Higher Levels Of Crude Protein Research Articles

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.

Survival of purebred and hybrid Serrasalmidae under low water temperature conditions

The aim of the study was to evaluate the survival of Serrasalmidaes fish, pure and hybrid, during periods of low temperature. The experiment was carried out from June to August 2016 (51 days) in an aquaculture station of São Paulo Agribusiness Technology Agency, Brazil. A diallel crossbreeding between pacu and tambaqui was performed by artificial reproduction, generating four genetic groups: pacu (♂ pacu × ♀ pacu), tambaqui (♂ tambaqui × ♀ tambaqui), paqui (♂ tambaqui × ♀ pacu), and tambacu (♂ pacu × ♀ tambaqui). Fish were distributed in 24 experimental plots (110 fingerlings of each groups per plot) and were fed twice daily with commercial diets containing three different levels of crude protein (CP): 24%, 28% and 32%. When the water temperature showed successive decreases due to the environmental climatic conditions, the ponds were monitored daily to record the mortality. The data on number of days of life of animals were submitted to Cox multivariate regression analysis to test the effects of the genetic group, CP levels and the interaction between the two factors. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were adjusted for factors that had a significant effect on the Cox regression analysis. The pacu group presented higher survival than other groups, regardless of the CP level in the diet. The tambaqui and paqui groups were more susceptible to environmental conditions, especially when fed a diet containing a higher level of CP. Overall, purebred pacu presented greater adaptation to the production conditions in the region where the experiment was carried out. However, if the aim is the production of hybrid fish, crosses between pacu males and tambaqui females (Tambacu) generate fish that are resistant to low temperatures.

English

Soybean germplasms were assessed for bioavailable zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), vitamin A and crude protein using standard methods. Thirty soybean germplasms were investigated. Results were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and showed statistically significant differences in their Zn, Fe and vitamin A concentrations, as well as in crude protein content (P &lt; 0.05). The Zn content ranged from 5.74 &plusmn; 0.04 to 18.15 &plusmn; 0.05 mg/100 g. TGX 1987-62F had the highest amount of Zn (18.15 &plusmn; 0.05 mg/100 g), while TGX 1485-1D had the least Zn concentration (5.74 &plusmn; 0.04 mg/100 g). The concentration of the Fe ranged from 6.65 &plusmn; 0.05 to 11.58 &plusmn; 0.05 mg/100 g with TGX 1987-62F showing the highest (11.58 &plusmn; 0.05 mg/100 g) and TGX 1987-10F the least (6.65 &plusmn; 0.04 mg/100 g) Fe concentrations. Investigation of the vitamin A content showed that TGX 1951-4F had the highest (8.83 &plusmn; 0.03 mg/L), while TGX 1989-53F had the least (2.48 &plusmn; 0.01 mg/L) vitamin A levels. Crude protein content ranged from 35.40 &plusmn; 0.09 to 57.92 &plusmn; 0.02%. TGX 1989-11F (57.92 &plusmn; 0.02%) showed the highest crude protein content, while TGX 1990-55F showed the least crude protein content (35.40 &plusmn; 0.09%). The germplasm TGX 1987-62F consistently showed high levels of crude protein, Zn and Fe concentrations, but moderate levels of vitamin A, whereas TGX 1989-11F and TGX 1951-4F had the highest levels of crude protein and vitamin A, respectively. No direct correlation with earlier observed genetic and morphological variabilities were observed in terms of bioavailable Fe and Zn, vitamin A and crude protein levels in these soybean germplasms. These genotypes can be widely used in the food industry for the commercial production of high quality protein diet for both human and animal consumption, and can be recommended as good sources of the micronutrients Fe, Zn and vitamin A. &nbsp; Key words: Soybean, diversity, micronutrients, crude protein, iron, zinc, vitamin A. &nbsp

Agricultural answers and chemical composition of Massai grass under different nitrogen doses and urea sources

Under the hypothesis that modifying nitrogen sources and doses could increase nitrogen fertilization efficiency and productivity and improve forage quality, this study aimed to evaluate the morphological composition, structural characteristics and chemical composition of Panicum maximum cv. Massai forage cultivated under different urea sources (common and coated with Policote®) and nitrogen doses (200, 400 and 600 kg ha-1 year-1) during the autumn, winter and spring of 2014 and the summer and autumn of 2015. The experiment was carried out in Seropédica, RJ, under a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement (3x2) + 1 with four replications. High nitrogen rates promoted higher percentages of leaf blade dry mass and lower percentages of dead material dry mass in the forage mass and provided higher tiller population density and forage accumulation rate of Massai grass during the studied seasons. The use of coated urea promoted higher levels of crude protein in the forage than did the use of common urea in all seasons. The intensification of nitrogen fertilization reduced the nitrogen use efficiency but benefitted the structural characteristics, forage accumulation and chemical composition of Massai grass forage. The use of coated urea promoted greater of nitrogen use efficiency during all seasons of the year.

Urochloa decumbens grown with different Eucalyptus clones in an integrated crop-livestock-forest system

The objective of this study is to evaluate the forage mass, chemical composition, mineral content, and mineral absorption in signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) grown with different eucalypt clones in an integrated crop-livestock-forest (iCLF) system. The split-split-plot scheme included three replicates arranged in a completely randomized block design. The eucalyptus clones GG 100 and I 144 (Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla) and VM 58 (Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis) were distributed in the plots. The split plots corresponded to the growth ages of signal grass (10, 17, 24, 31, 38, 45, and 52 days after corn harvest for silage). The split-split plots corresponded to two sampling sites: center of the inter-row and soil under the Eucalyptus canopy. The Eucalyptus clones did not affect the forage mass of the grass. Forage mass was increased linearly as the grass matured and was more readily available in the center of the inter-row than under the tree canopy. The grass grown with clone I 144 presented better chemical composition, with higher levels of crude protein and phosphorus and lower levels of neutral detergent fiber. The Eucalyptus clones did not significantly affect mineral absorption. However, the Eucalyptus clones, grass age, and sampling sites significantly changed potassium absorption. It is concluded that the forage mass of signal grass is suitable for use in grazing at 38 to 52 days after corn harvest in the iCLF system in the autumn season in the Midwest region of Minas Gerais, without compromising the chemical composition of the grass.

Desempenho zootécnico e composição quí­­mica de pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) alimentados com óleos vegetais e ácido alfa-lipoico

Aquaponia e sistema de bioflocos possuem vantagens quando comparados com sistemas convencionais de produção de alimentos, mas estudos que associam esses sistemas são incipientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desenvolvimento de Lactuca sativa em sistemas hidropônicos e aquapônicos (com Rhamdia quelen) com ou sem bioflocos e utilizando mí­­nima infraestrutura. Hidroponia (H-system), aquaponia (Aqua) e aquaponia com bioflocos (Aqua-BF) foram avaliados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. A alface e os peixes foram produzidos juntos em uma única caixa, sem o uso de estufa. Foram utilizadas 20 plantas m-2. Um total de 168 juvenis de jundiás foi utilizado para Aqua e Aqua-BF. Amônia total, nitrito e turbidez da água foram maiores para Aqua-BF que para H-system e Aqua. A produção de alface foi significativamente maior em Aqua e Aqua-BF do que em H-system. Não houve diferenças entre Aqua e Aqua-BF para produção de alface e desempenho dos peixes. Sob as condições deste estudo, foi possí­­vel concluir que o jundiá pode ser usado em sistemas aquapônicos com ou sem bioflocos e que ambos os sistemas podem melhorar a produção de alface. O uso de Aqua-BF pode melhorar a produtividade, mas precisa-se de um melhor estudo para otimizar e simplificar o uso desta tecnologia.

Moringa oleifera: an alternative forage of multiple uses for the Brazilian semiarid

Moringa oleifera is a medium-sized, fast-growing tree species native to India, which adapts to a wide range of soils and is tolerant to drought. Its importance for human and animal food is due to its nutritive characteristics, having high levels of crude protein, vitamins, minerals and insignificant amounts of antinutritional factors in its leaves. Furthermore, this plant has several other uses that are popularly recognized and corroborated by the scientific community, such as medicinal application, treatment of turbid waters, oil production and live fencing. Due to its climate adaptability, forage potential and various uses, moringa has been shown to be a viable alternative to be used in the Brazilian semiarid. Notwithstanding, there is still little research leading to better information on the use of this plant in the semiarid region and that can subsidize breeders and researchers for its propagation. This review was elaborated with the aim of discussing information to improve the use of Moringa oleifera as an alterna­tive forage of multiple uses for the Brazilian semiarid.

Enteric methane in grazing beef cattle under full sun, and in a silvopastoral system in the Amazon

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of pasture and enteric methane (CH4) emission of Curraleiro Pé-duro x Nellore cattle in a pasture of Megathyrsus maximus 'Mombaça', both in full sun and in a consortium with babassu palms (Attalea spp.) in the Amazonian biome. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six steers per system, and the evaluations were done during the dry period (2015) and rainy period (2016). In comparison to forage in the full sun system, forage in the silvopastoral system showed, in the dry period, higher levels of crude protein, ether extract, total digestible nutrient, and in vitro digestible organic matter, and lower levels of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and total carbohydrate (TCHO). In the rainy period, forage in the silvopastoral system showed higher levels of crude protein and a reduction of nonfibrous carbohydrate and TCHO. The CH4 emissions were similar in both systems within the same period, and ranged from 44.0 to 74.2 kg per year per animal. During the dry period, the emission per kilogram of dry ingested matter and the loss of gross energy as methane were lower in the silvopastoral system. During the rainy period, the emissions were similar in both systems. The silvopastoral system yields forage with good quality in the dry period, and considering both periods, it is more efficient (emission of CH4 per daily weight gain) than the system in full sun.

Lowering Chitin Content of Cricket (Gryllus assimilis) Through Exoskeleton Removal and Chemical Extraction and its Utilization as a Ruminant Feed in vitro.

Cricket contains high crude protein level but it also contains considerable amount of chitin that may impede nutrient digestion and decrease production performance of animal. This experiment aimed to decrease chitin content of cricket (C) through exoskeleton removal (CER) or by chemical extraction (CCE). Nutritional evaluation of cricket was performed in two experiments. In experiment 1, three forms of cricket were prepared, i.e., C, CER and CCE. These were subjected to chemical composition determination and in vitro rumen fermentation incubation as individual substrates. In experiment 2, C and CER were included in concentrate rations at different proportions to substitute soybean meal (SBM), i.e., R1 (concentrate containing 30% SBM), R2 (50% SBM was substituted by C), R3 (100% SBM was replaced by C) and R4 (100% SBM was replaced by CER). The concentrates were then evaluated in vitro for their rumen fermentation and digestibility characteristics. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and Duncan's test. Cricket was high in crude protein(CP), ether extract (EE) and chitin contents. Removal of exoskeleton decreased CP and chitin contents of cricket. Chemical extraction of cricket increased its CP and completely removed its chitin. Main fatty acids observed in cricket were linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid and the composition was unaltered due to exoskeleton removal or chemical extraction. Cricket was relatively highly digestible and exoskeleton removal and chemical extraction did not further improve in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of cricket. The R1 and R2 revealed similar IVDMD and IVOMD, but R3 and R4 resulted in lower values for both parameters than those of R1 and R2 (p<0.05). Exoskeleton removal or chemical extraction effectively reduced chitin content of cricket and the insect may be used to substitute SBM up to 50% in concentrate for ruminant.

Nitrogen Sources and Rates Effect on Yield, Nutritional Status, and Yield Components of Sunflower

ABSTRACTDue to the high levels of crude protein in the achene, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the main oilseeds grown worldwide, particularly for the oil and meal production for animal feed. Despite these advantages, there are few studies on nutrient use efficiency under tropical conditions, especially nitrogen (N). The experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions to evaluate the effects of N sources and rates on sunflower achene yield (AY), yield and physiological components, and nutritional status of sunflower. The five N sources (calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2), potassium nitrate (KNO3), ammonium nitrate (NO3NH4), ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), and urea (CO(NH2)2)), and four N rates (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg−1) were studied. AY was reduced with the ammonia sources application from the 100 mg N kg−1. Plant height and capitulum dry weight (CDW), capitulum diameter, shoot dry weight (SDW), and chlorophyll content were significantly related with N sources and rates. Except for potassium (K), the N rates changed the N, P, Ca, Mg, and S concentration in the leaves and N concentration in achene. In the comparison of sources, on the average of N rates, urea application was more effective than the other N fertilizers in the AY.

Biochemical profile and in vitro neuroprotective properties of Carpobrotus edulis L., a medicinal and edible halophyte native to the coast of South Africa

This work reports the nutritional profile and in vitro neuroprotective properties of leaves of Carpobrotus edulis L., a medicinal and edible succulent species native to the coast of South Africa. Biomass was evaluated for proximate composition and for contents in carotenoids, liposoluble pigments and minerals. Hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction from dried biomass and evaluated for in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), capacity to attenuate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced injury in the human dopaminergic cell line SH-SY5Y and for anti-neuroinflammatory potential on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia cells. Extracts were evaluated for antioxidant activity by four complementary methods, total content of phenolics, tannins and flavonoids. Finally the profile of the main phenolic compounds was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). C. edulis has a high moisture content, high levels of crude protein, fibre, ash, carotenoids, calcium and iron and a low fat level. The extracts were able to efficiently scavenge the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reduce iron and chelate copper and iron ions, and exhibited different levels of phenolic compounds in the order ethyl acetate>methanol>dichloromethane>hexane. The main compounds detected were gallic and salicylic acids and quercetin, all in the ethyl acetate extract. The extracts allowed a dual and potent inhibition of AChE and BuChE. The dichloromethane and methanol extracts had the strongest capacity to prevent cell death induced by H2O2, and the methanol extract had anti-neuronflammatory properties. All together our results suggest that consumption of leaves of C. edulis can contribute for a balanced diet, and that they may add to the improvement of cognitive functions. It also suggests possible novel biotechnological applications of C. edulis such as source of molecules and/or products for the food and/or pharmaceutical industries. Studies aiming to the isolation and identification of the bioactive compounds are already in progress.

Effects of rumen undegradable protein supplementation on productive performance and indicators of protein and energy metabolism in Holstein fresh cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding increased dietary crude protein (CP) on productive performance and indicators of protein and energy metabolism during 21 d postpartum. Thirty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were balanced by previous lactation milk yield, body condition score (BCS) at calving, and parity and randomly allocated to 1 of 3 dietary treatments from calving until 21 d postpartum. Dietary treatments were 16.0% CP with 5.0% rumen undegradable protein (RUP) based on dry matter (DM) (16CP), 18.7% CP with 7.0% RUP based on DM (19CP), and 21.4% CP with 9.0% RUP based on DM (21CP). Diets were similar in net energy for lactation (approximately 1.7 Mcal/kg of DM) and CP levels were increased with corn gluten meal and fish meal. Dry matter intake (DMI) was increased by increasing dietary CP levels from 16.0 to 19.0% of DM, but dietary CP beyond 19.0% had no effect on DMI. Milk yields were 4.7 and 6.5 kg/d greater in cows fed the 19CP and 21CP diets versus those fed the 16CP diet, whereas 4% fat-corrected milk was greater for cows fed the 21CP than the 16CP diet (36.0 vs. 31.4 kg/d). Milk protein content and yield, lactose yield, and milk urea nitrogen were elevated by increased dietary CP. Milk lactose content and fat yield were not different among dietary treatments, but milk fat content tended to decline with increasing content of CP in diets. High CP levels increased milk N secretion but decreased milk N efficiency. Apparent digestibility of DM, CP, and neutral detergent fiber was greater on the 19CP and 21CP diets compared with the 16CP diet. Cows fed the 19CP and 21CP diets lost less body condition relative to those fed the 16CP diet over 21 d postpartum. Feeding higher CP levels increased the concentrations of serum albumin, albumin to globulin ratio, and urea nitrogen and decreased aspartate aminotransferase, nonesterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyrate, but had no effect on globulin, glucose, cholesterol, or triacylglycerol. These findings indicated that elevating dietary CP up to 19.0% of DM using RUP supplements improved DMI, productive performance and the indicators of protein and energy metabolism from calving to 21 d postpartum.

Biochemical Compositions and Biological Activities of Extracts from 3 Species of Korean Pine Needles

Crude extracts of pine needles have long been used as a health-food and for cosmetics. In this study, we determined the biochemical composition and biological activities of extracts from three pine species: red pine (RP, Pinus densiflora S et Z), Keumkang pine (KP, Pinus densiflora for. erecta) and sea pine (SP, Pinus thunbergii). The SP extract had the highest levels of moisture, ash, crude protein, and lipids based on the dry weight. The SP extract also had the highest level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The SP extract had much more β-pinene, β-caryophyllene, and germacrene-D than extracts from the other species. Total phenolic content was the highest in the 100% ethanol extract of SP, and the 50% ethanol extract of SP had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. The SP extract had the greatest antimicrobial effect. These results indicate that SP has the greatest potential as a natural antioxidant resource and raw material for cosmetic-goods.

Fungal Biomass Protein Production from Trichoderma harzianum Using Rice Polishing.

Industrially important enzymes and microbial biomass proteins have been produced from fungi for more than 50 years. High levels of crude protein as much as 45% are present in fungal biomass with balanced essential amino acids. The aim of this study was to access the potential of Trichoderma harzianum to produce fungal biomass protein from rice polishings. Maximum biomass yield was obtained at 5% (w/v) rice polishings after 72 h of incubation at 28°C at pH 4. Carbon and nitrogen ratio of 20 : 1 gave significantly higher production of fungal biomass protein. The FBP in the 75 L fermenter contained 49.50% crude protein, 32.00% true protein, 19.45% crude fiber, 9.62% ash, 11.5% cellulose content, and 0.325% RNA content. The profile of amino acids of final FBP exhibited that all essential amino acids were present in great quantities. The FBP produced by this fungus has been shown to be of good nutritional value for supplementation to poultry. The results presented in this study have practical implications in that the fungus T. harzianum could be used successfully to produce fungal biomass protein using rice polishings.

Protein fractions of intercropped pea and oat for ruminant nutrition

The quantification of the main crude protein (CP) fractions during the growing period of pea and oat mixtures may be used to optimize the forage management. The determination of protein fraction could improve balancing rations for ruminants. The first factor (A) is ratio of germinated seed in mixtures. The pea and oat were tested at two different mixture rates: A1 ? 50% pea + 50% oat and A2 ? 75% pea + 25% oat. The second factor (B) is a cutting time in three stages of growth: B1 ? a cutting of biomass at the start of flowering pea (10% of flowering), B2 ? a cutting of biomass at forming the first pods on 2/3 plants of pea, and B3 ? cutting of biomass at forming green seeds in 2/3 pods. Stage of growth and pea-oat ratio in mixtures are significantly related to the change in the quality and chemical composition of biomass. The highest level of crude protein was obtained in pea at flowering stage (184.85 g kg-1 dry matter (DM)). The high level of easily soluble protein and non-protein nitrogen compounds (over 50%) represent specific characteristics of the mixture. Unavailable fraction PC increased with plant maturation from 75.65 to 95.05 g kg-1 of CP.

Effects of dietary protein level on growth performance and nitrogen excretion of dairy heifers.

ObjectiveProtein supplementation is costly and can result in excess nitrogen (N) excretion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of dietary protein on average daily gain, body size, rumen fermentation, and nitrogen excretion of 8 to 10 month-old Holstein heifers.MethodsThirty-six Holstein heifers were divided into 12 blocks according to age (273±6.2 d) and were randomly assigned to diets containing a low (10.2% dry matter [DM]), medium (11.9% DM), or high (13.5% DM) level of dietary crude protein (CP). All diets contained approximately 70% roughage and 30% concentrate with similar dietary metabolizable energy (ME) content (2.47 Mcal/kg).ResultsDry matter intake did not differ among the treatments, and average daily gain increased with the increasing dietary protein, 0.79, 0.95, 0.97 kg/d for low, medium, and high group, respectively. Body height increased linearly with increasing dietary CP but no other significant differences in body dimensions were found among the treatments. The increased ratios of dietary CP improved the rate of rear teat length growth remarkably (p<0.05). There was no difference in rumen pH or ruminal major volatile fatty acid (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) concentration among the 3 diets, but rumen ammonia-N concentration increased with the higher dietary CP (p<0.05). Increasing N intake led to increased total N excretion; urinary N excretion was significantly increased (p<0.05) but fecal N excretion was similar among the treatments.ConclusionThese data suggest that the diet containing 11.9% CP (ME 2.47 Mcal/kg) could meet the maintenance and growth requirements of 9 to 11 month-old Holstein heifers gaining approximately 0.9 kg/d.

&lt;b&gt;The effects of protein, amino acid, and dietary electrolyte balance on broiler chicken performance and blood parameters under heat stress

The effect of crude protein (CP), amino acid (AA), and dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) were evaluated on blood parameters, carcass traits, and broiler performance under heat stress (29-34°C). A total of 540 male chickens (Ross 308) were allocated to 12 diets with factorial arrangement 2 × 2 × 3, using a completely randomized design with three replicates of 15 chickens in grower (13 to 26 days) and finisher (27 to 42 days) periods. and 120, 220, and 320 mEq kg-1 DEB. The level of 21% CP increased body weight gain (BWG) and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) at grower period (p &lt; 0.05). In contrast, 20% CP level decreased BWG and increased FCR at finisher period (p &lt; 0.05). Further, 20% CP level reduced blood sodium and blood electrolyte balance (p &lt; 0.05). The highest blood electrolyte balance was achieved by DEB 320 mEq kg-1 diet (p &lt; 0.05). Broiler response to DEB in heat stress depended on the age of bird, length of exposure to high temperature and CP level of the diet. Under heat stress (29-34°C), the 21% CP level at grower period and 17% CP level at finisher period improved broiler BWG and FCR.

Nutritional value of baled rice straw for ruminant feed

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of cultivation and hay making factors on chemical composition, protein fractionation, and digestibility in rice straw, as well as to identify the chemical fractions that contribute to the variation in its nutritional value for ruminants. Statistical procedures were performed in a model that included rice crop cycle, sowing season, baling season, soil classification, fertilizer application, and productivity (kg/ha) as fixed effects and the hay bale as random effect. Chemical composition, protein fractionation, and digestibility data were subjected to multivariate analyses including factor, cluster, and discriminant. Considering the cultivation and haymaking factors, development cycle, baling season, and grain production explained the most variation in the rice straw nutritional value. Straws derived from early maturing cultivars showed the lowest levels of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen, and C nitrogen fraction in comparison with straw originating from mid cycle cultivars. Rice straw from more productive cultivars had lower levels of lignin and C fraction as well as higher levels of crude protein and B3 fraction compared with straws from less productive cultivars. However, the main variation in the nutritional value between the samples of rice straw was related to the baling season. The bailing seasons were grouped in two clusters. Straws with better nutritional value were those with lower levels of cell wall fractions, from more productive crops, with early development cycle and baled until March. Rice crop cycle, baling season, and grain production effects explain the variation in the nutritional value of rice straws. Straws with better nutritional value have lower levels of fractions related to secondary cell wall and lignification.