In Vitro Gas Production Research Articles

Chemical composition, secondary metabolites, in vitro gas production characteristics and acceptability study of some forage for ruminant feeding in South-Western Nigeria

Studies were conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of eight selected forages (Tridax procumbens, Merremia aegyptia, Aspilia africana, Tithonia diversifolia, Alchornea cordifolia, Alchornea laxiflora, Synedrella nodiflora, and Newbouldia laevis) consumed by ruminants in South-Western Nigeria. Chemical composition and qualitative analysis of saponins, phenol and steroids of the plants were determined. In vitro gas production (IVGP) was carried out for 72 hours on the plants. Metabolizable energy (ME), Organic matter digestibility (OMD) and Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were predicted and methane (CH4) was measured. Five of the plants were subjected to acceptability study using cafeteria method. The result of the chemical composition revealed that M. aegyptia had the highest value of CP (22.09 %) while Tridax procumbens had the lowest (10.50 %). A. africana had the highest content of Calcium, Phosphorus and Zinc with values of 3.10 %, 0.93 % and 39 ppm respectively. The analysis of secondary metabolites showed that A. africana, T. diversifolia and S. nodiflora were high in saponin while A. cordifolia, A. laxiflora, T. diversifolia and A. africana were implicated for condensed Tannin. N. laevis recorded a high level of steroids. Results showed significant variations in the values of IVGP, ME, OMD, SCFA and CH4 obtained for the plants. The order of preference of the plants by the calves were M. aegyptia>A. cordifolia > N. laevis > A. axiflora> T. diversifolia. The study revealed that the forages are rich in crude protein as well as micro and macro minerals. They are also rich in highly fermentable carbohydrates which affirm them as ruminant feed resource.

Evaluation of nutrient content andin Vitrogas fermentation of some crop residues as feed supplements for ruminants

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of Yam peel (YP), Maize chaff (MC) and Rice straw (RS). Evaluation of the nutrient and anti-nutrient content of the crop residues involved determination of the proximate, mineral and phytochemical contents of YP, MC and RS. In vitro gas production (IVGP) of crop residues was carried out over a period of 24 hr incubation to predict Metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Methane (CH4) wasmeasured by introducing 10 M NaOH into the inoculums after incubation. Result revealed significant (p<0.05) differences in the values of the proximate composition. The dry matter ranged between 85.55 and 92.18 g/100 g in YP and MC respectively. The highest crude protein (5.01 g/100 g) was obtained in MC, while the lowest (4.00 g/100 g) was recorded for YP. The crude fibre ranged between 25.05 g/100g and 41.49 g/100g (YP). The mineral content of YP, MC and RS were not significantly different from each other, but within acceptable limit for optimum metabolism. YP, MC and RS were implicated for anti-nutrients, though no significant. The IVGP varied significantly (p< 0.05) with the MC recording the highest (30.10ml) value, while the lowest (23.96ml) value was obtained in YP. Same trend was observed for ME, OMD, SCFA and CH4ranging from 5.32–11.12 MJ/Kg DM; 35.13 –64.14 %; 0.50-1.12 μmol and 9.05 –11.00ml respectively.It can be concluded that YP, MC and RShas potential in livestock nutrition. Also the problem associated with disposal of crop residues can be conveniently reduced by incorporating them into ruminant feed.

175 The Suitability of Autoclave and Pressure Cooker Washing Methods in Comparison to ANKOM200 to Determine Neutral Detergent Fiber Using Different Feedstuffs and Washing Solutions

Abstract The use of the in vitro gas production (IVGP) technique requires accurate determination of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) residue. However, the NDF determination using standard procedures are not always feasible for IVGP; thus requiring micro-NDF methods, which need autoclave (AC) and pressure cooker (PC) to boil the solution. A complete randomized design using a 3×3 factorial arrangement was implemented to investigate the effect of washing methods (WM: AC, PC, or ANKOM200) and solution ratios (WS: 100 mL neutral detergent solution (ND), 150 mL ND, or 100 mL H2O/g sample) to determine NDF residues, assuming ANKOM200 and 100 mL ND/g as the standard methodology. Each factor combination was performed in triplicate with a replicate being comprised of 12 bottles or bags (two blanks and five feedstuffs in duplicate). Feedstuffs were: alfalfa hay (AH), bermudagrass hay (BH), two high-forage rations (G1 and G2), and a high-concentrate ration (FR). Following each run, bottles were filtered to obtain the NDF. Data were analyzed by diet using a random coefficients model. An interaction of WM ′ WS was present for AH and G1 (P < 0.01), G2 and FR had tendencies (P = 0.08 and 0.06, respectively), whereas BH demonstrated no interaction (P = 0.37). The PC with 100 mL or 150 mL did not differ from the standard methodology for AH, G1, G2, and FR. The BH demonstrated differences between WM and WS (P < 0.01). The PC had lower NDF residue compared to the AC and ANKOM200, whereas H2O had substantially greater NDF residue relative to both ND ratios. We concluded that H2O is not a suitable substitute for ND solution regardless of the feedstuff. Both micro-NDF washing methods may be satisfactory depending on the type of feedstuff used but further investigation is required.

176 The Suitability of Autoclave and Pressure Cooker Washing Methods in Comparison to ANKOM200 to Determine Neutral Detergent Fiber Using Different Feedstuffs and Washing Solutions

Abstract The use of the in vitro gas production (IVGP) technique requires accurate determination of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) residue. However, the NDF determination using standard procedures are not always feasible for IVGP; thus requiring micro-NDF methods, which need autoclave (AC) and pressure cooker (PC) to boil the solution. A complete randomized design using a 3×3 factorial arrangement was implemented to investigate the effect of washing methods (WM: AC, PC, or ANKOM200) and solution ratios (WS: 100 mL neutral detergent solution (ND), 150 mL ND, or 100 mL H2O/g sample) to determine NDF residues, assuming ANKOM200 and 100 mL ND/g as the standard methodology. Each factor combination was performed in triplicate with a replicate being comprised of 12 bottles or bags (two blanks and five feedstuffs in duplicate). Feedstuffs were: alfalfa hay (AH), bermudagrass hay (BH), two high-forage rations (G1 and G2), and a high-concentrate ration (FR). Following each run, bottles were filtered to obtain the NDF. Data were analyzed by diet using a random coefficients model. An interaction of WM ′ WS was present for AH and G1 (P < 0.01), G2 and FR had tendencies (P = 0.08 and 0.06, respectively), whereas BH demonstrated no interaction (P = 0.37). The PC with 100 mL or 150 mL did not differ from the standard methodology for AH, G1, G2, and FR. The BH demonstrated differences between WM and WS (P < 0.01). The PC had lower NDF residue compared to the AC and ANKOM200, whereas H2O had substantially greater NDF residue relative to both ND ratios. We concluded that H2O is not a suitable substitute for ND solution regardless of the feedstuff. Both micro-NDF washing methods may be satisfactory depending on the type of feedstuff used, but further investigation is required.

How does herbage mass effect voluntary dry matter intake and in vivo organic matter digestibility in sheep and the in vitro gas production of perennial ryegrass?

It is essential to have accurate data relating sward herbage mass (HM) to voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) and in vivo organic matter digestibility (OMDIV) across the year. This will ensure that the production performance of animals grazing differing HM swards can be accurately predicted using in vitro and in situ methods. The objectives of this experiment were to (i) determine the OMDIV and VDMI of sheep offered perennial ryegrass differing in HM throughout the growing season and (ii) evaluate in vitro gas production (IVGP) and in situ indigestible neutral detergent fibre (iNDFIS) as methods of predicting OMDIV. A 3 × 3 Latin square design was used to investigate three HM treatments. The target HM (measured > 4 cm) of perennial ryegrass for the three HM treatments was 1200 kg dry matter (DM)/ha (Low), 2500 kg DM/ha (Medium) and 4000 kg DM/ha (High). The experiment was a Latin square design repeated in three time stages (TS) in 2013 (TS1, TS2 and TS3). A 3 × 2 incomplete Latin square design was used in early spring 2014 (TS4). In TS4 the HM were lower than in the previous TS at 1000 kg DM/ha (Low), 1800 kg DM/ha (Medium) and 2500 kg DM/ha (High). Each experimental period within each TS consisted of a 6 day adaptation phase and 6 day measurement phase; with 12 Texel wether sheep used. Sheep were fed ad libitum to ensure a 10% refusal rate. The interaction between TS and HM treatment had the greatest effect on chemical composition, VDMI and OMDIV. Low HM swards had the greatest VDMI and OMDIV. For each 1000 kg DM/ha increase in HM, OMDIV was reduced by 2.3% on average. This varied from 0.9% in TS4 to 2.7% in TS3. There was no difference between HM treatments in the rate of digestion of digestible NDF using the IVGP technique. In situ indigestible NDF concentration and OMD derived from IVGP (OMDGP) were highly correlated with OMDIV (r2 = 0.901 and 0.895 respectively) and moderately correlated with digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) (r2 = 0.633 and 0.652 respectively). It can be concluded that the interaction between HM and TS will greatly affect OMDIV and VDMI. Secondly OMDIV can be predicted by both iNDFIS and OMDGP with acceptable accuracy to allow for their use in future feed evaluations.

Storage temperature and time and its influence on feed quality of fungal treated wheat straw

Degradation of lignocellulose by selective white-rot fungi can significantly improve the nutritional value of high lignocellulose containing biomass by affecting the access of rumen microbes to structural carbohydrates. To determine if such treated biomass is stable in time to allow it to be conserved for subsequent feeding to ruminant animals, wheat straw (WS) pre-treated for 7 weeks with either Ceriporiopsis subvermispora or Lentinula edodes was stored anaerobically up to 10 weeks at different temperatures (24.7–52.4 °C). Substrates were subsequently analysed for changes in pH, titratable acidity, fibre composition, in vitro gas production (IVGP) and colour, as well as polar metabolites by GC–MS and ceriporic acids by LC–MS. The increased titratable acidity of fungal treated WS during storage indicated acidification of the straw. A significant decrease in hemicellulose and an increase in acid detergent lignin content was observed at 52.4 °C. No negative effect of the storage condition on the degradability of both fungal treated WS in rumen fluid was observed. A darker colour was observed for substrates incubated at higher temperatures, coinciding with a strong accumulation of several organic acids and sugars. A decrease in ceriporic acid A, B, C and G produced by C. subvermispora was observed when stored at 52.4 °C from week 2–10. The results show that, although the chemical composition changes, anaerobic storage of fungal treated WS at different temperatures does not affect its fermentation potential for ruminants.

Effects of high-amylase corn on performance and carcass quality of finishing beef heifers.

Developed initially for use in fuel ethanol production, Enogen Feed Corn (EFC; Syngenta Crop Protection) is genetically modified to express high concentrations of α-amylase in the corn kernel. Experiments were conducted to evaluate processing characteristics of EFC, in vitro digestion, and effects on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and liver abscess incidence. Experiment 1 used a randomized complete block design (3 × 3 × 5 factorial) to evaluate starch availability, in situ dry matter disappearance (ISDMD), in vitro gas production (IVGP), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles of in vitro cultures. Grains (EFC or mill-run control [CON]) were flaked to a density of 360 g/L, and mixtures with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% EFC were prepared. Grains were tempered with added moisture (0%, 3%, or 6%) prior to steam conditioning for 15, 30, or 45 min. No two- or three-way interactions were observed. Adding moisture improved starch availability (linear; P < 0.01), and tended to improve ISDMD (linear, P = 0.06). Steam conditioning for 30 min improved starch availability, IVGP, and production of acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, and total VFA (P < 0.01) compared with conditioning for 15 or 45 min. Starch availability, ISDMD, IVGP, acetate, propionate, valerate, and total VFA production increased with an increasing proportion of EFC (linear, P < 0.01). Experiment 2 used 700 beef heifers (394 ± 8.5 kg initial body weight [BW]) fed finishing diets with steam-flaked corn as CON or EFC for 136 d. Targeting similar starch availabilities, grains were processed to 360 g/L (CON) and 390 g/L for CON and EFC, respectively. Heifers were blocked by BW, stratified, and then randomly assigned to 28 dirt-surfaced pens (25 animals per pen). Dry matter intakes were similar between treatments (P = 0.78), but cattle fed EFC had greater average daily gain (P < 0.01), improving feed efficiency by 5% (P < 0.01). Hot carcass weight was 6 kg greater for EFC cattle (P <0.01) than CON. No differences were observed for longissimus muscle area (P = 0.89), 12th-rib fat thickness (P = 0.21), or USDA yield grade (P = 0.13). Cattle fed CON had greater marbling scores than EFC (P = 0.04), but this did not affect the USDA quality grade (P > 0.33). Cattle fed EFC had 23% fewer abscessed livers than CON (P = 0.03). High-amylase corn may be used to improve microbial digestion, mill-throughput, and cattle performance, and it may mitigate liver abscesses.

Chemical composition, ruminal degradation kinetics, and methane production (in vitro) of winter grass species

Information about the nutritive value, dry matter (DM) digestibility, and methane (CH4 ) emission potential of grass species is required for their optimal utilization in ruminant rations. The present study was designed: (i) to quantify the nutrient profile, mineral composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of winter grass species commonly available in northern Pakistan; and (ii) to measure the in vitro gas production (IVGP) and CH4 emission of the grass species during 72 h in vitro ruminal fermentation. Seven grass species, namely, Cenchrus ciliaris, Setaria anceps, Panicum antidotale, P. maximum, Pennisetum purpureum, Pennisetum orientale, and Atriplex lentiformis were assessed. A high level of variability (P < 0.001) was observed among grass species for the content of all measured nutrients, IVDMD, IVGP, and CH4 -production. Notably, the content (g kg-1 DM) of crude protein varied from 59.8 to 143.3, neutral detergent fiber from 560.3 to 717.9, IVDMD from 375.1 to 576.2, and 72 h cumulative IVGP from 97.6 to 227.4 mL g-1 organic matter (OM) and CH4 from 48 to 67 mL g-1 OM. Among the grasses, P. antidotale had greater content (g kg-1 DM) of crude protein (CP) (143.3), IVDMD (576.2), and 72 h cumulative IVGP (227.4 mL g-1 OM), and produced the smallest amount of total CH4 (48 mL g-1 OM) during 72 h fermentation. In contrast, A. lentiformis had the lowest content (g kg-1 DM) of CP (59.8), IVDMD (375.1), 72 h cumulative IVGP (97.6 mL g-1 OM), and produced a greater amount of total CH4 (67 mL g-1 OM) during 72 h fermentation. The findings of the current study highlight that it is possible to select and further develop grass species with high nutritional value and lower CH4 -production, which can improve livestock productivity, farm profitability, and long-term environment sustainability. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efficacy of Sunflower Oil in Modulating Rumen Functions and Reducing Enteric Methane Production in Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Enteric methane emission from ruminant livestock reduces the efficiency of feed energy utilization and contributes to global warming. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of sunflower (SFL) oil supplementation on methanogenesis, volatile fatty acids composition and feed fermentation pattern by in vitro gas production (IVGP) test. SFL oil was examined at three concentrations (0, 0.4 and 0.8 ml/ 30 ml buffered rumen fluid). In vitro incubation was carried out with sorghum hay (200 ± 5 mg) as substrate in 100 ml calibrated glass syringes following standard IVGP protocol. Addition of SFL oil resulted in increase (p &lt; 0.05) in total gas production and decrease (p &lt; 0.05) in methane concentration in head space gas, irrespective of level of inclusion. Linear decrease (p &lt; 0.001) in feed degradability was evident with increasing doses of oil. Acetate production decreased (p &lt; 0.05) without affecting propionate, however, butyrate production increased (p &lt; 0.05) with addition of oil, irrespective of doses. The ratio of acetate to propionate was reduced (p &lt; 0.01) with addition of oils. It is concluded that sunflower oil supplementation exerted inhibitory effects on methane production; however, dry matter degradability was also reduced. Further studies need to be carried out with lower dose levels for their practical application in animal feeding practices.

Effect of transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria from termite to rumen fluid of sheep on in vitro gas production, fermentation parameters, microbial populations and enzyme activity

The digestive tract of termite (Microcerotermes diversus) contains a variety of lignocellulose-degrading bacteria with exocellulases enzyme activity, not found in the rumen, which could potentially improve fiber degradation in the rumen. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effect of inoculation of rumen fluid (RF) with three species of bacteria isolated from termite digestive tract, Bacillus licheniformis, Ochrobactrum intermedium, and Microbacterium paludicola, on in vitro gas production (IVGP), fermentation parameters, nutrient disappearance, microbial populations, and hydrolytic enzyme activities with fibrous wheat straw (WS) and date leaf (DL) as incubation substrate. Inoculation of RF with either of three termite bacteria increased (P<0.05) ammonia-N concentration compared with the control group (free of termite gut bacteria). Termite bacteria inoculation had no effect (P>0.05) on gas production characteristics, dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber disappearance, pH, and concentration and composition of volatile fatty acids. Population of proteolytic bacteria and protozoa, but not cellulolytic bacteria, were increased (P<0.05) when RF was inoculated with termite bacteria with both WS and DL substrates. Inoculation of RF with termite bacteria increased protease activity, while activities of carboxymethyl-cellulase, microcrystalline-cellulase, α-amylase and filter paper degrading activity remained unchanged (P>0.05). Overall, the results of this study indicated that transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria, isolated from digestive tract of termite, to rumen liquid increased protozoa and proteolytic bacteria population and consequently increased protease activity and ammonia-N concentration in vitro, however, no effect on fermentation and fiber degradation parameters were detected. These results suggest that the termite bacteria might be rapidly lysed by the rumen microbes before beneficial effects on the rumen fermentation process could occur.

Preservation of wet rice straw using urea and molasses in monsoon of Bangladesh

An experiment of treated and ensiled wet rice straw with urea and molasses was performed to explore the chemical composition, physical quality, in vitro digestibility and its potentiality as a quality feed for ruminants. In this experiment, plastic containers were used to preserve chopped wet rice straw under airtight condition based on the treatment as T1 (wet rice straw only), T2 (straw with 5% molasses), T3 (straw with 5% urea), T4 (straw with 5% urea and 5% molasses) and T5 (straw with 10% urea and 5% molasses) to analyze chemical composition, physical quality, metabolizable energy (ME) content, in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD) and in vitro gas production (IVGP) at five different ensiling times of 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days. The physical quality (color, smell, softness characteristics) of wet rice straw was improved with urea and molasses treatment. Treatments T5 was found better as there was no fungal growth till 90 days of ensiling. The addition of urea and molasses improved the physical quality, nutritive value and preservation quality of wet rice straw. Urea and molasses treated and ensiled (T5) straw showed better color, nutritional quality, softness and longer preservation capacity compared with all treatments followed by T4, T2 and T3. The crude protein (CP) content was increased (P&lt;0.05) but the crude fibre (CF), dry matter (DM), ash contents and ether extract (EE) were decreased (P&lt;0.05) in all of the treatments (T2, T3, T4 and T5) compared to control (T1). The OMD, IVGP and ME contents were increased in all of the treatments (T2, T3, T4 and T5) compared to control (T1). The highest OMD, IVGP and ME values were observed in treatment T5 and the lowest values were in control (T1) Through the Consideration of all the chemical and physical properties, among all of the treatments, 10% urea and 5% molasses are found acceptable for the preservation of rice straw. Thus, environment friendly and cost effective feed can be formulated.

Wheat bran addition improves Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Lentinula edodes growth on wheat straw, but not delignification

A rapid and complete colonization of lignocellulosic biomass by white-rot fungi is a prerequisite for an efficient and contamination free delignification. To improve the colonization, mycelium growth and delignification by Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Lentinula edodes of wheat straw, with addition of 2, 4, 6 and 10% of wheat bran for 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, was evaluated. The ergosterol content, chemical composition and in vitro gas production (IVGP) by ruminal microorganisms were determined. The fungal biomass and starch amount was significantly (P < 0.001) affected by the inclusion level of wheat bran and incubation time. An increase in added wheat bran increased the fungal biomass with different effects observed for the two fungi. The added starch from the wheat bran was degraded by C. subvermispora, mainly during the first two weeks (up to 44%), whereas, L. edodes degraded starch during 12 weeks up to 83%. The supplementation of wheat bran, however, did not affect (P > 0.05) the amount of hemicellulose and lignin at the end of the incubation. There was no significant effect of wheat bran addition on the IVGP for the two fungal treatments. Supplementation of wheat straw with wheat bran resulted in a quicker fungal colonization, which is useful for C. subvermispora, a fungus that forms only thin mycelium and is more prone to contamination than L. edodes.

Evaluation of different inclusion levels of dry live yeast impacts on various rumen parameters and in situ digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber in growing and finishing beef cattle.

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing dry live yeast (LY; Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on in vitro gas production (IVGP) fermentation dynamics, pH, and CH4 concentration at 48 h, and in situ rumen parameters and digestibility of DM (DMD) and NDF (NDFD) of growing cattle during 3 feeding phases: grower (GRW) for 17 d (38% steamed-flaked corn; SFC), transition (TRANS) for 15 d (55.5% SFC: 1.2 Mcal/kg NEg), and finisher (FIN) for 13 d (73% SFC: 1.23 Mcal/kg NEg). Twenty British-crossbred, ruminally cannulated steers (183 kg ± 44 kg) 6 mo of age were blocked by weight into 5 pens containing Calan gate feeders and received a control (CON) diet (17.2% CP, 35.8% NDF, 86.7% DM) without LY on days -12 to 0. After that, animals were randomly assigned to treatments (TRT), 5 animals per TRT: CON or LY at inclusion rates of 5 g/d (LY1), 10 g/d (LY2), or 15 g/d (LY3) top dressed every morning at 0800 for 45 d. The DMD and NDFD were assessed during 7 separate collection days using in situ nylon bags containing 5 g of GRW, TRANS, or FIN diets, incubated at 1200 for 48 h. Protozoa counts (PC) were determined during 5 collection periods. Data were analyzed as a repeated measure within a randomized complete block design, assuming a random effect of the pen. For GRW, TRT altered the total gas production of the nonfiber carbohydrate (NFC; P = 0.045) and the fractional rate of degradation (kd) of the fiber carbohydrate (FC) pool (P = 0.001) in a cubic pattern (P ≤ 0.05): LY2 had the most gas production and fastest kd. TRT also influenced DMD (P = 0.035) and NDFD (P = 0.012) with LY2 providing the greatest digestibility. For TRANS, TRT tended to affect the NFC kd (P = 0.078) and influenced pH (P = 0.04) and DMD (P < 0.001) in which LY2 yielded the fastest kd, highest pH, and greatest DMD. For FIN, there was an effect of TRT on total gas production (P < 0.001) and kd (P = 0.004) of the NFC pool, FC kd (P = 0.012), in vitro CH4 concentration (P < 0.001), PC (P < 0.001), DMD (P = 0.039), and NDFD (P = 0.008). LY1 had the highest PC and provided the greatest DMD and NDFD. LY2 had the fastest kd of both the NFC and FC pools and had the least CH4 concentration. LY3 had the greatest NFC gas production. No specific dose-response pattern was observed, but 10 g/d provided the most beneficial result for all diets. We concluded that supplementation with LY affected IVGP as well as ruminal parameters and digestibilities.

A lower cost method of preparing corn stover for Irpex lacteus treatment by ensiling with lactic acid bacteria.

ObjectiveThis study investigated a method of preparing corn stover for Irpex lacteus (I. lacteus) treatment to improve its in vitro rumen degradability under non-sterile conditions.MethodsCorn stover was inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), Lactobacillus buchneri (L. buchneri), and an equal mixture of these strains, and ensiled for 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. After each period, a portion of the silage was sampled to assess the silage quality, and another portion of the silage was further treated with I. lacteus at 28°C for 28 d. All the samples were analyzed for fermentation quality, chemical composition, and in vitro gas production (IVGP) as a measure of rumen fermentation capacity.ResultsLactic acid bacteria (LAB) was found to improve the silage quality of the corn stover, and the corn stover silage inoculated with L. plantarum produced more lactic acid and higher IVGP than other silage groups. The I. lacteus colonies flourished in the early stage of corn stover silage, especially on the 3-d corn stover silage inoculated with both L. plantarum and L. buchneri. This led to an 18% decrease in the acid detergent lignin content, and a 49.6% increase in IVGP compared with the raw stover.ConclusionThe combination of ensiling with the mixed LAB inoculation and I. lacteus treatment provided a cost-effective method for the improvement of the IVGP of corn stover from 164.8 mL/g organic matter (OM) to 246.6 mL/g OM.

Evaluation of fungal degradation of wheat straw cell wall using different analytical methods from ruminant nutrition perspective.

BACKGROUNDWhite rot fungi have been used to improve the nutritive value of lignocellulose for ruminants. In feed analysis, the Van Soest method is widely used to determine the cell wall contents. To assess the reliability of this method (Method A) for determination of cell wall contents in fungal‐treated wheat straw, we compared a combined monosaccharide analysis and pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS) (Method B). Ruminal digestibility, measured as in vitro gas production (IVGP), was subsequently used to examine which method explains best the effect of fungal pretreatment on the digestibility of wheat straw.RESULTSBoth methods differed considerably in the mass recoveries of the individual cell wall components, which changed on how we assess their degradation characteristics. For example, Method B gave a higher degradation of lignin (61.9%), as compared to Method A (33.2%). Method A, however, showed a better correlation of IVGP with the ratio of lignin to total structural carbohydrates, as compared to Method B (Pearson's r of −0.84 versus −0.69). Nevertheless, Method B provides a more accurate quantification of lignin, reflecting its actual modification and degradation. With the information on the lignin structural features, Method B presents a substantial advantage in understanding the underlying mechanisms of lignin breakdown. Both methods, however, could not accurately quantify the cellulose contents – among others, due to interference of fungal biomass.CONCLUSIONMethod A only accounts for the recalcitrant residue and therefore is more suitable for evaluating ruminal digestibility. Method B allows a more accurate quantification of cell wall, required to understand and better explains the actual modification of the cell wall. The suitability of both methods, therefore, depends on their intended purposes. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

DIGESTIBILITY AND SOME PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS FOR SHEEP FEEDING ON DATE SEED TREATED WITH BACTERIA

This paper focuses on treated date seed with two cellulolytic bacteria (Acetobacter xylinum and Thermonospora fusca) isolated from sheep and evaluated these species by Invitro gas production and metabolism trail. We evaluated the influence of many rations contain several percentage from date seed untreated and treated on In vitro traild for DM,OM, NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose disappeara (samples incubated for 24 hrs). the best ration used in metabolism trail . The experimental work was conducted in 2017, at the Department of Animal Production, faculty of agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt and the experiment of the farm animals occurred in the Animal Production research institute. Our results in this revealed that the ration content 25% untreated and treated with bacteria had significant values on NDF, ADF and hemicellulose degradability after 24 hours, especially treatment 2 (Thermonospora fusca) of date seed. In the experimental ration with ascending level of untreated and treated date seed had not significant effect on pH value while more effect on total gas production (GP),ammonia, TVFA’s, MP, EMP and metabolizable energy ME (Mcal/ g). The differences were significant (P<0.05) between control ration and other experimental rations. Furthermore, ration content date seed treated (R3) had the highest values of DM, OM, CF and EE digestibility. It could be noticed that improving CP, CF and cell wall constituents (NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose) digestibility may be due to the increasing number of rumen cellulolytic bacteria. In conclusion, the bacterial treatment (Acetobacter xylinum and Thermonospora fusca) with date seed successfully to improve chemical compostion of date seed and Invitro digestiability specially ration contain 25% from total dry matter. It showed that the strain (Thermonospora fusca) was the best in In vitro fermentation . Digestibility indicated that ration contain treated date seed (R3) was high DM, OM, ADF and nitrogen than other rations. It was concluded that treated date seed can replace concentrate in rations and improve In vitro degradability, digestibility trail and no effect on rumen and blood parameters without adversely affecting on helthy animals.

Effect of white-rot fungal treatments on the in vitro rumen degradability of two kinds of corn stover

The capacities of white rot fungal treatments to degrade lignocellulose and further to improve the rumen degradability were examined in two kinds of corn stover (CAU3138 and ZN01). A total of seven fungi were evaluated according to their growth rates and selective values (SV) on both stovers under 28 °C for 28 days. Then, three selected fungi were evaluated by their in vitro gas production (IVGP) as a measure of rumen fermentation capacity. The results showed that Irpex lacteus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Pleurotus cystidiosus had high speeds of colonization and high SV on both stovers. The IVGP of the ZN01 treated with any of the three fungi was lower than that of the raw stover, and the IVGP of the CAU3138 treated with P. ostreatus and P. cystidiosus had no significant change (P &gt; 0.05). However, the IVGP of the CAU3138 treated with I. lacteus was significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05) and further increased as the treatment time was prolonged. This study indicated that SV was not always a good predictor for the performance of the fungus. Here, I. lacteus performed best, regarding fungal growth and IVGP of the CAU3138.

57 Effects of particle size and heat treatment on in situ and in vitro digestion of dry-rolled Enogen® Feed Corn.

Enogen Feed Corn (EFC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC) has amplified expression of heat-stable amylase. Our objectives were to evaluate impacts of particle size and heat treatment on digestibility of EFC using a 4 x 4 x 3 factorial treatment arrangement. Mill-run corn (CON) and EFC were ground in a Wiley Mill through 9-, 6-, and 4-mm screens. CON and EFC were then blended to produce mixtures of 0, 33.3, 66.7, or 100% EFC. Duplicate samples were heated in a forced-air oven to internal temperatures of 50, 75, or 100oC, and a non-heated control also was used. In situ dry matter disappearance (14 h; ISDMD) was measured in triplicate using 6 fistulated steers. In vitro gas production (IVGP) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles were measured in duplicate after incubating for 24 h at 39oC using fermentation bottles equipped with pressure sensing modules (ANKOM Technology, Macedon, NY). Production of VFA was measured by gas chromatography. There were no 2- or 3-way interactions (P > 0.10). ISDMD, IVGP, and concentrations of propionate and butyrate increased linearly in response to decreasing particle size (P 0.16). ISDMD and IVGP increased linearly in response to increasing proportions of EFC (Table 1), but VFA production was not affected by proportion of EFC. Enogen Feed Corn is more susceptible to degradation by ruminal microbes compared to non-Enogen corn, but absence of a quadratic response suggests that its impact on other dietary components is minimal. Open in a separate window

In vitro rumen fermentation kinetics, metabolite production, methane and substrate degradability of polyphenol rich plant leaves and their component complete feed blocks

BackgroundThis experiment aimed at assessing polyphenol-rich plant biomass to use in complete feed making for the feeding of ruminants.MethodsAn in vitro ruminal evaluation of complete blocks (CFB) with (Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus nummularia leaves) and without (Vigna sinensis hay) polyphenol rich plant leaves was conducted by applying Menke’s in vitro gas production (IVGP) technique. A total of six substrates, viz. three forages and three CFBs were subjected to in vitro ruminal fermentation in glass syringes to assess gas and methane production, substrate degradability, and rumen fermentation metabolites.ResultsTotal polyphenol content (g/Kg) was 163 in A. nilotica compared to 52.5 in Z. nummularia with a contrasting difference in tannin fractions, higher hydrolysable tannins (HT) in the former (140.1 vs 2.8) and higher condensed (CT) tannins in the later (28.3 vs 7.9). The potential gas production was lower with a higher lag phase (L) in CT containing Z. nummularia and the component feed block. A. nilotica alone and as a constituent of CFB produced higher total gas but with lower methane while the partitioning factor (PF) was higher in Z. nummularia and its CFB. Substrate digestibility (both DM and OM) was lower (P < 0.001) in Z. nummularia compared to other forages and CFBs. The fermentation metabolites showed a different pattern for forages and their CFBs. The forages showed higher TCA precipitable N and lower acetate: propionate ratio in Z. nummularia while the related trend was found in CFB with V. sinensis. Total volatile fatty acid concentration was higher (P < 0.001) in A. nilotica leaves than V. sinensis hay and Z. nummularia leaves. It has implication on widening the forage resources and providing opportunity to use forage biomass rich in polyphenolic constituents in judicious proportion for reducing methane and enhancing green livestock production.ConclusionAbove all, higher substrate degradability, propionate production, lower methanogenesis in CFB with A. nilotica leaves may be considered useful. Nevertheless, CFB with Z. nummularia also proved its usefulness with higher TCA precipitable N and PF. It has implication on widening the forage resources and providing opportunity to use polyphenol-rich forage biomass for reducing methane and enhancing green livestock production.

Improving ruminal digestibility of various wheat straw types by white‐rot fungi

BACKGROUNDThis study investigated the ruminal degradability of various wheat straw types by the white‐rot fungi Ceriporiopsis subvermispora (CS) and Lentinula edodes (LE). Different cultivars (CV) of wheat straw at different maturity stages (MS) were treated with the fungi for 7 weeks and assessed for chemical composition and in vitro gas production (IVGP).RESULTSBoth fungi showed a more pronounced degradation of lignin on a more mature straw (MS3; 89.0%) in comparison with the straw harvested at an earlier stage (MS1; 70.7%). Quantitative pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, using 13C lignin as an internal standard 13C‐IS Py‐GC/MS revealed that lignin in more mature straw was degraded and modified to a greater extent. In contrast, cellulose was less degraded in MS3, as compared to MS1 (8.3% versus 14.6%). There was no effect of different MS on the IVGP of the fungus‐treated straws. Among the different straw cultivars, the extent of lignin degradation varied greatly (47% to 93.5%). This may explain the significant (P < 0.001) effect of cultivar on the IVGP of the fungal‐treated straws. Regardless of the factors tested, both fungi were very capable of improving the IVGP of all straw types by 15.3% to 47.6%, (as compared to untreated straw), with CS performing better than LE – on different MS (33.6% versus 20.4%) and CVs (43.2% versus 29.1%).CONCLUSIONThe extent of lignin degradation caused by fungal treatment was more pronounced on the more mature and lignified straw, while variable results were obtained with different cultivars. Both fungi were capable of improving the IVGP of various straw types. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.