Concentrations Of Phorbol Ester Research Articles

A comprehensive physicochemical characterization and proposed portfolios of applications for the fruits and seeds of 11 accessions of Jatropha curcas L.

The seed oil and extraction cake from 11 accessions of Jatropha curcas from Mexico, El Salvador, and India were comprehensively characterized with the objective of selecting parentals based on desirable traits for a hybridization program. Kernels contained up to 65 % oil and up to 30 % protein. The most abundant protein types were glutelins (48 %) and globulins (24 %), with arginine (0.096 mg/g) and leucine (0.070 mg/g) being the major amino acids. Glucose (0.09 g/g) and arabinose (0.03 g/g) were the most abundant carbohydrates. The oil was primarily composed of oleic (41 %) and linoleic (37 %) acids. The physicochemical properties of the oil included an acid value of 0.28–1.15 %, saponification value of 155–208 mg KOH/g, iodine value of 0.97–1.08 g I2/g, and viscosity of 21.9–40.9 cSt at 40 °C. Six accessions were selected as parental candidates based on their potential as feedstock for a diverse portfolio of products. The most common applicability of oils were lubricants, biopolymers, biofertilizer, and liquid biofuels production. One Mexican accession had a phorbol-ester concentration much lower than the toxicity threshold (0.06 mg/g) and a high protein content, making it attractive for the animal feed industry and for protein extraction. The selected accessions are preserved in a local germplasm bank and will be used for continued genetic improvement through hybridization, aiming to preserve the identified traits while increasing fruit productivity.

Implications of Jatropha curcas L. cake feed on swine health: A microbiota-gut-brain axis perspective.

The safety of Jatropha curcas L. cake (JCC) in animal feed remains under scrutiny, despite the advent of low phorbol ester (PE) variants. This study investigates the impact of low PE JCC on swine health when used as a protein feed. Pigs were fed a 5% JCC diet with a PE concentration of 0.98 mg/kg, which surprisingly still induced toxicity. Symptoms included depression, decreased food intake, increased diarrhea, along with hypothalamus and colon lesions. The toxicity was associated with a decrease in antioxidant enzymes, an increase in inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus, plasma, and colon, and a rise in pro-inflammatory colon microbes and metabolites. Disturbances in neurotransmitters further suggest that this toxicity is related to disruption of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, indicating that JCC's toxic elements are not solely due to PE. The sensitivity of pigs to JCC underscores the need for thorough detoxification prior to its use as feed. These findings significantly contribute to the discourse on the safety of low PE JCC in animal feed, highlighting implications for both the feed industry and public health.

Membrane retrieval after Immediately Releasable Pool (IRP) exocytosis is produced by dynamin-dependent and dynamin-independent/protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms.

The importance of the immediately releasable pool (IRP) of vesicles was proposed to reside in the maintenance of chromaffin cell secretion during the firing of action potentials at basal physiological frequencies. To accomplish this duty, IRP should be replenished as a function of time. We have previously reported that an action potential-like stimulus (APls) triggers the release of ~50% IRP, followed by a fast dynamin-dependent endocytosis and an associated rapid replenishment process. In this work, we investigated the endocytosis and IRP replenishment produced after the exocytosis of variable IRP fractions in mice primary chromaffin cell cultures. Exocytosis and endocytosis were estimated by membrane capacitance measurements obtained in patch-clamped cells. In addition to the dynamin-dependent fast endocytosis activated after the application of APls or 5ms squared depolarizations, we found that depolarizations lasting 25-50 ms, which release >80% of IRP, are related with a fast dynamin-independent, Ca2+ - and protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent endocytosis (time constant <1s). PKC inhibitors, such as staurosporine, bisindolylmaleimide XI, PKC 19-31 peptide, and prolonged treatments with high concentrations of phorbol esters, reduced and decelerated this endocytosis. Additionally, we found that the inhibition of PKC also abolished a slow component of replenishment (time constant ~8s) observed after total IRP exocytosis. Therefore, our results suggest that PKC contributes to the coordination of membrane retrieval and vesicle replenishment mechanisms that occur after the complete exocytosis of IRP.

Bioactives and Extracellular Enzymes Obtained from Fermented Macrofungi Cultivated in Cotton and Jatropha Seed Cakes.

This work focused on obtaining fermented oil cake (cotton or Jatropha) via macrofungi growth with potential characteristics for animal feed formulations, such as the presence of extracellular enzymes, bioactive (ergosterol and antioxidants), and detoxification of antinutritional compounds. The concentration of phorbol esters was reduced by four macrofungi in Jatropha seed cake (JSC) to non-toxic levels. At least two macrofungi efficiently degraded free gossypol in cottonseed cake (CSC). Fermentation with Coriolopsis sp. INPA1646 and Tyromyces sp. INPA1696 resulted in increased ergosterol concentrations, antioxidant activity reduction, and high activity of laccases and proteases. Bromatological analysis indicated high crude protein concentrations, with partial solubilization by fungal proteases. Fermented products from Coriolopsis sp. and Tyromyces sp. in JSC or CSC can be considered important biological inputs for monogastric and polygastric animal feed.

Degradability of dry matter and crude protein and rumen fermentation characteristics of Jatropha curcas kernel meal with different detoxification treatments

The present study aimed to explore the degradability of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) of Jatropha curcas kernel meal with different detoxification treatments in the rumen. Moreover, the impacts of the Jatropha curcas kernel meal on rumen fermentation characteristics were also discussed. Jatropha curcas kernel meal adopted in current work was treated as: J. curcas kernel meal no treatment (JNT); J. curcas kernel meal extraction treatment (JET); J. curcas kernel meal heat treatment (JHT), and J. curcas kernel meal high pressure treatment (JPT). The in situ degradability of DM and CP of JHT was compared with those of soybean meal and rapeseed meal for cattle in Experiment I. The in vitro degradability and rumen fermentation characteristics of JNT, JET, JHT and JPT for wethers were investigated in Experiment II. Collectively, after treatments of JHT, JET and JPT, the phorbol ester (PE) content was decreased. In addition, the CP content was higher, of which the degradability was more than 90% after 72 h of in situ incubation. The Jatropha curcas kernel meal with different treatments had no negative effects on the rumen fermentation characteristics after in vitro incubation. It was concluded that Jatropha curcas kernel meal with detoxification treatments could be used as a potential protein feed.

Quantification of Phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate in Jatropha seed oil and cake at different stages of fruit maturity

ABSTRACT The current study investigates the influence of fruit maturity on Phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate content in Jatropha seed oil as well as seed cake. Jatropha fruits used in this study were harvested from three different geographical locations in Botswana at four different fruit maturity stages, namely green yellow, yellow, yellow brown and brown dry. Phorbol esters in Jatropha seed oil and seed cake were quantified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Results from this study reveal that phorbol ester content in Jatropha seeds varies with fruit maturity stage. Phorbol ester content in Jatropha seed oil and seed cake from yellow brown fruits had the highest value, hence was the most toxic. Phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate content in Jatropha seed oil ranges from 3.4 to 4.2 mg/g whereas in seed cake it ranges from 1.7 to 2.0 mg/g during the four different fruit maturity stages investigated. Influence of geographical location on Phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate content in Jatropha seeds is insignificant.

Monitoring casbene synthase in Jatropha curcas tissues using targeted proteomics

BackgroundCasbene synthase (CS) is responsible for the first committed step in the biosynthesis of phorbol esters (PE) in the Euphorbiaceae. PE are abundant in the seeds of the biofuel crop Jatropha curcas and its toxicity precludes the use of the protein-rich cake obtained after oil extraction as an animal feed and the toxicity of the fumes derived from burning PE containing biofuel is also a matter of concern. This toxicity is a major hindrance to exploit the potential of this crop as a source of raw material to produce biodiesel. For this reason, the current research on J. curcas is mainly focused on the understanding of the biosynthesis and site of synthesis of PE, as an avenue for the development of genotypes unable to synthesize PE in its seeds.ResultsHere, we present targeted proteomics assays (SRM and PRM) to detect and quantify CS in leaves, endosperm, and roots of two J. curcas genotypes with contrasting levels of PE. These assays were based on the use of reference isotopic labeled synthetic peptides (ILSP) predicted from 12 gene models of CS from the J. curcas genome.ConclusionOur targeted proteomics methods were able to detect and quantify, for the first time, CS gene products and demonstrate the distribution of CS isoforms only in roots from J. curcas genotypes with a high and low concentration of PE. These methods can be expanded to monitor CS, at the protein level, in different tissues and genotypes of J. curcas.

Efficient Vortex-assisted Extraction of Phorbol Esters from Jatropha Leaves and Correlation Between Leaves and Seeds in Phorbol EstersContent

ABSTRACT This work aimed to optimise and validate the vortex-assisted extraction with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) method to quantify phorbol esters (PEs) in Jatropha leaves. Additionally, to evaluate the correlation between PEs content in leaves and seeds. The results of PEs content were expressed as equivalent of the major Jatropha phorbol ester, 12-deoxy-16-hydroxyphorbol-4'-[12',14'-butadienyl]-6'-[16',18',20'-nonatrienyl]-bicyclo[3.1.0]-hexane-(13-O)-2'-[carboxylate]-(16-O)-3'-]8'-butenoic-10']ate (DHPB) . One-variable-at-time strategy and 25-1V factorial fractional design were employed to determine the effects of solvent type, volume, stirring frequency, extraction time and cycles on yield. The quantification was performed using HPLC-UV. The optimum conditions were three extractions with 2% tetrahydrofuran:dichloromethane (1:1) in methanol (THF:DCM/MeOH). The sample:solvent ratio was 1 mg:25 μL, and the vortex stirring was 2200 rpm for 5 minutes. The method showed good linearity (R2 0.999), recoveries (97 to 105%), selectivity and repeatability (RSD 1.93-7.95%). In addition, good limits of detection and quantification of 2.19 and 6.65 ng μL"1, respectively, were noted. DHPB content in leaves and seeds ranged from 0.01 to 0.38 mg g"1 and 0.41 to 1.82 mg g"1, respectively. There is a statistically significant and positive linear relationship between leaves and seeds for DHPB content. These results may have practical application in analysing and predicting the amount of PEs in Jatropha leaves for environmental safety studies and the selection of better varieties for genetic improvement. Keywords: correlation, Jatropha leaves; Jatropha seeds; phorbol esters; vortex-assisted.

Degradation of Phorbol Esters on the Jatropha curcas Linn. Seed by Biological Detoxification

The application of fermentation is one of methods to increase food quality biologically. Availability of Jatropha curcas residual from oil factory be focused as a soybean meal or fish meal replacement. On the other hand, J. curcas residuals possess a toxic compound as well. This study aimed to examine the effect of Aspergillus niger on the nutrition and harmful content of J. curcas as a potential ingredient of feed. In brief, J. curcas residual was fermented with a detoxification method at 3 d, 5 d, and 7 d. Crude protein, fat, and crude fiber content were assessed to discover the biological responses of J. curcas post–fermentation while phorbol ester was evaluated to toxic content post–detoxification. The results showed that crude protein and fat content were highest on 7 d post–fermentation but it was no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05). While crude fiber content showed significant difference which the 3 d fermentation had the highest content of fiber. For phorbol ester content, 3 d fermentation showed a better result than the control group (p &lt; 0.05). The present findings suggest that A. niger is recommendable as starter to reduce fiber and toxic content of J. curcas residual at 3 d fermentation.

Quantitative Proteome Analysis of Jatropha curcas L. Genotypes with Contrasting Levels of Phorbol Esters.

The phorbol esters in the seeds of Jatropha curcas are a major hindrance to the full exploitation of the potential of this oil crop as a source of raw material for the production of biodiesel. Here, various quantitative proteomic strategies are used to establish the proteomes of roots, leaves, and endosperm of two genotypes of J. curcas with contrasting levels of phorbol esters in the seeds. In total 4532, 1775, and 503 proteins are identified respectively in roots, leaves, and endosperm, comprising 5068 unique proteins; of this total, 185 are differentially abundant in roots, 72 in leaves, and 20 in the endosperm. The biosynthetic pathways for flavonoids and terpenoids are well represented in roots, including the complete set of proteins for the mevalonate and non-mevalonate/Deoxyxylulose 5-Phosphate pathways, and proteins involved in the branches which lead to the synthesis tricyclic diterpenoids and gibberellins. Also, casbene synthase which catalyzes the first committed step in the biosynthesis of tigliane-type diterpenes is identified in roots of both genotypes, but not in leaves and endosperm. This dataset will be a valuable resource to explore the biochemical basis of the low toxicity of Jatropha genotypes with low concentration of phorbol esters in the seeds.

Production of Biodiesel Fuel and Reduction of Phorbol Esters by Transesterification of Jatropha Curcas Oil with Methyl Acetate

Edible oil such has been used as raw material for biodiesel fuel (BDF). However, if the production of biofuel increases, it may compete with food and livestock feed and the price of oil may rise. Therefore, non-edible Jatropha curcas oil containing toxic phorbol esters has attracted attention. Recently a new BDF process which coproduct is not glycerin but triacetin has been developed. For triacetin can also be used as an anti-knock agent for biodiesel fuel, it is not necessary to remove triacetin from biodiesel fuel. The purpose of this study was to investigate the production of biodiesel fuel and reduction of toxic phorbol esters by transesterification of Jatropha curcas oil with methyl acetate. The formation of monoacetin, diacetin and triacetin was also confirmed by the spectrum estimated as the peaks of those substances. The peak of glycerin was not found among the major peaks of the chromatogram. As the molar ratio of methyl acetate to material oil was increased from 5 to 50, the yield of FAME was increased. The maximum FAME yield was 90 %. and the maximum concentration of FAME in the final product was 0.71 g/g. The concentration of phorbol esters in crude Jatropha curcas oil used in this study was 1.7 mg/g. The phorbol ester concentration of degummed oil decreased by a small amount from the crude oil. Phorbol esters decreased after deacidification and the concentration in phorbol esters in deacidified oil was 1.2 mg/g. The concentration in phorbol esters decreased to 0.22 mg/g after mixing step of oil with potassium methoxide. No phorbol esters were detected in any reaction time in the final product after the transesterification reaction in this study. The process used in this study is superior in that the phorbol ester contained in Jatropha curcas oil can be completely decomposed, compared with the conventional method using methanol as a raw material.

Phorbol ester degradation using chemical treatment in jatropha kernel meal

Detoxification of jatropha (Jatropha curcas) kernel meal is of major interest for the biodiesel industry to add economic value to this residue and also to reduce the environmental damage caused by its inappropriate disposal. Anti-nutritional factors present in jatropha kernel meal are phorbol esters, lectins, trypsin inhibitor, phytate and saponins. Toxicity of meal is mainly due to the presence of phorbol esters. Several methods have been tried for detoxifying kernel meal that includes physical, chemical, biological and radiation methods. In the study, four different samples, i.e., raw, defatted, one-time mechanically oil expressed and two-times mechanically oil expressed samples were prepared from jatropha kernels. These samples were subjected to chemical treatment for phorbol ester degradation. Chemical treatment involved heating the samples with 90% methanol and 4% NaOH twice. Phorbol ester content was estimated using standard analytical procedure before and after the treatment. In chemically treated kernel meal, phorbol esters were found to be in range of 0.034-0.052 mg/g.

Genetic Potential of Agronomic Traits and Seed Physicochemical Properties of Novel Jatropha Lines Developed from Complex Interspecific Hybridization

Fifteen jatropha lines were obtained from complex crossing between progenies derived from interspecific hybridization of Jatropha curcas and J . integerrima . They were evaluated for variability and association in yield, yield components, oil content, fatty acid composition, phorbol esters content, and growth characters . The major fatty acids in seed were oleic and linoleic acids, with a negative correlation among them. Seed yield showed a positive correlation with number of fruits per inflorescence and seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight and canopy size . A path coefficient analysis showed that number of fruits per inflorescence and canopy width had high positive direct relationship with seed yield per plant . Most characters showed high broad - sense heritability . Clustering by traits classified the breeding lines into five groups with a large distance between groups . The members in each group comprised lines of the same or similar pedigrees . Cluster I was the high seed yield group comprising two accessions (KUJL23 and KUJL18) . Clustering based on principle components classified them into four groups . The lines in cluster II and III from cluster analysis were included in one group, while members of the other groups were the same in both clustering methods .

Temperature-Dependent Expression of a CFP-YFP FRET Diacylglycerol Sensor Enables Multiple-Read Screening for Compounds That Affect C1 Domains

Intramolecular CFP-YFP fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors expressed in cells are powerful research tools but have seen relatively little use in screening. We exploited the discovery that the expression of a CFP-YFP FRET diacylglycerol sensor (DAGR) increases over time when cells are incubated at room temperature to assess requirements for robust measurements using a Molecular Devices Spectramax i3x fluorescence plate reader. Expression levels resulting in YFP fluorescence >10-fold higher than untransfected cells and phorbol ester-stimulated FRET ratio changes of 60% or more were required to consistently give robust Z′ > 0.5. As a means of confirming that these conditions are suitable for screening, we developed a novel multiple-read protocol to assay the NCI’s Mechanistic Set III for agonists and antagonists of C1 domain activation. Sixteen compounds prevented C1 domain translocation. However, none blocked phorbol ester-stimulated protein kinase C (PKC) activity assessed using a phospho-specific antibody—six actually stimulated PKC activity. Cytometry, which produces higher Z′ for a given FRET ratio change, might have been a better approach for discovering antagonists, as it would have allowed lower phorbol ester concentrations to be used. We conclude that CFP-YFP FRET measured in a Spectramax i3x plate reader can be used for screening under the conditions we defined. Our strategy of varying expression level and FRET ratio could be useful to others for determining conditions needed for robust cell-based intramolecular CFP-YFP FRET measurements on their instrumentation.

Comparative study between chemical, physical and enzymatic methods for Jatropha curcas kernel meal phorbol ester detoxification

Detoxification of protein rich Jatropha kernel cake to eliminate the phorbol esters is a great challenge for its industrial utilization in food processing. Several methods either chemical or physical have been previously applied trying to degrade phorbol esters in Jatropha curcas seed cake, which are the main toxic compound with thermo-stable properties. The objective of this study was to compare the different methods to get rid of phorbol esters (PE) including, chemical treatments (0.1 M NaOH/90 % methanol, 85 % ethanol, 90 % methanol & 85 % ethanol (50:50) for 8 h), physical treatments (microwave, ultrasonic and microwave + ultrasonic) and enzymatic treatment by crude germinated Jatropha seed lipase (CGJS). The results showed that the elimination of phorbol esters content chemically treated either by 0.1 M NaOH/90 % methanol or ethanol 85% had effectively decreased by 98.04 % and 98.17 %, respectively compared to control. The treatment by methanol 90% and ethanol 85% (50:50) gave degradation percentage of 95.43% of phorbol esters. The enzymatic elimination of phorbol esters by crude germinated Jatropha seed (CGJS) lipase proved high efficiency of detoxification by reducing the percentage to 98.43%. On the other hand, physical detoxification of Jatropha seed kernel showed good results with microwave treatment by reducing phorbol esters content to 86.29 %. Treatment by ultrasound has detoxified the phorbol esters content by 87.60 % in Jatropha curcas seed. While, combination between microwave & ultrasound increased the percentage of phorbol esters degradation to 88.38 %. In conclusion, enzymatic degradation of phorbol esters is a safe method for degradation as it is both an un-expensive and easy way for detoxification.

Analysis of Antinutritional Components of Oil and Meal in Different Provenances of Jatropha curcas from India

The present work describes the estimation of antinutritional components such as phorbol esters in oil, trypsin inhibitors and phytates in the defatted meal of Jatropha curcas seeds collected from different geographical locations of India. The phorbol ester, trypsin inhibitor and phytate content in the defatted seed meal were extracted and estimated. Phorbol esters, the major toxic components vary from 0.9 to 3.2 mg/g in oil and 0.2 to 1.6 mg/g in the defatted meal. Similarly, a wide variation was observed for trypsin inhibitor (5.72-23.09 mg/g of defatted seed meal) and phytate (7.9-10.1 %) content in the meal of seeds collected from different geographical locations of India. The study also examined the variation of concentration of antinutritional components with the effect of meteorological parameters mainly climatological temperature and rainfall over stations. The phorbol esters content in the seed and meal are increased/decreased from region to region with the subsequent variation of temperature and rainfall. A similar trend is also observed in variation of trypsin inhibitors in seed cake whereas the variation of phytate concentration is not correlated with rainfall and temperature.

Detoxification of Jatropha curcas seed cake by a new soil-borne Enterobacter cloacae strain.

The strain of Enterobacter cloacae Z11 was originally isolated from the soil. To the best of our knowledge, E. cloacae has never been used to remove toxins and antinutritional factors in Jatropha curcas seed cake (JSC). Under the optimized condition, fermentation with the Enterobacter strain decreased the phorbol esters content in JSC by 51·6%, and phytates, tannins, lectins and trypsin inhibitors contents by 83, 38, 89 and 90%, respectively. This study provided a new method with potential to render the seed cake suitable for use in feed. Further study is needed to focus on remaining toxicity and nutritional value post-treatment.

Cytogenetic bioassays as tools to distinguish between toxic and non-toxic varieties of Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae)

The tropical and subtropical naturalized physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), has been explored for biodiesel production in recent times. The oil is extracted from the seeds and, for the production to be feasible, utilization of the residual seed cake is crucial. Although the cake could be employed as a protein source in animal feed, it is rich in phorbol ester, which is toxic for animals. Therefore, breeding programs have been working to reduce or eliminate the phorbol ester content in physic nut. In this context, the present work aimed to evaluate the physic nut oil of toxic and non-toxic varieties (containing known or undetectable amounts of phorbol ester, respectively) with regards to phytotoxicity in a model experiment with Lactuca sativa L. For this, the percentage of germinated seeds was evaluated after 8, 16, 24, 36 and 48 hours of exposure to the treatments with toxic and non-toxic oil at concentrations of 22.5 %, 45 % and 67.5 % of emulsion (physic nut oil energetically mixed with distilled water). Root growth was determined after 48 hours of exposure and the germination speed index was obtained. The different stages of mitotic division as well as possible chromosomal and nuclear alterations were also recorded. The mitotic index was calculated as the number of dividing cells, as a fraction of the total number of cells, and the frequency of chromosome and nuclear alterations, expressed as the percentage of number of alterations divided by the total number of cells. Both varieties exhibited phytotoxicity, inducing significant reductions in percentage of germinated seeds (reduction of 98 %), germination speed index (reduction of 24.44) and root growth (reduction of 8.54 mm). In microscopic analysis, a mitodepressive effect was observed for both oils at the three concentrations used when compared to the negative control; however, it was possible to distinguish between the toxic and the non-toxic varieties based on the more expressive reduction of division promoted by the first, 2.19 %. Significant increments in the frequency of mitotic cells showing chromosome alterations as well, as the presence of condensed nuclei, were observed in the treated cells. However, these parameters were not significantly different from the control in the cells treated with both physic nut oils. In conclusion, the evaluation of root growth and cell division in the plant model L. sativa, can be proposed as an alternative to animal tests to distinguish the varieties with high and low phorbol ester concentration, thus contributing to the detection of toxicity in varieties used in breeding programs. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 495-502. Epub 2018 June 01.

Substitution of soybean meal with detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal: Effects on performance, nutrient utilization, and meat edibility of growing pigs.

ObjectiveThe study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with different levels of detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal (DJM) in growing pig diets on growth performance, nutrients digestibility and meat edibility.MethodsA total of 144 pigs with initial body weight of 20.47±1.44 kg, were randomly allocated to 6 dietary treatments with 6 replications per treatment and 4 pigs per replication for a period of 79 days. Six diets (DJM0, DJM15, DJM30, DJM45, DJM60, and DJM75) were formulated using DJM to replace 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, and 75% of SBM. From d 37 to 42, feces and urine were total collected from six barrows in each treatment. At day 79, thirty-six pigs were slaughtered for sampling. The feed intake and weight gain were recorded, while the intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, nutrient digestibility and the content of residual phorbol esters in muscles were determined.ResultsThe results showed that increasing the replacement of SBM with DJM decreased the parameters including body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, gain-to-feed ratio, weight and villus heights of duodenum, villus height and villus height/crypt depth of jejunum, digestive enzymes (protease, amylase, lipase, and trypsin) activities, and nutrients digestibility (nitrogen deposition, digestibility of nitrogen, energy digestibility, and total nitrogen utilization) (linear, p<0.05; quadratic, p<0.05) and there was no significant difference among DJM0, DJM15, and DJM30 in all measured indices. The highest diarrhea morbidity was observed in DJM75 (p<0.05). Phorbol esters were not detected in pig muscle tissues.ConclusionThe DJM was a good protein source for pigs, and could be used to replace SBM up to 30% (diet phorbol esters concentration at 5.5 mg/kg) in growing pig diets with no detrimental impacts on growth performance, nutrient utilization, and meat edibility.

Performance, hepatic function and efficiency of nutrient utilisation of grazing dairy cows supplemented with alkaline-treated Jatropha curcas L. meal

Jatropha meal is an emergent source of protein for ruminant feed, but the presence mainly of phorbol esters limits its use. We hypothesised that alkaline treatment of Jatropha curcas L. meal will reduce phorbol esters and allow its use as a concentrate supplement for dairy cows. We evaluated the effects of four levels of Jatropha meal treated with 70 g of sodium hydroxide/kg [JMT; 0.145 mg phorbol ester g/kg dry matter (DM)] in a concentrate supplement (0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg DM; 4 kg cow/day as fed) on performance and efficiency of nutrient utilisation in grazing dairy cows. The alkaline treatment reduced the phorbol esters content of the toxic Jatropha meal by 67.7%. The JMT level linearly reduced the supplement intake (P &lt; 0.01), but it did not affect pasture intake (P = 0.73) or blood hepatic transaminase (P &gt; 0.10). As a result, the JMT level linearly reduced apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility (P ≤ 0.05), ruminal microbial protein synthesis (P = 0.05) and milk yield (P &lt; 0.01). However, it did not affect milk composition (P &gt; 0.05) and nitrogen balance (P = 0.29). Alkaline treatment substantially reduces the phorbol ester in Jatropha meal by 67.7%, but its inclusion in supplements reduces diet digestibility and performance of dairy cows.