Low Tannin Sorghum Research Articles

Nutrient composition of Sorghum-Based Rations and their effect on growth of Improved Indigenous Chicken in Western Kenya

Improved indigenous chicken contributes to the nutrition of farmers in rural communities. The use of maize as an energy source in chicken diets is becoming unacceptable due to competition from humans, resulting in high feed costs. Alternative energy sources like low-tannin sorghum can be grown in Western Kenya. The objective of the study was to determine the nutrient composition of sorghum-based diets and the growth of improved indigenous chicken in Busia and Siaya Counties. Dietary treatments consisted of 50% (T1), 75% (T2) sorghum inclusion, and control (commercial diet) (T3). Farmers on semi-intensive were provided dietary treatments, and free-range (T4) was not provided. Feed samples were subjected to laboratory analysis for proximate composition, amino acids, and tannin content. Growth characteristics were collected biweekly. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, and then means that differed significantly were separated using Tukey’s test in Genstat 14th edition. For proximate composition, dry matter was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T2 (91.9%) and T3 (92.1%) compared to T1 (91.4%). Crude fat was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T2 (9.54%) than in T1 (6.84%) and T3 (6.57%). The crude fibre was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 (14.3%) compared to T1 (3.37%) and T2 (3.62%). Crude protein was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T2 (15.8%) and T1 (15.2%) compared to T3 (12.6%). Metabolisable energy was significantly (p<0.05) lower in T3 (2723 Kcal/Kg) compared to T1 (3569 Kcal/Kg) and T2 (3684 Kcal/Kg). Amino acids (lysine, methionine, cysteine, and tryptophan) content in diets T2 and T3 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than T1. The tannin content of the sorghum variety C26 was 1.24%. T1 had a significantly high (p<0.05) mean final weight (970 g), body weight gain (804 g), daily weight gain (14.4 g), and feed conversion ratio (5.57). Mortality was highest at T4 (17.1%). It was concluded that the inclusion of 50% low tannin sorghum meets chicken feed nutritional requirements and is best for growth performance. The study recommended that farmers rearing chicken should plant low tannin sorghum to be utilized as feed ingredient to cut the cost of production

Dietary supplementation of proteases on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and gut microbiota of growing pigs fed sorghum-based diets

Low-tannin sorghum is an excellent energy source in pig diets. However, sorghum contains several anti-nutritional factors that may have negative effects on nutrient digestibility. The impacts of proteases on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and gut microbiota of growing pigs fed sorghum-based diets were studied in this study. Ninety-six pigs (20.66 ± 0.65 kg BW) were allocated into three groups (eight pens/group, four pigs/pen): (1) CON (control diet, sorghum-based diet included 66.98% sorghum), (2) PRO1 (CON + 200 mg/kg proteases), (3) PRO2 (CON + 400 mg/kg proteases) for 28 d. No differences were observed in growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients between CON and PRO1 groups. Pigs fed PRO2 diet had increased (P < 0.05) BW on d 21 and 28, and increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain during d 14–21 and the overall period compared with pigs fed CON diet. In addition, pigs fed PRO2 diet had improved (P < 0.05) ATTD of gross energy, CP, and DM compared with pigs fed CON and PRO1 diets. Pigs fed PRO2 diet had lower (P < 0.05) plasma globulin (GLB) level and higher (P < 0.05) plasma glucose, albumin (ALB) and immunoglobulin G levels, and ALB/GLB ratio than pigs fed CON and PRO1 diets. Furthermore, pigs fed PRO2 diet had decreased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota at the phylum level and increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Prevotella_9 at the genus level. The linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis also showed that pigs fed PRO2 diet had significantly enriched short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, such as Subdoligranulum and Parabacteroides. In conclusion, protease supplementation at 400 mg/kg improved the growth performance of growing pigs fed sorghum-based diets, which may be attributed to the improvement of nutrient digestibility, host metabolism, immune status and associated with the altered gut microbiota profiles.

Effect of guanidinoacetic acid on performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acid composition, and nutrient digestibility of aged laying hens fed diets with varying substitution levels of corn with low-tannin sorghum

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) in diets containing varying levels of corn replacement with low-tannin sorghum (LTS) for laying hens in the later stage of production. In a 12-wk study, a total of 288 laying hens at 52 wk of age were divided into 6 treatment groups. Each treatment group had 8 replicates, each of which consisted of 6 hens. A 2 × 3 factorial design was used to investigate the impact of substituting corn with LTS at 3 levels (100% corn, 50% LTS, and 100% LTS) with 2 doses of GAA supplementation (0 and 0.6 g/kg). The results indicate that there were interaction effects (P < 0.05) between diet type and GAA supplementation on protein digestibility and AMEn, with the GAA supplement being more effective in the 100% LTS group. Replacing corn with LTS at both levels had no negative effects on performance and metabolic profile. In contrast, the 100% LTS diet increased monounsaturated fatty acids in the yolk (P < 0.05), but decreased the yolk color index, the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA) in the yolk, ileal digestibility of energy, and AMEn when compared to the 100% corn diet (P < 0.05). Regardless of the diet, dietary supplementation with GAA resulted in increases (P < 0.05) in shell-breaking strength, the PUFA to SFA ratio in egg yolk, and concentrations of creatine and nitric oxide in serum. There was also a decrease (P < 0.05) in serum malondialdehyde concentration with GAA supplementation. In conclusion, the positive effects of GAA on protein digestibility and AMEn were found to be more pronounced when corn was completely replaced with LTS. However, the positive effects of GAA on egg-laying performance, eggshell quality, antioxidant status, and yolk fatty acid composition remained consistent regardless of the extent to which corn was substituted with LTS.

Sorghum, millet and cassava as alternative dietary energy sources for sustainable quail production – A review

Diversification and expansion of the poultry industry with fast-growing and highly prolific birds such as the quail (Coturnix coturnix), could contribute significantly in achieving global food and nutrition security. However, sustainable intensification of the quail relies on the cost of dietary ingredients used during feed formulations. The use of non-conventional energy sources such as sorghum, millet, and cassava in lieu of expensive energy sources such as maize, could ensure sustainable quail businesses. Generally, alternative feedstuffs should be cost-effective and possess comparable nutritional qualities as maize. In tropical countries such as South Africa, the use of sorghum, millet, and cassava in quail diets can serve as ideal alternatives because they have relatively comparable energy values as maize. Furthermore, these alternatives are largely available and easily accessible in many farming areas of South Africa. However, the presence of antinutritional factors such as tannins, cyanides and phytic acid, among others, as well as their high fiber levels may limit their utilization in quail nutrition. Nevertheless, attempts have been made to develop improved varieties with low antinutrient compositions, for instance, low-tannin sorghum varieties are increasingly being fed to poultry birds. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that certain processing techniques such as sun-drying, soaking, boiling and fermentation, among others, can lower the concentrations of antinutrients in these alternative feedstuffs, thus increasing their feeding value. To this end, nutritional feeding trials on the positive effects of sorghum, millet and cassava in quail nutrition are inconsistent, mainly due to differences in cultivar type, harvesting site or environmental conditions, sampling, and handling methods amongst other factors. Thus, the present review aimed to discuss the potential of substituting maize with sorghum, millet, and cassava in quail diets.

Sorghum tannin extract impedes in vitro digestibility and fermentability of nutrients in the simulated porcine gastrointestinal tract.

The site and extent of digestion of sorghum nutrients affected by tannins in the intestine are not clarified. Porcine small intestine digestion and large intestine fermentation were simulated in vitro to determine the effects of sorghum tannin extract on the digestion and fermentation characteristics of nutrients in the mimicked porcine gastrointestinal tract. In experiment 1, low-tannin sorghum grain without or with 30 mg/g sorghum tannin extract were digested by porcine pepsin and pancreatin to measure in vitro digestibility of nutrients. In experiment 2, the lyophilized porcine ileal digesta from 3 barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 27.75 ± 1.46 kg) fed the low-tannin sorghum grain without or with 30 mg/g sorghum tannin extract and the undigested residues from experiment 1 were, individually, incubated with fresh pig cecal digesta as inoculums for 48 h to simulate the porcine hindgut fermentation. The results revealed that sorghum tannin extract decreased in vitro digestibility of nutrients both by pepsin hydrolysis or pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysis (P < 0.05). Although enzymatically unhydrolyzed residues provided more energy (P = 0.09) and nitrogen (P < 0.05) as fermentation substrates, the microbial degradation of nutrients from unhydrolyzed residues and porcine ileal digesta were both decreased by sorghum tannin extract (P < 0.05). Regardless of unhydrolyzed residues or ileal digesta as fermentation substrates, microbial metabolites including the accumulative gas production excluding the first 6 h, total short-chain fatty acid and microbial protein content in the fermented solutions were decreased (P < 0.05). The relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae AC2044 and NK4A136 and Ruminococcus_1 was decreased by sorghum tannin extract (P < 0.05). In conclusion, sorghum tannin extract not only directly decreased the chemical enzymatic digestion of nutrients in the simulated anterior intestine, but also directly inhibited the microbial fermentation including microbial diversities and metabolites in the simulated posterior intestine of pigs. The experiment implies that the decreased abundances of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae by tannins in the hindgut may weaken the fermentation capacity of microflora and thus impair the nutrient digestion in the hindgut, and ultimately reduce the total tract digestibility of nutrients in pigs fed high tannin sorghum.

Comparative digestion and fermentation characteristics of low-tannin or high-tannin sorghum grain in the porcine gastrointestinal tract.

High-tannin sorghum grain (HTS) has been previously proved to contain lower apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients than low-tannin sorghum grain (LTS) for pigs. This study was conducted to identify in which segments (foregut or hindgut) of the intestinal tract of pigs the digestion of nutrients was mostly influenced, and to compare the digestion and fermentation characteristics of LTS and HTS in the porcine gastrointestinal tract. In experiment 1, HTS and LTS were digested by porcine pepsin and pancreatin to simulate small intestine digestion, and subsequently the undigested residues were incubated with fresh pig cecal digesta as inoculums for 48 h to simulate the porcine large intestine fermentation in vitro. The results revealed that the in vitro digestibility of air-dry matter, gross energy (GE), and crude protein (CP) was lower (P < 0.05) in HTS than that in LTS, regardless of the simulated small intestine digestion or large intestine fermentation. The enzymatically unhydrolyzed residue of HTS decreased the accumulative gas production excluding the first 3 h and the short-chain fatty acid concentration including acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid in the fermented solutions (P < 0.05), although it provided more nutrients as fermentation substrates (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, 12 crossbred barrows (25.5 ± 2.5 kg body weight) with a T-cannula inserted in the distal ileum were randomly allotted to two diets (N = 6) to determine nutrient digestibility in the foregut (AID, apparent ileal digestibility) and in the hindgut of pigs (HGD, hindgut disappearance). The study lasted 10 d, with a 5 d adaption to the diets followed by a 3 d collection of feces and then a 2 d collection of ileal digesta. Diets included 96.6% HTS or LTS as the only source of dietary energy and nitrogen. The AID and ATTD of dry matter, GE, and CP in HTS were lower than those in LTS (P < 0.05). There was no difference in HGD of nutrients between LTS and HTS. Eight out of fifteen amino acids in HTS had lower AID values (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HTS provided lower small intestine digestibility of nutrients and lower large intestine fermentation parameters, implying that condensed tannins in sorghum grain may impede the nutrient digestibility in the foregut and limit the fermentability in the hindgut segment of pigs. Hence, digestion and fermentation characteristics of sorghum grain may vary depending on the condensed tannins.

Comparative ileal digestibility of gross energy and amino acids in low and high tannin sorghum fed to growing pigs

Low tannin sorghum cultivars (LTS) have been previously proved to contain greater available energy and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) than high tannin sorghum cultivars (HTS); however, their comparative ileal digestibility of energy and nitrogen excluding microbial interference in pigs remains mostly unknown. This study was designed to compare apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) associated with the AID and hindgut disappearance (HGD) of GE and CP in 4 LTS and 4 HTS fed to growing pigs. Eighteen barrows (27.6 ± 3.5 kg) fitted with a distal ileum T-cannula were allotted to a replicated 9 × 3 Youden square design with 9 diets and 3 periods to give a total of 6 replicate pigs per diet. Each period lasted 10 days, with 5 days adaption to the diets followed by 3 days collection of faeces and then 2 days collection of ileal digesta. Eight sorghum diets contained 966 g/kg sorghum grain as the only source of dietary energy and nitrogen, and one nitrogen-free diet was used to determine basal ileal endogenous nitrogen loss. Mean AID, ATTD, and HGD of GE and CP were higher in LTS than in HTS (P < 0.05). Mean SID of 8 out of 15 AA were decreased in HTS (P < 0.05). The AID, ATTD, and HGD of GE or CP had a negative correlation with condensed tannins and total phenolics in sorghum grain (P < 0.05). The SID of essential AA, including lysine, threonine, valine, histidine, and arginine, were highly or moderately negatively correlated with condensed tannins and total phenolics content in sorghum grains (P < 0.05). Overall, HTS provided less ileal digestibility and hindgut disappearance of energy and nitrogen, implying that condensed tannins in sorghum grain may impede nutrient digestibility, not only in the foregut but also in the hindgut segements of pigs.

SÍNTESE DE PROTEÍNA MICROBIANA E BALANÇO DE NITROGÊNIO EM NOVILHAS MESTIÇAS HOLANDEZ /ZEBU ALIMENTADAS COM DUAS FONTES DE TANINOS

Tannins have been used to trigger positive effects on ruminal metabolism. So, increasing levels of tannic acid in a sorghum-based diet for five Holstein/Zebu crossbred lactating heifers were subject to a 5 × 5 Latin square experimental design, five heifers x five tannins acid levels x five periods. The excretion of total purine derivatives, through the collection of spot urine samples, and the N concentration values in the milk and urine were used. All heifers received 9.87 kg/DM of corn silage as roughage and 6.38 kg of concentrate (not fed ad libitum). Diet 1 (control) contained low-tannin sorghum (0.027kg total tannin), and the other diets contained high-tannin sorghum. The levels of tannic acid added used were established based on the quantity of condensed tannin in high-tannin sorghum. Thus, diets 2, 3, 4, and 5 were supplemented with 1.5g (13.%DM), 79.5g (2.6%DM), 157.5g (3.9%DM), and 235.5g (5.2%DM) of tannic acid totalling 0.078, 0.156, 0.234, and 0.321 total tannin kg/day respectively. The urinary excretions of urea (2.0055), total allantoin (185.12 mmol/day-1) , and total purine derivatives (222.32 mmol/day-1); absorbed purines 179.3 mmol/day-1); the N microbian synthesis (130.358 (g)N/day-1); and the concentrations of allantoin in milk (36.40 mmol/day-1) were not affected by the diets. Diets using two tannins sources supplementation did not affect the animal’s health, that is, it did not change the blood and metabolic rates above the normality indices for the animal category, neither improved the efficiency of the microbial synthesis nor the balance of N for milk production

PSVIII-17 Effect of high-tannin sorghum grain on in vitro rumen fermentation and methane production

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the potential of methane (CH4) mitigation of high-tannin sorghum (HTS) varieties (V). The experiment was arranged as a completely randomized block design with a 7 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, including 6 HTS varieties (BRS72, Dekalb; 81G67, Dupont-Pioneer; QL-BR95, Lucava; 6001, ACA; NYX, Unisem; Red Bird, Warner Seeds; 20.1±3.2 g/kg condensed tannins), a low tannin sorghum (LTS, 0.3 g/kg condensed tannins) and two levels of polyethylene-glycol (PEG; 0 and 1 g). Three independent batch culture runs were conducted using a basal diet (0.5 g) containing 72% sorghum, 18% corn stover and 10% soybean meal. Total gas production (TGP), CH4 production, gas production kinetics and dry matter digestibility (DMD) were evaluated. Data were analyzed with R studio 1.4.1106 using a mixed model and the Tukey instruction for mean comparison. Interaction (V × PEG) was not significant (P = 0.16) for DMD. However, DMD decreased (P &amp;gt; 0.05) 6.1 percentage units with HTS varieties compared to LTS. Furthermore, PEG increased (P &amp;gt; 0.05) DMD by 1.78 percentage units. The V × PEG interaction tended to be significant for TGP (P = 0.09; mL/g DM), where sorghum 81G67 + PEG showed the lowest gas production (486 mL/g DM). Kinetics of gas production were also affected. Fermentation rate was higher (P &amp;gt; 0 .05) for the LTS variety (0.0373 %/h) and lower (P &amp;gt; 0.05) for sorghum 81G67 (0.0317 %/h), while maximum volume of gas was 5.9% higher (P &amp;gt; 0.05) when PEG was included. Methane concentration (%) was lowest (P &amp;lt; 0.05) with QL-BR95 sorghum but CH4 production (mL/g DM) was not affected (P = 0.38) by sorghum variety. Methane concentration and production increased (P &amp;gt; 0.05) 8.9 and 4.1% respectively with PEG inclusion. In conclusion, HTS negatively affected digestibility and rumen fermentation while PEG minimized such effects. Sorghum grain varieties with high tannin content had negligible effects on rumen methanogenesis.

Low-tannin sorghum grain could be used as an alternative to corn in diet for nursery pigs.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that low-tannin sorghum grain produced in China as a potential substitute for corn in diets could not impair the performance of nursery pigs. A total of 60 pigs (7.2±1.2kg) were randomly assigned to 2 diets with 5 replicate pens per treatment. Corn-based diet (CBD) included 60% corn grain during the overall experimental period, and sorghum-based diet (SBD) consisted of 30% (d 1 to 14) or 60.55% (d 15 to 28) sorghum grain in partial or total replacement of corn grain. Both diets were formulated to contain the same amount of digestible energy and indispensable amino acids. The results demonstrated no differences in growth performance or apparent digestibility of gross energy between treatments over the whole period. However, the substitution of corn by sorghum reduced (p<0.05) or tended to reduce (p=0.09) apparent digestibility of crude protein associated with an increased faecal nitrogen excretion per weight gain (p<0.05). Pigs fed SBD had higher contents of urea nitrogen, total triglyceride and insulin in serum than those fed CBD (p<0.05). Visceral organ weights or antioxidant enzyme activities in serum or liver were not different between treatments. Compared with CBD, SBD increased or tended to increase amylase activity in jejunal mucosa (p<0.05) or trypsin activity in duodenal mucosa (p=0.08). Replacement of corn by the low-tannin sorghum in diets did not influence the microbiota community based on alpha and beta diversity in caecal and colonal digesta. Overall, the home-grown low-tannin sorghum could be an alternative energy source in diets for pigs without adverse effects on growth performance.

The characteristic of different formula of low tannin sorghum instant porridge

Sorghum has a potential to be developed as staple food, however the main obstacle is high tannin content which causing bitter taste. Low conttent of tannin in sorghum flour could be a solution for widening the customer acceptance. Such product produced using low tannin sorghum is instant porridge. Therefore this study aimed to find optimum formula of instant porridge using low tannin sorghum flour. This study using two factors of instant porridge formula, first ratio of low tannin sorghum flour : tapioca (100 : 0; 90 : 10; 80 : 20; 70 : 30; 60 : 40) and the ratio of water (1 : 7; 1 : 9; 1 : 11). Result shows that optimum instant sorghum formula was found in 80 : 20 sorghum : tapioca flour, with the addition of 1 : 11 water ratio. This porridge has desirability value 0.716, water content 4.93%, ash 0.49%, fat 5.92%, protein 8.37% and carbohydrate 85.2%. Moreover the average score of total acceptance is about 4 (like). The optimum formula also has high-quality digestibility and dietary fiber (77.97% and 9.07 %, respectively). According to this study, instant sorghum porridge could be used as alternatives of nutritious and healthy food.

Replacing maize with low tannin sorghum grains: lamb growth performance, microbial protein synthesis and enteric methane production

Context Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) grain with low tannin content may be suitable as an alternative to maize (Zea mays L.) grain in ruminant diets in terms of input costs and drought tolerance, and effects on growth performance and mitigation of methane (CH4) emissions. Aims The study aimed to evaluate the effects of substitution of maize with sorghum grain at different rates on ruminal microbial protein synthesis, CH4 formation and liveweight gain in growing ruminants. Methods Twenty-five Santa Inês lambs (bodyweight 19.0 ± 1.5 kg) were randomly divided into five dietary treatments. Control diet components (on a dry matter basis) were Tifton-85 hay (400 g/kg), maize (405 g/kg), soybean meal (165 g/kg) and commercial mineral supplement (30 g/kg). Sorghum diets comprised the basal diet with the maize grain proportionately substituted with sorghum grain at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% (diets S25–S100). Lamb feed intake, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, microbial protein synthesis and CH4 emission were measured during an experimental period of 70 days. Key results Negligible variations of chemical composition were observed among the experimental diets, although numerical increases in condensed tannins were observed with increasing levels of sorghum replacement. There was no significant effect of level of sorghum inclusion on feed intake. Partial substitution of maize with sorghum grain increased lamb average daily gain linearly (P = 0.02) and quadratically (P = 0.002) compared with diets based on either grain alone, with the S50 lambs having the highest values. A linear decrease in dry matter digestibility (P = 0.02), organic matter (P = 0.02) and acid detergent fibre (P = 0.002) was observed for lambs receiving sorghum diets compared with the control. A significant linear (P = 0.023) effect was observed for retained nitrogen (g/day), with lambs fed S25 and S50 having higher values than those in other treatments. All partially substituted diets (S25, S50 and S75) reduced CH4 per unit bodyweight gain in a linear trend (P = 0.03), by 35%, 29% and 33%, respectively, and tended to increase (linear effect, P = 0.09) the calculated amounts of absorbed microbial protein compared with the control diet. Conclusions Low tannin sorghum grains can replace maize grains by up to 75% to maximise ruminal microbial biomass production for optimal lamb growth performance and reduced CH4 emission. Implications Animal productivity can be enhanced while mitigating the environmental impact of livestock production through the partial substitution of maize by low tannin sorghum grains in ruminant diets.

Potency of Low Tannin Sorghum Bran in Diets on Productive Performance and Meat Quality of Native Chicken

Sorghum bran is a by-product of sorghum flour production which can still be used as animal feed. The low palatability is a one of the obstacles in using sorghum bran as native chicken feed. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential use of sorghum bran as feed on the performance and meat quality of native chicken. 180 DOC native chickens were divided into 3 treatments and 6 replications using a completely randomized design for 60 days. The treatments used were different level of sorghum bran usage in the feed, namely; 0% (control), 10% (T1), 20% (T2). The data observed included feed consumption, growth, feed conversion ratio, carcass percentage and meat quality. Giving up to 20% sorghum bran in feed did not significantly affect the feed consumption, growth, feed conversion, carcass percentage, and meat quality of native chicken. Therefore, sorghum bran can be used as an energy source of feed up to 20% and has no negative effect on the performance and quality of local chicken meat

Effect of low tannin sorghum based feeds on broiler meat nutritional quality

This study determined the meat quality characteristics of different parts of a broiler carcass obtained from chicken fed on diets formulated using either maize ( Zea mays ) or sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) as the source of energy. Six diets that differed on the sorghum/maize replacement levels (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) were fed to 120-day old broiler. The chicken meat was harvested after 8 weeks and meat from different parts of the carcasses were analysed for fatty acid profile, cholesterol, vitamins A and E content. Levels of 36.37%–80.32% of saturated fatty acids were detected in different cuts. The polyunsaturated fatty acids ranged at 12.36%–29.13% while the monounsaturated fatty acids accounted for 1.46%–4.84% for all the experimental diets. The highest levels of long chain unsaturated fatty acids (18.68%–22.87%) were detected in the thigh muscle meat of chicken fed on a 0% sorghum diet. Conversely, diet that had a 100% sorghum had undetectable level of unsaturated fatty acids. The highest cholesterol content of 30.61 mg/100g was detected in the thigh muscles of chicken with 100% sorghum inclusion. The vitamin E content in the thigh meat of chicken subjected to diets high on maize content were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) than those fed on high sorghum diets. Meat from chicken fed on high low tannin sorghum meals had significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) cholesterol content of 8.63 to 3.44 mg/100g compared to 20.10 mg/100g from diets high on maize. The present study shows that partial substitution of maize with low tannin sorghum can improve the nutritional value of broiler meat. • Chicken fed on low tannin sorghum and maize diets as the key sources of energy and meat samples collected after 8 weeks of feeding. • Cholesterol deposits higher in high maize diets. • Deposition of Vitamin E and A not affected by diet in breast meat. • Deposition of Vitamin E affected by diet on thigh meat. • Cholesterol deposition in muscles affected by levels of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

The effects of a partial or total replacement of ground corn with ground and whole-grain low-tannin sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) on zootechnical performance, carcass traits and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of broiler chickens

The partial (50%) or total (100%) replacement of corn in broiler diets with a home-grown sorghum cultivar low in tannins was investigated regarding the effects on zootechnical performance, apparent ileal nutrient digestibility (AID) and carcass traits. A total of 240 mix-sexed Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to four experimental diets: 100% corn (M), partial replacement of corn with 50% ground sorghum (S50G), total replacement of corn with ground sorghum (S100G) and a total replacement of corn with 50% ground + 50% whole grain sorghum (S100/50WG). All final feed mixtures were calculated isoenergetic as well as isonitrogenous and met or exceeded current feeding recommendations. Analyses included body weight (BW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the complete experimental period of 29 days. In the end, broilers were slaughtered and carcass traits as well as AID of amino acids (AA) and crude nutrients were determined. The results demonstrated that partial or total replacement of corn by home-grown low-tannin sorghum is suitable for broiler chicken diets with no adverse effects on zootechnical and slaughter performance over the whole trial period. A numerical decrease of AID in dry matter (DM), crude ash (CA), methionine and tyrosine were observed in experimental groups with sorghum compared to M. The partial and total replacement of corn with ground or whole grain sorghum had no significant effect on carcass weight, dressing, or absolute and relative weight of carcass parts. Broiler chickens expressed increased absolute and relative proportion of the gizzard weight (p ≤ 0.05) due to the increase in particle size in S100/50WG. Total replacement of corn by sorghum reduced lightness, redness and yellowness of abdominal fat in comparison to M (p ≤ 0.05). It can be concluded that home-grown low-tannin sorghum is suitable to create diets for the purpose of poultry meat production. The partial or total replacement of corn by ground or whole grain low-tannin sorghum in broiler diets did not influence the zootechnical or slaughter performance parameters in broiler chickens when the nutrients were balanced. However, the substitution of corn by sorghum negatively affected the coloring of the abdominal fat which requires an adequate dietary supplementation with pigments.

Performance and blood parameters of Holstein/Zebu crossbred heifers fed with two tannins sources

The present research objective was to evaluate the performance and blood parameters of lactating cows fed with a diet of two tannin sources, based on sorghum (condensed tannin) with increasing concentrations of tannic acid (hydrolyzable tannin’s). Increasing levels of tannic acid in a sorghum-based diet for five Holstein/Zebu crossbred lactating cows were subject to a 5 × 5 Latin square experimental design. To assess the effect on cow intake, digestibility, milk production, and blood parameters. All cows received 9.87 kg/DM of corn silage as roughage and 6.38 kg of concentrate consisting of 2.58 kg/DM of ground sorghum 0.87 kg/DM of cornmeal 1.32 kg/DM of soybean bran 0.44 kg/DM of wheat bran 0.2 kg/ DM of urea and 0.18 kg/ DM of mineral mixture. Diet 1 (control) contained low-tannin sorghum and the other diets contained high-tannin sorghum. The levels of tannic acid added to the diets were established based on the quantity of condensed tannin in high-tannin sorghum. Thus, diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 were supplemented with 1.5g (13.%DM), 79.5g (2.6%DM), 157.5g (3.9%DM) and 235.5g (5.2%DM) of tannic acid, totalling 0.078, 0.156, 0.234 and 0.321 total tannin kg/day respectively, to assess the effect on microbial protein synthesis. The diets contained 35 kg of corn silage (roughage) and 6.40 kg of concentrate. The natural and dry matter intake did not significantly differ between groups, except for ether extract (EE) intake that significantly differed. The DM apparent digestibility, crude protein, EE, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrate, and non-fibrous carbohydrate did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) with the increase in dietary tannin supplementation. The GOT levels increased linearly. The blood glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol (total, LDL and HDL) levels did not significantly differ. Hemoglobin showed a significant difference. No significant difference in urea, creatinine and uric acid occurred. Diets using two tannins sources supplementation caused no decrease in the dietary intake or digestibility in the animals. The GOT level changed significantly, showing linear behavior, however below the toxicity level, without any change in the other blood parameters. Milk production decreased with the increase in dietary tannin supplementation.

PSXIV-21 Effect of high-tannin sorghum grain on rumen fermentation and methane production in vitro

Abstract Tannins are natural compounds with potential to reduce enteric methane (CH4) emissions in ruminants. High-tannin sorghum (HTS) varieties are cultivated in different regions of the world, including Mexico. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of HTS on rumen fermentation and CH4 production using a batch culture system. The experiment was set up as a completely randomized block design using a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement with 3 grains [HTS, low-tannin sorghum (LTS), and corn, with 19.6, 0.07 and 0 g of condensed tannins (CT)/kg dry matter (DM) respectively] and 5 grain to forage (alfalfa hay) proportions (20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20 and 100:0). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of grain:forage proportions. A decrease of 2.96% in CH4 concentration was observed for sorghum treatments compared to corn (P &amp;lt; 0.01). However, HTS and LTS were not different from each other (P = 0.76). Furthermore, CH4 production (mL/d) decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) by 19.13 and 8.53% with HTS compared with corn and LTS respectively. This reduction was associated with a decrease (P &amp;lt; 0.01) of 14.52 and 10.04% in total gas production with HTS as compared to corn and LTS. Both, CH4 and gas production decrease, were associated with reduced DM digestibility for HTS, which can be a negative effect of CT in HTS. Sorghum treatments produced 14.56% less CH4 (mL/g DM; P &amp;lt; 0.01) than corn. This was partially explained by a 7.98% decrease in DMD with sorghum treatments. As expected, gas production linearly increased and rumen pH linearly decreased with increasing levels of grain (P &amp;lt; 0.01). In conclusion, HTS had no advantage over LTS in terms of CH4 production. Nonetheless, sorghum grain, substituted for corn, can be an option to decrease CH4 production in ruminants, but digestibility might be compromised.

Substitution of Zea mays by Sorghum bicolor on Performance and Gut Histo-Morphology of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens Aged 1–42 d

SUMMARY The influence of feeding low tannin sorghum in broiler chickens on growth and intestinal morphology were evaluated at 1–42 d. A total of 250 day-old broiler chickens were allotted to a complete randomized design with 5 treatments replicated 5 times each having 10 birds. The sorghum levels of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Body weight and feed intake were measured on weekly basis to calculate feed conversion ratio. Organ weights, lengths, and pH were measured, and the general linear model of statistical analysis software was used to analyse the data. At 1–21 d, body weight was higher for birds fed a level of 50% than those that are offered 100% maize-based diets. Body weight and FCR of birds given 50%, 75%, and 100% sorghum were higher and better, respectively, than those on 25% and 0% at ages 22–42 d. The crop and gizzard pH were lower and acidic in birds at ages 1–21 d offered the sorghum levels of 50%, 75%, and 100%. The entire GIT length, ileum, and jejunum were longer in birds given 75% and 100% sorghum levels than on other levels. The sorghum level fed to broiler chickens at ages 1–21 and 22–42 d did not influence the histological measurements. It can thus, be concluded that macia sorghum variety up to 100% level can be included in broiler diets at ages 1–42 d without any adverse effects.

Influence of low-tannin sorghum on performance and bone morphometrics of male Ross 308 broilers aged 1 - 42 days

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of low tannin sorghum as a maize replacement on the performance and bone morphometrics of Ross 308 broiler chickens. A total of 250 one-day-old broiler chickens were allotted to a complete randomized design with five treatments replicated five times. Birds were offered varying sorghum levels as maize replacement at 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, formulated to be isonutritive and isoenergetic. The condensed tannin and total phenolic contents of the sorghum were analysed. Bodyweight and feed intake were measured weekly to calculate feed conversion ratio (FCR), and mortality was recorded as it occurred. Digestibility measurements were done when the chickens were between 15 and 21 days and between 35 and 42 days old. At ages 21 and 42 days, two chickens per pen were slaughtered to determine bone characteristics. A digital calliper was used to measure the length and diameter of the bones, and an electronic scale was used to determine the weight of the bones. Ash, calcium and phosphorus concentrations of the bones were determined. The Seedor and robusticity indices of the tibia were also calculated. The general linear model procedure of Statistical Analysis Software was used to analyse the data. At 1 - 21 days old bodyweight was higher for birds fed a level of 50% sorghum than those that were offered the control diet. Replacing maize with sorghum improved the metabolizable energy (ME) of broiler chickens aged 42 days. Bodyweight and FCR of birds fed diets with 50%, 75% and 100% sorghum were higher and better, respectively, than those on diets with 25% and 0% sorghum at 22 - 42 days old. Bone morphometries of chickens aged 1 - 21 days and 22 - 42 days were not affected by replacing maize with sorghum. Thus, maize can be replaced by a low tannin white sorghum without causing adverse effects on chickens. Keywords: minerals, tibia bone, Seedor and robusticity indices

Reduction of Mycotoxins during Fermentation of Whole Grain Sorghum to Whole Grain Ting (a Southern African Food).

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites that pose health risks to exposed individuals, requiring necessary measures to reduce them. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), mycotoxins were quantified in whole grain sorghum and ting subsequently derived from two sorghum varieties (high and low tannin). The whole grain (WG) ting samples were obtained by fermenting sorghum with Lactobacillus fermentum strains (FUA 3165 and FUA 3321). Naturally (spontaneously) fermented WG-ting under the same conditions were equally analysed. Among the mycotoxins investigated, fumonisin B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2), B3 (FB3), T-2 toxin (T-2), zearalenone (ZEA), alpha-zearalenol (α-ZOL) and beta-zearalenol (β-ZOL) were detected in sorghum. Results obtained showed that mycotoxin concentrations significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced after fermentation. In particular, L. fermentum FUA 3321 showed the capability to significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduce all the mycotoxins by 98% for FB1, 84% for T-2 and up to 82% for α-ZOL, compared to raw low tannin sorghum. Fermenting with the L. fermentum strains showed potential to effectively reduce mycotoxin contamination in whole grain ting. Thus, we recommended L. fermentum FUA 3321 in particular to be used as a potential starter culture in sorghum fermentation.