Untreated Barley Research Articles

Effect of barley processing and enzyme supplementation on broiler performance, gut morphometry, and the occurrence of ascites syndrome in broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of processed barley grains and their influence upon growth performance, gut function, and the occurrence of ascites syndrome in broiler chickens. Day-old broilers (n=504) were randomly assigned to six treatments (3 levels of grain processing × 2 levels of enzyme supplementation). Results showed that chicks fed with germinated barley significantly gained more weight compared to unprocessed barley in all feeding stages (P = 0.0001). Chicks received roasted barley showed a slowdown in their growth so that their weight gain was significantly lower than the control and germinated barley groups in the finishing period and the entire experiment (P = 0.0001). Enzyme supplementation of barley-based diets improved weight gain so that a significant improvement was observed in the growing (P = 0.0002) and throughout the trial (P = 0.0098) over the unsupplemented diets. Chickens fed with germinated barley had a higher length of jejunal villi whereas they had a lower crypt depth compared to untreated or roasted barley groups. As a result, the ratio of villus length to crypt depth as well as villus absorptive surface were significantly higher in birds received germinated barley than those fed with unprocessed or roasted barley. Barley processing resulted in a lower viscosity of digesta in the jejunum so that both processing methods showed a significantly lower viscosity compared to unprocessed barley. Birds received unprocessed barley showed a significantly lower concentration of total cholesterol (P = 0.0370) and LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.01) than those received processed barley. Plasma uric acid (P = 0.0350) and total protein (P = 0.0050) concentrations were significantly greater in birds fed with germinated barley as opposed to other experimental treatments. The mortality from ascites was lower in broilers fed with germinated barley compared to untreated barley, particularly in the absence of NSP-degrading enzyme supplement. In conclusion, germinated barley could significantly improve the performance, gut morphometry, and ascites indices of broiler chickens when compared to untreated barley.

Metabolomic and morphologic surveillance reveals the impact of lactic acid-treated barley on in vitro ruminal fermentation.

Lactic acid (LA) treatment of cereals is known to improve ruminant performance. However, changes in cereal nutrient levels and variations in rumen fermentation remain unclear. This study was designed to compare the effects of 5% LA treatment on the trophic and morphological characteristics of barley and to discover the differences in rumen fermentation characteristics and metabolomes between LA-treated and untreated barley. Compared with those of untreated barley (BA), the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash and water-soluble carbohydrate contents of barley plants treated with 5% LA for 48 h (BALA) decreased, but the resistant starch (RS) and non-fiber carbohydrate contents increased. Moreover, the amount of proteinaceous matrix in BA decreased in response to LA treatment. During in vitro fermentation, BALA had a greater pH but lower dry matter disappearance and ammonia, methane, and short-chain fatty acid levels than BA. The differential metabolites between BA and BALA were clustered into metabolic pathways such as purine metabolism, lysine degradation, and linoleic acid metabolism. Observable differences in ultrastructure between BALA and BA were noted during fermentation. Lactic treatment altered barley nutrient content, including DM, CP, RS, ash, water-soluble carbohydrates and non-fiber carbohydrates, and affected barley ultrastructure. These variations led to significant and incubation time-dependent changes in the in vitro fermentation characteristics and metabolome.

Real and statistical processing of barley yield data naturally contaminated with fusariotoxin

Fumonisins are produced by fungi of the genus Fusarium spp., which are widely spread out in the nature. They are produced during grain growth, ripening and harvesting and are known as “field mycotoxins“. Fusarium species can produce compounds that are toxic to animals and humans. In this study, the development of Fusarium toxins was determined in healthy and mechanically damaged barley grains treated and untreated with fungicide, respectively, under natural contamination. It was found that healthy kernels treated with fungicide had the highest yield of 6700 kg.ha-1 followed by the yield of damaged kernels treated with fungicide. The lowest yield of 4850 kg.ha-1 was reported for the damaged and untreated barley grains. The two treatments whose plants were treated with fungicide had a higher yield than their counterparts, i.e. the plants not treated with fungicide. In confirmation of this by mycotoxicological analysis was established the presence of fumonisin 0.234 mg.kg-1 in healthy seeds untreated with fungicide and 0.274 mg.kg-1 in mechanically damaged untreated seeds. Fumonisin concentrations were measured by using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The used approach in this study shows that fungicide treatments effectively reduce mycotoxin levels in barley and increase grain yield. The use of fungicides should be combined with other infection mitigation strategies, such as avoiding mechanically damaged grains, which are a suitable substrate for mycotoxins production. These measures will help to improve food and feed safety.

A zero-waste one step method to produce carboxy nanocellulose from the untreated barley and wheat straws

A zero-waste simple method was developed to produce carboxy nanocellulose directly from the untreated barley and wheat straw by treating with nitric acid (55%) and sodium nitrite at 40 °C for 12 h. This method significantly reduced the need for toxic chemicals such as TEMPO ((2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)-oxyl) and radical generating chemicals. The process also reduced the usage of corrosive bases and acids and energy demand during the pretreatment process for the multi-step acid hydrolysis of biomass. Moreover, the by-product can be easily neutralized with the addition of NaOH, and the neutralized solution can be concentrated to obtain sodium nitrate which can be utilized as a fertilizer. The current method produces rod shaped and spherical particles of carboxy nanocellulose from the barley and wheat straw respectively with lower crystallinity (ca. ⁓30% of crystallinity index) than the barley and wheat straw itself (ca. ⁓60% of crystallinity index) as evidenced from the grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) technique. The conductometric titration revealed a high concentration (ca. ⁓2.6 mmol/g) of surface carboxylic (-COOH) acid groups and this result is supported by the high zeta potential value (ca ⁓-40mV) for the synthesized carboxy nanocellulose.

Considerations regarding barley germination

Naturally, germination takes place under the soil surface hidden from the eye of the observer. Therefore, the main goal of the experiment is the understanding of the germination process in correlation with the growing degree days. The experiment is performed on samples of 100 untreated barley seeds placed in Petri dishes, subjected to four fixed temperatures, 5°C, 10°C, 15°C and 20°C, in four incubators, continuously over a period of 6 days. From the 3rd to the 6th day, a sample is taken from each incubator and the following data is collected: the number of germinated seeds, the number of stems, the length of the longest radicle, and the length of the stem. The data analysis shows that the barley seed germination rate reaches at least 50% after reaching 30 degree-days.

Impact of solid‐state fermentation by Aspergillus niger 4Q and Cyberlindnera fabianii J2 on antioxidant and flavor properties of whole grain barley

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAspergillus niger 4Q and Cyberlindnera fabianii J2 were isolated from a traditional Chinese sweet rice wine starter because of their better fermentation characteristics and sensory properties of final products. To understand the impacts of the cofermentation with Aspergillus niger 4Q and Cyberlindnera fabianii J2 in a solid state on the nutritional and physico‐chemical properties of whole grain barley, yellow barley and black barley were used as raw materials. Content of chemical and nutritional compositions, in vitro antioxidant activity, color, and volatile flavor compound analysis of untreated, cooked and fermented barley samples were evaluated.FindingsThe contents of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and anthocyanin of black barley were 1.25 times, 1.21 times, and 2.05 times higher than those in yellow barley (p &lt; .05). After fermentation, the proteins, water‐soluble dietary fiber, and β‐glucan contents of both black barley and yellow barley samples were about respectively 1.3 times, 4.6 times, and 1.2 times higher than those in raw materials (p &lt; .05). Total proportion of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, along with the antioxidant capacity, free radical scavenging rate and Fe2+ chelating activity were significantly increased (p &lt; .05). Lighter and brighter color were observed in fermented barleys which might be credit to the reduced anthocyanins. The acidic methyl esters, uniquely existed in untreated barley, were transformed into acetate esters after fermentation. Ethyl 3‐methyl‐acetate, with a fruity aroma, was the major proportion of esters in fermented barley, endued the unique flavor to fermented barley.ConclusionsSolid‐state fermentation of yellow barley and black barley by A. niger 4Q and C. fabianii J2 could effectively improve their nutritional and physico‐chemical properties.Significance and NoveltyThis study may contribute to providing a solution for improving the nutritional and sensory preterits of whole grain barley, as well as a theoretical support for promoting the direct utilization of barley in food processing.

Management of Pyrenophora teres f. teres, the Causal Agent of Net Form Net Blotch of Barley, in A Two-Year Field Experiment in Central Italy.

Pyrenophora teres is the causal agent of barley net blotch (NB), a disease that can be found in two different forms: net form (NFNB), caused by P. teres f. teres, and spot form (SFNB), caused by P. teres f. maculata. A two-year field experiment was carried out to evaluate the response to NB of six different barley cultivars for malt or feed/food production. In addition, the efficacy of several recently developed foliar fungicides with different modes of action (SDHI, DMI, and QoI) towards the disease was examined. After NB leaf symptom evaluation, the identification of P. teres forms was performed. Grain yield was determined, and pathogen biomass was quantified in the grain by qPCR. In the two experimental years characterized by different climatic conditions, only P. teres f. teres was detected. The tested cultivars showed different levels of NFNB susceptibility. In particular, the two-row cultivars for malt production showed the highest disease incidence. All applied fungicides exhibited a high efficacy in reducing disease symptoms on leaves and pathogen accumulation in grains. In fact, high levels of fungal biomass were detected only in the grain of the untreated malting barley cultivars. For some cultivars, grain yield was positively influenced by the application of fungicides.

Effect of roasted barley flour on lipid metabolism and gut fermentation in mice fed high-fat diets

We investigated the compositional changes in β-glucan and other nutrients in roasted barley flour by comparing them to untreated barley flour. We also examined whether the intake of roasted barley flour improved lipid metabolism and gut fermentation of barley β-glucan using obese mice fed high-fat diets supplemented with cellulose, untreated barley flour, and roasted barley flour. The molecular weight (MW) of β-glucan in roasted barley flour was reduced by approximately 16%–49% when compared to the untreated barley flour, but the content of β-glucan was not changed. Resistant starch and damage starch were increased in the roasted barley flour. Lipid metabolism was improved in C57BL/6J mice fed roasted barley flour when compared to cellulose. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were also increased in the cecum of mice fed roasted barley flour compared with untreated barley flour. These results indicated that the roasting process of barley grain caused a reduction in the MW of β-glucan, but the improving effects on lipid metabolism was enhanced through a prebiotic action promoted by SCFAs.

Diets containing processed barley grain as a potential rumen bypass starch source enhance productive responses of lactating Holstein dairy cows.

Effect of diets containing untreated or processed barley grain [treated with sugar beet pulp extract (SBPE) or double sulphate of aluminium and potassium (ALUM)] and different levels of rumen undegradable crude protein (RUP) on production, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites of lactating Holstein cows were investigated. Untreated soybean meal (SBM) or xylose protected 'Yasminomax soy® (YAS)' was included to represent a low (LR, 4.2% DM) and high (HR, 5.4% DM) RUP diets, respectively. Experimental diet was as follows: (a) untreated barley grains with high RUP (HRCON); (b) untreated barley grains with low RUP (LRCON); (c) ALUM-treated barley grain with high RUP (HRAL; (d) ALUM-treated barley grain with low RUP (LRAL); (e) SBPE-treated barley grain with high RUP (HRSE); and (f) SBPE-treated barley grain with low RUP (LRSE). The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with lactating dairy cows (n=36) averaging 215±18days in milk, milk yield 31.7±5.8kg/day, 620±61kg body weight. Diets containing processed barley grain increased feed intake, while decreased both rumination and eating (p<0.001). Feed intake of dairy cows on Low RUP and High RUP were 23 and 24kg/day, respectively (p<0.01). Daily production of milk fat, protein, lactose and total solids was improved when the processed barley grain was included in the diets (p<0.05). Present study pinpointed that the inclusion of the processed barley grain in diets might improve production indices of dairy cows.

Effects of using processed barley and supplemented multi-enzymes in laying hen rations on egg production, egg quality, and egg fatty acids

In this study, we have observed different technological processes, which are commonly used in poultry production. Rations contained different amounts of barley and multi-enzyme, egg weight, egg mass, egg yield, feed intake, egg weight. The rations of the control groups were as follows: 0% barley (based of corn) (K), 15% untreated barley (A1), 15% pellet barley (A2), 15% flaked barley (A3), 30% untreated barley (A4), 30% pelleted barley (A5), 30% flaked barley (A6), 30% untreated barley + enzyme (0. 025%) (A7). In the research, 64 brown laying hens ATAK-S for 36 weeks were divided into 8 different treatments for egg hens. Thirty-week-old laying hens were divided into 8 groups of 8 animals each with a similar live weight. Each treatment consisted of 8 animals in individual cages. Animals were completely randomly determined, grown in individual cages, and kept under a 16:8 h light: dark lighting period. Feed and water were given as ad-libitum. The highest egg weight was obtained from chickens fed with A2 group (62.98 g), and those chickens fed with A1 group (56.45 g) showed lowest egg weight (p ≤ 0.01) In terms of total egg mass, the statistical differences between the experimental groups were very important, but A2 had the highest value and A4 group had the highest value. (p ≤ 0.01). When considering the average feed consumption, feed consumption of A2 fed chickens was higher than the other groups (p ≤ 0.001). Feed consumption of chickens fed A4 and A7 groups were significantly less than that of A1 group and K group feed consuming groups (p ≤ 0.001). There was no significant difference in mean egg yield between treatments. When egg weight average was examined, it was found that egg weight was higher than A4 group's weight ratios when A7 group's added weighted ratio was considered (p ≤ 0.01). When we examined the omega- 6 (n- 6) and omega-3 (n- 3) fatty acids in the trial, linolelaidic acid, one of the omega 6 fatty acids, was found to differ between treatments (p ≤ 0.05). The lowest value for linolelaidic acid ranged from 0.022 in A3 group, while the highest value was 0.046 in A2 group.

Impact of Soaking and Germination Processes on Starch and Non-Starch Polysaccharides in some Egyptian Barley Cultivars

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of soaking and germination processes on free sugars, starch and non- starch polysaccharides contents of selected Egyptian barley cultivars. Three barley grain cultivars, namely, Giza128, Giza130, and Giza 2000, were investigated. Reducing, non-reducing and total sugars content were increased in all treated barley samples as affected by soaking and germination processes. Starch content of raw barley grains being 59.42, 65.30, and 45.74 % in Giza128, Giza130, and Giza 2000, respectively, while β-Glucan content recorded 4.01, 4.76 and 3.54 %, respectively. Pentosans content in untreated barley samples was 5.09, 3.29 and 4.53% of the same varieties, respectively. Soaking (12 h) for these grains decreased starch, β-Glucan, pentosan content by 2.9-5.3, 5.0- 7.6 and 2.4-6.7%, respectively. Also, germination process had a great efficiency role on the starch and non- starch polysaccharides of selected barley grains. A large number of negatively valued components in the grains such as starch and, β-Glucan, pentosan contents of barley decreased prolonging germination time. After 96h of germination, starch, β-Glucan, pentosans content of barely grain samples was decreased by 27.3-32.0, 41.0- 42.7 and 33.6-36.0%, respectively. So this study recommended that, the produced flour from soaked and 48h-germinated barley grains increase their nutritional and therapeutic properties can be used to produce improved functional foods.

A novel ammoniation treatment of barley as a strategy to optimize rumen pH, feed degradability and microbial protein synthesis in sheep.

BACKGROUNDMeeting the energy and nitrogen (N) requirements of high‐performing ruminants at the same time as avoiding digestive disturbances (i.e. rumen acidosis) is a key priority in ruminant nutrition. The present study evaluated the effect of a cereal ammoniation treatment, in which barley grains are combined with urea and enzymes that catalyze the conversion of urea to ammonia to optimize rumen function. Twelve rumen cannulated sheep were randomly divided into two groups and fed a diet containing 60% of ammoniated barley (AMM) or untreated barley supplemented with urea (CTL) to investigate the impact on rumen fermentation and feed utilization.RESULTSAMM had higher total N content and effective rumen degradable N than untreated barely. AMM sheep had a consistently higher rumen pH throughout the day (6.31 versus 6.03) and tended to have a lower post‐prandial ammonia peak and higher acetate molar proportion (+5.1%) than CTL sheep. The rumen environment in AMM sheep favored the colonization and utilization of agro‐industrial by‐products (i.e. orange pulp) by the rumen microbes leading to a higher feed degradability. AMM sheep also had higher total tract apparent N digestibility (+21.7%) and urinary excretion of purine derivatives (+34%), suggesting a higher N uptake and microbial protein synthesis than CTL sheep.CONCLUSIONThe inclusion of AMM in the diet of ruminants represents a valid strategy for maintaining rumen pH within a physiological range and improving N utilization by the rumen microbes, which could have positive effects on the health and productivity of animals in intensive production systems. These findings warrant further studies under conventional farm conditions. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Techno-Economic Analysis of ZnO Nanoparticles Pretreatments for Biogas Production from Barley Straw

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the biogas production from mechanically treated barley straw and to perform a techno-economic analysis based on the costs assessment and on the results of biogas production. The structural changes of mechanically pretreated barley straw were observed using FTIR, XRD, TGA, and SEM. Additionally, both green ZnO NPs prepared from red alga (Antithamnion plumula) extract and chemically prepared ZnO NPs were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM, surface area, and EDX. The results revealed that the biogas production was slightly improved by 14.9 and 13.2% when the barley straw of 0.4 mm was mechanically pretreated with 10 mg/L of both green and chemical ZnO NPs and produced 390.5 mL biogas/g VS and 385 mL biogas/g VS, respectively. On the other hand, the higher concentrations of ZnO NPs equal to 20 mg/L had an inhibitory effect on biogas production and decreased the biogas yield to 173 mL biogas/g VS, which was less than the half of previous values. It was also clear that the mechanically treated barley straw of 0.4 mm size presented a higher biogas yield of about 340 mL/g VS, in comparison to 279 mL biogas/g VS of untreated biomass. The kinetic study showed that the first order, modified Gompertz and logistic function models had the best fit with the experimental data. The results showed that the nanoparticles (NPs) of the mechanically treated barely straw are a suitable source of biomass for biogas production, and its yields are higher than the untreated barley straw. The results of the cost-benefit analysis showed that the average levelized cost of energy (LCOE), adopting the best treatments (0.4 mm + 10 mg/L ZnO), is 0.21 €/kWh, which is not competitive with the other renewable energy systems in the Egyptian energy market.

Effects of barley β‐glucan with various molecular weights partially hydrolyzed by endogenous β‐glucanase on glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism in mice

AbstractBackground and objectivesIn this study, we investigated whether the intake of a high‐fat diet containing barley β‐glucan partially hydrolyzed by endogenous β‐glucanase (PHEB) for 2 or 8 hr affects glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and intestinal microbiota compared with untreated barley (BF) and a control diet in mice.FindingsA significant increase in cecum weight was observed in all barley groups compared with the control group. Liver lipid accumulation was significantly decreased in all barley groups. In mice given barley flour hydrolyzed for 8 hr (PHEB‐8h), blood glucose levels tended to decrease at 30 min when compared with the control group (p = .06). Total short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) contents in the cecum were significantly increased in the BF and PHEB groups compared with the control group.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that the improving effects of barley β‐glucan on glucose and lipid metabolism were maintained even after partial hydrolysis, whereas the effects of barley β‐glucan on intestinal microbiota and SCFA production were moderately changed by partial hydrolyzation.Significance and noveltyThe findings of this study showed that, even after the cooking process, partially hydrolyzed barley β‐glucan is expected to improve glucose and lipid metabolism, similar to intact barley β‐glucan.

Impact of field fungal contamination of barley on ensiling properties, nutritional quality and the microbiome of barley silage

AbstractBarley varieties of differing fungal disease resistance were grown in triplicate plots at Lacombe and Lethbridge, Alberta with the disease resistant variety (FR) sprayed with a foliar fungicide to maximize differences in field fungal disease. Both varieties were harvested at soft dough and ensiled in minisilos to assess differences in fungal contamination on ensiling properties, nutritional quality, aerobic stability and associated bacterial and fungal microbiomes. Data were analysed as repeated measures with the effect of treatment × time (duration of ensiling or aerobic exposure) included in the model. The percentage leaf area diseased by net form net blotch was higher (p &lt; 0.05) in the untreated barley cv. Sundre (UN, 59.1% leaf area affected at Lacombe and 25.2% at Lethbridge) than in the FR barley cv. Chigwell (0.7% leaf area affected at Lacombe and 0.1% at Lethbridge). Fungal resistant barley had a lower (p &lt; 0.01) acid and neutral detergent fibre content. Relative abundance of Xanthomonadales was higher (p = 0.02) for FR than UN, while Lactobacillales dominated the bacterial microbiome after 60 day of ensiling in both silages. Bacillales dominated both FR and UN after 21 day of aerobic exposure. Fungal resistant fresh barley forage had a tendency (p = 0.10) for a greater relative abundance of Pleosporales, while UN had higher (p &lt; 0.01) Hypocreales. Mould counts were lower (p = 0.01) for FR than UN after 7 day of ensiling. Fungal resistant barley had minimal influence on the fungal community that contributed to the aerobic deterioration of barley silage.

Modification of barley dietary fiber through thermal treatments.

The current research was carried out to observe the effect of different thermal treatments on soluble and insoluble dietary fiber ratio to improve functional properties of barley. Two varieties of barley labeled as Haider‐93 and Jau‐87 were milled and then wet and dry heat‐treated. Soaking and then cooking of soaked and nonsoaked barley was performed. Untreated barley contained more insoluble dietary fiber (12.00–12.40 g/100g dm) than soluble dietary fiber (4.73–5.70 g/100g dm). Additionally, the modification of soluble (13.32%) and insoluble dietary fiber (8.79%) ratio through pressure cooking was nonsignificant while roasting showed significant results, that is, 53.91% increase in soluble dietary fiber and 8.79% decrease in insoluble dietary fiber. In phase II, cooking without soaking gave highest results, that is, 68.08% increase in soluble dietary fiber and 15.48% decrease in insoluble dietary fiber. Conclusively, among all treatments of phase I and II, the better results were shown by cooking without soaking.

Effect of reducing barley grain degradability on lambs weight, colostrum, milk production, their composition and some biochemical blood trats in Awassi ewes

This study was conducted in research department of animal resource / Al-Rashidiya, by using 21 of Awassi ewes in the last two months of gestation, ewes were divided according to their body weight, age and milk production during the previous season into three groups, daily feed intake in all groups was restricted with 1.5 kg / ewe on rations consist of barley, wheat bran, soybean meal, urea and straw. the first group was fed on ration contained barley untreated with formaldehyde (T1), while barley grain treated with formaldehyde in the ration of second group (T2), the third group fed on formaldehyde treated barley in late gestation and switch directly after lambing to the untreated barley (T3). Results indicated that differences was non-significant in colostrum yield 138±16.41, 163±19.26 and 127±19.43 g/ hr and in its components, milk yield was increased (P<0.05) in T2 1411±99.04 g/ day as compared with T1 and T2 1080±77.02 and 940±34.54 g/ day respectively, while no significant differences was noted in milk composition. Efficiency of protein and energy intake for milk production significantly higher (P<0.01) in T2 which were 26.42±2.01 and 42.24±3.55% compared to T1 (20.56±1.59 and 34.31±2.99%) and only in energy efficiency as compared with T3 which were (17.70±0.78 and 30.62±1.34%). Result of blood parameters after four week postpartum was indicated a significant (P<0.05) increase in cholesterol concentration in T1 69.60±4.85 mg/ dl compared to T2 and T3 56.55±3.67 and 54.73±3.99 mg/ dl, blood creatinine concentration decreased (P<0.05) in T3 5.03±0.53 mg/ dl as compared to T1 and T2 which were 9.60±0.77 and 9.35±0.53 mg/ dl respectively. In conclusion, reducing barley grain degradability improve feed efficiency and ewes performance, while the directly change of the feeding after lambing from low degraded barley to the normal barley grain had a negative effect in performance.

Dynamics of a microbial community during ensiling and upon aerobic exposure in lactic acid bacteria inoculation-treated and untreated barley silages

This study investigated the effects of lactic acid bacteria on bacterial and fungal community during the fermentation process and aerobic exposure phase of barley ensiled with preparation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The inoculated silages displayed higher contents of lactic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid as well as a greater number of lactic acid bacteria during ensiling. LAB-treated silage decreased the bacterial diversity during both ensiling and aerobic exposure but increased the fungal diversity during ensiling of barley. LAB-treated silage during ensiling increased the abundance of Lactobacillus but decreased that of Weissella. After aerobic exposure, LAB-treated silage increased the abundance of Lactobacillus but decreased that of Acinetobacter. Acinetobacter, Enterococcus, Providencia, and Empedobacter were the dominant bacteria after aerobic exposure. In conclusion, LAB-treated silage enhanced the number of desirable Lactobacillus and inhibited the growth of undesirable microorganisms, such as Acinetobacter.

Identification of novel enzymes to enhance the ruminal digestion of barley straw

Crude enzyme extracts typically contain a broad spectrum of enzyme activities, most of which are redundant to those naturally produced by the rumen microbiome. Identification of enzyme activities that are synergistic to those produced by the rumen microbiome could enable formulation of enzyme cocktails that improve fiber digestion in ruminants. Compared to untreated barley straw, Viscozyme® increased gas production, dry matter digestion (P < 0.01) and volatile fatty acid production (P < 0.001) in ruminal batch cultures. Fractionation of Viscozyme® by Blue Native PAGE and analyses using a microassay and mass-spectrometry revealed a GH74 endoglucanase, GH71 α-1,3-glucanase, GH5 mannanase, GH7 cellobiohydrolase, GH28 pectinase, and esterases from Viscozyme® contributed to enhanced saccharification of barley straw by rumen mix enzymes. Grouping of these identified activities with their carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZy) counterparts enabled selection of similar CAZymes for downstream production and screening. Mining of these specific activities from other biological systems could lead to high value enzyme formulations for ruminants.

IN-VITRO DIGESTIBILITTY OF BARLEY GRAINS TREATED WITH UREA: IN-VITRO STUDY

This study was conducted in a central laboratory of Agriculture College\ University of Baghdad, to study the effect of treated barley grains with urea as 1: 1 urea: barley grain (w:w) with or without heating on the in-vitro digestibility, total nitrogen content and releasing urea, the results showed a high significant increases (P&lt;0.01) in total nitrogen content of treated barley grains with urea compared with non-treated, where it was 14.77% for barley soaked 24 hours with urea and 17.18% for barley- urea treated with heat and pressure in compared to 2.15% for untreated barley grains. There were continuity in urea production from barley grains soaked with urea for most times 0, 10, 20, 30, 60,120,180, and 240 minutes and a highly significant (P&lt;0.01) compared to barley grains treated with urea. There were no significant differences in the in-vitro digestibility for concentrated rations when substituted treated barley grains with soya bean meal. In conclusion: we can use barley grains soaked with urea for ruminant feeding without side effects in contrast direct feeding of urea.