Higher Levels Of Crude Protein Research Articles

Nutritional potential of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) from semi-arid and subhumid zones of Uganda

It has been reported that plants that experience some form of stress while growing tend to accumulate increased levels of nutrients that are useful to humans. We compare the proximate and mineral composition of Tamarindus indica leaves, fruit pulp and seeds from Uganda’s semi-arid and sub-humid zones with contrasting environmental conditions including temperature, rainfall, soils and geology. Samples were analyzed following standard AOAC procedures. Mineral content was in the order K > Ca > Mg > Na > Fe and K > Mg > Ca > Na > Fe for the semi-arid and subhumid zones respectively. Tamarindus indica fruit pulp and leaves from both zones plus seeds from the semi-arid zone contained the Na/K ratio of < 1 recommended by World Health Organisation for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Proximate composition for leaves, fruit pulp and whole seeds were in the following ranges: Moisture content (9.83–69.42%), ash (1.93–11.6%), carbohydrate (64.74–88.7%), crude lipid (0.96–3.57%), crude fiber (0.89–14.93%), and crude protein (4.59–14.82%). Leaves contained higher levels of crude protein, crude lipid and crude fibre than fruit pulp. Tamarindus indica from the semi-arid zone tends to accumulate nutrients in ways that better promote human health. Tamarindus indica from both zones has high potential to provide functional foods and livestock feeds.

Dry Season Feeding Technologies: Assessing the Nutritional and Economic Benefits of Feeding Hay and Silage to Dairy Cattle in South-Western Uganda

South-western Uganda annually experiences prolonged drought that results in dramatic drop in milk production of dairy cattle. This study was conducted to assess the nutritional value and economic benefits of feeding silage and hay to dairy cattle in the sub-region. The cross-sectional study covered seven districts with 105 farmers interviewed during the wet and 45 others in the dry season. Up to 88 soil samples were collected and analyzed for soil texture, soil pH, organic matter and total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Sodium and Magnesium. Likewise, 148 forage (105 fresh, 25 silage and 18 hay) tissues from 21 pasture species were collected and analyzed for nutritional values. Using a questionnaire, data on production costs and milk revenues were collected for cost-benefit analysis. Results showed that silage of Napier grass treated with molasses (10.2 MJ/kg) and hay of naturally established pastures (10.6 MJ/kg) had the highest metabolisable energy (ME) values, while the lowest (8.30 MJ/kg) was for star grass. Hay of star grass presented the highest level of crude protein (21.4%) with maize (corn) showing the lowest (9.38%). Digestibility of hay of naturally established mixed pastures was the highest (64.4%), followed by that of silage of Napier grass treated with molasses (62.0%), while star grass hay had the lowest (52.6%). With exception of silage made from maize, all the other six forms of silage had a good crude protein (CP) content. Regardless of the good CP content (≥9.9%), all silage untreated with additives was poor in quality since its ME was less than 9.9 MJ ME/kg and ration digestibility less than 67%. Nonetheless, feeding of silage and hay increased milk yield and farm productivity with a benefit-cost ratio of 5.5 and 2.7 for silage and hay respectively.

Chemical and Sensory Properties of Black Rice Compared with Giza 177 Rice Cultivar

The present work was carried out to evaluate the chemical and technological characteristic of Egyptian Giza 177 rice and black rice (BR) as well as to investigate the possibility of using black rice flour as substitution materials of wheat flour in preparing enriched biscuits. The obtained results revealed that black rice (BR) variety had a higher level of crude protein, ether extract, ash, fiber content than Giza 177 rice variety. Gel consistency was significantly higher in Giza 177 than (BR). BR contained higher amylose content than Giza 177. From the obtained results, BR could be considered as a good source of fatty acids, anthocyanin, total phenol and minerals compared with Giza 177. Regards to sensory evaluation of cooked rice, black rice was lower acceptance than Giza 177. Results of the organoleptic evaluation indicated that biscuit samples prepared using black rice flour (2.5 and 5%) to wheat flour were acceptable. Also, biscuit samples prepared using mushroom flour with black rice flour as substitutions instead of wheat flour (2.5%) were acceptable. The present study could be a guide in using black rice and mushroom flours to increase protein and other nutrients contents in some food products, as well as preparation of some functional foods. Also, gluten-free bakery products are advantageous to persons who suffer from celiac disease.

High Fiber Cakes from Mediterranean Multipurpose Oilseeds as Protein Sources for Ruminants.

Simple SummaryRecovery and valorization of residues are key factors for agro-industry to progress towards circular-economy models and more sustainable productions. In the vegetable oils industry, large quantities of spent seed cakes are produced downstream of the oil extraction processes, and their use as animal feedstuffs, mainly as protein supplements for ruminants, is a possible valorization strategy. In this study, we analyzed chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of spent cakes from sunflower, pomegranate, cardoon, tobacco and hemp that are multipurpose cultures emerging in Mediterranean area. The results showed that the cakes of tobacco, cardoon and hemp might be interesting alternative protein feeds for ruminants. The valorization of these cakes may potentially improve economic and environmental sustainability of the emerging vegetable-oil production chains.Fifteen oilseed cakes from sunflower, pomegranate, cardoon, tobacco and hemp were characterized with regard to chemical composition, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) fractionation, in vitro digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein. All the cakes presented low moisture, rather variable ether extract contents and medium to high levels of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The cakes significantly differed in terms of CNCPS partitioning and in vitro digestibility. Tobacco and hemp cakes presented high contents of slow degradable fractions of crude protein and carbohydrate joined to good post-ruminal protein digestibility. Cardoon cakes presented the highest rumen protein degradability. Based on crude protein content and intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein, cakes of tobacco and hemp showed the better potential as alternative protein supplements for ruminants, while pomegranate appears to be the least suitable for ruminant feeding.

Dietary protein requirement of juvenile kelp grouper ( Epinephelus moara )

Dietary protein requirement of juvenile kelp grouper Epinephelus moara was investigated through a feeding trial. Experimental diets with graded crude protein (CP) levels (33.01%, 38.54%, 45.21%, 50.71%, 56.10% and 63.09% of dry matter respectively) were formulated. Six triplicate groups of fish (20 individuals per replicate with initial mean weight 6.00 g) were fed with each diet for 8 weeks. Best growth performance of fish was detected in 56.10% CP diet. The specific growth rate (SGR) significantly elevated with increasing dietary CP level to 50.71%, but there was no significant difference thereafter (p < .05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased significantly with dietary CP levels from 33.01% to 56.10% (p < .05). Glucose (GLU) and total protein (TP) concentrations in plasma had an increasing trend with dietary protein increasing. In the 33.01% CP group, plasma triglyceride (TG) content was significantly higher (1.67 mmol/L) than that in other dietary treatments (0.65–1.14 mmol/L). The lowest alanine transaminase (ALT) activity was observed in the 56.10% CP group (163.16 U/L). Crude lipid content in the muscle and liver was significantly elevated with increasing dietary protein levels (p < .05). The glycogen content in the liver decreased significantly as CP levels increased (p < .05). The fish fed diet with higher CP level (56.10% and 63.09%) had significantly higher energy retention (ER) and lipid retention (LR) than other treatments. Based on the broken-line regression analysis of SGR and FCR, the optimal dietary protein requirement for juvenile kelp grouper is 54.61%–56.22%.

Effects of dietary energy and crude protein levels on growth performance, blood profiles, and carcass traits in growing-finishing pigs.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary energy and crude protein (CP) levels on growth performance, blood profiles, and carcass traits in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 180 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) with an average body weight of 30.96 ± 3.068 kg were used for a 12-week feeding trial. Experimental pigs were allotted to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement using a randomized complete block (RCB) design. The first factor was two levels of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) density (13.40 MJ/kg or 13.82 MJ/kg), and the second factor was three dietary CP levels based on subdivision of growing-finishing phases (high: 18%/16.3%/16.3%/13.2% middle: 17%/15.3%/15.3%/12.2% and low: 16%/14.3%/14.3%/11.2%). Average daily gain (ADG) and gain-feed ratio (G:F ratio) decreased as dietary CP level was decreased linearly (linear, p < 0.05; p < 0.05, respectively) in the early growing period, and G:F ration also decreased as dietary CP level was decreased linearly (linearly, p < 0.05) over the whole growing phase. Over the entire experimental period, G:F ratio decreased as dietary ME level decreased (p = 0.01). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was increased as dietary energy level decreased in growing period (p < 0.01). During finishing period, total protein concentration was decreased by lower dietary energy level (p < 0.05). In this study, there were no significant differences in proximate factors, physiochemical properties, muscle TBARS assay results, pH changes, or color of pork by dietary treatments. However, saturated fatty acid (SFA) increased (p < 0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) decreased (p < 0.05) when ME was decreased by 0.42 MJ/kg in growing-finishing pig diets. In addition, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) tended to increase when CP level was decreased in growing-finishing pig diets (p = 0.06). A growing-finishing diet of 13.82 MJ/kg diet of ME with the high CP level can improve growth performance and show better fatty acids composition of pork.

Impact of point-of-care blood gas analysis on critical results in the nephrology service of a third-level hospital

Reindeer diets are highly influenced by seasonal availability of forage plants and their nutritive value. This study investigated the use and chemical composition of winter and spring forage plants consumed by semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) grazing on natural pastures in Northern Finland. Reindeer diet composition was determined by microhistological analysis of faeces collected during winter and spring. Terrestrial lichen species (mainly Cladonia sp.) dominated the winter and spring diet of reindeer, as well as various dwarf shrub species. A seasonal shift occurred in the diet, with proportion of lichen which corresponded with an increase in graminoids as spring progressed, reflecting reindeer adaptations to seasonal fluctuations of forage quality and availability. Chemical composition of forage plants showed that terrestrial lichen had high levels of hemicellulose, while arboreal lichen had relatively high nitrogen levels. In contrast, new growth of birch leaf, graminoids and dwarf shrub had high levels of crude protein, ether extract and minerals. The observed diet composition and its chemical content reflect high seasonal variability in the availability and intake of nutrients to which reindeer have adapted.

Dietary protein quality and proper protein to energy ratios: a bioeconomic approach in aquaculture feeding practices

Supplementing high levels of dietary crude protein in the absence of amino acid balance and enough energy in fish diets may results in reduced growth, improper feed intake and poor protein utilization efficiency coupled with unviable feed costs and adverse environmental effects due to high nitrogen excretion. It is necessary to improve the dietary protein quality to avoid unnecessary nitrogen excretion, and the use of protein as an energy source by fish, quality and determine proper dietary protein to energy (DP:DE) ratios in order to maximize protein utilization efficiency. It will help the aquaculture sector to obtain better growth response at a low-cost and without any adverse environmental effects. In the present article, we have deliberated in detail the previous and ongoing researches about protein research in fish nutrition. Besides, we have made a comparison between two so far commonly used methods in protein research, i.e ., the graded supplementation and diet-dilution technique. According to the data presented here, is focusing on the formulation of balanced diets, the diet-dilution technique seems to be more accurate than the graded supplementation method. Thus, future studies should be focused on the use of diet-dilution technique along with proper dietary protein to energy ratios in order to formulate well-balanced diets. These attempts will significantly improve the protein and energy research in aquaculture nutrition. Moreover, feed industries will become able to formulate biologically balanced and environment-friendly diets at a low cost.

Chemical and Nutritional Evaluation of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Seed Proteins

Chemical and nutritional properties of pumpkin (Curcubita pepo) seed proteins were studied. The seed was processed into defatted flour (CPF) which was further processed into Curcubita protein concentrate (CPC) and Curcubita protein isolate (CPI) by alkaline water/isoelectric precipitation. Chemical properties of the protein products were determined using standard methods of analysis. The amino acid profile was determined by an automated Technicon® liquid chromatography system. Protein digestibility was assessed in-vitro (IVPD) using trypsin-pepsin enzyme method while biological values were determined on the basis of their amino acid profile. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was estimated according to a standard proposed regression equation. The seed proteins demonstrated high levels of crude protein (CPC=69.98% and CPI=74.15%), vitamin C (CPC=43.46 and CPI=52.36 mg/ml) and vitamin A (CPC=100.56 and CPI= 63.43 I.U/g) with low levels of thiamin and riboflavin. Both proteins showed low and similar (p&gt;0.05) levels of sodium (0.14-0.18%), calcium (0.86-1.02%), magnesium (0.53-0.58%) and phosphorus (0.09-0.11%). Percentage ratios of essential to total amino acids obtained for CPC and CPI (44.24% and 45.50%, respectively) were greater than 36% which is considered adequate for an ideal protein. Protein biological values obtained for CPC and CPI respectively were: 95% and 53% (chemical score), 2.80 and 1.56 (PER} and 70.10% and 51.28% (essential amino acid index). CPC showed a better digestibility than CPI with IVPD value of 56.88%. Threonine and lysine were the most limiting amino acids in both protein products. All anti-nutrients evaluated were low and below allowable limits. In conclusion pumpkin seed proteins showed good biological values and could be used to improve the quality of other plant proteins or as a possible replacement for animal proteins in conventional foods.

Reproductive characteristics of male and female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed diets with different levels of crude protein during the growth and production phases

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and reproductive performance of male and female Japanese quails fed diets with different levels of crude protein (CP) during the growth (1 to 35 days of age) and production (36 to 96 days) phases. Three hundred one-day-old males, housed in 30 cages (10 birds/cage), and 360 one-day-old females, housed in 10 cages (36 birds/cage), were used in the present study; they were housed as described above until the birds were 35 days of age (growth phase). The treatments tested during this phase included five different levels of dietary CP (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26%), which were reduced by four percentage units for the production phase. During the production phase, the birds were randomly redistributed into 40 laying cages, each with 9 females and 3 males. During all experimental periods, every 3 days, 12 birds of each sex from each CP level were individually weighed, until the birds reached 60 days of age, to estimate the growth parameters using the Gompertz curve. For the production variables, a completely randomized design with five treatments (dietary CP levels) and eight replicates (cages) was used. For the males, there was a linear increase (P<0.05) in the growth maturity rate and a linear reduction (P<0.05) in the maximum growth interval up to the level of 22% CP. A higher weight at growth maturity (P<0.05) was obtained with 18% CP. There was no effect (P>0.05) of CP levels on the semen quality and fertility rate. In females, the highest CP levels (24 and 26%) reduced (P<0.05) the maturity rate and increased (P<0.05) the age of maximum weight gain. The 24% level of CP increased (P<0.05) the weight at maturity, whereas 26% CP reduced (P<0.01) the feed conversion, and the age at first egg, and at 50 and 95% laying; the same CP level increased (P<0.01) the egg mass and egg density. The highest intensity of laying at 47 days of age was obtained (P<0.01) with either 24 or 26% CP. Egg weight was only reduced (P<0.01) when 18% CP was used. The internal quality of the egg was not influenced (P>0.05) by the dietary CP levels. Dietary CP levels influence the overall growth and development of both male and female quails; however, reproductive traits are only affected in females. For both sexes, 26 and 22% CP are recommended during the growth production phases, respectively.

Dietary supplementation with Arthrospira platensis in tambatinga (♀Colossoma macropomum × ♂Piaractus brachypomus)

The aim of this study was to evaluate different levels of dietary supplementation with dried Arthrospira platensis meal during the breeding season of the tambatinga hybrid, using zootechnical performance, haematological parameters and percent composition of the fillet, and by measuring the parameters of water quality. Experimental breeding lasted 64 days. The fry, with an initial weight of 3.56 ± 0.02 g, received diets with two levels of supplementation (20 and 40%) and one control (commercial feed, without the addition of A. platensis meal). The water quality parameters over safe limits were total ammonia (NH3), nitrite (NO2-), and nitrate (NO3-), which increased as the level of supplementation increased, but did not cause any mortalities. The best zootechnical results for final weight, weight gain, feed conversion and feed efficiency were obtained with the treatments that included the addition of 20 and 40% meal. The highest levels of crude protein (CP) in the fillets were found in the treatments with added supplement (20 and 40%). For the haematological parameters, the total number of erythrocytes, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, total leukocytes and total plasma protein had higher values for the treatments with added meal, both 20% and 40%, when compared to the control treatment.

Forage production and quality of tropical forage legumes submitted to shading

ABSTRACT: Find shade-tolerant species is essential to the success of silvopastoral systems, increasingly frequent in recent years. In legumes, which have potential of biological nitrogen fixation, there is a great lack of knowledge when in shaded environments.The cultivation of four tropical forage (Neonotonia wightii, Pueraria phaseoloides, Macrotyloma axilare and Arachis pintoi) was evaluated when submitted to artificial shade levels (30, 50 and 70% shade) and in full sun during water and drought seasons. The design used was in randomized complete blocks in a sub-divided plot scheme with four replications. In the Water-season the Forage Peanuts had higher forage production in full sun (11 ton ha-1 DM), and under shade did not differ from Perennial Soybean, higher than the others in all levels of shade. In Drought-season the forage production was 61% lower than in Water-season. The highest crude protein levels were reported in Forage Peanuts, Tropical Kudzu and Perennial Soybean, 19.0; 18.3 and 18.2% respectively in the Water-season. Forage Peanuts is a good option for use in silvopastoral systems although there is a small reduction in forage production (average of 23.7%). In general, species of fabaceae showed a greater reduction in forage production in the period of water deficit; however, shading at levels of 30% to 50% contribute to mitigation of water shortage. Although, there is a small reduction in forage production, withexception of perennial soybeans in dry season, it is advisable to use tropical forage legumes in silvopastoral systems, since forage quality is not affected by shade.

The Benefit of L-Threonine Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Intestinal Morphology and Litter Quality of Broilers.

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary L-Threonine supplementation on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, duodenal histo-morphology and litter analysis. It was hypothesised that the overall broiler performance would be improved in threonine adequate diets with reduced environmental impact when using L-threonine supplementation. A total of 144-sexed Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 dietary treatments. Each treatment was replicated 6 times with 8 birds per replicate (4 male and 4 female). Treatment group 1 served as threonine deficient group, fed with a diet with all limiting amino acids met except threonine as no synthetic form was supplied. Treatment group 2 served as threonine adequate high crude protein, where L-Threonine adequacy was achieved with higher level of crude protein. Treatment group 3 served as L-Threonine adequate but achieved it through L-Threonine supplementation. Treatment effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphology and litter quality were determined. Results compared to group 1 showed that group 3 at the end of the experimental period (28 days) had improved final body weight P < 0.05, live and carcass weights P < 0.01, dressing yields P < 0.05, relative wing weights P < 0.01 and relative heart weights P < 0.05. However, group 2 showed numeric improvement in all aforementioned parameters but not enough to show significance. Litter moisture and nitrogen content was affected by dietary L-Threonine fortification P < 0.05. The lowest moisture and nitrogen content were noticed in group 3. Meanwhile, group 2 showed the highest nitrogen and group 1 showed the highest moisture content among all groups. Intestinal villi length and villus: crypt ratio was affected by dietary treatments P < 0.001 and P < 0.05 respectively. Group 3 showed the highest villus length and villus: crypt ratio followed by group 2 and group 1. In conclusion correcting L-Threonine deficient diet by adding L-Threonine significantly improved live weight gain and carcass characteristics, while numerically improved feed conversion ratio and breast weight. Correcting the deficit by supplying crude protein had no significant effect. Additionally, dietary L-Threonine supplementation reduced environmental burden by reducing both litter nitrogen and moisture content.

Evaluation of the adaptability, productivity, and leaf powder quality of eight Moringa oleifera cultivars introduced to a dry-hot climate of Southwest China

Although Moringa oleifera is a globally recognized multipurpose plant, and its seed-oil has been identified as an industrial source for the manufacture of cosmetic emollient, there is however lack of conclusive data on its performance in China, which is the most northerly latitude of moringa distribution in the world today. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the adaptability, and (ii) evaluate the yield potential of seed-oil and quality characteristics of leaf powder from eight M. oleifera cultivars (‘Mali’ [ML], ‘Kenya’ [KE], ‘USA’ [US], ‘Cuba’ [CU], ‘Bangalore’ [BL], ‘Calcutta’ [CT], ‘Taiwan’ [TW], and ‘Myanmar’ [PO]) in the dry-hot regions of southwest China from 2014 to 2015. Evaluated cultivars showed variations in the studied vegetative and reproductive growth traits i.e. tree height, canopy diameter, and the number of branches producing fruit (NBF), etc. The results showed that the PO cultivar had the highest total number of ripe fruit loads (NRF). Although the plants from the US cultivar had the maximum number of fruit settings (NTF), they produced the smallest NRF/NTF ratio, suggesting that plants from different geographical provenances differed in their adapting to varied environments and a severe physiological fruit drop in the US cultivar. Also, the evaluated cultivars showed differences in the studied fruiting traits and yield components i.e. the number of seeds per fruit pod (NSF), seed weight, seed yield, and seed oil content. Among the plants assessed, M. oleifera from the PO produced significantly higher (P < 0.05) seed and oil yields per hectare, with respective average values of 1025 kg·ha−1 and 321 kg·ha−1 throughout the two evaluation years. In addition, nutrient variability in leaf powder as a fodder resource was analyzed for crude lipid, crude protein, and fibre components contents. There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) between the eight cultivars in the crude fiber, crude lipid, ash or dry matter (DM) contents, but the CT and BL cultivars exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher crude protein levels and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) concentrations. These findings suggested that the best varieties regarding seed oil yield and leaf powder quality may be the PO cultivar from Myanmar, and CT and BL cultivars from India, respectively.

Organic Soybean Meal in Diet for Nile Tilapia

Aiming to assess organic soybean meal (OSM) for Nile tilapia, two studies were carried out: Study I - digestibility of OSM compared to conventional soybean meal (CSM) for Nile tilapia; and Study II - effect of OSM and CSM, supplemented or not with fish meal (FM) on the performance of Nile tilapia fingerlings. The apparent digestibility coefficients of the protein were 88.24 and 88.10%, resulting in 39.91 and 39.87% digestible protein for OSM and CSM, respectively. The apparent digestibility coefficients of energy were 75.92 and 70.48%, resulting in 3579.46 and 3141.44 kcal kg-1 of digestible energy for OSM and CSM, respectively. The diet containing CSM+FM presented the best results for final weight and weight gain. However, the highest levels of crude protein in the fish carcass were observed in the animals fed with the OSM + FM diet. The OSM diet presented the best results for total protein and albumin in the blood. The OSM diet has good apparent digestibility coefficients and its use in tilapia feeding presents a satisfactory productive performance and a higher deposition of protein in the carcass when supplemented with 20% of fish meal.

Effects of dietary protein levels and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids on nitrogen mobilization, rumen microbiota and plasma fatty acid composition in Holstein bulls

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of dietary crude protein (CP) levels and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (CSFA) on the nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen deposition, rumen fermentation characteristic and microbiota, plasma biochemical indexes and fatty acid composition in the Holstein bulls. Eight Holstein bulls was used in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design with 2 × 2 factorial diets, including two levels of CP (133 or 112 g/kg dry matter), and with or without 2.32 g/kg CSFA. The high CP level diets increased the CP intake and the CP apparent digestibility and the urinary nitrogen excretion (P = 0.001). Dietary supplementation with CSFA promoted the apparent digestibility of organic matter (P = 0.012). The diets of CSFA and high CP level raised the rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration (P = 0.009), and enhanced the isovalerate and valerate concentrations, respectively. The high CP diets improved the abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens (P = 0.037) and Megasphaera elsdenii (P = 0.023), while the CSFA reduced the abundance of methanogens (P = 0.047). High CP increased urea concentration (P = 0.008). Dietary supplementation with CSFA increased the cholesterol and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in the plasma, and the proportion of C16:0, C18:1n9c and Δ9 desaturase C18, while it reduced the ratio of C21:1 and C22:0. The low CP diets reduced the protein waste and environmental pollution in the final stage of fattening Holstein bulls. Further study needs to be done to investigate the effect of CSFA on the CH4 emission in terms of microbial mechanism in the rumen.

Paeonia veitchii seeds as a promising high potential by-product: Proximate composition, phytochemical components, bioactivity evaluation and potential applications

To assess the application value of the seeds of the traditional medicine Chishao (Radix Paeonia Rubra, the root of Paeonia veitchii Lynch), the thousand seed weight, oil and kernel contents of the seeds, composition and contents of the main fatty acids, the physical and chemical characteristics of the seeds oil, and proximate composition and phytochemical components of the seeds shell and seeds oil residue were evaluated in this study. In addition, bioactivities such as antitumour and antimicrobial activity of the oligostilbene compound from P. veitchii seeds shell, and the inhibitory activities of the monoterpene glycoside compounds in P. veitchii seeds oil residue were also evaluated using different in vitro biochemical assays. The results showed that the seeds of P. veitchii had high oil content, and the seeds oil was characterized by very high levels of unsaturated fatty acids. The seeds shell contained large amounts of cellulose, lignin, and oligostilbene compounds, and high levels of monoterpene glycosides and crude protein were found in the P. veitchii seeds oil residue. The results of the biological tests showed that total oligostilbene compounds from P. veitchii seeds shell had antibacterial activity and moderate anticancer effects in vitro, and the total monoterpene glycoside compounds in P. veitchii showed strong inhibitory activities against NO production. As a medical plant and industrial crop with broad prospects, P. veitchii can be planted in most regions of China. In the past, it was planted solely because of the medical use of the roots. The above proximate and phytochemical profile, and bioactivity results show that the seeds of P. veitchii have high utilization value with potential in the development of value-added products, representing another valuable part of P. veitchii in the near future.

Effects of different levels of sweet potato in feeds on body composition and digestive enzymes activities of Apostichopus japonicas Selenka

The aim of this study was to test the effects of including sweet potato tuber and stem powder in feed on the body composition and digestive enzyme activities of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicas Selenka. Different proportions of sweet potato tuber and stem powders (from 10% to 50%) were added into compound feeds, which were supplied to A. japonicas during a 60-day experiment. The results showed that the two sweet potato ingredients had different effects on the nutrient contents of the sea cucumber body wall. The group supplied with feed containing 20% sweet potato tuber powder (T2) had the highest level of crude protein in body walls ( P 0.05). In all the groups fed with powdered sweet potato tubers (T groups), the proportions of glutamic acid and lysine in body walls were higher than those in the control, whereas the proportion of methionine decreased slightly. Different proportions of sweet potato ingredients in compound feeds also affected digestive enzyme activities in the sea cucumbers. The activities of protease and lipase first increased and then gradually decreased with increasing proportions of sweet potato materials in the feed. The highest protease activity was in the T2 and the group and the highest lipase activity was in the 10% sweet potato stem (S1) group. These results show that feed components can stimulate digestive enzyme activities in sea cucumber, and that the proportions of tubers and stems of sweet potato in feed can be adjusted to improve the digestion and growth of A. japonicas in marine farms.

Effects of dietary energy and crude protein levels on growth performance, blood profiles, and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs.

ObjectiveThis experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of reducing dietary metabolic energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) levels on growth performance, blood profiles, and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs.MethodsA total of 240 crossbred pigs (Duroc×[Landrace×Yorkshire]) with an average body weight of 8.67±1.13 kg were used for a 6-week feeding trial. Experimental pigs were allotted to a 2×3 factorial arrangement using a randomized complete block design. The first factor was two levels of dietary ME density (low ME level, 13.40 MJ/kg or high ME level, 13.82 MJ/kg) and the second factor was three dietary CP levels based on subdivision of early and late weaning phases (low CP level, 19.7%/16.9%; middle CP level, 21.7%/18.9%; or high CP level, 23.7%/20.9%).ResultsOver the entire experimental period, there were no significant difference in body weight among groups, but a decrease in diet energy level was associated with an increase in average daily feed intake (p = 0.02) and decrease in gain-feed ratio (G:F) ratio (p<0.01). Decreased CP levels in the diet were associated with a linear increase in average daily gain (p< 0.05) and quadratic increase in G:F ratio (p<0.05). In the early weaning period, blood urea nitrogen concentration tended to increase when ME in the diet decreased and decrease when CP level in the diet decreased (p = 0.09, p<0.01, respectively). Total protein concentration tended to increase when CP level was reduced (p = 0.08). In the late weaning period, blood urea nitrogen concentration decreased linearly as CP level decreased (p<0.01). The CP and crude fat digestibility decreased when ME was decreased by 0.42 MJ/kg (p = 0.05, p = 0.01, respectively). The CP digestibility increased linearly as CP level decreased (p = 0.01).ConclusionA weaning pig diet containing high ME level (13.82 MJ/kg) and low CP level (19.7%/16.9%) can improve pig growth performance and nutrient digestibility.

Effect of condensed tannins from Birdsfoot trefoil and dietary protein level on growth performance, carcass composition and meat quality of ram lambs

The study aimed to evaluate the interaction between dietary crude protein (CP) and condensed tannins (CT) on the growth performance, carcass composition and meat quality of ram lambs. Twenty-four White Alpine lambs were fed a basal diet consisting of 56% birdsfoot trefoil (BT) silage and 44% hay (67.1% grasses, 4.3% legumes and 28.6% herbs). In addition, lambs were offered either a barley concentrate to reach the predicted protein requirements (BP) or a barley and soybean meal concentrate to extend the CP level 20% above the requirements (HP). The diets were either untreated (BP−; HP−) or treated (BP+; HP+) with the CT-binding polyethylene glycol (PEG). Lambs fed HP− and HP+ diets had greater (P < 0.001) average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) than lambs fed BP− and BP+ diets. Consequently, slaughter weight and cold carcass weight were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in HP− and HP+ groups. Despite similar slaughter weight, lambs fed BP− and HP− diets had lower (P < 0.05) cold carcass weight compared to lambs fed BP+ and HP+ diets. The skatole concentrations in the perirenal fat were not affected by the dietary treatments. The observed interaction between CP level and CT concentration resulted in lower (P < 0.05) indole level in perirenal fat of lambs fed the HP− diet, attributed to the greater CT intake. No effects of dietary treatments were detected on the flavour scores of the meat whereas the loin from lambs fed HP− and HP+ diets had lower ‘sheepy’ odour compared with the loin of those fed the BP− and BP+ diets. These findings let us conclude that at elevated intake, CT reduced the indole but not skatole level in the perirenal fat. The lack of effect of BT at basal and high dietary CP level on the other traits investigated might be explained by the rather low CT content.