Total Volatile Fatty Acid Concentration Research Articles

Effects of exogenous amylolytic or fibrolytic enzymes inclusion on in vitro fermentation of lactating dairy cow diets in a dual-flow continuous-culture system

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of including exogenous amylolytic or fibrolytic enzymes in a diet for high-producing dairy cows on in vitro ruminal fermentation. Eight dual-flow continuous-culture fermentors were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. The treatments were control (CON), a xylanase and glucanase mixture (T1), an α-amylase mixture (T2), or a xylanase, glucanase, and α-amylase mixture (T3). Treatments were included at a rate of 0.008% of diet dry matter (DM) for T1 and T2 and at 0.02% for T3. All treatments replaced the equivalent amount of soybean meal in the diet compared with CON. All diets were balanced to have the same nutrient composition [30.2% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 16.1% crude protein (CP), and 30% starch; DM basis], and fermentors were fed 106 g/d divided into 2 feedings. At each feeding, T2 was pipetted into the respective fermentor and an equivalent amount of deionized water was added to each fermentor to eliminate potential variation. Experimental periods were 10 d (7 d for adaptation and 3 d for sample collection). Composite samples of daily effluent were collected and analyzed for volatile fatty acids (VFA), NH3-N, and lactate concentrations, degradability of DM, organic matter, NDF, CP, and starch, and flow and metabolism of N. Samples of fermentor contents were collected from each fermentor at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after feeding to determine kinetics of pH, NH3-N, lactate, and VFA concentrations over time. All data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.), and the repeated variable of time was included for kinetics measurements. Treatment did not affect mean pH, degradability, N flow and metabolism, or the concentrations of VFA, NH3-N, or lactate in the effluent samples. Treatment did not affect pH, acetate:propionate ratio, or the concentrations of lactate, NH3-N, total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, or caproate. However, the concentration of total VFA tended to change at each time point depending upon the treatment, and T2 tended to have a greater proportion of 2-methylbutyrate and isovalerate than CON, T1, or T3. As 2-methylbutyrate and isovalerate are branched-chain VFA that are synthesized from branched-chain amino acids, T2 may have an increased fermentation of branched-chain amino acids or decreased uptake by fibrolytic microorganisms. Although we did not observe changes in N metabolism due to the enzymes, there could be changes in microbial populations that utilize branched-chain VFA. Overall, the tested enzymes did not improve in vitro ruminal fermentation in the diet of high-producing dairy cows.

Effects of whole maize high-grain diet feeding on colonic fermentation and bacterial community in weaned lambs.

High-grain diet is commonly used in intensive production to boost yield in short term, which may cause adverse effects such as rumen and colonic acidosis in ruminants. Maize is one of the key components of high-grain diet, and different processing methods of maize affect the digestive absorption and gastrointestinal development of ruminants. To investigate the effects of maize form in high-grain diets on colonic fermentation and bacterial community of weaned lambs, twenty-two 2.5-month-old healthy Hu lambs were fed separately a maize meal low-grain diet (19.2% grain; CON), a maize meal high-grain diet (50.4% grain; CM), and a whole maize high-grain diet (50.4% grain; CG). After 7 weeks of feeding, the total volatile fatty acid concentration (P = 0.035) were significantly higher in lambs from CM than that from CON. The sequencing results of colonic content microbial composition revealed that the relative abundance of genera Parasutterella (P = 0.028), Comamonas (P = 0.031), Butyricicoccus (P = 0.049), and Olsenella (P = 0.010) were higher in CM than those in CON; compared with CM, the CG diet had the higher relative abundance of genera Bacteroides (P = 0.024) and Angelakisella (P = 0.020), while the lower relative abundance of genera Olsenella (P = 0.031) and Paraprevotella (P = 0.006). For colonic mucosal microbiota, the relative abundance of genera Duncaniella (P = 0.024), Succiniclasticum (P = 0.044), and Comamonas (P = 0.012) were significantly higher in CM than those in CON. In comparison, the relative abundance of genera Alistipes (P = 0.020) and Campylobacter (P = 0.017) were significantly lower. And the relative abundance of genera Colidextribacter (P = 0.005), Duncaniella (P = 0.032), Christensenella (P = 0.042), and Lawsonibacter (P = 0.018) were increased in the CG than those in the CM. Furthermore, the CG downregulated the relative abundance of genes encoding infectious-disease-parasitic (P = 0.049), cancer-specific-types (P = 0.049), and neurodegenerative-disease (P = 0.037) in colonic microbiota than those in the CM. Overall, these results indicated that maize with different grain sizes might influence the colonic health of weaned lambs by altering the composition of the colonic bacterial community.

Effect of Dietary Level of Beet Pulp, with or without Molasses, on Health Status, Growth Performance, and Carcass and Digestive Tract Traits of Rabbits.

To evaluate the effect of dietary level of beet pulp, with or without molasses, on growth performance, a total of 470 28-day-old rabbits were used (614 ± 6 g). Animals were randomly allocated into five dietary treatment groups: Control, without beet pulp; BP20, and BP40 with 20 and 40% of beet pulp without molasses, respectively; and BPM20 and BPM40, with 20 and 40% of beet pulp with molasses, respectively. Daily feed intake (DFI) and average daily gain (ADG) were controlled at 28, 49, and 59 days of age. Carcass and digestive tract traits were also determined at 59 days of age. Mortality and morbidity were controlled daily. Mortality during the growing period was higher in BPM than in BP groups (+9.2%; p < 0.05). The higher the inclusion of beet pulp, the lower the DFI and ADG of animals (5.5 and 4.6% for every 20% inclusion, respectively; p < 0.001), as well as the dressing out percentage, the liver proportion, and the dissectible fat percentage of their carcasses. However, the best feed efficiency during the last 10 days was obtained with the BPM40 group. The higher the inclusion of beet pulp, the higher the weight of the empty gastrointestinal tract and cecum (+2.4 and +3.0 percentage points for every 20% inclusion, respectively; p < 0.001). In fact, a higher inclusion of beet pulp decreased the pH and dry matter and decreased the total volatile fatty acids content of cecum richer in acetic acid but poorer in propionic, isobutiric, isovaleric, and valeric acids. Stomach weight was lower, and the capric acid content in the cecum was higher in the BPM than in the BP group. The inclusion of beet pulp in the feed reduced the growth performance and carcass yield of growing rabbits, and an even higher incidence of digestive disorders was observed when beet pulp included molasses.

Increasing buffering capacity enhances rumen fermentation characteristics and alters rumen microbiota composition of high-concentrate fed Hanwoo steers

The buffering capacity of buffer agents and their effects on in vitro and in vivo rumen fermentation characteristics, and bacterial composition of a high-concentrate fed Hanwoo steers were investigated in this study. Treatments were comprised of CON (no buffer added), BC0.3% (low buffering capacity, 0.3% buffer), BC0.5% (medium buffering capacity, 0.5% buffer), and BC0.9% (high buffering capacity, 0.9% buffer). Four Hanwoo steers in a 4 × 4 Latin square design were used for the in vivo trial to assess the effect of treatments. Results on in vitro experiment showed that buffering capacity, pH, and ammonia–nitrogen concentration (NH3-N) were significantly higher in BC0.9% and BC0.5% than the other treatments after 24 h incubation. Individual and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration of CON were lowest compared to treatment groups. Meanwhile, in vivo experiment revealed that Bacteroidetes were dominant for all treatments followed by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The abundances of Barnesiella intestinihominis, Treponema porcinum, and Vibrio marisflavi were relatively highest under BC0.9%,Ruminoccocus bromii and Succiniclasticum ruminis under BC0.5%, and Bacteroides massiliensis under BC0.3%. The normalized data of relative abundance of observed OTUs’ representative families have grouped the CON with BC0.3% in the same cluster, whereas BC0.5% and BC0.9% were clustered separately which indicates the effect of varying buffering capacity of buffer agents. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) on unweighted UniFrac distances revealed close similarity of bacterial community structures within and between treatments and control, in which BC0.9% and BC0.3% groups showed dispersed community distribution. Overall, increasing the buffering capacity by supplementation of BC0.5% and and BC0.9% buffer agents enhanced rumen fermentation characteristics and altered the rumen bacterial community, which could help prevent ruminal acidosis during a high-concentrate diet.

Alterations in nutrient digestibility and performance of heat-stressed dairy cows by dietary L-theanine supplementation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary L-theanine supplementation on apparent nutrient digestibility, milk yield, milk composition, and blood biochemical indices of dairy cows under heat stress. Thirty Chinese Holstein cows (19.84±2.42kg milk/d, 192.36±40.77d in milk and 2±0.93 parities) were divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each. The control group was fed a basal total mixed ration (TMR) diet, while treatment 1 (LTA16) and treatment 2 (LTA32) groups were fed a basal TMR diet supplemented with L-theanine at 16 and 32 g/cow per day, respectively. The results showed that feeding the dairy cows with LTA16 treatment decreased (P<0.05) their rectal temperature, whereas feeding with LTA32 treatment decreased (P<0.05) their rumen fluid ammonia nitrogen content. In comparison to the control group, the supplementation of L-theanine had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration and molar proportion of volatile fatty acid, milk yield, milk composition, feed efficiency and antioxidant capacity of the dairy cows. The triglyceride (TG) content of the LTA32 group was significantly greater (P=0.014) than that of the control group. With the increase in L-theanine dosage, the serum cholesterol (CHOL) content significantly increased (P=0.013). The serum albumin (ALB; P=0.067), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; P= 0.053), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; P=0.067) contents showed an upward trend as L-theanine dosage increased. Ultimately, the results of this study show that supplementing dairy cow diet with L-theanine could decrease dairy cow rectal temperature, affect lipid metabolism, and potentially relieve the heat stress of dairy cows to some extent.

Mitragyna speciosa Korth Leaf Pellet Supplementation on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Protozoal Population in Thai Native Beef Cattle.

This experiment evaluated the use of Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaf pellets (MSLP) on feed intake and nutrient digestibility in Thai native beef cattle. Four Thai native beef cattle steers were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive four dietary treatments. The treatments were as follows: control (no supplementation), MSLP supplement at 10 g/hd/d, MSLP supplement at 20 g/hd/d and MSLP supplement at 30 g/hd/d, respectively. All animals were fed a concentrate mixture at 0.5% body weight, while urea lime-treated rice straws were fed ad libitum. Findings revealed that feed intakes were increased by MSLP, which also significantly increased the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Ruminal total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration and propionate (C3) proportion were increased (p < 0.05) with MSLP supplementation, whereas ruminal ammonia-N (NH3-N), plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), acetate (C2), C2:C3 ratio and estimated methane (CH4) production decreased (p < 0.05). Total bacterial, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococus flavefaciens populations increased (p < 0.05) at high levels of MSLP supplementation, while protozoal populations and methanogenic archaea reduced (p < 0.05). Supplementation of MSLP also increased the efficiency of microbial nitrogen protein synthesis. Supplementing beef cattle with MSLP 10−30 g/hd/d significantly increased rumen fermentation end products and nutrient digestibility by mitigating protozoal populations and estimated CH4 production.

Yeast Products Mediated Ruminal Subenvironmental Microbiota, and Abnormal Metabolites and Digestive Enzymes Regulated Rumen Fermentation Function in Sheep.

Yeast products (YP) are commonly used as rumen regulators, but their mechanisms of action are still unclear. Based on our previous studies, we questioned whether yeast products would have an impact on rumen solid-associated (SA) and liquid-associated (LA) microorganisms and alter rumen fermentation patterns. Thirty 3-month-old male sheep weighing 19.27 ± 0.45 kg were selected and randomized into three groups for 60 days: (1) basal diet group (CON group), (2) basal diet add 20 g YP per day (low YP, LYP group) and (3) basal diet add 40 g YP per day (high YP, HYP group). The results demonstrated that the addition of YP increased rumen cellulase activity, butyrate and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentrations (p &lt; 0.05), while it decreased rumen amylase activity and abnormal metabolites, such as lactate, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and histamine (HIS) (p &lt; 0.05). Metagenomic analysis of rumen microorganisms in three groups revealed that YP mainly influenced the microbial profiles of the SA system. YP increased the relative abundance of R. flavefaciens and decreased methanogens in the SA system (p &lt; 0.05). With the addition of YP, the abundance of only a few lactate-producing bacteria increased in the SA system, including Streptococcus and Lactobacillus (p &lt; 0.05). However, almost all lactate-utilizing bacteria increased in the LA system, including Megasphaera, Selenomonas, Fusobacterium and Veillonella (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, YP increased the abundance of certain GHs family members, including GH43 and GH98 (p &lt; 0.05), but decreased the abundance of some KEGG metabolic pathways involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, biosynthesis of antibiotics and purine metabolism, among others. In conclusion, the addition of YP to high-concentrate diets can change the abundance of major functional microbiota in the rumen, especially in the solid fraction, which in turn affects rumen fermentation patterns and improves rumen digestibility.

Effects of Lactobacillus fermented plant products on dairy cow health, production, and environmental impact

During the onset of lactation, dairy cows experience increases in metabolic demands causing an increase in metabolic and oxidative stress that may result in disorders and reduced milk production. Dairy cows also represent a source of negative environmental impacts. Accordingly, natural products which alleviate these stresses and sources of environmental pollutants would be beneficial. The objective of this experiment was to determine how commercial products Lactobacillus fermented seaweed (Ecklonia radiata) (SWO; Animal Health Tonic; AgriSea Ltd.; Paeroa, NZ) and Lactobacillus fermented seaweed plus terrestrial plants (SWP; Fortress+; Agrisea Ltd.; Paeroa, NZ) influence dairy cow oxidative stress, environmental impacts, and production. Pregnant multiparous Holstein-Friesian × Jersey cross dairy cows (n = 27; body weight = 488.8 ± 47.6, mean ± SD) received daily oral doses of water (CON), SWO, or SWP. During the prepartum period (i.e., last third of gestation) the cows received 5-mL of their respective treatments once daily and this dose was increased to 100-mL per cow per d following calving. Ruminal fluid and blood samples were collected on d 0, 38, and 80 and blood samples were again collected 3 days after calving. Total volatile fatty acids concentrations in ruminal fluid were 26% greater (P = 0.05) in animals administered SWP compared with CON during the prepartum period. The CON cows had greater (P < 0.05) whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity than cows on SWP and SWO at all-time points following treatment application. After 80-d of administering the treatments and 3-d post calving, SWO and SWP had greater (P < 0.05) total antioxidant status of plasma (marker of ability to reduce oxidants). Three days after calving, the SWO and SWP cows had less (P < 0.05) plasma non esterified fatty acid concentrations and urea nitrogen than CON cows. Further, the SWP treatment had the lowest concentration of milk urea N and was less (P < 0.05) than CON. Accordingly, the calculated daily urinary N excretion of SWP was 18.0% lower (P < 0.05) than CON and SWO had a tendency (P = 0.07) to have 14.7% lower urinary N excretion than CON. Collectively, these results highlight the ability for these Lactobacillus fermented plant products to reduce oxidative stress during the onset of lactation in dairy cows and to reduce environmental impacts. This experiment provides important information for the improvement in periparturient dairy cows’ health and environmental impacts, which have economically important implications.

Propionibacteriaium acidipropionici CP 88 Dose Alters In Vivo and In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics

Twelve 5-year-old beef steers, with an average weight of 2000 lbs., fitted with rumen canulae were used in a 4 × 4 incomplete Latin square design to examine the impact of the direct fed microbial Propionibacterium acidipropionici CP 88 (PA) on rumen fermentation characteristics, in vitro CH4, CO2, and N2 production, and in vivo CH4 and CO2 production. All steers were housed in the same pen equipped with eight GrowSafe feeding stations to monitor individual animal feed intake and one GreenFeed System to estimate individual animal CH4 and CO2 production. Steers were fed a corn-silage-based diet throughout the experiment. Treatments consisted of PA administered at: (1) control (0.0); (2) 1.0 × 108; (3) 1.0 × 109; and (4) 1.0 × 1010 cfu∙animal−1∙day (d)−1. Treatments were administered directly into the rumen as a single bolus dose daily. On day 7 and 14 of each period, rumen fluid was collected from each steer 2 h post treatment administration for VFA analysis and in vitro DM digestibility determination. Following a 14 d washout period, animal treatments were switched and the experiment repeated until the 4 × 4 Latin square was complete. In vivo propionic acid molar proportions and total VFA concentrations were greater (p &lt; 0.05) in steers receiving PA when compared with controls. All other in vivo rumen fermentation characteristics were similar across treatments. In vitro DM disappearance (p &lt; 0.05) and total VFA (p &lt; 0.05) were greater and CH4 lesser (p &lt; 0.04) in fermentation vessels incubated with rumen fluid from animals receiving PA when compared with controls. Dry matter disappearance (p &lt; 0.03) and propionic acid molar proportions increased (p &lt; 0.04) linearly as the dose of PA increased. In vitro total VFA tended (p &lt; 0.08) to increase linearly and CH4 production per unit of DM digested tended (p &lt; 0.09) to decrease quadratically in response to PA dose. All other in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics were similar across treatments. These data indicate that PA impacts in vivo and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics.

Understanding variability and repeatability of enteric methane production in feedlot cattle

Breeding ruminants for low methane (CH4) emissions can be permanent and cumulative, but requires a better understanding of the variability of CH4 production among animals to accurately assess low-CH4 phenotypes. Our objectives were to: 1) investigate the variation in CH4 production among and within growing beef cattle, 2) identify low-CH4 emitters, and 3) examine relationships between CH4 production and intake, feeding behavior, growth, and rumen fermentation. Crossbred beef heifers (n=77; body weight=450 kg) were allocated to 3 pens and offered a finishing diet of 90% concentrate and 10% silage (dry matter (DM) basis). The study was conducted over 3 consecutive 6-week periods (126 days). GrowSafe bunks measured individual animal DM intake (DMI) and rumen fluid was sampled orally each period. A GreenFeed system measured individual animal emissions for 2 weeks/period. Methane production was calculated by animal within period using visits that were ≥3 min with fluxes compiled into six 4-h blocks corresponding to time of day, and averaged over blocks to obtain an average daily emission for the period. Animals with &amp;lt;12 visits and &amp;lt;5 blocks were omitted for the period and animals with ≥2 periods of complete CH4 data were used in the final analysis (n=52). Animals were ranked based on CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) from low to high, and grouped as Very-low (≤10% of animals), Low (11-25%), Intermediate (26-74%), High (75-89%), and Very high (≥90%) emitters (mean ± SD, 12.6 ± 2.16). The CH4 yield was 16% less (P&amp;lt;0.05) for Very-low compared with Intermediate animals due to lower CH4 production (g/d, P&amp;lt;0.05), with no differences in DMI (P&amp;gt;0.05). However, the period × grouping interaction (P&amp;lt;0.001) for CH4 yield indicated that the ranking of animals changed over time, although there were no extreme changes in rankings. Total VFA concentration decreased as CH4 yield decreased, but molar proportions of VFA remained unchanged, suggesting lower extent of ruminal digestion rather than a shift in fermentation. There were no differences in feeding behavior or average daily gain among groupings (P&amp;gt;0.05). The between-animal coefficient of variation in CH4 yield of 17.3% enabled identification of low CH4-emmitting finishing beef cattle. However, accurate selection of low CH4-emitting animals should be based on repeated CH4 measurements over the production cycle.

Decrease of Greenhouse Gases during an In Vitro Ruminal Digestibility Test of Forage (Festuca arundinacea) Conditioned with Selenium Nanoparticles.

The Festuca arundinacea Schreb. is one of the most used forage grasses due to its duration, productivity, great ecological breadth, and adaptability. Livestock has been criticized for its large production of greenhouse gases (GHG) due to forage. The advancement of science has led to an increase in the number of studies based on nanotechnologies; NPs supplementation in animal nutrition has found positive results in the fermentation of organic matter and the production of fatty acids and ruminal microorganisms. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the in vitro digestibility of forage containing selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs), and to identify the specific behavior of the ruminal fermentation parameters of F. arundinacea Schreb. and (2) quantify the production of greenhouse gases (total gas and methane) (3) as well as the release of bioactive compounds (phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and selenium) after fermentation. Three treatments of SeNPs were established (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 ppm). The effects of foliar fertilization with SeNPs son digestion parameters were registered, such as the in vitro digestion of dry matter (IVDM); total gas production (Atotal gas) and methane production (ACH4); pH; incubation time(to); the substrate digestion rate (S); tSmax and the lag phase (L); as well as the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA), total phenols, total flavonoids, and tannins in ruminal fluid. The best results were obtained in the treatment with the foliar application of 4.5 ppm of SeNPs; IVDMD (60.46, 59.2, and 59.42%), lower total gas production (148.37, 135.22, and 141.93 mL g DM-1), and CH4 (53.42, 52.65, and 53.73 mL g DM-1), as well as a higher concentration of total VFA (31.01, 31.26, and 31.24 mmol L-1). The best results were obtained in the treatment with the foliar application of 4.5 ppm of SeNPs in the three different harvests; concerning IVDMD (60.46, 59.2, and 59.42%), lower total gas production (148.37, 135.22, and 141.93 mL g DM-1), and CH4 (53.42, 52.65, and 53.73 mL g DM-1), as well as a higher concentration of total VFA (31.01, 31.26, and 31.24 mmol L-1). The F. arundinacea Schreb. plants fertilized with 4.5 ppm released-in the ruminal fluid during in vitro fermentation-the following contents: total phenols (98.77, 99.31, and 99.08 mgEAG/100 mL), flavonoids (34.96, 35.44, and 34.96 mgQE/100 g DM), tannins (27.22, 27.35, and 27.99 mgEC/100g mL), and selenium (0.0811, 0.0814, and 0.0812 ppm).

Effect of non-encapsulated and encapsulated mimosa (Acacia mearnsii) tannins on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, methane and rumen fermentation of South African mutton Merino ram lambs

The use of mimosa tannins as feed additives in contemporary ruminant nutrition studies has gained wider acceptance, because of their potential to reduce enteric methane and enhance dietary protein utilization. However, tannin’s astringency and quick dissolution decrease feed intake and digestibility. Microencapsulation technology could be adopted to neutralize the astringency and ensure controlled tannin solubility across ruminant digestive tract. The present study examined the influence of supplementing unencapsulated and encapsulated Mimosa (Acacia tannin) tannins on growth performance, digestibility, methane (CH4) and rumen fermentation in South African mutton Merino sheep. A total of 40 weaned Merino ram lambs of 96 days old (34 −35 kg body weight, BW) were randomly allocated to one of the four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design as follows: total mixed ration, (T1, TMR alone); TMR + Monensin at 75 mg/kg feed dry matter, DM (T2, Monensin); TMR + unencapsulated Mimosa tannin at 20 g/kg DM (T3, UMT) and TMR + encapsulated Mimosa tannin in sunflower oil at 20 g/kg DM equivalent (T4, EMTS). The lambs were adapted to the diets over a period of 28 days thereafter, feed intake and weight changes were recorded for 77 days. The lambs were moved to metabolic crates and assessed for digestibility followed by methane measurement in open-circuit respiratory chambers. Finally, the animals were slaughtered, rumen fluids sampled and analysed for volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N). Inclusion of UMT and EMTS did not affect (P > 0.05) feed intake and weight gain. Compared with the TMR alone, UMT and EMTS increased intake of DM (T1, 1328 g/day vs T3, 1578.1 and T4, 1569 g/day; P = 0.05), DM adjusted to BW (T1, 69.3 g/kg BW vs T3, 83.8 and T4, 83.7 g/kg BW; P = 0.04), organic matter, OM (T1, 1254 g/kg vs T3, 1494 and T4, 1490 g/day; P = 0.04), neutral detergent fibre, NDF (T1, 344 g/day vs T3, 434 and T4, 416 g/day; P = 0.01) and acid detergent fibre, ADF (T1, 174 and T3, 241 g/day vs T4, 218 g/day; P = 0.02), compared with the control. However, only UMT decreased (P = 0.01) digestibility of DM (T3, 640 g/kg vs T1, 746 g/kg), OM (T3, 655 g/kg vs T1, 761 g/kg) and CP (T3, 734 g/kg vs T1, 829 g/kg). Furthermore, UMT increased (P = 0.01) faecal nitrogen (N) excretion (T3, 13.7 g/head/day vs T1, 8.03 g/head/day and T3, 266 g/kg N-intake vs T1, 171 g/kg N-intake). UMT and EMTS reduced CH4 in g/kg DM-intake (T3, 15.3 and T4, 14.8; vs T1, 18.9; P = 0.04). However, NH3-N and total VFAs concentrations were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of UMT and EMTS. It was concluded that UMT and EMTS could be utilized in mitigating enteric CH4 while enhancing nutrient intake when supplemented at 20 g/kg DM of feed. Among the two, however, EMTS reduced more CH4 without affecting digestibility compared to equivalent proportion of UMT. Further studies should be conducted on the total tannin concentration of the encapsulated mimosa tannin in sunflower oil.

Improvement of gaseous bioenergy production from spent coffee grounds Co-digestion with pulp wastewater by physical/chemical pretreatments

Two steps of hydrolysis and anaerobic biogas production processes was investigated in this study. In the first step, subcritical water (SBW) hydrolysis and chemical (acid/alkali) pretreatments were carried out to enhance hydrolysis efficiency by obtaining and analyzing the total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total sugar productions from spent coffee grounds (SCG) hydrolysate. The subcritical water (SBW) hydrolysis under the condition of temperature 150 °C for 30 min can greatly improve the organic matter breakdown and reached the COD concentration of 1010 g/L which was 30% higher than the untreated raw SCG. For chemical pretreatments, it was found that the alkaline hydrolysis of SCG resulted in the greatest total sugar concentration of 181 g/L whereas the operation conditions were 2.0 M NaOH at 60 °C for 1 h. The peak of TVFA concentration 3725 mg/L was found at the acid hydrolysis of SCG with 1.0 M H2SO4 acid, 60 °C for 1 h. The optimal biomethane yield of 115 mL/g COD was obtained when 1.0 M H2SO4 acid hydrolysate co-digestion with pulp wastewater which increase methane yield production 8 times of raw pulp wastewater. The pretreatment process was confirmed in this study can significant improve the converting of the biowastes to bioenergy efficiency.

Impact of effective microbes (em) bokashi supplementation on nutrients digestibility, rumen fermentation and gas volume production in diets of sheep

&#x0D; The present study was conducted to determine the appropriate type of by-products {sugar beet pulp (SBP), grape seeds (GS), olive cake (OC), citrus pulp (CtP), and jojoba meal (JM)} fermented with activated effective microorganisms (EM-Bokashi) to be integrated into the diet of sheep to obtain the best nutrient digestibility and rumen characteristic of Barki sheep. An in vitro experiment was carried out on five fistulated females for rumen fermentation activity, while 15 males were used for digestibility trials. Treatment with EM caused less cell wall content. GS and CtP had higher feed intake (FI) and digestibility coefficients; the lower was found for JM as well less FI. SBP and JM had a higher pH and NH3 concentration, while they were less for GS and CtP. Those had higher total volatile fatty acids (TVFA's) concentration, percentage of acetate, and acetic to propionic (A/P) ratio. JM had less acetate, A/P and higher propionate and butyrate. Higher gas volume after 24h fermentation was noticed for GS and CtP, they were higher kinetic parameters as well, but they were less methane production and more ME (MJ/kg DM), OMD (%) and microbial protein syntheses. Therefore, in conclusion, feeding Bokashi of GS or CtP to sheep can improve productivity, while using Bokashi of JM should be combined with other feeds.&#x0D;

Utilization of Mao (Antidesma thwaitesianum Muell. Arg.) Pomace Meal to Substitute Rice Bran on Feed Utilization and Rumen Fermentation in Tropical Beef Cattle.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing rice bran with mao pomace meal on feed intake, digestibility, and rumen fermentation in beef cattle. Four crossbred (50% Brahman × 50% Thai native) beef cattle with an initial body weight of 195 ± 13 kg and 16 months of age were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The dietary treatments included four levels of RB replacement with mao pomace meal at 0, 33, 67, and 100% in concentrate diets. Rice straw was used as a roughage source, fed ad libitum. Replacement of mao pomace meal with rice bran did not affect (p > 0.05) the intakes of concentrate, rice straw, and total dry matter intake. Ether extract intake decreased linearly when increasing the levels of mao pomace meal (p < 0.01). The experimental diets had no effect (p > 0.05) on the digestibility of fiber and crude protein, while dry matter, organic matter, and ether extract digestibility decreased linearly in the group of mao pomace meal replacing rice bran (p < 0.05). Increasing levels of mao pomace meal in concentrate diets did not alter rumen pH, ammonia−nitrogen, or total volatile fatty acid concentration (p > 0.05). The proportion of propionate increased linearly (p < 0.05), whereas acetate and the acetate to propionate ratio decreased linearly (p < 0.05) when replacing rice bran with mao pomace meal. Moreover, the proportion of propionate was greatest, while acetate was lowest when mao pomace meal was included at 100% in the concentrate diet. In conclusion, the replacement of rice bran with mao pomace meal in a diet could enhance the efficiency of rumen fermentation. Nonetheless, it reduced the digestion of nutrients in tropical beef cattle.

PSI-1 Effects of Pre-Transit Diets and Road Transportation on Plasma, Salivary Cortisol, and Rumen Environment of Beef Heifers

Abstract Increased salivary cortisol in cattle may be detrimental to rumen bacterial diversity. Effects of transportation and diet before transportation on plasma and salivary cortisol and on rumen conditions of 20 ruminal-cannulated heifers (346 ± 16 kg BW) were evaluated. Heifers were fed ad libitum 40% Sorghum Sudan grass hay and 60% commercial pellet (64% TDN, 12.4% CP, DM basis) for 13 d before study initiation. Heifers were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of 8-h transportation (TR) vs. no transportation (NT) and 100% Sorghum Sudan grass hay (HAY) vs. 30% hay and 70% pellets (H+P) fed ad libitum for 3 d before transportation. All groups were fasted during the 8-h transit period. Upon feedlot arrival at 8 h, cattle were fasted an additional 4 h. At 12 h, cattle were fed 30% wheat hay and 70% commercial feed (69% TDN, 16.6% CP, DM basis). Blood and ruminal fluid were sampled at 0, 8, 12, 24, 28 and 72 h. No diet × transport interactions were observed for any variable. Plasma cortisol was decreased for HAY vs. H+P heifers at 72 h (P &amp;lt; 0.05, diet × hour). Rumen pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations did not differ between groups. Molar percentages of acetate increased, molar percentages of propionate decreased, and acetate-to-propionate ratios increased at 0 and 12 h for HAY compared to H+P (P &amp;lt; 0.05, diet × hour). At 0 h, molar percentages of butyrate were less for HAY vs. H+P (P &amp;lt; 0.05, diet × hour). Bacterial phyla richness was decreased for NT/HAY compared to NT/H+P and was increased for TR/HAY compared to TR/H+P heifers (P &amp;lt; 0.05, diet × transport). Proteobacteria relative abundances were less at 0 h for heifers fed HAY vs H+P (P &amp;lt; 0.05, diet × hour). Genera evenness was increased at 8 h for TR compared to NT cattle (P &amp;lt; 0.05, transport × hour). Genera Shannon-wiener indices were greater at 0 and 8 h for cattle consuming HAY compared to H+P (P &amp;lt; 0.05, diet × hour). Genera richness was increased at 0 h for cattle fed HAY compared to H+P (P &amp;lt; 0.05, diet × hour). Prevotella relative abundances were less for cattle fed HAY compared to H+P at 0 and 8 h (P &amp;lt; 0.05, diet × hour). In summary, due to negligible response to transportation, salivary cortisol effect on bacteria population and diversity were presumably minimal.

Improving Fodder Yields and Nutritive Value of Some Forage Grasses as Animal Feeds through Intercropping with Egyptian Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.)

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of improving the feeding value of Egyptian clover (EC), ryegrass (R), triticale (T), barley (B), and oats (O) monoculture, or Egyptian clover mixed with ryegrass (EC+R), oats (EC+O), barely (EC+B), and triticale (EC+T) at 75:25% seeding rate, respectively, during two successive winter seasons of 2018/19 and 2019/20. Harvesting of plots was carried out at 5 cm stubble height after 60, 100, and 140 days from sowing. The in vitro nutritive value and ruminal fermentation of the monoculture and intercropping containing EC were evaluated. Green forage yield of EC was higher than other plants with about 160% of fresh forage compared with T, O, or EC+T intercropping. The highest crude protein (CP) concentration was noted in EC, while the lowest (p &lt; 0.001) concentration was observed in T, which had the highest fiber fractions content. Ryegrass had the highest net in vitro gas production (GP), while EC+R had the lowest GP (p &lt; 0.05). The EC increased dry matter and organic matter degradability. EC and R reduced protozoal count, while total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetate, and propionate were increased with B and EC+T intercropping (p &lt; 0.05). Overall, intercropping of EC with grass of triticale or ryegrass at mixing rates of 75:25% resulted in improving fresh and dry forage yields. The legume–grass intercropping improved the protozoa count partitioning factor as an index of microbial protein synthesis and total VFA concentration.

Effects of guanidinoacetic acid supplementation on lactation performance, nutrient digestion and rumen fermentation in Holstein dairy cows.

Considering the high energy demand of lactation and the potential of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) addition on the increase in creatine supply for cows, the present study investigated the effects of 0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9g kg-1 dry matter (DM) of GAA supplementation on lactation performance, nutrient digestion and ruminal fermentation in dairy cows. The study used 40 mid-lactation multiparous Holstein cows and the study duration was 100 days. DM intake was not affected, but milk and milk component yields and feed efficiency increased linearly with increasing GAA addition. The total-tract digestibility of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and non-fibre carbohydrates increased linearly and that of crude protein increased quadratically with increasing GAA addition. When the addition level of GAA increased, ruminal pH, molar percentages of butyrate, isobutyrate and isovalerate and the acetate-to-propionate ratio decreased linearly, and the total volatile fatty acids concentration and propionate molar percentage also increased linearly, whereas the acetate molar percentage and ammonia-N concentration were unaltered. The activities of fibrolytic enzymes, α-amylase and protease increased linearly. The populations of total bacteria, fungi, Ruminococcus albus, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Ruminobacter amylophilus and Prevotella ruminicola increased linearly, whereas protozoa and methanogens decreased linearly with increasing GAA addition. As for the blood metabolites, concentrations of glucose, urea nitrogen and methionine were unchanged, total protein, albumin, creatine and homocysteine increased linearly, and folate decreased linearly with increasing GAA supply. The results of the present study indicate that supplementation of GAA improved milk performance and rumen fermentation in lactating dairy cows. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cysteamine-supplemented diet for cashmere goats: A potential strategy to inhibit rumen biohydrogenation and enhance plasma antioxidant capacity

Cysteamine (CS), as a feed supplement, can increase the level of growth hormone (GH) in the blood, promote animal growth. However, little attention has been paid to the effects of CS on the rumen microbiome and metabolic profile in cashmere goats. This study aimed to assess the effects of rumen microbiota, metabolites, and plasma antioxidative capacity induced by CS supplementation in cashmere goats. We selected 30 Inner Mongolia white cashmere goat ewes (aged 18 months), and randomly separate the goats into three groups (n = 10 per group) to experiment for 40 days. Oral 0 (control group, CON), 60 (low CS, LCS), or 120 mg/kg BW−1 (high CS, HCS) coated CS hydrochloride every day. Using 16S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we identified 12 bacterial and 3 fungal genera with significant changes among the groups, respectively. We found a significant increase in rumen NH3-N and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentrations in the LCS and HCS groups compared with the CON. With untargeted LC–MS/MS metabolomics, we screened 59 rumen differential metabolites. Among the screened metabolites, many unsaturated and saturated fatty acids increased and decreased with CS treatment, respectively. CS supplementation increased the levels of plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), GH, and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the abundance of U29-B03, Lactococcus, and Brochothrix were positively associated with the levels of δ2-THA, TVFA and antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, CS significantly affected rumen microbiota and fermentation parameters, and ultimately inhibited the biohydrogenation of rumen metabolites, enhanced plasma antioxidant capacity, and regulated some hormones of the GH–IGF-1 axis. This study provides an overall view into the CS application as a strategy to improve health production in cashmere goats.

Effects of Sugar Beet Silage, High-Moisture Corn, and Corn Silage Feed Supplementation on the Performance of Dairy Cows with Restricted Daily Access to Pasture.

Simple SummarySeasonal variations in herbage growth rate and nutrient composition result in low herbage intake which is insufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of cows and limits milk production. The main opportunities for increasing milk production per cow and per ha are a careful pasture management to ensure adequate herbage high-quality and strategic low-cost and high-energy feed supplementation. Supplementation strategies include different combinations of level, type, and processing of supplemental feeds. This study evaluates the effect of supplementation with sugar beet silage, corn silage, or high-moisture corn (HMC) on dairy performance, rumen, and plasma metabolites in dairy cows under conditions of restricted grazing in spring. We found that the supplementation with sugar beet silage allowed milk production, live weight, and fat concentration similar to corn silage and HMC, but with a lower concentration of milk protein than HMC. Results suggest that sugar beet silage can be used as an alternative supplement for high-producing dairy cows under conditions of restricted grazing in the current experiment.A study was undertaken to assess the effect of supplementation with sugar beet silage, corn silage, or high-moisture corn on dairy performance, rumen, and plasma metabolites in dairy cows under conditions of restricted grazing in spring. Eighteen multiparous Holstein Friesian cows, stratified for milk yield (39.4 kg/day ± 3.00), days of lactation (67.0 days ± 22.5), live weight (584 kg ± 38.0), and number of calves (5.0 ± 1.5), were allocated in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments were as follows: SBS (10 kg DM of permanent pasture, 7 kg DM of sugar beet silage, 4 kg DM of concentrate, 0.3 kg DM of pasture silage, 0.21 kg of mineral supplement); corn silage (10 kg DM of permanent pasture, 7 kg DM of corn silage, 4 kg DM of concentrate, 0.3 kg DM of pasture silage, 0.21 kg of mineral supplement), and HMC (10 kg DM of permanent pasture, 5 kg DM of high-moisture corn, 4.5 kg DM of concentrate, 1.2 kg DM of pasture silage, 0.21 kg of mineral supplement). Pasture was offered rotationally from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Between afternoon and morning milking, the cows were housed receiving a partial mixed ration and water ad libitum. The effect of treatments on milk production, milk composition, body weight, rumen function, and blood parameters were analyzed using a linear–mixed model. Pasture dry matter intake (DMI) was lower in SBS than CS (p < 0.05) and similar to HMC, but total DMI was higher in HMC than SBS (p < 0.05) and similar to CS. Milk production for treatments (32.6, 31.7, and 33.4 kg/cow/day for SBS, CS, and HMC, respectively), live weight, and fat concentration were not modified by treatments, but milk protein concentration was lower for SBS compared with HMC (p < 0.05) and similar to CS. B-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, and albumin were not different among treatments (p > 0.05), while urea was higher in SBS, medium in CS silage, and lower in HMC (p < 0.001). Ruminal pH and the total VFA concentrations were not modified by treatments (p > 0.05), which averaged 6.45 and 102.03 mmol/L, respectively. However, an interaction was observed for total VFA concentration between treatment and sampling time (p < 0.05), showing that HMC produced more VFA at 10:00 p.m. compared with the other treatments. To conclude, the supplementation with sugar beet silage allowed a milk response and composition similar to corn silage and HMC, but with a lower concentration of milk protein than HMC. In addition, sugar beet silage can be used as an alternative supplement for high-producing dairy cows with restricted access to grazing during spring.