Increased Feed Efficiency Research Articles

388 Young Scholar Award Talk: Increasing Efficiency of Finishing Beef Production: Optimizing Starch Digestion, Improving Flaking Quality, and Reducing Methane Emissions

Abstract The objectives of my dissertation research are to develop strategies to increase the efficiency of finishing beef production by optimizing the site and extent of starch digestion, improving flaking quality and consistency, and reducing methane emissions. Post-flaking sampling and handling techniques such as sifting steam-flaked corn samples with a sieve (P < 0.01), air equilibration time (P < 0.01), and storage temperature during shipping (P < 0.01) all influenced enzymatic starch availability of steam-flaked corn. Inducing starch retrogradation of steam-flaked corn decreased the rate (P < 0.01), but not the extent (P = 0.80), of ruminal dry matter degradation and thus, energetic efficiency was predicted to increase by up to 3.4% because of increased postruminal flow and digestion of starch in the small intestine. If producing steam-flaked corn is not feasible for smaller capacity feedlots, finely ground corn has a similar ruminal starch solubility to steamflaked corn (38.1% vs. 44.4, respectively, P > 0.05), suggesting an alternative processing method to increase feeding value in finishing diets. Duodenal infusion of glucoamylase (fungal origin) increased (P = 0.02) small intestinal starch disappearance in steers, while duodenal infusion of porcine α-amylase did not (P = 0.41), supporting the hypothesis that small intestinal carbohydrases are the primary hydrolytic limit to small intestinal starch digestion. Comparative sequencing analyses revealed a missing region of the stalk region of the sucrase-isomaltase protein sequence (AA 47-60) which is important for intracellular sorting of the sucrase subunit to the apical membrane. The absence of this region of the protein likely explains the absence of intestinal sucrase activity and quantitative limitations of starch digestion in the ruminant small intestine. Feeding decoquinate with Yucca schidigera extract for 7-d decreased (P < 0.01) ruminal acetate proportion and tended to increase ruminal (P = 0.08) propionate proportion, suggesting potential for hydrogen shifts which could contribute to reductions in methane emissions with longer feeding periods. The findings of my dissertation research provide: 1) post-flaking sampling and handling recommendations for commercial feedlots and laboratories to improve estimates of starch availability and flaking consistency, 2) a mechanistic target (sucrase-isomaltase) for limitations in small intestinal starch digestion, 3) practical feeding strategies to shift the site of starch digestion to the small intestine to increase feed efficiency (retrogradation), 4) new processing alternatives for small feedlot producers (fine ground corn inclusion), and 5) new information on how combinations of feed additives could potentially decrease methane production in feedlot cattle.

329 Effectiveness of Virginiamycin Administration on Animal Health and the Observed Impacts on Growth, Development, and Intake Dynamics in Growing and Finishing Calves

Abstract Virginiamycin (VM) is an antibiotic that possesses antimicrobial properties due to its ability to block protein synthase in Gram-positive bacteria. It reduces lactic acidosis and the incidence of liver abscesses. Animal growth and development is brought about because of improved ruminal health, and animal health and welfare. This study evaluated the continuous or intermittent provision of VM during the growing and finishing phases on 120 Angus-crossbred steers (291 ± 28 kg) in 20 pens equipped with a Calan gate feed system from which animals received VM (240 mg/d) as follow: no VM (T000); VM in the last 50 d (T001); VM for the last 100 d (T011); VM in the first 50 d (T100); VM in the first 100 d (T110); and VM for 150 d (T111). Data were analyzed using a random coefficients model with the pen as a random effect and animals within treatment as the subject. The T011 tended (0.075 ≥ P ≥ 0.052) to have a greater carcass, final shrunk body weight compared with T110. Empty body fat (EBF; %) tended (0.080 ≤ P ≤ 0.050) to be less for animals that consumed VM regardless of the period or length of feeding. Dry matter intake (DMI) was lesser for T111 compared with T000, and greater for T011 compared with T110 (P ≤ 0.028), which resulted in greater average daily gain (ADG) with no difference in feed efficiency (P = 0.015 and 0.225, respectively). ADG-adjusted metabolizable energy (aME) content increased by 3.08% for T111 compared with T000. This study indicated that daily supplementation of 240 mg VM during the whole feeding phase increased feed efficiency and paME, whereas when withdrawn during the end of the finishing phase (T110) can impair DMI and ADG.

Prospects Of Development Of Sorghum As Ruminant Feed-In Indonesia

Sorghum plants can be developed in Indonesia as feed for ruminants. This is due to agro-ecological conditions that can be tolerant of land conditions in Indonesia. Dry land can be used for the growth of sorghum because sorghum is a cereal with low water content. The harvest method can be carried out at the age of 85 days to 90 days, due to the high content of organic matter, dry matter, and crude protein. By-products of sorghum or sorghum waste in the form of leaves and stems can be used as forage for ruminants. Antinutrient substances in sorghum can be processed with silage technology to maintain nutrients, feed reserves for a long time, and increase digestibility in the rumen of ruminants to increase feed efficiency.

Provision of lucerne in the diet or as a manipulable enrichment material enhances feed efficiency and welfare status for growing-finishing pigs

This research investigated the effects of including lucerne in a diet and as manipulable enrichment material on growing-finishing pig growth performance and behaviour. Forty-eight intact male Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) pigs with an initial live weight (LW) of 26.4 ± 2.32 kg (mean ± SD) were blocked by LW and randomly assigned to two dietary treatments (control vs lucerne), and two manipulable material treatments (without and with lucerne chaff for manipulable material). The barley and soybean meal-based control diet was formulated according to a commercial standard, while the lucerne diet replaced 100 g/kg of the barley and soybean oil in the control diet with lucerne chaff. The diets were formulated to have the same amount of digestible energy and apparent ileal digestible lysine. Manipulable material (lucerne chaff) was provided daily at 100 g/pig. Pigs had ad libitum access to diets via electronic feeders until they reached approximately 90 kg LW, at which time they were slaughtered. There were no interactions between dietary treatment and provision of manipulable material on pig production and behaviour. Feeding the lucerne diet reduced average daily feed intake, LW gain, feed intake per feeder visit, and feeding rate, but increased feed efficiency (P < 0.05). Access to manipulable material did not affect any growth traits, but the number of feeder visits per day was greater and the duration of visits to the feeder was lower in pigs that had access to lucerne chaff (P < 0.001). Compared to the other groups, pigs that consumed the lucerne diet or had access to manipulable material rested for a shorter duration but engaged in more social interactions and exploration behaviour. In conclusion, including 10% lucerne in growing-finishing diets improved feed efficiency and lucerne chaff appears to be an attractive enrichment source to pigs.

Efficacy of adding chemical and microbial additives to silage on beef cattle performance: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

AbstractThe effects of different additives on farm‐scale silage quality and beef cattle performance are inconsistent. This study aimed to carry out a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the efficacy of chemical and microbial additives to silage on beef cattle performance. Systematic searches were performed using databases and scientific journals, and 42 articles were selected. Data for all variables were grouped into subgroups according to the additive type. For dry matter intake and average daily gain, the data were also grouped by forage type due to greater comparison numbers. The treatment mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (p &lt; 0.05) were analysed using a random‐effects model. The use of homo‐ and heterofermentative microbial inoculant mixtures and chemical additives (Ch) increased the average daily gain of beef cattle fed maize/sorghum silage. Homofermentative microbial inoculant (Ho), Ch, and a mixture of microbial inoculant and chemical additives also increased the average daily gain of beef cattle fed temperate grasses. Only Ch increased dry matter intake. Ch increased feed efficiency, and Ch and Ho increased carcass weight. The evaluated additives improved the silage fermentation process mainly via pH and ammonia nitrogen reduction. Overall, this meta‐analysis demonstrated that silage additives improved the ensiling process and beef cattle performance, with better results with Ch use. Due to the aerobic stability and microbiological profile analyses being carried out more in laboratory‐scale silos, more studies are needed to determine these silage parameters after opening the silo at the farm scale.

Yak rumen microbiome elevates fiber degradation ability and alters rumen fermentation pattern to increase feed efficiency.

Rumen microbes play an important role in ruminant energy supply and animal performance. Previous studies showed that yak (Bos grunniens) rumen microbiome and fermentation differ from other ruminants. However, little is understood about the features of the rumen microbiome that make yak adapted to their unique environmental and dietary conditions. This study was to investigate the rumen microbiome and metabolome to understand how yak adapt to the coarse forage and harsh environment in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Nine female Qaidam yellow cattle (Bos taurus), 9 dzomo (hybrids of cattle and yak) and 9 female plateau yak (B. grunniens), about 5 to 6 years old, were used in this study. Rumen fermentation parameters, fibrolytic enzyme activities, and rumen metataxonomic were determined. Then 18 (6 samples per group) were selected for rumen metagenomic and metabolome analysis. Metataxonomic analysis revealed that the rumen microbiota was significantly different among plateau yak, Qaidam yellow cattle, and dzomo (P < 0.05). Metagenomic analysis displayed a larger gene pool encoding a richer repertoire of carbohydrate-active enzymes in the rumen microbiome of plateau yak and dzomo than Qaidam yellow cattle (P < 0.05). Some of the genes encoding glycoside hydrolases that mediate the digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose were significantly enriched in the rumen of plateau yak than Qaidam yellow cattle, but glycoside hydrolase 57 that primarily includes amylases was abundant in Qaidam yellow cattle (P < 0.05). The rumen fermentation profile differed also, Qaidam yellow cattle having a higher molar proportion of acetate but a lower molar proportion of propionate than dzomo and plateau yak (P < 0.05). Based on metabolomic analysis, rumen microbial metabolic pathways and metabolites were different. Differential metabolites are mainly amino acids, carboxylic acids, sugars, and bile acids. Changes in rumen microbial composition could explain the above results. The present study showed that the rumen microbiome of plateau yak helps its host to adapt to the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. In particular, the plateau yak rumen microbiome has more enzymes genes involved in cellulase and hemicellulase than that of cattle, resulting higher fibrolytic enzyme activities in yak, further providing stronger fiber degradation function.

O1 Decreased maintenance energy expenditure in Nelore cattle after 10 years of selection for increased feed efficiency

O1 Decreased maintenance energy expenditure in Nelore cattle after 10 years of selection for increased feed efficiency

Inclusão de aditivos ionóforos na suplementação de bovinos: Revisão

Ionophores can manipulate rumen fermentation and increase feed efficiency, increasing the animal performance. And the com from fermentation arising from some Streptomyces species. Ionophores are classified as substances able to passively interact with ions and cations, acting in this way, as a transport vehicle for them through cellular membranes. Currently, some types of ionophore are known, standing Monensina, Salinomicyn, Lasalocida and Narasina. The objective of this review was to approach the results presented in the literature on the use of ionophores and other additives in the ruminal nutrition, and to clarify their role in ruminal fermentation, consumption, digestion and practical applications in production systems.

Supplementation of n-3 fatty acid and ruminal undegradable to degradable protein ratio in young lambs raised under heat condition: effects on growth performance and urinary purine derivatives.

The present study evaluated the effect of supplementation alpha-linolenic fatty acid source (ALA) with different rumen undegradable to degradable protein ratios [low ratio (LR) = 26:74; high ratio (HR) = 36:64 based on CP%] on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal score, animal feeding behavior, and urinary purine derivatives (PD) in young lambs during hot season. Forty 10-day-old lambs (averaging body weight of 7.9 ± 0.8kg) were used in a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement as following treatments (10 lambs/treatment): (1) no n-3 FA supplementation with LR diet (NALA-LR), (2) no ALA supplementation with HR diet (NALA-HR), (3) supplementation of ALA with LR diet (ALA-LR), and (4) supplementation of ALA with HR diet (ALA-HR). Results showed that ALA supplementation slightly increased feed efficiency (FE; tendency, P = 0.076), improved fecal score (P = 0.045), and reduced rectal temperature (tendency, P = 0.064) during pre-weaning period. The HR diets improved average daily gain (ADG; P < 0.01), wither height (post-weaning; P = 0.015), and final BW (P = 0.048) compared with LR diets. The greatest ADG (pre-weaning; P = 0.012), structural growth, and the lowest urinary nitrogen exertion (P = 0.043) were found in the ALA-HR treatment. No change was found for ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and animal behavior in lambs fed different experimental treatments. In summary, results indicated that concurrent feeding of ALA and high dietary RUP:RDP ratio can be recommendable that is likely due to more efficient nitrogen utilization when young lambs are raised during hot season. HIGHLIGHTS: • The interaction of n-3 FA and nitrogen was evaluated in pre-weaning lambs raised under heat condition. • Supplementation of n-3 FA increased FE and improved fecal score in heat-exposed lambs during pre-weaning period. • The high RUP:RDP ratio improved skeletal growth during post-weaning period. • Concurrent feeding of n-3 FA and high dietary RUP:RDP ratio is recommendable in young lambs raised during hot season.

Addition of turmeric (Curcuma longo LINN) extract on artificial feed to increase feed eficiency and the growth of gouramy fry (Osphronemus goramy

Artificial feed consisting of anting spinach flour (Acalypha indica L) and mung bean sprout waste (Vigna radiata) with the addition of turmeric extract is a fish feed that has not been widely used as a source of vegetable protein raw materials. This study aims to determine the effect of adding turmeric extract (Curcuma longa LINN) to the feed formula on increasing feed efficiency and growth of Osphronemus gourami. Materials and methods, the test fish used was gourami with an average individual weight of 5.04±0.5 g/head. Feeding at 08.00, 12.00 and 16.00 with feeding at satition. The test fish were reared with a stocking density of 13 fish/20 L, using a 30 liter bucket container with a maintenance period of 42 days. This research was conducted by experimental method using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 3 replications. Each treatment contains 31.5-32.33% crude protein. The treatment is A: without spinach anting flour and bean spout flour, B: 100% spinach anting flour and 0% bean sprout flour, C: 50% spinach anting flour and 50% bean sprout pulp flour, D : 100% test feed of bean sprout pulp flour and each treatment was repeated three times. The treatment tested was the same dose of turmeric extract added to the feed with treatments A, B, C and D, each dose was given the same (15 ml/kg feed). The observed data included feed consumption rate (TKP), feed utilization efficiency (FUE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein eficiency ratio (PER), net protein utilization (NPU), relative growth rate (RGR), survival rate ( SR) and water quality. The best EPP treatment was C 95.92±2.49%, and FCR value 1.67±0.03. PER value 3.00±0.077%. NPU value... The treatment with the best growth was treatment C, which was RGR 6.11±0.07%/day. The water quality in the rearing media was in the appropriate range for rearing the test fish.

Materials framework based bio/sensors for the detection of ornidazole and metronidazole antibiotics in environment and foodstuffs

• ODZ and MTZ antibiotics are effective in the treatment of infections in humans and animals. • Electrochemical detection of MTZ/ODZ in various environmental samples. • Future recommendations for quantitative analysis of ODZ/MTZ have been require. Metronidazole (MTZ) and ornidazole (ODZ) are antibiotics veterinary pharmaceuticals that are primarily used to treat and prevent various bacterial and protozoal illnesses in poultry and pigs. They were also utilized as feed additives to promote growth and increase feed efficiency. However, because of their possible detrimental impacts on human health, they have been banned in many countries from usage in animal food production. As a result, sensitive and dependable analytical techniques for monitoring the residues of these chemicals in comestible animal tissues, food, environmental sample…etc are required. Many analytical techniques for determining antibiotics MTZ/ODZ have been described till now. In recent decades, electrochemical techniques with high sensitivity, quick response, ease of handling, and low cost have been frequently used to detect antibiotic residues. This study compiles recent studies on the uses of modified electrodes, taking into account the substrate electrode, modifier, analytical technique, supporting electrolyte, linear dynamic range, and limit of detection, which may be useful to researchers interested in working in this area.

Dietary Cysteamine Supplementation Remarkably Increased Feed Efficiency and Shifted Rumen Fermentation toward Glucogenic Propionate Production via Enrichment of Prevotella in Feedlot Lambs.

Cysteamine (CS) is an essential nutritional regulator that improves the productive performance of animals by regulating somatotropic hormone secretion. To investigate the fattening potential and effects of CS on rumen microbial fermentation, 48 feedlot lambs were randomly assigned to four groups and fed diets supplemented with different CS concentrations (0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg BW). An increase in dietary CS concentrations linearly increased the average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (p < 0.05) but decreased the feed-to-gain ratio (p < 0.01). For the serum hormone, increasing the dietary CS concentration linearly decreased somatostatin and leptin concentration (p < 0.01) but linearly increased the concentration of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (p < 0.01). Regarding rumen fermentation, ruminal pH, ammonia-N, and butyrate content did not differ among the four treatments, although dietary CS supplementation linearly increased microbial protein and propionate and decreased the amount of acetate (p < 0.05). Furthermore, an increase in dietary CS concentrations quadratically decreased the estimated methane production and methane production per kg ADG (p < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing revealed that increased dietary CS concentrations quadratically increased Prevotella (p < 0.05), and Prevotella and norank_f__norank_o__Clostridia_UCG-014 were positively correlated with growth performance and rumen fermentation in a Spearman correlation analysis (r > 0.55, p < 0.05). Overall, a CS concentration higher than 20 mg/kg BW produced growth-promoting effects by inhibiting somatostatin concentrations and shifting the rumen toward glucogenic propionate fermentation by enriching Prevotella. In addition, Prevotella and norank_f__norank_o__Clostridia_UCG-014 were positively correlated with growth performance in lambs.

Developing Green Feed Toward Environment Sustainability in Freshwater Aquaculture in Indonesia

Environment performance is critical in freshwater aquaculture subject to fish diet formulation due to its negative impacts such as waters eutrophication and water quality. Problem on the water quality is not only impact on the fish growth itself but also will impact on the aquaculture business sustainability. Sustainability of fresh water aquaculture mainly relates to its environment performance subject to various resource management. Freshwater aquaculturist face a challenge to manage such resources to achieve their competitive advantage. The Resource-Based View (RBV) theory highlight on the firm ability to achieve their competitive advantage which dynamic capability is one of the main concern. The intensive freshwater aquaculture relied on feed as the primary factor to increase fish growth and production mainly. The feed might contribute 20 -30% waste in environment. The objective of this study is to identify in what extend green feed technology can support the environment sustainability. This study use combination of field data experimental result and semi structure interview to the fish farmers and fish agents. Developing green feed is one of the solution to gain environment sustainability. Various commercial diets have been fed on freshwater cultured fishes using both cages and ponds. As the results, low digestible diet and wasted diet has increased N and P in water, which will decline water quality at certain level. It is recommended to formulate green feed using low P and high digestible ingredients as well as any supplement material, which could increase diet digestibility. Minimize waste possible done through increasing feeding efficiency and use multiple cages, polyculture, aquaponics system in ponds, and alternative fish by-product in the diet. Technology to support the environment sustainability can be implemented by arranging the C-N ratio of the water, which will raise production of both bioflocs and bio-films. Stocking multi species different food web is recommended.

Effects of ferulic acid on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal development of piglets with intrauterine growth retardation.

Neonates with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) are prone to suffer from delayed postnatal growth and development during the early stages of life. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic compound that is abundantly present in fruits and vegetables and has various health benefits. Hence, we explored whether FA supplementation could favorably affect the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal development of piglets with IUGR. In total, eight normal-birth-weight (NBW) piglets and 16 piglets with IUGR (age, 7 d) were assigned to be fed either basic formula milk (NBW and IUGR groups, respectively) or basic formula milk supplemented with 100 mg/kg FA (IUGR + FA group) for 21 d. At necropsy, the serum and intestinal tissues were collected. FA supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the feed conversion ratio and serum total superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in piglets with IUGR. Moreover, FA supplementation elevated (P < 0.05) the duodenal lactase and maltase activities, jejunal villus height and jejunal maltase activity but reduced (P < 0.05) the duodenal crypt depth and duodenal and jejunal cell apoptosis, cleaved cysteinyl aspartic acid protease-3 (caspase-3) content and cleaved caspase-9 content in piglets with IUGR. In summary, FA supplementation could elevate antioxidant capacity and facilitate intestinal development, thus resulting in increased feed efficiency in piglets with IUGR.

Association of Residual Feed Intake With Blood Metabolites and Reproduction in Holstein Cows

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the associations between residual dry matter (DM) intake or residual feed intake (RFI) from 1 to 15 weeks postpartum and concentrations of metabolites in plasma in early lactation and reproduction in Holstein cows. Data from 9 experiments, including 851 cows, were used. Intake of DM, milk yield, and body weight were evaluated daily, whereas milk composition and body condition were evaluated twice weekly for the first 105 days postpartum. Blood was sampled on the day of calving and again on days 7, 14, and 21 postpartum and analyzed for concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (FA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and glucose. Reproduction was evaluated for the first 300 days postpartum. Residual DM intake was calculated as the observed minus the predicted intake, with intake predicted based on a model that accounted for major energy sinks. Cows were ranked and categorized into RFI quartiles, from the smallest (Q1) to the largest (Q4) RFI (−1.87, −0.46, 0.39, and 1.90 kg/day). Increasing efficiency (i.e., from Q4 to Q1) resulted in linear decreases in DM intake (Q1 to Q4; 18.9, 20.4, 21.3, and 22.7 kg/day), and median days open (132, 125, 135, and 147 d). Conversely, improving efficiency was associated with a linear increase in pregnancy per artificial insemination (AI, 31.4, 30.6, 31.2, and 24.5%) and quadratic increases in the 21-day cycle pregnancy rate (21.2, 21.1, 22.0, and 16.6%) and the proportion of pregnant cows (79.0, 80.7, 82.4, and 71.5%). The estimated net energy for lactation (NEL) content of diets increased linearly with improved RFI (1.88, 1.76, 1.71, and 1.58 Mcal/kg), resulting in no association between RFI and energy-corrected milk yield or body energy change. Nevertheless, increased feed efficiency was associated with a linear increase in concentrations of blood FA (0.68, 0.63, 0.60, and 0.59 mM), but a quadratic association with BHB (0.75, 0.64, 0.64, and 0.65 mM), with no association with glucose. Collectively, the most feed efficient cows ate 3.8 kg/day less DM, produced the same amount of energy-corrected milk, and had improved reproductive performance compared with the least efficient cows, thus suggesting that the underlying mechanisms responsible for improved feed efficiency might also be linked with improvements in reproduction.

GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus) WITH STARVED PERIODICALLY IN BEDENG MUNIR VILLAGE, SOUTH PAGAR ALAM

Abstract This time fish farmers often face constraints on the high price of commercial feed which results in low profits for the farmers. One solution to reduce artificial feed is periodic starvation. Starvation can reduce and increase feed efficiency while increasing production and fish can grow equally without fasting. The purpose of this study was to determine the growth and survival of periodically fasted tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Bedeng Munir Village, South Pagar Alam. The method used in fish farming consisted of two treatments, that is P0: control and P1: fasting treatment (fish were given commercial feed for 4 days and fasted for 1 day). The parameters observed were absolute length growth, absolute weight growth, total feed consumption, feed efficiency, survival, and water quality. The results showed that the P1 treatment produced the highest absolute weight growth of 16.5 g, the highest absolute length growth was 1.35 cm, the lowest amount of feed consumption was 1540 g, the highest feed efficiency was 204.94%, the survival rate was 89. %,. While water quality in both the treatment is still in the range of tolerance for tilapia as temperature 21.4 to 24.2 0C and pH 7.6 to 8.1.KeywordsGrowth, tilapia, starvation, survival.

Effects of dietary vitamin E and fat supplementation in growing-finishing swine fed to a heavy slaughter weight of 150 kg: I. Growth performance, lean growth, organ size, carcass characteristics, primal cuts, and pork quality.

The study aimed to assess the effect of vitamin E (VE) supplementation and fat source on growth performance, lean growth, organ size, carcass characteristics, and pork quality of pigs at a heavy slaughter weight of 150kg. A total of 64 pigs (32 barrows and 32 gilts; 28.41±0.83kg) were blocked by sex and body weight, and randomly assigned to one of eight dietary treatments (n = 8 per treatment) in a 4×2 factorial arrangement with main effects of fat source (corn starch [CS; no fat added], 5% tallow [TW], 5% distiller's corn oil [DCO], and 5% coconut oil [CN]) and VE supplementation level (11 and 200ppm). Five-phase diets were formulated to meet requirement estimates of NRC and fed to pigs with each period of 25kg from 25 to 150kg. Increasing dietary VE supplementation from 11 to 200ppm tended to increase average daily gain (ADG) in phase 5 (P = 0.08), and gain to feed ratio (G/F) in phase 4 (P = 0.06) and phase 5 (P = 0.06) resulting in increased G/F in the overall period (P = 0.10). Compared with the pigs fed the CS diet in the overall period, the pigs fed DCO diets had greater ADG (P < 0.05), the pigs fed the TW and CN diets had lower average daily feed intake (P < 0.05), and the pigs fed the fat-added diets had greater G/F (P < 0.05). Belly firmness was greatest in the pigs fed the CN diet and lowest in those fed the DCO diet (P < 0.05). Increasing dietary VE level from 11 to 200ppm increased absolute and relative liver weight, absolute ham yield (P < 0.05), and tended to increase the relative yield of picnic shoulder (P = 0.07) and ham (P = 0.06) and the pigs fed the corn oil diet tended to have greater belly yield (P = 0.08) than the other fat treatments. Increasing dietary VE level increased 45-min pH and ΔpH at slaughter but decreased a* value, chroma (P < 0.10), and belly depth (P < 0.05). However, no effects of VE supplementation and fat source were observed on the other carcass traits and meat quality measurements. In conclusion, increasing dietary VE level from 11 to 200ppm slightly increased growth rate and feed efficiency in the late finishing periods, and the addition of fat increased feed efficiency and backfat thickness, decreased lean content, and altered belly firmness. While there were some effects of VE supplementation and fat source observed on organ weight, primal cuts, carcass traits, and meat quality, there was no strong evidence that VE supplementation and fat source materially affected these measurements except for belly firmness.

The role of feed-grade amino acids in the bioeconomy: Contribution from production activities and use in animal feed

Feed-grade amino acids contribute to the bioeconomy through both their production and use. Amino acids produced using biomass as feedstock are bio-based products and their production contributes to the bioeconomy in terms of value added and employment. The use of amino acids in animal feed allows to increase feed efficiency and thus to reduce the demand for feed. Their use helps to reduce the content of soybean meal in feed formulation, thereby reducing the demand for soybean meal and consequently the total area of arable land required for feed production. This article proposes a methodological approach for data collection as well as for the calculation of the mentioned effects and provides their first quantification. In the EU, the estimated contribution of bio-based amino acids in terms of value added (50 million €) and employment (400 employers) is quite low. Within the product group “feed-grade amino acids”, the share of bio-based amino acids is 15% in the EU and much lower as on the global level (70%). The contribution through the use of amino acids in animal feed is argued to be significant. Our calculation shows that it already helps to avoid the use of millions ha of arable land.

Critical assessment of metabolism and related growth and quality traits in trout fed spirulina-supplemented plant-based diets

Nowadays in aquaculture, the nutrition of carnivorous fish species requires the development of sustainable plant-based diets. Supplementation with microorganisms such as spirulina could offer an alternative to full plant-based diets that are inappropriate for carnivorous species such as rainbow trout. However, the benefits and drawbacks of spirulina supplementation on fish performance and metabolism need to be assessed to substantiate spirulina as an appropriate ingredient. The objective of this work was to determine the metabolic utilization of a plant-based diet supplemented with two levels of spirulina (5% and 15%) and to compare it to a full plant-based (PB) and a commercial-like (COM) diet for trout. Spirulina supplementation induced both a decrease in feed intake and an increase in feed efficiency while maintaining growth and a putative reorientation of lipid deposition from viscera to muscle. Fatty acid changes, including an increase in saturated fatty acids, a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids, and color changes with an increase in b* index (yellow), suggested a slight alteration of the nutritional and visual quality of fish fed a spirulina diet. 1H NMR metabolomics profiling was used to measure metabolites in experimental feeds and in fish plasma, liver, and muscle. Two specific compounds of the spirulina ingredient were identified and determined to have opposed metabolic fates: i) a quinone-like compound was found to accumulate in liver and ii) β-hydroxybutyrate was found to be completely metabolized. The main metabolites modulated by spirulina in plasma and tissues were involved in energy and amino acid metabolisms. Spirulina supplementation almost suppressed the accumulation of glucose and essential amino acids in fish plasma and muscle induced by the PB diet. However, these compounds, as well as betaine, were found to accumulate in the liver of fish fed spirulina-supplemented diets. An alteration of liver metabolism due to the specific fatty acid profile and quinone-like compound of spirulina is suspected. A correlative approach of fish performance, quality traits, and metabolomic data in plasma and liver suggests that the maintenance of growth rate and feed efficiency using spirulina supplementation of a PB diet requires not only the supply of a well-balanced protein but also the redirection of lipid metabolism. However, observed changes in fatty acid composition and color suggest further alterations of the phospholipid metabolism. This work thus provides a contrasted fate of spirulina supplementation of a PB diet with both expected positive effects and unexpected negative effects that must be investigated further.

Application of fermented brewer's spent grain extract in plant-based diets for European seabass juveniles

This work aimed to evaluate the potential of a carbohydrases-rich extract produced by SSF of BSG to enhance the nutritional value of plant-based diets for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. BSG was fermented by A. ibericus (MUM 03.49) to obtain an aqueous enzymatic extract (1178 and 8317 U g−1 cellulase and xylanase activity, respectively). A control (50% protein; 18% lipids) diet was formulated with 55% DM of plant feedstuffs (PF), and four other diets were formulated similarly to the control but including 0.4% and 0.8% DM of lyophilized extract (BSG-extract), corresponding to 4000 and 8000 U of cellulase kg−1 of diet, directly included in the diet (BSG4 and BSG8 diets) or used to pre-treat the PF mixture of the control diet (PreBSG4 and PreBSG8 diets). Pre-treatment of PF with BSG-extract increased three-fold the dietary reducing sugars content and two-fold the antioxidant activity than the control diet. Cellulase and xylanase activities were highest in diets including BSG-extract directly added than pre-treated PF diets. These diets were fed to European seabass (IBW = 22 ± 1 g) for 66 days. Dietary supplementation with BSG-extract, mixed in the diet or used as a pre-treatment of PF, did not affect growth performance and whole-body composition (p>0.05) of European seabass but increased feed efficiency (up to 18%; p<0.05) and protein utilization (up to 22%; p<0.05). Nitrogen retention and total alkaline proteases activity were higher in fish fed with the PreBSG4 and PreBSG8 diets (p<0.01) than with the BSG4 and BSG8 diets. In contrast, BSG4 and BSG8 diets increased plasma glucose and decreased cholesterol levels compared to the control (p<0.05).In conclusion, this work showed the effectiveness of an extract produced by SSF of BSG, with high carbohydrases activity, to enhanced feed and protein utilization by European seabass, without affecting growth performance. Moreover, using BSG-extract to pre-treat PF seems to be more effective in improving protein utilization than adding it directly to the diet. This study demonstrated the feasibility of BSG valorization through SSF to produce a functional additive for aquafeeds. The novel produced BSG-extract simultaneously contributes to the sustainability of resources in a circular economy approach and increases the nutritional value of plant feedstuffs.