Lower Digestibility Values Research Articles

Gestating sows with a restricted feed allowance require a longer adaptation period before collecting feces compared with lactating sows in total tract digestibility assessments using index method.

The objective of the present experiment was to determine the minimum adaptation period for total tract digestibility experiments in gestating and lactating sows using the indigestible index method. Five gestating and 5 lactating sows at parities 3 to 5 were used. An indigestible index of 0.5% chromic oxide was supplemented to a diet based on corn and soybean meal. The daily feed allowance for gestating sows was 2kg and 2 equal meals were provided to the sows. Lactating sows were fed 6kg of feed per day in 3 equal meals. After feeding a diet without supplemental chromic oxide for 5 d, index-supplemented diets were provided to the gestating and lactating sows. Feces were collected at 24-h intervals for 9 and 7 d from gestating and lactating sows, respectively. Fecal Cr concentrations increased linearly (P < 0.001) and quadratically (P < 0.001) with collection time in both gestating and lactating sows. Minimum adaptation periods were estimated by one-slope broken-line model. The break point of Cr concentrations in feces was day 7.2 (SE = 0.3) in the gestating sows and day 4.2 (SE = 0.2) in the lactating sows, respectively. Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and energy on day 4 was less (P < 0.001) than that on days 8 to 9 in gestating sows fed the experimental diet with a 2-kg feed allowance. In lactating sows fed the experimental diets with a 6-kg feed allowance, the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and energy on day 3 was less (P < 0.05) than that on days 5 to 7. In conclusion, at least 8 d of adaptation period are required for gestating sows to determine total tract digestibility using Cr as the indigestible index method whereas 5 d of adaptation period are required for lactating sows. An insufficient adaptation period results in lower digestibility values.

Chemical Modifications of Starch; A Prospective for Sweet Potato Starch

The current review presents the potential chemical modifications and applications of sweet potato starch in food and non-food industries. Native starch in general and particularly sweet potato starch characteristics have several functional features and applications in biomedicine as well as in the food industry. Modified starch is expected to enhance such characteristics as discussed in this review. For instance, due to the polymeric and branching nature of starch; the starch is usually less soluble, absorbs less water and oil, and shows a strong ability to bind to iodine. Also, native starches have significantly lower digestibility values under enzymatic treatment. Starch modifications, therefore are designed to enhance one or more of the above-mentioned limitations; thereby, modification of starch can alter the physicochemical characteristics of the native starch to improve its functional characteristic.&#x0D; Starches can be modified using physical methods (annealing, heat moisture treatment, pre-gelatinization, and other non-thermal processes), chemical methods (etherification, acetylation, acid modification, cationic linking, esterification, cross-linking, and oxidation), enzymatic modification methods, genetic alteration process or combination of them.

Seasonal variation in yield, nutritive value, and antioxidant capacity of leaves of alfalfa plants grown in arid climate of Saudi Arabia

In addition to its high nutritional value, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has several health benefits including antioxidant, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antiulcer, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic, and estrogenic effects. We aimed to assess the nutritional value and antioxidant capacity of alfalfa leaves at different times of the year in arid regions. Alfalfa was harvested in autumn, winter, spring, and summer and fresh yield and leaf:stem ratio were measured. Leaves were collected to determine their nutritional value and antioxidant capacity using two different extracts viz.: absolute ethanol or distilled water. Fresh yield and leaf:stem ratio were highest in spring (20 t ha-1 and 57.6%, respectively), followed equally by winter and autumn, and were lowest in summer (10.75 t ha-1 and 51.6%, respectively). The autumn cut had the highest crude protein (33.52%) and crude fat content (3.79%) and the lowest content of crude fiber (13.95%) and acid detergent fiber (16.55%), which are good indicators of suitability for human nourishment. However, leaves collected in autumn were characterized by lower digestibility values (86.2%) compared to the other cuts. Antioxidant capacity of leaves harvested in autumns and extracted with either ethanol or distilled water was examined in terms of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, DPPH scavenging capacity, and reducing power. Ethanol extract showed higher antioxidant capacity in terms of total phenol and total flavonoid contents (6.41 and 4.88 mg gallic acid equivalents g-1 DW, respectively). These results suggest that autumn is the most appropriate season to cut alfalfa leaves for human nutritional purposes.

Replacing Maize And Wheat Offal In Diet Of Cockerels With Sun-dried Cassava Peel Meal: Effect On The Digestibility Of Cell Wall Constituents.

The effect of replacing dietary maize and wheat offal with varying levels of sun-dried cassava peel meal (CPM) containing cyanide on the digestibility of the cell wall constituents in cockerels were determined. Four hundred and ninety-two day-old Hyperco cockerels were raised on four experimental diets designated A, B, C and D and containing 0, 17.71, 22.30 and 45.64, respectively, sun-dried CPM at the starters phase and 0, 20.41, 24.95 and 51.75% at the finisher phase. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Significant differences (P&lt;0.05) among treatments were observed in the intake of all the cell wall constituents at both phases. It was observed that while birds on diet B consistently recorded the lowest intake of the cell wall constituents with the highest digestibility values, those on diet C consistently recorded the highest intake with the low digestibility values. However, it was observed that the lower the dietary cyanide levels, the lower the retention of NDF and ADL in both the starter and finisher phases.

Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Wistar albino rats fed processed dehulled jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis)

A total of fifty 3-4 weeks old albino rats of the Wistar strain weighing 50-60g were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design to investigate the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of the rats fed diets containing processed dehulled jack bean. Five diets were formulated to contain casein (T1)-control diet, dehulled jack bean soaked in filtrate obtained from raw pap(T2), dehulled jack bean soaked in lye solution (T3), dehulled jack bean boiled for 15minutes (T4) while a protein free diet served as a negative control (T5). The experiment lasted for 28-days.Dehulled jack bean significantly (P&gt;0.05) influenced the growth parameters measured for the Wistar rats. Rats on control diets had the highest value for all the growth indices, feed intake (210.90g), final body weight (103.40g), body weight changes (41.90g), feed conversion ratio (5.10) and protein efficiency ratio (1.41). Rats on T2 (soaked in ‘ogi’ liquor) had feed intake value of (147.40g), followed by rats on T4 (boiled for 15minutes) (117.00g), T5 (negative control) (119.07) and T3 (soaked in lye solution) (79.40g) respectively. Rats on T4 had the highest value for final body weight (67.80g), body weight changes (6.30g), feed conversion ratio (12.27) and protein efficiency ratio (0.25) while rats on T3 had the lowest value for final body weight (67.80g), body weight changes (-32.45g), total feed intake (79.40g) with FCR of (-0.96) for the tested diets. Wistar rats placed on lye treated diet had depressed body weight changes of 59.8% compared to the control. Digestibility studies however showed that rats on control diets had the highest digestibility value of DM and other nutrients, while there was no significant (P&lt;0.05) difference in digestibility value of CF, significant (P&gt;0.05) differences existed in DM, digestibility value of CP, EE and Ash. Rats on T3 and T5 had the lowest digestibility value for Ash (11.48) and CP (37.66). Rats fed dehulled jack bean seed soaked in ogi liquor and boiled for 15minutes showed slight improvement in growth performance and nutrient utilization over those fed lye soaked jack bean. All the processing methods were ineffective when compared to the performance of rat fed casein based diets.

Performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed graded levels of fermented and toasted seed meal

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fermented and toasted Albizia lebbeck seed meal (FTALSM), on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens at the starter and finisher phases. One hundred and fifty (150) day old chicks (Abo acres) were used for this study and were divided into five treatments (with three replicate each containing 10 birds) using a completely randomized design (CRD) for eight weeks. The treatments were five diets containing 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of fermented and toasted Albizia lebbeck seed meal (FTALSM), respectively and were tagged Diet 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The feed intake at the starter phase was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in Diets 3 and 4 which had 10 and 15% inclusion of FTALSM, respectively. Diets 2, 3 and 4 also differ significantly (p&lt;0.05) in final body weight and total weight gained from the control diets. The results at the finisher phase indicated that, there were significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in all the parameters measured except for mortality. Birds fed Diet 2 performed significantly better in weight gain (1453g) and feed intake (3087.25g) compared to the control group. Birds on the control and Diet 2 had similar feed efficiency, the values were however, better than those on the other treatments. The results of nutrient digestibility showed birds fed Diet 5 (20% FTALSM) recorded significantly (P&lt;0.05) low digestibility values in all parameters measured. The results showed that fermentation and toasting reduced phytase, oxalate and cyanide by 41.87, 26.67 and 99.94 % respectively. It can be concluded therefore, that FTALSM can be included up to 15 % in broiler chickens starter diets and 5 % in the finisher diet for optimum growth performance.

Supplementation of growing male lambs rations with fumaric acid salts and its influences on ruminal fermentation and animal growth performance

Twenty four crossbred male lambs (Finn-Ossimi), were randomly assigned to four nutritional groups, to receive one of the following experimental rations for 77 days. Treatments were; T1: 70% CFM + 30% BS, T2: 70% CFM + 30% BS + 3% fumaric acid (FA)/roughage ratio, T3: 70% CFM + 30% (BH) and T4: 70% CFM + 30% BH + 3% fumaric acid (FA)/roughage ratio. Experimental rations used, based on concentrate pelleted feed mixture (CFM, 15% CP) and either bean straw (BS) or berseem hay (BH) as a daily roughage sources. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of fumaric acid supplementation to growing male lambs rations on ruminal fermentation activity and lambs growth performance. Animals live body weight gain, feed intake (g/h/d) and feed conversion ratio (kg intake/kg gain) were estimated. A metabolic trial was conducted, to evaluate experimental rations digestibility, NV, NB and ruminal fermentation measurements. Results obtained indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in rations nutrients digestibility values. Both the two control rations within each roughage source indicated lower digestibility values in compare with the corresponding supplemented ones. Higher (p < 0.05) nutritive values were recorded by T3 and T4 (BH-F groups) in different feeding terms, i.e. higher TDN, DCP and C/P ratio, in compare with the corresponding BS rations. Different experimental groups indicated significant NI/h/d, while both the two dietary supplemented groups recorded higher NI in compare with their corresponding control ones, however, (ND and NB), indicated insignificant differences among different experimental groups. The effect of dietary fumaric acid supplement on some ruminal measurements indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) among different experimental groups in favor of both the two supplemented groups. Growth performance of crossbred male lambs, indicated insignificant higher daily gain for both the two BH groups in compare with the corresponding BS groups, besides higher insignificant faster daily gain values for both the two supplemented groups in compare with the corresponding control ones. FC ratio favored both the two BH groups as the more efficient feed utilizers in compare with both the corresponding two BS groups, while both the two supplemented groups surpassed insignificantly both the two control groups, within each roughage source. Results of economic efficiency indicated significant differences among different experimental groups in feed cost/kg gain, Both the two control groups recorded lower (p < 0.05) feed costs/kg gain, while supplementing the control rations with fumaric acid led to increase (p < 0.05) daily feed costs/kg gain and reduce (p < 0.05) the net profit value. On the light of the present results it could be concluded that supplementing the control rations T1 and T2 with fumaric acid did not lead to an obvious advantages on animal performance.

Impact of cooking temperature on the quality of quick cooking brown rice

Three cooking temperatures (72, 80, and 88 °C) were applied to two rice genotypes (Puitá Inta CL and INOV CL) for preparing quick cooking brown rice. Samples were analyzed for cooking time, color, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), damaged grains, amylose, protein content and extractability, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), sensory properties, and in vitro digestion. Cooking time was reduced from 23.0–23.6 to 5.5–6.9 min when the highest temperature was applied, depending on genotype. The greatest grain deformation was observed for treatments from Puitá Inta CL. XRD showed greater ability of brown rice from Puitá Inta CL to gelatinize at 88 °C. Appearance, texture, and flavor of quick cooking brown rice prepared at 88 °C was inferior to its brown rice counterparts. Starch digestibility decreased by around 20–22% in 88 °C-prepared-quick cooking brown rice. Lower digestibility values were determined for 88 °C-treated-INOV CL, and were associated with grain integrity.

Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of agri-food waste and by-products

Agri-food waste (AFW) and by-products represent sources of phytochemicals, such as phenols and antioxidant compounds that can be used as functional ingredients in animal feed. In this study, a selection of AFW and by-products were collected and analysed for their nutrient composition. After chemical (with methanol) and physiological (in vitro digestion) extraction, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (AOC) were determined in AFW and by-product samples using Folin–Ciocalteu and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid)-ABTS methods, respectively. Sample digestibility was also assessed using a multi-step enzymatic technique. After chemical extraction, grape marc showed the highest total phenolic content (4480.5 ± 886.58 mg TAE/100g; p < .05). Fruit and vegetable waste (FVW), orange peel, strawberry, citrus pulp and Camelina sativa cake showed a total phenolic content ranging from 238.0 ± 4.24 to 1583.0 ± 154.35 mg TAE/100g. Grape marc also showed the highest AOC (15440.7 ± 2671.85 mg TE/100g). In all other samples, AOC ranged from 43.3 ± 3.17 to 1703.9 ± 391.07 mg TE/100g. After physiological extraction, total phenolic content values higher than 3000 mg TAE/100g were observed in FVW, grape marc and orange peel. Grape marc, C. sativa cake and orange peel had AOC values of over 5000 mg TE/100g. The digestibility of AFW and by-products ranged from 44.20 to 97.16%. The lowest digestibility value was observed in grape marc (44.2 ± 2.31%). In conclusion, the results obtained in this study indicate that AFW and by-products could be a source of bioaccessible phenols and antioxidant molecules as ingredients for monogastric compound feeds.HighlightsAgri-food waste and by-products can be reused in feed industry.Agri-food waste and by-products are a source of valuable compounds as phenols and antioxidant molecules.

PROTEIN DIGESTIBILITY AND AMINO ACID CONTENT OF MALAYSIAN LOCAL EGG PROTEIN PREPARED BY DIFFERENT METHODS

The purpose of the study was to elucidate the effect of preparation methods hard-boiled half-boiled & raw on the digestibility of protein and the amino acid composition as well as the protein quality of nutrient enriched Malaysian eggs. The amino acid content was determined using HPLC. All The essential and the non-essential amino acids as well as the individual amino acid was significantly increased as result of half-boiled and decrease as result of hardboiled methods. The PH value of hard-boiled, half-boiled & raw were 7.03±0.09, 6.795±0.06, 7.305±0.13 respectively, whereas the casein scores 5.53±0.04 as the lowest PH value. In vitro digestibility of protein value of hard-boiled, half-boiled & raw were 76.24±2.8, 81.54±1.8, 70.03±4.4 respectively, whereas the casein scores 99.08±2.4 as the highest digestibility value. Among the eggs samples, half-boiled had the highest digestibility at 81.54±1.8, followed by hard-boiled at 76.24±2.8. Whereas, the raw egg had the lowest digestibility value at 70.03±4.4. Based on these results there were significant differences (p

Dietary maifanite supplementation did not affect the apparent total tract digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in growing pigs.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary maifanite supplementation and fecal collection method on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and blood parameters in growing pigs.MethodsThirty-six growing barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire; 27.0±2.6 kg) were allotted to six dietary treatments with 6 pigs per treatment according to body weight in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments were: i) Low Ca+cornstarch (2.25%), ii) Low Ca+maifanite (2.25%), iii) Medium Ca+cornstarch (1.42%), iv) Medium Ca+maifanite (1.42%), v) High Ca+cornstarch (0.64%), and vi) High Ca+maifanite (0.64%). Feces were collected by the total collection (TC) and indicator method (IM). At the beginning and the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from each pig.ResultsFor the TC method, there were no difference in Ca intake, fecal Ca output, Ca retention and the ATTD of Ca between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. However, urinary Ca excretion was lower (p = 0.01) in pigs fed low Ca diets without maifanite supplementation compared with other dietary treatments. Dietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the P metabolism in growing pigs. For the IM method, there was no difference in Ca digestibility between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. The ATTD of P was greater (p<0.01) in pigs fed the high Ca diet with maifanite supplementation compared with the high Ca diet with cornstarch treatment. Dietary inclusion of maifanite had no effect on blood parameters in growing pigs.ConclusionDietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the ATTD of Ca and P and serum parameters in growing pigs. The IM resulted in lower digestibility values than the TC method.

Re‐esterified oils from palm acid oil do not alter pork fatty acid composition

New fat products have been developed by chemically re‐esterifying acid oils (a by‐product of the food oil refining industry) with glycerol (a by‐product from biodiesel industry). These new products show lower free fatty acid content than acid oils and a fatty acid distribution within the positions of acylglycerols different from that of native oils. In this paper, we aim at assessing if the unique composition of re‐esterified palm oils (compared to native and acid oils) would affect pork and back fat fatty acid composition. A total of 24 pigs were fed one of the four experimental diets containing 4% experimental fat: native palm oil (PN), palm acid oil (PA), or two re‐esterified palm oils (PEL and PEH). Our results show that meat from pigs fed re‐esterified palm oils did not differ significantly in terms of total fatty acid and sn‐2 fatty acid compositions compared to PN or PA.Practical applications: Acid oils are by‐products of the food industry. They could be re‐utilized as feed ingredients but their free fatty acid content is usually high. High free fatty acid contents in diets have been related to low digestibility values when used in feed. New fat products have been developed by their chemical esterification with glycerol (a by‐product from biodiesel industry). Here, we have verified that these re‐esterified products would not alter pork fatty acid composition with respect to the use of native palm oil. Since results on productive parameters showed that they might increase feed efficiency and digestibility, overall the results support the re‐utilization of these fat by‐products in feed, alternative to the use of native palm oil or palm acid oil, provided that the benefits of the increase in feed efficiency counteract the cost of the esterification process.New fat products have been developed by chemically re‐esterifying palm acid oil (a by‐product of the palm oil refining industry) with glycerol. Compared to acid oils, they show a reduction of free fatty acids and an increase of partial acylglycerols. The fatty acid distribution within the positions of acylglycerols is different from that of native oils. This study has shown that their use in pig feed does not modify pork fatty acid composition compared to native or acid palm oil.

Improving the nutritive value, in vitro digestibility and aerobic stability of Hedychium gardnerianum silage through application of additives at ensiling time

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of applying lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant, molasses and urea (106cfu/g, 50ml/kg and 5g/kg on fresh basis, respectively) on ensiling characteristics of Hedychium gardnerianum. Eight treatments of Hedychium were investigated; untreated, with molasses, with urea and with molasses plus urea. Each of these was ensiled alone or after the addition of a bacterial inoculant (containing fibrolytic enzymes). The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Forages were ensiled in laboratory silos for 60 days at room temperature. Chemical composition, microbial populations and in vitro digestibility of forages were determined before and after ensiling. Fermentation products and aerobic stability were measured after silos opening. Addition of molasses or molasses plus urea with or without inoculation had the better (P<0.05) fermentation results. These silages showed lower enterobacteria, clostridial and yeast counts, the absence of molds and the higher numbers of LAB. Also in these silages, the observed pH and ammonia nitrogen were below 4 and 40g/kg TN, respectively. The inoculated silages presented the higher lactic acid (P<0.05) and the lower acetic, butyric and propionic acid values. The inoculated silages had shorter periods of aerobic stability than the un-inoculated. Silages treated only with urea either inoculated or not showed the worst fermentation properties, the highest numbers of undesired microbes, the lowest digestibility values and the early aerobic instability. While, silage received molasses plus urea with inoculant, revealed the best fermentation characteristics (pH 3.70; lactic acid, 72.4g/kg DM; ammonia N, 29.4g/kg TN and absence of butyric acid), the highest crude protein value (183.6g/kg DM) and the maximum digestibility (56.31% over control). So, for the better utilization of H. gardnerianum as an alternative feed for ruminants, the later treatment is recommended.

EFFECT OF REPLACING RICE BRAN OR FISH MEAL BY FRESH OR DRIED MULBERRY LEAVES ON DIGESTIBILITY AND NITROGEN RETENTION OF PIGS

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of replacing rice bran or fishmeal by fresh or dried mulberry leaves on digestibility and nitrogen retention of pigs. Inexperiment 1, a double 4x4 Latin square design in a 2x4 factorial arrangement was used tostudy the effect of graded levels of mulberry leaf meal (0, 15, 30 and 50% on a dry basis,respectively) in diets based on rice brans and broken rice on the N balance of eight youngcastrate male Mong Cai pigs with a mean weight of 15 kg. Mulberry leaf meal (MLM)contained DM 30.4% and in the dry matter: ash 16.9, crude fibre 20.1 and crude protein(Nx6.25) 25.4%, respectively. Feed intake was calculated to be 50 g DM/kg body weight.Although not significant, DM and organic matter digestibility appeared to increase withincreasing levels of dietary MLM. Organic matter digestibility was significantly better(P&lt;0.05); N balance indices improved with the inclusion of MLM in the diet, and this effectwas significant for N retention (P&lt;0.05) when expressed as proportion of the digested N. Inexperiment 2, six Large White castrate male pigs, weighing on average 15 kg, wereallocated according to a balanced change-over design, to two diets where mulberry leaves,either in milled of sun-dried or chopped off fresh, contributed about 45% of the total dailyN intake in iso-nitrogenous diets (Nx6.25, 13.7% on a dry basis). There were no significanteffects of treatment on DM, organic matter and N digestibility but dry leaves wereassociated with slightly lower digestibility values. N balance tended to be better in pigs fedwith fresh mulberry leaves compared to mulberry leaf meal. It can be concluded that inrice-based diets, it is possible to use mulberry leaves as the main protein source.Keywords: Digestibility, leaves, mulberry, pigs, protein.

Comparison of amino acid digestibility of feedstuffs determined with the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay and the standardized ileal amino acid digestibility assay

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare amino acid digestibility of several feedstuffs using 2 commonly accepted methods: the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay (PFR) and the standardized ileal amino acid assay (SIAAD). Six corn, 6 corn distillers dried grains with or without solubles (DDGS/DDG), one wet distillers grains, one condensed solubles, 2 meat and bone meal (MBM) and a poultry byproduct meal were evaluated. Due to insufficient amounts, the wet distillers grains and condensed solubles were only evaluated in roosters. Standardized amino acid digestibility varied among the feed ingredients and among samples of the same ingredient for both methods. For corn, there were generally no differences in amino acid digestibility between the 2 methods. When differences did occur, there was no consistent pattern among the individual amino acids and methods. Standardized amino acid digestibility was not different between the 2 methods for 4 of the DDG samples; however, the PFR yielded higher digestibility values for a high protein DDG and a conventionally processed DDGS. The PFR yielded higher amino acid digestibility values than the SIAAD for several amino acids in 1 MBM and the poultry byproduct meal, but it yielded lower digestibility values for the other MBM. Overall, there were no consistent differences between methods for amino acid digestibility values. In conclusion, the PFR and SIAAD methods are acceptable for determining amino acid digestibility. However, these procedures do not always yield similar results for all feedstuffs evaluated. Thus, further studies are needed to understand the underlying causes in this variability.

Influence of fermentation conditions for soybean meal in a non-fish meal diet on the growth performance and physiological condition of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Defatted and heat-treated soybean meal (SBM) was fermented using compound bacteria predominantly Bacillus spp. under two different fermentation conditions until the material temperature reached 80 °C: initial water addition of 30% (fermented for 7 h, FSBM-1) and 45% (10 h, FSBM-2). A fish meal-based diet and three non-fish meal diets containing SBM, FSBM-1 or FSBM-2 each at a 47.6% level with a 21.0% level of corn gluten meal were fed to rainbow trout (initial BW, 14.7 g) for 10 weeks. The growth and feed efficiency ratio of fish fed SBM diet and FSBM-1 diet were inferior to those of fish fed FM diet and FSBM-2 diet. Lower digestibility values of carbohydrates and lipids, especially of polar lipids observed in fish fed SBM diet were improved by the fermentation (SBM < FSBM-1 = FSBM-2). Biliary bile acid content, proportion of cholyltaurine in the biliary bile, and bile acid concentration in the intestinal digesta increased by the fermentation (SBM < FSBM-1 < FSBM-2). Morphological abnormalities in the distal intestine observed in fish fed SBM diet were moderately improved in fish fed FSBM-1 diet and were not observed in fish fed FSBM-2 diet. Morphological abnormalities in the liver of fish fed SBM diet were also improved in both FSBM diet groups. These results indicate that fermentation of soybean meal under appropriate conditions is beneficial for preventing various physiological abnormalities that occur in rainbow trout fed soybean meal. We conclude that properly fermented soybean meal is a promising ingredient as the main protein source in a non-fish meal diet for rainbow trout.

Effect of thermal processing and storage on digestibility of starch in whole wheat grains

Gelatinisation and retrogradation of starch in wheat flour systems and whole wheat grains were studied using DSC and the impact of these events on starch digestibility was investigated. Gelatinisation of starch was possible in wheat flours with more than 60% moisture content (dwb) and gelatinised samples had higher digestibility values. Retrogradation of starch was studied with partially and fully cooked (boiled at 100 °C for 12 min and 32 min, respectively) wheat grains that were subjected to storage at 22 °C for 48 h. Stored samples had lower digestibility values when compared to the freshly cooked counterparts. The effect of moisture on retrogradation was studied with fully cooked wheat grains that were dried to a range of moisture contents (14.6–35.9%, wwb) and stored at 20 °C for 24 h. Retrogradation enthalpy increased with increasing moisture content; however, digestibility values did not reflect the changes in retrogradation enthalpy. The possibility of estimating the degree of retrogradation in fully cooked grains (32 min cooking) was investigated using a wheat flour-water system. The retrogradation enthalpy of fully cooked grains was slightly higher than the wheat flour-water system (at a moisture content of 49%, wwb) during the course of storage at 22 °C.

Wheat value: improvements by feed technology, plant breeding and animal genetics

Wheat is a common ingredient in poultry diets, especially in Europe. Due to its low protein and high starch levels, wheat is essentially used as an energy supplier. Nutritional values of wheat samples vary according to their nutrient content and digestibilities. Variations of nutrient contents may be associated with cultivars and environmental conditions. Digestibility variations in growing chicks may be associated with these factors, and also, with technological treatments of diets and genetic origin of birds.Total nutrient content (starch, protein, lipids and sugars) is strongly related to fibre content through a negative relationship. A large part of fibre content variations of wheat samples depends on their cultivar origin. Wheat protein content depends both on cultivar and environmental conditions. High yield cultivars are often associated with low protein content.Lipid and starch digestibilities of wheat diets given to growing birds may sometimes be rather low.The main reason of the low lipid digestibility values observed with some wheat samples is the high viscosity of water-extract induced by their water-soluble arabinoxylans. This viscosity results from a combination of several variables including the potential applied viscosity value (PAV as mL/g) of the wheat cultivar, the endogenous and exogenous xylanases, and the endogenous anti-xylanase contents. Environmental conditions and technological treatments are major factors acting on xylanase and anti-xylanase contents.A part of wheat starch digestibility variations may be related to accessibility problems in coarse particles due to hard wheat cultivars and coarse grinding. However, coarse particles may be positive for stimulating feed intake of mash diets, and protecting against intestinal transit disorders.In growing chicks, genetic origin of birds may result in very large variations in the digestibility of wheat diets, as observed with the divergent D+ and D- “Digestion” lines selected on the digestion ability of a wheat diet. In 3 w old chickens selected over 4 generations, the AMEn value of a Rialto wheat diet was 13% lower in D- than in D+ birds (P=0.0001). D- birds showed 10% variations in AMEn values between four cereal diets (P=0.0003), while D+ birds showed only 4% variations (P=0.0006). In D+ birds, AMEn values of wheat and maize diets were the same (14,488 vs. 14,538 J/g DM), while, in D- birds, AMEn values of wheat diets were 5% lower (P=0.015) than the maize diet value (13,106 vs. 13,809 J/g DM).

True ileal protein and amino acid digestibilities in wheat dried distillers’ grains with solubles fed to finishing pigs

As wheat dried distillers’ grains with solubles (WDDGS) become increasingly available in western Canada, there is currently a great interest in evaluating its potential as a feedstuff for pigs. Thus, the apparent, standardized and true ileal crude protein (CP) and amino acid (AA) digestibilities in WDDGS were determined. Six finishing pigs (∼82 kg initial BW) fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum were fed diets containing either 400 g/kg WDDGS or 50 g/kg casein as the sole protein source in a simple crossover design. Chromic oxide (3 g/kg) and acid insoluble ash (AIA, 10 g/kg) were included in the diets as indigestible markers. The casein diet was used to quantify endogenous protein and AA losses. Standardized ileal CP and AA digestibilities were estimated using published basal endogenous protein and AA losses. Pigs were acclimatized to their diets for 5 days followed by a continuous 12-h digesta collection period on days 6 and 7. Ileal CP and AA digestibility coefficients obtained with AIA as a marker were similar to those obtained with Cr 2O 3 (P>0.05). Endogenous losses, coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility and coefficient of true ileal digestibility in g/kg dry matter intake were 22.81, 0.64 and 0.79 for CP, 0.94, 0.73 and 0.89 for arginine, 0.41, 0.68 and 0.79 for histidine, 0.46, 0.73 and 0.81 for isoleucine, 0.59, 0.78 and 0.83 for leucine, 0.54, 0.36 and 0.56 for lysine, 0.10, 0.71 and 0.77 for methionine, 0.32, 0.82 and 0.86 for phenylalanine, 0.89, 0.62 and 0.78 for threonine and 0.59, 0.71 and 0.79 for valine. Of all the essential AA analyzed, lysine had the lowest digestibility value, which suggests reduced availability of this AA.

Characteristics of baled silage made from first and second harvests of wilted and severely wilted forages

AbstractFirst and second harvests of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and a lucerne–perennial ryegrass mixture [80 or 144 g kg−1 dry matter (DM) of ryegrass] at the first and second harvests were cut and conditioned, wilted to 500 or 700 g DM kg−1 then baled and stretch‐wrapped for silage on the same dates. Lucerne bales were denser (411 kg m−3) than bales of perennial ryegrass (331 kg m−3) (P &lt; 0·05). After an 8‐month storage period, silage made from high DM‐content forage had a higher concentration of neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF) and was less digestible than that made from low DM‐content forage. Daily DM intakes by beef steers, when the silages of the second harvest were fed ad libitum, were 31·2, 31·2 and 22·3 g kg−1 live weight for lucerne, lucerne–perennial ryegrass mixture and perennial ryegrass silages, respectively (P &lt; 0·01), when the herbage had been wilted to 500 g kg−1. In vivo digestibility of NDF in the lucerne–perennial ryegrass mixture silage (0·587) was significantly lower than that of perennial ryegrass silage (0·763) but higher than lucerne silage (0·518). Higher intakes of baled lucerne silage tended to offset its lower digestibility values. Lucerne–perennial ryegrass mixture silage had a higher DM and NDF digestibility than lucerne silage, indicating perhaps the presence of associative effects.