Van Soest Research Articles

Comparison of nutritive value between intact and defatted black soldier fly larvae for animal feed

In this study, the possibility black soldier fly (BSF) larvae as a novel feedstuff for animal was investigated. The objective of this study was to compare the nutritive value between intact and defatted BSF larvae for animal feed by means of chemical composition determination and in vitro rumen fermentation technique. The following treatments were tested: intact BSF (T1), BSF low in lipid by mechanical extraction (T2), BSF low in lipid by chemical extraction (T3), and soybean meal (T4). The samples were subjected to proximate analysis, Van Soest’s fiber fraction and cell wall nitrogen determination. The samples were further incubated in vitro with buffered-rumen fluid in four replicates, represented by two incubation units per replicate, and conducted for 48 h at 39°C. Parameters measured in the in vitro evaluation were total gas production and methane emission at regular time point intervals. Other parameters measured after the incubation were dry matter degradation, organic matter degradation, total volatile fatty acid (VFA), ammonia concentration and pH. Data were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and if there was a significant different at P<0.05 then continued with Duncan’s multiple range test. Results revealed that removal of lipid from BSF larvae either by mechanical or chemical extraction increased dry matter degradability (DMD), organic matter degradability (OMD) and total gas production values as compared to intact BSF (P<0.05). However, these values were still lower than those of soybean meal (P<0.05). Concentrations of ammonia and total VFA were similar across all dietary treatments. It can be concluded that removal of lipid from BSF larvae by either mechanical or chemical extraction improves its utilization in the in vitro rumen fermentation system.

Dynamics of the Bacterial Community in Fermentation Process of Rice Straw as Animal Feed

Rice straw is a potential fiber forage as feed for ruminant. The aim of this research was to observe the potential of Stimulator Plus on improving the nutritional quality of fermented rice straw. The material that has been used in this study were rice straw, stimulator plus, starbio, urea, and molasses. Completely Random Design has been applied in this experiment, with four treatments fermentation period (0,7,14, and 21 days) with three replications, Proximate Test and Van Soest to determine the nutrient content of fermented products. The Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) method for metagenomic analysis of a microorganism. The observed variables were physical quality and chemical quality. Fermentation period at seven days increased the crude protein content and decreased the Neutral Detergent Fiber and acid detergent fiber of fermented rice straw (P<0.01). The bacterial diversity in fermented rice straw was measured using some indices: Chao1 index varied from 1717 to 2599; Shannon index varied from 20.66 to 23.72; Simpson index varied from 4.086 to 4.813; Abundance-based Coverage Estimator (ACE) index varied from 31.916 to 34.838; Se.ACE index varied from 1987.61 to 2905.7. The Bacillaceae and Streptococcaceae were always found throughout the fermentation. Bacterial community dynamics were found different in each treatment.

Organic matter composition and paleoclimatic changes in tropical mountain peatlands currently under grasslands and forest clusters

Tropical peatlands are important ecosystems for Planet Earth, as they store large amounts of carbon and water. A better understanding of the impact of vegetation type and altitude in content, composition, and rate of accumulation of organic matter is key for assessing the current role of such environments. This study evaluated fibric and soluble fractions as well as the lignocellulosic and the isotopic compositions of the peat organic matter from four tropical mountain peatlands located at different altitudes of the Serra do Espinhaço Meridional, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The peatlands are currently under grasslands and forest clusters. Samples of peat under both vegetation types were collected and analyzed for organic matter fractions, cellulose, and lignin (van Soest method), as well as carbon and nitrogen isotopes. Different depths were chosen for radiocarbon dating of selected samples. The organic matter of peatlands currently under grasslands and forest clusters presented differences in soluble fractions, lignocellulosic composition, and δ13C values. Multivariate analyses allowed grouping the peatlands by altitude and vegetation type. The chronological succession of grassland and forest clusters in tropical mountain peatlands was influenced by altitude and was related to paleoclimatic changes.

Chemical composition and gross energy content of commonly available animal feedstuff in Sri Lanka

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition and gross energy content of currently available feedstuff used for animal feeding in Sri Lanka. A total of 35 feedstuff including 10 energy supplements, 11 plant protein supplements, 3 animal protein supplements, 2 mineral supplements, 3 grasses, and leaves of 6 tree species was evaluated. Proximate composition, van Soest fiber content, in vitro dry matter digestibility, gross energy (GE) and mineral content of the feedstuff were measured using standard protocols. Values were expressed as percentage dry matter (DM) for proximate constituents and van Soest constituents, and kcalg-1 DM for gross energy content. The crude protein (CP) content of plant protein supplements varied from 24.4 % DM [black gram ( Vigna mungo ) husk] to 61.3 % DM (corn gluten meal); however animal protein supplements had less variation in CP content [varied from 50.3 % DM (meat & bone meal) to 69.2 % DM (fish meal)]. Portia ( Thespesia populnea ) leaves had more CP (15.9 % DM) and ether extract (EE) content (9.9 % DM) than all other roughages except manilkara leaves ( Manilkara hexandra ), which had 15.4 % DM EE. Cocoa ( Theobroma cacao ) husk contained the highest crude fibre content (38.3 % DM) when compared to all the other evaluated ingredients. GE content was highest in brewery waste (4.78 kcalg-1 DM) and lowest in coconut distillery waste (2.97 kcalg-1 DM). Mineral content of animal protein supplements was higher than in the other concentrates and roughages. In vitro dry matter digestibility of the concentrates was higher than that of roughages. The same trend was observed in organic matter digestibility. The data collected from the current study will be useful for balanced ration formulation for animals living under farm conditions in Sri Lanka.

Characterization of lignocellulosic components in exhausted sugar beet pulp waste by TG/FTIR analysis

In this work, the thermal decomposition of exhausted sugar beet pulp (ESBP) at a heating rate of 10 °C min−1 and the resulting evolved gases were examined by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results obtained in the identification of biomass fiber components were compared with those of the Van Soest method. The TG curves obtained in the fast thermal pyrolysis of ESBP exhibited substantial mass loss peaks primarily associated with the decomposition of pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose at 233, 269 and 341 °C, respectively. Lignin, however, was more difficult to decompose since its mass loss occurred over a broad temperature range (200–800 °C). The FTIR spectra obtained at these temperatures were consistent with the formation of large amounts of gases such as CO2, CO, H2O and CH4 in addition to a mixture of organic products including aldehydes, ketones, organic acids, alkanes and phenols. Based on these results, the proposed approach allows lignocellulosic components in exhausted sugar beet pulp biomass to be efficiently screened. Also, the new approach is faster, operationally simpler and more economical than the Van Soest method.

Evaluation of fungal degradation of wheat straw cell wall using different analytical methods from ruminant nutrition perspective.

BACKGROUNDWhite rot fungi have been used to improve the nutritive value of lignocellulose for ruminants. In feed analysis, the Van Soest method is widely used to determine the cell wall contents. To assess the reliability of this method (Method A) for determination of cell wall contents in fungal‐treated wheat straw, we compared a combined monosaccharide analysis and pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS) (Method B). Ruminal digestibility, measured as in vitro gas production (IVGP), was subsequently used to examine which method explains best the effect of fungal pretreatment on the digestibility of wheat straw.RESULTSBoth methods differed considerably in the mass recoveries of the individual cell wall components, which changed on how we assess their degradation characteristics. For example, Method B gave a higher degradation of lignin (61.9%), as compared to Method A (33.2%). Method A, however, showed a better correlation of IVGP with the ratio of lignin to total structural carbohydrates, as compared to Method B (Pearson's r of −0.84 versus −0.69). Nevertheless, Method B provides a more accurate quantification of lignin, reflecting its actual modification and degradation. With the information on the lignin structural features, Method B presents a substantial advantage in understanding the underlying mechanisms of lignin breakdown. Both methods, however, could not accurately quantify the cellulose contents – among others, due to interference of fungal biomass.CONCLUSIONMethod A only accounts for the recalcitrant residue and therefore is more suitable for evaluating ruminal digestibility. Method B allows a more accurate quantification of cell wall, required to understand and better explains the actual modification of the cell wall. The suitability of both methods, therefore, depends on their intended purposes. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

A new species of Characella Sollas, 1886 (Tetractinellida; Demospongiae; Porifera) from deeper waters off the coast of Brazil.

Sponges of the Family Pachastrellidae Carter, 1875 are distributed worldwide and found generally in deep water. Up to date, only four species are known for the Brazilian coast (Muricy 2018): Characella aspera Sollas, 1886, C. capitolii Mothes et al. 2007, C. pachastrelloides (Carter, 1876), and Pachastrella monilifera Schmidt, 1868. In this study, a new species of Characella is described from the mesophotic zone off Bacia Potiguar (Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeastern Brazil). The specimen was preserved in 80% ethanol and deposited in the Porifera Collection of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPEPOR). Taxonomic comparisons were made with data tabulated for all species of Characella available in the World Porifera Database (van Soest et al. 2018).

A new species of Acanthella Schmidt, 1862 (Porifera, Demospongiae, Dictyonellidae) from northeast region, Brazil.

Acanthella Schmidt, 1862 species are characterized by choanosomal skeleton of dendritic tracts cored by interwoven sinuously bent strongyles or strongyloxeas and echinated by straight styles, oxeas or anisoxeas (Van Soest et al. 2002). The genus Acanthella comprises 33 valid species, with six known from the Atlantic Ocean (Van Soest et al. 2018). Previously, the only record for Brazil was A. flagelliformis (Van Soest Stentoft, 1988) (Muricy 2018). Species of the genus include a transition from shrub like 'Axinellas' and herbaceous species similar to the genus Suberites Nardo, 1833 (Schmidt 1862; Vosmaer 1912). Due to its heterogeneous complex of species, Acanthella has been confused with other axinellids. Similarities were seen in genera such as Phakellia (Van Soest et al. 2002), which shares spicule complement and comparable choanosomal skeletons. In the present study, we describe a new species of Acanthella from oceanographic expeditions of the northeast region of Brazil. Two specimens of Acanthella sp. nov. were collected by dredging at Ceará and Pernambuco State, Brazil. All specimens were preserved in 92% ethanol and deposited in the Porifera Collections at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPEPOR). The taxonomic identification was carried out through analysis of spicules morphologies, using Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), following methods described by Hajdu et al. (2011).

Goats Fattening Under an Agrosilvopastoril Production System in Oaxaca

The agroforestry systems consider the integrated management of all production within the production unit processes and conservation practices related to the use of natural resources. From this point of view, it should be approached as a system composed by subsystems and the interactions that occur among them, in order to provide a sustainable, social, economic and ecological alternative to the traditional extensive ranching. The project objective was to evaluate the fattening of goats under an agrosilvopastoril production system established in the 2013 summer-autumn cycle, at the Technological Institute of Oaxaca Valley (ITVO). Completely randomized design with factorial arrangement evaluating three factors (age, sex and supplement) and two levels were used. 16 goats feeding with nutritional ITVO block, native grasses and guaje (Leucaena esculenta) were used. The variance analysis was made by the statistical package SAS (Statistical Analysis System) version 9.4. For the comparison of measures with Tukey test (α = 0.05) and a proximal analysis by Van Soest to obtain the quality of the forages. Weight gain related to sex was differential, males and females presented a value of 63.5±18.2 and 54.25±17.3 g day/animal not significant (p>0.05), respectively. Creole goats grazing and supplemented with a nutritional block had a weight gain of 70.5±20.3 g day/animal without supplement 47.29±18.9 g day/animal not significant (p>0.05). The greater weight gained in nutritional supplement found with block showed that the use of the same influences fattening goats.

In vitro gas production of legume Bauhinia purpurea, Cassia alata and Macroptilium atropurpureum

Legume is feed commodity for livestock which is widely available in tropical country. The availability of tree legumes does not depend on seasons. However, the quality of legumes is varied, requiring information on nutrient composition. This study aimed to evaluate total gas production in several legume types (tree, clump, creep) in vitro. This study was conducted from January 2018 until April 2018 at Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University Putra Malaysia. All samples were determined for proximate analysis, Van Soest fiber fractions, i.e. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), Acid detergent fiber (ADF), Acid detergent lignin (ADL) and total gas production in vitro. There were three tropical legumes tested in this study, i.e. (1) Bauhinia purpurea (BP), (2) Cassia alata (CA), (3) Macroptilium atropurpureum (MA). Randomized Block Design (3 treatments × 3 replicates) was used to analyse data. Data were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and continued with Duncan Test if there was a significant difference. The data showed that Bauhinia purpurea produced the highest total gas production 27.83 mL (P < 0.05) at 24 h of incubation time. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between total gas production of three legumes at 48 h of incubation time (P > 0.05).

Sponge grounds of Artemisina (Porifera, Demospongiae) in the Iberian Peninsula, ecological characterization by ROV techniques.

Artemisina Vosmaer, 1885 is a poecilosclerid microcionoid sponge genus with 20 valid species, seven of which have been recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.The present study describes Artemisina sponge grounds in Iberia Peninsula. A. transiens is a sponge described in 1890 by Topsent in Galicia (Spain); A. hispanica was also collected in the north of Spain by Ferrer-Hernández (1917); World Porifera Database (WPD) considers at the moment both mushroom-shaped species as synonyms (van Soest et al., 2018), but we have only been able to check the types of A. hispanica. The studied samples were collected in Somos Llungo station and they correspond clearly to those described as A. hispanica by Ferrer-Hernández (1917) and it presents differences in the skeleton with respet to description of A. transiens in the literture. There are no more records after 1917 and there are no data of ecological characterisation nor is there a detailed description of its skeletal composition with Scanning Electron Microscopy. In the previous records the formation of sponge grounds of these species was not known. Oceana, the largest international organization focused solely on protecting the world's oceans, has recorded the habitat of Artemisina in Atlantic and Cantabrian waters during a series of ROV cruises for the identification of marine areas with high ecological value that need protection. Its life conditions and associated fauna are described from direct observations for the first time.

Increasing the Quality of Agricultural and Plantation Residues using Combination of Fiber Cracking Technology and Urea for Ruminant Feeds

This experiment aimed to evaluate the decrease of the fiber fraction of some agricultural and plantation residues after being treated with Fiber Cracking Technology (FCT) and urea. The residues included rice straw, oil palm frond (OPF), oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB), cocoa pod and coffee husk. They were added with 5% urea and incubated in FCT at temperature 135oC and pressure 2.3 atm for 2.5 h. The experimental treatments were arranged as a factorial design 5 × 2, in which the first factor was various agricultural and plantation residues (rice straw, OPF, OPEFB, cocoa pod and coffee husk) and the second factor was FCT application (untreated and treated with FCT + 5% urea), performed in 4 replicates. All treatments were subjected to Van Soest analysis and in vitro digestibility test. The decrease of fiber fraction was confirmed with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. Results showed that FCT + 5% urea treatment decreased NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin contents of all samples (P&lt;0.05), and increased IVDMD and IVOMD in comparison to untreated samples (P&lt;0.05). However, the treatment did not alter in vitro methane gas production and VFA profiles of the samples. Analyses using SEM, XRD and FTIR revealed that FCT + 5% urea treatment demolished cell wall component, decreased crystallinity index and cleaved fiber bonds. It was concluded that combination between FCT and urea 5% effectively enhances the quality of some fibrous feed materials.

A first preliminary study of the shallow water sponge fauna from Cyprus Island (Eastern Mediterranean).

Currently, more than 8,500 valid sponge species are reported in the World Porifera Database (http://www.marinespecies.org/porifera/) (van Soest et al. 2018). The Mediterranean Sea sponge fauna, counting almost 700 species, is one of the best documented in the world (Pronzato 2003; Pansini et al. 2011; van Soest et al. 2018) but the eastern part of the basin is by far less studied, in comparison with other Mediterranean areas (Pansini et al. 2000; Voultsiadou Vafidis 2004; Topaloğlu Evcen 2014). A small number of species, mainly belonging to the cosmopolitan genus Spongia (Dictyoceratida), are commonly used as bath sponges. Aim of this work is to provide further information on Cyprus Island sponges in general and on species that had commercial importance in the past.

New records of Biemna Gray, 1867 (Biemnidae: Biemnida: Demospongiae) and a replacement name for the species Biemna microstyla Thomas, 1984.

Biemna Gray, 1867 is characterized by stylote or exceptionally oxeote megascleres arranged in a plumoreticulate skeleton, ectosomal skeleton consists of the brushed endings of choanosomal tracts, microscleres are sigmas, microxeas, commata and raphides (Hajdu Van Soest 2002). Currently, Biemna has 55 valid species (Van Soest et al. 2018). In Brazil, three species are known from northern region (Muricy 2018): Biemna microacanthosigma Mothes, Hajdu, Lerner Van Soest, 2004, Biemna spinomicroxea Mothes, Campos, Lerner, Carraro Van Soest, 2005, Biemna trisigmata Mothes Campos, 2004. In this present study, a new name is proposed for a preoccupied combination, Biemna thomasi nom. nov. The species Biemna caribea Pulitzer-Finali, 1986 is recorded and described for the first time in Brazilian waters. Six specimens of Biemna were studied in Pernambuco and Bahia States. All specimens were preserved in 80% ethanol and deposited on the Porifera Collections at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPEPOR).

Taxonomy of deep-water tetillid sponges (Porifera, Demospongiae, Spirophorina) from Brazil, with description of three new species and new characters.

Since the 19th century the deep-sea sponges from Brazil have been studied and many of them are still being discovered. This study describes five species of tetillid sponges from deep waters of the Brazilian economic exclusive zone; three are new, one is a new occurrence, and another is a known species which is here analyzed. The new species found are: Cinachyrella clavaeformis sp. nov. from the Columbia Seamount (85 m depth), Cinachyrella strongylophora sp. nov. from the Almirante Saldanha Seamount (270 m depth) and Craniella curviclada sp. nov. from slope of the Espírito Santo Basin (500 m depth). The two new species of Cinachyrella possess microacanthoxeas like those found in Cinachyrella kuekenthali (Uliczka 1929); this last species occurs in Caribbean region (4-100 m depth) and in N, NE and SE Brazil (0.2-100 m depth). The type material of Craniella corticata (Boury-Esnault 1973); from NE Brazil (75 m depth), has been found to be a synonym of Cinachyrella kuekenthali. Craniella crustocorticata van Soest 2017; from the Guyana shelf and slope (618-500 m depth), is here reported from the slope of NE and SW Brazil (400-700 m depth). A disorganized choanosomal skeleton (in Cinachyrella clavaeformis sp. nov.), strongyles (in Cinachyrella strongylophora sp. nov.) and a single-layered cortex of tangential oxeas (in Craniella crustocorticata) are new diagnostic characters that have led us to propose slight amendments in the definitions of Cinachyrella Wilson 1925 and Craniella Schmidt 1870. We discuss these and other morphological characters as well as their usefulness in Tetillidae. The diversity, distribution and bathymetry of tetillid sponges from Brazil are discussed and our knowledge of the composition of deep-sea sponges (deeper than 100 m) off Brazil is updated.

Calcareous sponges of the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea.

Past taxonomic studies of Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea Calcarea have been few and sporadic (e.g. Schuffner 1877, Jenkin 1908, Row 1909, Dendy 1913, 1916, Voigt et al. 2017, 2018). Nevertheless, approximately 70 species are known from these studies for the considered region, but the descriptions of the older records often lack sufficient details for reliable identification. We studied the Western Indian Ocean Calcarea collection kept in the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. Available specimens numbered 145, collected in the Red Sea, Seychelles, Maldives, Mayotte and Rodrigues, in addition to incidental samples from Oman, the Lakshadweep Islands, the Mozambique Channel, and Eastern South Africa. Using a combination of techniques (in situ and 'on deck' photography, detailed field notes, light microscopic studies and measurements, SEM microscopy, and selected DNA sequencing) we identified 45 species, divided over the two main classes Calcinea (24 spp.) and Calcaronea (21 spp.). Not all species could be definitely assigned to an already described or a new species, as seven remained qualified as 'spec.' or 'aff.' for reasons of insufficient material or lack of details of in situ habitus. Sixteen species appeared to be new to science: Borojevia voigti sp.nov., Borojevia tubulata sp.nov., Borojevia pirella sp.nov., Clathrina rodriguesensis sp.nov., Clathrina maremeccae sp.nov., Clathrina repens sp.nov., Leucascus schleyeri sp.nov., Leucetta sulcata sp.nov., Ute insulagemmae sp.nov., Leucandra pilula sp.nov., Leucandra mozambiquensis sp.nov., Grantessa woerheidei sp.nov., Sycettusa hirsutissima sp.nov., Vosmaeropsis glebula sp.nov., Paraleucilla erpenbecki sp.nov., and Kebira tetractinifera sp.nov. For a selection of the identified species from the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea (30 spp.), as well as from Indonesian material (22 spp.) published previously (see Van Soest De Voogd 2015) we obtained sequences of the partial 28S gene of nuclear rDNA (C2-D2 region, cf. Voigt Wörheide 2016). The sequences of the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea species were used to assign these to genera and families based on a phylogenetic analysis using MEGA pack vs. 06.6 for Mac of the available dataset. The Indonesian sequences supplemented by partial 28S sequences taken from the Sponge Barcode Project website and the NCBI website were included in the phylogenetic analysis to confirm the assignments. The results were compared and discussed with additional information on regional Calcarea not represented in our material. The latter chapter yielded the discovery of a preoccupied name leading to Sycon oscari nom.nov. for a species described from Mauritius.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Thalia Blumenbach, 1798; Weelia Yount, 1954; Brooksia Metcalf, 1918 (Salpida: Salpidae) from East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

The marine pelagic tunicates of Family Salpidae Lahille, 1888 presence in the coastal waters of Terengganu was studied for the first time. Samples were collected from April to July 2016 using 200µm Bongo net; hauled vertically from a stationary vessel; and preserved in 5% buffered formaldehyde. A total of 4 species under this family were found, observed and identified: Thalia rhomboides (Quoy and Gaimard 1824); Thalia sibogae (van Soest 1973); Weelia cylindrica (Cuvier 1804) and Brooksia rostrata (Traustedt 1893). All species were identified as new records in Malaysian waters. The description on morphological characteristics and a key to the solitary and aggregate of the recorded species is added. The distribution was analyzed from the 18 sampling stations in theTerengganu waters including Pulau Bidong, Pulau Yu and Pulau Kapas. The collected data was then compiled with previous available global literature on the distribution and occurrence of these four species, consequently updating the biodiversity of Malaysian fauna and its worldwide biogeography distribution.

Feed Composition Analysis and Reproductive Status of Dairy Cows Raised in Yogyakart

The objective of this study was to determine the content of the feed given and reproductive status of each animal and its effect on reproduction performance in early lactation dairy cows. Seven early lactation of Friesian Holstein cows were used from local farmer. The observed variable were feedstuff from local farmer and reproductive status (post partum estrous and service per conception). The results of proximat and van soest analysis from feedstuff consist of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and concentrate feed from feed mill. The elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was contained of dry matter (DM) 86.27%, Ash 18.63%, extract eter (EE) 3.84%, crude fiber (CF) 30.62%, crude protein (CP) 13.05%, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) 73.73% and acid detergent fiber (ADF) 45.31%. Concentrates feed was contained of dry matter (DM) 89.24%, Ash 15.36%, extract eter (EE) 5.37%, crude fiber (CF) 17.11%, crude protein (CP) 12.76%, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) 58.23% and acid detergent fiber (ADF) 19.20%. The results of reproductive parameters for post partum estrous (PPE) 121.43±16.672 days and service per conception (S/C) was 2.14±0.690. In conclusion the feedstuff were given less meet the requirement, and affecting the performance of reproduction.

POLLEN AND ACHENE MORPHOLOGY OF TARAXACUM F.H. WIGG. (ASTERACEAE) SPECIES DISTRIBUTED AROUND BURSA

In this study, we extensively examined the pollen morphology and some important morphological characteristics of Taraxacum Wiggers (Asteraceae) species which have a wide distribution in and around Bursa. There are 7 Taraxacum species distributed in Bursa and its vicinity, 2 of which are endemic. Taxons are Taraxacum serotinum (Waldst &amp; Kit) Poiret, Taraxacum hyberniforme van Soest, Taraxacum minimum Heldr. ex Nyman, Taraxacum aznavourii van Soest, Taraxacum buttleri van Soest, Taraxacum pseudobrachyglossum van Soest and Taraxacum turcicum van Soest. According to the palynological studies, T. turcicum pollens are moderate monad, their pollen type is three-zonocolporate rarely tetra-zonocolporate, pollen shape is subprolate, prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal and exine ornamentation is defined as spinulate. T. pseudobrachyglossum pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is subprolate, prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T. serotinum pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate rarely tetra-zonocolporate, pollen shape is prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T. minimum pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is suboblate, prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T.hyberniforme pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T. aznavourii pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T.buttleri pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is suboblate, prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal, subprolate; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule.

Chemical and multi-physical characterization of agro-resources’ by-product as a possible raw building material

The aim of this paper is to find out the best valuation of agro-resources’ by-products as new alternative raw building materials that meet to sustainable development requirement. Five agro-resources are considered: flax, hemp, corn, rape and wheat. In the present work, the chemical characteristics of bio-aggregates are studied by FTIR, Van soest method and Phenol sulfuric method to identify their composition. The investigated physical properties are particle size distribution, density, porosity, water absorption, thermal conductivity and moisture buffer value. The studied materials differ on a chemical and a thermal point of view while they all are excellent hygric regulators. These results suggest that agro-resources can be used as a raw building materials for several types of use: as lightweight aggregates or as binder.