Soy Hulls Research Articles

Soybean-based polymers and composites

Abstract Development and evaluation of new bio-based sustainable plastics to replace the petroleum-based materials in different industrial applications has both environmental and economic benefits. Bio-based polymers can be widely used in biomedical and agriculture applications due to their excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. Soy protein is a natural material that can be isolated from soybean, which is a major agricultural crop in the U.S. The viability of soybean-based polymers and composites is questioned due to their high-water absorption and poor mechanical properties. There have been many environmentally friendly attempts to improve the properties of soybean polymers as soybeans and their extracts are widely available worldwide. Soy protein, hulls, and oils all find use in the development of different biodegradable polymers. While the development looks promising, there is still more work to do to make the soybean polymers useful and economically viable. Blending soy protein with other biodegradable polymers, such as polylactide (PLA) and polyurethane dispersion is a valid approach to improve the mechanical properties of soy protein and reduce its water sensitivity.

PSIV-3 Effect of Protein Source and Soy Hulls Inclusion in Finishing Diets of Feedlot Cattle Fed Free-choice Hay, on Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Abstract To evaluate the effect of soy-hulls (SH) inclusion in a ground corn-based diet with either distillers dry grains with solubles (DDGS) or soybean meal (SBM) as the protein source (PS), on growth and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle offered free-access hay; one-hundred and nineteen crossbreed steers (initial BW 566 ± 42kg) were blocked by weight, randomly assigned to 8 pens, and fed for 104 ± 10d. Four dietary treatments were evaluated: 1) DDGS without SH inclusion, 2) DDGS and high inclusion of SH, 3) SBM and low inclusion of SH, and 4) SBM and high inclusion of SH. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous. Grass-hay was offered ad-libitum and separate from the concentrates in a different bunk (GrowSafe system). Data was analyzed as a 2×2 factorial considering the fixed effects of treatments and their interaction, and the random effects of block and steer within block. For gain to feed and kidney-pelvic-heart fat (KPH), an interaction occurred (P ≤ 0.10) between PS and SH inclusion (Table 1 and 2, respectively). With greater inclusion of SH, feed efficiencies of steers fed SBM improved compared with feed efficiencies of steers fed DDGS. Steers fed SBM and high SH had the lower KPH content. Feeding SBM increased (P = 0.05) final body weight, tended to increase (P = 0.06) the average daily gain, and decreased (P = 0.05) hay intake compared with steers fed DDGS (Table 1). No differences were observed (P ≥ 0.14) in carcass characteristics between PS and SH inclusion, except for backfat thickness which increased (P = 0.03) with lower SH inclusions (Table 2). These data suggest that opting for SBM as an alternative of DDGS as the protein source of ground corn-based diets, could conceivably enhance the finishing performance of feedlot steers regardless of the SH inclusion levels, and improve feed efficiency with greater levels of dietary SH.

Growth Performance of Short Scrotum and Castrated Hair Sheep Lambs on Pasture During Different Seasons

Abstract Castrated lambs tend to grow slower compared to intact males. Rendering lambs short scrotum offers an opportunity to achieve comparable growth to an intact lamb while allowing them to be co-grazed with ewe lambs. Here we evaluated lamb growth in a mixed flock of castrated (CA), short-scrotum (SS) and female (FE) Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix hair sheep lambs. Lambs were born in December (n = 30) and April (n = 45) from the same ewe flock mated to different sires each season. Ram lambs were either rendered short scrotum or completely castrated using elastrator bands at weaning, and all lambs transitioned in dry lot for 2 mo before return to pasture. Lambs co-grazed in a rotational pasture system and were moved based on visual assessment of forage availability and were provided bermudagrass hay when forage availability was limited. Lambs were supplemented with soy hull at 3% BW to ensure diet continuity between forage environments. Ewe lambs were grown to target weights of 35 kg and males to 40 kg. Data were analyzed for sex class, breed, and season as main effects. Pasture ADG was higher (P < 0.001) in SS (132 g/d) than in CA (102 g/d) and FE (96 g/d) lambs. Age at target weight tended to be earlier (P < 0.1) in SS (261 d) than CA (291 d). December-born lambs had higher pen ADG (236 vs. 135 g/d; P< 0.001) than April-born lambs, but had similar pasture ADG (102 vs. 108 g/d). In contrast, St. Croix lambs had similar pre-pasture growth to Blackbelly lambs, but higher pasture ADG (118 vs. 94 g/d; P < 0.001) and reached target weight 40 d earlier (P < 0.001). Data indicate that the forage environment allowed differences in growth potential derived from sex type and breed to be expressed, but that soy hull supplementation likely masked seasonal differences associated with forage quality.

125 Effects of Dietary Fiber Supplementation in Late Gestation on Farrowing Characteristics and Sows and Litters Performance

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary fiber supplementation in late gestation on farrowing characteristics and sow and piglet’s performance. On d 105 of gestation, a total of 420 sows were selected according to body condition score, caliper units and parity (0 to 6), and randomly assigned to one of two treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments included 1) Low fiber diet (LF) with 2.02% crude fiber; and 2) High fiber diet (HF) with 5.12% crude fiber. The LF diet was based on corn and soybean meal with 3.26 Mcal of ME/kg and 0.60% SID Lys. The HF diet was corn-soybean meal-based with 10% soy hulls, containing 3.13 Mcal/kg and 0.60% SID Lys. Sows in both treatments were fed 1.8 kg/d. Fecal score was daily evaluated until farrowing. Farrowing duration and birth weight of born alive and stillborn piglets were recorded. The farrowing was manually assisted when the birth interval was longer than 30 min. Data were analyzed by the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS, and comparisons were performed with Student’s t-test at 5% of significance. Sows fed HF diet had fewer days with dry feces compared to those fed LF diet (P = 0.008). No evidence for treatment effects were observed on farrowing duration (P = 0.25) and farrowing assistance (P = 0.09). Sows fed HF diet had greater number of total piglets born (P = 0.01), but there was no evidence (P > 0.05) for treatment differences on the percentage of piglets born alive, stillborn piglets, or mummified fetuses. Piglets from sows fed LF diet had a greater birth weight than those from sows fed HF diet (P = 0.04). No evidence for differences were observed between treatments for pre-weaning mortality, number and weight of weaned pigs (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the HF diet did not show positive effects on farrowing duration, farrowing assistance, and sow and piglet performance.

Changes in Cytochrome P450 in Katahdin Ewes Fed Endophyte-infected Tall Fescue Seed Diets in Spring and Fall

Abstract Objective was to examine the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP), a liver enzyme that metabolizes ergot alkaloids which is hindered by this fescue toxin, as an indicator of fescue toxicosis in sheep. In spring and fall, ewes were blocked by age and BW, and randomly assigned to 1 kg/ewe/d of endophyte-infected (E+; 61% of diet in fall, 13% of diet in spring; 0.8 µg/g of ergovaline; and soy hulls, alfalfa pellets, cottonseed hulls, molasses) or non-infected (E-; same proportion of E+/season and same feeds) tall fescue seed supplement (n = 10/diet in each season) for 28 d, plus hay, mineral and water. Ewes were exposed to teaser, d -21 to 0, and intact rams, d 0 (first day of diet) to 30. Rectal temperature (RT), serum concentration of prolactin (using RIA), and CYP were determined every 7–14 d between d 0–28, and pregnancy status on d 56. PromegaTM P450-Glo assay was used to determine CYP from serum. Data were analyzed by using PROC MIXED with repeated measures (SAS). Rectal temperature of E+ compared with E- ewes was elevated on at least one day in fall and spring (diet × season × d, P < 0.001). Serum prolactin was lower in E+ compared with E- ewes (diet × d, P < 0.001) and lower in fall (P < 0.001). CYP was higher in E- ewes on d 28 in fall (diet × season × d, P = 0.008), but otherwise similar between diets, and higher in fall than spring (P < 0.001). There was an unexpected negative correlation between CYP and prolactin (R = -0.24; P < 0.009), but there appears to be a subpopulation of ewes with low prolactin and lower CYP. CYP activity in sera may not be a marker for fescue toxicosis in ewes.

Influence of Season of Birth, Breed and Reproductive Status on Carcass Traits of Male Hair Sheep Lambs

Abstract Compared to intact males, castrated lambs generally grow slower and have lighter and fatter carcasses. However, short-scrotum lambs can retain growth and carcass composition of intact males. This study evaluated carcass traits of castrated and short-scrotum Barbados Blackbelly (BB; n = 16) and St. Croix (STX; n = 15) hair sheep lambs. Ram lambs born in December (DEC; n = 10) and April (n = 21) were used in the study and were either rendered short scrotum (SS; n = 17) or castrated (CA; n = 14) using elastrator bands at weaning (63 d). All lambs transitioned in dry lot for 2 mo before return to pasture. Lambs co-grazed in a rotational system, were moved based on visual assessment of forage availability and provided Bermuda grass hay when forage was limiting. Lambs were provided soy hull at 3% BW to ensure diet continuity between forage environments. At target weights of 40 kg, SS and CA lambs were slaughtered and carcass data recorded. Carcass data were analyzed with reproductive status, breed and season born as main effects. DEC (230 d) and STX lambs (251 d) attained target weights earlier (P < 0.02) than APR (307 d) and BB (317 d) lambs. APR lambs had lower (P < 0.04) breast (0.9 kg) and loin cut weights (2.1 kg) than DEC lambs (1.1 and 2.4 kg, respectively). Carcass length was greater (P < 0.05) for SS (109 cm) than CA lambs (106 cm). There were also significant interactions (P < 0.05). APR-STX lambs had the lowest dressing% (42%) compared to APR-BB (48%), DEC-STX (47%) and DEC-BB (46%) lambs. DEC-STX (109 cm) and APR-BB (109 cm) carcasses were longer than DEC-BB (104 cm) and APR-STX (106 cm) lambs. DEC-SS lambs (84 cm) had the greatest leg circumference, while CA-STX (16 mm) lambs had the greatest body wall thickness in this study. Data suggest that reproductive status, breed and birth season all had varying influences on carcass traits of lambs in this study.

Energy, nitrogen partitioning, and methane emissions in dairy goats differ when an isoenergetic and isoproteic diet contained orange leaves and rice straw crop residues

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of incorporating rice straw and orange leaves into the diets for goats. Ten Murciano-Granadina goats at mid lactation weighing 45 ± 0.3 kg were used in a crossover design. Two isoproteic and isoenergetic diets (180 g/kg DM and 17 MJ/kg DM, respectively) with alfalfa hay as forage source (33% of DM) were fed. A control diet (CON) incorporated barley as energy source and soy hulls as fiber component. The experimental diet (ORG) replaced barley and soy hulls with orange leaves (19% on DM basis), rice straw (12%, on DM basis) and soya oil (2%). Peas and horsebeans were the protein source in both diets. Each goat received the 2 treatments in 2 periods. Goats were fed the experimental diets and after 14 d on their respective treatments moved to individual metabolism cages for another 7 d. Subsequently, feed intake, total fecal and urine output and milk yield were recorded daily over the first 5 d. During the next 2 d ruminal fluid and blood samples were collected, and then individual gas-exchange measurements were recorded by a mobile open-circuit indirect calorimetry system using a head box. No differences in dry matter intake were detected, and apparent total-tract digestibility was greater in CON than ORG. Efficiency of metabolizable energy intake for milk and maintenance also was lower in response to ORG (0.65 vs. 0.63), with energy balance being negative (-12 kJ/kg of BW0.75) due to mobilization of fat (-16 g/animal vs. 68 g/animal for ORG and CON, respectively). Although actual milk yield was lower in goats fed ORG (2.32 vs. 2.06 kg/d, respectively), energy-corrected milk did not differ (2.81 kg/d on average). In terms of milk quality, milk fat content, and concentrations of monounsaturated (18.54 vs. 11.55 g/100 g milk fat) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (5.75 vs. 3.99 g/100 g milk fat) were greater in goats fed ORG. Based on various indices, the milk produced by ORG would be less atherogenic and thrombogenic than CON milk. Compared with CON, enteric CH4 emission was lower due to feeding ORG (reduction of 38 g CH4/kg milk fat). Data suggest that greater fat mobilization in goats fed ORG might have been due to the apparent lack of synchrony between degradable protein and carbohydrate and the lipogenic nutrients associated with the lower cereal content of the ORG diet. Thus, goats fed ORG seemed to rely more on fat depots to help meet energy requirements and reach optimal performance. As such, the lower content of glucogenic nutrients in ORG did not favor body fat deposition and partitioning of ME into body tissue. Overall, responses in terms of CH4 emissions and milk quality suggest that inclusion of rice straw and orange leaves in diets for small ruminants could be a valuable alternative to reuse, recycle and revalue agricultural by-products.

Interactions between gut microbiota and soy hull polysaccharides regulate the air-liquid interfacial activity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of interactions between gut microbiota and soy hull polysaccharides (SHPs) on the air-liquid interfacial activity. SHPs could be used as an energy source for gut microbiota metabolism, and within a certain concentration range, the acid production of gut microbiota had a SHP concentration dependence. In the process of interfacial adsorption, the polysaccharide concentration was negatively correlated with interfacial tension, and the simulated intestinal fluid viscosity and dilational modulus were positively correlated. The low concentration of SHPs had a greater impact on the diversity and structural composition of gut microbiota. 0.5% SHPs had a better effect on the proliferation of Lactobacillus. The gut microbiota degraded SHPs involved in the regulation of interfacial activity, which provided a new theoretical foundation for the utilization and absorption of polysaccharides in the intestine in vitro.

Effects of fibre source on nutrient digestibility of diets for finishing lambs

Inexpensive fibre sources might be used as an alternative to lucerne hay in diets for finishing lambs. Thus, effects of providing fibre from lucerne hay (LH), soyhulls (SH), maize stover (MS) and Eragrostis teff hay (ET) on the nutrient digestibility of diets of finishing lambs with comparable NDF and nutrient concentration were evaluated. Thirty-six individually housed Merino ram lambs (x̄ = 43.03, SD = 3.72 kg) were randomly allocated to four diets (n = 9 lambs/treatment). A digestibility study was conducted to determine the nutrient availability of these diets. Dry matter (DM) intake of SH (1436 g) was lower than ET (1716 g). No differences were recorded between treatments for digestibility of NDF (0.32 - 0.34), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (0.41 - 0.44), and ether extract (EE) (0.67 - 0.75), except that MS (0.23) had lower NDF digestibility. Digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM) and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) were similar for the LH (0.72; 0.75; 0.96) and SH (0.70; 0.74; 0.95) diets, whereas digestibility of crude protein (CP) (0.71 vs. 0.68), metabolizable energy (ME) (9.49 vs. 8.90 MJ/kg DM), and the available ash fraction (0.39 vs. 0.28) were altered. The SH and ET (8.70 MJ/kg DM) treatments had similar ME concentrations, but ET had lower DM digestibility (0.68). The MS treatment had the lowest ME concentration (8.25 MJ/kg DM). The LH treatment resulted in overall better nutrient availability compared with SH, MS, and ET.

Effect of rumen-protected lysine supplementation of diets based on corn protein fed to lactating dairy cows

This trial tested whether rumen-protected Lys (RPL) supplementation would improve the nutritive value of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) from corn protein. Thirty-two lactating Holstein cows were blocked by days in milk and parity into 8 squares of 4 cows each in replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares. Treatments provided all supplemental crude protein from: (1) soy protein (67% expeller soybean meal plus 33% solvent soybean meal); (2) a blend of soy and corn protein (33% expeller soybean meal, 17% solvent soybean meal, 25% corn gluten meal plus 25% distillers dried grains with solubles); (3) corn protein (50% corn gluten meal plus 50% distillers dried grains with solubles); or (4) corn protein plus RPL [diet 3 top-dressed with RPL (125 g/d of AjiPro-L Generation 1, supplying an estimated 20 g of absorbable Lys/d)]. Diets contained (dry matter basis) 22% alfalfa silage, 43% corn silage, 18% ground high-moisture and dry corn, 2.4% mineral-vitamin premix, 1.5 to 3.9% soy hulls, 15% crude protein, 30 to 32% neutral detergent fiber and predicted to contain equal rumen-degradable protein, RUP, and metabolizable protein. Cows within squares were randomly assigned to treatment sequences and fed diets for 4-wk periods before switching; production data and blood samples were collected during last 2 wk of each period. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedures of SAS. Intake was highest on diet 1, intermediate on diets 2 and 3, and lowest on diet 4; body weight gain was highest on diet 3, intermediate on diets 1 and 2 and lowest on diet 4. Intakes and body weight changes were reflected by differences in milk/dry matter intake, which was highest on diets 2 and 4 and lowest on diet 3. Milk yield was lower on diet 3 (44.3 kg/d) than on diets 1, 2, and 4 (average 45.8 kg/d) and protein yield was highest on diets 1 and 2 (average 1.35 kg/d), intermediate on diet 4 (1.30 kg/d), and lowest on diet 3 (1.25 kg/d). No effects of diet were detected on ruminal metabolites. Free nonessential amino acids and total protein AA were elevated in blood plasma on diet 3, reflecting reduced utilization for milk protein synthesis. These results indicated that 50% dilution of soybean meal RUP with that from corn protein did not reduce yield and that supplementing RPL to the corn protein-based diet increased yield 1.1 kg of milk/d and 50 g of true protein/d.

Structure and interfacial adsorption behavior of soy hull polysaccharide at the oil/water interface as influenced by pH

This paper attempted to investigate the micro structure and interfacial adsorption behavior of soy hull polysaccharide (SHPS) at the oil/water interface as influenced by pH. Initially, the particle size of SHPS at pH 5.0–7.0 is 2.73 nm, 5.80 nm and 5.84 nm, which are significantly lower than other samples. Therefore, it is show that the diffusion rate (Kdiff) of pH 5.0–7.0 is also significantly greater than other samples according the results of the interface expansion rheological dynamics model. Additionally, the enthalpy change of SHPS in the pH 5.0–9.0 is greater than 1200 J/g, it illustrates that the SHPS structure is more stretched. Meanwhile, pH (5.0–9.0) has a significant effect on the distribution of carboxyl groups on the SHPS molecular chain and hydroxyl groups on the side chain glycosidic bonds. These findings lay a foundation for the application of SHPS as, an emulsifier for the production and stabilization of emulsions.

PSX-36 Late-Breaking Abstract: Effect of increasing levels of soy hulls in finishing diets of feedlot cattle offered free-choice hay on performance, roughage intake and carcass characteristics

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing quantity of soy-hulls in diets of feedlot cattle offered free-choice hay on finishing performance, roughage intake, and carcass characteristics. Sixty heifers and 54 steers, Angus*Simangus-crossbreds, were used in a randomized complete block design. Cattle were stratified by sex and weight and randomly assigned to 1 of 12 pens. Treatment 1 consisted of 5% soy hulls (SH; 5%SH), 70% cracked corn (CC), 15% dry distiller grains with soluble (DDGS), 10% mineral supplement (SUP). Treatments 2 (10%SH) and 3 (15%SH) included an additional 5% and 10% SH in place of CC, respectively. Hay was offered ad libitum and separate from the concentrates in different bunks, both concentrate and forage were fed in GrowSafe units. Data were analyzed as a complete block design and mean differences in group means were determined using polynomial contrast [lineal (L) and quadratic (Q)]. There was a quadratic effect of soy hull inclusion on final body weight (fBW) and concentrate intake (Q-P ˂ 0.05); 5%SH and 15%SH had a greater fBW and concentrate intake compared to those fed 10%SH. Gain to feed ratio was not affected by treatments (L-P ≥ 0.33). There was a linear effect of SH on hay intake (L-P ˂ 0.05) with cattle fed 5%SH consuming less hay than those fed 15%SH. There was no effect on ribeye area, yield grade, or backfat (L-P ≥ 0.35; Q-P ≥ 0.14). Hot carcass weight tended to quadratically respond to dietary treatments (Q-P < 0.10), while marbling score tended to be linearly decreased by increased SH inclusion (L-P = 0.09). Kidney-pelvic-heart fat was linearly decreased by increased SH inclusion (L-P ˂ 0.05). Results indicate that non-roughage NDF from by-products can effectively contribute to a reduction of roughage utilization in feedlot diets without compromising growth performance or carcass characteristics.

PSVIII-22 Effects of bag pore size and sample particle size on feed and fecal indigestible neutral detergent fiber concentration in dairy cows

Abstract Bag pore sizes and sample particle sizes were evaluated for measuring indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) concentration of feeds and feces in dairy cows. Four forage samples (alfalfa silage (AS), corn silage (CS), grass hay (GH) and wheat straw (WS), four byproducts [canola meal (CM), soybean meal (SBM), soy hulls (SH) and soy plus (SP)], four TMRs (with 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% concentrate), and two fecal samples [from the same cow fed high- (FSHS) or low-starch diets (FSLS)] were incubated in 2 cows for 288-h. Treatments were arranged as a 3 × 2 factorial: Three bag pore sizes (15 um (BS15), 25 um (BS25) and 50 um (BS50) with the same dimension of 5 × 5 cm, and two sample particle sizes (1 mm (PS1) and 2 mm (PS2). Fecal samples had only PS1, with BS15PS2 considered the standard to measure iNDF concentration of feed in dairy cows. Bag pore size affected (P < 0.01) iNDF concentration of all the tested samples, while sample particle size only affected (P < 0.01; Figure 1) iNDF of forage and TMR samples. The BS50, with either PS1 or PS2, resulted in the lowest iNDF concentration for all tested samples, and on average was 31% lower than BS15PS2. Concentration of iNDF of CS with BS25PS1 was not different from BS15PS2. For AS and TMRs with 20%, 40% and 60% concentrate, iNDF was not different between BS25PS2 and BS15PS2. For high NDF forage, e.g. GH and WS, BS25 with either PS1 or PS2, can replace BS15PS2 because there is no difference in iNDF concentration. In conclusion, BS50 is not recommended for iNDF determination, whereas BS25PS2 could be used to determine iNDF for AS, high fiber forage, and TMR with low to medium concentrate. Concentration of iNDF of fecal samples can be determined by BS25.

104 Impacts of Phosphorus Intake on Beef Heifer Growth Performance and Reproductive Tract Scores

Abstract This study aims to examine the effects of phosphorus intake on beef heifer growth performance and conception rates. In Northwest Arkansas, there has been an increase in phosphorus concentrations in soil where livestock manures have been repeatedly applied. Consequently, forages grown on soils high in phosphorus tend to contain high amounts of the mineral itself. This has led many to question whether it is necessary to supplement phosphorus in areas where concentrations may be higher. In this study, crossbred Angus heifers (n = 72), approximately 30 d after weaning, were stratified by body weight (average initial weight 251 ± 3.9 kg) and allocated randomly into 8 groups. Groups were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments. Treatments were delivered through either 1) a free-choice-mineral mix that contained no supplemental phosphorus (CON), or 2) a free-choice-mineral mix with 4% supplemental phosphorus and identical concentrations of other supplemental minerals (4PMIN). Heifers grazed 2.42 ha mixed grass pastures with a history of livestock manure application and were supplemented with soy hulls (0.5% of body weight) daily. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedures of SAS with group as the experimental unit. Total mineral intake through d 112 did not differ (P = 0.55) between treatments. On d 112, any heifers > 273 kg body weight (n = 58) had an ultrasound evaluation of their reproductive tract. Reproductive tract score (1, infantile, to 5, corpus luteum present) did not differ (P = 0.65) due to treatment. Body weights were not different (P = 0.78) on d 112, 301 ± 5.0 kg and 299 ± 5.0 kg for CON and 4PMIN, respectively. When grazing pastures with a history of livestock manure application, levels of supplemental phosphorus in the free choice mineral did not affect heifer growth performance and reproductive tract scores.

105 Impacts of Phosphorus Intake on Beef Heifer Growth Performance and Reproductive Tract Scores

Abstract This study aims to examine the effects of phosphorus intake on beef heifer growth performance and conception rates. In Northwest Arkansas, there has been an increase in phosphorus concentrations in soil where livestock manures have been repeatedly applied. Consequently, forages grown on soils high in phosphorus tend to contain high amounts of the mineral itself. This has led many to question whether it is necessary to supplement phosphorus in areas where concentrations may be higher. In this study, crossbred Angus heifers (n = 72), approximately 30 d after weaning, were stratified by body weight (average initial weight 251 ± 3.9 kg) and allocated randomly into 8 groups. Groups were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments. Treatments were delivered through either 1) a free-choice-mineral mix that contained no supplemental phosphorus (CON), or 2) a free-choice-mineral mix with 4% supplemental phosphorus and identical concentrations of other supplemental minerals (4PMIN). Heifers grazed 2.42 ha mixed grass pastures with a history of livestock manure application and were supplemented with soy hulls (0.5% of body weight) daily. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedures of SAS with group as the experimental unit. Total mineral intake through d 112 did not differ (P = 0.55) between treatments. On d 112, any heifers > 273 kg body weight (n = 58) had an ultrasound evaluation of their reproductive tract. Reproductive tract score (1, infantile to 5, corpus luteum present) did not differ (P = 0.65) due to treatment. Body weights were not different (P = 0.78) on d 112, 301 ± 5.0 kg and 299 ± 5.0 kg for CON and 4PMIN, respectively. When grazing pastures with a history of livestock manure application, levels of supplemental phosphorus in the free choice mineral did not affect heifer growth performance and reproductive tract scores.

Concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in South African Mutton Merino sheep fed various sources of roughage

The objective of this study was to determine whether various sources of roughage in nutritionally balanced feedlot diets would evoke a stress response in sheep. A nutritional stress response test was performed on 20 ewes, randomly divided into four treatment groups with 5 ewes per group. Ewes were kept individually in metabolic crates for thirty days. Rations were balanced nutritionally, and various sources of roughage were included; T1: alfalfa hay, T2: maize stover, T3: soya hulls; and T4: Eragrostis tef. Faeces was removed manually from the caudal rectum of each ewe at 05h00 and 19h00. Samples were frozen at -20°C until analyses. A total of 520 faecal samples were analysed to determine the concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM) by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). These concentrations were expressed as mass/g dry weight (ng/g DW). Baseline values were determined, and those greater than the mean plus 2 standard deviations were removed. Baseline values were compared between the groups with one-way ANOVA analysis. The average concentrations of fGCM were 178.77 ± 21.7 in the morning and 183.2 ± 14.4 in the evening. Sheep fed T4 had significantly higher fGCM concentrations in both morning (302.0 ± 86.1 ng/g DW) and evening (237.0 ± 48.1 ng/g DW) compared with the other treatment groups. Thus, fGCM concentrations in sheep were related to the source of roughage, and Eragrostis tef caused a stress response.
 Keywords: animal welfare, cortisol, dietary fibre, selective grazer, stress response

A two-stage C5 selective hydrolysis on soybean hulls for xylose separation and value-added cellulose applications

Soy hulls from dehulling of soybeans are typically disposed of with soymeal or cattle feed. The hulls contain about 38.8% cellulose and 23.8% hemicelluloses and less than 4% lignin. The low lignin content, large volume availability, and being a “captive” feedstock make soy hulls an affordable raw material to produce C5 sugars such as arabinose and xylose from hemicelluloses. In this work, dilute acid hydrolysis of soy hulls using acid concentrations less than 1% (w/w) in solution and at different temperatures (125 °C, 140 °C, and 155 °C) was investigated to generate the kinetics data for sugar and degradation product release and study selectivity towards arabinose and xylose. The primary goal was to produce a hydrolysate rich in C5 sugars with minimal glucose and degradation products. Lower acid concentration (0.4% w/w) at 140 °C and lesser reaction time favoured selectivity towards arabinose release, while xylose release needed higher acid (0.6 to 0.8%) and longer time at the same temperature. From the kinetics data, a two-stage process was devised to achieve two separate hydrolysate streams rich in arabinose (5.00 ± 0.15 g dm−3, 78.1% of total C5 sugars) and xylose (17.20 ± 0.71 g dm−3, 87.7% of total C5 sugars). The xylose-rich stream was used to isolate xylose (powder form) under ambient process conditions using our patented process. The residual soy hulls, post the two-stage hydrolysis, showed high crystallinity with morphology analogous to microcrystalline cellulose, thus making them an effective starting material for high-value cellulose applications such as microcrystalline cellulose and polymer composites.

Microstructural analysis of ZIF-8 particles using soy hull polysaccharide gel as a coating induced by different metal cations

Abstract ZIF-8 particles typically possess high surface area and large pore volumes; thus, these materials have potential uses in biotechnology and as adsorbents; however, the form of ZIF-8 particles has limited uses and the shaping process becomes a critical challenge in quality optimization. Herein, soy hull polysaccharide (SHP) gels induced by different metal cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe3+) were used as a binder for shaping ZIF-8 particles. Through this method, ZIF-8 particles were shaped into microspheres. Moreover, FT-IR, XRD, TGA, and SEM were used to analyze the integrity of ZIF-8 particles within the microspheres and the effect of different metal cations. All the resulting microspheres had a diameter of around 2 mm. Microspheres cross-bonded with Ca2+ (Ca2+-SHP@ZIF-8) and Mg2+ (Mg2+-SHP@ZIF-8) exhibited better thermal stability than other microspheres and pure ZIF-8 powders. In addition, these two microspheres were spherical with a smooth surface while having a dense porous internal structure. Microspheres cross-bonded with K+ (K+-SHP@ZIF-8) and Na+ (Na+-SHP@ZIF-8) were ellipsoidal and their surfaces were filled with irregular holes: both had an interlayer internal structure which consisted of a SHP-ZIF-8 network. Most importantly, ZIF-8 maintained intact crystals in all of the four aforementioned microspheres; however, the surface of Microspheres cross-bonded with Fe3+ (Fe3+-SHP@ZIF-8) was liable to crumble and the crystals of ZIF-8 inside the microspheres were broken when Fe3+ was present. Therefore, microspheres cross-bonded with K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ may be suitable for use in drug delivery and molecule removal.

Preconditioning beef cattle for long-duration transportation stress with rumen-protected methionine supplementation: A nutrigenetics study.

In general, beef cattle long-distance transportation from cow-calf operations to feedlots or from feedlots to abattoirs is a common situation in the beef industry. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rumen-protected methionine (RPM) supplementation on a proposed gene network for muscle fatigue, creatine synthesis (CKM), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism after a transportation simulation in a test track. Angus × Simmental heifers (n = 18) were stratified by body weight (408 ± 64 kg; BW) and randomly assigned to dietary treatments: 1) control diet (CTRL) or 2) control diet + 8 gr/hd/day of top-dressed rumen-protected methionine (RPM). After an adaptation period to Calan gates, animals received the mentioned dietary treatment consisting of Bermuda hay ad libitum and a soy hulls and corn gluten feed based supplement. After 45 days of supplementation, animals were loaded onto a trailer and transported for 22 hours (long-term transportation). Longissimus muscle biopsies, BW and blood samples were obtained on day 0 (Baseline), 43 (Pre-transport; PRET), and 46 (Post-transport; POST). Heifers’ average daily gain did not differ between baseline and PRET. Control heifer’s shrink was 10% of BW while RPM heifers shrink was 8%. Serum cortisol decreased, and glucose and creatine kinase levels increased after transportation, but no differences were observed between treatments. Messenger RNA was extracted from skeletal muscle tissue and gene expression analysis was performed by RT-qPCR. Results showed that AHCY and DNMT3A (DNA methylation), SSPN (Sarcoglycan complex), and SOD2 (Oxidative Stress-ROS) were upregulated in CTRL between baseline and PRET and, decreased between pre and POST while they remained constant for RPM. Furthermore, CKM was not affected by treatments. In conclusion, RPM supplementation may affect ROS production and enhance DNA hypermethylation, after a long-term transportation.

PH-induced conformational changes and interfacial dilatational rheology of soy protein isolated/soy hull polysaccharide complex and its effects on emulsion stabilization

In this study, the effects of conformational conversion and interfacial dilatational rheology of soy protein isolated (SPI)/soy hull polysaccharide (SHP) on physical stability of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions were investigated at pH 3.0–9.0. The results showed that SHP enhanced the physico-chemical stability of SPI emulsions at pH 3.0–9.0. At pH 5.0, SPI/SHP emulsions that have a smaller particle size, interfacial tension, and a higher electrostatic repulsion was developed. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy indicated that the secondary structures of the α-helix and random coil of SPI/SHP complexes changed with pH. SHP decreased the interaction between proteins adsorbed at the oil-water interface and the SPI/SHP complex presented a stronger interaction at pH 5.0. The electrostatic, hydrophobic, and hydrogen bonding interactions played an essential role in the polar or hydrophobic environment of the tryptophan and tyrosine residues inside protein molecules. These findings indicated that the SPI/SHP complex shows potential for commercial application in the production of novel functional emulsions.