Feather Meal Research Articles

Alternative dietary protein sources for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) effect on intestinal microbiota, intestinal and liver histology and growth

The present study has addressed the issue of dietary alterations on gut microbiota in fish by investigating modulation of the allochthonous and autochthonous bacterial gut community of Atlantic salmon following feeding with pea protein concentrate, soy protein concentrate, extracted sunflower, poultry by-product and feather meal. The results revealed that total allochthonous and total autochthonous bacteria isolated from the distal intestine (DI) were affected by dietary modulations. Total autochthonous bacteria in proximal intestine remained unaffected. Corynebacteriaceae dominated the allochthonous bacteria and Lactobacillaceae dominated the autochthonous bacteria community in proximal and DI indicating that the most abundant groups are not shifted by alternative proteins. Some variations were observed between the bacterial communities as result of dietary manipulations. Alternative protein sources resulted in no severe signs of enteritis. Vacuolization of the liver was unaffected by diet. Furthermore, addition of plant materials significantly affected production of acetic acid. Weight of pyloric-, proximal- and DI was influenced by diet, especially feather meal. Growth performance was significantly affected by inclusion of feather meal to the diet. In conclusion the results showed that pea protein concentrate and poultry by-products are suitable protein replacements for Atlantic salmon and that soy protein concentrate is a potential candidate.

Analysis of the Presence of <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> in Feed and Raw Material Used in Poultry Production

Microbiological control of feeds used in industrial poultry production has been increasingly important due to the demands of the market for food safety, as well as the need to ensure better quality of the digestive system of the birds. Microbiological analysis carried out in raw material used in feed production, especially feather, meat, and organ meal, has shown contamination by Clostridium perfringens. In order to study the presence of Clostridium perfringens, a total of 354 samples of feed and raw material were analyzed from January 2011 to July 2013. Samples came from four companies located in the state of São Paulo, with a total of 166 samples of meat meal, 24 samples of feather meal, 43 samples of organ meal, and 121 samples of feed. The following results were obtained: 88 (53%), 15 (62.5%), 16 (37.21%), and 23 (19%) samples were positive for Clostridium perfringens in each group of samples, respectively, with counts ranging from 2.0 × 102 to 7.0 × 103 CFU/g.

MULCH EFFECTS ON HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY UNDER ORGANIC MANAGEMENT

A long-term organic blueberry trial was planted in October 2006 in Aurora, Oregon, USA to investigate the effect of mulch on soil and plant nutrient status, plant growth, berry yield, irrigation requirements, and weed control efficacy. Mulch treatments were applied at planting: 1) weed mat (geotextile), 2) Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) sawdust, and 3) compost + sawdust (compost applied to soil, then covered with sawdust). This paper addresses mulch treatment effects on soil and plant nutrient status during the first two years of the trial, and the first berry harvest in year 2 (2008). Yard-debris compost used in the field experiment had a pH of 7.3 and low soluble salt (EC <1 mS/cm). The yard debris compost + sawdust treatment produced greater berry yields than sawdust alone in the first bearing season. Relative berry yields were 100% for weedmat, 90% for sawdust + compost, and 70% for sawdust mulch. The positive effects of compost on berry yield were observed across two cultivars, flat or raised beds, and for two organic fertilizer sources (fish emulsion or feather meal) applied at two rates (29 and 57 kg·ha -1 N). Soil pH underlying the mulch was lowest (most acidic) with weed mat and highest under sawdust + compost mulch. After two years, compost increased soil organic matter (OM; 0-20 cm) by 9 g·kg -1 vs. weedmat, while sawdust mulch did not increase soil OM. In summary, compost maintained soil pH in the optimum range for blueberry, provided plant-available cations, increased soil organic matter, and increased berry yield (relative to sawdust alone). The mechanism(s) behind the compost benefit deserve further investigation.

Isolation of three novel Antarctic psychrotolerant feather-degrading bacteria and partial purification of keratinolytic enzyme from Lysobacter sp. A03

Three psychrotolerant bacteria (designated as A03, A08 and A17U) were isolated from penguin feathers collected in the Elephant Island, Antarctic. They were able to grow in feather meal as sole carbon and nitrogen source at 9 °C, 20 °C and 30 °C. Based on 16S rDNA sequencing, the strains were identified as belonging to the genera Lysobacter, Arthrobacter and Chryseobacterium, respectively. The isolate Lysobacter sp. A03 was capable to degrade feather meal almost completely in 7 days of cultivation at 20 °C, which was also the optimal growth temperature for Arthrobacter sp. A08 and Chryseobacterium sp. A17U. Despite the optimum growth temperature of the isolates was in the range of psychrotolerant microorganisms, the enzyme extracts showed maximum caseinolytic and keratinolytic activities under temperatures between 15 and 20 °C above that point, which is expected when enzymes are isolated from their source organism. For Lysobacter sp. A03, proteolytic activity was strongly inhibited by serine protease inhibitor PMSF, while for Arthrobacter sp. A08 and Chryseobacterium sp. A17U the enzymatic activity was inhibited by EDTA and partially inhibited by PMSF and 1,10-phenantroline. These results were in agreement with those found in zymograms. The protease of Lysobacter sp. A03, partially purified by two-step ion exchange chromatography, was only inhibited by PMSF. The peptide bands were analyzed by mass spectrometry resulting in the absence of significant homology to other Lysobacter proteins or microbial proteases of NCBI database. The production of keratinolytic proteases by these cold-adapted bacteria can be valuable for the reduction of energy costs in the application of enzymes in industrial processes as an alternative to mesophilic and thermophilic microorganisms.

Mulch and Fertilizer Management Practices for Organic Production of Highbush Blueberry. II. Impact on Plant and Soil Nutrients during Establishment

A systems trial was established in Oct. 2006 to evaluate management practices for organic production of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The practices included: flat and raised planting beds; feather meal and fish emulsion fertilizer each applied at rates of 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 nitrogen (N); sawdust mulch, compost topped with sawdust mulch (compost + sawdust), or weed mat; and two cultivars, Duke and Liberty. Each treatment was irrigated by drip and weeds were controlled as needed. The planting was certified organic in 2008. Bed type affected most leaf nutrients measured in one or both cultivars during the first year after planting, including N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), but had less of an effect on leaf nutrients and no effect on soil pH, organic matter, or soil nutrients measured the next year. Feather meal contained 12 times more Ca and seven times more B than fish emulsion and resulted in higher levels of soil Ca and soil and leaf B in both cultivars, whereas fish emulsion contained three times more P, 100 times more K, and 60 times more copper (Cu) and resulted in higher levels of soil P, K, and Cu as well as a higher level of leaf P and K. Fish emulsion also reduced soil pH. Compost + sawdust mulch increased soil pH and organic matter and resulted in higher levels of soil nitrate-N (NO3-N), P, K, Ca, B, Cu, and Zn than sawdust alone and increased leaf K and B. Weed mat, in contrast, resulted in the lowest soil pH and increased soil ammonium-N (NH4-N). Weed mat also reduced soil Ca and Mg, but its effects on leaf nutrients were variable. Leaf Ca, Mg, and B were below levels recommended for blueberry the first year after planting when plants were fertilized with fish emulsion, whereas leaf N was low or deficient on average in the second year when plants were fertilized with feather meal. Leaf B was also low the second year in all treatments, and leaf Cu was marginally low. Leaf K, conversely, increased from the previous year and was becoming marginally high with fish emulsion. Fish emulsion, weed mat, and compost were generally the most favorable practices in terms of plant and soil nutrition. However, given the impact of each on soil pH and/or plant and soil K, further investigation is needed to determine whether these practices are sustainable over the long term for both conventional and organic production of highbush blueberry.

English

Keratinase producing bacterium Bacillus megaterium RS1 was obtained from feather dumping site of Rajapalayam. The optimal level of the key variables (starch, feather meal, calcium chloride) was used to determine the effect of their interactions on keratinase production using the statistical tool [(Central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM)]. The second-order quadratic model with the optimum conditions [(starch (1%); feather meal (3%) and calcium chloride (0.02%)] was used. The nearness of the coefficient of determination (R2 = 1.0000) to 1 ensures the satisfactory adjustment of the quadratic model to the experimental data. The maximum keratinase production was 142.9 U/ml. Key words: Keratinase, Central composite design (CCD), response surface methodology (RSM), Bacillus megaterium RS1 starch, feather meal, calcium chloride.

Use of dietary feather meal to induce histidine deficiency or imbalance in dairy cows and effects on milk composition

Removing His from a postruminal AA infusion decreases milk protein and increases milk fat content. Feather meal is an inexpensive protein source, high in rumen undegradable protein but low in His. The objective of our study was to investigate dietary feather meal as a method for creating a His deficiency or imbalance to alter milk composition. Four dietary treatments were fed for 4wk each to 8 multiparous mid-lactation Holstein cows in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design. A standard-protein control diet (SP-C) was formulated to provide 3,100g/d of metabolizable protein (MP). Feather meal was added to the control diet either to replace the MP isonitrogenously (SP-FM) or to increase the MP supply to 3,484g/d (HP-FM). As an isonitrogenous control for HP-FM, a high-protein diet (HP-C) was formulated with His-adequate protein sources to provide the same MP content as HP-FM. Dry matter intake tended to decrease when feather meal was fed. Predicted flows of digestible His, Met, and Lys, and plasma concentrations of these AA were reduced on both feather meal diets. Predicted flows of total digestible essential AA were not different between HP-FM and SP-C. We concluded that the DMI depression on HP-FM prevented an imbalance of excess AA over His, and created a deficiency of His, Met, and Lys compared with SP-C. Milk production decreased on the 2 feather meal treatments, partly explained by a tendency for DMI to decrease. Milk yield was lowest on SP-FM at 30.3kg/d and highest on HP-C at 37.9kg/d. Milk fat yield was not affected by diet but protein and lactose yields were both lower with feather meal. Protein yields were 860 and 998g/d, whereas lactose yields were 1,384 and 1,561g/d for SP-FM and HP-FM, respectively. This resulted in a higher fat content and lower protein percentage on FM diets. The ratio of solids-not-fat:fat in milk was lowest on SP-FM at 2.11 compared with 2.56 on SP-C. Adding feather meal to the diet by replacing MP isonitrogenously was more effective at lowering the solids-not-fat:fat ratio than increasing the MP content with an imbalanced protein source.

Keratinolytic Protease Production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 6B Using Feather Meal as Substrate and Application of Feather Hydrolysate as Organic Nitrogen Input for Agricultural Soil

Feather waste, a by-product of poultry processing sectors, contains a large quantity of hard to degrade keratin that pose great threat to the environment and mankind. Thus, development of a biotechnological approach to use such waste as substrate for enzyme production with its subsequent conversion to nitrogenous soil input is the main aim of the present investigation. Thirteen proteolytic bacteria were isolated from feather dump soil, amongst which Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 6B (JQ904625) was found to completely degrade native feather in shortest time period (24 h) and thus selected for further investigation. Upon optimization of process parameters, the maximum enzyme yield (610.13 U/ml) was obtained after 12 h of fermentation at 37 °C using a medium containing 0.5 % (w/v) feather meal and 0.5 % (w/v) xylose at pH 8.0. The keratinolytic protease 6B exhibited optimum activity at 50 °C and pH 8.0. The enzyme exhibited significant stability in presence of solvents, surfactants and bleach-oxidant, suggesting its potential use in industries. Furthermore, the strain could produce antifungal metabolites which could inhibit the growth of fungal phytopathogens in the same conditions observed for keratinolytic enzyme production. Consequently, feather hydrolysates resulting from the microbial conversion of feather keratin might be utilized as a bioactive agricultural nitrogen input. Thus, degradation of bird feather using a soil bacterial isolate with simultaneous production of solvent and detergent tolerant keratinolytic protease, offers a cost-effective technology for industrial protease production, while adding value to poultry feather waste.

Evaluation of Feather Meal as a Dietary Protein Source for African Catfish Fry, Clarias gariepinus

Evaluation of Feather Meal as a Dietary Protein Source for African Catfish Fry, Clarias gariepinus

Evaluation of a practical diet for juvenile tench (Tinca tinca L.) and substitution possibilities of fish meal by feather meal

A basal diet for juvenile tench (Tinca tinca) was formulated and used to test possibilities of replacement of fish meal (FM) by feather meal (FeM). A 120-day experiment was conducted with 5 month-old juveniles (27.45mm total length, 0.308g body weight). Three diets (500g crude protein/kg) differing in the level of replacement of FM protein by FeM protein were prepared: 0 (basal diet), 0.25 (148g FeM/kg) or 0.35 (210g FeM/kg). Survival ranged from 0.96 to 0.97 (P=0.061). The basal diet enabled higher growth (59.3mm total length, 2.6g body weight, 1.74%/d specific growth rate; P<0.001) and lower feed conversion ratio (1.36; P=0.032) than the FeM diets. There were not significant differences in body weight and specific growth rate between 0.25 or 0.35 replacement of FM protein by FeM protein. The basal diet enabled satisfactory performance and low proportion of deformed fish (0.03), showing to be feasible for future studies on juvenile tench. The FeM inclusion at the levels tested reduced growth and increased the proportion of deformed fish.

Amino acid and phosphorus digestibility and concentration of digestible and metabolizable energy in hydrolyzed feather meal fed to growing pigs1

Two experiments were conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA (Exp. 1), the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P, and the concentration of DE and ME (Exp. 2) in hydrolyzed feather meal (FM) fed to growing pigs. Eight samples of FM were obtained from 4 different processing plants (FM1, FM2, FM3, and FM4). Each plant provided samples of FM without and with added blood. In Exp. 1, 10 barrows (initial BW: 24.0 ± 0.8 kg) were prepared with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a 10 × 10 Latin square design with 10 diets and ten 7-d periods. A N-free diet, a diet based on soybean meal (SBM), and 8 diets based on a combination of SBM and each of the 8 sources of FM were formulated. Values for the SID of CP and AA in each source of FM were calculated using the difference procedure. The SID of CP and all AA was different (P < 0.001) among sources of FM. Among the indispensable AA, the overall effect of addition of blood was statistically significant (P < 0.05) for the SID of Ile, Leu, Lys, Phe, and Val, but for some sources, the SID of these AA was increased by addition of blood, whereas for other sources, the SID was reduced or not changed (interaction, P < 0.05). As an example, the SID of Lys in FM3 and FM4 with added blood were greater (P < 0.05) than in FM3 and FM4 without blood, but no difference in the SID of Lys was observed for FM1 and FM2 without and with blood (interaction, P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, 72 growing barrows (initial BW: 13.3 ± 1.5 kg) were used with 9 diets and 8 replicate pigs per diet. A corn-diet consisting of 98.4% corn was formulated and 8 additional diets were formulated by mixing corn with 25% FM. The STTD of P and the DE and ME of each source of FM were calculated using the difference procedure. The STTD of P tended (P = 0.09) to be different among FM sources and the STTD of P in FM with added blood was less than in FM without blood. On a DM basis, DE and ME values were affected (P < 0.05) by both source of FM and addition of blood. However, an interaction (P < 0.05) between source of FM and addition of blood for ME was observed because addition of blood to FM3 and FM4 reduced (P < 0.05) the ME, whereas addition of blood to FM1 and FM2 had no impact on ME. In summary, the SID of AA, STTD of P, and the energy concentration vary among sources of FM and the effects of adding blood to FM is not consistent among sources.

Mulch and Fertilizer Management Practices for Organic Production of Highbush Blueberry. I: Plant Growth and Allocation of Biomass during Establishment

A systems trial was established in Oct. 2006 to evaluate management practices for organic production of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The practices included: flat and raised planting beds; feather meal and fish emulsion fertilizer each applied at rates of 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 nitrogen (N); sawdust mulch, compost topped with sawdust mulch (compost + sawdust), or weed mat; and two cultivars, Duke and Liberty. Each treatment was irrigated by drip and weeds were controlled as needed. The planting was certified organic in 2008. After one growing season, allocation of biomass to the roots was greater when plants were grown on raised beds than on flat beds, mulched with organic mulch rather than a weed mat, and fertilized with the lower rate of N. Plants also allocated more biomass belowground when fertilized with feather meal than with fish emulsion. Although fish emulsion improved growth relative to feather meal in the establishment year, this was not the case the next year when feather meal was applied earlier. After two seasons, total plant dry weight (DW) was generally greater on raised beds than on flat beds, but the difference varied depending on fertilizer and the type of mulch used. Shoots and leaves accounted for 60% to 77% of total plant biomass, whereas roots accounted for 7% to 19% and fruit accounted for 4% to 18%. Plants produced 33% higher yield when grown on raised beds than on flat beds and had 36% higher yield with weed mat than with sawdust mulch. Yield was also higher when plants were fertilized with the low rate of fish emulsion than with any other fertilizer treatment in ‘Duke’ but was unaffected by fertilizer source or rate in ‘Liberty’. Although raised beds and sawdust or sawdust + compost produced the largest total plant DW, the greatest shoot growth and yield occurred when plants were mulched with weed mat or compost + sawdust on raised beds in both cultivars. The impact of these organic production practices on root development may affect the sustainability of these production systems over time, however, because plants with lower root-to-shoot ratios may be more sensitive to cultural or environmental stresses.

A Two-step Biotechnological Process for Improving Nutrition Value of Feather Meal by Bacillus licheniformis S6

A two-step biotechnological process was developed using Bacillus licheniformis S6 to provide a simple and economical procedure which significantly improved feather meal nutrition value. Compared with IFM (initial feather meal) and CFM (commercial feather meal), SFEFM (feather meal gained by solid fermentation and enzymolysis with continuous agitation) had a significant improvement (P<0.05) in vitro digestibility, contents of oligopeptides and soluble protein released in digestive juice by pepsin-pancreatin digestion procedure, furthermore, some deficient essential amino acids in feather protein (histidine, methionine, lysine) were enhanced. Comapared with CFM, the oligopeptides released into digestive juice of ISFM (feather meal obtained by the biotechnological process described in the paper with intermittent shaking) was significantly enhanced (P<0.05), and its in vitro digestibility was statistically (P>0.05) equivalent to CFM. The summary of the finding to IFM treatment and possible means of further improvements were also listed.

Biobased Polymer Composites Derived from Corn Stover and Feather Meals as Double-Coating Materials for Controlled-Release and Water-Retention Urea Fertilizers

In this paper, we synthesized a biobased polyurethane using liquefied corn stover, isocyanate, and diethylenetriamine. The synthesized polyurethane was used as a coating material to control nitrogen (N) release from polymer-coated urea. A novel superabsorbent composite was also formulated from chicken feather protein (CFP), acrylic acid, and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide and used as an outer coating material for water retention. We studied the N release characteristics and water-retention capability of the double-layer polymer-coated urea (DPCU) applied in both water and soils. The ear yields, dry matter accumulation, total N use efficiency and N leaching from a sweet corn soil-plant system under two different irrigation regimes were also investigated. Comparison of DPCU treatments with conventional urea fertilizer revealed that DPCU treatments reduced the N release rate and improved water retention capability. Evaluation of soil and plant characteristics within the soil-plant system revealed that DPCU application effectively reduced N leaching loss, improved total N use efficiency, and increased soil water retention capability.

Digestibility of common feed ingredients by juvenile mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus

Three experiments were done to determine the apparent digestibility of common feed ingredients by mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of ingredients were determined using indirect techniques employing chromium oxide as the marker and collecting faecal material by passive settlement. Ingredients tested included two sources of fishmeal (Ecuador or Peru origin), standard and high grade rendered animal by-product meals (poultry meal, hydrolysed feather meal, meat meal, blood meal and three high-protein, low-ash meat meals of ovine or bovine origin), legumes (dehulled lupins and whole field peas), a dehulled solvent extracted soybean meal and sorghum meal. The majority of these ingredients were examined at the 50% inclusion level with the exception of blood meal which was examined at 30% inclusion. The digestibilities of two other cereal products (extruded wheat and 100% pregelatinised unmodified wheat starch) were tested at 20 or 30% and 10, 20 or 30% inclusion rates, respectively, to study the effect of ingredient level on ADC's of typical carbohydrate sources. In all experiments, faecal material was collected from n=3 replicate tanks. Digestibilities of the different fishmeal sources were high, regardless of origin (protein and energy ADC≈97%; fat ADC≈99%). Digestibilities of high grade ovine and bovine meals were also high (protein ADC≈94%; energy ADC≈94%), although the fat ADC of these products was slightly lower (≈80%). The digestibilities of the other rendered animal meals were more variable, with protein ADCs of blood meal, meat meal, poultry meal and feather meal being 90, 84, 76 and 57%, respectively. Energy ADCs for these products were also variable ranging from 61 to 84%, with the lowest value being that for feather meal. The protein from dehulled lupins, whole field peas, sorghum meal and soybean meal was generally well digested, being equal to or greater than 90%. However, the energy ADCs for these products were poor, being lowest in sorghum meal (≈24%) and whole peas (≈40%) and somewhat better in dehulled lupin meal (≈67%) and dehulled solvent extracted soybean meal (≈75). Linear regression analysis indicated that there was a significant negative relationship between the inclusion level of pregelatinised wheat starch (i.e. 10, 20 or 30%) and organic matter or gross energy ADCs (organic matter ADC%=111.22−1.64×%inclusion level, R2=86%; gross energy ADC%=110.42−1.83×%inclusion level, R2=72%). We found no significant difference between organic matter (≈45%), protein (≈88%) or energy (≈45%) ADCs of extruded wheat with respect to inclusion level (i.e. 20 or 30%), however all ADCs were numerically lower at the higher inclusion level. The results from these experiments indicate that mulloway are efficient at digesting protein and energy from fishmeals and good quality rendered animal meals. They appear to be reasonably efficient at digesting protein from plant products commonly used in the manufacture of aqua-feeds, however they are less efficient at extracting the digestible energy from plant products, especially from whole grains. Significant reductions in the organic matter and energy ADCs of pregelatinised wheat starch as a result of inclusion rate indicate that ADCs for carbohydrates such as these may not be additive. The data generated in this study will be useful for formulating research and commercial feeds for mulloway on a digestible protein and energy basis.

Optimization of Trichoderma harzianum T-E5 biomass and determining the degradation sequence of biopolymers by FTIR in solid-state fermentation

Efficiencies in the promotion of plant growth and suppression of fusarium wilt disease of cucumbers by Trichoderma harzianum T-E5 have been previously verified. In this study, algae mud and other solid agro-industrial wastes were used to maximize T-E5 biomass through a design based on response surface methodology. The composting tests showed that the optimal conditions, i.e., 73.2% pig manure organic fertilizer, 7.3% algae mud, 9.9% rapeseed meal, and 9.5% feather meal at 28.2°C, could maximize T-E5 biomass for 12d fermentation. A 2D Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis showed that the possible degradation sequence of these biopolymers in fermentation followed the order polysaccharides>protein>cellulose. This result provided information useful for further adjusting the solid raw materials included in the fermentation process.

NOTA TÉCNICA: QUALIDADE MICROBIOLÓGICA DAS FARINHAS DE ORIGEM ANIMAL PROCESSADAS EM UNIDADES LOCALIZADAS NO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAIS, BRASIL

As farinhas de origem animal apresentam potencial de contaminação microbiológica, no entanto, são ainda muito utilizadas na formulação de dietas para animais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica das farinhas de origem animal processados em oito unidades distribuídas no estado de Minas Gerais. As amostras de farinhas de vísceras (248), de carne e ossos (224), e farinhas de penas (216) foram coletadas para avaliação microbiológica no recebimento de uma fábrica de ração, localizada na cidade de Viconde do Rio Branco, MG. Os resultados demonstraram um elevado índice de contaminação bacteriana pelas espécies Salmonella sp. (5,3x102) e Staphylococcus sp. (4,5x105), coliformes totais (2,8x105), coliformes termotolerantes (3,3x105), mesófi los totais (4.7x105), e colônias de fungos (3,6x105). As farinhas de origem animal processadas na unidade “A” apresentaram os maiores níveis de contaminação microbiológica. Além disso, as farinhas de vísceras foram os subprodutos com qualidade inferior. As farinhas de origem animal obtidas nas unidades de processamento estão fora do padrão exigido pela legislação no que se refere a qualidade microbiológica e colocam em risco a qualidade fi nal da ração. Concluiuse que as farinhas de origem animal não atendem a qualidade mínima para serem comercializadas para as fábricas de rações.

Response of sheep fed on concentrate containing feather meal and supplemented with mineral Chromium

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of substitution of protein concentrate with feather meal supplemented with organic chromium mineral on performance of lambs. Twenty five male lambs were fed basal feed of fresh chopped king grass ad libitum and were allotted to either one of five different supplements (five dietary treatments): Control (C); 10% of protein in concentrate was substituted by feather meal (FM); 10% of protein in concentrate was substituted by feather meal supplemented with Cr yeast at 1.5 mg (FMCrOrg); 10% of protein in concentrate was substituted by feather meal supplemented with Cr inorganic which equal to the amount of Cr bound in yeast (FMCr); Concentrate control supplemented with 1.5 mg Cr yeast (CCrOrg). Cr-organic was synthesized by incorporating CrCl3 in fermented rice flour by Rhizopus sp. The mineral is mixed with feather meal as a mineral carrier. Sheep in all treatments received iso protein concentrate. Parameters observed were body weight change, feed consumption and nutrient digestibility. Results shows that there was no significant effect of diet treatments on average daily gain (ADG), dry matter consumption and feed conversion, with the average value of 75.4 gr/day; 74.9 g/BW 0.75 and 9.9 respectively, However diet treatment of organic chromium and protein substitution with feather meal (FMCrOrg) showed tendency of having higher ADG (83.57 g/h/d). Average nutrient digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and NDF were 68.7; 69.6 and 60.9%, respectively. However NDF digestibility of FMCrOrg tended to be higher than other treatment (67.0%). It is concluded that partial substitution of protein concentrate by feather meal and 1.5 mg Cr-organic supplementation did not affect sheep performance. Key Words : Chromium, Sheep, Feather Meal, Supplementation

Effects of fishmeal replacement by feather meal in practical diets for juvenile crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculusDana, Astacidae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate different replacement levels of fishmeal (FM) by feather meal (FeM) on survival and growth of juvenile crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus). An 80-day experiment was conducted with stage 2 juveniles from the onset of exogenous feeding. Four practical diets (500 g kg−1 protein) differing in the level of replacement of FM protein by FeM protein were prepared: 0% (control diet), 15% (8.2% dietary FeM), 25% (13.7% dietary FeM) or 35% (19.2% dietary FeM). Each diet was tested on grouped or individually isolated crayfish. Crayfish fed the control diet or 15% replacement achieved the highest survival (average of grouped and isolated: 88.2%) and growth (grouped and isolated: 13.58 mm carapace length, 523.2 mg weight) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (average of grouped and isolated: 1.11). Final growth of isolated crayfish was significantly higher than that of grouped crayfish for all diets. This study provides the first data on the substitution possibilities of FM by FeM in diets for freshwater crayfish. An 8.2% of FeM (15% replacement of FM protein) can be included in extruded diets for juvenile P. leniusculus during the first 80 days of intensive rearing without impairing growth or feed conversion.

Desempeño productivo y rendimiento de canal en pavos alimentados con harina de plumas tratadas con NaOH

RESUMENObjetivo. Evaluar el desempeño productivo y el rendimiento de la canal en pavos en crecimiento alimentados con dietas elaboradas con harina de plumas (HP). Materiales y métodos. Los tratamientos fueron una dieta control y dos dietas experimentales con harina de plumas tratada con 50 ó 100 g de NaOH/kg. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques al azar. El consumo de alimento y el peso de los animales se registró cada dos semanas. Los datos del desempeño productivo se analizaron con el procedimiento MIXED del programa estadístico SAS. El rendimiento de la canal se analizó con el procedimiento GLM del programa estadístico SAS. Resultados. Los pavos que consumieron la dieta testigo tuvieron mejores ganancias de peso (GP), consumo de alimento (CA), peso de la canal y de sus partes (p&lt;0.05) que aquellas con harina de plumas. Sin embargo, se observó una mayor GP, CA, peso de la canal y del muslo (p&lt;0.05) cuando se trató la harina de plumas con 100 g de NaOH/kg. Conclusiones. Los resultados obtenidos indican que la utilización de harina de plumas disminuyó el comportamiento productivo y el rendimiento de canal en los pavos. Sin embargo, el aumento del tratamiento de la harina de plumas de 50 a 100 g de NaOH/kg mejoró el comportamiento productivo y el rendimiento de canal