Monogastric Animals Research Articles

The role of probiotics in animal nutrition and health

The purpose of this review article is to discuss the role of probiotics in animal nutrition and health. In the last 15 years, probiotics have become increasingly popular in many animal production systems. Inadequate scientifically-based, all-encompassing, and unified data on the effects of probiotics in monogastric and ruminant animals prompted the current review. Feed supplements containing live microorganisms, known as probiotics, are shown to improve intestinal balance and overall health when given on a consistent and adequate schedule. Probiotics are a type of live microorganism that can be added to animal feed to help improve the health and productivity of cattle by balancing the microbes in the animals' digestive systems. This article summarizes the literature on the effects of yeast and bacterial probiotics on the gut microbiome of ruminants and monogastric animals and the implications of these findings for animal nutrition and health. Lastly, the positive effects of probiotics are outlined, including increased animal growth, decreased mortality, and enhanced feed conversion efficiency.

Optimizing raffinose family oligosaccharides content in plants: A tightrope walk.

Plants synthesize various compounds for their growth, metabolism, and stress mitigation, and one such group of compounds is the raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs). RFOs are non-reducing oligosaccharides having galactose residues attached to a sucrose moiety. They act as carbohydrate reserves in plants, assisting in seed germination, desiccation tolerance, and biotic/abiotic stress tolerance. Although legumes are among the richest sources of dietary proteins, the direct consumption of legumes is hindered by an excess of RFOs in the edible parts of the plant, which causes flatulence in humans and monogastric animals. These opposing characteristics make RFOs manipulation a complicated tradeoff. An in-depth knowledge of the chemical composition, distribution pattern, tissue mobilization, and metabolism is required to optimize the levels of RFOs. The most recent developments in our understanding of RFOs distribution, physiological function, genetic regulation of their biosynthesis, transport, and degradation in food crops have been covered in this review. Additionally, we have suggested a few strategies that can sustainably reduce RFOs in order to solve the flatulence issue in animals. The comprehensive information in this review can be a tool for researchers to precisely control the level of RFOs in crops and create low antinutrient, nutritious food with wider consumer acceptability.

Enhancing Digestibility of Chlorella vulgaris Biomass in Monogastric Diets: Strategies and Insights

Microalgae, such as Chlorella vulgaris (CV), have been identified as promising animal feed sources due to their high content of essential nutrients, including proteins, total lipids, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and pigments. This study aimed to review the digestibility, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability of nutrients from CV biomass, and to analyse strategies to enhance their digestibility in monogastric animal diets. The study conducted a systematic review of the literature from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, up until the end of January 2023. The results of adding CV to poultry and swine diets were diverse and depended on a number of variables. However, pre-treatments applied to CV biomass improved nutrient digestibility and accessibility. CV biomass, produced in a cost-effective manner, has the potential to serve as a supplement or substitute for expensive feed ingredients and improve animal health, physiology, and immune status. Variations in results may be due to differences in microalgal strain, cultivation conditions, and dietary inclusion levels, among other factors. This study provides new insights and perspectives into the utilization of CV biomass in animal diets, highlighting its potential as a valuable ingredient to improve nutrient utilization.

Genetically controlling VACUOLAR PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 1 contributes to low-phosphorus seeds in Arabidopsis

ABSTRACT Phosphorus (P) is an indispensable nutrient for seed germination, but the seeds always store excessive P over demand. High-P seeds of feeding crops lead to environmental and nutrition issues, because phytic acid (PA), the major form of P in seeds, cannot be digested by mono-gastric animals. Therefore, reduction of P level in seeds has become an imperative task in agriculture. Our study here suggested that both VPT1 and VPT3, two vacuolar phosphate transporters responsible for vacuolar Pi sequestration, were downregulated in leaves during the flowering stage, which led to less Pi accumulated in leaves and more Pi allocated to reproductive organs, and thus high-P containing seeds. To reduce the total P content in seeds, we genetically regulated VPT1 during the flowering stage and found that overexpression of VPT1 in leaves could reduce P content in seeds without affecting the production and seed vigor. Therefore, our finding provides a potential strategy to reduce the P level of the seeds to prevent the nutrition over-accumulation pollution.

Bracken and horsetail poisoning

Bracken (Pteridium spp.) and horsetail (Equisetum spp.) are ancient plants that contain thiaminase. Chronic grazing by monogastric animals, such as horses, results in an induced deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1). This manifests as ataxia, lack of co-ordination (‘bracken staggers’), loss of condition and stumbling. As the disease progresses, there is weakness, inability to stand, muscle tremors, coma and convulsions. In addition, haemolytic anaemia and haemoglobinuria may occur. Diagnosis of bracken or horsetail toxicosis is based on clinical signs and history of exposure. Post-mortem findings are generally non-specific. Treatment is supportive with prompt removal of the plants, and provision of good quality forage and nursing care. Supplementation with thiamine can be effective. Prevention of poisoning involves ensuring adequate forage is available, and preventing access to the plants. Clearing the bracken or horsetail can be difficult and in the case of bracken, specialist advice should be sought.

Dosimetric Indicators of Damage to the Digestive Tract of Monogastric Animals by Incorporated Radioactive Particles

The analysis of dosimetric parameters of internal irradiation and biological effects in monogastric animals (rats, guinea pigs, pigs) caused by orally received “hot” radioactive particles causing ulcerative necrotic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract is presented. Mathematical models of particle transport and formation of absorbed doses in the digestive tract have been developed. The features of the deep distribution of absorbed doses in the mucous membrane depending on the spectral characteristics of β-radiation of radionuclides that are part of silicate particles are given. It is shown that the main factors in the formation of ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract were the uneven distribution of particles in the contents and the concentration of particles in certain areas of the mucous membrane, followed by the formation of high local dose loads. A dosi-metric scale of extremely severe, severe, medium and mild acute radiation ulcerative gastroenterocolitis is proposed, which allows extrapolating the results of model experiments on scenarios of radioactive contamination of the environment by particles of various genesis. The results obtained can be taken into account in the tasks of radiation safety.

Influence of biostimulants and humic extracts treatment on the fatty acid profile of the spring oilseed rape variety

Abstract. For two consecutive economic years, a field experiment was conducted with spring rapeseed hybrid Rasna. The aim is to trace the effect of phytostimulant treatment on the total fat content of rapeseed and the proportion of essential fatty acids. The application of biostimulants (organic acid and humic complexes) in the cultivation of rapeseed variety Rasna leads to changes in the fatty acid composition of the seeds. The use of biostimulants HL100, HLN 55 and TH1-20% in the first year leads to a decrease in the content of saturated by 3.5%, 1.74% and 4.7% and polyunsaturated fatty acids by 2.74%, 0.59% and 3.15% due to the higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids by 0.99%, 0.58 and 1.47%. Biostimulator TH1-10% leads to an increase in saturated by 0.06%, monounsaturated by 0.26% and a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids by 1.35% compared to the control group of seeds. In the second year of treatment of rapeseed variety Rasna saturated fatty acids decreased compared to the control group to a lesser extent: with the application of biostimulant TH1-10% and HLN 55 by 0.33% and 0.11%, while with biostimulants HL 100, TH1-20% and H40 their content increases by 0.97, 0.06% and 0.04% respectively. Monounsaturated fatty acids decreased in humic complexes by 0.34%, biostimulator TH1-10% by 0.72% and biostimulator TH1-20% by 0.23%. Polyunsaturated fatty acids have the highest degree of reduction when applying biostimulant HL 100-2.77%. Saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids had a higher content in the first year of treatment in rapeseed hybrid Rasna, while the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids increased with a high degree of confidence (P≤0.001) in the second marketing year. This, on the one hand, is due to environmental factors, and on the other – to the type of preparation for treatment. The improved fatty acid composition of the seeds makes them a suitable raw material for the production of fats and their use in feed for monogastric and ruminant animals

Effect of Sundried Cassava Peel Meal-Based Diet Supplemented with Quadraxyme® on Performance and Blood Profile of Grower Boar Pigs

Introduction: Monogastric animals such as pigs and poultry cannot handle cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which form the major components of agro-industrial products. This feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the responses of growing boar-fed sundried cassava peel meal (CPM)-based diet supplemented with the enzyme. Materials and methods: Thirty-two growing boars (Large white x Landrace), eleven weeks old with an average weight of 25.00 ± 0.30 kg, were allocated randomly to dietary treatments. A basal diet was compounded containing 48% sundried CPM. The dietary treatments were T1 (control) supplemented with 0.0g/100g, and other treatments, including T2, T3, and T4, received 0.5g/100kg, 1.5g/100g, and 2.0g/100g levels of Quadraxyme® supplementation, respectively. Quadraxyme® is a product of Quadragen Veterinary Health Private Limited. Quadraxyme® contains amylase, cellulase, xylanase, pectinase, lipase, arabinose, α-galactosidase, and β -glucosidase. Results: This study showed significant differences in average feed intakes and daily weight gains across the dietary treatments. Pigs in the T4 group had the highest weight gain, followed by those in T2 and T3 groups, while the minor weight gain was in the diet with no enzyme supplementation. The dietary treatments significantly influenced hematological parameters in almost all the studied indices. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values of pigs fed the T1 diet recorded significantly higher MCHC and a reduction in concentrations of packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) counts, and a slight increase in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) concentration. The dietary treatments did not affect the total blood protein and albumin levels of the growing pigs enrolled in this investigation. The result showed that the levels of enzyme supplementation to the SDCPM-based diet did not significantly influence the electrolytes of the growing boars. The PO42- increased in enzyme-supplemented diets, and group T4 supplemented with 0.20g/100kg of the enzyme recorded the highest PO42- value (6.79mg/100ml) among the other groups. Conclusion: It is concluded that including 0.20g/100kg in a 48% sundried CPM-based diet for growing pigs enhanced growth and feed conversion, improved phosphorus utilization, and had no adverse effects on growth and blood parameters.

The use of an alternative feed ingredient in the diet of pigs

The main grain feeds for animals in our country are still corn, wheat and barley. It is known that animals and poultry are competitors to humans in terms of grain consumption. Therefore, it is currently relevant in the fi eld of mono-gastric animals feeding to search for non-traditional feed sources. One of these is sorghum grain. The purpose of the work was to increase the live weight of young pigs when using low-cost compound feed with sorghum. We carried out a scientifi c and economic experiment at the LLC “TOPAGRO” enterprise in the Volgograd region on young pigs of three-breed hybrids. The animals of the control group received an farm diet with corn, and in the diet of the animals of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd experimental groups, 50, 75 and 100 % of corn was replaced with sorghum. In the feeding diet of pigs, partial or complete replacement of corn grain with sorghum of the variety Kamyshinskoe 75 contributed to an increase in the digestibility of nutrients compared with the indicators of analogues of the control group. The live weight of pigs on 119 days of experiment in the 1st experimental group was by 1,77 % higher than the control group, in the 2nd experimental group by 3,09 % (P > 0,95) and in the 3rd experimental group by 2,66 kg than in the control group. Control slaughter of animals has shown that the slaughter yield in the experimental groups was higher than in the control group from 0,53 to 0,91 abs.%. Thus, the replacement of corn grain with sorghum in the diets of pigs of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd experimental groups positively aff ected the digestibility of nutrients of compound feed and meat productivity of pigs.

Nutritional and Ethno-Medicinal Potentials of Egg-Lime-Molasses Mixture in Livestock Production

Background: The quest for organic agriculture has necessitated the search for natural products which are abundant in phytochemicals and have significant therapeutic effects. This study was carried out to investigate the nutritional and ethno-medicinal potentials of egg-lime-molasses mixture (ELM). Methods: Fresh eggs were placed in a bowl after which 1 liter of lime juice and 500 g of molasses were added into the same bowl, then it was covered tightly and left for 10 days at temperature of 27°C and relative humidity of 61%. At the end of 10 days, the egg shells were dissolved into solution and then blended together. The mixture was then analyzed for proximate composition, phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins. The analyses were investigated in accordance with standard procedures. Result: Proximate analysis of ELM indicated the presence of moisture content (19.60%), crude protein (15.20%), lipids (5.50%), ash (14.60%), crude fibre (9.60%), carbohydrates (35.20%), fatty acid (4.40%) and energy (1060.30 Kcal/100 kg). Phytochemical screening revealed that ELM contained alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponin, steroids, phenols, terpenoides, tannin and antraquinones. Quantitative evaluation of the phytochemicals showed that ELM contained alkaloids (8.46 mg/100 g), flavonoids (2.30 mg/100 g), glycosides (0.08 mg/100g), Saponin (5.25 mg/100 g), steroids (0.22 mg/l00 g), phenols (0.09 mg/100 g), terpenoides (0.56 mg/100 g), tannin (8.34 mg/100g) and antraquinones (1.60 mg/100 g) and the vitamin constituents are Vitamin A (3.20 mg/100 g), Vitamin B1(280 mg/100 g), Vitamin B2 (880 mg/100 g), Vitamin B3 (340 mg/100 g), Vitamin C (15.40 mg/100 g) and Vitamin E (0.015 mg/100 g). Mineral analysis showed that it contained calcium (29.95%), magnesium (4.08%), potassium (23.20%), sodium (0.38%), phosphorus (6.90%), chlorine (0.30%), manganese (1.44 ppm), iron (3.60 ppm), aluminum (5.35%), titanium (2.10 ppm) and silicon (22.70 ppm). It was concluded that ELM is rich in various nutrients and phytochemicals conferring it the ability to perform multiple biological activities and as a natural alternative to antibiotics especially in monogastric animal production.

Hepatopathies of monogastric animals under the conditions of the Northern Trans-Urals

As is known, the liver in the body of mammalian animals converts nutrients into other chemical formations, which are later used by the body itself or are excreted. Also, this organ performs a detoxification function. The liver contains the necessary supply of blood, vitamins and carbohydrates for the animal, as well as the synthesis of some blood proteins and other vital organic substances. It is known that up to 1,000 different biochemical processes take place in this largest gland of the body, however, due to the enormous load on the hepatocyte, it often undergoes destruction. The level and intensity of metabolic processes in the body of animals depends on the morphofunctional state of this organ. The aim of the research was to study the spread and manifestation of hepatopathy in monogastric animals in the conditions of the Northern Trans-Urals. The liver of the studied animals (rabbits and dogs) was selected for morphohistological studies. Based on the conducted studies and analysis of the results obtained, it was found that various types of hepatopathy in rabbits with unbalanced feeding and feeding with substandard feed were observed in 45% of cases, and in dogs - in 41.7% of cases. For the digestive glands, both substandard commercial feed and feed prepared by the owners of animals themselves have a negative impact. At the same time, the degree of liver dysfunction did not depend on whether the animals were fed industrial feed or food "from the table". In the course of our research, the following data were obtained: during morphological examination of the liver of rabbits, pathologies were established in 45% of cases, of which hydropic dystrophy -10%, hepatosis -20%, cirrhosis -15%. Liver dysfunction, as an independent disease, was registered in dogs in 14.1% of cases. In experimental dogs, we treated the following types of liver lesions: 42% - liver steatosis, 24.5% - liver inflammation, 12% - liver cirrhosis, 19.2% - cholecystitis, 2.3% - liver neoplasms.

Role of microbial phytases in improving fish health

AbstractFishmeal is the most preferred protein source in aquafeed industry due to its balanced amino acid and fatty acid profile, but its limited global supply and high price value, necessitates researchers to focus on sustainable alternative sources of protein and plant‐based feed, to meet the growing demand of fish feed. Phytate is a reservoir of phosphorus present in the plants; however, its chelating ability makes it anti‐nutritional. Phytate forms complexes with minerals, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, confining their accessibility in fish feeds, hence, additional dietary nutrients are required in the fish feed to overcome nutritional deficiencies. The elimination of phytate‐phosphorus through animal faeces and its pass on to aquatic bodies leads to enrichment of nutrients, eutrophication and algal blooms. Microbial phytase segregates phosphorus, minerals, proteins and lower inositol phosphates from phytate. The supplementation of fish feed with microbial phytase enhances the digestibility of minerals, due to which less nutrients are excreted in the faeces; therefore, minimizing pollution in water bodies. Monogastric and agastric animals inherently exhibit the deficiency of phytase; hence, supplementation of dietary material with phytase has been an emerging choice to make dietary nutrients available for fish. Moreover, microbial phytases have a broad pH range and are thermostable, which makes them an excellent choice for commercial fish feed production. Additionally, microbial phytase improves fish growth as these enzymes enhance nutrients bioavailability and their digestion. This review article presents the application of microbial phytases as a feed additive, and their role in enhancing fish growth.

Yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) as an alternative animal feed source: A comprehensive characterization of nutritional values and the larval gut microbiome

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) reared using local agricultural by-products as an alternative feed for monogastric and ruminant animals. The mealworms were raised on oat-based (OB) and wheat-based (WB) by-products, and their nutritional properties and in vitro digestibility were evaluated, simulating the digestive system of both monogastric and ruminant animals. Furthermore, the gut microbiome of mealworm larvae was studied. Crude fat and most minerals were higher in larvae fed WB than those fed OB (P < 0.05), reflecting the nutritional profiles of the substrates. Larvae and pupae generally shared a common nutritional profile: lower contents of crude fiber, crude protein, and total amino acids, and higher crude fat, total fatty acids, and gross energy levels compared to adults (P < 0.05). Total essential and non-essential amino acid contents in larvae and pupae were similar to those of a commercial soybean meal (SBM). The in vitro dry matter and protein digestibility of larvae and pupae were similar to SBM and significantly higher (30%) than the values for adults for both monogastrics and ruminants. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most abundant gut microbial phyla in larvae, and the gut microbiome revealed remarkable plasticity in response to altered nutritional status, such as starvation. A new insight into the nutrition of mealworm's metamorphic stages fed on agricultural by-products and how feeding modulates the larval gut microbiome provides an innovative approach to exploit mealworms as a sustainable and alternative animal feed source in the future.

In Vitro Fermentation

The rumen of ruminants, as well as the colon of monogastric animals, are inhabited by over one trillion bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, and these are emerging as critical regulators in dietary micronutrients and animal health [...]

The suppression of TdMRP3 genes reduces the phytic acid and increases the nutrient accumulation in durum wheat grain.

Micronutrient malnutrition affects more than half of the world population. Reduced bioavailability of microelements in the raw materials is considered one of the main causes of mineral deficiency in populations whose diet is largely based on the consumption of staple crops. In this context, the production of low phytic acid (lpa) cereals is a main goal of the breeding programs, as phytic acid (PA) binds essential mineral cations such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) precipitating in the form of phytate salts poorly digested by monogastric animals, including humans, due to the lack of phytases in the digestive tract. Since PA limits the bioavailability of microelements, it is widely recognized as an anti-nutritional compound. A Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) approach has been undertaken to silence the genes encoding the TdABCC13 proteins, known as Multidrug-Resistance associated Proteins 3 (TdMRP3), transporters involved in the accumulation of PA inside the vacuole in durum wheat. The TdMRP3 complete null genotypes showed a significant reduction in the content of PA and were able to accumulate a higher amount of essential micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn) compared to the control. The number of spikelets and seeds per spike, traits associated with the agronomic performances, were reduced compared to the control, but the negative effect was in part balanced by the increased grain weight. The TdMRP3 mutant lines showed morphological differences in the root apparatus such as a significant decrease in the number of root tips, root length, volume and surface area and an increase in root average diameter compared to the control plants. These materials represent a promising basis for obtaining new commercial durum wheats with higher nutritional value.

Efficiency of wheat use in organic animal husbandry

Conceptual justification of the basic feed raw materials list which is promising for the implementation of organic technologies in Siberia is a necessary step to solve the problem of organic production of regional livestock and the creation of an appropriate feed base. The results of the validity of the use of wheat in the organic production of livestock products are presented. The ways of transforming wheat to improve the efficiency of its use in animal feed are proposed. The objectives of the research included studying the agronomic possibilities of wheat cultivation in Siberia according to the rules of organic production, assessing the scale of its use for fodder purposes, determining the amino acid composition of regional wheat varieties, justifying the effectiveness of obtaining a feed additive from it, assessing the possibility of using the new additive in the diets of animals kept according to the rules of organic production. The yield of spring wheat cultivated in Siberia on fallow and organic production norms is 62.5% on average of the yield of wheat cultivated on conventional intensive technology. The loss of 38% of the yield due to organic technology can be compensated by increasing the area of its crops. The average values of the content of normalized amino acids in wheat of the studied 82 released varieties of Siberian breeding are less than the reference values. An experimental feed additive with a lysine content of about 20 g/kg in terms of dry matter was obtained from wheat. This is comparable with the lysine content in meat and bone meal, sunflower oil meal - traditional protein ingredients of Siberian feed for monogastric animals, but not included in the list of raw materials permitted for use in organic animal husbandry. Using the obtained additive full-fat mixed fodder for young pigs and poultry were composed. Positive effect of the obtained wheat additive on the productivity of experimental animals kept under the rules of organic production was experimentally established.

A low-carbon high inulin diet improves intestinal mucosal barrier function and immunity against infectious diseases in goats.

Abrupt weaning is a major stressful event, contributing to intestinal abnormalities and immune system dysfunction in weaned kids. Inulin is a prebiotic fiber with many positive functions, including promoting intestinal fermentation and enhancing host immunity in monogastric animals. However, the effects of a high-inulin, energy-rich diet on ruminal fermentation characteristics, methane emission, growth performance, and immune systems of weaned kids have not been investigated. A fully automated in vitro fermentation system was used to investigate ruminal fermentation characteristics and methane emission of a mixed substrate of inulin and fat powder (1.31: 1) in comparison with maize grain-based starter concentrate. During a 1-week adaptation and 4-week trial phase, 18 weaned kids (8.97 ± 0.19 kg) were randomly assigned to two groups, one with a conventional diet (83% maize grain; CON) and the other with a low-carbon, high-inulin diet (41.5% maize grain, 14.4% fat powder, 18.9% inulin; INU). In the in vitro rumen fermentation experiment, the total gas production was not different (p > 0.05); however, a lower (p < 0.05) methane production was observed for INU as compared to CON. The average daily gain and the ratio of feed intake and growth performance of kids fed with INU were higher (p < 0.05) than those fed with CON. Serum concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were lower (p < 0.05), whereas the concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and cholesterol (CHOL) were higher (p < 0.05) in kids fed with the INU diet as compared CON. Dietary inulin significantly increased (p < 0.05) the secretion of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) and inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-10) in ileum tissue. Although no differences (p > 0.05) were observed in mRNA expression of tight junction markers, the INU diet tended to increase (p = 0.09) gene expression of ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 (P70S6K) in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway of longissimus dorsi muscle. Our findings highlighted that a low-carbon high-inulin energy-rich diet could be used as a promising strategy to improve gut immunity and growth performance of weaned kids under abrupt weaning stress and reduce methane production.

Enzymatic Degradation of Zearalenone in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Pigs, Chickens, and Rainbow Trout.

The estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) is a common contaminant of animal feed. Effective strategies for the inactivation of ZEN in feed are required. The ZEN-degrading enzyme zearalenone hydrolase ZenA (EC 3.1.1.-, commercial name ZENzyme®, BIOMIN Holding GmbH, Getzersdorf, Austria) converts ZEN to hydrolyzed ZEN (HZEN), thereby enabling a strong reduction in estrogenicity. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of ZenA added to feed to degrade ZEN in the gastrointestinal tract of three monogastric animal species, i.e., pigs, chickens, and rainbow trout. For each species, groups of animals received (i) feed contaminated with ZEN (chickens: 400 µg/kg, pigs: 200 µg/kg, rainbow trout: 2000 µg/kg), (ii) feed contaminated with ZEN and supplemented with ZenA, or (iii) uncontaminated feed. To investigate the fate of dietary ZEN in the gastrointestinal tract in the presence and absence of ZenA, concentrations of ZEN and ZEN metabolites were analyzed in digesta of chickens and rainbow trout and in feces of pigs. Upon ZenA administration, concentrations of ZEN were significantly decreased and concentrations of the degradation product HZEN were significantly increased in digesta/feces of each investigated animal species, indicating degradation of ZEN by ZenA in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, upon addition of ZenA to the diet, the concentration of the highly estrogenic ZEN metabolite α-ZEL was significantly reduced in feces of pigs. In conclusion, ZenA was effective in degrading ZEN to HZEN in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens, pigs, and rainbow trout, and counteracted formation of α-ZEL in pigs. Therefore, ZenA could find application as a ZEN-degrading feed additive for these animal species.

Accumulation of Minerals in Faba Bean Seeds and Straw in Relation to Sowing Density

Faba beans (Vicia faba L.) are a high-protein legume crop that can be widely cultivated in most climates in Europe. The amino acid composition of the faba bean protein is also beneficial for monogastric animals since it contains a great deal of lysine, an amino acid that is deficient in cereals. Two genotypes of faba beans were cultivated at three sowing densities (45, 60 and 75 seeds per m2) during three growing seasons (years 2013–2015). The aim of the research was to assess accumulation of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) of two faba beans in seeds and straw under different sowing densities. A field experiment was conducted in 2013–2015 at fields of Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences in southwestern Poland from which plant material was used for chemical analysis in terms of determining the accumulation of the following elements—N, P, Mg, K and Ca—in the seeds and straw. The results showed that the genotypes of the faba bean varied greatly in accumulation of nutrients in various sowing densities and in following years of research. However, the average accumulation of nitrogen, calcium and magnesium in seeds for three years (2013–2015) was significantly higher in the Bobas cultivar under 60 seeds per m2 as well as in both tested cultivars using 75 seeds per m2. Accumulation of potassium and phosphorus in seeds was highest in both analyzed cultivars using 60 and 75 seeds per m2 (average for 2013–2015). Considering accumulation of elements in the straw of faba bean, it is shown that the concentration of potassium and calcium was the highest in both tested cultivars under the effect of sowing density at 60 and 75 seeds per m2 while the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium did not differ significantly as an effect of the interaction of cultivar and sowing date (average for 2013–2015). Weather conditions played an important role in accumulation of nutrients of both faba bean genotypes in the years of research (2013–2015).

Cellulose Butyrate as a Potent Fiber Supplement for Mono-Gastric Animals to Modulate Hindgut Microbiota and Fermentation: In Vitro Evaluations

To evaluate the function of cellulose butyrate (CB), a new synthetic, fibrous, candidate food additive, a series of batch culture study was carried out. Fecal cultures were prepared using fresh feces from human volunteers and swines, and anaerobically incubated to characterize the effect of CB on hindgut fermentation and microbial community, and thereby evaluate the potential use of CB as a food additive in mono-gastric animals. Three types of CB differing in the degree of substitution and in the carbon position of glucose residue where butyl groups are substituted were tested to proceed multiple comparisons for measured parameters. Among three types of CB tested, partially water-soluble CB3 was associated with the highest increase in butyrate production in human and swine fecal cultures. CB3 supplementation shifted fecal microbiota toward greater abundance of bacteria in the Bacteroidetes phylum, in particular the genus Parabacteroides, in which the increase of Parabacteroides distasonis was remarkable even with individual variations. CB3 also lowered putrefactive products, including ammonia, indole and skatole, in the cultures. Dietary use of partially water-soluble CB3 might be expected to have useful effects in humans and other mono-gastric animals, judging from the present results of enhanced butyrate production and lowered putrefactive products with CB3 addition to feces. The results might be partly attributable to a shift in hindgut microbiota, represented by the increased abundance of Bacteroidetes, especially Parabacteroides species. Therefore, CB3 can be considered as a functional additive candidate for the use in mono-gastric animals such as human and pigs.