Fermented Diet Research Articles

Effects of chicory inulin on ruminal fermentation in vitro

Bu araştırmanın amacı, farklı kaynaklardan gelen hindiba köklerinden elde edilen ve püskürtme tekniği ile kurutulmuş, inulinin in vitro ruminal fermantasyon üzerine etkilerini belirlemektir. Bu amaçla Rusitec tekniği (Rumen Simulation Technique) kullanılarak iki ayrı deneme yapıldı. Bu denemelerde 5 g/gün kuru ot ve 4 g/gün konsantre yemden oluşan bir rasyonun ruminal fermantasyonu, aynı rasyonun farklı kaynaklardan gelen inulinlerin varlığındaki fermantasyonu ile karşılaştırıldı. Birinci denemede Rusitec sistemin dokuz fermenterinden üçüne günde 1,5 g Hollanda, diğer üçüne de yine günde 1,5 g miktarında Danimarka kaynaklı inulin eklendi. Son üç fermentere ise hiçbir ilave yapılmayıp kontrol olarak kullanıldı. Bu araştırma düzeni ikinci denemede de aynen tekrarlandı, ancak burada Çin ve Almanya kökenli inulinler denendi. Kontrol ile karşılaştırıldığında, Çin ve Almanya kaynaklı inulinler ruminal pH’da belirgin bir azalmaya neden olurken, Hollanda ve Danimarka kökenli inulinler ruminal pH’da bir değişime yol açmadı. Danimarka ve Çin kaynaklı inulinler, toplam uçucu yağ asitleri, asetat, propiyonat, bütirat, iso-valerat ve valeratın günlük üretimlerinde artışa neden olurken, Hollanda kaynaklı inulin yalnızca bütirat, iso-valerat ve valerat miktarında artışa yol açtı. Çin kökenli inulin ise toplam uçucu yağ asitleri, asetat, bütirat, iso-valerat ve valerat üretimini artırdı. Kontrol fermenterleri ile karşılaştırıldığında, tüm inulin preparatlarının NH3-N konsantrasyonunu belirgin bir şekilde düşürdüğü tespit edildi. Organik madde sindirilebilirliği, Çin ve Almanya kökenli inulin uygulamalarından etkilenmedi, ancak Hollanda ve Danimarka kaynaklı inulinler organik madde sindirilebilirliğinde belirgin bir azalmaya neden oldu. Sonuç olarak kaynağı ile bağlantılı bir şekilde, inulinin in vitro ruminal fermantasyonu uyararak artırdığı ve özellikle ruminal amonyak konsantrasyonunun azaltılmasında etkili olduğu görüldü

Livestock disease threats associated with intensification of pastoral dairy farming

This paper provides an overview of the changes in the pasture-based dairy systems of New Zealand and Australia that may influence the health of cattle. There are relatively few available data that can be used to quantify the effects of increased intensification of milk production on the health of cattle. There is evidence that increased production increases the risk of mastitis and culling for udder health. Increased risks of mastitis with treatment with somatotropin support these findings; however, the risk of mastitis may decrease with increased milking frequency. Larger herds with greater stocking density should increase the risk for infectious disease, but evidence to support this contention is sparse. Very intensive grazing patterns associated with higher grass yields achieved using better cultivars and greater use of fertilisers favour nematode parasites. There is some evidence of anthelmintic resistance in both nematodes and liver fluke. Veterinarians will need to be aware of the potential for these to reduce the productivity of cattle. There have been benefits of improved nutrition on the efficiency of energy use for dairy production. Diseases such as bloat and ketosis appear to be of lower prevalence. It also appears that mineral nutrition of pasture-fed cattle is being better addressed, with gains in the control of milk fever, hypomagnesaemia and trace-element deficiencies. However, acidosis is a condition with a high point prevalence in pasture-based dairy systems where cows are fed supplements; one study in Australia found a point prevalence of approximately 11% of cows with acidosis. There is evidence from this study that the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in pasture-based diets may need to be higher than 30% of the diet to maintain rumen stability. Laminitis and acidosis are different conditions with a similar pathogenesis, specifically highly fermentable diets. The prevalence of lameness was 28% in herds in Australia, suggesting that this condition must be a focus for preventive medical approaches, including the design of laneways, feedpads and dairies.

A protease additive increases fermentation of alfalfa diets by mixed ruminal microorganisms in vitro1

In vitro experiments were conducted to examine the characteristics and mode of action of a protease that increased the ruminal fiber digestibility of alfalfa hay. A commercial source of protease (Protex 6L, Genencor Int., Rochester, NY), already characterized for its main activities, was further analyzed to determine protease activity in response to pH, molecular size by SDS-PAGE, specificity to degrade model or feed substrates, response to autoclaving, and action of specific protease inhibitors in the absence or presence of ruminal fluid. In addition, batch culture in vitro incubations in buffered ruminal fluid were conducted to compare the enzyme product with purified protease sources, and dose-response studies (0 to 10 microL/g of forage DM) were carried out using alfalfa hay as a substrate. The enzyme product was shown to be an alkaline protease (optimum pH >8.5) of approximately 30 kDa. Specificity in the absence of ruminal fluid showed that the enzyme was active against gelatin and casein to the same extent, whereas it had limited (21% of the total) activity on BSA. In the presence of ruminal fluid and with the use of feed substrates, the protease increased (P < 0.05) 22-h IVDMD (%) of alfalfa hay, fresh corn silage, dry-rolled corn, and a total mixed ration composed of the 3 ingredients (39.5 vs. 44.7; 50.3 vs. 54.5; 63.8 vs. 68.4; and 55.4 vs. 56.4 for control vs. protease for each feed, respectively). Inhibitor studies in the absence of ruminal fluid indicated that the enzyme was inhibited most by a serine protease inhibitor but not by cysteine- or metalloprotease inhibitors (10 vs. 1.9 and 0.1%, respectively). In the presence of ruminal fluid, the serine protease inhibitor reversed (P < 0.05) the increase in alfalfa IVDMD achieved by the enzyme product, such that IVDMD was similar to that of the control treatment. Comparisons among different proteases revealed that only pure subtilisin achieved increases in IVDMD that were similar to those with protease, suggesting the serine protease was subtilisin-like (EC 3.4.1.62). Dose-response studies using alfalfa hay as substrate showed quadratic responses in IVDMD, NDF digestion, and hemicellulose and protein disappearance. It is postulated that this enzyme acts by removing structural proteins in the cell wall, allowing ruminal microbes to gain faster access to digestible substrates.

Effects of Monensin and Fish Oil on Conjugated Linoleic Acid Production by Rumen Microbes in Holstein Cows Fed Diets Supplemented with Soybean Oil and Sodium Bicarbonate

The present study was conducted with four ruminally canulated Holstein cows to observe the effects of monensin or fish oil on diet fermentation and production of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) in the rumen when fed diets supplemented with soybean oil and sodium bicarbonate. Cows of the control treatment were fed a basal diet (CON) consisting of 60% commercial concentrate and 40% chopped rye grass hay. Cows of other treatments were fed the same diet as CON, but the concentrate was supplemented with 7% of soybean oil and 0.5% of sodium bicarbonate (SO-B), SO-B supplemented with monensin (30 ppm, SO-BM) or concentrate supplemented with 6.3% of soybean oil, 0.5% of sodium-bicarbonate, 30 ppm of monensin and 0.7% of fish oil (SO-BMF). Dry matter (DM) intake of the cows was significantly (p<0.011) reduced by feeding the SO-BMF diet compared to the other diets which did not differ in DM intake. Whole tract digestibility of major dietary components was significantly (p<0.004-0.027) higher for SO-BMF than the other supplement-containing diets. Dietary supplements did not clearly affect rumen pH and ammonia concentrations compared to the CON diet. Significantly reduced (p<0.05) total VFA concentration was obtained by the addition of fish oil to the diet (SO-BMF) compared to other diets. No differences, however, were obtained in major VFA proportions as well as in total VFA between the supplemented diets. The SO-BM diet increased (p<0.01-0.05) the concentrations of trans-1 C 18:1 and linoleic acid in rumen fluid. Total CLA concentration was also increased by the feeding of SO-B and SO-BM diets during early fermentation times (up to 3 h) post-feeding. Cis-9, trans-11 CLA concentration in rumen fluid was highest (p<0.05) for SO-B up to 1 h while the highest (p<0.01) value for SO-BM occurred at 3 h post-feeding. An increased trans-10, cis-12 CLA concentration was obtained from the SO-B and SO-BM diets at 1 and 3 h post feeding compared to the other diets. Supplementation of oils with monensin and sodium bicarbonate increased (p<0.05) the proportions of C 18:1 and CLA in the plasma of cows, but the effect of monensin and/or fish oil was limited to trans-10, cis-12 CLA.

A Proposed Batch In vitro Apparatus for Conducting Rumen Fermentation Experiment

This research proposes a batch in vitro rumen apparatus modified from Daisy incubator and procedures of measuring feed digestion by using nylon bag to replace the traditional centrifuging and filtration methods, for the purpose of studying ruminal fermentation. The apparatus consists of 8 sets of airtight reaction vessels which rotated at a speed of 1 r/min and located inside a thermostatic cabin. Optimum procedures was proved to be that the volume of incubation fluid was 400 mL; fineness and size of test feed were 0.125-0.25 mm and 0.4 g, respectively; amount of bags in one vessel was 6; fermentation diet in a single incubation was 4-5 g. Comparing experiments showed that fermentation speed attained with the apparatus was about 15-20% greater than that attained with flask-shaking machine method (revolutionary speed is 100 r/min) and more accurate results could be obtained with the new apparatus. In conclusion, this apparatus could provide an efficient mixing action, and the procedure could allow sensitive detection of differences in ruminal fermentation in a time-saving way.

Ruminal fermentation of mixed diets supplemented with St. John’s Wort (&lt;i&gt;Hypericum perforatum&lt;/i&gt;) flowers and pine (&lt;i&gt;Pinus mugo&lt;/i&gt;) oil or mixtures containing these preparations

Ruminal fermentation of mixed diets supplemented with St. John’s Wort (&lt;i&gt;Hypericum perforatum&lt;/i&gt;) flowers and pine (&lt;i&gt;Pinus mugo&lt;/i&gt;) oil or mixtures containing these preparations

Biochemical and microbiological properties of a cereal mix fermented with whey, wet wheat distillers’ grain or water at different temperatures

Microbiological and biochemical properties of three different liquid diets fermented at 10, 15 or 20 °C were studied. The liquid diets consisted of a cereal grain mix of wheat, barley and triticale, blended with whey (diet WH), wet wheat distillers’ grain (diet WDG) or water (diet WAT). The diets were fermented for 5 days without disturbance, followed by 14 days of daily feed replacements, where 4/5 of the contents were replaced with fresh feed mixtures. Starting pH values were 5.1, 3.9 and 6.3 in WH, WDG and WAT, respectively. For most diets, the pH decreased to approximately 4.0 by day 5. However, the WAT diet fermented at 10 °C required 7 days to reach a pH of 4.0. A higher ( P<0.001) pH was seen in the WH diet fermented at 10 °C than in the other diets. Composition of the diets was determined during day 17–19 of fermentation to allow the microbial populations to stabilise and to reflect conditions in practice. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) grew in all diets during fermentation and the growth was affected by temperature and type of diet ( P<0.001), and the interaction between these two factors ( P<0.001). The highest LAB counts were found at higher temperatures in the WAT and WH diets and the lowest counts were found in diet WDG. The highest levels of acetic, succinic and propionic acids were found in diet WDG ( P<0.001). Lactic acid concentrations increased with temperature ( P<0.001) and were highest in the WAT and WH diets. In vitro digestibility of organic matter was highest for diet WH and lowest for diet WDG ( P<0.001). Inositol hexaphosphate-bound phosphorus (P) and total P in the cereal grain mix were 2.2 and 3.7 g kg −1 dry matter, respectively. No inositol phosphate-bound P was found in any of the diets after fermentation. Some moulds, probably originating from spores in the cereal grain mix, were detected in the fermented diets, but total numbers did not increase with time. Enterobacteriaceae detected in diet WH, probably originated from the cereal grain mix and the whey. Yeasts were present in all diet ingredients. In conclusion, fermentation processes and biochemical properties differed greatly due to temperature, type of diet and the interaction of these two factors. Dietary inositol hexaphosphate was completely degraded in all fermented diets.

Effects of allicin and diallyl disulfide on in vitro rumen fermentation of a mixed diet

The objective of this study was to determine effects of four doses (i.e. 0, 0.5, 5 and 10 mg/l incubation medium) of allicin and diallyl disulfide on in vitro fermentation of a 1:1 alfalfa hay:concentrate diet in batch cultures of mixed rumen micro-organisms from the rumens of sheep fed either a high forage (HF inoculum; 700:300 alfalfa hay:concentrate; 4 sheep) or a high concentrate (HC inoculum, 300:700 alfalfa hay:concentrate; 4 sheep) diet. It was hypothesised that additive effects would depend on the rumen microbial populations, and thus on the type of diet fed to the host sheep. Initial pH in the incubation medium was 6.98 and 6.39 for HF and HC inoculum, respectively. Since antimicrobial effects of both compounds seemed to be time-dependent, 6, 12 and 24 h incubations, representing 5 replicates on non-consecutive days, were chosen. Allicin at the lowest concentration (i.e. 0.5 mg/l) increased (P<0.05) production of acetate, and the acetate:propionate ratio, at 6 h of incubation, and decreased (P<0.05) hydrogen recovery in batch cultures incoulated with HC rumen fluid. However, these effects did not occur at 12 and 24 h. Diallyl disulfide had similar patterns to allicin, and these were maintained at 12 h of incubation. Only a few interactions (P<0.05) between additives and inoculum type occurred and, in general, effects of allicin were more pronounced with HC inoculum, and those of diallyl disulfide with the HF inoculum. Results show the potential of these secondary metabolites to modify rumen fermentation, but little is known about the stability of these phytocompounds and how this is related to their effectiveness in the rumen.

Effects of exogenous cellulase supplementation on microbial growth and ruminal fermentation of a high-forage diet in Rusitec fermenters1

Two incubation runs were carried out with a Rusitec system to investigate the effects of 2 exogenous pure cellulases on ruminal microbial growth and fermentation of a 70:30 grass hay:concentrate (DM basis) substrate. The substrate was sprayed with buffer (control; pH = 6.5), a cellulase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum (TRI), a cellulase from Aspergillus niger (ASP), or a 1:1 mixture of both cellulases (MIX) 24 h before being placed in the fermenters. Enzymes were applied at a rate of 30 endoglucanase units/g of substrate DM. Treating the substrate with enzymes reduced substrate NDF and ADF content (P < 0.001 to P = 0.002) and increased DM, NDF, and ADF disappearance after 6 and 24 h of incubation (P < 0.001 to P = 0.004) but not after 48 h of incubation. Daily VFA production was increased (P = 0.004) by 15, 9, and 15% for TRI, ASP, and MIX, respectively, with half of the increase being due to production of acetate. All enzyme treatments augmented (P = 0.009) methane production, but none of them altered the methane:VFA ratio (P = 0.70). There were no differences (P = 0.80) among treatments in the daily flow of solid-associated microorganisms, as measured using 15N as a microbial marker. Although the TRI and MIX treatments increased (P < 0.05) the daily flow of liquid-associated microorganisms and the proportion of microbial N in the solid residue after 48 h of incubation, no effects were observed (P = 0.92 and P = 0.95, respectively) for the ASP treatment. The results show that the TRI and MIX treatments enhanced in vitro fermentation by increasing substrate fiber degradation, VFA production, and ruminal microbial growth. The lack of differences between TRI and MIX in most of the measured variables indicates that treating the substrate with a mixture of both cellulases did not further improve the effects of the TRI treatment.

Ruminal degradation characteristics of a beef feed produced with different grinding and pelleting sizes incubated in sacco in dry or soaked form

Intensively fed ruminants receive highly fermentable diets to maximise production of meat or milk. However, highly fermentable diets increase the risk of acidosis, which can result in serious health and productive consequences. Accurate evaluation of feed fermentability in both rate and extent is therefore important in controlling acidosis. Differences in (rate of) fermentation between original raw materials are fairly well established and used in current feed evaluation systems (Van Laar et al., 2004). However, the effects of technological treatments, like grinding and especially pelleting of a feed on fermentability are less well explored. In this experiment the nylon bag method was used to analyse fermentability characteristics of a feed that was ground and pelleted in different ways. Additionally the effect on fermentability of pre-soaking the pellets prior to nylon bag incubation was investigated.

Effect of cooking and fermentation of a pig diet on gut environment and digestibility in growing pigs

Abstract The effect of pre-feeding treatment of a pig diet on gut environment and digestibility was studied in a double 3 × 3 Latin-square experiment using growing castrated PVTC cannulated male pigs. The diets were based on local feed resources and were fed raw (R), cooked (C) or naturally fermented (F). There were no differences ( P > 0.05) in pH and butyric acid concentration of ileal digesta between diets. However, on diet F concentrations of acetic, lactic and propionic acid in ileal digesta were higher ( P P P

Influence of soaking, fermentation and phytase supplementation on nutrient digestibility in pigs offered a grower diet based on wheat and barley

AbstractThe effects of 1-h soaking, fermentation and phytase supplementation of a pig diet based on wheat and barley on ileal and total tract apparent digestibility in growing pigs fitted with a post valve T-caecum (PVTC)-cannula were studied. Eight animals in a two-period change-over design were used, subjecting four animals to each treatment (dry, soaked, microbial phytase supplemented or fermented diet). Acid insoluble ash was used as an indigestible marker for calculating apparent digestibility coefficients. Fermentation improved (P&lt;0·05) the ileal apparent digestibility coefficients of organic matter (OM), nitrogen and amino acids, while there was no effect of 1-h soaking and phytase supplementation. The total tract apparent digestibility coefficient of OM was also improved by fermentation. The ileal apparent digestibility coefficient of phosphorus (P) was higher for fermentation (P&lt;0·05) than for dry food and 1-h soaking. The total tract apparent digestibility coefficient of P was higher (P&lt;0·05) for treated food (soaked, fermented and supplemented with microbial phytase) compared with dry food. Fermentation improved (P&lt;0·05) the ileal apparent digestibility coefficient of calcium compared with dry and soaked food, and had no effect on the total tract apparent digestibility coefficient of calcium. Food inositol phosphates were affected by treatment (P&lt;0·05), with a reduction of P bound to inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) of 10% in the 1-h soaked food and of 80% in the fermented food. Degradation of IP6in the gastro-intestinal tract of the animals was lower in the fermented food than in the other treatments. The content of neutral-detergent fibre in the food was reduced (P&lt;0·05) in the soaked and fermented food by 4% and 14%, respectively, compared with the dry food. In conclusion, fermentation of food can improve digestibility of OM, degrade IP6and increase ileal digestibility of phosphorus, nitrogen and amino acids.

Effects of the addition of some medicinal plants on methane production in a rumen simulating fermenter (RUSITEC)

Plant material from Rheum palmatum (root) and Frangula alnus (bark) were tested to study their effects as feed additives to decrease methane production from ruminal fermentation of a forage-based diet, using a rumen simulating fermenter (RUSITEC). Sixteen fermentation units (vessels) were set up for the experiment that lasted 19 days. Each vessel was fed 16 g of a mixed substrate consisting of 800 g/kg forage and 200 g/kg concentrate. Treatments were assigned to the experimental units (vessels) according to a completely random design. Treatment vessels were supplied with either milled root from R. palmatum or milled bark from F. alnus (four vessels per plant species) added at 1 g/day (62.5 mg additive/g substrate or 1.66 g/l in the fermenter). Another four vessels received 12 μM of monensin (positive control) added to the basal diet, and the remaining four vessels were controls (no additive). Monensin induced changes that were coincident with those usually reported in the literature. R. palmatum caused a significant decrease in methane production, associated with changes in the VFA production pattern. F. alnus altered slightly fermentation parameters.

Effects of nonstructural carbohydrates and protein sources on intake, apparent total tract digestibility, and ruminal metabolism in vivo and in vitro with high-concentrate beef cattle diets1

To investigate the effects of synchronizing nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) and protein degradation on intake and rumen microbial fermentation, four ruminally fistulated Holstein heifers (BW = 132.3 +/- 1.61 kg) fed high-concentrate diets were assigned to a 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments studied in vivo and in vitro with a dual-flow continuous culture system. Two NSC sources (barley and corn) and 2 protein sources [soybean meal (SBM) and sunflower meal (SFM)] differing in their rate and extent of ruminal degradation were combined resulting in a synchronized rapid fermentation diet (barley-SFM), a synchronized slow fermentation diet (corn-SBM), and 2 unsynchronized diets with a rapidly and a slowly fermenting component (barley-SBM, and corn-SFM). In vitro, the fermentation profile was studied at a constant pH of 6.2, and at a variable pH with 12 h at pH 6.4 and 12 h at pH 5.8. Synchronization tended to result in greater true OM digestion (P = 0.072), VFA concentration (P = 0.067), and microbial N flow (P = 0.092) in vitro, but had no effects on in vivo fermentation pattern or on apparent total tract digestibility. The NSC source affected the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in vitro, tending to be greater (P = 0.07) for barley-based diets, and in vivo, the NSC source tended to affect intake. Dry matter and OM intake tended to be greater (P > or = 0.06) for corn- than barley-based diets. Ammonia N concentration was lower in vitro (P = 0.006) and tended to be lower in vivo (P = 0.07) for corn- than barley-based diets. In vitro, pH could be reduced from 6.4 to 5.8 for 12 h/d without any effect on ruminal fermentation or microbial protein synthesis. In summary, ruminal synchronization seemed to have positive effects on in vitro fermentation, but in vivo recycling of endogenous N or intake differences could compensate for these effects.

Effects of dietary nonstructural carbohydrates and protein sources on feeding behavior of tethered heifers fed high-concentrate diets1

To describe the feeding behavior of growing heifers fed high-concentrate diets with different sources of protein and nonstructural carbohydrates, and to explain the ruminal fermentation pattern, 4 ruminally fistulated Holstein heifers (BW = 132.3 +/- 1.61 kg) were assigned to a 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Two non-structural carbohydrate sources (barley and corn) and 2 protein sources [soybean meal (SBM) and sunflower meal (SFM)] that differ in their rate and extent of ruminal degradation were combined, resulting in a synchronized, rapid fermentation diet (barley-SFM), a synchronized, slow fermentation diet (corn-SBM), and 2 unsynchronized diets consisting of a rapidly and a slowly fermenting component (barley-SBM and corn-SFM). The corn-SFM diet resulted in a lower frequency of feeding (P < or = 0.05), longer meal length (P < or = 0.043), and larger meal size (P < or = 0.037) than the other 3 diets. Dietary treatment had no effect (P > or = 0.09) on the daily percentages of posture and behaviors. In general, heifers spent 9.97 +/- 0.83% of the day eating, 2.11 +/- 0.42% drinking, 25.13 +/- 1.36% ruminating, 16.97 +/- 1.42% in other activities such as social behavior and self-grooming, and the rest of the day (45.82 +/- 2.55%) resting or doing no chewing activities. Eating, drinking, and social behaviors were performed while standing (P < or = 0.01), whereas resting and ruminating occurred mainly while lying (P = 0.001). Eating took place mainly in the first 4 h after feeding (P = 0.001), whereas ruminating occurred mainly at night (P = 0.001). When chewing activities (eating and ruminating) were expressed per kilogram of DM or NDF from roughage intake, more time (P = 0.004) was spent chewing per kilogram of DMI for barley-based diets, and per kilogram of NDF from roughage intake for barley- (P = 0.01) and SFM- (P = 0.002) based diets. Tethered heifers fed the more fermentable and rapidly synchronized diet (barley-SFM) reduced intake and increased chewing time. With these high-concentrate diets, time spent chewing was inversely related to roughage intake.

Fontes de lipídio e monensina sódica na fermentação, cinética e degradabilidade ruminal de bovinos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a degradabilidade, a fermentação e a cinética ruminal de dietas com caroço de algodão ou sal de cálcio de ácidos graxos, como fontes de gordura, acrescidos de monensina sódica, e verificar o efeito da última em dietas com caroço de algodão. Quatro novilhos Nelore, canulados no rúmen, foram submetidos a um experimento em delineamento quadrado latino 4x4. Os tratamentos consistiram de três dietas com monensina (sal de cálcio graxo, caroço de algodão e controle) e uma dieta com caroço de algodão sem monensina. Os períodos de incubação foram de 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas, e o líquido ruminal foi colhido nos horários 0, 1,5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 e 24 horas depois da alimentação. As dietas com caroço de algodão apresentaram maior degradabilidade da fibra em detergente neutro e maior teor de proteína bruta. A dieta com caroço de algodão e monensina apresentou maior taxa de passagem líquida e turnover ruminal. Não houve diferença entre as dietas quanto ao pH, amônia ruminal e ácidos graxos voláteis. As fontes de gordura, sal de cálcio de ácidos graxos e caroço de algodão não apresentaram efeito deletério no rúmen. A utilização de monensina afeta a degradabilidade, a cinética e a fermentação ruminal, quando se utiliza caroço de algodão na dieta.

The Effect of Change in Meat Quality Parameters on Pig Longissimus dorsi Muscle by the Addition of Fermented Persimmon Shell Diet

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of growth performance, chemical composition and meat quality parameters by the addition of fermented persimmon shell diets (FPSD). The experimental animals were ninety-six Berkshires. The pigs were allotted at 8 per pen in front-open building with three replicate pens per treatment. Until 61±1 kg live weight at 140 days, the animals were fed growing diet, after which, experimental samples were fixed at 0, 3, 5 and 7% FPSD as C, T1, T2 and T3 in the finishing diets. Pigs of 103±1 kg live weight were slaughtered by electrical stunning. In growth performance, ADG increased more (p<0.05) in T2 than C and T1. ADFI (kg/day) was higher (p<0.05) in T2 than in other groups. Feed conversion ratio was lower (p<0.05) in T2 than in other groups. On longissimus dorsi muscle (LM), the content of moisture was lower (p<0.05) in T3 than in other treatments. Crude fat increased (p<0.05) by addition of FPSD. pH at 24 h (pH24) decreased more (p<0.05) in T2 and T3 than C and T1 by addition of FPSD. WHC decreased (p<0.05) by addition of FPSD. In meat, Hunter L* and a* were lower (p<0.05) in C than in other treatments. Hunter b* was higher (p<0.05) in T3 than in other treatments. In back-fat, Hunter L* was higher (p<0.05) in C than in other treatments. Hunter a* was not different in C and T1 but increased (p<0.05) in treatments by addition of FPSD. Hunter b* increased (p<0.05) by addition of FPSD. In sensory evaluation scores, for fresh meat, the value of meat color was higher (p<0.05) in T2 and T3 than in C and T1. The value of marbling was lower (p<0.05) in C than in other treatments. The value of drip loss was higher (p<0.05) in C than in other treatments and was lower (p<0.05) in T2 and T3 than in other treatments. The results of cooked meat, the value of tenderness was not different in C and T1 but increased (p<0.05) in other treatments. The value of flavor was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 and T3 than in C and T1. The value of overall acceptability was increased (p<0.05) by addition of FPSD. Hence we can conclude that addition of FPSD affected growth performance and meat quality parameters, in particular, it improved crude fat, hunter L* and b*, and sensory evaluation on pork and was also seen to affect pH24 and WHC. FPSD can be used for improvement of meat quality parameters. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 2 : 286-291)

Screening for the effects of natural plant extracts at different pH on in vitro rumen microbial fermentation of a high-concentrate diet for beef cattle1

Six natural plant extracts and three secondary plant metabolites were tested at five doses (0, 0.3, 3, 30, and 300 mg/L) and two different pH (7.0 and 5.5) in a duplicate 9 x 5 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine their effects on in vitro microbial fermentation using ruminal fluid from heifers fed a high-concentrate finishing diet. Treatments were extracts of garlic (GAR), cinnamon (CIN), yucca (YUC), anise (ANI), oregano (ORE), and capsicum (CAP) and pure cinnamaldehyde (CDH), anethole (ATL), and eugenol (EUG). Each treatment was tested in triplicate and in two periods. Fifty milliliters of a 1:1 ruminal fluid-to-buffer solution were introduced into polypropylene tubes supplied with 0.5 g of DM of a 10:90 forage:concentrate diet (15.4% CP, 16.0% NDF; DM basis) and incubated for 24 h at 39 degrees C. Samples were collected for ammonia N and VFA concentrations. The decrease in pH from 7.0 to 5.5 resulted in lower (P < 0.05) total VFA, ammonia N, branched-chain VFA concentration, acetate proportion, and acetate:propionate, and in a higher (P < 0.05) propionate proportion. The interaction between pH and doses was significant for all measurements, except for ATL and CDH for butyrate, ATL and EUG for acetate:propionate ratio, and ORE for ammonia N concentration. The high dose of all plant extracts decreased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentrations. When pH was 7.0, ATL, GAR, CAP, and CDH decreased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentration, and ANI, ORE, CIN, CAP, and CDH increased (P < 0.05) the acetate:propionate. The CIN, GAR, CAP, CDH, ORE, and YUC decreased (P < 0.05), and EUG, ANI, and ATL increased (P < 0.05) ammonia N concentration. The effects of plant extracts on the fermentation profile when pH was 7.0 were not favorable for beef production. In contrast, when pH was 5.5, total VFA concentration did not change (ATL, ANI, ORE, and CIN) or increased (P < 0.05) (EUG, GAR, CAP, CDH, and YUC), and the acetate:propionate (ORE, GAR, CAP, CDH, and YUC) decreased (P < 0.05), which would be favorable for beef production. Ammonia N (ATL, ANI, CIN, GAR, CAP, and CDH) and branched-chain VFA (ATL, EUG, ANI, ORE, CAP, and CDH) concentrations also were decreased (P < 0.05), suggesting that deamination was inhibited. Results indicate that the effects of plant extracts on ruminal fermentation in beef cattle diets may differ depending on ruminal pH. When pH was 5.5, GAR, CAP, YUC, and CDH altered ruminal microbial fermentation in favor of propionate, which is more energetically efficient.

Características de carcaça de bezerros de rebanhos leiteiros desmamados precocemente e alimentados com diferentes dietas líquidas

Avaliaram-se o rendimento de carcaça e o desenvolvimento dos órgãos e vísceras de 40 bezerros mestiços F1 Holandês x Gir alimentados com diferentes dietas líquidas, à base de leite integral ou colostro fermentado, associados ou não com óleo de soja (45 mL), com ou sem a aplicação do promotor de crescimento Zeranol. Cada animal recebeu dieta composta por ração concentrada (23% de proteína bruta), feno de capim-tifton à vontade e três litros de leite ou colostro fermentado por dia. Os animais foram abatidos com peso médio de 57,38 kg e aproximadamente 60 dias de idade. Não houve efeito das dietas fornecidas aos animais sobre o peso dos órgãos e dos componentes não-integrantes da carcaça. Entretanto, os bezerros tratados com leite e Zeranol apresentaram maiores pesos de carne industrial. A área de olho de lombo dos bezerros não foi influenciada pela associação dos diferentes tipos de dietas com o Zeranol, apresentando um valor médio de 15,27 cm². O colostro fermentado sem a adição de Zeranol e apresentou pesos, para rúmen-retículo, intestino delgado e mesentério, de 954, 2.076 e 619 g, respectivamente. A presença do óleo de soja na dieta líquida elevou a porcentagem de gordura interna dos bezerros. A utilização do Zeranol acarretou comprimento de carcaça 5% superior nos animais tratados com leite e 5,5% inferior nos animais tratados com colostro, enquanto o uso do colostro fermentado sem Zeranol resultou em carcaças 5% mais pesadas que o de leite integral sem Zeranol. Desempenho (peso de carcaça quente e fria) semelhante aos dos animais tratados com leite e promotor de crescimento foi obtido com o tratamento Zeranol + colostro fermentado. Animais tratados com leite apresentaram maiores proporções de osso e de gordura na carcaça.

Colostro fermentado, associado ao óleo de soja e promotor de crescimento, em substituição ao leite, na alimentação de bezerros mestiços leiteiros

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho de 40 bezerros F1 Holandês x Gir com peso médio de 36 kg, provenientes de rebanhos leiteiros alimentados com leite integral ou colostro fermentado, associado ou não com óleo de soja, com ou sem promotor de crescimento (Zeranol). Foram avaliados o ganho de peso, a circunferência torácica, altura de cernelha dos animais, o consumo de leite ou de colostro fermentado e o consumo de ração concentrada, entre o 15º e 60º dia de idade. A utilização de Zeranol não promoveu diferença no consumo de ração concentrada quando se utilizou leite integral. Os animais que receberam colostro fermentado mais promotor de crescimento apresentaram consumo de ração concentrada 44,23% maior que aqueles sem promotor de crescimento e 132% superior ao dos animais alimentados com leite integral e Zeranol. Para ganho de peso, não houve efeito entre as associações de óleo de soja e Zeranol. Os bezerros do tratamento com leite e Zeranol apresentaram maior altura de cernelha (-85,70 cm). A utilização de óleo de soja ou de Zeranol não influenciou a circunferência torácica (média de 88,19 cm). Os bezerros submetidos aos dois tipos de dieta líquida apresentaram taxa de crescimento constante e semelhante, demonstrando que o colostro fermentado é capaz de promover ganhos de peso da mesma magnitude que o leite integral.