Plant Protein Meal Research Articles

Effects of replacing soybean meal with enzymolysis-fermentation compound protein feed on growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs

BackgroundAddressing the shortage of high-quality protein resources, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with different levels of enzymolysis-fermentation compound protein feed (EFCP) in the diets of growing-finishing pigs, focusing on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, carcass traits, and meat quality.MethodsSixty DLY (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) pigs with an initial body weight of 42.76 ± 2.05 kg were assigned to 5 dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial design. These dietary treatments included a corn-soybean meal diet (CON), untreated compound protein feed (UCP) substitution 50% (U50) and 100% SBM (U100) diets, and EFCP substitution 50% (EF50) and 100% SBM (EF100) diets. Each treatment had 6 pens (replicates) with 2 pigs per pen, and the experiment lasted 58 d, divided into phase I (1–28 d) and phase II (29–58 d). Following phase I, only the CON, U50, and EF50 groups were continued for phase II, each with 5 replicate pens. On d 59, a total of 15 pigs (1 pig/pen, 5 pens/treatment) were euthanized.ResultsDuring phase I, the EF50 group had a higher average daily gain (ADG) in pigs (P < 0.05) compared to the CON group, whereas the U50 group did not have a significant difference. As the substitution ratio of UCP and EFCP increased in phase I, there was a noticeable reduction in the final body weight and ADG (P < 0.05), along with an increase in the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) (P < 0.05). In phase II, there were no significant differences in growth performance among the treatment groups, but EF50 increased the apparent digestibility of several nutrients (including dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, acid detergent fiber, ash, gross energy) compared to U50. The EF50 group also exhibited significantly higher serum levels of neuropeptide Y and ghrelin compared to the CON and U50 groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the EF50 group had higher carcass weight and carcass length than those in the CON and U50 groups (P < 0.05), with no significant difference in meat quality.ConclusionsThe study findings suggest that replacing 50% SBM with EFCP during the growing-finishing period can improve the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass traits of pigs without compromising meat quality. This research offers valuable insights into the modification of unconventional plant protein meals and developing alternatives to SBM.

Impact of Plant and Animal Protein-Based Meals on Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 Levels in Healthy Young Men: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic hormone secreted by osteocytes in response to dietary phosphate intake. An increase in FGF23 level is an indicator of excess phosphate intake relative to the residual nephron number. Therefore, avoiding excessive phosphate intake and inhibiting the elevation of serum FGF23 levels are important to preserve the number of functional nephrons. This randomized crossover trial aimed to determine the potential differences in the impacts on serum FGF23 levels between plant protein and animal protein-based meals in individuals with normal renal function. Nine young men were administered plant (no animal protein) or animal protein-based meals (70% of their protein was from animal sources) with the same phosphate content. The test meals consisted of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Blood samples were collected in the morning, after overnight fasting, and before and after eating the test meals (for two consecutive days at the same hour each day). Furthermore, a 24-h urine sample was obtained on the day the test meal was consumed. No significant interactions were found among serum phosphate, calcium, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. However, after eating plant protein-based meals, serum FGF23 levels decreased and serum intact parathyroid hormone levels increased (interaction, p<0.05). Additionally, urine 24-h phosphate excretion tended to be lower in individuals consuming plant protein-based meals than in those consuming animal protein-based meals (p=0.06). In individuals with normal renal function, plant protein-based meals may prevent an increase in serum FGF23 levels and kidney damage caused by phosphate loading.

Effects of Fermented Soybean Meal Substituting Plant Protein and Fish Meal on Growth, Flesh Quality, and Intestinal Microbiota of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

This study investigated the effects of replacing soybean meal (SM), corn gluten meal (CGM), and fish meal (FM) with fermented soybean meal (FSM) on growth performance, flesh quality, and intestinal microbiota of largemouth bass. In a diet with 400 g/kg FM inclusion (FSM-0), FSM was used to substitute 120 g/kg SM, 120 g/kg SM + 80 g/kg CGM, and 65 g/kg FM at the inclusion of 100 g/kg (FSM-10-SM), 200 g/kg (FSM-20), and 100 g/kg (FSM-10-FM), respectively. Then, largemouth bass weighing 225.7 ± 2.6 g was fed the four diets for 60 days. The WG of FSM-20 group was increased by 11.8% ( P &lt; 0.05 ), while FSM-10-SM and FSM-10-FM groups did not differ significantly from FSM-0 group in growth performance. Compared with the FSM-0 group, the flesh hardness, shear force, total collagen, hot soluble collagen, and total free amino acid contents of FSM-20 group were significantly increased, and FSM-10-SM group also presented higher flesh hardness and shear force. The flesh superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) activities in FSM-20 and FSM-10-FM groups and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in FSM-10-FM group were increased ( P &lt; 0.05 ), while the lactic acid content in FSM-20 group was decreased, when compared to FSM-0 group ( P &lt; 0.05 ). In serum biochemical indexes, the glucose, total protein, cholesterol and malondialdehyde contents in the three FSM groups, and the triglyceride content in FSM-10-SM and FSM-20 groups were significantly lower than those of FSM-0 group ( P &lt; 0.05 ). In intestinal histology, the intestinal villus width, muscle thickness in FSM-10-SM group and intestinal villus width in FSM-20 group were significantly higher than those of FSM-0 group. In intestinal microbiota, the three FSM groups showed higher abundance of Firmicutes and lower abundance of Proteobacteria than FSM-0 group. In summary, the replacement of 120 g/kg SM or 65 g/kg FM with 100 g/kg FSM (FSM-10-SM and FSM-10-FM groups) did not exhibit significant effect on growth performance, but partially improved the flesh quality of largemouth bass. The substitution of 120 g/kg SM + 80 g/kg CGM with 200 g/kg FSM (FSM-20 group) significantly improved weight gain and flesh quality of largemouth bass.

A comparative study on in vitro and in vivo stomach-small intestinal and large intestinal digestion of plant protein meals in growing pigs.

This experiment evaluated the difference between computer-controlled simulated digestion and in vivo stomach-small intestinal or large intestinal digestion for growing pigs. Five diets including a corn-soybean meal basal diet and four experimental diets with rapeseed meal (RSM), cottonseed meal (CSM), sunflower meal (SFM), or peanut meal (PNM) were assigned to each group of five barrows installed terminal ileal cannula or distal cecal cannula in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Ileal digesta and feces were collected for the determination of digestibility of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) as well as digestible energy (DE) at terminal ileum and total tract. The large intestinal digestibility and DE were calculated by the difference between measurements obtained at the terminal ileum and those obtained from total tract. In vitro stomach-small intestinal digestibility and DE for diets and plant protein meals were determined by stomach-small intestinal digestion in a computer-controlled simulated digestion system (CCSDS). The in vitro large intestinal digestibility and DE of diets were determined in a CCSDS using ileal digesta and enzymes extracted from cecal digesta of pigs. The in vitro large intestinal digestibility and DE of four plant protein meals were determined by the difference between stomach-small intestinal and total tract digestion in the CCSDS. For the experimental diets, the in vitro ileal digestibility and DE were not different from corresponding in vivo values in basal diet and PNM diet, but greater than corresponding in vivo values for diets with RSM, CSM, and SFM (P < 0.05). No difference was observed between in vitro and in vivo large intestinal digestibility and DE in five diets. For the feed ingredients, the in vitro ileal digestibility and DE did not differ from corresponding in vivo ileal values in RSM and PNM but were greater than the in vivo ileal values in CSM and SFM (P < 0.05). The in vitro large intestinal GE digestibility and DE were not different from in vivo large intestinal values in RSM, CSM, and PNM, but lower than in vivo large intestinal values in SFM. This finding may relate to the higher fiber content of plant protein meals resulting in shorter digestion time of in vivo stomach-small intestine thus lower digestibility compared to in vitro, indicating it is necessary to optimize in vitro stomach-small intestinal digestion time.

Aquaculture nutrition in Australia: challenges and trends

This review provides an outline of some of the challenges facing nutritionists in the Australian aquaculture industry. It commences with a brief description of how aquaculture nutrition differs from that for terrestrial livestock – the challenges of providing nutrition in aqueous environments, the diversity of species and the high trophic level of most. Specific challenges of aquaculture nutrition are then discussed in further detail, including the difficulty of measuring feed intake and digestibility, the limited ability to use carbohydrates for carnivores, and the specific requirements of species for lipids, including cholesterol, phospholipids, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids. The review then examines how environmental, social and governance concerns are leading to new trends in nutrition for the Australian industry. This includes topics such as the replacement of wild-caught fish meal and fish oil, in terms of both sources of omega-3 lipids and protein. For the former, possible solutions include greater use of seafood trimming, algal oil, and GMO-derived products. For the latter, solutions can include use of livestock render, plant protein meals, fermented products, and insects. Nutrient discharge is also a concern for the industry and nutritionist can assist by improving digestibility and nutrient retention from feeds. Finally, the carbon footprint of aquaculture is leading to new directions for industry and, in turn, for the field of aquaculture nutrition.

An automatically progressed computer-controlled simulated digestion system to predict digestible and metabolizable energy of unconventional plant protein meals for growing pigs.

The objective of this experiment was to develop a new computer-controlled simulated digestion system to predict the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of unconventional plant protein meals for growing pigs. Nine meals tested included 1 source of rapeseed meal, 4 sources of cottonseed meal, 2 sources of sunflower meal, and 2 sources of peanut meal. Twenty growing pigs (Duroc × [Landrace × Large White]) with an initial body weight (BW) of 41.7 ± 2.6 kg were allotted to a replicated 10 × 3 incomplete Latin square design to determine the DE and ME of 1 basal diet and 9 experimental diets formulated with 9 unconventional plant protein meals. The DE and ME values of unconventional plant protein meals were calculated by the difference method. The in vitro digestible energy (IVDE) of 1 basal diet, 9 experimental diets, and 9 unconventional plant protein meals were determined with 5 replicates of each sample in a complete randomized arrangement. The IVDE/DE or IVDE/ME ranged from 0.96 to 0.98 or 1.00 to 1.01, and the correlation coefficient between IVDE and DE or ME was 0.97 or 0.98 in 10 experimental diets. Accordingly, the IVDE/DE or IVDE/ME ranged from 0.86 to 1.05 or 0.96 to 1.20, and the correlation coefficient between IVDE and DE or ME was 0.92 or 0.91 in 9 unconventional plant protein meals. The coefficient of variation (CV) of IVDE was less than that of DE and ME in the experimental diets (0.43%, 0.80%, and 0.97% for CV of IVDE, DE and ME, respectively) and unconventional plant protein meals (0.92%, 4.84%, and 6.33% for CV of IVDE, DE and ME, respectively). The regression equations to predict DE from IVDE in 10 experimental diets and 9 unconventional plant protein meals were DE = 0.8851 × IVDE +539 (R2 = 0.9411, residual standard deviation [RSD] = 23 kcal/kg DM, P < 0.01) and DE = 0.9880 × IVDE + 166 (R2 = 0.8428, RSD = 182 kcal/kg DM, P < 0.01), respectively. There was no statistical difference in the slopes (P = 0.82) or intercepts (P = 1.00) of these 2 equations. Thus, 10 diets and 9 unconventional plant protein meals were pooled to establish the regression equation of DE on IVDE as: DE = 0.9813 × IVDE +187 (R2 = 0.9120, RSD = 118 kcal/kg DM, P < 0.01). The regression equations to predict ME from IVDE in 10 experimental diets and 9 unconventional plant protein meals were ME = 0.9559 × IVDE +146 (R2 = 0.9697, RSD = 18 kcal/kg DM, P < 0.01) and ME = 0.9388 × IVDE + 3 (R2 = 0.8282, RSD = 182 kcal/kg DM, P < 0.01), respectively. There was no statistical difference in slopes (P = 0.97) but significant difference between the intercepts (P = 0.02) of these 2 equations. Our results indicate IVDE has similar response to the DE but different response to the ME in 10 experimental diets and 9 unconventional plant protein meals. Therefore, IVDE is more suitable to predict DE than ME of diets and unconventional plant protein meals for growing pigs.

Effects of phosphatidic acid on growth and antioxidant capacity in juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maxius L., fed with high plant protein‐based diets

AbstractReplacement of fish meal with high plant protein meal leads to reduced growth performance and health issues in farmed fish. Supplementation of functional additives has been proposed as a potential strategy to alleviate the negative effect of plant protein replacement. In this study, the effects of phosphatidic acid (PA) on growth and antioxidant capacity in juvenile turbot fed with high plant protein‐based diets were evaluated. An 11‐week feeding trial was performed using diets containing 0 (CON group), 0.05, 0.1, or 0.5% PA. The results showed that adding 0.5% PA could significantly improve the growth performance of turbot without affecting feed intake. Moreover, supplementation of 0.5% PA significantly increased the mRNA level of igf‐1 in liver. The condition factor was also enhanced in PA addition groups. The activity of lipase was increased by PA supplementation, while no difference was observed in amylase and trypsin activity. Supplying PA significantly reduced the content of malondialdehyde. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase (sod), glutathione peroxidase (gpx), and peroxiredoxin 6 (prx6) were enhanced in 0.1 and 0.5% PA groups. Our results showed that PA might be a functional additive for aquafeed with growth‐promoting and antioxidative effects.

Plant Protein Meal Patterns May Compromise Bone Health

Plant Protein Meal Patterns May Compromise Bone Health

Supplemental Microalgal DHA and Astaxanthin Affect Astaxanthin Metabolism and Redox Status of Juvenile Rainbow Trout.

Microalgal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and astaxanthin (AST) may substitute for fish oil and synthetic AST in aquafeeds. This study explored the effects and mechanisms of those substitutions on AST metabolism and redox status of rainbow trout fed plant protein meal (PM)- or fishmeal (FM)-based diets. Two parallel experiments (PM vs. FM) were performed with 612 juvenile rainbow trout for 16 weeks as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with two AST sources (synthetic (SA) vs. microalgal (AA), at 80 mg/kg) and three levels (0, 50, and 100%) of fish oil substitutions with DHA-rich microalgae. The fish oil substitutions exhibit main effects (p < 0.05) and/or interactive effects (p < 0.05) with the source of AST on AST deposition, malondialdehyde and glutathione concentrations, and mRNA levels and activities of major redox enzymes (glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in the muscle and liver of trout fed both diet series. The AST source produced only differences in tissue AST deposition (p < 0.05) and number of metabolites. In conclusion, the substitutions of fish oil by the DHA-rich microalgae exerted more impacts than those of SA by AA on redox status and functional expression of antioxidant enzymes in the tissues of rainbow trout.

Replacing fish oil and astaxanthin by microalgal sources produced different metabolic responses in juvenile rainbow trout fed 2 types of practical diets.

Dietary fish oil supplementation provides n-3 long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids for supporting fish growth and metabolism and enriching fillet with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; c22:6n-3). Two experiments were performed as a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments for 16 wk to determine effects and mechanisms of replacing 0%, 50%, and 100% fish oil with DHA-rich microalgae in combination with synthetic vs. microalgal source of astaxanthin in plant protein meal (PM)- or fishmeal (FM)- based diets for juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish (22 ± 0.26 g) were stocked at 17/tank and 3 tanks/diet. The 100% fish oil replacement impaired (P < 0.0001) growth performance, dietary protein and energy utilization, body indices, and tissue accumulation of DHA and EPA in both diet series. The impairments were associated (P < 0.05) with upregulation of hepatic gene expression related to growth (ghr1and igf1) and biosynthesis of DHA and EPA (fads6 and evol5) that was more dramatic in the FM than PM diet-fed fish, and more pronounced on tissue EPA than DHA concentrations. The source of astaxanthin exerted interaction effects with the fish oil replacement on several measures including muscle total cholesterol concentrations. In conclusion, replacing fish oil by the DHA-rich microalgae produced more negative metabolic responses than the substitution of synthetic astaxanthin by the microalgal source in juvenile rainbow trout fed 2 types of practical diets.

Effects of dietary multi-strain probiotics supplementation in a low fishmeal diet on growth performance, nutrient utilization, proximate composition, immune parameters, and gut microbiota of juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of multi-strain probiotics (MSP) in a low fish meal (FM) diet on overall performance, gut microbiota, selected non-specific immune responses and antioxidant enzyme activities of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) juveniles. A total of 225 healthy olive flounders (initial mean body weight, 13.5 ± 0.01 g) were randomly separated into 3 groups of 75 fish, each group having three replicates of 25 fish; first group was fed with a FM-based control diet (Con), 2nd group was fed with a low-FM diet containing a blend of plant and animal protein meals replacing 30% of the FM protein (FM30), and 3rd group was fed with the FM30 diet supplemented with 108–109 CFU kg−1 of the MSP (Pro). With the exception of lipid retention, which was significantly lower in fish fed the FM30 diet compared to the other two treatments, no other statistically significant differences were recorded with respect to any of the other growth and nutrient utilization parameters. Myeloperoxidase and lysozyme activities of fish fed the Pro diet were much higher and significantly different than those of fish fed the FM30 diet. Glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in Pro- than in Con-fed fish, which, in turn, was significantly higher than FM30-fed fish. Expression of immune-related genes including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was markedly upregulated in livers of the fish fed Pro diet compared to those fed the Con and FM30 diets. Furthermore, supplementation of MSP in FM30 diet enriched the Lactobacillus abundance in the fish gut as well as predictive gene functions in relation to lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms. These data suggested that the MSP could reduce the potential adverse effects of the low-FM diet and might be used as a healthy immunostimulant for olive flounder.

Solid State Fermentation of Plant Protein Meals Using Lactobacillus acidophilus for Improving Feed Value

Usage of some legumes and oil seed meal as fishmeal substitute is hampered by low protein content and anti nutritional factors (ANF). Inclusion of some exogenous enzyme cocktail like phytase, xylanase can reduce some ANF but is costly. Solid state fermentation of plant proteins is affordable and could be useful in upgrading the protein content, elevating the nutrient and mineral status and eliminating ANF from plant-based feed ingredients. We therefore extracted Lactobacillus acidophilus from intestine of adult African catfish. Extracted L. acidophilus was cultured at 37°C for 48 hrs in Mueller-Hinton Broth. Approximately 10 g of the bacteria broth containing 9.4 log 10 colony forming unit (CFU) per ml was mixed with 200 g meals of bambaranut meal and African yam beans meal placed in a brown bottom flask. The ground meals and bacteria mixtures were fermented for 72 hours. Temperature was maintained at 28.6°C to 34°C. The pH of the mixtures was measured everyday and the fermenting mixture was regularly stirred. Fermentation was stopped after 72 hrs and the meals were subjected to proximate analysis. Protein content of the meals significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) as follows: BNM, 24.82±0.15% to 40.37±0.27% and AYB, 23.65±0.07% to 34.56±1.36%. Lipid content of meals significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) as follows BNM, 7.11±0.01 to 14.29±0.05% and AYB, 2.96±0.45% to 5.76±0.09%. There was general decrease in composition of carbohydrate and ANFs were drastically reduced or completely eliminated from the meals.

Evaluation of Using Certain Sources of Protien for Feeding Mediterranean Fruit Flies, Ceratitis capitata Adults

Mass rearing cost is one of the important tools for successful implementation the sterile insect technique (SIT) programme. Yeast hydrolyzed (YH) is an effective protein source for feeding the adult flies of C. capitata and widely used in the mass rearing facilities in spite of it is imported product in many countries and very expensive. Three local protein sources, meat bone meal (MBM), plant protein meal (PPM) and soybean protein (SP) were evaluated as adult feed instead of YH. The life span of adult flies, fecundity, fertility and the other reproductive biology were studied to explore the feasibility of these alternative protein sources for maintaining the performance of medfly colony. The results indicated that the fecundity and fertility were drastically reduced in the case of using the three protein sources as compared with the stander one (YH). While, the percentages of adult survival of male and female flies were relatively similar in the different protein sources and it was clearly higher than those fed on only sugar. The results revealed that when the tested protein sources were supplied with YH (1:1), the reproductive biology parameters were improved, the percentages of egg hatch were insignificantly increased to (84.1, 83.5 and 82.4 %) in YH/PPM, YH/MBM and YH/SP treatments, respectively as compared to YH (80.6%). Also, in the same treatments, the egg laid per female per day were higher (24.5, 23.4 and 22.6 eggs/day), respectively than YH tratment (22.2 eggs/day). Moreover, the pupation were significantly reduced and the larval durations were prolonged in PPM, MBM and SP treatments and not affected in YH/PPM, YH/MBM and YH/SP treatments as compared to YH treatment. The results indicated that the three commercial protein sources were effective dietaries when used with the yeast hydrolysate at the ratio 1:1, this procedure will significantly diminished the mass rearing cost of C. capitata.

Taurocholate supplementation attenuates the changes in growth performance, feed utilization, lipid digestion, liver abnormality and sterol metabolism in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fed high level of plant protein

Inclusion of plant ingredients in carnivorous fish feeds is often associated with decreased lipid digestibility, reduced bile acid levels and hypocholesterolaemia, which may result in lower growth performance and feed utilization. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of dietary taurocholate supplementation in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fed high levels of plant protein and gaining further insight into how cholesterol and bile acid metabolism is modulated by taurocholate. A 56day feeding trial was conducted using juvenile turbot (initial weight 8.5g) fed one of three isonitrogenous and isolipid diets: a fish meal diet (FM), a plant protein meal based diet (a mixture of 40% soybean meal and 16% wheat gluten meal, named as PP) and a taurocholate supplemented diet (0.5% supplemented in PP, named as C-tau). Compared with fish fed the FM diet, the fish fed the PP diet had significantly lower growth performance, feed utilization, hepatosomatic index (HSI) and more atrophied hepatocytes. PP diet also induced enteritis in the distal intestine. Lipid digestion and metabolism was depressed as indicated by decreased whole body lipid content, lipid digestibility, pancreatic lipase activity and cholesterol and total bile acids (TBA) levels. Except the distal intestinal histology, all these tested parameters of fish fed the C-tau diet were significantly higher than those of fish fed the PP diet. Furthermore, the HSI, whole body lipid content, lipid digestibility and TBA levels of C-tau fed fish were similar to those of FM fed fish. Regardless of taurocholate, dietary plant protein could significantly increase the expression of HMG-CoA reductase (hmgcr) and decrease the hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (cyp7a1). Compared with the fish fed PP diet, taurocholate supplementation significantly increased the expression of cyp7a1, but had no effect on hmgcr expression. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with taurocholate attenuated the plant protein meal induced negative effects on growth performance, feed utilization and lipid digestion and metabolism. In addition, the cholesterol and TBA-increasing effects of taurocholate could possibly be attributed to an improved digestion and absorption of cholesterol and TBA synthesis due to the up-regulation of cyp7a1 expression. Statement of relevantDietary taurocholate is useful for fish meal sparing

Standardized Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility of Commonly Used Feed Ingredients in Growing Broilers.

This experiment was conducted to determine standardized ileal amino acid digestibility (SIAAD) of commonly used feed ingredients in poultry diets in Pakistan. These feed ingredients included corn, rice broken (RB), rice polishings (RP), wheat bran (WB), sunflower meal (SFM), cottonseed meal (CSM), guar meal (GM), soybean meal (SBM) from India and Argentine and fish meal (FM). The SIAAD of each ingredient was determined in triplicate using 21-days-old broilers. Day-old male broiler chicks (Hubbard× Hubbard) were reared on corn-SBM based diet from 1 to 13 days and thereafter birds were fed experimental diets from day 14 to 21. Each diet was fed to 36 birds kept in six replicate cages, each cage had six birds. In cereals, the SIAAD of corn’s amino acid (AA) (90.1%) was similar (p>0.05) to RB (89.0%). Isoleucine (97.8%) and lysine (96.9%) were highly digestible AA in corn and RB, respectively. Among cereal-by products, WB’s SIAAD (76.9%) was same (p>0.05) as RP (71.9%). Arginine from WB (82.5%) and RP (83.2%) was highly digestible. However, threonine in WB (72.7%) and leucine in RP (69.6%) were the lowest digestible AAs. In plant protein meals, AAs from Argentine-SBM (85.1%) and Indian-SBM (83.4%) had higher (p<0.5) SIAAD than other protein meals. However, SIAAD of SFM (77.1%) and CSM (71.7%) was intermediate while GM (60.3%) exhibited the lowest (p<0.05) SIAAD among all ingredients. Arginine from GM (76.9%), CSM (85.8%), SBM-India (89.5%) and SBM-Argentine (91.5%) was highly digestible from indispensable AAs. In SFM, methionine (91.4%) SIAAD was the greatest. The average SIAAD of FM was 77.6%. Alanine from FM had the highest (84.0%) but cysteine (62.8%) had the lowest SIAAD. In conclusion, cereals i.e. corn and RB had higher (p<0.05) SIAAD of the cereals by-products. The SIAAD of RP and WB was same (p>0.05). The SBM from plant protein meals had higher (p<0.05) SIAAD than other studied feed ingredients. However, the GM had the lowest (p<0.05) SIAAD among protein meals.

Historical development of Chinese dietary patterns and nutrition from the ancient to the modern society.

Actually, food, diet and diet therapy germinated together with the change of meal patterns and traditional Chinese medicine from very ancient China; they appeared in an embryonic form till the Shang and Zhou Dynasties and received great importance from the governors who arranged officials to manage their diets and banquets. Moreover, food, diet and meal patterns were replenished through the Zhou, Qin, Han and Jin Dynasties and epitomized and reached thriving and prosperous standards till the Tang Dynasty. They then became perfected, developed, and formed a complete theory in the dynasties of Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing. The basis of modern nutrition was made up until the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century, which was the time when natural science, including microbiology, chemistry, food industry, etc. were extended into China, yet it was not fully formed until the established of the People's Republic of China. Practicing, teaching, training and research activities started regularly in 1950. With a big population and poor economy basis, the first problem that the Chinese people has now been basically solved. Chinese nutritional scientists worked hard to find out the nutritional problems and status of the people. Through the broad-scale 'Nationwide Nutrition Survey', we now understand our main problems. On this basis, RDA, dietary goal and dietary guidance have been put forward. Although the problem of adequate food and clothing has been basically solved, the Chinese are still facing both the problem of nutrition insufficiency and nutrition excess. However, although nutrition insufficiency and deficiency still extensively exist, nutrition excess and imbalance are emerging in other sections of the population. There is still a shortage of qualified nutritional scientists and technicians, and the training of nutritionists is urgent. Food supplies, including milk, beef, green vegetables and fruit should be increased, especially for some rural and remote areas. The good traditional eating habits and meal patterns should be kept, e.g., breakfast and lunch cannot be neglected, and plant protein meals and Chinese medicinal diets should be promoted. Animals fat intake and fried foods should be reduced, and exercise and fitness programs should be recommended for the overweight population. In the future, our meal pattern take on a mixed form with the advantages of both the eastern and western diets. Chinese scientists are confident of solving the nutritional problems and improving the whole nation's physical fitness and physique under the situation of gradual improvements of the economy and nutritional status of people.

Digestibility of selected feedstuffs in subadult Caspian great sturgeon,Huso husousing settlement faecal collection and stripping methods

Apparent crude protein (ADCCP), crude fat (ADCCF) and gross energy (ADCGE) digestibility coefficients of several typical and novel feedstuffs were determined to be employed in the formulated diets of subadult beluga (17.70 ± 0.234 kg) diets via two faecal collection methods of settlement (SFCM) and stripping (StM). The tested feedstuffs included three fish meals, three terrestrial animal by-products, three plant protein concentrates, nine high-protein plant meals and three low plant protein meals. ADCCP values varied in different fish meals ranging from 89.5% for Mexican sardine meal to 93.2% for anchovy meal with SFCM. ADCCP values for plant protein concentrates ranged from 82.8% for wheat gluten meal to 92% for soy protein with SFCM. ADCCP ranged from 37.2% for whole wheat to 75.6% for spirulina meal with SFCM. ADCGE was lower in low-protein plant meals (64.1%) in comparison to high-protein plant meals (70.2%). Fish meals showed the highest ADCCF values. A significant (P < 0.05) quadratic regression relation (r2 = 0.92) was observed among in vivo ADCCP of five feedstuff classes fed to beluga and in vitro ADCCP. The differences among ADC values appear to be significantly related to the effects of feedstuffs and therefore diet and faecal collection methods.

Performance of kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus fed diets replacing fishmeal with a combination of plant protein meals

Effect of replacing fishmeal (FM) with a blend of dehulled soybean meal (SBM) and canola meal (CM) in the performances of juvenile kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus was evaluated in a 60-day feeding trial. The FM based diet contained 40% FM (FM40), which was reduced to the levels of 28 (FM28), 24 (FM24), 20 (FM20) and 16% (FM16) with a combination of SBM and CM at 6:4 ratio in iso-nitrogenous (45% crude protein) and iso-energetic (19MJkg−1 gross energy) basis, respectively. A total of 225 juvenile shrimp (mean initial body weight: 0.19g) were equally distributed over 15 rectangular tanks (54L, triplicate per treatment) in a flow through sea water system. The diets were hand-fed to the juveniles twice daily at a rate of 8–10% of their body weight. The results indicated that final body weight and weight gain (%) of shrimp fed FM40, FM28, FM24 and FM20 were not significantly different among each other. However, all these growth parameters significantly decreased in shrimp fed FM16. Feed intake (FI) was also significantly depressed in FM16 group, while the rest of the groups maintained similar FI. As with growth performance, feed efficiency and protein efficiency were significantly depressed in shrimp fed FM16 while no differences were found among the shrimp fed the rest of diets. Whole body arginine, isoleucine, leucine, valine and proline significantly decreased with the increasing levels of dietary plant proteins. The retention efficiency of protein and indispensable amino acids had decreasing trends with increased level of plant proteins, and significantly lower values were found in FM16 group. Therefore, it is evident from the present study that kuruma shrimp could effectively utilize certain levels of plant proteins, and dietary FM could be reduced down from 40 to 20% with a blend of SBM and CM without compromising growth performance, feed utilization, body composition and nutrient utilization under the culture conditions applied in this study.

Variability in the chemical composition of different cottonseed and sunflower meals influences their digestibility when fed to grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

In the present study, it was examined whether variability in chemical composition of different cottonseed (Nazilli-M39, Nazilli-84 and Cukurova-1518) meals (CSMs) and sunflower (Sanbro, Isera and Coban) meals (SFMs) had any effects on digestibility when fed to grass carp. Protein and energy digestibility of CSMs (83.2–86.8%; 88.7–92.5%) and SFMs (78.9–83.1%; 88.4–92%) had a coefficient of variation of 1.96% (CSMs) and 1.52% (SFMs) for protein and 1.93% (CSMs) and 1.82% (SFMs) for energy digestibility. Sum of amino acids digestibility of CSMs (83.1–86.5%) and SFMs (78.9–83.4%) had a coefficient of variation of 1.85% and 2.47%, respectively. Protein and energy digestibility of CSMs and SFMs was significantly positive affected by a range of compositional features including protein or sum of amino acids and phosphorus content, and significantly negative affected by fiber and carbohydrate contents in the test ingredients. This suggested that fiber and carbohydrate contents of CSMs and SFMs may also be influencing the nutritional value of its own protein or sum of amino acids. In conclusion, the relationship between plant protein meals protein content and its digestible value provides a good support for the development of a system of grain segregation by protein content and ingredient pricing according to that protein content.

Fontes protéicas vegetais na alimentação da carpa húngara

A substituição parcial da farinha de carne suína por farelos vegetais em dietas para juvenis de carpa húngara (Cyprinus carpio) foi avaliada em cinco dietas experimentais: um controle (farinha de carne suína (FCS) como fonte protéica) e quatro dietas vegetais: farelo de soja (FS), farelo de canola (FC), farelo de girassol (FG) ou farelo de linhaça (FL), substituindo 50% da proteína proveniente da FCS. 195 juvenis (43,4±0,4g) foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia (9 e 15 horas) durante 71 dias. Ao final do experimento, maior peso (205,69g), ganho em peso (2,29g dia-1), taxa de crescimento específico (2,2% dia-1) e conversão alimentar (1,74) foram obtidos nas dietas com FCS, seguido dos tratamentos FC e FS que não diferiram entre si. Os peixes alimentados com FCS, FG e FS apresentaram maior gordura corporal. A dieta FL apresentou piores resultados de desempenho, coeficiente de retenção protéica, deposição de proteína e gordura corporal e no filé. Pode-se concluir que a dieta à base de farinha de carne suína proporciona maior crescimento e deposição de proteína em juvenis de carpa húngara, comparada às dietas com farelos vegetais; os parâmetros de carcaça (rendimentos e índices digestivos) não são afetados pelas fontes protéicas da dieta.