Fed Wheat Bran Research Articles

Osteodystrophy Fibrosa in a Goat Kid: Clinical Assessment and Management

Fibrous osteodystrophy is a mineral based caprine metabolic disease in which bones are resorbed as a result of prolonged hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone. High phosphorus or low calcium in the diet frequently contributes to fibrous osteodystrophy. This was a case of 8 months old kid presented to the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic of ICAR-IVRI with the history of anorexia and prominent bilateral facial swelling. History-taking revealed that owner was regularly feeding wheat bran and barley to the kid in the diet. On clinical examination, goat kid was found to be dull and depressed with rectal temperature lying within the normal reference range. Haematobiochemical analysis exhibited decreased level of serum calcium (7 mg/dl) and increased level of serum phosphorus (8.2 mg/dl). In dorsovental cephalometric radiography, facial bones appeared radiolucent. Treatment of osteodystrophy began with the administration of injection AD3E at the dose of 1 ml I/M for 5 days, injection pheniramine maleate (AvilTM) at 1 ml I/M for 5 days, syrup CalcimustTM at 5 ml PO for 5 days and injection Calcium sandozTM at 10 ml mixed with 200 ml NSS I/V SD and anabolic steroid Nandrolone at 50 mg SD. Concurrently, the owner was advised to immediately stop feeding wheat bran and barley to the kid. After 5 days of the treatment, kid’s condition started to improve and uneventful recovery was achieved 14 days post-therapy.

Characterisation of Tenebrio molitor Reared on Substrates Supplemented with Chestnut Shell.

Tenebrio molitor larvae represent a sustainable protein source for food and feed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of chestnut shell, a by-product of the agro-industrial chain, in growth substrates for T. molitor larvae rearing. Seven-week-old larvae were reared on three different growth substrates: the control group (CTRL) was fed wheat bran, treatment group one was fed wheat bran supplemented with 12.5% w/w chestnut shell (TRT1), and treatment group two was fed wheat bran supplemented with 25% w/w chestnut shell (TRT2). Larval weight, substrate consumption, and mortality were recorded weekly. After 14 days, insect meals were produced for bromatological and colorimetric analysis, and bacterial inhibition activity assay using a microdilution method. The amino acid profile of insects was determined using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our results showed a lower feed conversion ratio and higher larval survival rate % in TRT2 compared to CTRL (p < 0.05). Proteins and lipids of TRT2 were higher than other groups (p < 0.05). Important differences were observed in the amino acid profile of TRT1 and TRT2 compared to CTRL (p < 0.05). TRT1 and TRT2 showed higher E. coli inhibitory activity than CTRL (p < 0.05). In conclusion, chestnut shell supplementation improved the survival and functional characteristics of larvae and likely impacted the insects' metabolism.

Growth performance and nutritional profile of Tenebrio molitor raised on a diet composed of livestock feedstuff

AbstractEdible insects such as the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) are emerging as an alternative animal protein resource to meet the needs of a growing global population. However, despite the successful mass production of edible insects, research into practical compound feed for edible insect is still insufficient. In this study, mealworms were fed wheat bran, layer chicken feed mash, chicken pellets and cattle pellets for 1 to 36 days, after which their body length was measured. In the groups fed with chicken feed mash, chicken pellets or cattle pellets, the mean body lengths were 2.88, 2.92 and 2.95 cm, respectively, similar to the 2.95 cm of the control T. molitor fed with wheat bran. Individual weight measurements yielded similar results: control, 7.87 g; chicken feed mash, 7.43 g; chicken pellets, 7.60 g; and cattle pellets, 7.63 g. Analysis of livestock feed intake showed that the intake was 290.4 g in control insects, 137.7 g in insects fed chicken feed mash, 220.2 g in insects fed chicken pellets and 230.3 g in insects fed cattle pellets. In the excretion analysis, the excretion of the control insects (161.60 g) was larger than that of the insects fed with chicken feed mash (93.37 g), chicken pellets (93.40 g) or cattle pellets (133.87 g). An analysis of the nutritional content of T. molitor based on nine major nutrients showed no significant differences between the control and the test groups. These results can be used to improve the price competitiveness and quality of T. molitor for commercial development.

Development of Optimized Feed for Lipid Gain in Zophobas morio (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Larvae.

Super mealworm Zophobas morio (Coleoptera: Tenbrionidea) larvae (ZML) are being investigated as potential candidates for biodiesel production. Several studies have revealed that the crude fat content of ZML can be enhanced by increasing the feed consumed. We aimed to develop an optimized ZML feed that enhances the lipid gain using 10 different ingredients. The results revealed that the highest lipid content was observed in ZML fed food waste (FW). Furthermore, we found that the weight gain of ZML improved when fed fermented FW using three selected microorganisms (3M), Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Pediococcus acidilactici. We also analyzed the effects of preservatives on the weight gain of ZML, and the results revealed that ZML fed 5-day 3M-fermented FW (FFW) containing 0.05% sorbic acid exhibited the highest weight gain. Based on these findings, we produced solid FFW containing 0.05% sorbic acid using 5% agar and established a manufacturing process. Body composition analysis revealed that the lipid content of the ZML fed manufactured feed was higher than that of the ZML fed wheat bran. Therefore, this study suggests that solid FFW containing 0.05% sorbic acid should be used as a commercial feed for ZML breeding to enhance lipid gain, making it an economical substrate for raw biodiesel production.

Carcase traits, meat quality, and lipogenic gene expression in muscle of lambs fed wheat bran feruloyl oligosaccharides

This study investigated the effects of dietary feruloyl oligosaccharides derived from fermented wheat bran (FOs-FWB) supplementation on carcase traits, meat quality, muscle fatty acid composition, and the expression of lipogenic genes in lambs. In a completely randomised design, 50 Dorper × thin-tailed Han lambs (20.21 ± 3.36 kg) were randomly divided into five treatments with ten replications. The lambs in the control group were fed a basal diet, while those in the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg FOs-FWB. The shear forces of longissimus dorsi (LD) in lambs fed 50 and 100 mg/kg FOs-FWB were significantly lower than that of the control group (p < .05). Lambs fed with 200 mg/kg FOs-FWB had higher crude protein and lower fat contents in LD muscle (p < .05), the ash content in LD muscle was increased by FOs-FWB supplementation (p < .05). Lambs fed 50 mg/kg FOs-FWB had significantly higher proportions of C18:1n − 9, C20:1, C18:3n − 3, C18:3n − 6 and total n − 3 (p < .05). The proportion of C18:3n − 6 was significantly increased by 100 mg/kg FOs-FWB supplementation (p < .05). Feeding 200 mg/kg FOs-FWB significantly decreased proportions of C14:0 and total saturated fatty acid (SFA), but increased proportions of C18:1n − 9, C18:2n − 6, total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) to SFA ratio (p < .05). Moreover, increases in the proportion of C22:6n − 3 and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) were observed in lambs fed FOs-FWB (p < .05). The relative expression levels of ACC, FAS, and SCD genes in the LD muscle of lambs fed 200 and 400 mg/kg FOs-FWB were higher than the control group (p < .05). Dietary supplementation with 100, 200, 400 mg/kg FOs-FWB significantly increased the relative mRNA expression level of LPL (p < .05). Furthermore, a decrease in the relative mRNA expression level of PPARγ was observed in lambs fed 50 mg/kg FOs-FWB (p < .05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with FOs-FWB reduced shear force, enhanced intramuscular fat content and PUFAs proportion and stimulated lipogenic gene expression in LD muscle of lambs, especially at a level of 200 mg/kg addition. Highlights Dietary FOs-FWB improved the tenderness of the meat. Dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg FOs-FWB increased the content of intramuscular fat and PUFAs, as well as the ratio of UFA to SFA. Dietary FOs-FWB affected the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism.

Impact of fermentable fiber, xylo-oligosaccharides and xylanase on laying hen productive performance and nutrient utilization

This study evaluated the impact of feeding xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), fermentable fiber in the form of wheat bran (WB), and xylanase (XYL) on laying hen productive performance and nutrient digestibility. The hypothesis was that the WB would provide the microbiota in the hindgut with fermentable dietary xylan, and the XOS and XYL would further upregulate xylan fermentation pathways, resulting in improved nutrient utilization. Isa Brown hens (n=96) were obtained at 39 wk of age. They were fed 12 dietary treatments, 8 hens per treatment, for 56 d. A commercial laying hen ration was fed, and for half of the treatments 10% of this ration was directly replaced with WB. The diets were then supplemented with either 1) no supplements; 2) XOS 50 g/t; 3) XOS 2000 g/t; 4) XYL (16,000 BXU/kg); 5) XYL+XOS 50 g/t, or 6) XYL+XOS 2,000 g/t. Hen performance and egg quality were measured every 14 d. On d56, ileum digesta samples were collected for determination of starch, nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP), XOS, protein, energy, and starch digestibility. Ceca digesta samples were also collected for analysis of XOS, short chain fatty acid (SCFA), xylanase and cellulase activity and microbial counts. Feeding 2,000 g/t XOS increased ileal protein digestibility. Combined 2,000 g/t XOS and XYL increased cecal Bifidobacteria concentration. This combination also increased cecal xylanase activity in birds fed the control diet. Cecal cellulase activity was improved by feeding WB, XYL, and 2,000 g/t XOS. XYL increased cecal lactate production. Feeding 2,000 g/t XOS with WB increased insoluble NSP degradability and shell breaking strength at d56. In summary, supplementing laying hen diets with fermentable fiber, XYL and XOS increases utilization of dietary xylan, improving nutrient utilization, performance, and gastrointestinal health.

PSVIII-2 Evaluation of the Effects of a Stimbiotic and Fiber Source on Nursery Pig Performance

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding a stimbiotic, Signis (AB Vista), and fiber source, sugar beet pulp or wheat bran, on nursery performance. Pigs (n = 480; 5.87±1.10 kg) were assigned to treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of Stimbiotic (0 or 100 mg/kg) and Fiber Source (control, sugar beet pulp, or wheat bran). For phase 1, wheat bran and sugar beet pulp were added at 6.0% and 3.5%, respectively. For phase 2, wheat bran and sugar beet pulp were added at 10% and 6.0%, respectively. There were 8 pens containing 10 pigs per treatment group. A 2-phase feeding program lasting 3 weeks each was used. Performance was monitored for 6 weeks. Fecal scores were recorded, and fecal samples were collected to determine apparent total tract nutrient (ATTD) digestibility. Full value pigs (FVP) were determined by subtracting mortality and removals from total number placed. Pen gain was calculated as difference of sum of BW at d 42 minus sum of BW at d 0. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the fit model platform in JMP. Significance was accepted at P ≤ 0.05 and trends at P &amp;lt; 0.10. Phases 1 and 2 ADG, ADFI, gain:feed or d42 BW did not differ between treatment groups. There were effects of Stimbiotic and Fiber Source on FVP as there were increased FVP (P &amp;lt; 0.05) with Stimbiotic and decreased FVP (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for pigs fed wheat bran. Pen gain tended to increase (P = 0.06) in pigs fed Stimbiotic and was decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for pigs fed wheat bran. Mean fecal scores were not affected by Fiber Source, but tended (P = 0.07) to be reduced by Stimbiotic. Stimbiotic tended (P ≤ 0.09) to increase ATTD of dry matter and energy. In conclusion, feeding a stimbiotic increased FVP, while feeding wheat bran decreased FVP. Further research is needed to explore the effects of fiber source in nursery diets and how it interacts with Stimbiotic.

Detection and isolation of typical gut indigenous bacteria in ICR mice fed wheat bran and wheat straw fibre

Wheat bran (WB) and wheat straw fibre (WSF) are by-products of the wheat flour industry. To prove the existence of indigenous gut bacteria responsible for WB and WSF, the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were fed a diet containing no fibre (CS), 10% WB, or 5% WSF for 14 d. The caecal microbiome was analysed by 16S rDNA (V4 region) amplicon sequencing. Typical colonies were isolated and estimated by 16S rRNA gene BLASTn analysis. The predominant amplicon sequence variants in all diet groups belonged to Bifidobacterium pseudolongum- and Faecalibaculum rodentium-like bacteria. Lactobacillus johnsonii- and Limosilactobacillus reuteri-like bacteria were high in the WB group compared with those in the CS group. Lactobacillus johnsonii Wheat-1 and L. reuteri Wheat-12 strains could be isolated. Lactobacillus johnsonii Wheat-1 exhibited good fermentation activity in 10% (w/v) WB suspension. Superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity of the WB suspension was significantly increased by the fermentation.

Recycling of spent mushroom substrate: Utilization as feed material for the larvae of the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

Spent mushroom substrate is made from the waste remaining after the harvest of mushrooms. Here, we evaluated the potential of five spent edible fungi (Auricularia cornea, Lentinus edodes, Pleurotus eryngii, P. citrinopileatus and P. ostreatus) substrates as feed sources for Tenebrio molitor larvae. Young larvae did not survive on any substrate except the spent L. edodes substrate (36.7%). The survival rates in young larvae were similar among the different diets in which wheat bran or rice bran was replaced with 0, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60% spent L. edodes substrate. The weights of the surviving larvae were decreased only when 70% of wheat bran and > 40% of rice bran was replaced with spent L. edodes substrate. In addition, the middle-aged larvae fed wheat bran only were significantly larger than those fed diets with 30~60% spent L. edodes substrate in dry feed, but the larvae of all treatments failed to pupate. Whereas the green feed was added in dry feed, there were no significant differences in pupal weight, pupation rate, pupal duration, adult emergence, or deformed adults among the three treatments in middle-aged larvae that were fed on diets containing 0, 30, or 40% spent L. edodes substrate. Collectively, these results suggest that spent L. edodes substrate has considerable potential to be used as a partial replacement (< 40%) of conventional feed for T. molitor, and spent mushroom substrate waste may be recycled as feed material for resource insects.

Nutrient and energy balance, and amino acid digestibility in weaned piglets fed wheat bran and an exogenous enzyme combination

The digestive system of the weaned piglets can be affected by the type of ingredients present in the diet, and a high fibre content in diets can limit the use of other nutrients and energy. The study was conducted to determine the effects of multicarbohydrase (MC) and phytase (Phy) supplementation on the nutritive value of wheat bran (WB) in weaned piglets. Multicarbohydrase preparation had 700 U α-galactosidase, 2200 U galactomannanase, 3000 U xylanase and 22 000 U β-glucanase per kilogram of diet, and Phy had 500 phytase units – FTU/kg of diet. Twenty-five weaned piglets (6.1 ± 0.63 kg) at 21 days old were fed five diets in a completely randomised experimental design with a 2 × 2 + 1 (0 and 200 mg/kg MC; 0 and 50 mg/kg Phy; and basal diet – BD) factorial arrangement used to determine treatment effects. An additional group of piglets was fed a corn-basal diet during apparent digestibility of nutrients, and fed a 5% casein-corn starch basal diet during apparent and standardised ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acid evaluations. Piglets were individually caged until 38 days old, when Ileal digesta was collected at slaughter. Test diets were made by mixing the basal diets and WB 7 : 3 (w/w), with or without MC, Phy or the combination. There was an interaction trend (P = 0.07) between MC and Phy in the balance of ash, digestible energy (DE) and metabolisable energy (ME). Effects of MC (P < 0.01) on DM, N retention, DE and ME, as well as an effect of Phy (P < 0.05) on ash, DE and ME and a trend in protein digestibility (P = 0.07) also was observed. The enzyme combination showed effect (P < 0.05) on SID of Lys, Pro and Ser; as a trend (P < 0.07) on His, Thr and Val. Isolated, MC also suggested improving (P < 0.07) on SID of His, Lys, Ala (P < 0.05), while Phy improved (P < 0.06) SID of Leu, Lys, Met (P < 0.01), Thr, Val, Ala (P < 0.01), Pro and Ser (P < 0.05). The MC carbohydrate complex was characterised as a viable alternative to increase the apparent nutrients digestibility and SID of amino acids when WB was used in the diet of young pigs and, when combined with Phy, suggested an additive effect on the apparent use of energy.

A novel clean production approach to utilize crop waste residues as co-diet for mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) biomass production with biochar as byproduct for heavy metal removal

Proper management of waste crop residues has been an environmental concern for years. Yellow mealworms (larvae of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758) are major insect protein source. In comparison with normal feed wheat bran (WB), we tested five common lignocellulose-rich crop residues as feedstock to rear mealworms, including wheat straw (WS), rice straw (RS), rice bran (RB), rice husk (RH), and corn straw (CS). We then used egested frass for the production of biochar in order to achieve clean production. Except for WS and RH, the crop residues supported mealworms’ life activity and growth with consumption of the residues by 90% or higher and degraded lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose over 32 day period. The sequence of degradability of the feedstocks is RS > RB > CS > WS > RH. Egested frass was converted to biochar which was tested for metal removal including Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cr(VI). Biochar via pyrolysis at 600 °C from RS fed frass (FRSBC) showed the best adsorption performance. The adsorption isotherm fits the Langmuir model, and kinetic analysis fits the Pseudo-Second Order Reaction. The heavy metal adsorption process was well-described using the Intra-Particle Diffusion model. Complexation, cation exchange, precipitation, reduction, deposition, and chelation dominated the adsorption of the metals onto FRSBC. The results indicated that crop residues (WS, RS, RB, and CS) can be utilized as supplementary feedstock along with biochar generated from egested frass to rear mealworms and achieve clean production while generating high-quality bioadsorbent for environment remediation and soil conditioning.

Performance of Newly Described Native Edible Cricket Scapsipedus icipe (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) on Various Diets of Relevance for Farming.

A new native edible cricket species, Scapsipedus icipe Hugel and Tanga, has been described in Kenya for the first time. However, there is lack of information on suitable diets and their effects on the developmental time, survival, weight gain, body length, growth index, preoviposition, oviposition, postoviposition, fecundity, egg eclosion period, adult emergence, and longevity of this species, which are prerequisite for large-scale production. In this study, six diets (wheat bran, soybean, fish offal, pumpkin leaf, carrot, and maize meals) selected to vary in protein, carbohydrate, and fat content were evaluated. The developmental time and survival rate of the different life stages varied considerably on the various diets, with the shortest development and highest survival rate recorded when fed wheat bran diet. Preoviposition duration was significantly longer on maize and carrot diets (>10 d) compared with that recorded on the other diets (<8 d). Body weight and body length were significantly influenced by the different diets tested. Females of S. icipe fed on protein-rich diets (fish offal, soybean, and wheat bran) had significantly higher lifetime fecundity and fertility. Female-biased sex ratio was recorded on wheat bran and soybean diets, whereas male-biased sex ratio was recorded on maize and carrot diets. Our findings reveal that the impact of diet quality on the biological fitness parameters of S. icipe and the implication of the results are discussed in light of effective mass rearing of this species.

Nutrient Intake, Digestibility and Growth Performance of Local Sheep in Western Tigray, Ethiopia

Twenty-five yearling intact male sheep with an average live weight of 19±1.7kg (mean ± Standard deviation) were used in the experiment. The study was to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of sesame seed cake supplementation on feed intake, live weight gain and carcass parameters of sheep fed wheat bran and teff straw, as well as to evaluate the appropriate economic levels to get optimum profit in feedlot growing rams. The experimental design was a complete randomized block design (CRBD) with five treatments and five replications. The treatment diets, namely, 0, 150, 200, 250 and 300g Dry matter (DM)/head/day sesame seed cake were assigned randomly to the sheep with a basal diet. There was significantly higher (P<0.05) total Dry matter intake (DMI) in the sesame supplemented group than the control treatment. Similarly, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) among all treatments in total Crude protein intake (CPI) due to the increased level of supplementation. Digestibility of Crude protein (CP), Dry matter (DM) and Organic matter (OM) were also significantly higher (P<0.05) for sheep supplemented with the different level of SSC (sesame seed cake) than the control treatment. Though daily live weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) for sesame supplemented treatment as compared to control, a positive average daily body weight gain was observed in all treatment groups. The feed conversion efficiency was significantly (P<0.05) higher for the sesame supplement as compared to control. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the final body weight between the sesame supplemented group and the control. The mean values of slaughter weight, empty body weight and rib-eye area were significantly (P<0.05) higher for supplemented treatments than the control. The highest hot carcass weight was recorded with the highest level (300g SSC) supplemented sheep. Considering the economic return (Marginal rate of return), the highest level sesame seed cake supplemented sheep could be recommended as the optimum level for feedlot growing. Generally the present study indicated that supplementation of sheep with different levels of SSC had an effect on feed intake, digestibility, and carcass parameters, and the effects were relatively more pronounced on sheep supplemented with the highest level of sesame seed cake. The partial budget analysis also indicated that the highest level of sesame seed cake supplemented sheep had returned a higher profit margin than the other levels of supplementation. Therefore, supplementation with 300g Dry matter (DM)/head/day sesame seed cake is biologically more efficient and economically more profitable and thus could be recommended. Keywords : Body weight gain, digestibility, carcass parameters and growing lambs DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-1-06

The Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia in Earthen Ponds Located at Different Altitudes of Toke Kutaye Woreda, Ethiopia

The research was conducted to investigate the growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings and plankton production in earthen ponds located at 2,500 msl, 2,100 msl and 1,710 msl in the west shoa zone, Ethiopia. The stocking density of each pond was 2/m 2 . The initial average length and weight of the fingerlings were 5±0.03 cm and 5.7±0.02 gm, respectively. The study has been conducted for a period of 120 days (October 2011-February 2012). Before stocking, the ponds were treated with quicklime (0.05 kg/m 2 ) and fertilized with cow manure (0.1 kg/m 2 /week). Supplementary feed (wheat bran and nuog cake)was provided at the rate 3% of body weight throughout the growing period. Growth measurements were recorded at 15 days interval. The results showed that the final weight of O. niloticus was 18.2±0.02, 52.4±0.97 and 63.7±0.50 g at the altitude of 2,500 msl, 2,100 msl and 1,710 msl, respectively. The average daily body weight gain was 0.2±0.00, 0.7±0.05 and 0.8±0.04 gm in 2,500 msl, 2,100 msl and 1,710 msl, respectively. Survival rate was higher at the altitude of 1,710 msl. Moreover, specific growth rate, average feed conversion ratio, condition of fish, plankton abundance and distribution were significantly (P<0.05) varied in the three altitude ponds.

Short Communication: Effects of feeding wheat bran and condensed liquid whey in diets of growing cattle

Friedt, A. D. and McKinnon, J. J. 2012. Short Communication: Effects of feeding wheat bran and condensed liquid whey in diets of growing cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 501–504. Wheat bran (WB) derived from abrasion milling prior to ethanol production was evaluated in backgrounding diets for steer calves alone or in combination with condensed liquid whey (CLW) as a partial replacement for barley grain. There was no effect of CLW on any performance parameter, nor was any WB×CLW interaction detected. Average daily gain was not affected (P&gt;0.05) by WB inclusion; however, dry matter intake of cattle fed WB was higher (P&lt;0.01) than that of cattle fed the barley-based diet. Gain:feed and estimated diet NEg content were decreased (P&lt;0.01) by WB inclusion. Ultrasound carcass traits were not (P&gt;0.05) affected by treatment. These results indicate that WB can replace barley grain at levels up to 28% of the diet DM without impacting ADG or composition of gain in growing calves. However, calculated NEg of WB-based diets is lower than that of barley-based diets, thus calves must consume more feed DM to maintain similar gains.

Performance of growing pigs fed diets based on by-products of maize and wheat processing

Forty-eight crossbred Landrace × Large white pigs with an average body weight of 8.5 ± 0.4 kg and aged 2 months were used to evaluate performance and carcass characteristics of pigs fed two diets in which bran from maize or wheat was used as the energy source. A third diet based on whole maize grain was used as a control. Animals in groups of four, balanced for litter, sex and weight were allotted to dietary treatments in a completely randomised design with four replications. Data were collected on feed intake and weight gain for a period of 4 months. A digestibility trial was carried at the end of the feeding trial using two male pigs per treatment while six pigs per treatment were randomly selected for slaughter to determine carcass characteristics. Daily gain averaged 0.23, 0.31 and 0.13 kg/day, for pigs fed maize bran, wheat bran and whole maize diets, respectively. Average feed intake and final body weight were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by diets. Digestibility of dry matter, crude fibre and calcium were higher (P < 0.05) for pigs fed maize bran while crude protein digestibility was highest (P < 0.05) for the pigs fed wheat bran. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the diets in carcass yield, ham, head, trotters and heart weights and also for rib weight, rib eye muscle and other tissues. This study indicates that comparable performance of growing pigs fed cereal bran and full-grain diets are real.

Metabolic effects of dietary sugar beet pulp or wheat bran in growing female pigs1

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding a moderate level of 2 different fiber sources on energy metabolites; mitochondrial biogenesis in the intestine, liver, and muscle; and the expression of some genes that regulate energy metabolism in intestine, liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. Female pigs (n = 36; BW = 15.0 ± 0.7 kg) were fed diets containing no added fiber, 12.5% sugar beet pulp (SBP), or 12.5% wheat bran (WB) for 24 d. Blood samples were collected on d 7 and 24 for cholesterol, glucose, NEFA, and triglyceride analyses. At completion of the experiment, ileum, colon, subcutaneous adipose, and LM samples were obtained from a subset (n = 6) of pigs fed each diet for analysis of tissue mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and mRNA abundance by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR. Glycogen and triglyceride content of liver and LM were determined, and colon content VFA was also determined. The addition of SBP or WB to the diet had no effect (P > 0.55) on ADG, ADFI, or G:F. Serum NEFA and triglycerides were increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed SBP compared with pigs fed the control diet or WB on d 7, and NEFA remained increased (P < 0.05) on d 24 in pigs fed SBP. Dietary fiber had no effect (P > 0.24) on glycogen and triglyceride content of liver or LM, but colonic acetate concentrations were increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed either SBP or WB. Pigs fed WB had an increased (P < 0.05) mtDNA content in ileum tissue and increased (P < 0.05) citrate synthase mRNA in colon tissue. In the liver, feeding either SBP or WB led to a decrease (P < 0.05) in mtDNA content, whereas feeding WB decreased (P < 0.05) mtDNA abundance in the LM, and feeding either SBP or WB decreased (P < 0.05) expression of citrate synthase mRNA. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR revealed that feeding WB increased (P < 0.05) proliferating cell nuclear antigen mRNA abundance in the ileum and colon. Feeding WB increased (P < 0.05) mRNA abundance of a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, PPAR coactivator 1 α, in ileum tissue, and increased (P < 0.05) mRNA abundance of another mediator of mitochondrial biogensis, sirtuin 1, in colon tissue. Colonic mRNA expression of fasting-induced adipose factor was increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed either SBP or WB, and adipose triglyceride lipase mRNA abundance was increased (P < 0.05) in adipose tissue of pigs fed SBP. These data indicate that increasing dietary fiber can increase the capacity of the intestine for oxidative metabolism and induce a repartitioning of energy metabolites depending on fiber source.

Wheat Bran Protects Fischer-344 Rats from Diquat-Induced Oxidative Stress by Activating Antioxidant System: Selenium as an Antioxidant

Wheat bran had a protective effect against diquat toxicity in rats fed a purified diet (PD). We studied the effects of wheat bran on the antioxidant system in the liver of rats treated with saline and diquat. Although feeding wheat bran did not affect the concentration of hepatic non-protein sulfhydryl or the activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the saline-injected rats, these values were significantly higher in the rats fed PD containing wheat bran (W-PD) than in rats fed only PD after administering diquat. The glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities were significantly elevated by wheat bran in the saline-injected rats. Although the glutathione peroxidase activity was unchanged in both the PD-fed rats and W-PD-fed rats after the diquat treatment, the glutathione reductase activity was significantly decreased in both the PD-fed and W-PD-fed rats. Feeding the rats with PD containing 0.15 ppm selenium as well as with W-PD elevated the activity of hepatic glutathione peroxidase and attenuated the diquat toxicity. These results indicate that wheat bran protected against diquat toxicity by activating the hepatic antioxidant system, and that selenium was the key antioxidant in wheat bran.

Cereal based diets modulate some markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in lean and obese Zucker rats

BackgroundThe potential of cereals with high antioxidant capacity for reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity is unknown. This study investigated the impact of wheat bran, barley or a control diet (α-cellulose) on the development of oxidative stress and inflammation in lean and obese Zucker rats.MethodsSeven wk old, lean and obese male Zucker rats (n = 8/group) were fed diets that contained wheat bran, barley or α-cellulose (control). After 3 months on these diets, systolic blood pressure was measured and plasma was analysed for glucose, insulin, lipids, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase and adipokine concentration (leptin, adiponectin, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, TNFα, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1). Adipokine secretion rates from visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue explants were also determined.ResultsObese rats had higher body weight, systolic blood pressure and fasting blood lipids, glucose, insulin, leptin and IL-1β in comparison to lean rats, and these measures were not reduced by consumption of wheat bran or barley based diets. Serum ORAC tended to be higher in obese rats fed wheat bran and barley in comparison to control (p = 0.06). Obese rats had higher plasma malondialdehyde (p < 0.01) and lower plasma glutathione peroxidase concentration (p < 0.01) but these levels were not affected by diet type. PAI-1 was elevated in the plasma of obese rats, and the wheat bran diet in comparison to the control group reduced PAI-1 to levels seen in the lean rats (p < 0.05). These changes in circulating PAI-1 levels could not be explained by PAI-1 secretion rates from visceral or subcutaneous adipose tissue.ConclusionsA 3-month dietary intervention was sufficient for Zucker obese rats to develop oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. Cereal-based diets with moderate and high antioxidant capacity elicited modest improvements in indices of oxidative stress and inflammation.

REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS FED WHEAT BRAN WITH TROPICAL FORAGES OR LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA

Reproductive characteristics of 12 does fed 24 % (dry matter basis) fresh Leucaena leucocephala with wheat bran ad libitum were compared to 12 does fed wheat bran ad libitum with various herbaceous tropical forages ad libitum for 6 months. During the trial, 75 % of the L. leucocephala fed does either died or were eliminated due, indirectly, to pododermatitis. For these does, young born were 83.6 % and young weaned were 55.7 % of the control group results. Offspring mortality was 52.2 % and total mass of young weaned was 2.4 kg compared to the control mortality of 28 % and weaned young mass of 5.2 kg. Results suggested that inclusion of L. leucocephala at 24 % of the diet in lieu of other forages ad libitum 1s detrimental to does and negatively effects reproduction.