Noxious Gas Emission Research Articles

Effects of dietary Achyranthes japonica extract supplementation on the growth performance, total tract digestibility, cecal microflora, excreta noxious gas emission, and meat quality of broiler chickens

The present study was investigated the effects of dietary Achyranthes japonica extract (AJE) supplementation on the growth performance, total tract digestibility, cecal microflora, excreta noxious gas emission, breast meat quality, and organ weight in broiler chickens. In total, 640 Ross × Ross male broiler chickens (1-day-old) were randomly distributed into 4 dietary treatments with 10 replicate cages (16 birds/replicate) per treatment group for 5 wk. The dietary treatments included a control basal diet without AJE, and diets with 0.025, 0.05, or 0.1% AJE. Body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion improved linearly with the supplementation of AJE over the experimental period (days 1 to 35) (P < 0.05). Dietary AJE supplementation caused a significant increase in the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen (linear, P < 0.05). The cecal Lactobacillus, E. coli, and Salmonella counts were linearly affected with increasing dietary AJE supplementation (P < 0.05). With increasing levels of AJE, excreta ammonia gas concentration showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05). The breast muscle weight linearly increased, along with a decrease in the abdominal fat weight, in treatment groups fed with AJE (P < 0.05). These results indicate that dietary addition with increasing AJE linearly improved growth performance, total tract digestibility, cecal microflora, excreta ammonia gas emission, and abdominal fat weight in broiler chickens.

Towards a sustainable distributed energy system in China: decision-making for strategies and policy implications

BackgroundThe conflict between the Chinese fossil fuel-based economy and worsening environmental conditions requires further research to be carried out. Due to their clean, highly-efficient and flexible properties, distributed energy systems (DESs) have become a global research focus in the field of energy conservation. China, as the largest coal-fired energy user and highest power consumer in the world, has to conduct further research and apply the DESs to resolve the conflict. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of DES development in China as well as improvement suggestions for the development of DESs by use of scientific analysis.MethodsThe analysis of strengths-weaknesses-opportunities threats (SWOT) was adapted for the analysis of improvement strategies. The directions for how to improve the application of these strategies were selected by the prioritization method of analytic hierarchy processes (AHP) and evaluated by the best-worst method (BWM). The suggestions were provided according to the ranks figured out by AHP and BWM. Five enablers were selected from the respective economic, environmental, technological and social aspects for participating in this analysis.ResultsResulting from the SWOT analysis, capital investment, technology development and regulation completeness are three aspects of strategies summarized as SO strategies, ST strategies, WO strategies and WT strategies. The research perspectives of DESs that are suggested for investment, technology development and regulation completeness are illustrated by AHP and BWM. The results show that the reduction of solid particle emissions, the improvement of generation reliability, the improvement of the production rate, the reduction of production costs, the improvement of on-site safety, the fulfilment of electricity demand, the reduction of noxious gas emissions as well as the improvement of energy efficiency need to be carried out for the sake of environmental protection and quality of DES generation in China.ConclusionsThere are high potentials for China to further develop and apply DES approaches. The direction of current development might be set to solve three problematic aspects, which are capital investment, technology development and regulation completeness.

The effects of betaine supplementation in diets containing different levels of crude protein and methionine on the growth performance, blood components, total tract nutrient digestibility, excreta noxious gas emission, and meat quality of the broiler chickens

The effects of betaine supplementation on growth performance, blood components, nutrient digestibility, excreta noxious gas emission, and meat quality of broiler chickens were examined using different dietary crude protein (CP) and methionine (Met) levels. A total of 768 Ross 308 broiler chickens were allotted to four treatments, with 12 replications of each treatment conducted over 6 wk. Treatments were factorially designed, with 2 levels of CP [Starter: CP 21% (low Met) and 23% (high Met); Finisher: CP 18% (low Met) and 20% (high Met)] and 2 levels of betaine supplementation (0 and 0.12%). Body weight gain and feed conversion improved significantly as dietary levels of protein increased (P < 0.05), but the results for betaine supplementation differed. The concentrations of serum total protein, albumin, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were elevated by either the supplementary betaine or the CP (P < 0.05). In addition, serum albumin concentration significantly increased in groups fed low CP amounts and betaine 0.12% compared with groups fed low CP only (P < 0.05). Total tract digestibility of nitrogen in broilers fed high CP amounts or 0.12% betaine, was observed to be greater than that in groups fed low CP amounts or no betaine treatment (P < 0.05). Supplemental betaine affected excreta ammonia gas emission, and hydrogen sulfide concentrations decreased significantly in low CP-fed groups (P < 0.05). Breast meat quality and relative organ weights were not influenced by CP levels or dietary betaine supplementation. These results suggest that betaine does not increase productivity, but may affect serum total protein, albumin, GPx, excreta ammonia emission, and nitrogen digestibility in broiler chickens. In addition, betaine supplementation is more effective in increasing serum albumin concentration when it was added in low CP (low Met) diets.

Influence of exogenous acid protease in broiler chickens fed corn-soybean meal-based diets.

This study was conducted to determine the influence of exogenous acid protease (EAP) on growth performance, blood profiles, excreta noxious gas emissions, ileum digesta viscosity and apparent ileal digestibility in broilers. A total of 600 1-d-old broilers with average initial body weight of 47.0±0.2g were used in a 5-week feeding trial. The broilers were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments with 10 replicate pens per treatment and 15 birds per cage. Dietary treatments consisted of: CON, basal diets; EAP1, CON+2,700 exogenous acid protease unite (APU)/kg; EAP2, CON+5,400 APU/kg; EAP3, CON+8,100 APU/kg. The body weight gain (BWG) had a linear improvement when chicks fed 8,100 AP/kg diets from d 18 to 35 and overall (p<.05). Lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained in broilers fed 5,400 APU/kg and 8,100 APU/kg as compared with the CON during overall (p<.05). Birds fed diets supplemented with EAP diet led to a linear increase in the ileal digestibility of crude protein, energy and amino acids (lysine, methionine, cystine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine and tryptophan) compared with CON group (p<.05). In conclusion, based on our results, we suggest that supplementation with EAP diet was effective in improving growth performance through increasing ileal digestibility of some nutrients (crude protein, energy and amino acids) in broilers.

Effects of multi-enzyme on production performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and excreta noxious gas emission of early phase Hy-line brown hens

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of non-starch polysaccharide multi-enzyme (NME) in early laying phase of hens on production performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and excreta noxious gas emission. In total, 432 Hy-line brown laying hens at 18 wk of age were used in a 10-wk feeding trail. Hens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments with 24 replication and 6 hens per replication (1 hen per cage). Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-DDGS-based diets supplemented with 0 (based diet, CON), 0.05% (NME1), and 0.1% (NME2) of NME. No significant (P > 0.05) response to increasing NME supplementation was observed for damaged egg rate shown throughout the experiment. Significant (P < 0.05) linear increase was observed for egg production at week 4, 6, and 8; moreover, egg production at week 8 also showed quadratic (P = 0.0344) increase. No significant effects were found on yolk color, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness during the experiment (P > 0.05) with the increase in NME supplemental levels. Albumin height, haugh unit, and egg color values were linearly (P < 0.05) increased at week 2 and 6 following the increasing NME supplementation, respectively. Additionally, quadratic (P = 0.0013) effect was observed on egg weight at week 6 with the increasing level of NME. Moreover, apparent total tract digestibility of nitrogen and excreta ammonia emission was linearly (P < 0.05) affected increasing NME supplementation. In summary, inclusion of NME containing xylanase, β-glucanase, galactosidase, and galactomannanase activities in corn-soybean meal-DDGS-based diets increased nitrogen digestibility, decreased excreta ammonia emission, and had no negative effects on production performance and egg quality parameters.

Inclusion of fish waste silage in broiler diets affects gut microflora, cecal short-chain fatty acids, digestive enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility, and excreta gas emission

A study was conducted to determine the impacts of dietary inclusion of fish waste silage (FWS) substituting soybean meal (SBM) on the performance, gut microflora, cecal short-chain fatty acid, apparent ileal digestibility (AID), digestive enzyme activity, and excreta noxious gas emission in broiler chickens. A total of 720-day-old male broilers (Cobb 500) were randomly allocated to 3 dietary treatments with 12 replicates each accommodating 20 birds for 42 d. Birds received diets as follows: a corn-SBM-based diet (CON) and 2 diets that replaced SBM with FWS at 60g/kg (FWS60) and 120g/kg (FWS120). During the entire period, replacing SBM with FWS60 and FWS120 increased body weight gain and decreased feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). The lowest pH values in the crop, proventriculus, duodenum, ileum, and ceca were observed in birds fed diets containing FWS60 and FWS120 (P < 0.05). Likewise, birds fed FWS60 and FWS120 had lower numbers of coliform and E. coli and higher Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus count in the ceca than those fed CON (P < 0.05). Feeding FWS60 and FWS120 diets increased cecal butyrate and lactic acid contents (P < 0.05). Birds fed FWS120 diets had greater intestinal amylase and protease activity than birds fed CON (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences were recorded between the treatment groups for digestive enzymes activity in the pancreas. The use of both levels of FWS in broiler diet increased AID of crude protein and ether extract (P < 0.05). The lowest excreta ammonia concentration was recorded in birds fed FWS120 diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of FWS in broiler diets could improve the performance by enhancing gut function, derived from the improved digestive enzyme activity and nutrient digestibility, as well as by elevating the population of beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acid contents. Therefore, the biological silage can be considered as a promising option for recycling and recovery of fish wastes and effectively be used in broiler diets.

Effect of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, noxious gas emission and blood profiles in finishing pigs.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica (PPA) in finishing pigs. A total of 160 pigs were used in this 10-week trial. Dietary treatment groups were as follows: CON (basal diet); TRT1 (basal diet+0.1% PPA); TRT2 (basal diet+0.2% PPA); and TRT3 (basal diet+0.3% PPA). During weeks 1-5, pigs fed with different levels of PPA-supplemented diet showed linear increase (p<.05) in the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen (N) and linear decrease (p<.05) in the concentrations of serum total protein. During weeks 6-10, pigs fed with different levels of PPA-supplemented diet showed a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p<.05). During the overall period, there was a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p<.05) associated with the inclusion of PPA. Pigs fed diets with 0.2% PPA supplementation had lower (p<.05) feed conversion ratio than those fed CON diet during weeks 6-10 and the overall period, and had higher (p<.05) ATTD of N than those fed CON diet during weeks 1-5. Pigs fed diets with PPA supplementation had lower (p<.05) concentrations of serum total protein than those fed CON diet on week 5. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PPA diet has beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, backfat thickness and the concentrations of serum total protein.

Evaluation of Weissella Cibaria JW15 Probiotic Derived from Fermented Korean Vegetable Product Supplementation in Diet on Performance Characteristics in Adult Beagle Dog.

Simple SummaryDogs are the most popular companion animals worldwide, and their popularity is still increasing. Maintaining health and seeking optimal nutritional feed for dogs is an important component of responsible pet ownership. Probiotics have been widely used in animals; however, little research exists on some probiotic species which have been reported to have good probiotic properties. The present study investigated the effects of Weissella cibaria JW 15 isolated from the traditional Korean fermented vegetable product (kimchi) as a probiotic feed additive on the nutrition and health characteristics in the adult Beagle dogs. The results of this study indicated that Weissella cibaria probiotics have beneficial effects in dogs, which provide evidence and insight for the application of probiotics in dogs.This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Weissella cibaria JW15 (WJW15) isolated from traditional Korean fermented vegetable product (kimchi) as a probiotic feed additive on nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, feces noxious gas emission, and feces Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus counts in adult Beagle dogs. In total, 15 Beagle dogs with an average initial body weight of 10.20 ± 0.38 kg were randomly assigned into three dietary treatments in a 14-day feeding trial. Dietary treatments consisted of basal diet (CON); MJW = CON + 50 g of WJW15 (3.0 × 108 cfu/g); and BJW = CON + 50 g WJW15 (3.0 × 109 cfu/g). At the end of the experiment, the serum concentration of triglycerides and feces ammonia emissions were decreased (P < 0.05) with the increasing level of WJW15 supplementation. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum and feces lactic acid bacteria count was improved (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of WJW15. In conclusion, WJW15 isolated from kimchi supplementation in adult Beagle dog diet may have beneficial effects as a probiotic feed additive.

A comparative evaluation of fermented and unfermented soybean and guar meal on growth performance, nutrient retention, caecal microflora, and excreta gas emission of broiler chickens

Abstract This experiment was conducted to evaluate the possibility of a 10% replacement of soy bean meal (SBM) with guar meal (GM) in broiler diets and the effects of fermentation of SBM and GM with Bacillus subtilis. A total of 384 Ross 308 (1-d old) broilers were selected for 4 treatments, with 6 replications, and 16 broilers per replication for 35 d. Experimental treatments consisted of a 2 × 2 factorial design with the following factors: i) two protein sources (SBM or GM), and ii) 10% of the SBM resp. GM fermented with B. subtilis. The results showed that broilers fed SBM or fermented diets showed improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to those fed GM ( P<Â 0.05). The nutrient retention of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy of broilers fed SBM or fermented diets were higher than those fed GM ( P<Â 0.05). The caecal microflora counts were improved (increased Lactobacillus and decreased coliforms) with the addition of fermented diets ( P<Â 0.05). Ammonia gas emission in the fermented treatments was lower than that in the unfermented treatments ( P<Â 0.05). Together, these findings suggest that adding SBM and GM fermented with Bacillus subtilis in the diet can improve growth performance and nutrient retention and decrease excreta noxious gas emission. Finally, GM fermented with Bacillus subtilis could replace SBM by 10% with no adverse effect on broiler performance.

Effects of partial and total substitution of dietary spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) with spray-dried krill hydrolysate (SDKH) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and noxious gas emission in weaning piglets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of spray-dried porcine protein (SDPP) with spray-dried krill hydrolysate (SDKH) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, noxious gas emission, fecal score, blood profile of post-weaning piglets during the first 2 weeks, and the subsequent impact of these criteria on weaned piglets. A total of 200 crossbred piglets [(Duroc × Yorkshire) × Landrace] weaned at day 21with an initial BW of 6.85 ± 1.00 kg was allocated into 1 of the following 5 dietary treatments: 1) CON, Phase 1(Basal diet without plasma protein); TRT1, Phase 1 (4% Plasma protein); 3) TRT2, Phase 1 (3% Plasma protein + 1% SDKH); 4) TRT3, Phase 1 (2% Plasma protein + 2% SDKH); 4) TRT4 (4% SDKH) in this 6-week feeding trial. During phase 2, all the piglets were fed the same diets. (Phase 1: 0–2nd week; Phase 2: 3rd-6th week). For each treatment, 8 replication pens consisting of five pigs (3 barrows and 2 gilts) per pen were used in a randomized complete block design. In phase 1, the weaned piglets fed the diets containing 4% SPDD had greater BW than the ones fed other treatment diets (P < 0.05), and the weaned piglets fed the diets formulated with 1, 2 or 4% SDKH showed bigger BW than that fed CON diet (P < 0.05). In phase 1 and the end of this trial, the highest ADG was found in Trt 1 and the lowest ADG was detected in CON treatment (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ADG in piglets fed other diets (P > 0.05). Similarly, in phase 1, the piglets fed the 4% SDPP showed a better nitrogen digestibility compared to the ones fed other dietary treatments (P < 0.05). Trt.2 and Trt.3 revealed a greater nitrogen digestibility than Trt.4 and CON (P < 0.05). The Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) concentration decreased with increasing SDPP inclusion level (P < 0.05). SDKH treatment showed a lower BUN concentration than CON (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in fecal score, intestinal E. coli and Lactobacilli and noxious gas emission throughout the trial (P > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary SDPP could not be partially or totally replaced by SDKH because of the negative effect on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weaning pig.

Tailoring fibre lengths to fabricate a highly permeable SiC fibre porous medium for more efficient combustion

Traditional ceramic foam and metal fibre media combustion were usually restricted owing to their intrinsic brittleness and easy corrosion, respectively. In order to obtain higher gas permeability, longer durability, and less noxious gas emissions for gas flame combustion, a novel SiC fibre porous medium (FPM) is investigated in this study. SiC fibre mat were firstly produced from chopped SiC fibres using solution dispersion and vacuum filtration, then a boron nitride interphase for antioxidation and subsequent SiC coating for rigidity were deposited by chemical vapor infiltration, resulted in the formation of self-supporting SiC FPM. Findings demonstrate that the microstructure, gas permeability, thermal physical and combustion properties of SiC FPM can be improved by tailoring fibre length. As the fibre length was 4.5 mm, the density of SiC FPM was 0.113 g/cm3, and it exhibited excellent properties in permeability and utilization of fuel gas, pollutant emissions and combustion temperature accompanied by slight reduction in thermal conductivity. Such ultra-light SiC FPM could respond fast during the heating process and help gas mixture burn off.

Premises of Sustainable Development Concept Occurence

Abstract It has long been considered that the environment can withstand all the pressure exerted by human activities on it: extensive agriculture, pesticide use, strong industrialization, noxious gas emissions into the atmosphere, toxic product discharge into lakes, rivers, seas and oceans, massive deforestation to obtain new areas for housing or agriculture. The result was environmental and soil degradation, increased water and/or air pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss, the disappearance of plant and/or animal species, the depletion of some natural resources. These environmental changes have begun to be studied by specialists in the field, who have raised a flag to irreversible environmental changes. The concept of “sustainable development” arose at a time when environmental issues were at the heart of political debate: sustainable development is seen as a complex and difficult issue to solve because there is a diversity of interests of different states. International agreements and cooperation from the point of view of globalization and economic harmonization have also had as their object the issues of sustainable development, by launching the attempt to reconcile the economy with the environment.

Effects of multi-enzyme supplementation in a corn and soybean meal-based diet on growth performance, apparent digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal microbes and noxious gas emission in growing pigs

Effects of multi-enzyme supplementation in a corn and soybean meal-based diet on growth performance, apparent digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal microbes and noxious gas emission in growing pigs

Effects of Salicornia herbacea on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, Excreta Microbial Populations, and Noxious Gas Emissions in Broiler Chicks.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding Salicornia herbacea extracts to the drinking water on the growth performance, meat quality, excreta microbial population, and noxious gas emission in broiler chicks. A total of 544 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a 35-d experiment. Broiler chicks were allocated to four treatments with eight replicates, based on a completely randomized design. Diet was the same for all treatments, but a liquid phytogenic supplementation using different quantities of S. herbacea was provided in the drinking water as follows: control (CON), with no S. herbacea; 1 cc/L S. herbacea (SAL1); 5 cc/L S. herbacea(SAL2); and 10 cc/L S. herbacea (SAL3). During d 22–35, and d 1–35, broilers supplemented with S. herbacea extracts had a higher body weight gain (BWG) compared with the broilers in the CON group (P<0.05), but broilers supplemented with S. herbacea extracts had a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) when compared with broilers in the CON group (P<0.05). Supplementation with S. herbacea extracts had linear effects on the abdominal fat and the redness (a*) of meat (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between excreta microbial populations and excreta noxious gas emissions in broilers in the CON group, or broilers supplemented with S. herbacea extracts. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that S. herbacea supplementation positively affected the growth performance and meat quality in broilers, indicating that S. herbacea can be safely used to replace antibiotic as a growth promoter, thereby reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance issues.

Evaluation of effect of probiotics mixture supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal bacterial enumeration, and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs

A total of 180 twenty-eight-day-old weaning pigs [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace)] with an average body weight of 7.62 ± 1.25 kg were used in a 42-day trial to evaluate the effect of probiotics mixture supplementation on weaning pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments: (1) CON, basal diet, (2) T1, CON + 0.1% probiotics mixture, (3) T2, CON + 0.2% probiotics mixture, and (4) T4, CON + 0.3% probiotics mixture. Increasing dietary inclusion of probiotics mixture levels linearly increased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during day 0–7 as well as ADG and gain to feed ratio (G:F) during day 8–21 (p < .05). There was a quadratic effect in improving ADFI during day 0–7, day 22–42, and ADG during day 8–21 (p < .05). In addition, increasing inclusion of probiotics mixture levels in the diets linearly increased (p < .05) dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), energy digestibility, and faecal Lactobacillus counts and decreased Escherichia coli counts and ammonia (NH3) emission. However, no significant differences were observed in ADG, ADFI, G:F during day 22–42, and day 0–42 except for a quadratic increase of ADFI for day 22-42 (p < .05). Feeding the pigs with the diets containing different probiotics mixture levels did not affect the faecal hydrogen sulfide emission (p>.05). In conclusion, increasing inclusion of probiotics mixture up to 0.3% linearly improved growth performance during day 0–7 and day 8–21. Pigs fed the diets with probiotics mixture suplementation improved the nutrient digestibility, faecal bacterial enumeration, and decreased NH3 emission.HighlightsProbiotics mixture supplementation increased growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs.Increased fecal Lactobacillus and reduced E. coli counts.Reduced fecal ammonia emission that can contribute in reducing environmental pollution.

Effects of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis complex on growth performance and faecal noxious gas emissions in growing-finishing pigs.

Probiotics have been used to address antibiotic alternatives and environmental concerns. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis complex supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora and faecal noxious gas emissions in growing-finishing pigs. Dietary B. licheniformis and B. subtilis complex (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis in a 1:1 ratio) supplementation showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) in digestibility of dry matter at weeks 6, 12 and 15, a linear increase (P < 0.05) in digestibility of nitrogen at week 12, a linear increase (P < 0.05) in faecal Lactobacillus counts at weeks 6 and 12, a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in ammonia (NH3 ) emission at weeks 6 and 12 and a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in total mercaptan emission at weeks 3, 9 and 15. Dietary B. licheniformis and B. subtilis complex supplementation increased digestibility and faecal Lactobacillus counts and decreased faecal NH3 and total mercaptan emissions in growing-finishing pigs. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inclusion of dietary β-mannanase improves performance and ileal digestibility and reduces ileal digesta viscosity of broilers fed corn-soybean meal based diet.

This study was aimed to evaluate the influence of dietary β-mannanase inclusion on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility, digesta viscosity, blood metabolites and excreta noxious gas emissions in broilers fed corn-soybean meal based diet. A total of 600 conventional healthy 1-d-old ROSS 308 broilers with body weight 45 ± 0.50g (mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments with 10 replicates cages, with 15 broilers in each and fed basal diet supplemented to corn-SBM based diets with 0, 2400, 4800, and 7200 MNU β-mannanase/kg for 35 d feeding trial period. Significant results were observed on improved average daily gain and reduced feed conversion ratio during trial period and also reduced ileal digesta viscosity and improved apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and energy. However, no significant effects were found on blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, excreta noxious gas emissions. In conclusion, the inclusion of dietary β-mannanase had potential to improve daily gain and feed efficiency and apparent ileal digestibility while decreasing digesta viscosity of broiler.

Effects of a matrix-coated organic acids and medium-chain fatty acids blend on performance, and in vitro fecal noxious gas emissions in growing pigs fed in-feed antibiotic-free diets

This study evaluated the efficacy of a matrix-coated organic acids and medium-chain fatty acids blend (MCOFA) in growing pigs. Ninety six pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 47.71 ± 3.73 kg were used in a 6 wk experiment. Pigs were allotted to diets containing 0 or 2 g kg−1 of MCOFA, and 0 or 2.5 g kg−1 of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Pigs fed diets supplemented with MCOFA had improved growth efficiency compared with those fed a diet without MCOFA (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs receiving the diets supplemented with both AGP and MCOFA had higher apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein, dry matter, fat, and gross energy (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs fed AGP × MCOFA diet had increased serum urea nitrogen (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs fed diets supplemented with AGP had reduced fecal ammonia (NH3) gas emissions compared with those fed without AGP (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, pigs fed diets supplemented with MCOFA had reduced fecal NH3 and acetic acid gas emissions compared with those fed without MCOFA (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with MCOFA improved performance in growing pigs.

Effect of dietary Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis on the growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility, cecal microflora, excreta noxious gas emission, and breast meat quality of broiler chickens

This study examined the effects of dietary Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility, cecal microflora, excreta noxious gas emission, organ weight and breast meat quality in broiler chickens. In total, 800 Ross 308 male broiler chickens (1-d-old) were randomly divided into 5 dietary treatments with 10 replicate cages (16 birds/replicate) per treatment for 5 wk. The dietary treatments were a control basal diet without Spirulina or with 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0% Spirulina. Body weight gain, feed conversion, and/or European production efficiency index improved linearly with supplementation of Spirulina during d 8 to 21, 22 to 35, and overall d 1 to 35 (P<0.05). Dietary Spirulina supplementation caused a significant increase in the serum enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (linear, P<0.05). Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen showed a linear increase in Spirulina supplementation (P < 0.05). Cecal Lactobacillus count linearly increased and excreta ammonia gas emission linearly decreased, as dietary Spirulina supplementation increased (P < 0.05). There were no significant effects on relative organ weight and breast meat quality of broilers fed with Spirulina diets; however, 7 d drip loss linearly decreased in treatment groups fed with Spirulina (P < 0.05). These results indicate that adding Spirulina to the diet of broilers can improve antioxidant enzyme activity, dry matter and nitrogen digestibility, cecal Lactobacillus population, excreta ammonia gas emission, and 7 d drip loss of breast meat. In addition, dietary inclusion of 1.0% Spirulina powder might provide a good alternative to improve broiler chicken production.

Effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecumL.) seed extract supplementation in different energy density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal microbiota, and fecal gas emission in growing pigs

This study evaluated the efficacy of fenugreek seed extract (FSE) in growing pigs. About 140 growing pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 23.70 ± 2.80 kg were used in a 6 wk trial. Treatments were (on as-fed basis) two levels of FSE (FSE0, 0 or FSE0.2, 2 g kg−1basal diet), and two levels of energy [low-energy diet (LED); 3160 or high-energy diet (HED); 3260 kcal kg−1metabolizable energy (ME)]. Pigs in HED and FSE0.2 diets had higher final BW, average daily gain, and gain:feed ratio (G:F) compared with in LED, and FSE0 diets, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs fed the FSE0.2 and HED diets had higher energy (E) digestibility than the FSE0 and LED diets, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs fed the FSE0.2 diet increased serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), and reduced total cholesterol (TC) concentration than the FSE0 diet (P &lt; 0.05). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) gas emission in FSE0.2 diet were lower than that in FSE0 group (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, results indicated that dietary supplementation of FSE improved growth performance, digestibility, serum IgG, reduced serum TC, and noxious gas emission in growing pigs.