Fermented Cottonseed Research Articles

HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN TESTIS OF RABBIT BUCKS FED WITH DIET CONTAINING RAW OR FERMENTED COTTONSEED CAKE SUPPLEMENTED WITH GINGER

The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological changes in testis of rabbit bucks (New Zealand White X Chinchilla) fed with raw or fermented cottonseed cake (CSC) - based diets supplemented with ginger. Solid state fermentation (SSF) was employed to biodegrade CSC using Aspergilus niger. Thirty (30) weaner rabbit bucks aged between 5 - 6 weeks were acclimatized for two weeks and allocated to five dietary treatments with equal number of animals (n=6) per treatment in a 2x2 factorial arrangement within a completely randomized design (CRD). Treatment 1, (control) had soybean meal (SBM) as protein source; other four treatments were divided into two groups. The first group comprised raw or fermented CSC without ginger supplementation while the second group comprised raw or fermented CSC with ginger supplementation. The SBM was completely replaced with CSC weight for weight in the four treatments. Ginger was supplemented at a dosage of 30mg/kg diet. Feeding trial lasted for 12 weeks. Testis samples were processed for histological evaluation. The photomicrographs of the testis revealed that feeding raw CSC diets without ginger supplementation resulted in severe testicular damage. Either the fermentation of CSC by A. niger or ginger supplementation, or their combination exhibited the potential to greatly ameliorate the adverse effects. It was therefore, concluded that feeding CSC to rabbit buck intended for breeding purpose should either be fermented with A. niger or supplemented with ginger or their combination

Effects of fermented cottonseed meal inclusions on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and hepatic lipid metabolism of geese during 28–70 d of age

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of solid-state fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) inclusion levels on the growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and hepatic lipid metabolism in geese from 28 to 70 d of age. A total of 288 28‐d‐old male geese were randomly divided into 4 treatments with FCSM levels of 0, 5, 15 and 25% including 0, 22.74, 67.33, 111.27 mg FG/kg diet, respectively. Each treatment contained 6 replicates and 12 birds per replicate. Treatments of FCSM inclusions from 0 to 25% had no effect on growth rate and feed intake in geese during d 28-70. The F/G ratio was increased (P < 0.05) in geese fed the diet with 25% FCSM compared with birds fed the diet with 0% FCSM. Treatment with 25% FCSM levels had no effect on the contents of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, but increased (P < 0.05) AST and ALT activities in serum of geese at d 70. Treatment with 25% FCSM increased the contents of FG, HDL-C, TC, C18:2n6, C20:4n6 and PUFA and decreased (P < 0.05) the contents of NEFA, SFA, MUFA in liver compared with treatment of 0% FCSM inclusion. Additionally, treatment with 25% FCSM decreased (P < 0.05) the PPARα, AMPK and LXR mRNA expression related to lipid deposition, and increased (P < 0.05) PPARγ and ACC mRNA expression related to lipolysis in liver compared with birds fed the diet with 0% FCSM. Overall, treatment with 0-15% FCSM (<=67.33 mg FG/kg diet) had no adverse effects on the growth performance and lipid metabolism of geese. However, treatment fed 25% FCSM (111.27 mg FG/kg diet) decreased feed efficiency and promoted hepatic lipid deposition associated with the alteration of related gene expression in geese at 28-70 d of age.

An investigation into the influence of fermented cottonseed meal on the productive performance, egg quality, and gut health in laying hens

The present study investigates the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with either cottonseed meal (CSM) or fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on the productive performance, egg quality, blood biochemistry parameters, gut bacterial population, and small intestinal morphology of laying hens. A total of 648 Hy-Line W36 laying hens aged 40 weeks were randomly assigned to 9 treatments, with 6 replicates each and 12 birds per replicate. The feeding trial lasted 12 weeks. The treatments consisted of a control diet based on corn and SBM, as well as 8 experimental diets in which 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30% of the SBM in the control diet was replaced with either CSM or FCSM. Laying hens fed diets with different levels of FCSM had higher egg production and egg mass than those fed with CSM diets at weeks 46 to 51 (P < 0.05). Diets containing FCSM also significantly improved the feed conversion ratio at weeks 40 to 45 and 46 to 51 (P < 0.05). Eggshell strength was significantly greater in birds fed diets containing FCSM than those fed other dietary treatments at 51 weeks of age (P < 0.05). Hens fed diets containing FCSM had higher calcium and lower cholesterol in serum than those on other diets (P < 0.05). Replacing SBM with FCSM decreased the egg yolk cholesterol content (P < 0.05). Additionally, feeding diets containing different levels of FCSM increased villus height and villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Diets containing FCSM also reduced pH and coliform population in the ileum, and ceca and increased lactic acid bacteria count in the crop and ceca (P < 0.05). Overall, the present data showed that including FCSM in the diet of laying hens can positively affect productive performance compared to CSM. Moreover, substituting SBM with FCSM, can improve eggshell quality, promote gut health, and reduce egg yolk cholesterol concentration.

Effects of Fermented Cottonseed Meal Substitution for Fish Meal on Intestinal Enzymatic Activity, Inflammatory and Physical-Barrier-Related Gene Expression, and Intestinal Microflora of Juvenile Golden Pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) substitution for fish meal on intestinal enzymatic activity, inflammatory and physical-barrier-related gene expression, and intestinal microflora of juvenile golden pompano. The 375 golden pompanos were divided into 15 groups of 25 fish each, with three replicates for each experimental group. The fish were fed five experimental diets (0 (FM), 12.5% (CSM12.5), 25% (CSM25), 50% (CSM50), and 100% (CSM100) substitution levels) for 8 weeks. The fish were reared and fed the experimental diets under a natural-day light cycle. Compared with the control group, the activities of AMY (amylase) enzymes in the CSM12.5 group and all other groups were elevated (p &lt; 0.05). The CSM25 group exhibited a considerable up-regulation of IL-10 (Interleukin-10) expression relative to the FM group (p &lt; 0.05). With an increase in dietary FM substitution with FCSM from 0 to 25%, the relative expressions of NF-κB (Nuclear factor kappa-B), IL-1β (Interleukin-1 beta), and IL-8 (Interleukin-8) were down-regulated. In this study, the relative expressions of ZO-1 (zonula occluden-1) and Occludin were up-regulated, and those of Claudin-3 and Claudin-15 significantly up-regulated, when the FCSM substitution ratio was 25%. The results of high-throughput sequencing of the intestinal microflora showed that ACE indices the lowest in the CSM25 group, which was significantly different from those in the CSM100 group (p &lt; 0.05). The CSM50 group had the highest Shannon and Simpson indices and the highest community diversity. In addition, replacing a high percentage of fish meal with FCSM can negatively affect the intestinal flora of fish. In this study, the 25% substitution ratio improved nutrient absorption, reduced intestinal inflammation, improved intestinal physical barrier damage, did not affect intestinal microecology, and had no adverse effects on fish. However, substitution of a high proportion of FM with FCSM negatively affects the intestinal microflora and nutrient absorption capacity of fish.

Fermentation assisted preparation of O and N riched porous carbon for high performance flexible supercapacitors

Microorganisms have a superior biodegradability on biomass carbon. Herein, active yeast fermented cottonseed meal (FCM) by used as carbon precursor and K2CO3 as activator to prepare high O and N-doped porous carbon. The fermentation process not only decomposes the structural units of CM but also creates pore structure and increases the O, N group of the fermented CM (FCM). Most importantly, fermentation can improve the activation efficiency of K2CO3 and enhance the oxygen content. The optimized FCM-700-2 exhibits high O (19.45 at%) and N (3.13 at%) contents and hierarchical porous structure. The specific capacitance can reach up to 384 F g-1 in 6 M KOH. What’s more, we prepare a novel potassium citrate-agar gel electrolyte (PCA) with high operating voltage. The flexible symmetrical capacitor assembled with a commercial level mass loading of FCM-700-2 and PCA gel electrolyte delivers a high energy density of 27.4 Wh kg-1. Meanwhile, more than 109% of initial specific capacitance retains after 12, 000 cycles. This study provides a fermentation assisted strategy to prepare porous carbon materials, which has the advantage of simple, efficient, low activator ratio and high heteroatoms contents.

PSX-B-15 Effects of Different Combinations of Selenium-Enrich Total Mixed Ration on Growth Performance, Slaughter Performance and Antioxidant Performance of Weaned Lambs

Abstract Objective: The experiment was conducted to study the effects of different combinations of cottonseed meal and soybean meal on growth performance, slaughter performance and antioxidant performance of Enshi weaned lamb under selenium enriched background, which was to provide reference for lamb production. Method: A total of 72 weaned lambs of 75-day-old were randomly divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates per group and 6 lambs per replicate. These four groups were soybean meal group (SM), cottonseed meal group (CM), soybean meal &amp; cottonseed meal group (SCM, SM/CM=1:1) and fermented cottonseed meal group (FCM). The total mixed ration was made according to concentrate: forage ratio (7:3). The experiment lasted for 90 d. At the end of the experiment, 4 lambs were randomly selected for slaughter and the samples were collected for determination. Results: The ADG (average daily gain) of CM was the least (P&amp;lt; 0.05). The ADFI (average daily feed intake) of FCM was less than that of SM (P&amp;lt; 0.05). The F/G (ratio of feed to gain) of FCM was less than that of SM (P=0.06) and CM (P&amp;lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in slaughter rate among all groups. The SOD content in serum of FCM was higher than that of other groups (P&amp;lt; 0.01) while the content of MAD was the least (P&amp;lt; 0.01). Conclusion: It was concluded that feeding with selenium-enrich total mixed ration made by fermented cottonseed meal could improve the growth performance and antioxidant performance of lambs. It also reduced the cost of lamb production.

Fermented Cottonseed Meal as a Partial Replacement for Soybean Meal Could Improve the Growth Performance, Immunity and Antioxidant Properties, and Nutrient Digestibility by Altering the Gut Microbiota Profile of Weaned Piglets.

The study investigated the impact of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, nutrient digestibility, and gut microbiota of weaned piglets by replacing soybean meal with FCSM in the diet. The experimental piglets were fed with either the soybean meal diet (SBM group) or fermented cottonseed meal diet (FCSM group) for 14days after weaning. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE), amino acids and nitrogen was higher in the FCSM diet than those in the SBM diet (p<0.05). The piglets in the FCSM group showed greater growth performance and lower diarrhea rate than those in the SBM group (p<0.05). The concentration of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and antioxidase, intestinal and hepatic antioxidase were increased and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum was decreased in those piglets in the FCSM group compared to those piglets in the SBM group (p<0.05). The piglets in the FCSM group had a higher concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in their ileum and cecum and a higher Simpson index of ileum than piglets in the SBM group (p<0.05). The relative abundance of Lactobacillus and [Ruminococcus]_torques_group in ileum and Intestinibacter, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, unclassified_o_Lactobacillales and [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group in cecum were enhanced in piglets fed with the FCSM diet, whereas the relative abundance of Sarcina and Terrisporobacter were increased in piglets fed with the SBM diet. Overall, FCSM replacing SBM improved the growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, and nutrient digestibility; possibly via the alterant gut microbiota and its metabolism of weaned piglets. Graphical Fermented cottonseed meal as a partial replacement for soybean meal could improve the growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, and nutrient digestibility by altering the gut microbiota profile of weaned piglets. SBM, soybean meal; FCSM, fermented cottonseed meal.

Impacts of Dietary Protein from Fermented Cottonseed Meal on Lipid Metabolism and Metabolomic Profiling in the Serum of Broilers.

Dietary protein from fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM), widely used in poultry diets in China, had regulating effects on lipid metabolism. To understand the effects of FCSM on lipid metabolism in broilers, we analyzed the biochemical indexes, enzyme activity, hormone level and metabolites in serum responses to FCSM intake. One hundred and eighty 21-d-old Chinese yellow feathered broilers (536.07±4.43 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates and 3 diets with 6 % supplementation of unfermented CSM (control group), FCSM by C. Tropicalis (Ct CSM) or C. tropicalis plus S. Cerevisae (Ct-Sc CSM). Result showed that: (1) FCSM intake decreased significantly the content of triglyceride (TAG), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.05) in serum; (2) FCSM intake could significantly increase enzyme activity of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) (P<0.05); (3) Ct-Sc CSM intake increased significantly the levels of adiponectin (ADP) (P<0.05); (4) FCSM intake caused significant metabolic changes involving glycolysis, TCA cycle, synthesis of fatty acid and glycogen, and metabolism of glycerolipid, vitamins B group and amino acids. Our results strongly suggested that FCSM intake could significantly affect lipid metabolism via multiple pathways. These findings provided new essential information about the effect of FCSM on broilers and demonstrated the great potential of nutrimetabolomics, through which the research complex nutrients are included in animal diet.

Effects of Different Sample Pulverisation Methods on the Extraction of Metabolites from the Fermented Cottonseed Meal Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

The precondition of studying biological sample is to extract sample metabolites by the best pretreatment methods. There is already limited information about pretreatments of fermented feed metabolites. The study compared the extraction effects of different pulverisation methods used in the sample pretreatment process for the extraction of metabolites from cottonseed meal fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The extraction effects of three pretreatments (non-pulverisation (WF), pulverisation (F), and high-speed homogenisation methods (YJ)) were compared with the numbers of metabolites and the normalised peak areas of the metabolites. The results showed that the number of metabolites extracted with three pulverisation methods were 1745, 1896, 2132 (ESI+ mode) and 1447, 1675, 2073 (ESI- mode), respectively. The number of variable importance plot (VIP) metabolites and the relative peak areas of metabolites showed that the trend was YJ > F > WF. The extraction effect of high-speed homogenisation method was the best way to extract metabolites from the fermented cottonseed meal. This study built a foundation work for the further research of the fermented feed metabolomics.

Effect of Fermented Cottonseed Meal on the Lipid-Related Indices and Serum Metabolic Profiles in Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryExcessive fat deposition in broiler chickens is detrimental for both producers and consumers. Fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) was proposed as a potential method to relieve fat deposition in broilers’ rearing, while the physiological and metabolic mechanisms behind that still remain unclear. This study showed that both abdominal fat content and subcutaneous fat thickness significantly decreased in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at the age of 21 d, and altered the lipid-related metabolites index in serum, liver, and abdominal fat. Moreover, serum metabolic pathways were clustered into organic acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism.This study aimed to investigate the changes of lipid-related gene and serum metabolites in broiler chickens fed with fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) diet, through quantitative real-time PCR and metabolomics analysis. Totally, 180 1-day-old Cobb broilers were randomly assigned to two groups with six replicates of 15 birds in each. The two diets consisted of a control diet supplemented with 0% FCSM (CON group) and an experimental diet with 6% FCSM (fermented by Candida tropicalis) replacing the soybean meal (FCSM group). The results showed that both abdominal fat content and subcutaneous fat thickness significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at the age of 21 d. Serum concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased (p < 0.05) in FCSM fed broilers compared with CON fed broilers, while the levels of epinephrine and growth hormone in serum, liver and abdominal fat tissue were higher (p < 0.05) in FCSM than in CON fed broilers. The activity of hormone-sensitive esterase and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in the liver and abdominal fat were higher (p < 0.05) in FCSM than CON group. Additionally, compared with the CON group (p < 0.05), the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and LPL genes were upregulated in the livers of FCSM group broilers. Gene expressions of hormone-sensitive lipase and LPL in the abdominal fat tissue were also upregulated (p < 0.05) with the broilers fed with FCSM diets. A total of 20 significantly different metabolites were obtained in the serum of different dietary FCSM supplemented fed broilers. The mainly altered pathways were clustered into organic acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. These results not only provide a better understanding of broilers’ lipid metabolism with FCSM but also can be helpful in further improvement of the broilers’ healthy production and utilization of FCSM.

Oligopeptide derived from solid-state fermented cottonseed meal significantly affect the immunomodulatory in BALB/c mice treated with cyclophosphamide

In this study, the immunomodulatory activity of oligopeptide (CP) derived from solid-state fermented cottonseed meal were investigated in immunosuppressed BALB/c mice models by treatment with cyclophosphamide (CY). Results indicated that oligopeptide increased the thymus and spleen indices of CY-treated mice. The count of plague forming cells (PFC) and the content of half serum hemolysis (HC50) in immunosuppressive mice were restored to the normal level in CP-10 and CP-20 groups while the cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were increased significantly in CP-20 group. Similar increasing the immunoglobulin of IgG and IgM content in the serum of CP-10 group were also observed. These findings indicated that oligopeptide derived from solid-state fermented cottonseed meal had a strong immune-enhancing activity as well as a protective effect against immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide in mice.

Effects of Fermented Cottonseed Meal and Enzymatic Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Meal on Amino Acid Digestibility and Metabolic Energy in White Leghorn Rooster

Effects of Fermented Cottonseed Meal and Enzymatic Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Meal on Amino Acid Digestibility and Metabolic Energy in White Leghorn Rooster

Evaluation of sample extracting methods of FCSM by Lactobacillus acidophilus based on a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS global metabolomics analysis.

The study of metabolomics requires extracting as many metabolites as possible from a biological sample. This study aimed to determine the optimal method for the extraction of metabolites from solid-state fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM). The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS global metabolomics technology was used to detect the metabolites in FCSM, and the extraction quantity and extraction efficiency of seven different extraction methods, specifically the WA, 50MeOH, 50MeOHB, 50MeCNB, 80MeOHB, 80MeOH and AMF methods were evaluated. The results showed that the number of VIP metabolites extracted by AMF method are 196 and 184 in ESI+ and ESI− mode respectively, it is the largest number of all exacted methods; and the AMF methods also provided a higher extraction efficiency compared with the other methods, especially in indoleacrylic acid, dl-tryptophan and epicatechin (p < 0.01). As a result, AMF/−4 °C method was identified as the best method for the extraction of metabolites from FCSM by Lactobacillus acidophilus. Our study establishes a technical basis for future metabolomics research of fermented feed.

Effects of fermented cottonseed meal on the growth performance, gastrointestinal microflora population and small intestinal morphology in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT1. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing dietary cottonseed meal (CSM) or fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) for soya bean meal (SBM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, gastrointestinal microbial populations, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens.2. CSM was fermented with Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and A. oryzae for 7 d. A total of 300 one-d-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in a 42-d experiment in which the birds were randomly allotted to one of 5 dietary treatments (containing 0%, 10% and 20% CSM or FCSM) in a completely randomised design. Birds were reared on litter floor and had free access to feed and water during the experiment.3. Results indicated that the fermentation process significantly reduced crude fibre and free gossypol, while it increased crude protein content and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in CSM.4. The use of FCSM instead of CSM significantly improved growth performance of broilers. The abdominal fat yield in treatments containing FCSM was significantly lower than in the other treatments. The increase in the population of LAB in the crop and decrease in the population of coliforms in the ileum of birds fed on diets containing FCSM were more significant than in other birds. Villi in the duodenum and jejunum of the birds fed on diets containing FCSM were significantly higher than for the other experimental groups.5. The positive effects of diets containing FCSM on growth performance and intestinal health of broiler chickens showed that this processed source of protein can serve as an appropriate alternative for SBM in diets for broiler chickens.

Biodetoxification of aflatoxin B1 in cottonseed meal by fermentation of Cellulosimicrobium funkei in duckling diet

Two experiments were conducted to optimize the fermentation of cottonseed meal by Cellulosimicrobium funkei (C. funkei) for the ability of the bacteria to degrade aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and then to evaluate the bacterial detoxification in ducklings. In experiment 1, the fermentation of cottonseed meal by C. funkei was improved by changing the inoculation amounts by 10% (108 cfu/mL), using a 1:0.5 material to water ratio at 35°C temperature for a 144 h reaction duration, which resulted in an 83.4% biodegradation of AFB1. In experiment 2, 112 one-day-old male Cherry Valley ducklings were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups with 4 replicates of 7 birds each. For a period of 2 wk the controls received a base duckling diet (BD), a second group received a base diet contaminated with 10% AFB1 cottonseed meal (96.8 μg AFB1/kg), a third group was fed a base diet added with 5% unfermented and 5% fermented AFB1-contaminated cottonseed meal (57.0 μg AFB1/kg), and the fourth group was fed a base diet added with 10% AFB1-contaminated fermented cottonseed meal (16.0 μg AFB1/kg). The growth performance, relative organ weights, and serum biochemistry were analyzed. The results showed that the feed conversion ratio in the second group was lower than that of the controls at wk one and 2 (P < 0.05). Also, after 2 wk, group 2 ducklings had increased relative weights of the liver, kidneys, and spleen, increased activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Crt), and decreased relative weight of Fabricius bursa (P < 0.05). In addition, the concentrations of total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) in serum were also significantly higher at weeks one and 2 (P < 0.05). These alterations were attenuated or prevented when 5 or 10% fermented cottonseed meal substituted equal amounts of unfermented cottonseed meal in the diet. In conclusion, fermentation of AFB1-contaminated feed materials by C. funkei offers a new strategy to reduce the negative effects of aflatoxicosis in ducklings.

0949 Growth performance and toxic response of broilers fed diets containing unfermented or fermented cottonseed meal

0949 Growth performance and toxic response of broilers fed diets containing unfermented or fermented cottonseed meal

Reproductive Characteristics of Rabbit Bucks Fed Diet Containing Raw or Fermented Cottonseed Cake

Reproductive Characteristics of Rabbit Bucks Fed Diet Containing Raw or Fermented Cottonseed Cake

Performance of Broilers Fed Finishing Diets with Fermented Cotton Seed Meal as Partial Replacement for Soybean Meal

Performance of Broilers Fed Finishing Diets with Fermented Cotton Seed Meal as Partial Replacement for Soybean Meal

Effects of Replacement of Soybean Meal by Fermented Cottonseed Meal on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters and Immune Function of Yellow-feathered Broilers.

The study was conducted to examine the effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) by solid-state fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and immune function of broilers. After inoculated with Bacillus subtilis BJ-1 for 48 h, the content of free gossypol in cottonseed meal was decreased from 0.82 to 0.21 g/kg. A total of 600, day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into four groups with three replicates of 50 chicks each. A corn-SBM based control diet was formulated and the experimental diets included 4, 8 or 12% FCSM, replacing SBM. Throughout the experiment, broilers fed 8% FCSM had higher (p<0.05) body weight gain than those fed 0, 4 and 12% FCSM. The feed intake in 8% FCSM group was superior (p<0.05) to other treatments from d 21 to 42. On d 21, the concentration of serum immunoglobin M in the 4% and 8% FCSM groups, as well as the content of complements (C3, C4) in 8% FCSM group were greater (p<0.05) than those in the SBM group. Besides, birds fed 8% FCSM had increased (p<0.05) serum immunoglobin M, immunoglobulin G and complement C4 levels on d 42 compared with bird fed control diet. No differences (p>0.05) were found between treatments regarding the serum biochemical parameters and the relative weights of immune organs. In conclusion, FCSM can be used in broiler diets at up to 12% of the total diet and an appropriate replacement of SBM with FCSM may improve growth performance and immunity in broilers.

A Microbial Fermentation of Soybean and Cottonseed Meal Increases Antioxidant Activity and Gossypol Detoxification in Diets for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

We report the beneficial effects of a microbial fermentation process of plant protein sources. To reduce anti‐nutritional factors, soybean meal (SM) and cottonseed meal (CM) were fermented with Aspergillus oryzae, a probiotic microorganism, and a 12‐wk feeding study was conducted to evaluate the supplemental effects of the fermented soybean meal (FSM) or fermented cottonseed meal (FCM) in diets for juvenile Nile tilapia. Growth performance and hematological parameters were not influenced by the fermentation process, while the highest inclusion of both FSM and FCM lowered feed utilization efficiency. The microbial fermentation significantly increased dietary total polyphenols and consequently led to higher 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities in both diets and fish tissue. Dietary and liver gossypol concentrations were significantly decreased by the fermentation process of CM. The findings suggest that microbial fermentation of SM or CM with A. oryzae can enhance antioxidant activities in diets and fish, and effectively reduce or degrade the toxicity of gossypol present in CM. A microbial fermentation could make plant protein sources more useful and functional in feeds for fish.