Maize In Diets Research Articles

Replacing groundnut cake with gluten meals of rice and maize in diets for growing Sahiwal cattle.

ObjectiveThis experiment investigated the effect of isonitrogenous replacement of groundnut cake (GNC) by rice gluten meal (RGM) and maize gluten meal (MGM) at 75% level on nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, growth performance and related blood constituents in growing Sahiwal cattle.MethodsEighteen Sahiwal calves were divided into three groups, based on average body weight (87.24 kg) and age (6 to 12 mo), and treatments were assigned to the different groups randomly. The first group (GP-I) was kept as control and received GNC-based concentrate mixture. In second (GP-II) and third (GP-III) groups, 750 g/kg nitrogen (N) of GNC was substituted by RGM and MGM respectively, with similar forage:concentrate ratio (56:44).ResultsThe 90 days of experimental feeding revealed that intake of dry matter, crude protein and digestibility coefficients for all nutrients did not differ among groups. Furthermore, although N balance was greater (p≤0.05) for GP-III than GP-I and GP-II, average daily gain was similar between GP-I and GP-II but greater (p≤0.05) for GP-III. In addition, feed efficiency and related haematological variables did not differ due to treatments.ConclusionNutritional worth of GNC and RGM was highly comparable in terms of intake, digestibility and growth in growing calves. However, MGM was found to be more efficacious in improving growth rate than RGM at 75% replacement level of GNC protein.

Detection of dietetically absorbed maize-derived microRNAs in pigs

MicroRNAs are a class of small RNAs that are important in post-transcriptional gene regulation in animals and plants. These single-stranded molecules are widely distributed in organisms and influence fundamental biological processes. Interestingly, recent studies have reported that diet-derived plant miRNAs could regulate mammalian gene expression, and these studies have broadened our view of cross-kingdom communication. In the present study, we evaluated miRNA levels in cooked maize-containing chow diets, and found that plant miRNAs were resistant to the harsh cooking conditions to a certain extent. After feeding fresh maize to pigs (7 days), maize-derived miRNAs could be detected in porcine tissues and serum, and the authenticity of these plant miRNAs was confirmed by using oxidization reactions. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that dietary maize miRNAs could cross the gastrointestinal tract and enter the porcine bloodstream. In the porcine cells, we found that plant miRNAs are very likely to specifically target their endogenous porcine mRNAs and influence gene expression in a fashion similar to that of mammalian miRNAs. Our results indicate that maize-derived miRNAs can cross the gastrointestinal tract and present in pigs, and these exogenous miRNAs have the potential to regulate mammalian gene expression.

A 90-day toxicity study of GmTMT transgenic maize in Sprague-Dawley rats

GmTMT transgenic maize is a genetically modified maize plant that overexpresses the γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT) from Glycine max (Gm). The γ-TMT gene was introduced into maize line Zhen58 to encode the GmTMT2a protein which can convert γ-tocopherol into α-tocopherol. Overexpression of GmTMT2a significantly increased the α-tocopherol content in transgenic maize. The present study was designed to investigate any potential effects of GmTMT maize grain in a 90-day subchronic rodent feeding study. Maize grains from GmTMT or Zhen58 were incorporated into rodent diets at low (12.5%), medium (25%) or high (50%) concentrations and administered to Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10/sex/group) for 90 days. The negative control group of rats (n = 10/sex/group) were fed with common maize diets. Results from body weights, feed consumption, clinical chemistry, hematology, absolute and relative organ weights indicated no treatment-related side effects of GmTMT maize grain on rats in comparison with rats consuming diets containing Zhen58 maize grain. In addition, no treatment-related changes were found in necropsy and histopathology examinations. Altogether, our data indicates that GmTMT transgenic maize is as safe and nutritious as its conventional non-transgenic maize.

Corn-Soy-Blend Fortified with Phosphorus to Prevent Refeeding Hypophosphatemia in Undernourished Piglets.

BackgroundPhosphorus (P) levels in refeeding diets are very important as undernourished children are at risk of hypophosphatemia during refeeding. For this reason, conventional corn-soy-blends (CSB) have been reformulated by the World Food Programme to obtain a mono-calcium-phosphate fortified product (CSB+) and a product further fortified with skim milk powder (CBS++).MethodsUsing a piglet model of undernourished children, we hypothesized that feeding of CSB+, CSB++ or CSB+ with added whey permeate (CSB+/wp) would help to prevent refeeding hypophosphatemia. Pigs were weaned at 4 weeks of age and undernutrition was induced with a nutritionally inadequate pure maize diet for 7 weeks, after which they were refed for 3 weeks with either CSB+ (n = 10), CSB++ (n = 10) or CSB+/wp (n = 10). For reference, a fourth group continued on the maize diet (REF, n = 10).ResultsFollowing induction of undernutrition, body weight and length were 29±5% and 67±4% (means±SD) of values in age-matched pigs fed a nutritionally adequate diet, and the mean serum P level was 1.77±0.34 mmol/l. During the first week of refeeding, P levels in the CSB+ pigs decreased to 55% of values before refeeding (P < 0.05) while values in the CSB++ and CSB+/wp pigs were able to maintain their plasma phosphate at a similar level as before refeeding.ConclusionWe conclude that fortification of CSB with only monocalcium-phosphate does not prevent hypophosphatemia. Dairy products like skim milk powder or whey permeate may represent relevant sources of phosphorus during refeeding. The content and form of phosphorus in such diets need to be carefully evaluated, and the undernourished piglet may be used to test the efficacy of such diets.

Effect of provitamin A biofortified maize inclusion on quality of meat from indigenous chickens

The effect of provitamin A biofortified maize (PABM) diet inclusion on meat quality in male and female Ovambo chickens at 18 and 21 wk of age was evaluated. A total of 96 13-week-old Ovambo chickens were randomly distributed into 2 treatment groups and fed on white maize (WM) diet, the control, and PABM diet, a high provitamin A carotenoid maize. There was no significant effect of PABM, sex, and age on meat pH, drip loss (%), cooking loss (%) and shear force. The PABM fed chickens had higher redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) and lower lightness (L*) in the meat and skin color. Female birds had higher (P < 0.05) L* values than males on the skin. The a* value of the PABM fed male birds increased with age (P < 0.05). The PABM diet improved the skin and muscle color of the Ovambo chicken.

Utilisation of giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza) root meal with or without coconut oil slurry by layers and broilers

Replacements of maize with Alocasia macrorrhiza root meal (AMRM) with or without added coconut oil slurry (COS) in poultry diets were investigated in a series of two experiments. In Experiment 1, the replacement of maize with two levels (10% and 20%) each of AMRM and AMRM–COS on egg production and egg quality was investigated. Experiment 2 investigated the same treatments as in Experiment 1 on broiler performance. In both experiments, each diet was fed to four replicates of 10 birds in a completely randomised design. There was no marked effect on feed intake (FI) in both experiments (P &gt; 0.05). In Experiment 1, percentage hen-day production and feed conversion ratio were depressed (P &lt; 0.05) on 20% AMRM and egg weight on 10% AMRM, but these depressing effects were overcome by COS addition. Egg mass was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) increased on 20% AMRM–COS compared with the other AMRM groups, but did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) between the control and AMRM–COS. Haugh unit and percentage shell were not affected by the treatment (P &gt; 0.05). In Experiment 2, bodyweight gain was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) reduced with the inclusion of AMRM in the diet, with the lowest gain on 20% AMRM–COS. Feed conversion ratio was adversely affected when AMRM was included at a concentration greater than 10% of dietary maize (P &lt; 0.05). Coconut oil-slurry treatment of the meal did not improve performance. It was concluded that inclusion of AMRM at a concentration greater than 10% dietary maize adversely affects the performance of both layers and broilers. Treatment of AMRM with COS at 9 : 1 overcomes these adverse effects in laying hens, but not in broilers. More research is warranted on the effects of higher concentrations of COS-treated AMRM in the diet on layers, and on processing methods that will improve performance of poultry.

Variability of control data and relevance of observed group differences in five oral toxicity studies with genetically modified maize MON810 in rats

The data of four 90-day feeding trials and a 1-year feeding trial with the genetically modified (GM) maize MON810 in Wistar Han RCC rats performed in the frame of EU–funded project GRACE were analysed. Firstly, the data obtained from the groups having been fed the non–GM maize diets were combined to establish a historical control data set for Wistar Han RCC rats at the animal housing facility (Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia). The variability of all parameters is described, and the reference values and ranges have been derived. Secondly, the consistency of statistically significant differences found in the five studies was analysed. In order to do so, the body weight development, organ weight, haematology and clinical biochemistry data were compared between the studies. Based on the historical control data, equivalence ranges for these parameters were defined, and the values measured in the GM maize–fed groups were compared with these equivalence ranges. Thirdly, the (statistical) power of these feeding studies with whole food/feed was assessed and detectable toxicologically relevant group differences were derived. Linear mixed models (LMM) were applied, and standardized effect sizes (SES) were calculated in order to compare different parameters as well as to provide an overall picture of group and study differences at a glance. The comparison of the five feeding trials showed a clear study effect in the control data. It also showed inconsistency both in the frequency of statistically significant differences and in the difference values between control and test groups.

Biologic and Economic Performance of Broiler Chickens Fed Cassava Root Meal “Garri” as a Substitute for Maize.

56days experiment was carried out to study the effect of substituting dietary maize with graded levels of cassava root meal “Garri” in broiler chicken diet. The percentage dietary maize in the diet was gradually substituted with cassava root meal at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% respectively in a Completely Randomized Design. Two hundred and twenty (220) day-old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly assigned to the treatments. Each treatment consists of 20 chicks replicated twice with 10 chicks per replicate. Mean weight gain and feed-to-gain ratio of birds fed diets 1 and 2 were significantly (P 0.05) influenced, but others were. Valuesobtained were also within the range reported for healthy birds. The cost variables were significantly (P<0.05) influenced and showed an inverse relationship with the increase substitution of maize with cassava root meal. In conclusion, cassava root meal “Garri” might have depressed revenue slightly it cannot be said to be unprofitable, so it is recommended even at 100%.

Potentials of earthworm and its by-products in animal agriculture and waste management - A review

A review work was conducted to unveil the potentials of earthworm (EW) and its by – products such as earthworm meal (EWM) and earthworm casts (EWC) in poultry nutrition and management of animal waste. Production of EW is called vermiculture and using it to decompose organic matter is vermicomposting while processing it into such product as EWM is known as vermitechnology. Being a hermaphrodite, breeding is simple and fast, requiring only two EW to come together irrespective of their sexes. Fresh EW could be fed to fish and chickens. Based on literature EWM is high in protein 62 to 65%, essential amino acids such as lysine 6 to 8%, methionine 2 to 5%, leucine 8 to 10%, isoleucine 4 to 6% and phenylalanine 4 to 6%; fat 5 to 8% and fibre&lt; 8%. At dietary inclusion level of 0.2 to 0.6%, EWM reportedly increased feed intake, supported growth, improved carcass quality in broiler chickens, and marginally increased egg size and hen day in layers. Dry EWC could replace 5 to 10% maize in diet for finishing broiler chickens. Rich in macro plant nutrients (e.g. nitrogen 1.94%, calcium 4.4% and potassium 0.7%) EWC is nutritionally sound for growth of pasture crops especially legumes. Earthworm has cellulase, lichenase, chitinase and cellulolytic microorganisms which enable it to degrade organic waste. Cattle dung and other animal manure can be degraded by earthworm thereby reducing environmental pollution. In this era of organic farming and sustainable environment, EW could therefore have a potential place in animal nutrition and management of waste from animals.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (2): 1-9

Nutrient digestibility of canola co-products for grower pigs

A study was conducted to determine the coefficient of standardized ileal digestibility (CSID) of amino acids (AA) and calculate net energy (NE) for 4 canola co-products namely: Brassica (B.) juncea canola meal and B. napus canola meal, B. napus expeller and B. napus press-cake for growing pigs. From canola seed, the co-product meal is from solvent extraction, expeller from expelling after conditioning and press-cake from pressing without conditioning. Five ileal-cannulated barrows (initial body weight=65.7kg) were fed 5 diets in a 5×5 Latin square. Five diets were maize starch-based diets with one of each of 4 canola co-products as sole source of protein and an N-free diet. The CSID of AA for diets was calculated using the N-free diet. Amino acid digestibility was determined by the direct method, whereas gross energy (GE) digestibility of test feedstuffs was determined by difference from the N-free diet. On as is basis, B. juncea canola meal and B. napus canola meal, expeller and press-cake contained 381, 384, 391 and 248g/kg crude protein; 19.9, 21.4, 22.6 and 13.8g/kg lysine; 24.6, 28.5, 104 and 313g/kg ether extract and 183, 261, 231 and 182g/kg neutral detergent fibre, respectively. The CSID of lysine, coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) and calculated NE value were greater (P<0.05) for B. juncea canola meal than for B. napus canola meal (0.79 vs. 0.72, 0.79 vs. 0.67, 9.7 vs. 8.3MJ/kg; respectively). The CSID of lysine for B. napus canola meal (0.72) and B. napus canola press-cake (0.68) did not differ, but was lower (P<0.05) than that for B. napus canola expeller (0.80). The CATTD of GE for B. napus canola meal (0.67) and B. napus canola press-cake (0.64) did not differ, but was lower (P<0.05) than that for B. napus canola expeller (0.74). However, the calculated NE value for B. napus canola press-cake (10.9MJ/kg) was greater (P<0.05) than that for B. napus canola expeller (10.5MJ/kg), but both were greater (P<0.05) than that for B. napus canola meal (8.3MJ/kg DM). In conclusion, B. juncea canola meal had greater CSID of AA and calculated NE value than B. napus canola meal, indicating that B. juncea canola meal can contribute more dietary digestible AA and energy to the pig than B. napus canola meal. Differences in CATTD of GE, NE value and CSID of AA data among B. napus canola co-products indicate that method of oil extraction from canola seed can affect energy and AA availability in the resulting canola co-products.

Apparent digestibility coefficient of chickpea, maize, high-quality protein maize, and beans diets in juvenile and adult Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus )

The objective of our study was to assess the apparent digestibility of plant ingredients in diets for juvenile (50 g) and adult (220 g) Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Dietary dry matter and protein apparent digestibility coefficients of four plant-derived feedstuffs (chickpea, maize, high-quality maize protein, and beans) were tested. The beans diet had the lowest apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter (ADCDM) (69.41%), while no significant differences were detected in ADCDM among the other diets; ADCDM was significantly higher in adults compared with juveniles (77.02 vs. 73.76%). Apparent dry matter digestibility coefficient of ingredients (ADCI) was significantly higher in the chickpea (70.48%) and high-quality protein maize (71.09%) ingredients, and lower in the beans (52.79%) ingredient. Apparent dry matter digestibility coefficient of ingredients was significantly higher in juveniles compared with adults (72.56 vs. 56.80%). The protein digestibility of diet (ADCCP) was significantly higher in the reference diet (93.68%), while the lowest corresponded to the maize (87.86%) and beans (87.29%) diets. Significantly lower apparent digestibility coefficient of protein (ADCICP ) was obtained with the high-quality maize protein (59.11%) and maize (49.48%) ingredients, while higher ADCICP was obtained with the chickpea and beans ingredients (71.31 and 63.89%, respectively). The apparent digestibility coefficient of ingredient crude protein ADCICP was significantly higher in juveniles compared with adults (67.35 vs. 53.46). Digestibility is generally higher in juveniles, and we recommend using chickpea as an ingredient in diets for Nile tilapia.

Feeding practices and malnutrition at the Princess Marie Louise Children’s hospital, Accra: what has changed after 80 years?

Sub-optimal feeding practices are associated with malnutrition. In 1933, Dr Cecily Williams, while working at Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital (PML) in Accra described Kwashiorkor as the disease of children “deposed” from breast feeding who were being fed plain fermented maize diets. Presently, it is not clear how this has changed after 80 years. We conducted an unmatched case–control study at PML in 2013 in order to determine faulty feeding practices associated with malnutrition. PML is a 74 bed children’s hospital and the largest centre for treating children with malnutrition in Ghana. Under-fives with Moderate or Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM or MAM) were selected as cases while the controls were children without SAM or MAM. A total of 182 malnourished and 189 well-nourished under-fives and their mothers were studied. Faulty feeding practices including early weaning, shorter duration of exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding, bottle feeding and limited consumption of fruits were found. Though the use of “iced kenkey” a maize-based diet was limited, over one-third of malnourished children (39.1 %) were still being weaned with plain unfortified fermented maize gruel both of which Dr Williams associated with Kwashiorkor. Well-nourished children were more likely to receive solid food (38.0 %), fortified maize gruel (29.2 %), and Cerelac® (24 %) a processed cereal-based complementary food. A child’s refusal to breastfeed was the most common reason for stopping breastfeeding among malnourished children. More effective nutrition education and new complementary feeding diets that are wholesome yet appeal to a new generation of mothers are needed. The patho-physiology of feeding problems needs further study.

Growth, body composition and hepatopancreas morphology of Nile tilapia fingerlings fed crude glycerol as a replacement for maize in diets

This study consisted in determining the best level of replacement of maize by crude glycerol as an energy source for Nile tilapia fingerlings evaluating the growth performance, body composition and hepatopancreas histology. Three hundred Nile tilapia with an average weight of 11.46±2.18g were placed in 30 plastic aquaria (60L), in a completely randomized design with six treatments (levels of replacement of maize by crude glycerol at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) and five replications. The feeding regime consisted of three daily feedings ad libitum. An increase (P<0.05) in crude protein and body moisture, and a decrease in lipids and mineral content in whole body of fish fed with increasing levels of glycerol was observed. Regarding the productive performance hepatosomatic index showed a quadratic effect (P<0.05) and there was a linear reduction (P<0.05) in feed conversion with increasing substitution of maize by glycerol. No statistical differences were found (P>0.05) in the area of hepatocytes and no changes were observed in the morphology of the hepatopancreas. It is possible to replace totally maize by glycerol in pelleted diets for Nile tilapia fingerlings between 10 and 30g without causing prejudice to the productivity and quality of fish.

Fusarium toxin-contaminated maize in diets of growing bulls: effects on performance, slaughtering characteristics, and transfer into physiological liquids

The present feeding study was carried out to examine the effects of Fusarium toxin-contaminated diets on performance and slaughtering characteristics and on the transfer of the Fusarium toxins zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) and their metabolites into physiological matrices. A total of 61 bulls (483 ± 46kg) were fed with graded proportions of Fusarium toxin-contaminated feed over a period of 10weeks. The total mixed rations (TMR) consisted of 47% grass silage, 20% press pulp silage, and 33% concentrate on dry matter (DM) basis. Increasing toxin concentrations were achieved by the exchange of control maize with Fusarium toxin-contaminated maize in the concentrates. Thus, dietary toxin concentrations between 0.08 and 0.69mg ZEN and 0.36 and 8.31mg DON per kg DM were covered by the four feeding groups. Based on increasing DM intake with increasing mycotoxin contaminations of the diet, the live weight gain and energy intake differed significantly between the groups. No effects were observed on slaughtering characteristics and organ weights. ZEN, α-zeralenol, β-zeralenol (β-ZEL), zeralanone, α-zearalanol, β-zearalanol, DON, and de-deepoxy-DON (de-DON) were simultaneously determined in urine, plasma, and liquor whereby quantifiable concentrations of ZEN, β-ZEL, DON, and de-DON were found in urine, of DON and de-DON in plasma, and solely of de-DON in liquor. Based on overall results it can be concluded that current EU-guidance values for critical concentrations of DON and ZEN can be regarded as safe levels also for growing bulls. Urine and blood toxin residue levels can be used to assess exposure of bulls.

Spirulina as a functional ingredient in broiler chicken diets

In recent years there has been increased interest in the production of novel functional foods by utilizing eco-friendly materials and methods. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the effects of dietary spirulina ( Spirulina platensis ), a blue-green microalga, on growth performance, meat oxidative stability and fatty acid profile of broiler chickens. One hundred and twenty one-day-old broiler chickens of mixed sex were weighed individually and assigned randomly to three treatment groups with four replications of 10 birds. All birds were housed in floor cages with litter, and conventional breeding and management procedures were applied throughout the 42-day trial period. The treatment groups were as follows: control: 0 g spirulina/kg feed; S05: 5 g spirulina/kg feed; S10: 10 g spirulina/kg feed. The birds were fed with maize and soybean meal-based commercial diets for the starter (1 to 14 days), grower (15 to 28 days) and finisher (29 to 42 days) periods. Feed and drinking water were offered to all birds ad libitum. The results of the experiment showed that bodyweight gain (at 21 d and 42 d), feed conversion ratio and mortality did not differ among the groups, nor did breast and thigh meat lipid oxidation differ among the groups. The fatty acid profile of the thigh meat was enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid after spirulina supplementation. Therefore, spirulina could be a promising functional ingredient in broiler chicken nutrition. Keywords: Poultry, microalgae, performance, meat oxidative stability, fatty acid profile

Progressive Changes in the Plasma Metabolome during Malnutrition in Juvenile Pigs.

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is one of the leading nutrition-related causes of death in children under five years of age. The clinical features of SAM are well documented, but a comprehensive understanding of the development from a normal physiological state to SAM is lacking. Characterizing the temporal metabolomic change may help to understand the disease progression and to define nutritional rehabilitation strategies. Using a piglet model we hypothesized that a progressing degree of malnutrition induces marked plasma metabolite changes. Four-week-old weaned pigs were fed a nutrient-deficient maize diet (MAL) or nutritionally optimized reference diet (REF) for 7 weeks. Plasma collected weekly was subjected to LC-MS for a nontargeted profiling of metabolites with abundance differentiation. The MAL pigs showed markedly reduced body-weight gain and lean-mass proportion relative to the REF pigs. Levels of eight essential and four nonessential amino acids showed a time-dependent deviation in the MAL pigs from that in the REF. Choline metabolites and gut microbiomic metabolites generally showed higher abundance in the MAL pigs. The results demonstrated that young malnourished pigs had a profoundly perturbed metabolism, and this provides basic knowledge about metabolic changes during malnourishment, which may be of help in designing targeted therapeutic foods for refeeding malnourished children.

Impact of increasing levels of spineless-cactus meal on the ingestive behaviour of grazing steers

&lt;p&gt;The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of spineless-cactus meal substituting for maize in diets for supplemented steers grazing on &lt;em&gt;Urochoa brizantha &lt;/em&gt;during the postweaning phase. The experiment was conducted on Princesa do Mateiro farm, located in Ribeirão do Largo-BA, Brazil. Forty crossbred steers with an average body weight of 261 ± 7.46 kg were distributed into four groups for evaluation of the following four levels of substitution of ground maize for spinelesscactus meal: 0.00, 30.00, 60.00, and 90.00%. The results were analysed statistically by variance and regression analyses at a 5% error probability. Increasing the amount of spineless-cactus meal in the diet had a quadratic effect on the grazing time and on the time spent on other activities. The diet had a quadratic effect on the number of grazing periods, the number of periods at the trough, and the total feeding and chewing times. In contrast, the number of periods spent on other activities and on rumination was not influenced by the level of spineless-cactus meal. The bite rate, number of bites per swallow, and number of bites per day increased linearly, whereas the swallowing time and number of cuds ruminated per day decreased as the level of spineless-cactus meal added to the diet wasincreased. The feed and rumination efficiencies of dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, and non-fibre carbohydrates were not influenced by the level of substitution of spineless-cactus meal for ground maize. Spinelesscactus meal levels close to 60% probably provided greater fibre degradation, leading the animals to spend more time on social interactions with the group, use the feed better, and possibly have a better feed conversion.&lt;/p&gt;.

Impact of increasing levels of spineless-cactus meal on the ingestive behaviour of grazing steers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of spineless-cactus meal substituting for maize in diets for supplemented steers grazing on Urochoa brizantha during the postweaning phase. The experiment was conducted on Princesa do Mateiro farm, located in Ribeirão do Largo-BA, Brazil. Forty crossbred steers with an average body weight of 261 ± 7.46 kg were distributed into four groups for evaluation of the following four levels of substitution of ground maize for spinelesscactus meal: 0.00, 30.00, 60.00, and 90.00%. The results were analysed statistically by variance and regression analyses at a 5% error probability. Increasing the amount of spineless-cactus meal in the diet had a quadratic effect on the grazing time and on the time spent on other activities. The diet had a quadratic effect on the number of grazing periods, the number of periods at the trough, and the total feeding and chewing times. In contrast, the number of periods spent on other activities and on rumination was not influenced by the level of spineless-cactus meal. The bite rate, number of bites per swallow, and number of bites per day increased linearly, whereas the swallowing time and number of cuds ruminated per day decreased as the level of spineless-cactus meal added to the diet wasincreased. The feed and rumination efficiencies of dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, and non-fibre carbohydrates were not influenced by the level of substitution of spineless-cactus meal for ground maize. Spinelesscactus meal levels close to 60% probably provided greater fibre degradation, leading the animals to spend more time on social interactions with the group, use the feed better, and possibly have a better feed conversion.

Nutrient digestibility and biochemical indices of rats fed gmelina fruit pulp incorporated diets

Biochemical indices and nutrient digestibility of rats fed ripe gmelina fruit pulp (RGFP) were assessed. Thirty albino rats were equally shared into five groups and fed five diets for the growth and digestibility trials. Maize was the sole energy source of diet I. RGFP replaced 25, 50, 75 and 100% of maize in diets II, III, IV and V, respectively. Group fecal output was used for proximate analysis to calculate digestibility coefficients. The experimental design used was the Completely Randomized Design, One-way Analysis of Variance while significant (p 0.05) blood P, Ca + , HCO - , cholesterol, 3 K + , Na + , Cl - ; DM and NFE digestibility. As RGFP level increased, AST, ALT, total protein and serum creatinine and digestibility of CP and EE increased while CF, BUN, serum glucose and triglyceride decreased. Biochemical indices indicate liver injury, starvation and muscular wasting. ALT, BUN, serum glucose and triglyceride of diet I were comparable to those of diet II, hence, RGFP could replace 25% of maize without endangering the rats. Keywords : Blood chemistry, ripe gmelina fruit pulp, digestibility

Effect of the particle size of maize, rice, and sorghum in extruded diets for dogs on starch gelatinization, digestibility, and the fecal concentration of fermentation products.

The influence of rice, maize, and sorghum raw material particle size in extruded dry dog food on the digestibility of nutrients and energy and the fecal concentration of fermentation products was investigated. Three diets with similar nutrient compositions were formulated, each with 1 starch source. Before incorporation into diets, the cereals were ground into 3 different particle sizes (approximately 300, 450, and 600 µm); therefore, a total of 9 diets were in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (3 cereals and 3 particle sizes). Fifty-four beagle dogs (12.0 ± 0.1 kg BW) were randomly assigned to the diets, with 6 dogs per diet. The digestibility was measured with the chromium oxide method. The data were evaluated with ANOVA considering the carbohydrate source, grinding effect, and interactions. The means were compared with the Tukey test and polynomial contrasts (P < 0.05). With the same grinding procedure, rice was reduced to smaller particles than other cereals. The cereal mean geometric diameter (MGD) was directly related to starch gelatinization (SG) during extrusion. For rice diets, the MGD and SG did not change nutrient digestibility (P > 0.05); only GE digestibility was reduced at the largest MGD (P < 0.01). For maize and sorghum diets, the total tract apparent nutrient digestibility was reduced for foods with greater MGD and less SG (P < 0.01). A linear reduction in nutrient digestibility according to cereal particle size was observed for sorghum (r2 < 0.72; P < 0.01). Higher concentrations of fecal total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were observed for sorghum diets (P < 0.05) than for other diets. The rice diets led to the production of feces with less lactate (P < 0.05). The increase in raw material MGD did not influence fecal SCFA for rice diets, but for the dogs fed maize and sorghum foods, an increase in propionate and butyrate concentrations were observed as MGD increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, for dogs fed different particle sizes of the cereal starches in the extruded diets, the digestibility and fecal characteristics were affected, and this effect was ingredient dependent.