improve rumen ecology and subsequent performance in dairy steers receiving urea-treated rice straw as a roughage. In addition, the high level of cassava chip in the diet resulted in increase population of bacteria and fungi, decreasing protozoal populations, and improving microbial protein synthesis and efficient microbial nitrogen supply in the rumen. Under these circumstances, malate was also effective in reducing the drop in ruminal pH normally seen 1 to 2 h after feeding a high-grain diet and improved cows performance efficiency. In summary, supplementation of organic acid like malate with local feed resources especially cassava chip or other carbohydrate sources with high rumen degradation would be a desirable alternative because there is no risk of developing antibiotic resistance or having unwanted residues appear in either meat or mil k products as well as improving ruminal fermentation efficiency and productivity in ruminants in the tropics.

Growth of higher fungi on wheat straw and their impact on the digestibility of the substrate

The influence of the growth of three higher fungi on the composition of wheat straw was investigated. Pleurotus pulmonarius, P. sajor-caju and Lentinus edodes grew very well on lignocellulosic substrates, breaking down a considerable amount of lignin. The initial lignin concentration of straw was halved after 12 weeks of fungal growth, doubling the enzymic digestibility. Together with lignin, the higher fungi consumed half of the amount of hemicellulose (i.e. 15%), leaving cellulose fairly intact, which should remain as an energy source for ruminants.

Chemical characterization and toxicological assessment of kraft pulp mill fiber waste as a feedstuff for beef cattle.

Pulp fiber waste (PFW), a byproduct of pulp and paper mills has been proposed as an energy source for ruminants. The present study assesses two sources of PFW in a short-term mutagenicity test and a long-term animal feeding trial to determine the toxicological potential of PFW

Wheat Straw in Growing Cattle Diets

Summary Three cattle growth trials were conducted to evaluate the use of untreated and alkali-treated wheat straw as energy sources for ruminants. In trial 1, daily gain decreased as level of untreated wheat straw increased in the diet. A 14% decrease in gain occurred when the level of straw was increased from 30 to 40% of the diet. In trial 2, cattle fed 4% NaOH-treated wheat straw at the 30 or 60% level had better daily gains and feed efficieneies (P<.05) than those fed untreated wheat straw. In trial 3, when the effect of balancing for specific mineral ratios on the alkali-treated straw diets was evaluated, steers fed 78% treated wheat straw with added minerals gained faster (P<.05) than those receiving 80% treated wheat straw with no mineral additions (.65 kg/day vs..54 kg/day). In addition, in this trial, cattle fed 50% treated wheat straw gained faster (P<.05) than those fed 50% untreated wheat straw (.74 kg/day vs. .62 kg/day).

The estimation of the nutritive value of feeds as energy sources for ruminants and the derivation of feeding systems

The authors regret the following error: On p. 53, equation (11) is incorrect and should read:

The estimation of the nutritive value of feeds as energy sources for ruminants and the derivation of feeding systems

SUMMARYThe results of 80 calorimetric experiments with sheep and cattle, mostly conducted in Scotland, were analysed using a generalization of the Mitscherlich equation R = B(l–exp(–pG))–l, where R is daily energy retention and G daily gross energy intake, both scaled by dividing by the fasting metabolism. The relations between gross energy and metabolizable energy were also examined. Methods of fitting the Mitscherlich equation and the errors associated with it are presented.It is shown that the gross energy of the organic matter of feed can be estimated from proximate principles with an error of ±2·3% (coefficient of variation) and that provided different classes of feed are distinguished, the metabolizable energy of organic matter can be estimated from gross energy and crude fibre content with an error of ±6·9%. Parameters of the primary equation made with cattle agreed with those made with sheep and there was no evidence of non-proportionality of responses on substitution of feeds in mixtures.The efficiency of utilization of gross energy for maintenance and for body gain of energy was related to the metabolizability of gross energy and, in addition, to fibre or to protein content. Prediction equations are presented which describe these relationships.It is shown that the primary equation can be manipulated to express a number of biological concepts and that its two parameters B and p can be simply derived from estimates of the two efficiency terms for maintenance and production.The results are discussed in relation to the design of feeding systems for ruminant animals and to the derivation of optima in their feeding.