Inclusion Of Sunflower Meal Research Articles

The influence of pectinase treatments on the characteristics of pre‐treated and lyophilised sunflower meal‐whey blends

SummaryWhey and sunflower meals are primary by‐products of dairy cheese and vegetable oil production, respectively. Due to their widespread abundance, their valorisation could enable the generation of various value‐added food ingredients or products. In this study, an effort was made to utilise enzymatic pectinolysis along with other pre‐treatments to generate mixtures from whey and sunflower meal (SFM). The increasing presence of SFM increased the critical denaturation temperature of the mixtures and induced less protein structural changes. In addition, the presence of complex carbohydrates in SFM enhanced water and oil holding capacities. In general, pectinase and ultrasonication led to enhanced foaming of the mixtures, although the foams were relatively short‐lived. SFM inclusion limited foaming and emulsification capacities of the blends. In most cases, increasing the ratio of SFM to protein resulted in lower total reducing sugars (TRS), suggesting a more limited enzymatic activity. On the other hand, heating temperature or ultrasonication improved the extent of pectinolysis. Pre‐treatments and pectinolysis improved the functional properties of SFM and whey protein concentrate blends and are promising as an alternative protein source in new product applications.

Diferentes métodos e tempos de medição para estimar a produção decalor em ovinos alimentados com farelo de girasssol

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to assess the oxygen pulse and heart rate method (O2P-HR) using a respiration chamber at different measurement times for estimate the heat production (HP) of lambs fed increasing levels of sunflower meal in their diet. Twenty-four lambs were assigned to four experimental diets (0, 100, 200, and 300 g of sunflower meal kg-1 DM). Heat production was estimated using the O2P-HR (HPO2P) method and a respirometry chamber (HPRC). Measurements were obtained by simultaneously measuring heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption over 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 h. A flow-through respirometry chamber for small ruminants was used to determine oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide and methane production. Data on dietary treatment, measurement times and their interactions were analyzed as repeated measures using mixed model procedures and Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) estimation. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to compare techniques. There was no effect of the different levels of sunflower meal inclusion on VO2 and heat production. The HPO2P (126.16 kcal/ BW0.75/day) was 2% higher than that of the HPRC (124.61 kcal/ BW0.75/day), and the correlation coefficients was 0.628. The coefficient of variation was greater for the HPO2P (21.33%) than for HPRC (11.44%). HR (beats/min), VO2 (mL/min/BW0.75) and O2P-HR (mL/beat) required measurement times of 24, 15 and 9 hours, respectively. A measurement time of 24 h was necessary to ensure a more accurate estimate of the heat production using the O2P-HR method.

Impact of Preconditioner Moisture on the Microstructure of the Nile tilapia Extrudates Including High Sunflower Meal Inclusion

Impact of Preconditioner Moisture on the Microstructure of the Nile tilapia Extrudates Including High Sunflower Meal Inclusion

Sunflower Meal Inclusion Rate and the Effect of Exogenous Enzymes on Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryOver the years, there has been an increase in the price of traditionally used protein sources such as soybean meal (SBM) in broiler feed. This has necessitated the need for alternative protein sources that can partially substitute the SBM protein and reduce the cost of feeding. Sunflower meal (SFM), a by-product from the oil processing industry, is available in significantly high quantities throughout the year at lower cost. SFM can be produced in drought-stricken places with good harvest and is less prone to fungal infestation. Although SFM has protein levels ranging between 32 and 37 percent, its inclusion levels in broiler diets have been limited to 5% due to high concentration of non-starch polysaccharides, low metabolizable energy and lysine levels. This presents challenges in feed manufacturing, since composition depends on the amount of oil extracted and retained hulls, with effects on the digestive efficiency of broiler chicks, especially in the first 21 d of growth. The use of multi-enzymes that target specific substrates in SFM can potentially allow an increase in its inclusion levels, thereby reducing the deleterious anti-nutritional effects from non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs). Additionally, multienzyme supplementation can result in flock uniformity and environmental pollution reduction due to less nutrient loss in manure.The study examined the effect of de-hulled sunflower meal (SFM) inclusion rate and exogenous enzymes (EE) on broilers production performance. A four-feeding phase of pre-starter (1–9 d), grower (10–20 d), finisher (21–28 d) and post-finisher (29–35 d) was used with SFM included as low (BSL) and high (BSH) in all phases. BLS inclusion was 3% throughout phases and BSH inclusion was 7.5%, 10%, 13% and 13.5% for the 4-phases. Each SFM had a negative control (NC) (BSL− and BSH−) and positive (PC) (BSL+ and BSH+) control with additional 80 kcal Apparent Metabolizable Energy. Enzymes: xylanase (X), xylanase + beta-glucanase (XB), xylanase + beta-glucanase + protease (XBP) and xylanase + amylase + protease (XAP) were added to the NC and PC to give 6 treatments. Pen body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were determined at 9, 20, 28 and 35 d and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated accordingly. Diets were fed ad libitum to 1920 male Ross 308 broilers. Diet type, enzyme and diet by enzyme interactions were not significantly different amongst treatment diets. During the pre-starter and the grower phase, all studied parameters did not significantly differ from each other. All studied parameters were significantly influenced by enzyme addition and diet-type and enzyme interaction at 35 d except for diet type on FCR. Broilers fed BSH supplemented with XAP recorded the highest BWG (2.69 kg), whereas broiler chickens on BSL and supplemented with XBP recorded the lowest BWG (2.60 kg). SFM can be increased to 13% and 13.5% finisher and post-finisher diets without negatively affecting performance, and X and XAP enzymes can improve BWG of broilers grown to 35 d.

Effects of dietary sunflower meal supplementation on productive performance, antioxidative capacity, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota in laying ducks

This study investigated the effects of increasing content of sunflower meal (SFM) in diets of laying ducks on laying performance, oxidative status, lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. In total, 720 Jingjiang females at 22-week-old with similar body weight were selected and randomly assigned to 6 treatments, each consisting of 6 replicates of 20 birds. The basal diet was a typical corn-soybean ration (SFM0) while the experimental diets were formulated by substituting soybean meal with 40 (SFM40), 80 (SFM80), 120 (SFM120), 160 (SFM160), and 200 (SFM200) g/kg of SFM, respectively. The feeding trial was lasted for 16 weeks. Average egg mass decreased linearly as the level of SFM inclusion increased (P < 0.001), while feed conversion ratio linearly increased (P < 0.05). Yolk color and yolk cholesterol content declined as a linear and quadratic response to SFM substitution (P < 0.001). Increasing of SFM substitution quadratically increased hepatic expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), heme oxygenase 1, nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 and hepatic activities of GPX and total antioxidative capacity, whereas the hepatic content of malondialdehyde was decreased (P < 0.05). There was a linear increase (P < 0.001) in hepatic transcript abundance of cytochrome P450 7A1 along the increased portion of SFM substitution, and linear decrease (P < 0.001) in fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase. In addition, sequencing data of 16S rRNA indicated that a high level of SFM decreased the abundance of cecal Spirochaetes phylum and Megamonas genus, while increased that of Bacteroides (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present results suggested that SFM can be used as an alternative to replace soybean meal, at levels up to 120 g/kg in the diets of laying ducks without affecting laying performance and egg quality. Moderate substitution of soybean meal with SFM also increased hepatic antioxidative capacity, suppressed de novo lipogenesis, and improved gut microbiota.

Performance of brown-egg laying pullets fed diets with sunflower meal and enzyme complexes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of sunflower meal and enzymes in brown-egg laying pullets in the grower phase (7 to 17 wk of age) on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production performance, sexual maturity, and egg quality at the beginning of the laying phase. A total of 480 brown egg laying pullets were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with sunflower meal (12 and 24%) and enzyme complexes (with or without) and plus 1 (control) with 6 replications per treatment and 16 pullets per pen for the performance assay. At the end of the grower phase, 330 remaining pullets (480 initial birds subtracting removed birds for analysis) were transferred to the laying house until 35 wk of age, where the same experimental design was maintained, however, the replications now had 11 pullets selected those close to the average. There was no interaction between SM and enzyme supplementation, however, the diets containing SM and enzymes caused a increase in feed intake and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). As for laying phase, diets containing SM and enzymes used in the grower phase, did not affect the productive performance, sexual maturity, and egg quality, with a decrease in specific density values when compared to the control treatment (P < 0.01). The increase in inclusion from 12 up to 24% of sunflower meal in the diets of brown-egg laying pullets increase the feed intake and feed conversion ratio in the grower phase, but it had no residual effect in the productive performance at the beginning of the laying phase.

Effects of Sunflower Meal Supplementation as a Complementary Protein Source in the Laying Hen’s Diet on Productive Performance, Egg Quality, and Nutrient Digestibility

The practical usage of untraditional feedstuffs such as sunflower meal (SFM) in laying hens nutrition in developing countries has received considerable attention. SFM is a by-product of the sunflower oil industry and has been progressively added to bird’s diets. Sunflower meal (SFM) is gaining great interest as a feed ingredient due to its eminent crude protein content, low anti-nutritional compounds, and low price. The current experiment was aimed to assess the production efficiency, egg quality, yolk fatty acids composition, and nutrient digestibility of laying hens fed SFM. A total of 162 Bovans Brown laying hens aged 60 weeks old were randomly allocated using a completely randomized design into three experimental groups of nine replicates each (n = six/replicate) for eight weeks. The dietary treatments involved a control (basal diet) and two levels of SFM, 50 and 100 g/kg feed. The dietary treatments did not influence live weight gain, feed intake, and egg mass. On one hand, the laying rate was increased; on the other hand, the feed conversion ratio and broken eggs rate of laying hens were decreased (p &lt; 0.05) by the dietary inclusion of SFM. Dietary treatments had no effect on the egg’s quality characteristics except the yolk color and yolk height were larger (p = 0.01) for laying hens fed SFM compared with those fed the control. Dietary inclusion of SFM decreased (p &lt; 0.05) the content of cholesterol in the egg yolk. Still, it increased the yolk contents of vitamin E, calcium, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and oleic acid (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the dietary inclusion of SFM increased crude protein and calcium digestibility, but decreased the ether extract digestibility. In conclusion, our results suggested that the dietary inclusion of SFM, up to 100 g/kg at a late phase of laying, could improve the production performance, some of the egg quality traits, and nutrient digestibility while decreasing egg yolk cholesterol.

Impact of variability in protein content of sunflower meal on the extrusion process and physical quality of the extruded salmonid feed

AbstactThis study aimed to characterize sunflower meal (SFM) with a protein content of ~370 g/kg per dry matter (SFM1) and its two high protein fractions obtained by air classification (SFM2 and SFM3 containing 430 and 490 g/kg of protein per dry matter, respectively) as aqua feed ingredient, based on their functional properties that are important for extrusion processing. A mixture design was applied, varying the levels of SFM1, SFM2 and SFM3 from 88.2 to 267.2 g/kg in dry feed mixes intended for trout. SFM1 presence in the diet caused higher flow resistance of the material in the extruder barrel, and thus higher energy consumption compared to extrusion of diets containing SFM2 and SFM3. SFM1 suppressed the product expansion but induced formation of hollow and brittle pellets with high oil absorption capacity. Increase in protein content of SFM led to more compact structure, resulting in increased hardness, durability, water stability, and decreased oil leakage. Besides better nutritional quality, air classified low fiber SFMs prevail over basic SFM also in terms of their functionality. Still, presence of high fiber SFM could improve physical attributes of pellets in terms of their oil absorption capacity, important characteristic for salmonid feeds.Practical ApplicationsIdentification of functional properties of a certain ingredient is an important task when evaluating a novel ingredient in fish feed industry. This study assessed functionality of dehulled high protein sunflower meals, obtained by air classification, in the aqua feed extrusion process. The inclusion of sunflower meal with protein content higher than 400 g/kg, at level up to 200 g/kg, increased rigidity, water stability and oil retention ability of pellets, while decreased input of mechanical energy during extrusion. The contemporary aqua feed industry is oriented toward low fishmeal/high plant‐based diets. In this respect the outcomes of this study indicate that dehulled sunflower meal could be used as an alternative protein source to fishmeal in aqua feed from technological standpoint with beneficial effects on process parameters and without impaired effects on pellet physical quality.

Phytase on the digestibility of plant protein feed for silver catfish, Rhamdia voulezi

This study evaluated the effect of diet supplementation with phytase enzyme (1,500 IU kg−1 of phytase) on the apparent digestibility parameters, availability and mineral deposits in the bones, intestinal histology, and proximate analysis on silver catfish (Rhamdia voulezi). A total of 360 silver catfish with an average weight of 236.98 ± 54.02 g were randomly distributed in 24–500 L conical-cylinder aquariums. The experimental design was completely randomized, represented by eight treatments and three replications in a factorial design. The eight treatments included formulations based on three different plant protein sources (soybean meal, canola meal, and sunflower meal) and one reference diet, each set differentiated by supplementation or no supplementation with phytase. The best CDA values and availability of nutrients were identified in the diet containing soybean meal. The reference diet without phytase resulted in increased intestinal villus height, and the diet containing canola meal without phytase resulted in thicker intestine muscular layers. The proximate compositions between diets with and without phytase showed significant differences (p < 0.05); the different protein sources responded in different ways to the activity of phytase. The diet with soybean meal showed the highest nutrient digestibility, and phytase supplementation improved the availability of dietary calcium and magnesium. The inclusion of sunflower meal (30%) caused harmful changes in the intestinal villi of the Rhamdia voulezi.

Effect of Different Dietary Inclusion Levels of Sunflower Meal and Multi-Enzyme Supplementation on Performance, Meat Yield, Ileum Histomorphology, and Pancreatic Enzyme Activities in Growing Quails.

Simple SummaryIn the poultry industry, where the cost of feed constitutes most of the expenses, sudden changes in feed prices make it a challenge for nutritionists to maintain the yield and health of animals while managing the diet costs. It is the first solution that comes to mind to use inexpensive raw materials while preparing diets in practical conditions. In addition, feeds used in diets should be digestible by poultry. In the poultry digestive system, feeds such as sunflower meals are difficult to digest due to containing high cellulose because there is no cellulase secretion in the digestive system. The use of multi-enzyme which enhanced the digestibility of nutrients and decreased antinutritional compounds such as cellulose and nonstarch polysaccharides in diets with sunflower meal can positively affect performance and the profitability of the growers.This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary sunflower meal (SFM) and multi-enzyme levels on performance, carcass traits, intestinal histomorphology and pancreatic enzyme production in quails. Three hundred and twenty, 1-day-old quail chicks were divided into 8 groups with 4 replicates consisting of 10 birds each in the group. The experiment was randomized design consisting of a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with four levels of SFM (0%, 10%, 15%, or 20%) and two levels of multi-enzyme (0.0 or 1.0 g/kg) inclusion in the diet. The body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were negatively influenced by the 15% and 20% SFM (p < 0.01) but were not affected by the 10% SFM for 6 week age. The relative gizzard (p < 0.05) weights significantly increased with 20% SFM, but the relative breast weight decreased (p < 0.01). The relative liver weight increased by the addition of enzymes in the diet (p < 0.05). The villus width (p < 0.01) and villus surface area (p < 0.05) of ileum increased linearly with SFM, whereas the villus height (p < 0.01), villus height: crypt depth (p < 0.01) and tunica muscularis thickness (p < 0.01) decreased linearly with SFM. Consequently, it is possible to say that the birds with the least absorptive same weight are the most efficient. The addition of multi-enzyme increased villus height and crypt depth but decreased tunica muscularis thickness of ileum (p < 0.01). Chymotrypsin activity in the pancreas decreased linearly with SFM (p < 0.01). Amylase activity in the pancreas decreased significantly with the addition of the multi-enzyme (p < 0.05). As a result of the study, SFM can be used at a 10% level in growing quail diets with beneficial effects on the absorption surface area. The effects of enzyme supplementation on parameters measured were less pronounced than the SFM inclusion level that higher villus height and lower tunica muscularis thickness were determined in multi-enzyme-fed birds compared to those untreated counterparts.

Phytase supplementation effects on amino acid digestibility depend on the protein source in the diet but are not related to InsP6 degradation in broiler chickens

The objective was to determine phytase effects on prececal amino acid (AA) digestibility and phytate (InsP6) breakdown when different oilseed meals were used in broiler chicken diets. The study included 14 diets: a corn-soybean meal (SBM) basal diet and 6 diets that contained SBM, rapeseed meal (RSM), and sunflower meal (SFM) with 2 inclusion levels at the expense of corn starch (150 and 300 g/kg SBM or SFM, or 100 and 200 g/kg RSM). Each diet was mixed with or without a phytase supplement of 1,500 FTU/kg. Diets were provided to broilers for 5 D. Digesta from the posterior half of the ileum were collected on day 21. The average essential AA digestibility, calculated by a regression approach, without and with phytase was 84 and 85% (SBM), 74 and 77% (SFM), and 66 and 73% (RSM), respectively. In the diets, phytase effects on AA digestibility were lower owing to other protein sources also present in the diet, but significant. Prececal InsP6 disappearance was significantly affected by interactions between oilseed meal, inclusion level, and phytase supplementation. Overall, prececal InsP6 disappearance was higher in SBM diets (52%) than in SFM diets (38%) and intermediate in RSM diets (43%). Across diets, phytase supplementation effects on prececal InsP6 degradation linearly increased with the InsP6 concentration of the diet up to 12 g/kg DM. The only exception from linearity was the diet with the high inclusion of SFM, which contained 15.9 g InsP6/kg DM. In the ileal content, the concentration of myo-inositol was significantly increased by phytase supplementation, and this effect was highest in the diets that contained SBM as the only oilseed meal. Concentrations of lower inositol phosphates were increased by phytase supplementation, and this effect was most remarkable for Ins(1,2,3,4)P4 and inositol tetrakisphosphates. The study showed that phytase effects on AA digestibility varied among the 3 tested oilseed meals, but these differences were not detectable in the diets containing these meals. Although phytase effects on ileal content of InsP6 and its degradation products were substantial, they were not related to the effects on AA digestibility.

Sunflower meal with and without phytase supplementation in diets for silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) juveniles

Background: The cost of feed in fish farming can exceed 70% of the total costs. Thus, the feed industry have sought to formulate balanced diets including low-cost by-products. Objective: To evaluate sunflower meal as a partial substitute (0, 10, and 20%) for soybean meal, with or without phytase supplementation (1,500 FTU/kg) in isoproteic (27% crude protein (CP)) and isoenergetic diets (3,400 kcal/ED/kg of feed) for silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) juveniles. Methods: A total of 360 fish (weight: 15.77 ± 0.56 g) were randomly distributed in 24 tanks in a completely randomized design following a factorial scheme (3x2) with 4 replicates. The fish were evaluated on the following variables after 90 days: productive performance, hematological variables, histology of intestinal tissue, bromatological composition of carcass, and composition of bone mineral matter. Results: 20% dietary inclusion of sunflower meal improved weight gain and protein efficiency. No difference was observed in the other treatments and no interactions were observed between the other factors. Conclusion: 20% sunflower meal can be included in the feed of silver catfish as a substitute for soybean meal. Phytase inclusion (1,500 FTU/kg) did not improve the nutritional value of the treatments.

Morphometric measurements of sheep fed with increasing levels of sunflower meal

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance, body morphometric measurements and testicular development in lambs fed with different rates of sunflower meal inclusion. The animals (24) were randomly distributed in treatments with 0, 10, 20 and 30% of sunflower meal in the dry matter of the diet, in six replicates, during 56 days of confinement. The addition of the coproduct at increasing dietary rates increased linearly the dry matter intake in the percentage of live weight and neutral detergent fiber. Despite this, there was a linear reduction in ether extract intake and chest width. On the other hand, there was no difference in daily, total and final weight gains. The body condition score; height of withers, croup and thorax; length of body and croup; width of fore croup, hind croup and chest; thoracic and neck diameters also did not change with the addition of the coproduct. The testicular measures 26.76; 6.11; 6.08; 5.22; 5.21; 4.80, and 4.81cm varied quadratically with the inclusion. Therefore, the inclusion of 30% of the coproduct changes nutrient intake and testicular biometry, but does not interfere in the body weight and development, being an economical alternative.

Performance and utilization of nutrients in dairy cows fed with sunflower meal

AbstractNon-decorticated sunflower meal (SFM) is a potential protein source for dairy cows with high-fibre content but high ruminal degradability. The effect of replacement of soybean meal (SBM) and wheat middlings (WM) with SFM on the intake, digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen utilization and milk production of dairy cows was evaluated. Twelve Holstein cows were blocked by days in milk and distributed in three 4 × 4 Latin squares. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and contained 550 g maize silage/kg dry matter (DM). Treatment diets were no SFM (CON) or 70, 140 and 210 g/kg DM of SFM replacing fixed mixture of SBM and WM (536 and 464 g/kg of the mixture, respectively). The inclusion of SFM in diet did not affect DM intake, but intake of rumen degradable protein increased linearly. Inclusion of SFM reduced or tended to reduce total-tract digestibility of non-fibre carbohydrate, total digestible nutrients and excretion of purine derivatives. Milk production, milk protein content and efficiency of nitrogen use for lactation were reduced with increasing levels of SFM in the diet. The use of non-decorticated SFM as a replacement for SBM–WM mixture in diet reduces performance and efficiency of nutrient use in lactating dairy cows. The outcome of the current study is attributed to reduced fibre digestibility in SFM hulls. Therefore, future studies should evaluate the use of decorticated SFM.

The influences of feeding broilers on graded inclusion of sunflower meal with or without Avizyme on growth, protein and energy efficiency, carcass traits, and nutrient digestibility

The present study aimed to investigate the substituting effect of sunflower meal (SFM) for soybean meal (SBM) with or without supplemental Avizyme on growth performance, protein and energy efficiency ratios, carcass traits, and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. A 4 × 2 factorial design experiment was conducted with four levels of SFM replacing SBM (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%) and two levels of supplemented Avizyme (0 or 0.1 g/kg diet). Results revealed that increasing SFM substitution for SBM up to 50% was associated with an increase in body weight (P < 0.01). Daily weight gain was statistically (P < 0.01) enhanced with increasing SFM up to 50% through 22 to 42 and 7 to 42 days of age. Feed conversion ratio improved (P < 0.01) in groups given SFM at 25% and 50% compared to the control. No carcass values were affected by SFM inclusion or Avizyme. The inclusion of 25% or 50% SFM increased (P < 0.01) protein efficiency at periods of 7?21 and 22?42 days of age. Energy efficiency ratio improved (P < 0.01) due to SFM incorporation at levels of 25% or 50% in all periods. The interaction effect between SFM and Avizyme was not significant on a majority of studied parameters. The digestion coefficients of crude fiber, N-free extract, and organic matter increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) with increased levels of SFM. In conclusion, the incorporation of SFM as a substitute for SBM in broiler diets improved the growth performance of broilers. The use of SFM up to 50% without Avizyme supplementation could be recommended in broiler diets from 7 to 42 days of age.

SUNFLOWER MEAL AND EXOGENOUS ENZYMES IN INITIAL DIETS FOR BROILERS

ABSTRACT This research aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of sunflower meal (SFM) and the supplementation of a multienzyme complex in the initial diets of broilers on their performance, intestinal morphometry and carcass characteristics. In all, 1100 1-d-old male chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design with 2 x 5 factorial arrangement (with and without a multienzyme supplement and five levels of SFM inclusion - 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16%), and five replications per experimental unit. The experimental diets were provided until the chickens were 21-d-old and thereafter all birds received the same diet up to 42 d, to evaluate the possible residual effects of treatments. The SFM inclusion impaired performance from 1 to 21 d of age and the animals that received SFM during the initial phase, failed to recover from the negative effects on performance parameters. The multienzyme supplement improved the intestinal morphometry and was more effective than non-supplemented diets on performance, independent of the SFM inclusion level. The carcass and cuts yield of the wings and leg were significantly affected by the multienzyme supplementation. In conclusion, the SFM inclusion impaired performance variables and intestinal morphometry without affecting carcass yield; however, the supplementation of an enzyme complex counteracted the negative performance and intestinal morphometry effects.

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Sunflower Meal on Performance, Carcass Traits, Litter Moisture and Economic Efficiency of Broiler Chickens

An experiment was designed to investigate the influence of different levels of dietary inclusion of sunflower meal on broiler’s productive performance, serum lipid profile, carcass traits, litter moisture and economic efficiency. One hundred and twenty, day-old Cobb broiler chicks were assigned randomly into 5 equal groups, each contained 24 chicks in three replicate pens (8 chicks/pen). Group 1 was fed on basal diet without sunflower meal and kept as a control group, while groups from 2 to 5 were fed on diets contained 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% sunflower meal, respectively. Birds individual weights and pen feed consumed were determined for each feeding period for determining the average body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). At the trial end, a total of six birds from each group were picked randomly, slaughtered and the visceral organs (liver, gizzard, heart and spleen) plus fat pad were separately weighed for calculating the dressing percentage and the percentage of internal organs relative to carcass weight. Furthermore, litter moisture percentage and economic efficiency were calculated at the trial end. The averages of BW, ADG, ADFI and FCR were not significantly differed among groups. No differences (P>0.05) were observed in the serum lipid parameters and carcass traits among experimental groups. However, the spleen percentage was significantly higher in broilers group that fed on 10% sunflower meal in comparison to those fed on 2.5, 5 and 7.5 sunflower meal, while the litter moisture percentage was not significantly affected. The best economic efficiency was reported in broilers group fed on 10% sunflower meal but the difference did not reach the significance level. It is concluded that levels up to 10% of sunflower meal can be successfully incorporated in broiler chicken diets.

Sunflower Meal and Supplementation of an Enzyme Complex in Layer Diets

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the performance of 64- to 79-wk-old laying hens fed diets supplemented with an enzyme complex (EC) and containing increasing sunflower meal (SFM) levels. A total of 384 Hy-Line Brown layers were distributed according to a randomized block design in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement (four levels of SFM, and inclusion or not of EC), with eight replicates of six birds each unit. The levels of SFM inclusion were 0, 8, 16 and 24%, utilized in two distinct diets. Diets were calculated to meet all the nutritional requirements of birds, except for the nutrients that would be made available by the nutritional matrix of the enzyme complex, with or without utilization of EC. The parameters analyzed were feed intake (g/bird/day), egg production (%/bird/day), egg weight, egg mass (g/bird/day), feed conversion ratio per egg mass, feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs, body weight gain, egg components (yolk, albumen and eggshell) and the economic efficiency index (EEI). There was no interaction between EC addition and the SFM levels in the diet. The addition of EC in the diets of laying hens did not affect egg productive or components parameters. The increase in the SFM levels in the diet presented quadratic effect on egg production and feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs, with calculated optimal sunflower meal inclusion levels of 6.72% and 5.83%, respectively, for each parameter. The best economic efficiency per dozen eggs was obtained with the diet with 16.0% SFM and EC inclusion, whereas per egg mass with the diet with of 24.0% SFM and no EC addition.

Performance and some intestinal functions of broilers fed diets with different inclusion levels of sunflower meal and supplemented or not with enzymes

Enzyme supplementation of diets enhances broiler performance by improving some of the basic production parameters such as average feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or average weight gain. The enzyme NSPase is commonly used in broiler diets containing high levels of viscous cereals such as barley, oat, wheat, or sorghum. The use of NSPase in diets with different levels of sunflower meal has been not been extensively explored. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of sunflower meal levels in grower and finisher broiler diets supplemented or not with enzymes (cellulase, β-glucanase, and xylanase) on broiler performance, intestinal function, and carcass traits. A completely randomized experimental design, with 3*2 factorial arrangement with five replicates, was applied (1200 Ross 308 broilers). Sunflower meal inclusion and enzyme supplementation started in grower phase. Broiler performance significantly improved in grower phase (weight gain and feed conversion ratio) by enzyme supplementation, while the effect of sunflower meal was evident in finisher phase, when it significantly reduced weight gain. Sunflower meal increased ileal viscosity, and the interaction between diet and enzyme supplementation was statistically significant. Maltase activity was reduced with sunflower meal dietary inclusion, while enzyme supplementation had no effect either on maltase or sucrase activity. There were no any effects of sunflower meal inclusion with or without enzyme supplementation on carcass characteristics. It can be concluded that high inclusion of sunflower meal in broiler diets may impair broiler performance, but this may be overcome by enzyme supplementation. The effect of enzyme supplementation more evident in the grower phase than in the finisher phase.

Effect of different levels of rapeseed meal and sunflower meal and enzyme combination on the performance, digesta viscosity and carcass traits of broiler chickens fed wheat-based diets

The aim of the present experiment was to examine the effect of different levels of rapeseed meal (RSM) and sunflower meal (SFM) and enzyme combination (endoxylanase and β-glucanase) on the production performance, carcass quality, gizzard development and digesta viscosity of broiler chickens. The experimental design was a 3×2 factorial arrangement of treatments evaluating three diet types containing different levels of RSM and SFM (low (L), medium (M) and high (H)) and two levels of enzyme inclusion (0 or 100 g/tonne diet to provide 1220 U xylanase and 152 U β-glucanase per kg diet). Broiler starter and grower/finisher diets were formulated, based on wheat and soya bean meal and containing 50, 50 and 80 g/kg RSM and 0, 50 and 60 g/kg SFM for L, M and H treatments, respectively, during starter period and 80, 80 and 120 g/kg RSM and 0, 80 and 100 g/kg SFM for L, M and H, respectively, during grower/finisher period, and each diet was fed ad libitum to eight pens of 20 male broilers each. During the starter period (1 to 21 days), birds fed the H treatment had lower (P<0.05) BW gain (BWG) compared with those fed the L and M treatments. Diet type also influenced (P<0.05) feed intake (FI). Feeding the H treatment reduced (P<0.05) FI compared with the M treatment. Diet type and enzyme supplementation had no effect (P>0.05) on feed conversion ratio (FCR). During the grower/finisher phase (22 to 42 day) and over the entire period (1 to 42 day) birds fed the H treatment had lower (P<0.05) BWG and higher (P<0.05) FCR compared with those fed the L and M diets. Enzyme supplementation improved (P<0.05) FCR compared with the unsupplemented diets. No interactions (P>0.05) between RSM and SFM inclusion level and enzyme supplementation were observed for any of the measured parameters at any period. Diet type and enzyme supplementation had no effect (P>0.05) on carcass traits, abdominal fat pad, breast meat yield and jejunal digesta viscosity. Diet type influenced (P=0.05) relative empty gizzard weight, where the H treatment had higher relative empty gizzard weight compared with the L treatment. Enzyme supplementation tended (P=0.10) to increase relative empty gizzard weight. The present data suggest that high inclusion of SFM and RSM negatively influenced broiler performance. Enzyme supplementation improved FCR at all levels of RSM and SFM included in this study, but did not recover the reduction in weight gain caused by high inclusion of RSM and SFM.