Pig Feed Research Articles

Influence of fertilizers on the formation of yield and sowing qualities of spring wheat seeds under the conditions of the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga region

Spring wheat is a valuable food and feed crop with a favorable combination of protein and carbohydrates. Breeders are constantly working to create varieties of spring soft wheat that give stable and high yields even under extreme conditions of its cultivation. The use of fertilizers is an important factor in increasing the yield of spring wheat. Wheat is a valuable feed crop, which is widely used as part of compound feed for poultry and pigs. The purpose of the research was to scientifi cally substantiate the choice of the most eff ective method of using liquid mineral fertilizers on the backgrounds of natural soil fertility and application of N16P16K16, their infl uence on the formation of the crop, sowing qualities and yield properties of spring wheat seeds in the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga region. The infl uence of liquid mineral fertilizers on the backgrounds of natural and mineral nutrition on the density of agrocenosis, crop formation, sowing qualities of seeds and their yield properties has been studied. When using liquid forms of complex mineral fertilizers, methods of their application have been identifi ed that positively aff ect the dynamics of plant growth, yield and quality of seed material of spring soft wheat. It was found as a result of the research that in order to form a high yield with the best indicators of sowing qualities and yielding properties of spring wheat seeds of Tulaykovskaya Nadezhda variety under the conditions of the Middle Volga region, it is necessary to observe a set of agrotechnical techniques developed for this region. Against the background of pre–sowing application of fertilizer N16P16K16 (1 centner/ha), seed treatment should be carried out before sowing with the preparation Megamix – Seeds (2 l/t) followed by non-root fertilizing in the phases “tillering” and “ear formation” with the preparation Megamix – Profi (1 l/ha).

Weed-fed Pigs: Food Sovereignty in the Blind Spot

Implicit everyday forms of food sovereignty can be explored to reveal the diversity of the movement. For example, the ways in which elderly villagers raise pigs on weeds in central China share some features with the “quiet food sovereignty” of Russia. Small-scale pig rearing is largely invisible to outsiders, so identifying it relies heavily on weeds as indicators. Bounded by age in rural southwest Hubei, the small space of raising weed-fed pigs emerged in a blind spot between discourses on modern technological agriculture and concerns for food safety. In the 1990s, elderly villagers continued feeding pigs on local plants instead of using industrial fodder in order to retain the authentic taste of pork, which continues to have social value. The practice took on added significance as a form of self-protection from food-safety issues in the 2000s. It provides a moral buffer for elderly villagers sandwiched between the conflicting values of modern scientific and technological farming supported by the state policy of “Increasing Agricultural Prosperity with Modern Sci-tech” and emerging organic or green food movements motivated by urban people's desire for safe foods and state agenda on developing rural tourism. Despite the ecological, material, health, and social benefits of operating in this small space, their implicit food sovereignty goes unnoticed. Because raising weed-fed pigs functions invisibly, it remains in the blind spot of mass food discourses in China.

Determination of In vitro Nutrient Digestibility of Silage based Diets with Varying Levels of Crude Fibre using Pig Faecal Inoculum

Background: The in-vitro nutrient digestibility and fermentation mimicking gastrointestinal process of pigs is a convenient method for rapid and cheaper measurement of degradation of feed ingredients. In the present study silage based diets containing varying levels of crude fibre were subjected to in vitro digestibility evaluation using pig faecal inoculum to determine the best crude fibre level for feeding pigs. Methods: Eight diets were prepared namely, B1, B2, V1, V2, V3, M1, M2 and M3 having 6.28, 8.43, 8.03, 10.0, 11.96, 8.17, 10.31 and 12.06 per cent crude fibre (on dry matter basis) respectively, where diets B1 and B2 were basal diets, V1, V2 and V3 contained vegetable waste silage; M1, M2 and M3 contained maize silage -as additional fibre source. An in-vitro study was carried out to investigate the nutrient digestibility of diets involving enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation using pig faecal inoculum. Result: The in-vitro total tract digestibility (IVTTD) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) was significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in B1 diet than the other diets. The digestibility of DM, CP and OM of B2 diet was also significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than the M2, M3, V2 and V3 diets but comparable to M1 and V1 diets. The IVTTD of crude fibre (CF) was higher in V3 diet (25.85%) and lowest (P less than 0.001) in M1 diet (11.65%) and both showed a highly significant (P less than 0.001) difference (to other diets. The DM, CP and OM digestibility were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in the diets containing normal fibre sources than silage containing diets. Cumulative gas production (ml/0.5g feed) at 24 h of in-vitro fermentation were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in B2 (34.95) and B1 (31.00) diets than other diets. As the CF level in diets increased from 6 to 12%, the digestibility of nutrients linearly decreased except CF digestibility. It was revealed from the study that the level and sources of crude fibre in diets influenced the digestibility of nutrients.

Detection of organic arsenic based on acid-base stable coordination polymer

Organic arsenic, usually found in animal feed and livestock farm wastewater, is a carcinogenic and life-threatening substance. Hence, for the rapid and sensitive detection of organic arsenic, the development of new fluorescent sensors is quite essential. Here, an acid-base stable coordination polymer (HNU-62) was constructed by the introduction of hydrophobic fluorescence ligand, which can be used as a highly selective sensor for the detection of roxarsone (ROX) in water. The limit of detection (LOD) of HNU-62 for ROX was 4.5 × 10-6 M. Furthermore, HNU-62 also exhibits good anti-interference and recyclability, which can be used in detecting ROX in real samples of pig feed. This work provides an alternative approach for the construction of water-stable coordination polymer-based fluorescence sensors.

High fat diet feeding induces brain mitochondrial dysfunction in female Ossabaw swine

Study objective: Emerging evidence now suggest reduced mitochondrial function as a key initiator in Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-like pathology increasing the need for models of AD that display mitochondrial dysfunction. Dyslipidemia is a common aliment from overconsumption of a high fat diet (HFD) that increases the risk of AD and may contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction. Rodent studies utilize HFDs to induce brain pathology resembling that of AD. Unsurprisingly, rodent studies are rarely recapitulated in humans, which leads to a very low clinical success rate and highlights the need for more translatable models to study AD-like pathology. Swine seem to share many characteristics of humans and might offer a more translatable model to study HFD induced pathology. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine if HFD feeding in swine could offer a more translatable model to study mitochondrial dysfunction during neurodegeneration. Hypothesis: 6-months of HFD feeding will decrease indices of mitochondrial function and biogenesis in female Ossabaw swine. Methods: To characterize the effects of a HFD on brain mitochondrial health in a highly translatable swine model, high resolution respirometry measurements were taken from isolated brain mitochondria from in female Ossabaw swine fed a HFD for 6-months. Additionally, indices of mitochondrial biogenesis in whole tissue was measured (transcriptional markers of biogenesis and citrate synthase activity). Results: HFD feeding significantly increased body weight (p<0.05) with trending increases in blood glucose (p<0.10). Maximal uncoupled mitochondrial respiration was significantly decreased (p<0.05) with state 3-complex I and state 3 complex I & II trending down in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) after HFD diet feeding (p<0.10). Additionally, state 2 respiration was significantly decreased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) after HFD feeding (p<0.05). HFD feeding increased transcriptional markers of mitochondrial biogenesis in the DH and PFC (p<0.05), without altering whole homogenate citrate synthase activity in either brain region. Conclusions: These data indicate HFD feeding in Ossabaw pigs could offer a potential model to study pathologies relating to mitochondrial dysfunction during neurodegenerative process. Additionally, the DH was found to be more vulnerable to HFD-induced perturbations, evident by the exacerbated deficits in mitochondrial respiration in this brain region. Finally, these data suggest HFD-induced increase in transcriptional markers of mitochondrial biogenesis may be a compensatory response to HFD-induced mitochondrial respiration deficits. However, citrate synthase activity was not different between groups indicating this upregulation of transcriptional markers was unable to translate to an increase in mitochondrial content in the DH and PFC. The project was supported by the MU Office of Postdoctoral Education Research Grant Program. Additional funding was also generously provided Scott Rector. Images in figure 2 adapted and modified from “Krebs cycle template”, by BioRender.com (2022). Retrieved from https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates . This work was also supported with resources and the use of facilities at the University of Missouri and Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Genomic analysis of fluoroquinolone-resistant Leclercia adecarboxylata carrying the ISKpn19-orf-qnrS1-ΔIS3-blaLAP-2 module in a synanthropic pigeon, Brazil

The aim of this study was to perform a genomic investigation of a multiple fluoroquinolone-resistant Leclercia adecarboxylata strain isolated from a synanthropic pigeon in São Paulo, Brazil. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using an Illumina platform, and in silico deep analyses of the resistome were performed. Comparative phylogenomics was conducted using a global collection of publicly available genomes of L. adecarboxylata strains isolated from human and animal hosts. L. adecarboxylata strain P62P1 displayed resistance to human (norfloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin) and veterinary (enrofloxacin) fluoroquinolones. This multiple quinolone-resistant profile was associated with mutations in the gyrA (S83I) and parC (S80I) genes and the presence of the qnrS gene within an ISKpn19-orf-qnrS1-ΔIS3-blaLAP-2 module, previously identified in L. adecarboxylata strains isolated from pig feed and faeces in China. Genes associated with arsenic, silver, copper, and mercury resistance were also predicted. Phylogenomic analysis revealed clustering (378-496 single nucleotide polymorphism differences) with two L. adecarboxylata strains isolated from human and fish sources in China and Portugal, respectively. L. adecarboxylata is a Gram-negative bacterium of the Enterobacterales order and is considered an emergent opportunistic pathogen. Since L. adecarboxylata has adapted to human and animal hosts, genomic surveillance is highly recommended, in order to identify the emergence and spread of resistant lineages and high-risk clones. In this regard, this study provides genomic data that can help clarify the role of synanthropic animals in the dissemination of clinically relevant L. adecarboxylata within a One Health context.

The effect of feeding fattener pigs with hybrid rye on selected growth and carcass traits and on meat quality characteristics

Abstract Modern hybrid varieties of rye can be successfully used for feeding pigs. The aim of the research was to determine the effects of different levels (20%, 40% and 60%) of hybrid rye in diet on the growth, slaughter value, chemical composition, physical and sensory traits and the fatty acids profile in pork meat. The experiment was performed with 100 Polish Landrace pigs that were randomly allocated into 4 groups: control, without rye, and experimental with hybrid rye addition. After slaughter lean meat content estimation, carcass traits, quality characteristics and the fatty acids profile of the longissimus lumborum muscle were determined. No significant influence on the growth performance, carcass traits and the majority of physical traits, basic composition, cholesterol content and sensory features of the longissimus lumborum muscle was found. The type and levels of cereals significantly change the FA profile. More favorable values for PUFA and the ratio of n-6/n-3 acids were obtained in pigs fed with hybrid rye than with a mix of wheat with barley. In conclusion, feeding pigs with hybrid rye at the level of 20–60% in the diet results in positive effects in the fatty acids profile, without compromising daily gain, feed intake, carcass traits, physicochemical and sensory attributes of pork meat.

The effectiveness of the use of the feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” as part of compound feed for young pigs

The results of the production approval fully confirmed the high efficiency of introducing the feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” into the compound feed for piglets. It was established that at the end of the piglet rearing period (at the age of 75 days), the average weight of one head in the experimental group was 32.6 kg, which is 1.1 kilograms or 3.5% higher (P < 0.05). Then their peers from the control group. During the period of rearing, the absolute increase in body weight in young animals of the experimental group was higher by 1.2 kg, or by 4.7 %, and the average daily weight gain by 21.8 g, or by 4.7 %, compared to similar indicators in piglets of the control group, and were 26.5 kg and 481.8 g, respectively. Among the numerous indicators determining the economic efficiency of production, the cost per unit of production is considered the most important. One of the reserves for reducing the cost of pig production is increasing young animals' productivity and preservation. The above results of the production inspection convincingly prove that using the feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” in compound feed for piglets at the rate of 100 mg/kg of body weight increases their product qualities and, as a result, improves economic indicators. In the experimental group, the cost of 1 kg of live weight of piglets during rearing decreased by UAH 0.57, or 3.0 %, compared to the young of the control group and amounted to UAH 18.25. The cost of 1 kg of live weight gain in control and experimental groups was slightly higher (23.44 and 22.46 UAH, respectively), and the difference in favor of the latter was 4.2 %. The decrease in the unit cost of production in the experimental group was due to the increase in body weight and the survival of young pigs during the rearing period. The economic effect of using the feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” as part of compound feed, calculated per 1 head of young pigs, was UAH 25.97 at the prices set for feed and feed additive in 2019. To increase the adaptability of piglets at an early age when weaning from the sow and to prevent the development of oxidative stress, for further maintenance during the period of rearing and fattening, it is recommended to use the feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” in the amount of 100 mg/kg of body weight per day together with concentrates diet in the period from 21 to 40 days of age.

Optimising liquid feeding system hygiene to improve the microbiological quality of liquid feed for grow-finisher pigs

Optimising liquid feeding system hygiene to improve the microbiological quality of liquid feed for grow-finisher pigs

African traditional use of edible insects and challenges towards the future trends of food and feed

In the current times of climate change, the intense use of insects as a protein source is gaining popularity worldwide, and will likely contribute to increased nutrient intake in food and feed due to its nutritional, ecological, nutraceutical, and medicinal potential. Ancient traditional consumption of wild-harvested insects in Africa is a valuable but diminishing resource. There is a need for improved technology in insect rearing to match production with the current population pressure since we can no longer depend on wild collection. The current legislation within the European Union opens a pathway towards acceptance, increased consumption, and marketing of edible insects, which already had a big role in African nutrition as a portion of seasonal food. Food security and expensive animal protein sources are a setback in Africa and there is a need to search for alternative sources to curb malnutrition. Insect use in animal feed is gaining momentum in pig, fish, pet, and poultry feed. To meet the rising demand for insect protein in animal feed, it calls for new ways to increase availability while addressing food quality, safety, and environmental sustainability. Apart from their importance as a source of nutrients, insects help to recycle organic waste, and the remaining portion can be used in plant protection and as a soil modifier. This review, therefore, undertakes exploration and outlook on the ancient utilisation of edible insects in Africa, current efforts to improve through farming, and the challenges faced with the hope that traditional practices will shape the future of the edible insect industry.

Activity of blood serum enzymes and their relationship with feeding and meat qualities in young pigs of different intrageneric differentiation according to the “formation intensity” index

The article presents the study results of the activity of blood serum enzymes, fattening, and meat qualities of young pigs of the universal direction of productivity, considering their intrabreed differentiation according to the “formation intensity” index. It was established that the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the blood serum of young pigs of the large white breed corresponds to the physiological norm of clinically healthy animals; by the age of reaching a live weight of 100 kg, the thickness of lard at the level of 6–7 thoracic vertebrae and the length of the chilled carcass – I class and elite class. Taking into account the intrabreed differentiation of young pigs of the large white breed according to the “formation intensity” index, the animals of the experimental group I (∆ = 0.715–1.009) exceeded those of the same age as II (∆ = 1.011–1.356) in terms of average daily increase in live weight by 5.71%, age reaching a live weight of 100 kg – 1.28 %, fat thickness at the level of 6–7 thoracic vertebrae – 1.44 %. The pairwise correlation coefficient between biochemical indicators of blood serum and fattening and meat qualities of young pigs of the large white breed shows that this biometric indicator varies from -0.344 ± 0.1485 to +0.402 ± 0.1448. The maximum increase in additional production was obtained from young pigs of the first experimental group, in which the “formation intensity” index ranges from 0.715 to 1.009 points (+3.40 %). The criterion for selecting highly productive animals of the leading herd based on the absolute parameters of their offspring's fattening and meat qualities is their correspondence to the elite class, according to the “intensity of formation” index – 0.715–1.009 points

Effect of cavity-confinement and microwave-assistance on the sensitivity of LIBS for detecting Cu content in pig feed

The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a potential tool for detecting heavy metals in pig feed. In order to implement a highly sensitive LIBS system required for the detection of Copper in pig feed and achieve better detection results, this work combines cavity-confinement and microwave-assistance with the LIBS system. Based on the characteristic spectral intensity of Cu I 324.75 nm, four factors including delay time, laser energy, cavity-confinement diameter, and microwave-assisted power are optimized by using single factor method and response surface methodology (RSM) for obtaining suitable experimental parameters and detection performance. The detection results show that as compared with the single factor method, the optimal experimental parameters obtained by using RSM increase the intensity of the characteristic spectral lines by 21.69% and the detection limit is as low as 0.878 mg/kg. As compared with the traditional LIBS techniques, the use of cavity-confinement combined with microwave-assistance increase the detection sensitivity of LIBS technique by 18.6-fold. The results show that RSM effectively analyzes the interactions between factors and their effects on the response values to effectively obtain better values for each factor. This enhances the LIBS spectra by cavity-confinement and microwave-assistance, and improves the sensitivity of detection of Cu in the pig feeds, which is suitable for realizing the quantitative detection of low concentration elements in pig feeds.

Microcapsulated probiotic drug “Enzymesporine with enzyme” in feeding of pigs

An eff ective and fi nancially aff ordable method of preventing intestinal disorders, increasing the level of metabolism and increasing the productivity of animals is the use of probiotic drugs. The purpose of the research was to substantiate the use of the microencapsulated probiotic drug “Enzimesporin with enzyme” in feeding pigs of the hybrid of the Canadian breeding Genesus. In order to study the eff ectiveness of the use of the microencapsulated drug “Enzimesporin with enzyme” in the diets of young pigs during rearing and fattening, experimental animals randomized by live weight an sex were divided into the following groups of 20 animals. in each: control (without the introduction of probiotic drugs into the diet), 1st experimental (introduction of the uncapsulated drug “Enzimesporin” into the feed at a dose of 3,0 g/head/day), 2nd experimental (introduction of the microcapsulated drug “Enzimesporin” into the feed at a dose of 3,0 g/head/day), 3rd experimental (introduction of the microencapsulated drug “Enzimesporin with enzyme” into the feed at a dose of 3,0 g/head/day). It was found as a result of the research that the level of profi tability of pork production at the end of the experiment when using the microcapsulated drug “Enzimesporin with enzyme” per 1 head it amounted to 26,43 %, which was higher than in the control group, where the profi tability level was 17,52 % by 8,91 abs.%. The production test showed that the introduction of the microcapsulated drug “Enzimesporin with enzyme” into the main diet signifi cantly aff ected the productivity of the animals of the experimental group. Thus, the average live weight of pigs taking the studied drug was 9,2 kg more than in the control or 11,0 %. It is possible to recommend on the base of the conducted studies, the microencapsulated probiotic drug “Enzimesporin with enzyme” for use as a feed additive to the main diet of pigs of the Canadian selection Genesus at the dose of 3,0 g/head/day.

Enzyme with phytase activity in compound feed for young pigs on fattening

One of the decisive factors for achieving high productivity of animals is the rational organization of feeding. At the same time the priority task of domestic pig breeding is to reduce expenditures by increasing the digestibility of feed nutrients and improving their digestibility. The inclusion of enzyme drugs in the compound feed is one of the most important conditions necessary in solving this problem. In the body of animals, they are necessary to increase the digestibility of feed nutrients. The purpose of the research was to study the eff ect of the enzyme drug Feedbest P5000 GT as part of compound feeds on the growth and development of young pigs on fattening, as well as the determination of expenditure of feed. In order to achieve this purpose, a scientifi c and economic experiment was carried out. The studies were conducted on young pigs of Large White breed aged from 60 to 210 days. Four groups of pigs of 12 heads in each were formed according to the principle of analog groups. Pigs of all groups were in the same conditions of feeding and housing. In order to identify the eff ect of the tested enzyme drug on the growth and development of experimental animals, they weighed and took measurements every 30 days of rearing, taking into account the consumption of compound feed and their residue for the next day. It has been established that the use of the enzyme drug Feedbest P5000 GT as part of compound feeds for young pigs on fattening contributes to the growth, development and reduction of expenditures of feed per unit of production of young pigs. The best indicators were obtained in the 2nd experimental group, where the tested enzyme drug in the amount of 90 g/t of compound feed was additionally added to the compound feed.

Eat like a Pig to Combat Obesity

Obesity and related metabolic health issues are a growing human threat, with many theories regarding its causes. In swine, physiologically alike to humans, considerable knowledge on obesity mechanisms has been accumulated. Calorie counting is the basis for managing swine diets and applied with great accuracy. Epigenetic programing predisposes pigs to insulin insensitivity, but pigs seem to sense this insensitivity and consequently eat less, preventing obesity. Pigs naturally prefer to eat small breakfasts and large dinners. Deviating from this eating pattern or providing diets with a high glycemic burden can trigger obesity; however, pigs will restrict food intake to prevent serious obesity. Interestingly, in practice, problems with obesity are rarely seen, even when pigs are fed poorly timed diets similar to junk food, likely because swine diets are balanced for every nutrient. Indeed, feeding pigs diets deficient in micronutrients does trigger obesity. For humans, several micronutrient requirements have not been set officially, and diets optimized for all micronutrients are rarely provided. In conclusion, various obesity triggers are being debated for humans, which have been proven in swine. Obesity problems in pigs are nevertheless less excessive, likely because pigs recognize unhealthy eating practices and consequently reduce food intake to avoid serious complications. Finally, swine diets are normally balanced for all nutrients, which may be an important practice to prevent obesity, from which human health could greatly benefit.

Alternatives to zinc oxide in pig production.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has been applied for many years in the production of pigs to reduce the number of diarrhoea in weaned piglets. In June 2022, the European Union banned the use of zinc oxide (ZnO) in pig feed. According to scientific reports, the may reason was the accumulation of this microelement in the environment of pig production. It has been shown that frequent application of ZnO can lead to increased antibiotic resistance in pathogenic swine microflora. The main alternatives to ZnO are probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, essential oils, and liquid feeding systems. Alternatives to ZnO can be successfully used in pig production to reduce the number of diarrhoea among piglets during the postweaning period. Additional reports indicated that bacteriophage supplementation has a positive effect on the health of pigs. The article provides an overview of current ZnO substitutes that can be used in pig farming.

Feeding Behavior of Finishing Pigs under Diurnal Cyclic Heat Stress

The impact of cyclic heat stress (CHS) and turning the lights on and off on pig feeding behavior (FB) was investigated. The FB of 90 gilts was recorded in real-time under two ambient temperatures (AT): thermoneutrality (TN, 22 °C) or CHS (22/35 °C). The day was divided into four periods: PI (06-08 h); PII (08-18 h); PIII (18-20 h); and PIV (20-06 h). Automatic and Intelligent Precision Feeders recorded each feed event for each pig. An estimated meal criterion (49 min) was used to calculate the FB variables. Feed behavior in both ATs followed a circadian pattern. The CHS reduced the feed intake by 6.9%. The pigs prioritized feed intake during the coolest hours of the day; however, nocturnal cooling did not allow the pigs to compensate for the reduced meal size due to CHS. The highest meal size and most of the meals were observed during the lighting-on period. The pigs reduced their interval between meals during PII and PIII. The lighting program increased the meal size when the lights were switched on and reduced the meal size when the lights were switched off. Thus, the dynamics of the FB were largely influenced by AT, whereas the meal size was affected by the lighting program.

Dietary grape pomace extract supplementation improved meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and immune performance in finishing pigs.

In pig production, reducing production costs and improving immunity are important. Grape pomace, a good agricultural by-product, has been thrown away as food waste for a long time. Recently, we found that it could be used as a new source of pig feed. We investigated the effect of grape pomace on inflammation, gut barrier function, meat quality, and growth performance in finishing pigs. Our results indicated that treatment samples showed a significant decrease in water loss, IL-1β, DAO, ROS, and MDA content (p < 0.05). IgA, IgG, IgM, CAT, T-AOC, SOD, and IFN-γ significantly increased compared with those in control samples (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the relative mRNA expression of the tight junction protein occludin showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Analysis of metagenomic sequencing indicated that grape pomace significantly decreased the relative abundance of Treponema and Streptococcus (p < 0.05). In summary, our results demonstrated that grape pomace could improve meat quality, alleviate inflammation, and decrease oxidative stress.

Co-Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Feed for Cattle, Pigs, Poultry, and Sheep in Navarra, a Region of Northern Spain.

Mycotoxins, toxic compounds produced by fungi on raw materials, such as cereals, represent a serious health hazard. Animals are exposed to them mainly through the ingestion of contaminated feed. This study presents data about the presence and co-occurrence of nine mycotoxins: aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, ochratoxins A and B, zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), and sterigmatocystin (STER), in 400 samples of compound feed for cattle, pigs, poultry, and sheep (100 samples each) collected in Spain (2019-2020). Aflatoxins, ochratoxins, and ZEA were quantified using a previously validated HPLC method using fluorescence detection; whereas DON and STER were quantified using ELISA. Moreover, the obtained results were compared with those obtained in this country and published in the last 5 years. The mycotoxin presence in Spanish feed, especially for ZEA and DON, has been demonstrated. The maximum individual levels found were: AFB1: 6.9 µg/kg in a sample of feed for poultry; OTA: 65.5 µg/kg in a sample of feed for pigs, DON: 887 µg/kg in a sample of feed for sheep, and ZEA: 816 µg/kg in a sample of feed for pigs. Nevertheless, regulated mycotoxins appear, in general, at levels below those regulated by the EU; in fact, the percentage of samples containing concentrations above these limits was very low (from 0% for DON to 2.5% for ZEA). The co-occurrence of mycotoxins has also been demonstrated: 63.5% of the analyzed samples presented detectable levels of two to five mycotoxins. Due to the fact that the distribution of mycotoxins in raw materials can change greatly from year to year with climate conditions or market globalization, regular mycotoxin monitorization in feed is needed to prevent the integration of contaminated materials in the food chain.

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 &gt; 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.