Test Ingredients Research Articles

Performance of broiler chickens fed different animal protein sources as replacement for fish meal

Searching for least cost feed component should be extended to unconventional feedstuffs that are locally available and cheaper to come by. Therefore, an eight-week experiment was carried out to determine the effect of different protein sources (maggot, termite, grasshopper and lizard meal) on performance of broiler chickens. A total of one hundred and fifty (150), one day-old broiler chicks of Marshall Breed were used for the experiment. An eight-weekstudy was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed the four different sources of animal protein. Diet I contained 5% fish meal while Diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 5% maggot meal, termite meal, grasshopper meal and lizard meal, respectively at the starter phase. The finisher phase contained 2.5kg each of the protein sources respectively. The chicks were allotted to five dietary treatments each replicated thrice with ten birds perreplicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Proximate composition of the test ingredients showed that lizard meal had the highest (55.66%) crude protein and crude fibre (5.53%). Termite meal exhibited highest (26.46%) ether extract followed by maggot meal (9.79%) with the lowest (4.02%) from lizard meal. The feed intake value (4700.16g) in birds fed diet 1 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than others. Birds fed Diet 2 showed significant (P< 0.05) better final weight gain (2367g) than those fed other test ingredients. Birds fed diet 2 (maggot meal) performed better than others in absolute weight gain (2287g) which is very close to those fed fish meal (Diet 1). In conclusion, maggot meal in this study enhanced performance and is thus recommended as a replacement for fish meal.

Response of exotic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) poults to diets substituted with varying levels of hydrolysed feather meal or blood meal as partial replacement for fish meal

Recent concerns over the seasonal availability and high cost of conventional protein sources has necessitated the search for alternative feed protein with lesser feed-food competitive properties yet desirable and appropriate to poults. A study was designed to determine the response of exotic turkey poults (Meleagris gallopavo) to diets substituted with varying levels of hydrolysed feather meal (HFM) or blood meal (BLM) as partial replacement for fishmeal for 112days. One hundred and ninety-two British United Turkeys BUT) were allotted to eight dietary treatments comprising four replicates and six birds per replicate. The birds were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of two protein sources (Hydrolysed feather meal or Blood meal) included at 4 levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%). Diets 1-4 were formulated such that fish meal in control was replaced by feather meal, protein for protein. Diets 5-8 wereformulated such that fish meal in control was replaced by blood meal, protein for protein and included at 0, 10, 20 and 30%. Treatments 1 and 5 were the control groups. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance using SAS. Turkeys fed test ingredients at 20% substitution level recorded higher (p<0.05) final weight and weight gain and best FCR at starter phase. Cost of feed/kg diet reduced (p<0.05) as the substitution level of test ingredientincreased. Nutrient digestibility and energy metabolisability increased with increased substitution levels of test ingredients at the starter phase. Starter turkeys fed hydrolysed feather meal recorded higher energy metabolisability. It can be concluded from this study that substituting turkey diets with Hydrolysed feather meal and Blood meal at 20% inclusion level improves performance, nutrient digestibility and energy metabolisability.

Haematological and serum biochemical indices of growing rabbits fed graded levels of Yam peel meal as replacement for maize

Haematological and serum biochemical parameters are indicators of physiological, nutritional and pathological status of animals. Investigation of these parameters provide information for diagnostic purposes. The study was conducted to determine the influence of feeding graded levels of yam peel meal (YPM) as a replacement for maize on haematology; blood chemistry was evaluated in rabbits. Thirty- six (New Zealand white X Chinchilla) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with nine rabbits per treatment. The rabbits were fed diets containing 0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5% of Yam peel meal (YPM) as a replacement for maize, designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The experimental diets and clean drinking water were supplied ad libitum throughout the experimental period of nine weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, three rabbits per treatment were randomly selected for hematological and serum biochemical analysis. All the haematological and serum biochemical indices except AST were affected (P<0.05) by dietary inclusion of YPM. Although most of the parameters investigated were affected by rabbits fed test ingredient, the values fell within the normal literature reference values for rabbits. It can therefore be concluded that up to 37.5% inclusion level of YPM can be fed to growing rabbits without deleterious effects on health status.

Effects of a low allergenic soybean variety on gut permeability, microbiota composition, ileal digestibility of amino acids, and growth performance in pigs

Soybeans are the ‘gold standard’ protein source in pig diets, with lower inclusion levels in weaned pig diets due to transient gut hypersensitivity. The objective was to determine the impact of weaned pig diets containing a Triple Null (TN) soybean (low trypsin inhibitors, lectins, and P34 protein) in both meal (TNSBM), and full fat ground (TNGR) forms on intestinal permeability and gut microbial composition, ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids, and growth performance, in comparison to conventional soybean meal (CONSBM) and animal proteins (ANIM). In Exp. 1, 60 weaned barrows (6.65 ± 0.3 kg, n=12/diet) were randomly assigned to one of five experimental diets containing one of five test proteins (CONSBM, CONGR, TNSBM, TNGR, and ANIM). Gut permeability measurements were collected over 4d (1 pig/diet per d), beginning at d 11. No differences were detected in ileal or jejunal permeability among dietary treatments. In Exp. 2, 10 ileal-cannulated barrows (17.63 ± 1.18 kg BW) were used in a cross-over design to determine standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of four test ingredients [fishmeal (FM), CONSBM, TNSBM, TNGR]. Each pig received 3 of the 5 diets (1 diet/coll for a total of n = 6 per diet. The SID of crude protein and amino acids was greater (P < 0.05) in FM than soy products. There were minor differences in ileal digestibility between soy products where SID of Lys, Met, and His were greater (P < 0.05) in TNSBM than CONSBM. Growth performance (Exp. 3) was determined in 112 weaned pigs (7.30 ± 0.43 kg BW; 2 barrows and 2 gilts per pen) assigned to one of four dietary treatments in 2 phases (Ph1 = 5d, Ph2 = 13d). The control diet contained FM (7.25%, Ph1; 6%, Ph2); TNSBM, TNGR, and CONSBM replaced FM to supply equivalent dietary crude protein (CP). Pigs received a common Ph3 diet (18d). Overall daily gain was greater (P < 0.01) in TNGR-fed pigs compared to TNSBM, but not different from FM- or SBM-fed pigs. Overall daily intake tended to be greater (P < 0.10) in SBM-fed pigs compared to FM and TNSBM but was not different from TNGR. There was a tendency for greater (P < 0.10) overall G:F in TNGR- versus TNSBM-fed pigs. Low allergenic ground soybeans may be a suitable alternative protein source in weaned pig diets due to similar impact on intestinal permeability and growth performance compared to FM.

PSVII-36 Late-Breaking Abstract: Protein concentrations in basal diets affect metabolizable energy of feed ingredients determined by difference procedure in pigs

Abstract The objective was to investigate the influence of crude protein (CP) concentrations in the basal diet on the metabolizable energy (ME) of feed ingredients determined using the difference procedure in pigs. Twelve barrows (73.7 ± 5.5 kg body weight) individually housed in metabolism crates were used. A low-protein basal diet (LPBD, 7.4% CP) was composed of 97.5% corn as the sole energy source and a high-protein basal diet (HPBD, 14.3% CP) was composed of 78.0% corn and 19.6% soybean meal. Four additional diets were prepared by replacing 20% of the energy sources in the basal diets with full-fat soybean (FFSB, 37.7% CP) or soy protein isolate (SPI, 87.6% CP). The 6 experimental diets were fed to 12 pigs employing a replicated 6 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 4 periods. Each period was consisted of 4 days of adaptation and 4 days of collection period and the marker-to-marker method was used for fecal collection. Urinary gross energy output was greater (243 vs. 176 kcal/d; P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the HPBD group compared with the LPBD group. While ME in the HPBD was greater (3,418 vs. 3,322 kcal/kg; P &amp;lt; 0.05) than in the LPBD, ME in FFSB diets (3,585 and 3,633 kcal/kg in the LPBD and HPBD group, respectively) and SPI diets (3,537 and 3,537 kcal/kg, respectively) were not different between the 2 basal diet groups. Metabolizable energy of the test ingredients was less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in pigs fed the HPBD group (4,565 and 4,111 kcal/kg in FFSB and SPI, respectively) compared with pigs fed the LPBD group (4,756 and 4,517 kcal/kg in FFSB and SPI, respectively). In conclusion, as the protein in the basal diet increases, metabolizable energy in a test ingredient determined using the difference procedure decreases mainly due to greater urinary energy output in pigs.

170 Energy values and digestibility of amino acids in dried yeast and soybean meal fed to pigs

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in dried yeast (DY) and soybean meal (SBM) fed to pigs. In Exp. 1, 30 barrows with an initial body weight (BW) of 20.7 ± 1.01 were assigned to 5 diets in a randomized complete block design with period and BW as blocking factors. A basal diet was prepared to contain corn, canola meal, and soybean oil as energy-contributing ingredients. Four additional diets were prepared by adding 5 or 10 g/kg DY or SBM at the expense of energy-contributing ingredients in the basal diet to estimate the DE and ME in test ingredients by regression analysis. On a dry matter basis, estimated DE and ME in DY were 4,022 and 3,352 kcal/kg, respectively, and those in SBM were 3,876 and 3,601kcal/kg, respectively. There was no difference in estimated DE or ME between DY and SBM. In Exp. 2, 21 barrows (initial BW = 20.0 ± 1.31 kg) surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum were assigned to 3 diets in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. Two diets were prepared to contain DY or SBM as the sole source of nitrogen, and a nitrogen-free diet was prepared to determine the basal ileal endogenous losses of AA. The SID of AA, except for Gly and Pro, in SBM were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than in DY. The SID of indispensable AA in DY ranged from 64.7% for Thr to 86.1% for Arg, whereas those in SBM ranged from 84.8% for Thr to 92.3% for Arg. In conclusion, energy values in DY was comparable with SBM, but the SID of most AA in DY were less than in SBM.

PSII-17 Comparison of corn ethanol co-products from Brazil and USA apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients in pigs

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, GE, EE, NDF, ADF, and CP, the metabolizability of energy, of two high protein (HP) corn distillers dried grain (DDG) and of two corn DDG with solubles (DDGS), from Brazil and USA, and their respective digestible and metabolizable energy content in growing pigs. Fifty crossbred barrows (32.4±6.9kg) were distributed in a randomized block design, with 10 replicates, and received a 96.7 % corn basal diet (BD) or four diets with 40% of each test ingredient: Brazilian HP DDG (BHP); USA HP DDG (UHP); Brazilian DDGS (BDG) and USA DDGS (UDG), substituting for corn. Animals were fed at 2.8 x maintenance (110 kcal of DE per kg of BW0.75) for 7 d adaptation and 4 d of total feces and urine collection. The ATTD of nutrients and energy were calculated by difference and the results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey’s test (P&amp;lt; 0.05). The BHP and UHP samples contained (as is basis) 92.3 – 89.6% DM, 2.8 – 3.5% ash, 42.9 – 34.9% CP, 10.3 – 7.3% EE, 32.7 – 47.5% NDF, 13.3 – 17.5% ADF, 5.30 – 4.90 Mcal/kg, respectively. The BDG and UDG samples contained (as is basis) 86.1 – 86.1% DM, 4.8 – 4.9% ash, 13.9 – 25.8% CP, 9.0 – 6.4% EE, 40.8 – 40.2% NDF, 13.3 – 14.3% ADF, 4.51 – 4.53 Mcal/kg, respectively. The ATTD of DM and GE and the digestible and metabolizable energy contents of BHP were greater (P&amp;lt; 0.05) than those verified in UHP. The ATTD of DM, GE, NDF, ADF, digestible and metabolizable energy values of BDG were lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than those verified in UDG. In conclusion, the BHP presented higher digestible values to almost all parameters evaluated, however, all ingredients presented acceptable digestible contents, indicating they may be used in pigs feeding.

Digestible and metabolizable energy concentrations and amino acid digestibility of dried yeast and soybean meal for growing pigs.

Energy values and amino acid (AA) digestibility of dried yeast (DY) and soybean meal (SBM) were determined in 2 experiments with growing pigs. Experiment 1 was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in DY and SBM. Thirty barrows with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 20.6 kg (SD = 1.04) were assigned to 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with period and BW as blocking factors. A reference diet was prepared with corn, canola meal, and soybean oil as energy-contributing ingredients. Four additional diets were prepared by adding 5% and 10% DY or SBM at the expense of energy-contributing ingredients in the reference diet. The ratio of corn, canola meal, and soybean oil was kept consistent across the experimental diets. Each experimental period consisted of 5-d adaptation and 5-d quantitative collection of feces and urine. Test ingredient-associated DE or ME intake (kcal/d) was regressed against test ingredient intake [kg dry matter (DM)/d] to estimate the DE or ME in test ingredients as the slope of linear regression model. The DE in DY was estimated at 3,933 kcal/kg DM, which was not different from the estimated DE in SBM at 4,020 kcal/kg DM. Similarly, there was no difference between DY and SBM in the estimated ME (3,431 and 3,756 kcal/kg DM, respectively). Experiment 2 was conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in DY and SBM. Twenty-one barrows with a mean initial BW of 20.0 kg (SD = 1.31) were surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum and assigned to 3 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. Two semi-purified diets containing DY or SBM as the sole nitrogen source and one nitrogen-free diet (NFD) were prepared. The NFD was used to estimate the basal ileal endogenous losses of CP and AA. Pigs were fed the 3 diets for 5 d as adaptation, followed by 2 d of feeding with ileal digesta collection. The SID of AA, except Gly and Pro, in DY was less (P < 0.05) than in SBM. The SID of indispensable AA in DY ranged from 64.1% for Thr to 85.2% for Arg, and those in SBM ranged from 83.9% for Thr to 91.8% for Arg. In conclusion, energy values of DY are not different from those of SBM, whereas AA in DY is less digestible than in SBM. The estimated DE and ME as well as the SID of AA in DY and SBM can be used in diet formulation for growing pigs using these ingredients.

Feed intake, gastro-intestinal transit and haemolymph free amino acids in the shrimp Penaeus monodon are influenced by marine meal supplementation

Aquaculture production can be improved by understanding how ingredients can affect feed intake and digestion. This is an area poorly understood for many aquaculture species, including for the shrimp Penaeus monodon. To investigate these processes, we measured feed intake, the rate at which digesta moves through the gastro-intestinal tract, the change of free amino acids (FAA) circulating in the haemolymph following feeding, and how different test ingredients affect these processes in this species. Diets supplemented with microbial Novacq™ (NQ), krill meal (KM) or whole squid meal (SQ) and a control diet were used across two separate experiments. In the first, feed intake was measured in communally housed shrimp for 60, 120 and 360 min to examine the effects of diet on ingestion. Feed intake after 360 min was greater in shrimp offered the SQ diet while no effect was observed at earlier time points. In the second experiment, individually housed shrimp were used to measure feed intake, the rate at which digesta passed through the gut and the change of individual FAA in the haemolymph over a 30 min period. For this experiment, addition of SQ and NQ increased both the rate at which digesta travels through the gut and post-prandial concentration of FAA in haemolymph at 5 min. Krill meal had the highest haemolymph concentration of amino acids at 10 min and all dietary treatments showed a convergence of haemolymph FAA by 30 min. The different ingredients appear to affect the appearance of FAA in haemolymph through different mechanisms. For SQ, the FAA content of the diet was high, being 2.8 times that of the others (27.6 vs. 10.0 g kg−1), and it is hypothesized that the availability of these FAA resulted in the rapid increase in haemolymph observed for this treatment. In contrast, two other ingredients also led to rapid increases in haemolymph FAA. However, for these diets the amount of FAA present was similar to the control indicating that other characteristics of the meals may be causal. Our data indicate that specific ingredients can increase both the rate at which digesta travels through the gut and the rate of absorption of amino acids and that these mechanisms could explain increases in both feed duration and intake.

Supplemental protease improves in vitro disappearance of dry matter and crude protein in feather meal and copra meal for pigs

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of supplemental protease on in vitro disappearance of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in feed ingredients for pigs. The test ingredients were three sources of feather meal (FM 1, FM 2, and FM 3), meat and bone meal, soybean meal, corn dried distillers grains with solubles, copra meal (CM), palm kernel meal, wheat, and corn. In experiment 1, in vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of DM and [...]

Energy values of copra meal and cornstarch for broiler chickens

Two studies were conducted with broiler chickens to determine the ileal digestible energy (IDE), ME, and MEn in copra meal (CM) and cornstarch using the regression method. On day 15 and 16 for experiments 1 and 2, respectively, 192 male birds were individually weighed and allotted into 3 dietary treatments with 8 replicate cages and 8 birds per cage in a randomized complete block design with the BW as a blocking factor in each experiment. Dietary treatments consisted of 3 inclusion levels of test ingredients (i.e., 0, 100, or 200 g/kg) in corn-soybean meal–based diets using CM or cornstarch as test ingredients for experiment 1 or 2, respectively. Titanium dioxide was added as an indigestible marker to determine the ileal digestibility and utilization of energy by the index method. Experiments lasted 5 d, and excreta collection was conducted during the last 3 d of each experiment. At the end of experiments, birds were euthanized by CO2 asphyxiation, and ileal digesta samples were collected. Data were analyzed by the ANOVA using the GLM procedure. In experiment 1, the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM and gross energy (GE) and IDE in test diets linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with substitution of CM in test diets. In experiment 2, there were quadratic increases (P < 0.01) in the AID of DM and GE and IDE in diets as the concentration of cornstarch in test diets increased. In addition, linear increases (P < 0.05) in the apparent total tract utilization of DM, N, and GE and ME and MEn in test diets were observed. The estimates of IDE, ME, and MEn in CM were 2,493, 3,727, and 3,546 kcal/kg DM, respectively, whereas respective values of cornstarch were estimated at 4,181, 3,992, and 3,946 kcal/kg DM, respectively. In conclusion, inclusion of CM in diets may reduce the digestibility of GE, whereas the digestibility and utilization of GE may increase when adding cornstarch into diets for broiler chickens.

Digestibility of Amino Acids in Protein-Rich Feed Ingredients Originating from Animals, Peanut Flour, and Full-Fat Soybeans Fed to Pigs.

Simple SummaryDietary protein is a major contributing factor to animal feed cost. Recently, the overwhelming demand for and the unstable cost of conventional feed ingredients, such as soybean meal, have caused interest in alternative feed ingredients. By-products of agricultural industries may be cost-effective alternatives to conventional protein sources in swine diets. Therefore, to assess their full nutritional potential for pigs, it becomes necessary to evaluate the protein quality in alternative feed ingredients. In the present work, the digestibility of amino acids in four animal-derived protein sources (egg albumen, casein, blood meal, and blood plasma meal) and two plant-derived protein sources (peanut flour and full-fat soybean) were evaluated. Experimental diets were prepared to contain each of the test ingredients as the sole source of nitrogen and fed to growing pigs in two digestibility trials. The results of the experiments showed greater digestibility of amino acids in casein than the other animal protein sources. Digestibility of most amino acids in peanut flour was greater than in full-fat soybeans. Based on the current results, it is concluded that the test ingredients contain readily digestible amino acids which could make them useful in the diets of growing pigs.Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in alternative protein sources for growing pigs was determined in this study. Diets containing egg albumen (EA), casein, blood meal (BM), and blood plasma meal (BPM) and a nitrogen-free diet (NFD) were fed to 20 barrows in a quadruplicate 5 × 2 incomplete Latin square design with two periods in experiment 1. The SID of AA was greater in casein than other ingredients (p < 0.05), except Pro. The SID of Arg, Ile, and Met was lower (p < 0.05) in EA than BM and BPM. The SID of Trp in BM was greater (p < 0.05) than EA but not different from BPM. In experiment 2, 20 pigs were fed diets containing peanut flour (PF) or full-fat soybeans (FFSB) or NFD in a randomized complete block design with body weight as a blocking factor but providing six observations for NFD. The SID of Arg, Ileu, Leu, Met, Phe, and Val was greater (p < 0.05) in PF than FFSB. The SID of Lys was greater (p < 0.05) in FFSB than PF. In summary, the test ingredients contain readily digestible AA and could serve as alternative protein sources for growing pigs.

Digestibility of Local Feed Ingredients in Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Juveniles, Determined on Faeces Collected by Siphoning or Stripping

Eight locally available protein source ingredients in Tanzania were selected for assessment of apparent digestibility (AD) in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, using faeces samples collected by siphoning or stripping. The selected protein source ingredients were Lake Victoria sardines (FM), brewers spent yeast (BSY), moringa leaves (ML), freshwater shrimp (FSH), marine shrimp (MSH), cattle blood (CB), duckweed (DW) and fish frames (FF). The AD (%) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) was unaffected (p &gt; 0.782–0.901) by the faeces collection method (i.e., siphoning or stripping), with correlation coefficient (r) of 0.98, 0.99 and 0.93 between AD values for DM, OM and CP, respectively, following siphoning and stripping. The AD (%) of DM, OM, CP and gross energy (GE) in the test ingredients differed (p &lt; 0.0001). The AD (%) of DM and OM was lowest in BSY and DW, followed in increasing order by ML, MSH, FF, FSH and CB. In general, the AD (%) of CP was high (&gt;76%), but with a low value (46%) for DW. The AD (%) of GE was closely correlated (r = 0.96) with the AD of OM. In conclusion, FSH, MSH, CB, FF, BSY and ML have acceptable protein digestibility to be used in tilapia diet formulation.

Amino acid and calcium digestibility in hatchery byproducts fed to nursery pigs

The objective of this study was to determine amino acid (AA) and calcium (Ca) digestibility of hatchery byproducts in nursery pigs. In experiment 1, the coefficients of standardized ileal digestibility (CSID) of AA in hatchery byproducts were measured using 10 barrows surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum (initial body weight = 11.3 ± 1.3 kg). Four diets were prepared to contain 30 % of infertile eggs, unhatched eggs, culled chicks, and a mixture (20 % dried infertile eggs + 20 % dried unhatched eggs + 60 % dried culled chicks) as the sole source of nitrogen and a nitrogen-free diet was additionally prepared to measure basal endogenous losses of AA. In experiment 2, ten nursery barrows (initial body weight = 10.2 ± 0.7 kg) were used to measure the coefficient of standardized total tract digestibility (CSTTD) of Ca in hatchery byproducts. Four experimental diets contained 10, 10, 25, and 15 % of infertile eggs, unhatched eggs, culled chicks, and the mixture (20 % dried infertile eggs + 20 % dried unhatched eggs + 60 % dried culled chicks) as the sole source of Ca, respectively and a Ca-free diet was additionally prepared to measure basal endogenous losses of Ca. The index method and the marker-to-marker method were employed in experiment 1 and in experiment 2, respectively. A replicated 5 × 4 Latin square design was an experimental design in both experiments. Infertile eggs had greater (P < 0.05) CSID of indispensable AA except for lysine and methionine compared with culled chicks. The CSID of indispensable AA did not differ between infertile eggs and unhatched eggs. The CSID of some AA in infertile eggs was greater (P < 0.05) than that in the mixture. The CSID of indispensable AA except for tryptophan was not different between culled chicks and the mixture. Culled chicks had the greatest (P < 0.05) CSTTD of Ca among test ingredients followed by the mixture, infertile eggs, and unhatched eggs. In conclusion, ileal digestibility of most indispensable AA in infertile eggs was greater than that in culled chicks and culled chicks had the greatest Ca digestibility among hatchery byproducts.

Supplementation of glycine, prebiotic, and nucleotides in soybean meal-based diets for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): Effects on production performance, whole-body nutrient composition and retention, and intestinal histopathology

Aiming to optimize plant-based diets for largemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus salmoides), a 10-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate effects of supplemental glycine, prebiotic, and nucleotides in soybean meal (SBM)-based diets formulated to contain 50% SBM, 40% crude protein, and 12% lipid. Four test diets were formulated by supplementing glycine at 2% (GLY), GroBiotic®-A at 2% (GBA), a nucleotide mix at 0.15% (NTMX), or all three test ingredients combined (COMB) to the unsupplemented control diet (CTL). Supplementation replaced wheat flour and aspartate in CTL as needed. The sixth diet (FMR) comprised a SBM-free formulation containing 44% fish meal and served as an standard reference. Each experimental diet was randomly assigned to four groups of twenty feed-trained LMB (6.0 ± 0.1 g/fish) stocked in 24, 110-L glass aquaria operating as a recirculating aquaculture system. Statistical significance was considered at P ≤ 0.05. Upon conclusion of the feeding trial, survival of LMB averaged 98.8% and was unaffected by diet. Final weight ranged from 48.5 to 60.6 g and weight gain from 712 to 913% of initial weight. GLY supported faster growth of LMB than GBA, NTMX and COMB, and was the only SBM-based diet to support growth and feed efficiency similar to FMR. Concentrations of isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, and valine in LMB were influenced by diet. Lower retention efficiency of protein was observed in COMB- compared to CTL-fed groups, whereas FMR outperformed all SBM-based diets. COMB lowered plasma alkaline phosphatase activity among treatments and, along with NTMX, increased plasma transaminase activity relative to CTL and FMR groups. Liver malondialdehyde increased from CTL to GLY and was higher in all groups fed the SBM-based diets compared to FMR. Highest liver superoxide dismutase activity was observed in fish fed GLY, while glutathione peroxidase activity was unaffected by diet. Histopathological analyses of LMB intestine revealed signs of mild enteritis in all fish. Height of folds in both anterior and posterior intestinal segments increased from CTL to GBA and FMR-fed fish, while the height of enterocytes was unaffected by diet. Based on our results, i) supplemental glycine may improve growth performance of LMB when dietary FM is almost completely replaced and dietary glycine level is reduced by SBM; ii) similar responses of LMB gastrointestinal tract to SBM- and FM-based diets indicate tolerance to the former; iii) additional investigations on the role of supplemental nutrients/additives in optimizing plant-based diets for LMB are recommended.

MEAT QUALITY AND LIPID PROFILE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA) POWDER AND CAYENNE PEPPER (CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS) POWDER AS ANTIOXIDANTS

This experiment was designed to determine the meat quality and lipid profile of broiler chickens fed diets containing turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder (Tur) and cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) powder (Cay) as antioxidants. Two hundred and forty three (two-week old) Abor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted to nine treatment groups of 27 birds each, consisting of three replicates of nine birds each in a completely randomised design. Three levels of Tur (0, 2 and 4 g/kg) and three levels of Cay (0, 1 and 2 g/kg) were used to provide nine dietary treatments. Meat quality indices such as cook and refrigerated losses, water absorptive power, etc were measured and determined at the 8th week. Broiler Chickens fed the basal diet had highest meat dry matter, protein content and least (p&lt;0.05) meat pH, cook and refrigeration loss values. Meat triglyceride and meat malondialdehyde value was best (p&lt;0.05) in treatments fed dietary 2 g/kg Cay, while chickens fed 2 g/kg Cay, 2 g/kg Tur + 1 g/kg Cay and 2 g/kg Tur + 2 g/kg Cay had better meat lipoprotein values. For meat sensory characteristic, meat flavour of broiler chickens fed diets containing 2 and 4 g/kg dietary Tur, were moderately liked while overall flavour was best (p&lt;0.05) in groups fed the basal diet with no dietary additive. It was evident in the study that the dietary inclusions of the test ingredients limited lipid oxidation, thus improved storage duration and meat flavor.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Initial assessment of protein and amino acid digestive dynamics in protein-rich feedstuffs for broiler chickens.

A study evaluating apparent digestibilities of protein and amino acids and their corresponding digestion rates in four small intestinal sites in broiler chickens was completed to further investigate dietary optimisation via synchronised nutrient digestion and absorption. A total of 288 male Ross 308 broiler chickens were offered semi-purified diets with eight protein-rich feedstuffs, including; blood meal (BM), plasma protein meal (PPM), cold pressed (CCM) and expeller-pressed (ECM) canola meal, high (SBM HCP) and low (SBM LCP) crude protein soybean meals, lupins and peas. Diets were iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous and the test ingredient was the sole source of dietary nitrogen. Each diet was offered to 6 bioassay cages with 6 birds per cage from day 21 to 28 post hatch. On day 28, all birds were euthanized and digesta samples were collected from the proximal jejunum, distal jejunum, proximal ileum and distal ileum to determine apparent protein and amino acids digestibility coefficients, digestion rates and potential digestible protein and amino acids. Dietary protein source significantly influenced energy utilisation, nitrogen retention, apparent protein (N) digestibilities, digestion rates and potential digestible protein along the small intestine. Diets containing BM and SBM LCP exhibited the highest protein digestion rate and potential digestible protein, respectively. Digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates of the majority of amino acids in four sections of the small intestine were influenced by dietary protein source (P < 0.01) and blood meal had the fastest protein digestion rate. In general, jejunal amino acid and protein digestibilities were more variable in comparison to ileal digestibilities, and the differences in protein and amino acid disappearance rates were more pronounced between types of feedstuffs than sources of similar feedstuffs.

Use of alternative plant and animal protein blends, in place of fishmeal, in diets for juvenile totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi

The present study evaluated the replacement of fishmeal (FM) by blends of alternative protein sources in diets for juvenile (8.0 ± 0.5 g) Totoaba macdonaldi. Using a FM-based control diet containing 53% crude protein and 13% crude fat, a 3 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted replacing FM, at levels of 33, 66 and 100% by weight, with three blends of the test ingredients, as follows: 1) Arthrospira meal blend: 70% Arthrospira sp. meal, 15% blood meal, 15% soy protein concentrate (SPC); 2) blood meal blend: 70% blood meal, 15% Arthrospira sp. meal, 15% SPC; and 3) SPC blend: 70% SPC, 15% blood meal, 15% Arthrospira sp. meal. At the end of the 6-week feeding trial, significant effects of the alternative protein blends were detected, in which fish fed the Arthrospira meal and SPC blends had significantly (P < .05) better performance than fish fed the blood meal blend across all growth parameters (percent weight gain and thermal growth coefficient) and feed utilization indices (feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio). Also, fish fed the former two blends deposited more crude protein and fat in whole body and muscle tissues, concurring with the growth response observed. However, the effects of protein blend on body condition indices (hepatosomatic index, condition factor, and muscle ratio) and on the concentrations of trypsin and chymotrypsin in anterior intestine and pyloric caeca, did not depict clear trends. A correspondence between levels of dietary amino acids (AA) in blends and accumulated AA in muscle, was not observed. However, significant effects of the level of FM replacement were also detected, in which the responses in growth, feed utilization, most body condition indices, and proximate composition of fish whole body, deteriorated as the level of FM replaced increased. All things considered, results indicate that the Arthrospira meal and SPC blends, but not the blood meal blend, can be used to replace at least 33% FM in the diet for totoaba, without adversely affecting growth and survival. The possible reasons for the decreased performance of fish fed the blood meal blend, or when fed any of the blends at levels higher than 33%, are discussed.

Comparative amino acid digestibility between broiler chickens and pigs fed different poultry by-products and meat and bone meal.

The objective of this study was to compare the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in 3 poultry by-products including hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM), flash dried poultry protein (FDPP), and poultry meal (PM) and also a meat and bone meal (MBM) between broiler chickens and pigs. Experimental diets consisted of 4 diets containing each test ingredient as a sole source of nitrogen and a nitrogen-free diet. In experiment 1, 416 male broiler chickens with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 705 ± 100 g were allotted to 5 diets with 8 replicate cages per diet in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor at day 18 posthatching. After 5 d of feeding experimental diets, birds were euthanized by CO2 asphyxiation, and ileal digesta samples were collected from distal two-thirds of the ileum. In experiment 2, 10 barrows with a mean initial BW of 22.1 ± 1.59 kg were surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum and allotted to a duplicate 5 × 4 incomplete Latin Square design with 5 diets and 4 periods. Each period lasted for 7 d including 5 d of adaptation and 2 d of ileal digesta collection. Data from experiments 1 and 2 were pooled together and analyzed as a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with the effects of species (broiler chickens or pigs) and 4 experimental diets (HFM, FDPP, PM, or MBM). There were interactions (P < 0.05) between experimental diets and species in the SID of His, Lys, Thr, Trp, Val, and all dispensable AA except Tyr. In broiler chickens, the SID of Lys in FDPP (73.3%) was greater (P < 0.05) than in HFM (55.7%) but was lower (P < 0.05) than in MBM (86.5%), which was not different from PM (78.7%). In pigs, however, the SID of Lys in FDPP and PM (70.0 and 70.1%, respectively) were greater (P < 0.05) than in HFM (39.0%) but were lower (P < 0.05) than in MBM (79.2%). Broiler chickens fed FDPP and PM had lower (P < 0.05) SID of His, Thr, and Trp than those fed MBM; however, there was no difference in the SID of His, Thr, or Trp among pigs fed FDPP, PM, or MBM. The SID of Val in MBM was greater (P < 0.05) than in the other test ingredients for broiler chickens, but there was no difference in the SID of Val among test ingredients for pigs. Pigs had greater (P < 0.05) SID of Ile and Met than broiler chickens. In conclusion, the pattern of differences in the SID of His, Lys, Thr, Trp, and Val, but not the other indispensable AA, among poultry by-products and MBM were different between broiler chickens and pigs.

Amino acid digestibility of protein and energy ingredients of plant origin in bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Due to increasing demand of ingredients of animal origin, studies on the availability of nutrients in ingredients of plant origin are worthy in carnivorous species including bullfrog. This study aimed to determine apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of amino acids (AAs) in three ingredients as plant protein sources (soybean protein concentrate (SPC), corn gluten meal 60 % (CGM), soybean meal (SM)) and two ingredients as plant energy sources (corn grain (CG) and wheat bran (WB)) which commonly use in bullfrog diets. A reference diet and five test diets containing 69.5 % of the reference diet, 30 % of each test ingredient and 0.5 % of chromium (III) oxide as an inert marker were prepared. Among plant protein ingredients, CGM showed better digestibility of essential amino acids (EAAs) (> 80 %) at the three post-metamorphic (initial, growing and finishing) phases of bullfrog development, except tryptophan which presented a low digestibility at growing and finishing phases. Among plant energy ingredients, CG presented better digestibility of AAs at both initial and growing phases than WB which showed better digestibility only at finishing phase. It was observed that methionine and lysine are the most limiting EAAs in tested ingredients, indicating that additional amounts of these AAs should be supplemented when these ingredients are used in bullfrog diets.