Ether Extract Content Research Articles

DIFFERENT MAIZE SILAGE CULTIVARS WITH OR WITHOUT UREA AS A FEED FOR RUMINANT: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND IN VITRO FER-MENTATION AND NUTRIENT DEGRADABILITY

This study compared forage yield and agronomic characteristics of 9 maize cultivars (Pioneer 30N11, Pioneer 4444, Pioneer 30K08, SC-128W, SC-166Y, SC-78Y, TWC-324W, TWC-368Y and TWC-321W) ensiled with or without urea as for ruminants on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics and nutrient degradability. A factorial randomized complete block design was used. Pioneer 30N11 and Pioneer 4444 showed the greatest silage forage yield, ear weight, and plant height. The chemical composition of maize silage cultivars without urea revealed that Pioneer 30K08 had the greatest (P 0.001) crude protein (CP) content (127 g/kg), while the lowest CP content (89 g kg) was observed with SC-78Y. CP content ranged from 118 to 156 g/kg when urea was added to the maize silage cultivars. The neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin contents recorded the highest values (P0.01) in TWC-324W, SC-128W and SC-78Y. Urea treatment of different cultivars affected (P 0.05) the concentrations of CP, ether extract (EE), non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), and fibers. Urea treatment increased CP and EE in all cultivars and increased or decreased truly degraded dry matter (TDDM), truly degraded organic matter (TDOM), protozoa, ammonia and methane (P 0.05). Overall, Pioneer 30N11, Pioneer 4444 and Pioneer 30K08 showed the greatest forage yield and nutritive value as a feed for ruminants.

Atributos produtivos e nutricionais da forragem hidropônica de milho, em diferentes estágios, cultivada em substratos de capim-elefante e serragem de madeira

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive and nutritional attributes of hydroponic corn forage grown on elephant grass and wood sawdust substrates at different stages. Two treatments (T) with different substrates were established: T1 - chopped and dehydrated elephant grass and T2 - wood sawdust. Forage samples were collected 13 and 20 days after sowing to evaluate seedling development, biomass production, and nutritional composition. The elephant grass substrate promoted better seedling development and greater biomass production and concentration of mineral matter at 13 days, whereas wood sawdust promoted a greater concentration of dry matter, crude protein, lignin, and non-fibrous carbohydrates (P < 0.05). The elephant grass substrates resulted in greater seedling height, production of green biomass, and concentrations of mineral matter, crude protein, and ether extract at 20 days, while wood sawdust promoted greater root length and greater concentrations of dry matter, acid detergent fiber, and lignin (P < 0.05). Elephant grass substrate and collection for 13 days promoted better production of hydroponic forage and its nutritional composition.

Valor nutritivo e características fermentativas da silagem de milheto com diferentes níveis de casca de café

ABSTRACT: The research was conducted to test the hypothesis that the inclusion of coffee husk (Coffea sp.) would improve the fermentative characteristics and quality of pearl millet silage (Pennisetumglaucum). Thus, the objective was to assess the effect of the inclusion of different levels of coffee husk in pearl millet silage on the chemical composition, fermentative characteristics and degradability in situ of silage. The experimental design used was completely randomized and the treatments consisted of the silage of the whole pearl millet plant with the inclusion of increasing levels of coffee husk: 0%, 7%, 14% and 21%, based on natural matter. After 60 days of fermentation, the silages were evaluated for chemical characteristics, fermentative, degradability in situ dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The inclusion of coffee husk did not alter (P > 0.05) the contents of crude protein (11.94%), NDF (44.89%) and total digestible nutrients (65.09%). There were increases in the concentrations of DM and fiber in acid detergent, accompanied by a reduction in the concentrations of mineral matter and ether extract, as the proportion of coffee husks in silages increased. There was an increase in the lignin content up to the level of 7.59% inclusion of the coffee husk. There was no effect of the inclusion of the coffee husk on the pH of the silage (3.60). However, the inclusion of coffee husk resulted in a reduction in temperature, gas losses, and degradability in situ of silage DM and NDF. It is recommended to include coffee husk up to the level of 14.0% of the natural matter to improve the fermentation pattern and the quality of the pearl millet silage.

Nutrient intake, digestibility, and utilization in goats fed graded levels of hempseed cake finisher diets

Globally, the price of soybean meal, the most common proteinaceous ingredient in livestock diets, has become highly expensive prompting a search for alternative ingredients. Hemp seed cake is a promising alternative but could be limited by its high neutral detergent fiber and ether extract contents which impede nutrient intake and digestibility. However, some ruminant species such as goats have superior ability to digest high fiber and ether extract diets. Thus, the current research evaluated nutrient intake and digestibility, rumen fermentation, and microbial protein synthesis of goats fed hempseed cake as a substitute for soybean meal in finisher diets. A total of 25 Kalahari Red castrates (27 ± 3 kg, 4–5 months old) were assigned to five dietary treatments (5 goats/ diet) in a completely randomized design. A maize-lucerne-based finishing diet was formulated with hempseed cake substituting soybean meal as the primary protein ingredient at 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 g/kg dry matter. Ether extract intake exhibited a positive linear trend (P ≤ 0.05) while crude protein intake and microbial nitrogen supply exhibited a negative linear trend (P ≤ 0.05) with dietary inclusion of hempseed cake. However, feeding hempseed cake did not influence (P > 0.05) apparent nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation parameters and nitrogen use efficiency. In conclusion, the substitution of soybean meal for hempseed cake decreased crude protein intake and microbial nitrogen supply in goat finisher diets without compromising nutrient digestibility and nitrogen use efficiency. The study recommends partial or full replacement of soybean meal with hempseed cake in goat finisher diets.

Fermentation profile, chemical composition, and aerobic stability of cassava shoots silages with cactus pear

The aim was to evaluate the effect of the cactus pear levels (0, 15, 30, and 45%) in cassava shoot silages on the fermentation profile, chemical composition, and aerobic stability. Four treatments were tested with five repetitions, totaling 20 silos. The inclusion of cactus pear in cassava shoots silages promoted an increase in gas losses (P < 0.001), buffering capacity (P < 0.001), pH (P = 0.033), mineral matter (P < 0.001), total carbohydrates (P < 0.001), non-fiber carbohydrates (P < 0.001) and a decreasing in dry matter (P < 0.001), organic matter (P < 0.001), ether extract (P = 0.002), and crude protein (P < 0.001) content. A quadratic effect was observed for effluent losses (P < 0.001), with greater effluent losses (94.78 kg/t natural matter) obtained with the inclusion of 30% cactus pear in cassava shoots silages. Cactus pear inclusion in cassava shoots silage promoted a reduction in the pH during oxygen exposure (P = 0.008). Including cactus pear in up to 45% of cassava silage, shoots cause changes in the fermentation and nutritional characteristics. However, values found in the silages are by good quality standards.

Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents of Abrus precatorius Leaf in four Different Extracts

This research aimed to assess the antioxidant capabilities against DPPH, as well as determine the overall phenolic and flavonoid contents in extracts of abrus precatorius leaves. Different extracts of abrus precatorius leaves were successively prepared using methanol, ethanol, petroleum ether, and distilled water. The DPPH antioxidant capacity of methanol extracts was highest with a low IC50 value of 62.86±0.68µg/mL. Ethanol, water, and petroleum ether extracts also showed significant antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 89.66±0.51, 78.67±0.35, 142±4.26 μg/mL. We observed a significantly higher total phenolic content of 34.67± 2.52 gallic acid equivalent ⁄ g dry extract and total flavonoid content of 27.55±1.84 mg quercetin equivalent/g dry extract for methanolic leaves extract than others. The phenolic content of ethanol and water extract is close enough (22.19±1.45, 26.35±1.65 gallic acid equivalent ⁄ g dry extract). The flavonoid content of ethanol, water, and petroleum ether extract was found as 14.43±1.35, 20.84±1.97, 1.6±0.41 mg quercetin equivalent/g dry extract. These findings will aid in future studies attempting to explore medicinal agents from the abrus precatorius plants of Bangladesh.

Multiple cutting increases forage productivity and enhances legume pasture stability in a rainfed agroecosystem

Appropriate harvesting management is essential for sustainable forage production and improving nutritional quality. In this study, four forage crops, including Medicago sativa (Ms), Vicia sativa (Vs), Avena sativa (As), and Sorghum Sudangrass (Ss) were evaluated under two harvesting modes, i.e. single harvest and multiple cuttings. Results showed that multiple cuttings increased the forage yield of Ms., As, and Ss by 82 %–114 %, 7.5 %–51 %, and 21 %–150 % compared to the single harvest. The acid and neutral detergent fiber concentration decreased, while crude protein contents increased with multiple cuttings. Also, multiple cuttings increased the ether extract content of Ms. and Ss and reduced the ash content by 9.42 % to 33.04 % from 2015 to 2016. The variation range of legume forages' annual yield was 18.66 %–33.04 %, while that of gramineous forages was 9.42 %–25.98 %. The relative feeding value (RFV) of Ms. was higher than that of other forages under multiple cuttings. In general, multiple cuttings decreased the SOC content, but the effect was insignificant for the two leguminous forages. Correlations analysis showed a significant positive relationship of RFV and CP with precipitation while a negative relationship of ADF and NDF with temperature. Moreover, results of yield stability, contribution rate, and TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) analysis showed that the response of legume crops to multiple cutting was superior to that of gramineous crops. Overall, the cultivation of leguminous forage under multiple cuttings can provide a basis for the development of pastoral agriculture production and animal husbandry in arid regions of China.

Solid-State Fermentation with White Rot Fungi (Pleurotus Species) Improves the Chemical Composition of Highland Barley Straw as a Ruminant Feed and Enhances In Vitro Rumen Digestibility.

Lignin degradation is important for enhancing the digestibility and improving the nutritive quality of ruminant feeds. White rot fungi are well known for their bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass. The objective of this paper was to evaluate whether Lentinus sajor-caju, Pleurotus ostreatus, Phyllotopsis rhodophylla, Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus eryngii, and Pleurotus citrinopileatus treatments altered the chemical compositions of highland barley straw constituents and enhanced their nutritional value as a ruminant feed. All white rot fungi significantly increased the relative crude protein (CP), ethyl ether extract (EE), starch, soluble protein (SP), and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) contents but decreased the ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and acid detergent insoluble protein (ADFIP) contents. In addition, L. sajor-caju treatment increased (p < 0.001) the levels of PA, PB2, PB3, CA, CB1, CB2, and CNSC, but reduced (p < 0.001) the PC and CC in the solid-state fermentation of highland barley straw. Maximum ligninlysis (50.19%) was optimally produced in the presence of 1.53% glucose and 2.29% urea at 22.72 ℃. The in vitro dry matter digestibility and total volatile fatty acid concentrations of fermented highland barley straw, as well as the fermentability, were optimized and improved with L. sajor-caju, which degraded the lignocellulose and improved the nutritional value of highland barley straw as a ruminant feed.

The Impact of Genotype on Chemical Composition, Feeding Value and In Vitro Rumen Degradability of Fresh and Ensiled Forage of Native Maize (Zea mays L.) from Mexico

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the genotype on the chemical composition, feeding value and in vitro rumen degradability of fresh and ensiled forage of four native maize varieties (Amarillo, Olotillo, Tampiqueño and Tuxpeño) from Tamaulipas, Mexico, and a commercial hybrid, as well as the stability and aerobic deterioration of the silage. In all genotypes, fresh forage consisted of whole plants of maize that were harvested when the grain reached a milky-mass state, and silage was fresh forage chopped and ensiled in plastic bags, where it fermented for 120 days. The hybrid presented the highest content (p &lt; 0.05) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ether extract, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFCs) and starch, as well as the lowest content (p &lt; 0.05) of fibers (NDF and ADF), acid detergent lignin and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs). Furthermore, the hybrid and Amarillo genotypes obtained the lowest pH and ammoniacal nitrogen content (p &lt; 0.05), intermediate values (p &lt; 0.05) of lactic and butyric acid, and the lowest and highest acetic acid content (p &lt; 0.05), respectively. Although OM did not differ (p &gt; 0.05) between states of the forage, the fresh forage presented a higher (p &lt; 0.05) content of DM, crude protein, NDF, ADF, WSCs, pH and butyric acid in all genotypes, while the rest of the parameters were higher (p &lt; 0.05) in the silage. However, Amarillo obtained the highest feeding value (p &lt; 0.05) in terms of DM intake, relative forage value, digestible energy, metabolizable energy and rumen degradability (DM, NDF and ADF), and between states of the forage, ensiled obtained the highest feeding value (p &lt; 0.05). During the aerobic exposure, the Amarillo and hybrid silage showed greater (p &lt; 0.05) stability (&gt;38 h), and less (p &lt; 0.05) deterioration, pH increase and loss of DM and OM, while Tuxpeño obtained less stability and greater deterioration. In conclusion, the genotype did influence the chemical composition of fresh and ensiled forage, which affected the feeding value and in vitro rumen degradability, and the Amarillo and hybrid genotypes presented the best values in the evaluated parameters.

Can conventional forages be replaced with cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum) wastes in fattening lambs? Laboratory and animal studies.

The cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum) is a shrub native to many arid and semi-arid regions around the world, while the nutritional value of its wastes has been less scientifically investigated. Different components of whole cotton plant wastes (WCPW) including leaf blade, cotton pod, stem, root, bract, petiole, and cottonseed were evaluated for their nutritional values by standard laboratory methods. After that, we tested the WCPW for partial substitution (0, 20, 40, and 60% substitution or 0, 10, 20, and 30% of dietary dry matter (DM)) with dietary common forage in a completely randomized design with 32 feedlot male lambs for 90 days. A diverse range of chemical and mineral compositions was found among the different WCPW's components. The cottonseed had the highest crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) contents, while the lowest neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were observed in the leaf blade (P < 0.0001). The highest contents of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, and iron were also observed in the leaf blade (P < 0.0001). Higher potential gas production, in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD), in vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD), and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) were also related to the leaf blade (P < 0.0001). Bract had the highest acid-base buffering capacity (P < 0.0001). The lambs fed on 30% of dietary DM with WCPW exhibited lower final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), CP or NDF digestibility, ruminal TVFA, propionate, plasma total protein, and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group. Generally, WCPW can be substituted up to 40% of common forages (or 20% of diet DM) without any adverse effect on growth performance and blood metabolites of feedlot lambs, especially during feed shortages.

Using black soldier fly larvae as feed for Thai frog (Rana rugosa Temminck and Schlegel, 1838) – Preliminary study of the effect on production parameters

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of either fresh or dried black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in diets on the production parameters and chemical composition of Thai frogs (Rana rugosa) cultured in net cages. Frog fingerlings have an initial weight of 20.4 g and were distributed randomly into fifteen net cages (2 x 3 x 1.5 m) at a density of 240 frog.net cage-1. Including five dietary treatments named: T1 (100% commercial feed used as a control), T2 (100% dried BSFL), T3 (50% dried BSFL + 50% commercial feed), T4 (50% fresh BSFL + 50% commercial feed), and T5 (100% fresh BSFL) with three replicates for each treatment. The results showed that the survival rate of frogs ranged from 64.3% to 87.0%, improved feed conversion ratio (1.43 to 1.90%), increased live weight (194.7 – 244.6 g), daily weight gain (2.9 – 3.7 g.day-1), and frog’s yield (6.30 – 7.96 kg.m-2). The contents of crude protein (18.21 – 23.19%), ether extract (0.28 – 0.53%), and total ash (0.99 – 1.05%) of frog meat in this study were affected by the inclusion of either fresh or dried BSFL in the diets of frogs. In recommendation, the diet comprised from 50% fresh BSFL + 50% commercial feed could be applied successfully in Thai frog cage production.

210 Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Peanut Skins (Arachis hypogaea) on Performance, Digestibility, and Rumen Fermentation of Cattle: a Meta-Analysis

Abstract This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of effects of dietary inclusion of Peanut skins (PS) byproduct (Arachis hypogea L.) on intake, total-tract digestibility, and rumen fermentation of cattle via meta-analysis. Data were collected following the PRISMA methodology. Nine manuscripts and a graduate thesis met the inclusion criteria from 1983 to 2010. The effect size was estimated by calculating the weighted raw mean differences (RMD) between PS vs. control diets. The RMD was compared with a robust variance estimation method followed by a meta-regression and a dose-response analysis fitting the diet characteristics like crude protein content (CP), NDF content, ether extract content (EE), tannin content, and PS level in diet (0 to 40%) as covariates. Dietary PS decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) total-tract CP digestibility (52.0 vs. 64.3%), final body weight (371.5 vs. 397.9 kg), and average daily gain (1.14 vs. 1.44 kg/d) among treatment comparisons. Likewise, PS decreased total VFA (92.6 vs. 107.6 mmol/L) and NH3N (8.22 vs. 12.1 mg/dL), but no effects were observed on rumen pH (6.47 vs. 6.14), Acetate (47.8 vs.50.4%), Propionate (31.9 vs. 33.1%), and Butyrate (8.4 vs. 11.2%) molar proportions. Although there was a high between-cluster variance, dietary PS increased the ether extract digestibility (77.5 vs. 70.2%) among treatment comparisons. The subset and dose-response analysis revealed that PS should not exceed 8% (DM basis) in the diet to prevent negative effects on CP digestibility and animal performance. In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis do not support the dietary inclusion of PS in cattle diets beyond 8%.

Influence of different growing stages of whole-plant soybeans on their nutrient content and silage quality for cattle

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the effects of growing stage (GS) on morphological and chemical composition of whole-plant soybean (WPS), and fermentative profile and chemical composition of whole-plant soybean silage (SS). This study was divided into two trials conducted in a complete randomised block design. The first trial evaluated the effect of GS from R1 to R8 (59–135 d after sowing) on morphological and chemical composition of WPS and its botanical components. The second trial determined the effects of GS from R3 (71 d after sowing) to R7 (124 d after sowing) on dry matter (DM) losses, fermentative profile, chemical composition and aerobic stability of SS. The proportion of leaves in WPS was reduced, while stem and pod proportions were increased as the GS progressed. Ensiling WPS at R6 and R7 decreased the contents of acetic acid, lactic acid and branched-chain fatty acids, and ethanol, and increased the contents of propionic acid and NH3-N. However, silage butyric acid concentrations in R6 and R7 were relatively high (18.1 and 19.9 g/kg DM, respectively). Butyric acid and buffering capacity varied according to GS with the lowest values observed in silages derived from GS R3, R5 and R7, and the highest values observed in silages made from GS R5. Later GS resulted in greater contents of DM, crude protein and ether extract, and lower contents of acid detergent fibre and non-fibre carbohydrate in SS. The high fat of SS produced from later GS limits high inclusion levels in ruminant diets. Morphological components impacted chemical composition of SS, whereas the R7 stage improved fermentative profile and resulted in an SS with greater in situ degradability of DM and neutral detergent fibre.

Effects of lysolecithins on performance, egg quality, blood profiles and liver histopathology in late-phase laying hens

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the effects of lysolecithins (LL) on performance, egg quality, blood profiles, relative organ weight and liver histopathology in laying hens. 2. A total of 480 healthy 65-week-old Lohmann laying hens were randomly allocated into four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement design with two levels of energy (AMEn, 11.08 MJ/kg and 12.94 MJ/kg) and two levels of LL (0 and 0.05%). 3. Birds fed high energy diets had lower (P < 0.05) average daily intake and feed conversion rate during weeks 0–4, 5-8 and 0–8, but higher (P < 0.05) average egg weight (AEW) during trial weeks 0–4. There was an interaction in (P < 0.05) AEW during trial weeks 0–14 and 0–8 for energy and LL. The high energy diets increased yolk colour at the end of weeks 2 and 4, while addition of LL increased albumen height at the end of week 2. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) in yolk colour between energy and LL at the end of week 2. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) in serum superoxide dismutase and LDL-C throughout the experiment. 4. The high energy diets increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of abdominal fat compared with low energy diets. The high energy diets increased (P < 0.05) liver ether extract content and liver pathological injury score compared with low energy diets at the end of week 8, while the addition of LL decreased (P < 0.05) liver pathological injury score. 5. The supplementation of LL in high energy diets could alleviate some negative effects on liver injury in late laying hens.

Nutritional Composition and Apparent Metabolizable Energy (AME) Value of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) Full-Fat Meal for Broiler Chickens

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL; Hermetia illucens L.) is a proven high-cost protein source replacer and could be grown in a range of bio-degradable waste materials where hardly incorporated into broiler diets locally. The present study was aimed to assess the nutritional composition of BSFL, and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value of BSFL meal provided to broiler chickens. BSFL full-fat meal produced from kitchen waste as a substrate were examined for their proximate composition, minerals and fatty acid profile. Eighty, 21-d old unsexed Cobb-500 broiler chickens (BW±SD: 665.8 ±14.3 g) were assigned randomly into 16 battery cages (04 replicates, five birds/replicate). A maize-soybean meal-based diet was used as the basal diet which was partially substituted by pre-analyzed BSFL meal at the rates of 5%, 10%, and 15% to produce three test diets. Birds were fed in a completely randomized design for 7-d with a 4-d adaptation period. Excreta were collected for three days from day 25 to 28. The results envisaged that the crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) contents of the kitchen waste were 12.3%, and 10.5%, respectively. BSFL meal when analyzed had 34.4% CP and 47.3%, EE. The fatty acid (FA) profile of the kitchen waste was more or less similar to that of BSFL‘s meal. The estimated AME of the BSFL full-fat meal fed for broilers was estimated to be 15.7 MJ/kg. The BSFL full-fat meal can be utilized sustainably in feed formulation and has a high potential to replace costlier feed ingredients.

Effects of Diets Combining Peanut Vine and Whole-Plant Corn Silage on Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Rumen Microbiota of Simmental Crossbred Cattle.

Peanut vine is a typical peanut by-product and can be used as a quality roughage resource. Whole-plant corn silage is a commonly used roughage. However, few studies have investigated the effects of diets combining peanut vine and whole-plant corn silage on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, rumen fermentation and microbiota of beef cattle. To investigate these effects, eighty Simmental crossbred cattle (body weight, 451.27 ± 10.38 kg) approximately 14 months old were randomly divided into four treatments for a 90-day feeding experiment. A one-way design method was used in this experiment. According to the roughage composition, the cattle were divided into a control treatment of 45% wheat straw and 55% whole-plant corn silage (WG), and three treatments of 25% peanut vine and 75% whole-plant corn silage (LPG), 45% peanut vine and 55% whole-plant corn silage (MPG), and 65% peanut vine and 35% whole-plant corn silage (HPG), and the concentrate was the same for all four treatment diets. The results showed that compared to the WG group, the MPG group experienced an increase in their average daily feed intake of 14%, an average daily gain of 32%, and an increase in SOD activity in the spleen of 33%; in the meat, dry matter content increased by 11%, crude protein by 9%, and ether extract content by 40%; in the rumen, the NH3-N content was reduced by 36%, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased (p < 0.05). These results showed the composition of 45% peanut vine and 55% whole-plant corn silage in the roughage improved growth performance, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, rumen fermentation, and microbiota of beef cattle.

Resiliency of fast-growing and slow-growing genotypes of broiler chickens submitted to different environmental temperatures: growth performance and meat quality

Growth performance and meat quality were assessed in 238 chicks of both sexes belonging to a commercial crossbreed (Ross 308), and 2 Italian local breeds (Bionda Piemontese-BP and Robusta Maculata-RM). The chickens were kept in 2 rooms at standard environmental conditions or under heat stress (+4.7°C on average) until slaughtering (42 d of age for Ross 308 and 99 d for RM and BP chickens). The Ross chickens showed the highest final live weight, feed intake, and daily weight gain, and the best feed conversion ratio compared to the local breeds (P < 0.001), with RM performing better than BP chickens. Thus, Ross chickens had the heaviest carcasses, the highest slaughter, and breast yields followed by RM and BP chickens (P < 0.001). At the pectoralis major (p. major) muscle, Ross chickens showed the highest pH, lightness, and yellowness, besides the highest cooking losses, whereas BP showed the highest redness (P < 0.001). Ross meat had higher water and ether extract contents, and lower crude protein content compared to BP and RM (P < 0.001), whereas no differences among genotypes were measured for the fatty acid profile. At the sensory analysis, Ross breasts had a higher juiciness compared to BP ones, besides a lower score for "brothy and chickeny/meaty" and a higher one for "wet feathers" compared to local breeds (0.05 < P < 0.001). The increase of the room temperature decreased growth performance and cold carcass weight (P < 0.001) compared to standard conditions, whereas the rate of α-linolenic acid in the meat increased (P < 0.01). The effect of a high environmental temperature on growth performance and slaughter and meat quality traits was more pronounced in Ross compared to BP and RM chickens (0.05 < P <0.001; significant interaction genotype×temperature). In conclusions, local chicken breeds showed lower performance and slaughter yield compared to the commercial genotype, but more favorable meat quality traits and higher resilience to the environmental heat-stress.

Influence of the addition of dehydrated red araçá on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Greek-style yogurt

This study aims to propose the production of Greek-style yogurt with the addition of dehydrated red araçá fruit and to evaluate its physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics. Assessments were conducted on both the peel and pulp of red araçá in both fresh (in nature) and dehydrated forms, with a focus on bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity. Additionally, physicochemical attributes, including moisture, water activity (aw), pH, and color parameters (L, a*, b*, ΔE*, and C*), were examined.Furthermore, an examination was conducted on the protein content, ether extract, fixed mineral residue, and mineral content (Zn, Mg, Cu, Ca, Na, and K) in the fresh peel and pulp. To explore the effects of different quantities of dehydrated red araçá fruit, four distinct formulations were created and characterized over a 21-day storage duration. It's worth noting that the pulp in its natural state exhibited higher protein and ether extract content compared to the peel. Conversely, the peel showcased elevated levels of anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, flavonoids, and as a result, exhibited superior antioxidant activity. In formulations with increased concentrations of dehydrated red araçá pulp, a reduction in pH, aw, and moisture values was observed.The sensory evaluation, including acceptance and purchase intention, revealed no statistically significant differences among the formulations. The results of this study showed the potential of incorporating dehydrated red araçá as an ingredient in a novel dairy product, which may offer nutritional benefits owing to its bioactive properties.

Effects of winter barn feeding and grazing on growth performance, meat quality and rumen fungal community of Tibetan sheep

The grazing grassland ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is highly impacted by seasonal temperature variations. During the long cold season, the biomass and nutrient contents of forage grass do not meet the nutritional needs of grazing livestock and seriously affect growth performance and livestock products. This study investigated different feeding strategies on growth performance, meat quality and rumen fungal community of Tibetan sheep in the winter. Twelve one-year-old healthy castrated Tibetan sheep with similar initial body weights were randomly grouped into traditional grazing (TG) and barn feeding (BF) groups. The TG sheep were labelled and grazed on the local cool-season pasture without feed supplementing, while BF sheep were fed a mixed diet in feeding shed. Compared with the TG group, significantly increased body weight and average daily weight gain (ADG) were observed in the BF group (p < 0.001), which resulted in a significant increase in the hot carcase weight, net meat weight, carcase rate and net meat rate (p < 0.01). Moreover, the longissimus dorsi muscle of the BF group showed significantly increased muscle fibre diameter, perimeter, and area and increased crude protein and ether extract contents (p < 0.01), while the meat tenderness and amino acid content were reduced. ITS high-throughput sequencing showed that Ascomycota was the predominant fungal phylum in the rumen of Tibetan sheep. At the genus level, the rumen of TG sheep presented higher proportions of Preussia, Anaeromyces and Pilidium, while the most abundant genera in the BF sheep were Penicillium, Acaulium and Vishniacozyma. In summary, BF strategy enhanced the relative abundance of several dominant fungal genera related to the nutrient absorption and metabolism capacity, and effectively improves the growth and slaughter performance and affects meat quality of Tibetan sheep in the winter.

Effect of short-term grazing exclusion on herbage species composition, dry matter productivity, and chemical composition of subtropical grasslands

Abstract Grazing exclusion (GE) is a useful management technique for restoring degraded grasslands. The herbage mass productivity and chemical makeup in the grazing-excluded subtropical grassland environment has, however, received little attention. A subtropical riverine grassland was selected to determine the effect of GE on herbage mass productivity and chemical composition in Nepal. In three successive harvesting times from September to November 2020, the herbage was sampled along the six randomly selected transects of 100 m length and at two treatments (GA: Grazing-allowed and GE: Grazing-excluded plots) at three different times of harvest from a 1,000-ha grassland. A total of 108 herbage cut samples were collected from the individual 1 m × 1 m quadrats at the three harvests, respectively, from the GA and GE plots. Fences were used to maintain the GE plots to avoid grazing to prevent the vegetation altered by grazing. Day before herbage sampling, the functional groups, cover-abundance within the sampling quadrats were investigated. By cutting the fresh herbage 5 cm above the ground and subjecting it to oven drying for laboratory examination, the herbage mass productivity within each quadrat was measured. Using established laboratory procedures, the chemical analysis of herbage was evaluated for its proximate, fibre, and mineral contents. The results of the study demonstrated that GE significantly increased grass species than other-forbs, other-graminoids, and legumes, respectively, and increased dry matter productivity, which could be seen by an increase in leaf stem ratio, tiller productivity, increased coarseness (fibrous content), total ash, calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P), but with a decreased nonstructural carbohydrate, and the concentrations of ether extract and crude protein. Research results also confirmed that GE increases herbages’ fibrousness and productivity, though the herbage quality, intake, and digestibility decline. It further demonstrates that grazing is a crucial biological component for maintaining pasture quality in subtropical grasslands and that managing grasslands through livestock grazing would make grasslands more stable and nutrient-enriched. The findings of this study can be useful in the long-term monitoring of grazing livestock in the subtropical grasslands when considering further investigations with the multiple factors in future.