Protein Feed Supplement Research Articles

Growth Performance and Biochemical Composition of Waste-Isolated Microalgae Consortia Grown on Nano-Filtered Pig Slurry and Cheese Whey under Mixotrophic Conditions

The cultivation mode plays a vital role in algal growth and composition. This paper assessed the growth ability of twelve algae–microbial consortia (ACs) originally selected from organic wastes when nano-filtered pig slurry wastewater (NFP) and cheese whey (CW) were used as growth substrates in a mixotrophic mode in comparison with a photoautotrophic mode. Nutrient uptake ability, biochemical composition, fatty acids, and amino acid profiles of ACs were compared between both cultivation conditions. On average, 47% higher growth rates and 35% higher N uptake were found in mixotrophic cultivation along with significant P and TOC removal rates. Changing the cultivation mode did not affect AA and FA composition but improved EAA content, providing the potential for AC_5 and AC_4 to be used as local protein feed supplements. The results also showed the possibility for AC_6 and AC_1 to be used as omega-3 supplements due to their low ω-6–ω-3 ratio.

Cow-calf management practices in Mexico: Reproduction and breeding

Beef cattle breeding has developed in extensive grazing systems in Mexico, concerning the livelihood of over one million families and affecting the use of natural resources. Reproductive efficiency is a major determinant of both the environmental impact of the herd, and the economic viability of the cow-calf production system. However, as reproductive traits have low heritability, reproductive efficiency can be largely influenced by herd management practices. Thus, a questionnaire was administered as personal interviews to 3280 producers, to investigate the prevalence of practices that could directly influence the reproductive outcome of their cattle. Results show that year-round breeding (93%) and natural service by the bull (97.4%) are the most common mating methods. However, only 41% of producers evaluate the breeding soundness of their bulls, and diagnostic testing for specific reproductive diseases of the sires is barely performed in 20% of the farms. The main declared reason for replacing the bull is old age (26.8%), which is followed by to avoid inbreeding (68.4%). Less than 10% of the operations use methods for the synchronization of the estrous cycle, and most farmers breed their heifers for the first time after 2 years of age (73%). Diagnosis of pregnancy is performed in merely 31% of operations, with 23% of the producers declaring to discard non-pregnant cows. Energy or protein feed supplements are provided to the cattle in 63% of the production units, whilst mineral supplements are given in 79% of the farms. Calves are typically weaned between 6 months and a year of age (85%). Only 16% of operations vaccinate against brucellosis and 17.5% against other reproductive diseases (IBR-DVB-VSR and Leptospirosis). The present study showcases a low frequency of adoption of basic reproductive management practices by cow-calf operations in Mexico. Advancement of these practices, as well as implementation and promotion of associated technologies, denotes an area of opportunity to improve the reproductive efficiency of the national herd.

NON-TRADITIONAL RAW MATERIALS FOR BIOTECHNOLOGICAL PRODUCTIONS AND SOME ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THEIR DISPOSAL

It has been proved in the work that non-traditional, annually renewable wastes of plant raw materials − cuttings of fruit trees, hop stems and castor bean stems − are rational to be used for further biotechnological processing in order to obtain a valuable protein feed supplement. The negative impact of burning these plant wastes on soil microbiota has been confirmed. Technological properties, chemical and biopolymer composition of the plant waste have been studied. It has been found out that the optimum particle sizes for all three types of the studied waste are 20–35 mm in fibre length. Such grinding degree provides the best diffusion of the hydrolyzing agent into the particles of the raw material and the extraction of monosaccharides into the solution. All types of the analysed plant waste have a high content of polysaccharides, extractive substances, which will allow to use them as potential raw materials for the development of nutrient media to cultivate microorganisms in biotechnological industries. Acid degradation of biopolymers of the analysed raw materials has been carried out in laboratory conditions. Hydrolysate-based nutrient media have been obtained in laboratory conditions and their biological quality has been studied. Yeast culture strains, which are able to grow actively on the hydrolysates of fruit tree cuttings, hop and castor bean stems, have been selected, and Candida tropicalis culture has been cultivated during the process of periodic cultivation. The negative impact of burning plant residues on the soil microbiological status has been investigated. Samples of the soil were taken from the experimental plot before and after burning of the plant waste, microbiological studies of the total number of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, and nitrogen-fixing ones were conducted, since they are the only living organisms capable of absorbing molecular nitrogen from the air and incorporating it into the cycle of nitrogenous substances. The total number of microbes is reduced by 45%, and the number of nitrogen-fixing bacteria is halved. The process of their regeneration is rather slow, which will significantly affect soil fertility, and soil ashing can lead to changes in crops capable of producing high yields on this soil, and will require scientifically based crop rotations.

Effect of a whey protein and rapeseed oil gel feed supplement on milk fatty acid composition of Holstein cows

Isoenergetic replacement of dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA) with cis-monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Supplementing dairy cow diets with plant oils lowers milk fat SFA concentrations. However, this feeding strategy can also increase milk fat trans fatty acids (FA) and negatively affect rumen fermentation. Protection of oil supplements from the rumen environment is therefore needed. In the present study a whey protein gel (WPG) of rapeseed oil (RO) was produced for feeding to dairy cows, in 2 experiments. In experiment 1, four multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in mid-lactation were used in a change-over experiment, with 8-d treatment periods separated by a 5-d washout period. Total mixed ration diets containing 420 g of RO or WPG providing 420 g of RO were fed and the effects on milk production, composition, and FA concentration were measured. Experiment 2 involved 4 multiparous mid-lactation Holstein-Friesian cows in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment, with 28-d periods, to investigate the effect of incremental dietary inclusion (0, 271, 617, and 814 g/d supplemental oil) of WPG on milk production, composition, and FA concentration in the last week of each period. Whey protein gel had minimal effects on milk FA profile in experiment 1, but trans-18:1 and total trans-MUFA were higher after 8 d of supplementation with RO than with WPG. Incremental diet inclusion of WPG in experiment 2 resulted in linear increases in milk yield, cis- and trans-MUFA and PUFA, and linear decreases in SFA (from 73 to 58 g/100 g of FA) and milk fat concentration. The WPG supplement was effective at decreasing milk SFA concentration by replacement with MUFA and PUFA in experiment 2, but the increase in trans FA suggested that protection was incomplete.

Algorithm of multi-criterion green process assessment for renewable raw materials bioconversion

Green Chemistry is one of the most important and practically used tools to integrate principles of sustainable development and green economy in the field of chemistry and the chemical industry in various countries. There is a number of metrics in the field of green chemistry. The research presented is an original algorithm of multi-criterion green process assessment for renewable raw materials bioconversion. The algorithm is used when the process of obtaining the same target substance N is possible to be carried out in many ways (or under different conditions). In this case, the researcher task is to choose the best process in compliance with the principles of green chemistry. The multiple-factor complex assessment is to be used to choose the optimum process conditions. The algorithm designed was tested for efficiency in choosing the optimal processes of acid hydrolysis of deproteinized meals. The deproteinized sunflower meal preprocessing efficiency analysis was carried out during the course of its microbiological conversion into a vegetable protein and carbohydrate feed supplement taking into account the principles of green chemistry. The methodology testing was based on the experimental data obtained by chemical hydrolysis of deproteinized residues, and two-stage pretreatment process of deproteinized residues processing comprising the steps of chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis. The combination of chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis in two-stage deproteinized sunflower meal processing was justified. The proposed algorithm allowed not only to determine the effective ranges of parameters of deproteinized sunflower meal processing, but also allowed to justify the possibility of its optimization due to the both processes combined.

Trade-Offs between Economic and Environmental Impacts of Introducing Legumes into Cropping Systems.

Europe's agriculture is highly specialized, dependent on external inputs and responsible for negative environmental impacts. Legume crops are grown on less than 2% of the arable land and more than 70% of the demand for protein feed supplement is imported from overseas. The integration of legumes into cropping systems has the potential to contribute to the transition to a more resource-efficient agriculture and reduce the current protein deficit. Legume crops influence the production of other crops in the rotation making it difficult to evaluate the overall agronomic effects of legumes in cropping systems. A novel assessment framework was developed and applied in five case study regions across Europe with the objective of evaluating trade-offs between economic and environmental effects of integrating legumes into cropping systems. Legumes resulted in positive and negative impacts when integrated into various cropping systems across the case studies. On average, cropping systems with legumes reduced nitrous oxide emissions by 18 and 33% and N fertilizer use by 24 and 38% in arable and forage systems, respectively, compared to systems without legumes. Nitrate leaching was similar with and without legumes in arable systems and reduced by 22% in forage systems. However, grain legumes reduced gross margins in 3 of 5 regions. Forage legumes increased gross margins in 3 of 3 regions. Among the cropping systems with legumes, systems could be identified that had both relatively high economic returns and positive environmental impacts. Thus, increasing the cultivation of legumes could lead to economic competitive cropping systems and positive environmental impacts, but achieving this aim requires the development of novel management strategies informed by the involvement of advisors and farmers.

Is it economically feasible for farmers to grow their own fuel? A study of Camelina sativa produced in the western United States as an on-farm biofuel

This paper models the economic feasibility of growing the oilseed crop Camelina sativa (“camelina”) in the western United States to produce value-added protein feed supplement and an SVO-based biofuel. Modeled in eastern Colorado, this study demonstrates that camelina can be grown profitably both as a commodity and as an energy biofuel. These findings, along with the stochastic crop rotation budget and profitability sensitivity analysis, reflect unique contributions to the literature. The study's stochastic break-even analysis demonstrates a 0.51 probability of growing camelina profitably when diesel prices reach 1.15 $ L−1. Results also show that the sale of camelina meal has the greatest impact on profitability. Yet once the price of diesel fuel exceeds 0.90 $ L−1, the farmer generates more revenue from the ability to offset diesel fuel purchases than the revenues generated from the sale of camelina meal. A risk analysis using second degree stochastic dominance demonstrates that a risk-averse farmer would choose to grow camelina if the price of diesel equals or exceeds 1.31 $ L−1. The article concludes that camelina can offset on-farm diesel use, making it economically feasible for farmers to grow their own fuel. As a result, camelina production may increase farm income, diversify rural economic development, and contribute to the attainment of energy policy goals.

Small Review: Strategies for Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) As a New Potential Substrate in Biofuel Production

The economic dependency on fossil fuels and the resulting effects on climate and environment have put tremendous focus on utilizing fermentable sugars from lignocellulose, the largest known renewable carbohydrate source. Palm kernel cake (PKC) is a residue from palm oil extraction presently only used as a low protein feed supplement. It’s contains 50% fermentable hexose sugars present in the form of glucan and mainly galactomannan. This makes PKC an interesting feedstock for processing into biofuel or in other biorefinery processes. This article reviews biotechnological innovation on Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) as new potential of fermentable sugar for biofuel production. Strategies for biofuel production by utilizing palm kernel cake by several pretreatment processes to convert glucan and especially galactomanan into fermentable hexose sugar and further requirements to make fermentative biofuel production a successful industrial process are also discussed. This material recovery especially from lignocellulose agricultural wastes by product of palm oil mill industry into this potential bioproducts has not only benefited in oil palm planted but also to the environment and helps preserve natural resource.

Production of Ethanol and Feed by High Dry Matter Hydrolysis and Fermentation of Palm Kernel Press Cake

Palm kernel press cake (PKC) is a residue from palm oil extraction presently only used as a low protein feed supplement. PKC contains 50% fermentable hexose sugars present in the form of glucan and mainly galactomannan. This makes PKC an interesting feedstock for processing into bioethanol or in other biorefinery processes. Using a combination of mannanase, beta-mannosidase, and cellulases, it was possible without any pretreatment to hydrolyze PKC at solid concentrations of 35% dry matter with mannose yields up to 88% of theoretical. Fermentation was tested using Saccharomyces cerevisiae in both a separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) setup. The hydrolysates could readily be fermented without addition of nutrients and with average fermentation yields of 0.43 +/- 0.02 g/g based on consumed mannose and glucose. Employing SSF, final ethanol concentrations of 70 g/kg was achieved in 216 h, corresponding to an ethanol yield of 70% of theoretical or 200 g ethanol/kg PKC. Testing various enzyme mixtures revealed that including cellulases in combination with mannanases significantly improved ethanol yields. Processing PKC to ethanol resulted in a solid residue enriched in protein from 17% to 28%, a 70% increase, thereby potentially making a high-protein containing feed supplement.

Analysis of joint and endogenous technology choice for protein supplementation by smallholder dairy farmers in Zimbabwe

Survey data on observed choices of protein feed supplements by smallholder dairy farmers in Chikwaka communal area of Zimbabwe were analyzed for factors affecting use of a specific agroforesty practice. The observed protein supplementation choices included multipurpose tree [MPT] fodder and purchased concentrates. These supplements were used mostly in combination and were thus considered jointly by multivariate probit analysis. The results indicated significant positive correlation suggesting joint use of the two protein supplements by these smallholder dairy farmers. Significant correlations also indicated that relative specialization in the dairy enterprise, where milk revenue is cited as the primary income source, is an endogenous factor in the choice of both protein supplements by farmers. Multinomial logit analysis was also applied to determine significant explanatory factors in supplement choice. It was found that dependence on off-farm wages, cropping season labor constraints and receipt of crop revenue as the primary income source each significantly reduced the probability of using both purchased concentrates and multipurpose tree fodder. The probability of using multipurpose tree fodder alone was reduced by relatively fewer years of experience in the dairy industry and in growing MPT fodder trees, but increased by having greater areas planted. Overall, continued use of MPT fodder and the potential of this technology to substitute for purchased concentrates appeared to be dependent on the ability to generate income from milk production and fodder yields from the technology in the short-term, and the learning curve with fodder tree growing in the long-term.

Economic and Environmental Implications of Soybean Production and Use on Pennsylvania Dairy Farms

Soybean (Glycine max L.) production is rapidly increasing on Pennsylvania dairy farms. A whole‐farm analysis was conducted to determine the potential long‐term economic benefit to producers and the environmental impact of growing and feeding soybean as a protein feed supplement. Representative dairy farms were simulated with various production strategies for 25 yr of Pennsylvania weather using the Dairy Forage System Model (DAFOSYM). Production of soybean as a cash crop increased annual farm net return by up to $55 cow−1 when ample cropland was available to produce most of the feed requirement of the herd. With a more restricted land base, there was less economic benefit to shifting land from corn (Zea mays L.) or alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production to soybean. When the soybean was fed in a raw or roasted form, most of this economic benefit was offset, giving an increase in annual net return of <$15 cow−1. There was also little environmental benefit (reduced N loss or soil P accumulation) in growing soybean as a cash crop or feed on dairy farms. In general, the current trend toward producing and feeding soybean on Pennsylvania dairy farms does not appear to provide substantial long‐term economic benefit to the producer, nor does it appear to reduce the potential impact of the farm on its environment. However, under specific farming practices such as inefficient feeding of protein supplements or the production and feeding of high corn silage rations, an economic benefit of up to $100 cow−1 can be obtained through soybean production and feeding.

Feeding Strategy, Nitrogen Cycling, and Profitability of Dairy Farms

On a typical dairy farm today, large amounts of N are imported as feed supplements and fertilizer. If this N is not recycled through crop growth, it can lead to large losses to the atmosphere and ground water. More efficient use of protein feed supplements can potentially reduce the import of N in feeds, excretion of N in manure, and losses to the environment. A simulation study with a dairy farm model (DAFOSYM) illustrated that more efficient feeding and use of protein supplements increased farm profit and reduced N loss from the farm. Compared to soybean meal as the sole protein supplement, use of soybean meal along with a less rumen degradable protein feed reduced volatile N loss by 13 to 34kg/ha of cropland with a small reduction in N leaching loss (about 1kg/ha). Using the more expensive but less degradable protein supplement along with soybean meal improved net return by $46 to $69/cow per year, dependent on other management strategies of the farm. Environmental and economic benefits from more efficient supplementation of protein were generally greater with more animals per unit of land, higher milk production, more sandy soils, or a daily manure hauling strategy. Relatively less benefit was obtained when either alfalfa or corn silage was the sole forage on the farm or when relatively high amounts of forage were used in animal rations.

Effects of feeding an aquatic weed Lemna trisulaca as partial replacement of fish meal on the performance of growing ducklings

AbstractGrowing ducklings were fed diets containing an aquatic weed Lemna trisulaca meal (LTM) replacing, on a protein basis, either 40, 60 or 80 g kg−1 of the fish meal (FM) from a control diet which contained 120 g FM kg−1. Partial replacement of FM (40 and 60 g kg−1 of the FM) by LTM on a protein basis showed good growth and low food consumption but food conversion efficiency was found to be comparable. It was concluded that LTM could be considered as a protein feed supplement for growing ducklings and also as a part replacement of animal protein (FM) in the nutrition of growing ducklings without deleterious effect on performance.

Evaluation of scallop viscera silage as a high-protein feedstuff for growing-finishing swine

The nutritional value of scallop viscera silage was assessed when it formed a high proportion of the diet for growing—finishing swine. A secondary objective was to determine the possible carryover of cadmium contained naturally in the viscera into various tissues of these swine. Scallop viscera is a byproduct of Calico scallop ( Aequipecten gibbus) shellfish processing and contains 70–85% moisture and, on a dry matter (DM) basis, 70–85% crude protein. The scallop viscera silage was prepared by mixing minced, fresh viscera with formic acid (3.5% w/w) and placing the mixture in airtight containers. The viscera silage averaged 19% DM and contained, on a DM basis, 85% crude protein, 2.5% crude fat, 6.7% ash, 1.8% Ca, 0.7% P, 5.8% lysine and 7.5 mg kg −1 Cd. Twenty pigs (27 kg mean live weight) were divided between two treatments, 0 or 24% dietary levels of silage, with two pigs per pen. The pigs were fed on grower diets (0.75% lysine, 89% DM basis) to 52 kg and then on finisher diets (0.61% lysine). The viscera silage supplied 33 and 41% of the lysine in the grower and finisher diets, respectively. The viscera silage had no detrimental effect ( P > 0.10) on average daily gain, feed intake or feed-to-gain ratio. Apparent digestibility of DM, N and energy of the grower or finisher diets was also not affected. Cadmium accumulation was noted in kidney (1–4 mg kg −1) and liver tissues from pigs given viscera silage. Very little accumulation was noted in muscle (masseter) tissue examined. In addition, no differences in resulting carcass composition or meat quality characteristics were noted as a result of treatment. The ensiling of scallop viscera with formic acid and its subsequent utilization as a protein feed supplement for swine diets may offer a practical means of utilization of this waste material.

Agricultural and genetic potentials of cruciferous oilseed crops

AbstractOilseed crops of the Cruciferae are widely adapted and are of particular importance to countries in the northern latitudes. Cruciferous seed oils from the crops, rapeseed, mustard, Camelina, oilseed radish and Crambe, enter edible or industrial markets, or both. The oil‐seed meal can be used either as a high protein feed supplement or as an organic fertilizer. The spring and winter forms of the two species of rapeseed,Brassica napus andB. campestris, are commercially the most important. Advances in crop management and plant breeding have resulted in a 40% to 50% increase in seed yield over the past 25 years. In the next 10 to 15 years, application of newer plant‐breeding techniques will result in varieties even higher in yield and seed with improved oil and meal quality. Some of the quality improvements will be new patterns in fatty acid composition, higher oil and protein content, lower fiber content, and removal of the undesirable glucosinolate compounds from the meal. The mustard cropsBrassica juncea andB. hirta are important condiment crops which have considerable potential as edible oil sources. Oilseed radish,Raphanus sativus, yields significantly less seed and oil than other cruciferous oil crops but its oil, which contains a low level of erucic acid (3.7%) and a relatively high content of 16‐carbon fatty acids (9.3%), may be useful in blending with normal or zero erucic acid rapeseed oils.Camelina sativa or false flax has many desirable agronomic characteristics but the oil of camelina seed contains too high a level of linolenic acid (36%) to penetrate the edible oil market and too low to compete industrially with linseed oil.Crambe abyssinica andC. hispanica are potentially important producers of high erucic acid industrial oils. Factors limiting Crambe development are the high cost of seed transportation due to the high volume to weight ratio of the threshed seed and the need for extra seed processing steps to render the meal suitable as a high protein feed supplement for livestock and poultry.

House Fly Larvae: Biodegradation of Hen Excreta to Useful Products

BIODEGRADATION or the use of some natural living organism to break down the hen excreta may be one practical means of solving the problem of poultry waste disposal. The work at Beltsville utilizes the house fly (Musca domestica L.) to process the raw hen excreta, producing a potential fertilizer and/ or soil conditioner and high protein feed supplement (Calvert et al., 1969a,b). Miller and Shaw (1969) have also utilized the house fly to reduce the moisture content in poultry manure.This report presents the results of experiments to establish the concentration of fly eggs that can be used to process hen excreta most efficiently, and a means of separating the house fly pupae from the processed hen excreta and to simplify their collection.The initial studies determined the number of fly eggs to use per gram of fresh excreta, the number and weight of pupae produced, weight loss during fly.

Microbiological quality of protein feed supplements produced by rendering plants.

Samples of protein feed supplements produced by rendering plants were examined for salmonellae, total aerobic bacterial counts, coliform counts, and enterococci. Isolations of salmonellae were more frequent from products with high counts; however, 6% of the samples with total counts of less than 1,000 per gram and 14% of the samples with coliform counts of less than 1 per gram contained salmonellae. Serotypes of Escherichia coli which have been associated with disease in domestic animals and poultry were also isolated from products. Although the distribution of serotypes of salmonellae isolated from environmental swabs and flies was similar to that isolated from products, the isolation of several serotypes from flies which had not been isolated in plants suggested that flies may be a potential source of contamination.

Microbiological Quality of Protein Feed Supplements Produced by Rendering Plants1

Samples of protein feed supplements produced by rendering plants were examined for salmonellae, total aerobic bacterial counts, coliform counts, and enterococci. Isolations of salmonellae were more frequent from products with high counts; however, 6% of the samples with total counts of less than 1,000 per gram and 14% of the samples with coliform counts of less than 1 per gram contained salmonellae. Serotypes of Escherichia coli which have been associated with disease in domestic animals and poultry were also isolated from products. Although the distribution of serotypes of salmonellae isolated from environmental swabs and flies was similar to that isolated from products, the isolation of several serotypes from flies which had not been isolated in plants suggested that flies may be a potential source of contamination.

Safflower: Utilization and significance in nutrition and allergy

The safflower plant is an annual of the composite family. Its seed produces a valuable edible oil with the highest available polyunsaturated-saturated ratio and linoleic acid content. Aside from its increasing importance in human nutrition, the oil is used in alkyd resins, paints, and enamels. Safflower meal is used as a protein feed supplement for cattle, sheep, and poultry. Honey is produced from the safflower blossom. Safflower oil is nonallergenic. Testing with the water-soluble protein fraction of the seed should be performed first by the scratch or puncture method.

Rise of streams can be predicted : (U. S. Dept. of Agric. Clip Sheet No. 772)

The safflower plant is an annual of the composite family. Its seed produces a valuable edible oil with the highest available polyunsaturated-saturated ratio and linoleic acid content. Aside from its increasing importance in human nutrition, the oil is used in alkyd resins, paints, and enamels. Safflower meal is used as a protein feed supplement for cattle, sheep, and poultry. Honey is produced from the safflower blossom.Safflower oil is nonallergenic. Testing with the water-soluble protein fraction of the seed should be performed first by the scratch or puncture method.