Meat Meal Research Articles

Results of determining the nutritional composition of meat and bone meals intended for fodder mixture

The article discusses the utilization of livestock waste from slaughterhouses in the production of feed additives, suitable for broiler chickens, using highly nutritious food waste. The study presents results for moisture, protein, crude fat, and ash content in waste samples from various animals (foals, calves, and bone meal). Notably, the fat content was 9,6% in foal flour, 8,0% in calf flour, and 31,7% in bone meal. The research revealed that while a sample made from bone meal is high in fat (31,7%), the sample with the lowest amount of crude fat (8,0%) was from calf flour. These findings suggest the development of a new compound feed mixture, utilizing waste from agricultural animal slaughter, which is formulated to rapidly increase the weight of meat birds.

Hydration and wetting mechanism of borosilicate – Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hybrid aerogels of potential bioactivity

Mesoporous borosilicate – polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hybrid aerogels show positive bioactivity when interacting with dental pulp stem cells. The surface characteristics and the nanostructures of the hydrated aerogel particles are important in determining the biological response. This study reports the comparative structural characterization of pristine and stepwise hydrated hybrid aerogels, and proposes a qualitative mechanism for the wetting and pore-filling processes of these mesoporous materials. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry and cryoporometry revealed the extensive hydration of PVA macromolecules in the hybrid skeleton when contrasted to the wetting of pure silica aerogels. In spite of this extensive hydration, the open and permeable pore-structure of the hybrid borosilicate-PVA aerogels are preserved even when completely filled with liquid water. The conservation of the nanoscale architecture of the hybrid aerogels upon wetting was further confirmed by SANS. Finally, it was shown that the incorporation of microcrystalline hydroxyapatite into the hybrid skeleton does not alter the advantageous morphological features and wetting mechanism of the hybrid aerogels. The rough nanostructured skeleton is advantageous for cell binding and ensures facile mass transport through the particles in aqueous suspensions.

THE USE OF RABBIT MEAT AND MILK THISTLE MEAL IN A LOW-CALORIE MEAT PRODUCT

In the modern world, the culture of a healthy lifestyleacquiresspecial relevance. An integral part of this process is specialized nutrition, therapeutic and prophylactic or dietary consumption of meat products for different categories of people. According to the research of modern scientists, in the next 15-20 years, the consumption of therapeutic and prophylactic, dietary, low-calorie meat products, as well as a decrease in the energy value of food products, will occupy 30% of the food market.The research results were processed by mathematical analysis and compiled taking into account the nutritional value and organoleptic properties of the finished product, which includes rabbit and veal meat, rabbit liver, egg mellange, skimmed milk, milk thistle powder. The combination of animal products in various proportions makes it possible to bring the composition of the product closer to the composition recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).This article provides an overview of the main components of the composition for obtaining a low-calorie meat product that meets current and future market demand, rabbit meat and milk thistle powder, known for their hepatoprotective properties, analyzes the usefulness of their composition for human health and suggests the possibility of inclusion in the daily diet. In addition, a laboratory study of the nutritional and energy value of the finished product was conducted, as a result of which a decrease in the caloric content of the new product to 138 kcal was observed.Keywords: rabbit meat, dietary nutrition, low-calorie meat product, alatykene powder, amino acids, energy value.

Effects of different dietary threonine and glycine supplies in broilers fed low-protein diets.

The reduction of crude protein (CP) content of broiler diets with balanced amino acid supply can increase the nitrogen (N) utilization efficiency and reduce ammonia emission, the risk of many health problems in birds. Feeding low protein (LP) diets without the impairment of performance traits needs the optimized dietary levels of threonine (Thr) and the non-essential amino acid (AA) glycine (Gly) and serine (Ser). However, the required concentrations and interactions of Thr and Gly + Ser, expressed as Gly equivalent (Glyequi), in LP diets are not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three LP (LP1-3) grower (11-24 days) and finisher (25-35 days) diets with 2% CP reduction compared to the control (C), differing in standardized ileal digestible (SID) Thr to lysine (Lys) ratio (C, LP1, LP3: 63%, LP2: 72%) and Glyequi levels (C: 15.65 g/kg, LP1: 13.74 g/kg, LP2: 13.70 g/kg, LP3: 15.77). The LP treatments did not impair the performance traits of broilers. The LP2 treatment with increased SID Thr-to-Lys ratio (+9.0%) resulted in significantly higher body weight gain and a more advantageous feed conversion ratio in the whole fattening compared to the control treatment with normal CP level (p < 0.05). The LP3 treatment containing swine meat meal with similar Glyequi levels compared to the normal CP treatment led to the most advantageous feed conversion ratio in the finisher phase and the highest nitrogen retention efficiency (p < 0.05). However, the LP3 treatment with a high starch-to-CP ratio negatively influenced the relative carcass weight and the ratio of abdominal fat of broilers (p < 0.05).

Maggots cannot live on meat meal alone: production parameters for mass rearing of the ovoviviparous blowfly, Calliphora dubia (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

This study determined a cost-effective larval diet for rearing Calliphora dubia Macquart for use as a potential managed pollinator in Australia. This fly has potential as a pollination species to support honey bees (Apis mellifera). Larvae of C. dubia were reared mostly in meat meals with varying amounts of either whole egg powder, whole eggs (+ shell), bran flakes, skimmed milk powder, brewer's yeast, or poultry oil. This was done from an economic and production perspective to support commercial rearing. Several laboratory-based studies determined the growth and output from various ingredient combinations. Larvae fed 90% meat meal and 10% whole egg powder developed rapidly through to pupation with a high pupation rate, adult size, and percent adult emergence. Given the high cost and difficulty in sourcing whole egg powder, media comprising mostly meat meals with the addition of bran flakes and whole eggs also supported rapid larval development, pupation rate, and adult emergence. The ideal amount of media/larvae was 0.5 g/larvae to support high pupation rates and adult emergence. Adult eclosion occurred over 4-5 days, even when larvae were laid and fed within 1 h on ample media. Commercial mass rearing would then require daily cohorts of larvae to ensure peak adult fly emergence over 1-2 days for release into a crop. Mass-rearing C. dubia should use meat meal as the base ingredient with bran flakes and whole eggs added and fed at 0.5 g of media/larvae. Based on the current media ingredient costs, rearing 1-m adult C. dubia would cost just over $500 (US$342).

Improvement of the production and quality of Cordyceps javanica conidia for the control of Diaphorina citri adults.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of palm kernel meal (PKM) in the traditional solid-state fermentation system to improve the production and quality of Cordyceps javanica conidia. The impact of PKM was determined by measuring conidia yield, viability, hydrophobicity, shelf life, and conidia pathogenicity against Diaphorina citri adults. By supplementing rice grains with 5% palm kernel meal increased the conidial yield by up to 40%, without compromising conidia viability and hydrophobicity. In addition, conidia caused higher levels of mortality by mycosis against D. citri adults (90%), relative to conidia harvested from rice (52%). The conidia recovered from rice/palm kernel meal mixtures also retained viability greater than 90% after storage for 10months at 4°C, while the conidia produced on rice reached 80%. Thus, conidia produced in the presence of palm kernel meal can be consumed immediately or in the medium term. Some process advantages of the palm kernel meal as co-substrate in the traditional production system of C. javanica are also mentioned. These results are attractive for improving the mycoinsecticide production process, with excellent cost-benefit and minimal changes in infrastructure and process.

Age-Related Variations in the Apparent Metabolizable Energy of Meat and Bone Meal for Broilers.

The influence of broiler age on the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen-corrected AME (AMEn) of meat and bone meal (MBM) was investigated. A corn-soy basal diet and an experimental diet wherein 300 g/kg of the basal diet was replaced (w/w) with MBM were developed. The diets, in pellet form, were fed to six replicate cages across six age groups, namely d 1 to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 21, 22 to 28, 29 to 35 or 36 to 42 d post-hatch. Birds were fed either a starter diet from d 1-21 or a finisher diet from d 22-35. Basal and experimental diets were introduced on d 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and 36 with 10 (d 1-7), 8 (d 8-14) and 6 (d 15-42) birds per replicate. Total collection of excreta was carried out during the last 4 d of each age period. A linear decrease (p < 0.001) in the retention of dry matter and nitrogen was observed with advancing age. The AMEn of MBM showed a linear increase (p < 0.05), rising from 12.56 MJ/kg during d 1-7 to 13.90 MJ/kg during d 29-35, followed by a decline to 13.41 MJ/kg during d 36-42. The current findings showed that the energy utilization of MBM increased with the advancing age of broilers. Age-dependent AMEn values of MBM may need to be considered when MBM is included in feed formulations.

Camellia oleifera shell powder and palm kernel meal as an environmentally-friendly, low-cost compound filler in MUF adhesive for plywood preparation

Industrial flour served as a classical filler in wood industry for many years. However, its high-cost and competition for use as food stuff paved the way to a novel substitution tactic by using agriculture and forestry waste residues. Camellia oleifera shell and palm kernel meal are both by-products of oil-refining with advantages such as wide availability, great-reserve, renewability, and low-cost. Herein, a compound filler strategy was proposed by combining Camellia oleifera shell powder (Cosp) and palm kernel meal (PKM) to solve some drawbacks while Cosp as a single filler. The results showed that the bonding performance of plywood incorporating 20% single Cosp modified MUF was inferior with respect to MUF modified by same amount of industrial flour, due to the significantly increased viscosity, leading to a decrease in wet shear strength (1.63 MPa and 1.47 MPa for cold and hot-water soaking pretreatment, respectively). Encouraged, the overall status (including the viscosity, gel time, and solid content) of MUF modified by the compound filler displayed is regarded the best formulation for Coaps to PKM weight ratio of 5:5. Therefore, the wet shear strength for derived plywood samples with the adhesive incorporating 20% filler content, can reach 1.90 MPa and 1.88 MPa for cold and hot-water soaking pre-treatment, respectively. Interestingly, this bonding performance is similar to MUF resin modified by industrial flour. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to further confirm the potency of the compound filler modification strategy. Furthermore, the formaldehyde emission of MUF resin modified by the compound filler was effectively reduced by 8.24–14.12%, compared to industrial flour as filler. Cosp and PKM, as agricultural and forestry waste residue, exhibited the cost advantage for this approach based on calculation, which can save the cost of adhesive by over 40% for filler. The strategy for employing this compound filler provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach for green application of waste residues obtained from agriculture and forestry.

Effects of fermented palm kernel cake in acidic and basic solutions on the performance of broiler chickens

Palm kernel meal is a by-product used very sparingly in poultry feed, due to its low nutritional value and gravelly appearance which could be improved by physical or chemical treatments. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of palm-kernel meal fermentation period on its nutritional value and growth performances of broiler chickens. The treatment consisted of fermenting palm kernel meal in a solution of humic acid (HA) or limestone, for 0, 2, 4 and 6 days. A control ration without palm kernel meal (R0) was compared to rations containing 15% unfermented palm kernel cake (R0+) and 15% fermented palm kernel cake in humic acid and limestone solutions. Each experimental ration was randomly assigned to 8 chicks in 4 experimental units of 02 chicks each, repeated 4 times per a 2×3 factorial design (2 fermentation modes and 3 fermentation period). The main results showed that fat content (13.04%) and metabolizable energy (5314 Kcal/kg DM) of palm kernel meal were higher when fermented in humic acid for 6 days. Fermentation in the basic solution for the same period (6 days) increased protein (13.52%) and cellulose (24.21%) contents. Whatever the fermentation mode, the digestive utilization coefficient of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and crude cellulose increased with the fermentation period. Fermentation mode and period had no significant effect on growth performance. However, growth characteristics tended to improve with fermentation period. In conclusion, fermentation of palm kernel in humic acid and limestone solutions improved significantly (P&lt;0.05) the digestibility of all feed components, enabling chickens to take advantage of the nutrients for better growth performances.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus spp. isolated from animal feed in Japan.

The rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacteria is a global health problem at the human, animal, and environmental interfaces, which necessitates the "One Health" approach. AMR of bacteria in animal feed are a potential cause of the prevalence in livestock; however, the role remains unclear. To date, there is limited research on AMR of bacteria in animal feed in Japan. In this study, a total of 57 complete feed samples and 275 feed ingredient samples were collected between 2018 and 2020. Enterococcus spp. were present in 82.5% of complete feed (47/57 samples), 76.5% of soybean meal (62/81), 49.6% of fish meal (55/111), 33.3% of poultry meal (22/66), and 47.1% of meat and bone meal (8/17) samples. Of 295 isolates, E. faecium (33.2% of total isolates) was the dominant Enterococcus spp., followed by E. faecalis (14.2%), E. hirae (6.4%), E. durans (2.7%), E. casseliflavus (2.4%), and E. gallinarum (1.0%). Of 134 isolates which were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance to kanamycin was the highest (26.1%), followed by erythromycin (24.6%), tetracycline (6.0%), lincomycin (2.2%), tylosin (1.5%), gentamicin (0.8%), and ciprofloxacin (0.8%). All Enterococcus spp. exhibited susceptibility to ampicillin, vancomycin, and chloramphenicol. Of 33 erythromycin-resistant isolates, only two showed a high minimum inhibitory concentration value (>128 μg/mL) and possessed ermB. These results revealed that overall resistance to antimicrobials is relatively low; however, animal feed is a source of Enterococcus spp. It is essential to elucidate the causative factors related to the prevalence of AMR in animal feed.

Corn Grain Fatty Acid Contents in Response to Organic Fertilisers from Meat Industry Waste

Organic waste can provide an alternative to synthetic fertilisers for maintaining productivity with limited environmental impact. Our research evaluates the potential use of processed animal waste in corn fertilisation, which may represent a partially closed nutrient cycle of importance in a sustainable agricultural system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quantity and quality of fat obtained from corn grain fertilised with meat and bone meal (MBM) produced from animal waste. A static field experiment using MBM was conducted at the Experimental Station in Tomaszkowo (53°71′ N, 20°43′ E), Poland. The field experiment was conducted in 2014–2017 with continuous corn cultivation. The course of weather conditions in the years of this study influenced the fat content, with the lowest amount found in 2016. The application of fertilisers in the form of MBM and mineral fertilisation resulted in a slightly lower fat content compared to the variant without fertilisation. The application of mineral fertilisers and MBM influenced an increase in the content of the predominant C18:2 acid compared to the variant without fertilisation, while the opposite was shown for C18:1 cis-9 acid. The fertiliser variants are most correlated with fat yield and total polyunsaturated fatty acids. The fertiliser variants in their effects on fat yield, fat content, fatty acid profiles, and their ratios can be divided into three groups, which were related to the effects of organic fertilisers during the years of this study. The use of meat and bone meal as fertilisers cannot be regarded as a factor in increasing the fat content of corn grain. Meat and bone meal applied over several years to the same field in the quantities required to achieve optimum yield can be an element that shapes fatty acid profiles.

Extraction and characterization of cellulose nanoparticles from palm kernel meal for potential application in active food packaging

The research aimed to explore the potential of palm kernel meal (PKM) as a sustainable source of cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) for active food packaging. The CNPs were isolated using a combination of chemical techniques, such as alkaline treatment, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis. The characterization of the CNPs was analysed using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV–visible spectroscopy. The findings revealed that chemical processing effectively removed lignin and hemicellulose from PKM. The SEM morphology confirmed the separation of the CNPs, resulting in the production of 40–100 nm spherical cellulose nanoparticles, while XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed their purity and composition. Moreover, the UV–visible spectroscopy exhibited high transmittance rates, indicating the potential of CNPs as reinforcing agents for polymer matrices. The significance of utilising PKM as a valuable fibre source for extracting CNPs can be recommended for developing active food packaging.

Growth, Survival, and Intestinal Health Alterations in Mediterranean Yellowtail (Seriola dumerili) Due to Alternatives to Fishmeal and Fish Oil.

Fishmeal and fish oil substitution in aquafeeds might have adverse effects on fish growth and health, mainly in carnivorous species, such as Mediterranean yellowtail (Seriola dumerili). Mediterranean yellowtail shows great potential as an alternative aquaculture species due to its fast growth and high price on the market, but the need for high-quality protein and fatty acid content in its diets is limiting its production. In order to improve the sustainability of its production, this study was conducted with 360 fish of 35 g to evaluate the effects on fish growth and health. Six diets were used: one control diet without replacement, three with FM replacement (FM66, FM33, and FM0) (33%, 66%, and 100% FM replacement), and two with FO replacement (FO50 and FO0) (50% and 100% FO replacement). The substitution of FM was with vegetable (VM) (corn gluten) and animal (AM) (krill and meat meal) meals. The reductions in FM and FO of up to 33 and 0%, respectively, did not affect the growth and survival of S. dumerili at the intestinal morphology level, except for the anterior intestine regarding the lower villi length and width and the posterior intestine regarding the lower width of the lamina propria. On the other hand, the substitution of fish ingredients in the diet affects liver morphology, indicating alterations in the major diameter of hepatocytes or their nuclei. Finally, diet did not affect the gut microbiota with respect to the control, but significant differences were found in alpha and beta diversity when FO and FM microbiota were compared. A 66% FM replacement and total FO replacement would be possible without causing major alterations in the fish.

Study and microbial evaluation of homemade meat meals sold in the markets of the city of Al Bayda – Libya

Background: Home-cooked meals were frequently linked to foodborne diseases. Microbial contamination of meals depends on many factors: handling and preparing of foods, the environment and quality of raw materials, and also habits of cooks. People who sell such meals for customers with lower income in the street are at risk from foodborne diseases and a need for periodical control to protect them. Deleterious microorganisms present in food may produce toxins and other harmful substances; some may spoil foods and cause off-odors and off-flavors. Objective: the aim of this study is to evaluate microbial contamination in home-made meat and meals sold in the markets of the city of Al-Bayda – Libya Methods: This study evaluated 40 samples of home-prepared meat in the city of Al-Bayda(20 red meat meals and 20 poultry meat samples). All samples were tested for the total number of viable bacteria, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, psychoactive and Anaerobic bacteria, mold count, and yeast count Results: The study showed that the average number of home meals red meat and processed poultry were 14.63 x 106, 19.19 x 105,10.35 x 510, 16.04 x 105, 104 x 3.8, and 7.39 x 105 CFU/g, respectively. The percentage of Staphylococcus aureus is 46.4% and 40% in processed red meat and poultry meals, respectively. Conclusion: The research showed that aerobic Bacteria did not grow in all the meals that were tested, and these results demonstrated the importance of this, which gave a serious indication that all home-prepared meat is dangerous to human health.

Analysis of Gizzerosine in Foodstuffs by HPLC Involving Pre-column Derivatization with o-Phthaldialdehyde.

Gizzerosine [2-amino-9-(4-imidazolyl)-7-azanonanoic acid] is a toxic amino acid formed from histamine and lysine at high temperatures, and may be present in foodstuffs (e.g., fishmeal and meat-bone meal) for animals including cats and dogs. Here we developed a simple, rapid, sensitive, specific, and automated method for the analysis of gizzerosine in foodstuffs by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) involving pre-column derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) in the presence of N-acetylcysteine (instead of the usual 2-mercaptoethanol or ethanethiol reagent). OPA reacted immediately (within 1 min) with gizzerosine in an autosampler at room temperatures (e.g., 20-25°C), and their derivative was directly injected into the HPLC column. The highly fluorescent gizzerosine-OPA derivative was well separated from the OPA derivatives of all natural amino acids known to be present in physiological fluids (e.g., plasma), proteins and foodstuffs, and was detected at an excitation wavelength of 340 nm and an emission wavelength of 450 nm. The total time for chromatographic separation (including column regeneration) was 20 min per sample rather than 40 min and longer in previous HPLC methods. The detection limit for gizzerosine was at least 6 pmol/ml in an assay solution (HPLC vial) or at least0.09pmol per injection into the HPLC column. The analysis of gizzerosine was linear between 1 and 100pmol per injection. When gizzerosine was extracted from foodstuffs, its detection limit was at least 875pmol/g foodstuff or at least0.21 mg/kg foodstuff. Our routine HPLC technique does not require any cleanup of samples or the OPA derivatization products (including the OPA-gizzerosine adduct), and is applicable for the analysis of gizzerosine in bothfoodstuffs and animal tissues.

Symbiotic can replace zinc bacitracin in diets for layer-type chicks

Context Antibiotics are being prohibited as additives in poultry diets. Therefore, poultry farmers have been searching for other alternatives, such as symbiotics, to include in broilers and laying hens diets. In contrast, symbiotics have not been tested in laying-type chicks, especially symbiotics composed of three groups of bacteria, yeast and two prebiotics. Aim This study examined the effects of replacing zinc bacitracin with symbiotic supplementation on the performance variables, haematology and blood biochemistry variables, and the weight of the immune and digestive systems in layer-type chicks. Methods A total of 1040 female layer-type chicks from 1 to 5 weeks of age were evaluated in a completely randomised design, four treatments and 10 replicates of 26 birds. The treatments consisted of two basal diets (one composed of corn and soybean meal [control diet] and another similar to the first diet, except with the addition of meat and bone meal [MBM]), and two diets based on MBM: one with 0.05% zinc bacitracin (ZnBc) and another with 0.1% symbiotic. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by orthogonal contrasts. Key results MBM provided higher mean bodyweight, weight gain and creatinine levels, but lower liver weight, caecum length and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels than in the birds fed the control diet. From 1 to 14 days, ZnBc provided greater bodyweight and weight gain than MBM. From 1 to 28 and 1 to 35 days, ZnBc resulted in higher bodyweight and weight gain, but lower feed intake and feed conversion ratio than birds fed the MBM diet. ZnBc decreased alkaline phosphatase, and increased creatinine levels and gamma-glutamyl transferase. From 1 to 14 and 1 to 21 days, 0.1% symbiotic provided a better feed conversion ratio than in the birds fed the ZnBc diet. The 0.1% symbiotic supplementation resulted in lower liver and fabricius bursa weights, higher mean alkaline phosphatase, and lower globulin, gamma-glutamyl transferase and aspartate transferase levels than ZnBc. Conclusion The symbiotic is effective for female layer type-chicks, fulfilling the purpose of replacing ZnBc. Implications Symbiotics used in chicks’ diets from the first day of life can replace antibiotics to maintain physiological homeostasis and protect them from possible stress situations.

Preparação de farinha de resíduos de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) para consumo humano

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to prepare and characterize Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) waste meal. The experimental design consisted of three treatments (carcass meal, mechanically separated meat meal - MSM, and head meal) and five replications of each treatment. Yield, microbiological quality, pH, water activity, proximate composition, energy value, mineral composition, fatty acid profile, amino acid composition, color, and particle size fractions and the geometric mean particle diameter (GMD) analyses were performed. Data were subjected to ANOVA, and means were compared by Tukey’s test at P &lt; 0.05. Carcass, mechanically separated meat, and head meals had a protein content of 56.45%, 78.60%, and 50.33%, respectively, a lipid content of 7.16%, 13.15%, and 4.58%, respectively, and an ash content of 32.61%, 4.26%, and 38.41%, respectively. The mean yield of fish waste meals was 13%. Oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids were the major fatty acids in the three fish waste meals, and glutamic acid, leucine, lysine, and glycine were the major amino acids. Color analysis showed that lightness (L*) ranged from 55.32 to 77.19, redness (a*) from 4.44 to 4.88, and yellowness (b*) from 4.13 to 9.51. The GMD ranged from 0.37 to 0.99 mm. The results indicate that Nile tilapia waste meals have high nutritional value and adequate pH, water activity, and microbiological quality for use in human nutrition.

Enhancement of species-specific analysis for meat and bone meal by matrix fragments-related spectral fusion

In this investigation, a pioneering approach involving the fusion of matrix fragments-related spectral data was proposed to improve the underperformance observed in raw meat and bone meal (MBM) when employed for species discrimination analysis. Initially, the MBM matrix was characterized as a binary mixture comprising bone fragment (BF) and meat fragment (MF). Subsequently, the disparities in near infrared (NIR), mid infrared (MIR), and Raman spectra between BF and MF samples were individually identified and elucidated. Following, the spectral fusion data related to matrix fragments were synthesized and subjected to analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) for species-specific evaluation. The suggested data fusion strategy was authenticated by its capacity to facilitate improved differentiation within the principal component space, along with reduced classification errors in PLS-DA. Further, complementarity of matrix fragments-related spectral variables for MBM species discrimination analysis was explicitly scrutinized and contributions to MBM derived from four species were meticulously traced. Additionally, the proposed analytical strategy for MBM could serve as a reference for the spectral characterization of other agricultural materials with complex matrices.

Prediction of net energy of feeds for broiler chickens

Net energy (NE) enables the prediction of more accurate feed energy values by taking into account the heat increment which is approximately 25% of apparent metabolizable energy (AME) in poultry. Nevertheless, application of NE in poultry industry has not been practiced widely. To predict the NE values of broiler diets, 23 diets were prepared by using 13 major ingredients (wheat, corn, paddy rice, broken rice, cassava pellets, full-fat soybean, soybean meal, canola meal, animal protein, rice bran, wheat bran, palm kernel meal and palm kernel oil). The diets were formulated in order to meet the birds' requirements and get a wide range of chemical compositions (on DM basis; 33.6% to 55.3% for starch; 20.8% to 28.4% for CP, 2.7% to 10.6% for ether extract [EE] and 7.0% to 17.2% for NDF), with low correlations between these nutrients and low correlations between the inclusion levels of ingredients allowing for the calculation of robust prediction equations of energy values of diets or ingredients. These diets were fed to Ross 308 broilers raised in 12 open-circuit respiratory chambers from 18 to 23 d of age (4 birds per cage) and growth performance, diet AME content and heat production were measured, and dietary NE values were calculated. The trial was conducted on a weekly basis with 12 diets measured each week (1 per chamber), 1 of the 23 diets (reference diet) being measured each week. Each diet was tested at least 8 times. In total, 235 energy balance data values were available for the final calculations. Growth performance, AME (15.3 MJ/kg DM on average) and AME/GE (79.4% on average) values were as expected. The NE/AME value averaged 76.6% and was negatively influenced by CP and NDF and positively by EE in connection with efficiencies of AME provided by CP, EE and starch for NE of 73%, 87% and 81%, respectively. The best prediction equation was: NE = (0.815 × AME) – (0.026 × CP) + (0.020 × EE) – (0.024 × NDF) with NE and AME as MJ/kg DM, and CP, EE and NDF as % of DM. The NE prediction equations from this study agree with other recently reported equations in poultry and are suitable for both ingredients and complete feeds.

Placement and acidification of biowastes: Potential strategies for improving phosphorus use efficiency

This study aimed to improve the phosphorus (P) use efficiency of various biowastes. To achieve this, we proposed the combination of placement and the acidification of biowastes for the development of P-efficient biobased fertilizers. Seven biowastes were used as P-fertilizers, including two meat and bone meals (MBM), two solid fractions of biogas digestate (BGF), and three sewage sludges (SS). Two acidification approaches were evaluated: pre-treatment with sulfuric acid (73.5 g sulfuric acid per kg fresh weight) and co-application with ammonium sulfate (15 mg N per kg soil). The treated materials were placed close to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Benchmark) seeds in a 42-day pot experiment in a growth chamber. The P use efficiency was compared to the corresponding untreated material homogeneously mixed or similarly placed in the soil. A 33P indirect labeling method was used to differentiate P uptake from soil and fertilizer. The negative control showed a shoot dry matter of 0.42 g ( ± 0.05) and a total P uptake of 0.62 ( ± 0.06) mg per plant. The placement of acidified sewage sludge did not show significant differences in shoot dry matter and P uptake compared to the negative control. On the other hand, the placement of acidified MBM significantly increased plant growth (MBM I: 2.93 ± 0.46; MBM II: 1.78 ± 0.09 g) and P uptake (MBM I: 7.38 ± 1.10; MBM II: 6.21 ± 0.53 mg) compared to the untreated MBM placed and the negative control. Similarly, the placement of acidified BGF showed promising results, with a 3-fold increase in P uptake from the fertilizer compared to untreated BGF mixed with the soil (7.74 ± 1.47 vs. 2.71 ± 0.26 mg). Therefore, our results demonstrate that the placement of acidified MBM and BGF can increase the P use efficiency of these biowastes and may provide a basis for formulating P-efficient biobased fertilizers using these materials.