Fermentation In Goats Research Articles

Co-cultivation of selected Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains with starter cultures under osmotic stress increases folate content and enhances product quality in fermented dairy

This study aimed to identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with high folate production potential to enhance the folate content in fermented dairy products. From 284 LAB strains sourced from fermented vegetables and dairy, six were selected for their outstanding folate production. Among these, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TXZ2-26 and L. plantarum FJ2-3 demonstrated strong synergistic interactions with the starter culture, resulting in an increased total LAB cell count after co-cultivation. The effects of five different stress conditions on the growth, folate production, and expression of key folate-synthesis genes (folE, folP, folQ, folB, folK) in the two strains were further examined, revealing that the two strains demonstrated increased folate production under 3% NaCl stress. Finally, both unstressed and NaCl-stressed strains were used in the fermentation of goat and cow milk alongside the starter culture. The results revealed that the addition of L. plantarum TXZ2-26 and FJ2-3 significantly boosted the folate content of the fermented dairy products and improved their physicochemical properties, with the stressed strains exhibiting a more pronounced effect. These findings underscore the potential of L. plantarum TXZ2-26 and FJ2-3 as effective probiotics for producing folate-enriched fermented foods.

Macleaya cordata extract exhibits some potential as a surrogate antibiotic by improving gastrointestinal epithelial status and humoral response in goats

Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) is a potential replacement for antibiotics. In the current study, effects of MCE on the gastrointestinal health and humoral responses of host animals were explored. A total of 30 weanling goats with similar body weight of 9.15 ± 1.36 kg were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 10 per group): control group (CON group, fed with a basal diet), antibiotic group (Abx group, fed with the basal diet supplemented with 0.18 g/d vancomycin and 0.36 g/d neomycin), and MCE group (fed with the basal diet supplemented with 5 g/d MCE), for three weeks. Results showed that antibiotic addition decreased the height and area of rumen papillae, ruminal mucosa Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) gene relative expression levels and microbial diversity, altered the volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile in the rumen, and increased monocytes amount and CD4+ T cells percentage in the peripheral blood (P < 0.05) compared to CON group. MCE addition increased the average daily gain, ileal villus height, villus height/crypt depth, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) content in the peripheral blood (P < 0.05) compared to the CON. Additionally, MCE addition decreased the proportion of isobutyric acid in the chyme of the ileum (P = 0.005) compared to the CON group. These results suggest that antibiotic supplementation may suppress the epithelial state and microbial diversity and fermentation in goats, but stimulate cellular response to maintain the growth performance of goats. MCE administration improved the epithelial state and humoral response to promote the growth performance in goats.

Evaluating the effect of phenolic compounds as hydrogen acceptors when ruminal methanogenesis is inhibited in vitro – Part 2. Dairy goats

Most mitigation strategies to reduce enteric methane (CH4) production in the rumen induce an excess of rumen dihydrogen (H2) that is expelled and consequently not redirected to the synthesis of metabolites that can be utilised by the ruminant. We hypothesised that phenolic compounds can be potential H2 acceptors when added to the diet, as they can be degraded to compounds that may be beneficial for the animal, using part of the H2 available when ruminal methanogenesis is inhibited. We performed four in vitro incubation experiments using rumen inoculum from Murciano-Granadina adult goats: Experiment 1 examined the inhibitory potential of Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT) at different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% of the substrate on a DM basis) in 24 h incubations; Experiment 2 investigated the effect of a wide range of phenolic compounds (phenol, catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, pyrogallol, phloroglucinol, gallic acid and formic acid) at different doses (0, 2, 4, and 6 mM) on rumen fermentation for 24 h; Experiment 3 evaluated the combined effect of each phenolic compound at 6 mM with AT at 2% DM in sequential batch cultures for 5 days; and Experiment 4 examined the dose–response effect of phloroglucinol at different concentrations (0, 6, 16, 26 and 36 mM) combined with AT in sequential batch cultures for 5 days. Results from Experiment 1 confirmed that AT at 2% DM substantially inhibited CH4 production while significantly increasing H2 accumulation and decreasing the acetate:propionate ratio. Results from Experiment 2 showed that phenolic compounds did not negatively affect rumen fermentation at any dose. In Experiment 3, each phenolic compound at 6 mM combined with AT at 2% DM inhibited CH4 production. Phloroglucinol numerically decreased H2 accumulation and significantly increased total gas production (TGP), volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and the acetate:propionate ratio. In Experiment 4, phloroglucinol at increasing doses supplemented with AT at 2% DM significantly decreased H2 accumulation and the abundances of archaea, protozoa and fungi abundances, and increased TGP, total VFA production and the acetate:propionate ratio in a dose-dependent way. In conclusion, combined treatment with AT and phloroglucinol was successful to mitigate CH4 production while preventing the accumulation of H2, leading to an increase in acetate and total VFA production and therefore an improvement in rumen fermentation in goats.

Supplementation of feed and water after long-duration road transportation: The effects on welfare and rumen fermentation in goats.

Water and feed are needed for livestock during their long-duration road transportation. However, limited information is available on the need to supply water and feed to livestock at temporary holding stations after road transportation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of providing water and feed at holding stations on the welfare of goats in mimic surroundings. A total of 24 Guizhou black goats were randomly divided into three groups of eight goats each as follows: deprived of water and feed (TRT0), supplemented with water ad libitum (TRT1), and supplemented with water and feed ad libitum (TRT2). Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected before loading (denoted as "PRE" in this article) and after transport (denoted as "POST" in this article). Statistical analysis was performed via the SAS procedure PROC MIXED. The 10-h road transportation period reduced body weight in TRT0 goats (p < 0.05) but not in TRT1 and TRT2 (p > 0.05). TRT0 and TRT1 goats had POST plasma glucose concentrations above their PRE values (p < 0.05). The PRE-plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) levels were higher in TRT2 compared to TRT0 (p < 0.05) goats, while the POST-PUN levels increased in TRT1 compared to TRT0 goats. The POST non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher for TRT0 compared to that in TRT1 and TRT2 (p < 0.05) goats. No difference was observed for plasma profiles of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p > 0.05). TRT2 goats had higher POST glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity than TRT0 and TRT1 (p < 0.05) goats. TRT0 goats had higher POST plasma glucagon (GC) compared to TRT2 (p < 0.05) and had increased values compared to their own PRE level as a result of road transportation (p < 0.05). TRT2 goats resulted in a lower POST plasma heat-stressed protein-70 (HSP-70) level than TRT0. There was no difference in ruminal pH (p > 0.05). Ruminal total VFA (acetate, propionate, butyrate), and the NH3-ammonia profiles showed a decrease (p < 0.05) after transportation in all groups. Ruminal microcrystalline cellulose, xylanase, cellobiase, and carboxymethyl cellulose activities were unaffected (p > 0.05). These combined results imply that water and feed supplementation to livestock can effectively alleviate stress responses in goats subjected to road transportation and emphasize the necessity to establish water and feed supplies even at a temporary holding pen.

Prebiotic activity of Lactobacillus casei grown on medium containing of Hylocereus undatus extract and its use in the fermentation of goat’s milk kefir

Abstract. Kustyawati ME, Nurlita ME, Fadhallah EG, Rizal S. 2022. Prebiotic activity of Lactobacillus casei grown on medium containing of Hylocereus undatus extract and its use in the fermentation of goat’s milk kefir. Biodiversitas 23: 6513-6519. White dragon fruit extract used as a prebiotic source is thought to be an innovative exploration to enhance its application as a synbiotics in food products. This study aims to quantify the prebiotic index and prebiotic activity score for Lactobacillus casei grown on white dragon fruit extract containing media at different concentrations. The study was carried out using a completely randomized design (CRD) experimental method with one factor, concentration of white dragon fruit extract (P1-P5) with 5 levels (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% respectively), and was repeated 3 times. The data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA, if the treatments were significantly different then the LSD test (5%). The result showed that all tested media had a beneficial effect on the growth of L. casei (prebiotic index higher than 1), while they did not support the growth of enteric Escherichia coli (prebiotic index less than 1 or negative). The highest score of prebiotic activity for L. casei was grown on 10%, while the lowest was 2%. The addition of 10% prebiotic extract of white dragon fruit in goat's milk fermentation produced goat's milk kefir with characteristics that met Codex Stand 243-2003 and had a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 55.13%.

Исследование влияния заквасок для производства йогурта на процесс ферментации козьего и коровьего молока в различных соотношениях

The purpose of the research is to study the effect of yogurt cultures on the efficiency of the goat milk fermentation process. The objects of research were goat's milk, cow's milk and starter cultures Bifidonorm from Lactoferm ECO (Italy) and bioprox YO-PROX 569 (France). The relevance of obtaining functional fermented dairy products based on goat's milk is substantiated. The optimal dosage of starter cultures in the production of yogurt based on goat's milk has been established. The effect of starter cultures on the fermentation process during fermentation of goat's and cow's milk in various ratios was studied. The possibility of using Bifidonorm and bioprox YO-PROX 569 starter cultures for the production of yogurt based on goat's milk has been confirmed. The relevance of functional fermented dairy products based on goat's milk obtaining is substantiated. The process of goat's and cow's milk mixtures fermentation was studied at their different ratio using two types of starter cultures. The influence of the direct vat set starter culture type on the organoleptic and physico-chemical parameters of yogurt based on goat's milk was studied. The possibility of goat’s milk using for the manufacturing of fermented dairy products has been confirmed.

Effect of dietary peNDF levels on digestibility and rumen fermentation, and microbial community in growing goats.

Physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) is a concept that accounts for the particle length of NDF in diets, sustaining the normal chewing behavior and rumen fermentation of ruminants. Specifically, peNDF>1.18 is the commonest one that is calculated from NDF and the percentage of feed dry matter left on the 1.18, 8.00, and 19.00 mm sieves. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of peNDF>1.18 on the rumen microbiome and its correlation with nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in goats. A total of 30 Lezhi black goats were randomized and blocked to five dietary treatments (n = 6). All the diets were identical in composition but varied in hay lengths, leading to the different peNDF>1.18 content of the diets: 32.97, 29.93, 28.14, 26.48, and 24.75%. The results revealed that the nutrient digestibility increased when dietary peNDF>1.18 levels decreased from 32.97% to 28.14%, with the highest digestibility at 28.14% peNDF>1.18 treatment, after which nutrient digestibility decreased with the decreasing of dietary peNDF levels. Ruminal NH3-N concentrations in the 29.93% and 28.14% groups were higher than that in the 24.75% group (p < 0.05). Ruminal microbial protein concentration was the highest in the 32.97% group (p < 0.05). Daily CH4 production in the 32.97% and 24.75% peNDF>1.18 treatments was lower than that in the 26.48% group (p < 0.05) and no differences were observed among other groups. The relative abundance of rumen fungi at the phylum and genus levels and archaea at the species were affected by dietary peNDF>1.18 content. In conclusion, decreasing dietary peNDF>1.18 levels within a certain range can improve nutrient digestibility and change the rumen microbial community structure of goats. Dietary peNDF>1.18 level should be 28.14% (roughage length around 1 cm) among the five levels for 4 months Lezhi black goats with the purpose of optimal nutrient digestibility.

Effect of dietary concentrate level on digestibility of nutrients in each region of the gastrointestinal tract and rumen fermentation in goats

This study evaluated the effects of high concentrate diets (HCD) on the rumen fermentation and the digestibility of nutrients in different sites of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in goats. Four goats were used in a crossover design. The goats were fitted with a ruminal cannula and flexible T-cannulae proximal duodenum and terminal ileum. Treatments were as follows: low concentrate group (LCG) and high concentrate group (HCG). Duodenal flow and forestomach digestibility of starch were significantly higher in the HCG than those in the LCG (p < 0.05); There was no significant difference in ileum flow and digestibility of starch in the small intestine, large intestine and total GIT (p > 0.05). The digestibility of crude protein (CP) in the forestomach was significantly higher in the HCG than in the LCG (p < 0.05); the flow of the duodenum and ileum of CP, and the CP digestibility of the small intestine, large intestine and total GIT were not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). The duodenal and ileal flow of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), the NDF digestibility of the different segments and total GIT were not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). Compared to the LCG, the ruminal pH of the HCG was significantly lower (p < 0.05). The HCG concentrations of microbial crude protein, ammonia nitrogen and isovaleric acid were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the LCG. The foam strength, foam production and viscosity of the rumen fluid in the HCG were higher than the LCG (p < 0.01). These results showed that when the goats were fed with HCD, the digestibility of nutrients was not significantly impaired, but the risk of frothy rumen bloat increased. Implications Due to a serious shortage of high-quality roughage in China, producers commonly used a high-concentrate diet in ruminants, which can improve animal production performance. Gastrointestinal digestive function plays a vital role in the absorption of nutrients and the healthy growth of animals. Therefore, this research evaluated the digestibility of various nutrients in different segments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) under HCD feeding by using three-site cannula goats as experimental animals. The results indicated that the GIT of goats could fully digest nutrients such as starch and protein under HCD feeding conditions.

Antimicrobial activity of goat\u2019s milk fermented by single strain of kefir grain microflora

The aim of the study was to assess the antibacterial properties of bioactive compounds released during the fermentation of goat’s milk by selected bacterial strains that are part of the kefir grain microflora. The material used in the experiments was kefir grain microflora (Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens subsp. kefirgranum DSM 10550, Lactobacillus kefiri PCM 2501, Lactobacillus parakefiri DSM 10551, Lactobacillus brevis PCM 488, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis PCM 2611), goat’s and cow’s milk and whey from these kinds of milk. The antimicrobial activity was tested against E. coli, Salmonella, Micrococcus luteus and Proteus mirabilis. Based on the experiments, it was found that during the fermentation of whey and goat's milk, bioactive substances were released, which inhibit the growth of indicator microorganisms by up to 8 logarithmic cycles.

Utilization of Biogas Slurry Doses from Goat Faeces with MOL (Micro Local Organisms) Banana Stem on Turi Productivity (Sesbania grandiflora) in Samosir Regency

This study aims to investigate the effect of utilization of biogas slurry doses withMOL (Micro Local Organisms) Banana Stumps on Turi Productivity (Sesbania grandiflora).This research was conducted in Samosir Regency, North Sumatra starting from May toSeptember 2018. The design used in this study was a completely randomized design with 4treatment levels of 5 replications, the data analysis used was Duncan's Advanced Test.Treatment with various doses of biogas slurry fertilizer by input of goat faeces which isfermented with MOL (Micro Local Organism), 2 liter MOL banana stem. P0 = 0, P1 = 20, P2= 40, P3 = 60 (t / h / yr). The variables observed were plant height, stem diameter, number ofstems, number of leaves, and leaf width. The results of the study showed that the fermentationof goat's bio-gas slurry fertilizer with various doses of fertilizing gave a significant influenceon the parameters of the study, namely plant height, number of stems, number of leaves, andstem diameter. The best response due to fertilization is with a dose of 60 t / h / yr.

Effect of Replacing Alfalfa Hay with Acacia Foliage on the Growth Performance, In Vitro Gas Production and Rumen Fermentation in Goats

Effect of Replacing Alfalfa Hay with Acacia Foliage on the Growth Performance, In Vitro Gas Production and Rumen Fermentation in Goats

Effects of fumaric acid supplementation on methane production and rumen fermentation in goats fed diets varying in forage and concentrate particle size

BackgroundIn rumen fermentation, fumaric acid (FA) could competitively utilize hydrogen with methanogenesis to enhance propionate production and suppress methane emission, but both effects were diet-dependent. This study aimed to explore the effects of FA supplementation on methanogenesis and rumen fermentation in goats fed diets varying in forage and concentrate particle size.MethodsFour rumen-cannulated goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: low or high ratio of forage particle size: concentrate particle size (Fps:Cps), without or with FA supplementation (24 g/d). Fps:Cps was higher in the diet with chopped alfalfa hay plus ground corn than in that with ground alfalfa hay plus crushed corn.ResultsBoth increasing dietary Fps:Cps and FA supplementation shifted ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) patterns toward more propionate and less acetate in goats. An interaction between dietary Fps:Cps and FA supplementation was observed for the ratio of acetate to propionate (A:P), which was more predominant when FA was supplemented in the low-Fps:Cps diet. Methane production was reduced by FA, and the reduction was larger in the low-Fps:Cps diet (31.72%) than in the high-Fps:Cps diet (17.91%). Fumaric acid decreased ruminal total VFA concentration and increased ruminal pH. No difference was found in ruminal DM degradation of concentrate or alfalfa hay by dietary Fps:Cps or FA. Goats presented a lower ruminal methanogen abundance with FA supplementation and a higher B. fibrisolvens abundance with high dietary Fps:Cps.ConclusionsAdjusting dietary Fps:Cps is an alternative dietary model for studying diet-dependent effects without changing dietary chemical composition. Fumaric acid supplementation in the low-Fps:Cps diet showed greater responses in methane mitigation and propionate increase.

Impacts of the unsaturation degree of long-chain fatty acids on the volatile fatty acid profiles of rumen microbial fermentation in goats in vitro

This study investigated the impacts of the degree of unsaturation (unsaturity) of long-chain fatty acids on volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles of rumen fermentation in vitro. Six types of long-chain fatty acids, including stearic acid (C18:0, control group), oleic acid (C18:1, n-9), linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6), α-linolenic acid (C18:3, n-3), arachidonic acid (C20:4, n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5, n-3), were tested. Rumen fluid from three goats fitted with ruminal fistulae was used as inoculum and the inclusion rate of long-chain fatty acid was at 3% (w/w) of substrate. Samples were taken for VFA analysis at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 h of incubation, respectively. The analysis showed that there were significant differences in the total VFA among treatments, sampling time points, and treatment×time point interactions (P<0.01). α-Linolenic acid had the highest total VFA (P<0.01) among different long-chain fatty acids tested. The molar proportion of acetate in total VFA significantly differed among treatments (P<0.01) and sampling time points (P<0.01), but not treatment×time point interactions (P>0.05). In contrast, the molar proportion of propionate did not differ among treatments during the whole incubation (P>0.05). However, for butyrate molar proportions, significant differences were found not only among sampling time points but also among treatments and treatment×time point interactions (P<0.01), with eicosapentaenoic acid having the highest value (P<0.01). Additionally, no statistically significant differences were found in the acetate to propionate ratios among treatments groups (P>0.05), even the treatments stearic acid and α-linolenic acid were numerically higher than the others. The inclusion of 3% long-chain unsaturated fatty acids differing in the degree of unsaturation brought out a significant quadratic regression relation between the total VFA concentration and the double bond number of fatty acid. In conclusion, the α-linolenic acid with 3 double bonds appeared better for improving rumen microbial fermentation and the total VFA concentration.

Effect of mycotoxins contaminated corn on growth nutrient digestibility and in vitro rumen fermentation in goats

Two trials (in vivo and in vitro) were conducted to evaluate corn naturally contaminated with mycotoxins, majority being aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the performance, nutrient digestion and rumen fermentation in growing goats. China Lezhi black goats (12), weighing 16.39 to 16.45 kg, were fed with the diet of 40% concentrate (the mycotoxin naturally contaminated diet containing 74.49 μg/kg AFB1, 2.08 μg/kg AFB2, 59.71 μg/kg DON and 36.51 μg/kg ZEN) for 28 days. The results showed that the contaminated corn had no significant effect on feed intake but decreased the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in growing goats. Digestibility of crude protein (CP) in the trial group was significantly lower than the control group and the digestibilities of acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) decreased too, but not significantly. Neither volatile fatty acid (VFA) nor pH was significantly different between the 2 groups. The ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in the trial group was lower in both in vivo trial and in vitro trial (0 h to 3 h). In in vitro experiment, ruminal fluids were collected from 4 China Lezhi goats and incubated at 39°C for 48 h with control corn or AFB1 contaminated corn. The total gas production and gas production rate in the trial group were significantly lower than the control group. These reductions showed the negative effects of the naturally contaminated AFB1 corn on nutrient digestibility and rumen function in growing goats.

Digestion and ruminal fermentation of cocoa pod silage based ration enriched by gliricidia and calliandra leaves on goats

In term of availability, cacao pod is potential for ruminant feed. According to its nutrients content, cacao pod can be used as feed fiber source. Protein sources materials must be added when cacao pod was ensilaged due to low protein content of this material. The aim of this study was to investigate digestibility value and end products of rumen fermentation of goat fed grass or cacao pod based ration. Randomized block design and 20 heads of lambs (16.95±2.36 kg) to evaluated 5 type of rations: R (50% grass + 50% concentrate); S (50% cacao pod silage + 50% concentrate); SG (50% cacao pod-gliricidia silage + 50% concentrate); SK (50% cacao pod-calliandra silage + 50% concentrate) dan SC (50% cacao pod-mixture of gliricidia-calliandra silage + 50% concentrate). Feeding trial was conducted for over 15 weeks. Measurements were taken on feed digestibility and rumen-fermentation end-products after 3 weeks of treatments. Results shows that nutrients digestibility was different significantly among the groups of treatments (P<0.05). Digestibillity of organic matter, NDF and energy of R ration was those of higher significantly (P<0.05) than those of other groups. N-ammonia of rumen from goat feed R ration was higher (P<0.05) than other groups. Total VFA and each component were different among the groups (P<0.05), however the value was similar among the groups of cacao pod silage rations. It is concluded that cacao pod silaged based rations enriched by Gliricidia and Calliandra leaves did not produce similar digestibility value and end products of rumen fermentation with grass based ration.

Preparation of Glycerol-Enriched Yeast Culture and Its Effect on Blood Metabolites and Ruminal Fermentation in Goats

The aim of this study was to isolate a glycerol-producing yeast strain from nature to prepare glycerol-enriched yeast culture (GY), and preliminarily evaluate the effects of GY on blood metabolites and ruminal fermentation in goats. During the trial, six isolates were isolated from unprocessed honey, and only two isolates with higher glycerol yield were identified by analysis of 26S ribosomal DNA sequences. One of the two isolates was identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a direct-fed microbe permitted by the FDA. This isolate was used to prepare GY. The fermentation parameters were optimized through single-factor and orthogonal design methods to maximize the glycerol yield and biomass. The final GY contained 38.7±0.6 g/L glycerol and 12.6±0.5 g/L biomass. In vivo, eight castrated male goats with ruminal fistula were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square experiment with four consecutive periods of 15 d. Treatments were as follows: control, LGY, MGY, and HGY with 0, 100, 200, and 300 mL GY per goat per day, respectively. The GY was added in two equal portions at 08∶00 and 17∶00 through ruminal fistula. Samples of blood and ruminal fluid were collected on the last one and two days of each period, respectively. Results showed that the plasma concentrations of triglyceride and total cholesterol were not affected by the supplemented GY. Compared with the control, goats supplemented with MGY and HGY had significantly higher (P<0.05) concentrations of plasma glucose and total protein, ruminal volatile fatty acid and molar proportion of propionate, and significantly lower (P<0.05) ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen. These parameters changed linearly with increasing GY supplementation level (P<0.05). In conclusion, GY has great potential to be developed as a feed additive with dual effects of glycerol and yeast for ruminants.

Digestibility, rumen protozoa, and ruminal fermentation in goats receiving dietary palm oil by-products

Sixteen goats fitted with a rumen cannula were used in completely randomized block design to test the effects of dietary crude palm oil (PO), palm kernel cake (PKC) and decanter cake (DC) on rumen total protozoa counts, rumen fermentation, and digestibility. Goats received once daily (1.5% of BW) one of four concentrate diets: reference diet (RD), DC diet (DCD), PKC diet (PKCD) and RD plus 5% PO diet (CPOD). The RD was based on corn grain and soybean meal and was fed to all goats for 28days before the start of a 30-day experiment. Organic matter (OM) digestibility was reduced (P<0.05) by feeding DCD, whereas digestibility of acid detergent fiber (ADF) was higher (P<0.0001) in the goats fed PKCD. The digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was higher (P<0001) in goats fed PKCD followed by those fed DCD, CPOD and CD. Ammonia–N concentration was lower (P<0.001) for treatments DCD, PKCD and CPOD than for treatment RD. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were lower (P<0.05) for treatments PKCD and CPOD than for treatments RD and DCD. Total protozoa counts were higher (P<0.001) for treatment CD than for other treatments. It was concluded that the dietary DC, and PKC could be included in the diet of goats up to 80% without any adverse effects on dry matter intake; however, rumen fermentation parameters and total protozoa counts were changed.

Interactions between Lactobacillus acidophilus strains and the starter cultures, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus during fermentation of goats’ milk

It has been observed that Lactobacillus acidophilus has poor survivability in fermented goats’ milk. In this study, interactions between L. acidophilus and starter cultures during goats’ milk fermentation were investigated using three strains of L. acidophilus: ATCC-11975, LA-5 and NCFM, and the starter cultures (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (LB350) and Streptococcus thermophilus (ST350), isolated from a commercial yogurt starter. Selective enumeration methods were validated; de Mann, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar with 0.2% bile and anaerobic incubation at 37°C (72 h) was found to be suitable for all L. acidophilus strains; MRS agar with pH adjusted to 5.2 and anaerobic incubation at 37°C (24 h) was used for strain LB350 and M17 agar with 0.5% lactose and aerobic incubation at 37°C (24 h) for strain ST350. Addition of LB350 and/or ST350 into the goats’ milk inoculated with L. acidophilus strains accelerated pH decrease compared to L. acidophilus strains used alone. Antagonism between each of the L. acidophilus strains and LB350 occurred, most noticeably with the LA-5 culture. However, it varied widely between the acidophilus strains indicating that antagonism is likely to be strain specific.

Effects of dietary supplementation with alkyl polyglycoside, a nonionic surfactant, on nutrient digestion and ruminal fermentation in goats1

The effects of dietary alkyl polyglycoside [APG, a nonionic surfactant (NIS), derived from a reaction of corn starch glucose and a natural fatty alcohol] inclusion on digestion of nutrients and ruminal fermentation in goats were examined in a 4 × 4 Latin square design using 4 ruminally and duodenally cannulated wethers (mean BW: 19.5 ± 0.8 kg). The animals were assigned to 4 dietary treatments of APG supplementation at 0, 3, 6, and 12 g/kg of DM diets and were designated as control, APG3, APG6, and APG12, respectively. The results showed that dietary APG inclusion tended to increase the intestinal digestibility of OM (linear, P = 0.09) and NDF (linear, P = 0.1), and quadratically increased (P ≤ 0.02) total tract digestibility of OM and NDF, the duodenal microbial N flow, and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. The true ruminal digestibility and apparent total tract digestibility of N quadratically increased (P < 0.01) with increasing dietary APG. The ruminal pH values were not affected by dietary APG inclusion (P > 0.05), but the concentration of NH(3)-N (P < 0.01) and total VFA (linear and quadratic, P < 0.01) increased in the rumen fluid. Dietary APG inclusion also increased the activities of ruminal carboxymethyl cellulase (quadratic, P < 0.01) and xylanase (linear and quadratic, P < 0.01). It is concluded that APG is a potential feed additive that can be used in ruminant production; 6 g/kg in the total mixed rations for goats is recommended. It is necessary to validate the effectiveness of dietary APG inclusion in ruminant diets with more animals in further studies.

Effect of replacement of concentrate mixture with isonitrogenous leaf meal mixture on growth, nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation in goats

This study was conducted to examine the effect of replacing concentrate mixture with leaf meal mixture of Leucaena leucocephala– Melia azedarach– Morus alba in equal proportion on growth, nutrient utilization, blood and rumen metabolites in growing goats using completely randomized design. Twelve male non-descript goats were divided into two groups, control and experimental, consisting of six animals in each group. The control group was fed concentrate mixture whereas in experimental group 50% of concentrate mixture was replaced with isonitrogenous leaf meal mixture. The duration of experimental feeding was 45 days. Weekly body weights were recorded to assess growth rate of goats. After 30 days of experimental feeding a metabolism trial of 6 days duration was conducted to determine digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. Blood samples were collected at 0, 7, 14, 21, 30 and 45 days of experimental feeding to study blood metabolites. Rumen liquor was also collected at 0 and 30 days to study rumen metabolites. The average daily gain (g) of control group (51.56) and experimental group (62.22) was statistically ( P > 0.05) similar. The goat of control and experimental group had statistically ( P > 0.05) similar intake (g/kg W 0.75/day) of dry matter (60.70 vs 64.64), concentrate mixture (40.16 vs 41.60) and wheat straw (20.53 vs 23.05), respectively. The digestibility (%) of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and ether extract was significantly ( P < 0.05) depressed in experimental group of goat (65.60, 68.90, 65.62 and 63.05, respectively) as compared to control group (75.14, 77.41, 76.06 and 79.14, respectively). The digestibility (%) of neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and hemicellulose was similar in control (66.73, 65.49 and 64.97, respectively) and treatment group (58.21, 51.66 and 64.97, respectively). Animals of both the groups were in positive balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. Nitrogen balance (g/day) in control and treatment group of goat was similar (3.86 and 4.05, respectively) while calcium and phosphorus balance (g/day) was significantly ( P < 0.05) higher in control group (2.34 and 1.02) than treatment group (1.06 and 0.22). There was no statistically significant ( P > 0.05) effect of collection period and diet composition on the blood biochemical metabolites (hemoglobin, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin and urea nitrogen) of goats. The pH of rumen fluid at 0 and 30 days of experimental feeding was 6.60, 6.60 for control group and 6.69, 6.33 for experimental group of goats. There was no significant difference ( P > 0.05) in nitrogenous fractions (mg/dl) (ammonia nitrogen (19.27 vs 19.30), total nitrogen (101.52 vs 100.14), TCA-ppt nitrogen (50.24 vs 48.84) and non-protein nitrogen (50.06 vs 51.12) of rumen fluid collected at 30 days of experimental feeding of control and treatment group of goats, respectively. From present study it can be concluded that Leucaena– Melia– Morus mixture can replace 50% of concentrate mixture in the ration of growing goats without any adverse effect on growth, nutrient utilization, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation parameters.