Kg Of Protein Research Articles

<b>Sugar cane fresh or ensiled with or without bacterial additive in diets for dairy cows

This study evaluated the effect of using fresh sugar cane, sugar cane silage with or without Lactobacillus buchneri, and burnt sugar cane silage with or without L. buchneri on ingestive behavior, nitrogen balance and synthesis of microbial nitrogen compounds of dairy cows. Five ¾ Holstein x Gir crossbred cows, assigned to a 5 x 5 Latin square design, were given diets with a 60:40 forage: concentrate ratio on a dry matter basis, to meet an average body weight of 550 kg and production of 15 kg of milk per day. The treatment with fresh sugar cane showed higher values (p 0.05) the nitrogen intake and balance, but led to a greater (p 0.05), and showed an average value of 204.32 g microbial crude protein kg-1 total digestible nutrients.

Características da carcaça e carne de novilhos terminados em confinamento com níveis fixos de concentrado

This experiment aimed to evaluate the characteristics of meat and carcass of steers finished in feedlot fed with corn silage “ad libitum” associated to the daily fixed inclusion of 4 kg animal-1 of energetic concentrate with 15%.crude protein or concentrate with 32% crude protein in the ratio of 2 kg animal-1 or 1.5 kg animal-1. Thirty-six steers were used, being eighteen Canchim (5/8 Charolais and 3/8 Nelore), with average age of 8 months and initial mean live weight of 250 kg. The daily fixed supplementation of 4 kg of concentrate during the termination of beef cattle in feedlot improved the thickness of subcutaneous fat and the marbling of the carcasses front against the use of the protein concentrate in the ratio of 1.5 kg animal-1 or 2 kg animal-1. The daily supplementation of 4 kg of concentrate animal-1 in the alimentary diet in confined cattle provided greater live weight of slaughter, greater degree of finishing of the carcasses, more good texture and marbling of the meat, with remaining meat and carcasses characteristic similar to the 2 kg of protein concentrate.

SEQUENCING INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP INTENSIFICATION BY DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ZIMBABWE

SUMMARYResearch has proved that integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) can increase crop yields at the field and farm scales. However, its uptake by smallholder farmers in Africa is often constrained by lack of technical guidelines on effective starting points and how the different ISFM options can be combined to increase crop productivity on a sustainable basis. A 4-year study was conducted on sandy soils (<10% clay) on smallholder farms in eastern Zimbabwe to assess how sequencing of different ISFM options may lead to incremental gains in soil productivity, enhanced efficiency of resource use, and increase crop yields at field scale. The sequences were primarily based on low-quality organic resources, nitrogen-fixing green manure and grain legumes, and mineral fertilizers. To enable comparison of legume and maize grain yields among treatments, yields were converted to energy (kilocalories) and protein (kg) equivalents. In the first year, ‘Manure-start’, a cattle manure-based sequence, yielded 3.4 t ha−1of maize grain compared with 2.5 and 0.4 t ha−1under a woodland litter-based sequence (‘Litter-start’) and continuous unfertilized maize control, respectively. The ‘Manure-start’ produced 12 × 106kilocalories (kcal); significantly (p< 0.05) out-yielding ‘Litter start’ and a fertilizer-based sequence (‘Fertilizer-start’) by 50%. A soyabean-based sequence, ‘Soya-start’, gave the highest protein production of 720 kg against <450 kg for the other sequencing treatments. In the second year, the sequences yielded an average of 5.7 t ha−1of maize grain, producing over 19 × 106kcal and 400 kg of protein. Consequently, the sequences significantly out-performed farmers’ designated poor fields by ~ fivefold. In the third year, ‘Soya-start’ gave the highest maize grain yield of 3.7 t ha−1; translating to 1.5 and 3 times more calories than under farmers’ designated rich and poor fields, respectively. In the fourth year, ‘Fertilizer-start’ produced the highest calories and protein of 14 × 106kcal and 340 kg, respectively. Cumulatively over 4 years, ‘Manure-start’ and ‘Soya-start’ gave the highest calories and protein, out-performing farmers’ designated rich and poor fields. Sunnhemp (Crotalaria junceaL.)-based sequences, ‘Green-start’ and ‘Fertilizer-start’, recorded the highest gains in plant available soil P of ~ 4 mg kg−1over the 4-year period. Assessment of P agronomic efficiencies showed significantly more benefits under the ISFM-based sequences than under farmers’ designated rich and poor fields. Based on costs of seed, nutrients and labour, ‘Soya-start’ gave the best net present value over the 4 years, while ‘Fertilizer-start’ was financially the least attractive. Overall, the ISFM-based sequences were more profitable than fields designated as rich and poor by farmers. We concluded that ISFM-based sequences can provide options for farm-level intensification by different categories of smallholder farmers in Southern Africa.

Short communication: Heterosis by environment and genotype by environment interactions for protein yield in Danish Jerseys

Crossing of lines or strains within and between breeds has been demonstrated to be beneficial for dairy cattle performance. However, even within breed, differences between strains may also give rise to heterosis. A key question is whether an interaction exists between heterosis and environment (H × E) that is independent of genotype by environment (G × E) interactions. In this study, H × E and G × E interactions were estimated in a population of approximately 300,000 Danish Jersey cows. The cows were a mixture of pure Danish Jerseys and crosses of US and Danish Jerseys. The phenotype studied was protein yield. A reaction norm model where the unknown environmental covariates are inferred simultaneously with the other parameters in the model was used to analyze the data. When H × E, but not G × E, was included in the model, heterosis was estimated to be 3.8% for the intermediate environmental level. However, when both H × E and G × E were included in the model, heterosis was estimated to be 4.1% for the intermediate environmental level. Furthermore, when only H × E was included in the model, the regression on the unknown environmental covariate was estimated to be 0.15, interpreted as meaning that an increase of average herd-year protein yield by 1kg of protein led to an increase in heterosis of 0.15kg above the average heterosis for a first-cross cow. When both H × E and G × E were included in the model, the regression on the unknown environmental covariate was not significantly different from zero, meaning that heterosis was similar in all environments investigated. The genetic correlation of protein yields for different environmental levels ranged from 0.72 to 0.93, which was significantly different from unity, indicating that G × E exist for protein yield.

Novel SNPs and INDEL polymorphisms in the 3′UTR of DGAT1 gene: in silico analyses and a possible association

Diacylglycerol-O-acyltransferase (DGAT1) gene encodes the rate-limiting enzyme of triglyceride synthesis. A polymorphism in this gene, DGAT1 K232A, has been associated with milk production and composition in taurine breeds. However, this polymorphism is not a good tool for ascertaining the effects of this QTL in Bos indicus (Zebu), since the frequency of the DGAT1 232A allele is too low in these breeds. We sequenced the 3'-untranslated region of DGAT1 gene in a sample of bulls of the breeds Guzerá (Bos indicus) and Holstein (Bos taurus) and, using in silico analysis, we searched for genetic variation, evolutionary conservation, regulatory elements, and possible substitution effects. Six single nucleotide (SNPs) and one insertion-deletion (INDEL) polymorphisms were found in the Guzerá bulls. Additionally, we developed a preliminary association study, using this INDEL polymorphism as a genetic marker. A significant association was detected (P ≤ 0.05) between the INDEL (DGAT1 3'UTR INDEL) and the breeding values (BV) for protein, fat, and milk yields over a 305-day lactation period. The DGAT1 3' UTR INDEL genotype I/I (I, for insertion) was associated with lower BVs (-38.77 kg for milk, -1.86 kg for fat, and -1.48 kg for protein yields), when compared to the genotype I/D (D, for deletion). I/D genotype was lower D/D genotype (-34.98 kg milk, -1.73 kg fat, and -1.09 kg protein yields). This study reports the first polymorphism of DGAT1 3'UTR in the Guzerá breed, as well as its association with BV for milk protein, fat, and milk yields.

Greenhouse gas emissions intensity of Ontario milk production in 2011 compared with 1991

Jayasundara, S. and Wagner-Riddle, C. 2014. Greenhouse gas emissions intensity of Ontario milk production in 2011 compared with 1991. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 155-173. For identifying opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from milk production in Ontario, this study analyzed GHG intensity of milk [kg CO2 equivalents kg-1 fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM)] in 2011 compared with 1991 considering cow and crop productivity improvements and management changes over this period. It also assessed within-province variability in GHG intensity of milk in 2011 using county-level data related to milk production. After allocating whole-farm GHG emissions between milk and meat using an allocation factor calculated according to the International Dairy Federation equation, GHG intensity of Ontario milk was 1.03 kgCO2eq kg-1 FPCM in 2011, 22% lower than that in 1991 (1.32 kg CO2eq kg-1 FPCM). Greenhouse gas sources directly associated with dairy cattle decreased less (21 and 14% for enteric fermentatio...

The greenhouse emissions footprint of free-range eggs

Eggs are an increasingly significant source of protein for human consumption, and the global poultry industry is the single fastest-growing livestock sector. In the context of international concern for food security and feeding an increasingly affluent human population, the contribution to global greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from animal protein production is of critical interest. We calculated the GHG emissions footprint for the fastest-growing sector of the UK egg market: free-range production in small commercial units on mixed farms. Emissions are calculated to current Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and UK standards (PAS2050): including direct, indirect, and embodied emissions from cradle to farm gate compatible with a full product life-cycle assessment. We present a methodology for the allocation of emissions between ruminant and poultry enterprises on mixed farms. Greenhouse gas emissions averaged a global warming potential of 2.2 kg of CO2e/dozen eggs, or 1.6 kg of CO2equivalent (e)/kg (assuming average egg weight of 60 g). One kilogram of protein from free-range eggs produces 0.2 kg of CO2e, lower than the emissions from white or red meat (based on both kg of meat and kg of protein). Of these emissions, 63% represent embodied carbon in poultry feed. A detailed GHG emissions footprint represents a baseline for comparison with other egg production systems and sources of protein for human consumption. Eggs represent a relatively low-carbon supply of animal protein, but their production is heavily dependent on cereals and soy, with associated high emissions from industrial nitrogen production, land-use change, and transport. Alternative sources of digestible protein for poultry diets are available, may be produced from waste processing, and would be an effective tool for reducing the industry's GHG emissions and dependence on imported raw materials.

Refining dietary protein recommendations for the athlete

Refining dietary protein recommendations for the athlete

Short communication: Immediate and deferred milk production responses to concentrate supplements in cows grazing fresh pasture

The objective of this study was to determine the increase in milk production from supplementation that occurred after supplementation ceased. This portion of the total response (i.e., the deferred response), although accepted, is generally not accounted for in short-term component research projects, but it is important in determining the economic impact of supplementary feeding. Fifty-nine multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were offered a generous allowance of spring pasture [>45kg of dry matter (DM)/cow per day) and were supplemented with 0, 3, or 6kg (DM)/d of pelleted concentrate (half of the allowance at each milking event) in a complete randomized design. Treatments were imposed for the first 12 wk of lactation. Treatments were balanced for cow age (5.4±1.68 yr), calving date (July 27±26.0 d), and genetic merit for milk component yield. During the period of supplementation, milk yield and the yield of milk components increased (1.19kg of milk, 0.032kg of fat, 0.048kg of protein, and 0.058kg of lactose/kg of concentrate DM consumed), but neither body condition score nor body weight was affected. After concentrate supplementation ceased and cows returned to a common diet of fresh pasture, milk and milk component yields remained greater for 3 wk in the cows previously supplemented. During this 3-wk period, cows that previously received 3 and 6kg of concentrate DM per day produced an additional 2.3 and 4.5kg of milk/d, 0.10 and 0.14kg of fat/d, 0.10 and 0.14kg of protein/d, and 0.10 and 0.19kg of lactose/d, respectively, relative to unsupplemented cows. This is equivalent to an additional 0.19kg of milk, 0.006kg of fat, 0.006kg of protein, and 0.008kg of lactose per 1kg of concentrate DM previously consumed, which would not be accounted for in the immediate response. As a result of this deferred response to supplements, the total milk production benefit to concentrate supplements is between 7% (lactose yield) and 32% (fat yield) greater than the marginal response measured during the component experiment. Recommendations to dairy producers based on component feeding studies must be revised to include this deferred response.

Expression Systems and Species Used for Transgenic Animal Bioreactors

Transgenic animal bioreactors can produce therapeutic proteins with high value for pharmaceutical use. In this paper, we compared different systems capable of producing therapeutic proteins (bacteria, mammalian cells, transgenic plants, and transgenic animals) and found that transgenic animals were potentially ideal bioreactors for the synthesis of pharmaceutical protein complexes. Compared with other transgenic animal expression systems (egg white, blood, urine, seminal plasma, and silkworm cocoon), the mammary glands of transgenic animals have enormous potential. Compared with other mammalian species (pig, goat, sheep, and cow) that are currently being studied as bioreactors, rabbits offer many advantages: high fertility, easy generation of transgenic founders and offspring, insensitivity to prion diseases, relatively high milk production, and no transmission of severe diseases to humans. Noticeably, for a small- or medium-sized facility, the rabbit system is ideal to produce up to 50 kg of protein per year, considering both economical and hygienic aspects; rabbits are attractive candidates for the mammary-gland-specific expression of recombinant proteins. We also reviewed recombinant proteins that have been produced by targeted expression in the mammary glands of rabbits and discussed the limitations of transgenic animal bioreactors.

Genetic parameters for female fertility and milk production traits in first-parity Czech Holstein cows

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for female fertility and production traits in first-parity Czech Holstein cows and to quantify the effect of using this information on the accuracy of a selection index in seven different scenarios. In order to estimate genetic (co)variance components, the DMU software running an AI-REML algorithm was used. The analyses were made using a series of bivariate animal models. The pedigree included 164 125 animals and it was set up using a pruned animal model design. The present study included the following female fertility traits for the first lactations: calving to the first insemination (CF), days open (DO), calving from the first to the last insemination (FL), and milk production traits: milk production (MLK), kg of fat (FAT), and kg of protein (PROT). The heritability for all the investigated fertility traits was low and close to 0. Moderate heritabilities for production traits ranging from 0.20 (MLK) to 0.23 (PROT) were estimated. The strongest unfavourable correlation was found between PROT and DO (0.49). Other estimated correlations between fertility traits and production traits were moderate, ranging from 0.26 to 0.41. The results of this study evidence that cows with the poorest genetic potential for reproductive performance are those having high genetic potential for milk production and milk components. The results also show that the number of days from calving to new pregnancy depends on the production level. Seven investigated scenarios using selection index theory show a clear trend for increasing accuracy when more fertility traits were added as well as when higher numbers of daughters with information on reproduction traits per sire were available.  

Efeitos da adição de batata na silagem de capim-elefante sobre o consumo e a produção em vacas leiteiras

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a produção e a composição do leite em vacas alimentadas com silagens contendo batata. Foram selecionadas 12 vacas: 9 delas com 50 a 70 meses de idade e 3 de 36 a 42 meses, lactantes, com peso aproximado de 550 kg. O delineamento experimental foi em três quadrados latinos 4 × 4, composto de quatro períodos experimentais e quatro tratamentos (silagens): silagens de milho (SM); capim-elefante (SC); capim-elefante com 7% de batata (SC 7%); e capim-elefante acrescido de 14% de batata (SC14%). Os animais que receberam as dietas com SM, SC 14% e SC 7% apresentaram ingestões mais altas de MS em comparação àqueles que ingeriram dietas à base de silagem de capim-elefante puro. O fornecimento de silagem de capim-elefante formulada com 14% de resíduo de batata proporcionou aos animais maior produção de leite e de leite corrigida para 3,5% de gordura, kg de gordura, kg de proteína, kg de sólidos totais, kg de extrato seco desengordurado (ESD) e kg de lactose em comparação à adição de 7% de batata. A silagem de milho foi superior às demais, pois promoveu maior produção de leite, em kg de proteína, kg de ESD e kg de lactose. A silagem de capim-elefante foi inferior às demais para as produções de ESD e de lactose. Não houve diferença entre as silagens para os teores de gordura, proteína, sólidos totais, ESD, lactose e N-ureico no leite - NUL (mg/dL). A adição de 14% de resíduo de batata em silagens de capim-elefante melhora a ingestão de MS e as produções de leite e leite corrigida para 3,5% de gordura.

Analyse of traits of milk production in dairy cows

When evaluating milk performance indicators, we mainly focused on dairy cows of the Holstein breed and its cross-breeds. Within the Holstein breed and its cross-breeds we evaluated 68 dairy cows, which produced on average 6447.63 kg of milk, 272.42 kg of fat, 210.73 kg of proteins and 307.79 kg of lactose. By means of a device LACTOSCAN 90 we defined basic milk components in our samples in laboratory conditions on the basis of set working procedures. Average fat content in our samples stood at 3.87 g/100 g. Average proteins content in our samples stood at 3.36 g/100 g. Average lactose content stood at 4.96 g/100 g. When assessing milk technological qualities we determined the average milk acidity value in our samples, which was 5.85 oSH. The average thermostability value of the tested samples was 2.75. In the milk cheeseability test the shortest time needed for sample precipitation was detected in samples No. 4 (42 s.), No. 13 (185 s.) and No.11 (190 s.).

THE POTENTIAL OF WINTER COVER CROPS FOR EARLY SPRING FODDER

The use of cover crops is a recognized and well known method for soil tilth, soil nutrients conservation and weed suppression, whereas the utilization of winter cover crops for early spring fodder is not sufficiently investigated, especially in organic agriculture, where special rules have been applied. The experimental set up near Valpovo, Croatia, at the eutric brown cambisol soil type, during the years of 2007 and 2008, aimed toward effects of different cover crops and their mixtures on the biomass production and cover crops potential for early spring fodder. The experimental set-up was CRBD in four repetitions, with eight cover crop treatments after soybean (Glycine max L.) and pop-corn maize (Zea mays L. var. everta): WW – winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), RY – winter rye (Secale cereale L.) FP – field pea (Pisum arvense L.); HV – hairy vetch (Vicia vilosa L.); WF – mixture of WW and FP; WH – mixture of WW and HV; RF – mixture of RY and FP; and RH – mixture of RY and HV. The highest dry biomass production treatments were WW and RY after soybean with 3123 and 2987 kg of dry matter per ha, and RY and WW after maize, with 1656 and 1399 kg of dry matter ha –1 , respectively. Regarding protein production potential, WW and RY treatments after soybean yielded 226 and 183 kg of proteins, whereas HV and WH treatments after maize produced 155 and 143 kg of proteins, respectively.

High protein diet maintains glucose production during exercise-induced energy deficit: a controlled trial

BackgroundInadequate energy intake induces changes in endogenous glucose production (GP) to preserve muscle mass. Whether addition provision of dietary protein modulates GP response to energy deficit is unclear. The objective was to determine whether exercise-induced energy deficit effects on glucose metabolism are mitigated by increased dietary protein.MethodsNineteen men ([mean ± SD] 23 ± 2 y, VO2peak 59 ± 5 ml·kg-1·min-1) were divided into three groups, two consuming moderate (MP; 0.9 g protein kg-1 d-1), and one high (HP; 1.8 g protein kg-1 d-1) protein diets (55% energy from carbohydrate) for 11 days. Following 4 days of energy balance (D1-4), energy expenditure was increased for 7 days (D5-12) in all groups. Energy intake was unchanged in two, creating a 1000 kcal d-1 deficit (DEF-MP, DEF-HP; n = 6, both groups), whereas energy balance was maintained in the third (BAL-MP, n = 7). Biochemical markers of substrate metabolism were measured during fasting rest on D4 and D12, as were GP and contribution of gluconeogenesis to endogenous glucose production (fgng) using 4-h primed, continuous infusions of [6,6-2H2]glucose (dilution-method) and [2-13C]glycerol (MIDA technique). Glycogen breakdown (GB) was derived from GP and fgng.ResultsPlasma β-hydroxybutyrate levels increased, and plasma glucose and insulin declined from D4 to D12, regardless of group. DEF-MP experienced decreased plasma GP from D4 to D12 ([mean change ± SD] 0.24 ± 0.24 mg·kg-1·min-1), due to reduced GB from D4 (1.40 ± 0.28 mg·kg-1·min-1) to D12 (1.16 ± 0.17 mg·kg-1·min-1), P < 0.05. Conversely, BAL-MP and DEF-HP sustained GP from D4 to D12 ([mean change ± SD] 0.1 ± 0.5 and 0.0 ± 0.2 mg·kg-1·min-1, respectively) by maintaining GB.ConclusionExercise-induced energy deficit decreased GP and additional dietary protein mitigated that effect.

Records of performance and sanitary status from a dairy cattle herd in southern Brazil

Over the last decades, the emphasis on the health of dairy cows has changed from an individual to a herd level. In this scenario, the role played by the recording system and its interpretation by veterinarians has gained primordial importance. The records of productive and reproductive performance and of sanitary status from a southern Brazilian dairy cattle herd have been presented and discussed. The period of study was 2000-2009. Mean values per lactation period were 349D 8436M 290F 275P 201SCS (D: days in lactation, M: kg of milk yield, F: kg of fat, P: kg of protein and SCS: somatic cell score in 1000 cells/ml of milk). Major indexes of reproductive efficiency included age at first calving (31 months), services per conception (2.1), intercalving interval (428 days), calving to conception interval (146 days), mean annual rates of parturitions (76.2%), fetal losses (9.8-19.0%), and stillbirths (3.6%), apart of voluntary waiting period (94 days). Main information on sanitary status of the herd was associated with the mean prevalence of common disorders of dairy cattle such as anaplasmosis (29.8%), mastitis (27.8%), digital diseases (26.3%), ovarian cysts (21.3%), placental retention (19.7%), postpartum uterine infections (10.6%), and calf diarrhea (23.7%) and pneumonia (16.8%), among others. In addition, culling reasons (low reproductive performance [56.3%] and udder/mastitis problems [33.6%]), causes of cattle deaths (anaplasmosis [16.4%] and leukosis [11.4]), and the impact of cattle diseases such as tuberculosis, leukosis, and neosporosis on the herd have also been presented and succinctly discussed. Numbers between brackets represent rates accumulated in the 10-year period.

Evaluation of productivity of fodder area in chosen dairy farms in Lublin voivodeship

Summary. The evaluation of productivity of fodder area in dairy farms localized in three regions differentiated by habitat conditions in Lublin voivodeship is presented in the paper. The method which was used during the research was a survey and the basic instrument was a questionnaire. The study was conducted in 145 farms. The productivity level of fodder area types, expressed by chosen indexes was regionally differentiated and dependent on the number of cows in a herd. Less productivity of the natural fodder area was achieved by farms in which grasslands area per 1 livestock unit was the biggest. The productivity of the basic forage area, measured in kg of protein, was mostly influenced by: cereal yields, grasslands area per 1 LU, their share in the agricultural acreage, the share of feed in a special area of arable land and their share in forage area in the agricultural acreage. Its level, however, expressed in MJ of energy was mainly affected by the area of farmland, the share of maize in the crop structure and the size of the non-economic forage area. The productivity of the forage area, expressed in units of cereal was mostly affected by the area linkage per 1 LU of their proportion in the agricultural acreage, grain yields, the share of feed in a special area of arable land and their share in the forage area in the agricultural acreage.

Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value of Protein of the Pea Seeds - Effect of Harvesting Year and Variety

Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value of Protein of the Pea Seeds - Effect of Harvesting Year and Variety We tested nutritional usability of pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) at full maturity. Four white-flowering and 5 colour-flowering new Polish cultivars were compared. We determined proximate composition of ground seeds collected over 4 years period as well as amino acids, minerals (Ca, P, Na, K), tannins and fiber fractions (NDF, ADF, ADL). The seeds contained between 224 and 260 g·kg-1 of crude protein which was rich in Lys (6.8±0.8 g) but poor in Met+Cys (2.0±0.2 g·16 g-1 N). The amount of tannins (as tannic acid equivalent) in white-flowering cvs was 4.3±0.9 g and in colour-flowering - 7.4±2.2 g. The calculated protein nutritional values were compared against amino acid standards of human and animal nutrition and the whole egg protein. Effects of the cropping year and variety variance in respect of chemical composition of seeds were examined. Crude protein, crude oil, N-free extractives, tannins, K, amino acid content: Leu, Phe+Tyr and Ala content were influenced significantly by the cultivar, while the cropping year had a significant influence on dry matter, crude ash, crude protein, crude fibre, crude oil, N-free extractives ADF and ADL fiber fractions, content of P, Na and K, most of the amino acid levels and on nutritional values of the protein measured by means of CS and EAAI indices.

Determination of the proportion of the ingested gross energy lost as exhaled methane by dairy goats consuming contrasting concentrate ingredients in mixed rations

Twelve 2-yr-old, dry Murciano-Granadina dairy goats were selected and divided into four equal groups based on similar body weight (38.41 ± 0.78 kg). The four treatments were mixed diets with approximately 600 g kg-1 alfalfa hay chopped to 2.5-cm particle size, and 400 g kg-1 of concentrate. The concentrate has 250 g kg-1 of cereal grain (corn or barley) and 150 g kg-1 of protein (sunflower meal or green peas). Experimental diets were isoenergetic with an average value of 18.9 MJ gross energy (GE) kg-1 of dry matter (DM). Apparent digestibility, intake, metabolic energy and methane (CH4) production were obtained. The effect of cereal grain was significant for crude protein (P &lt; 0.001) and acid detergent fiber (P &lt; 0.049) digestibility. The effect of protein source was significant for DM (P &lt; 0.025), organic matter (P &lt; 0.031) and DEI (P &lt; 0.016) digestibilities. CH4 exhaled was determined by an open-circuit mask calorimeter system. An average value of 0.8 L CH4 h-1 was found for these mixed rations. When this was expressed as the proportion of the ingested GE lost as exhaled methane, the average value was 4.6. Because of the non-significant differences observed among these mixed diets studied to determine exhaled CH4 by non-productive dairy goats, diets based on barley and sunflower meal are recommended. These crops are cheaper than corn and peas because they are produced in Spain and not imported from other countries.

Sulfoacetate Is Degraded via a Novel Pathway Involving Sulfoacetyl-CoA and Sulfoacetaldehyde in Cupriavidus necator H16

Bacterial degradation of sulfoacetate, a widespread natural product, proceeds via sulfoacetaldehyde and requires a considerable initial energy input. Whereas the fate of sulfoacetaldehyde in Cupriavidus necator (Ralstonia eutropha) H16 is known, the pathway from sulfoacetate to sulfoacetaldehyde is not. The genome sequence of the organism enabled us to hypothesize that the inducible pathway, which initiates sau (sulfoacetate utilization), involved a four-gene cluster (sauRSTU; H16_A2746 to H16_A2749). The sauR gene, divergently orientated to the other three genes, probably encodes the transcriptional regulator of the presumed sauSTU operon, which is subject to inducible transcription. SauU was tentatively identified as a transporter of the major facilitator superfamily, and SauT was deduced to be a sulfoacetate-CoA ligase. SauT was a labile protein, but it could be separated and shown to generate AMP and an unknown, labile CoA-derivative from sulfoacetate, CoA, and ATP. This unknown compound, analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS, had a relative molecular mass of 889.7, which identified it as protonated sulfoacetyl-CoA (calculated 889.6). SauS was deduced to be sulfoacetaldehyde dehydrogenase (acylating). The enzyme was purified 175-fold to homogeneity and characterized. Peptide mass fingerprinting confirmed the sauS locus (H16_A2747). SauS converted sulfoacetyl-CoA and NADPH to sulfoacetaldehyde, CoA, and NADP(+), thus confirming the hypothesis.