The nutritive value of concentrate feedstuffs for ruminant animals: Part I: In situ ruminal degradability of dry matter and organic matter

The aim of the study was to generate a database of ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), and organic matter (OM) of different sources of concentrate ingredients (classified as protein, energy or protein+energy feeds) commonly offered to ruminants in European countries. The ruminal disappearance of DM and OM was measured using the in situ nylon bag technique, where the test feedstuffs were subject to ruminal incubation in four Friesian steers offered grass silage and concentrate. Disappearance of DM and OM from the test feeds from the rumen was measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 14, 24 and 48 h. The exponential model of Ørskov and McDonald (1979) was used to calculate degradation kinetics. Test protein feeds were sunflower meal (SUN), rapeseed meal (RAP), soyabean meal (SBM) and cottonseed meal (CSM). Test energy feeds were palm kernel meal (PK), pollard (PO), barley (BA) and beet pulp (BP). Test protein+energy feeds were maize distillers grains (MDG), maize gluten feed (MGF), copra meal (CO) and malt combings (MC).

The effective degradability (degradability of feed, whilst considering rate of flow of feed from rumen to small intestine) of DM (EDDM) and OM (EDOM) in the protein feed SBM, where outflow rate k=0.02, was not influenced (P>0.05) by the sample of feed used. For the feeds classified as protein+energy feeds, the EDDM in MGF and MC were not affected (P>0.05) by the sample of feed for k=0.02. For the remainder of the concentrate feedstuffs used in this study, the sample of feed used had a pronounced effect on in situ degradability values. These data have shown that for the majority of feeds examined in this study, the different sources of any one feed are not equal in nutritive value and it is necessary to screen feeds for nutritive value before using them in ration formulation systems.     

The nutritive value of concentrate feedstuffs for ruminant animals: Part II: In situ ruminal degradability of crude protein

The objective of the study was to generate a database of in situ ruminal degradability of crude protein (CP) from different samples of a range of concentrate feedstuffs comprising protein, energy or protein+energy feeds commonly offered to ruminant animals in European countries. The in situ disappearance of CP was calculated using the in situ nylon bag technique where the test feedstuffs were subject to ruminal incubation in four Friesian steers offered grass silage and concentrate. Disappearance of CP from the test feeds from the rumen was measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 14, 24 and 48 h. The exponential model of Ørskov and McDonald (1979) was used to measure degradation kinetics of CP. Test protein feeds were sunflower meal (SUN), rapeseed meal (RAP), soyabean meal (SBM) and cottonseed meal (CSM). Test energy feeds were palm kernel meal (PK), pollard (PO), barley (BA) and beet pulp (BP). Test protein+energy feeds were maize distillers grains (MDG), maize gluten feed (MGF), copra meal (CO) and malt combings (MC). The effective degradability of CP (EDP) in the protein feed SBM, where outflow rate (k)=0.02 was not influenced (P>0.05) by the sample of feed used. For the energy feeds, the EDP in PO for k=0.05 h⁻¹, 0.06 h⁻¹ and 0.08 h⁻¹ and EDP in BA for k=0.08 h⁻¹ were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the sample of feed used. The data has shown that for the majority of feeds examined in this study, the different samples of any one feed are not equal in nutritive value and it is necessary to screen feeds for nutritive value before using them in ration formulation systems.     

多鳞四须鲃耗氧率、排氨率和窒息点的初步研究

控制水温在(20±0.5)℃条件下,采用Winkler法和奈氏试剂法分别测定水中的溶氧含量和氨氮含量,通过比较流水呼吸室进、出口水中的溶解氧和氨氮含量之差以确定多鳞四须鲃(Barbodes schwanenfeldi)的耗氧率、排氨率及窒息点.结果表明,多鳞四须鲃耗氧率随体重增加而减小,关系式为Y=0.24X^-0.09(R²=0.9028);随放养密度的增大而减小,关系式为Y=-0.029X+0.3301 (R²=0.9291).排氨率随体重的增加而减小,关系式为Y=-0.0008X+0.2433 (R²=0.9817);随放养密度的增大而增加,关系式为Y=-0.050X+0.4979 (R²=0.9889).多鳞四须隹巴晚间(18:00～4:00)的耗氧率明显高于白天(6:00-1:00),排氨率则相反,白天的排氨率相对较高,表明多鳞四须鲃巴属于"昼伏夜出"型鱼类.多鳞四须啬巴的窒息点为1.2572mg·L^-1,耐氧性较差.     

Encapsulation of soybean meal with fats enriched in palmitic and stearic acids: effects on rumen-undegraded protein and in vitro intestinal digestibility

Fat coating of soybean meal (SBM) can reduce its protein degradability in the rumen, but the encapsulation of SBM with palmitic (PA) and stearic acids (SA) has not yet been investigated, despite both fatty acids are common energy sources in dairy cow diets. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of applying a novel method, using either 400 or 500 g fat/kg (treatments FL40 and FL50, respectively), which was enriched in PA and SA at different ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100), on physical and chemical characteristics, ruminal degradability, solubility and in vitro intestinal protein digestibility (IVIPD) of the obtained products. Encapsulation of SBM in fat resulted in greater mean particle size and lower bulk density and protein solubility than unprotected SBM (USBM). Treatment FL50 resulted in increased (p < 0.01) rumen-undegraded protein (RUP) compared to USBM. There were no differences in RUP of SBM when different PA: SA ratios were used. The mean RUP content of treatments FL40 and FL50 (306 and 349 g/kg, respectively) was greater compared to USBM (262 g/kg, p < 0.05), but lower than that for a standard heat-treated SBM (431 g/kg). Values of IVIPD did not differ among SBM, heat-treated SBM and FL40 and FL50 samples, all being greater than 97.8%. In conclusion, encapsulation of SBM with fats enriched in PA and SA proved to be effective in reducing protein solubility and increasing RUP without depressing protein digestibility in the intestine. For validation of the method, in vivo research to investigate the effects of these products on the production of dairy cows is warranted.     

不同产地姜黄属植物中姜黄素类成分及矿质元素分析

以福建泉州地区种植的12个姜黄(Curcuma longa)和莪术(Curcuma zedoaria)种质的成熟根茎为试材, 采用正交设计法优化姜黄素(CCM)、单脱甲氧基姜黄素(DMC)和双脱甲氧基姜黄素(BDMC)的提取工艺条件, 比较不同产地姜黄属种质的3种姜黄素类化合物和16种矿质元素的含量。结果表明, 姜黄素类化合物提取工艺为: 100%甲醇, 1:5 (g·mL^-1)固液比, 超声提取2分钟, 提取率达到最高值。CCM、DMC和BDMC的最大吸收波长分别为424、418及414 nm; 回归方程分别为Y=0.170 3X+0.024 3 (CCM), Y=0.173 8X+0.041 (DMC), Y=0.140 6X+0.051 4 (BDMC)。GY03种质中CCM、DMC和BDMC含量分别为1.23%、1.22%与1.50%, 总姜黄素类含量最高, 达3.95%; GY01种质的总姜黄素次之(为3.82%); GY03和GY01可在栽培地推广种植; 12个姜黄属种质的16种矿质元素中, 以Mg、Mn、Al、Fe和Zn含量较为丰富。     

不同产地姜黄属植物中姜黄素类成分及矿质元素分析

以福建泉州地区种植的12个姜黄(Curcuma longa)和莪术(Curcuma zedoaria)种质的成熟根茎为试材, 采用正交设计法优化姜黄素(CCM)、单脱甲氧基姜黄素(DMC)和双脱甲氧基姜黄素(BDMC)的提取工艺条件, 比较不同产地姜黄属种质的3种姜黄素类化合物和16种矿质元素的含量。结果表明, 姜黄素类化合物提取工艺为: 100%甲醇, 1:5 (g·mL^-1)固液比, 超声提取2分钟, 提取率达到最高值。CCM、DMC和BDMC的最大吸收波长分别为424、418及414 nm; 回归方程分别为Y=0.170 3X+0.024 3 (CCM), Y=0.173 8X+0.041 (DMC), Y=0.140 6X+0.051 4 (BDMC)。GY03种质中CCM、DMC和BDMC含量分别为1.23%、1.22%与1.50%, 总姜黄素类含量最高, 达3.95%; GY01种质的总姜黄素次之(为3.82%); GY03和GY01可在栽培地推广种植; 12个姜黄属种质的16种矿质元素中, 以Mg、Mn、Al、Fe和Zn含量较为丰富。     

Effects of non-enzymatic browning reaction intensity on in vitro ruminal protein degradation and intestinal protein digestion of soybean and cottonseed meals

The effects of non-enzymatic browning reactions on in vitro ruminal gas production and in vitro ruminal and intestinal crude protein (CP) digestibilities of soybean (SBM) and cottonseed (CSM) meals were investigated. Non-enzymatically browned SBM and CSM samples were prepared using two xylose levels (10 or 30 g/kg dry matter), two heating lengths (30 or 60 min) and two heating temperatures (120 or 150 °C) for a total of one untreated (commercially solvent-extracted, Control) and eight treated samples for each protein source. The control SBM had higher (P<0.001) in vitro ruminal CP degradability values than the treated samples. Intestinal protein digestibility and total-tract CP digestibility of CSM and SBM were affected by the treatment (P<0.01). The results of the study indicate that not only ruminal CP degradability is reduced but also intestinal and total-tract CP digestibilities may be lowered depending on protein source and intensity of the non-enzymatic browning reaction.     

团头鲂幼鱼对不同浓度胆碱的利用率及7种常见饲料原料中胆碱生物学效价的评定

研究常见饲料原料中胆碱的生物学效价,为渔用配合饲料配制提供基础数据。试验选取团头鲂平均体重（3.50.1）g 990尾,以酪蛋白、明胶等原料配制4个氯化胆碱添加水平（0、1030、1230、1430 mg/kg）的纯合饲料,并在1030 mg/kg的基础上分别添加7种常见饲料原料（鱼粉、豆粕、菜粕、棉粕、次粉、麸皮、米糠）,使得各组配合饲料中胆碱含量为1230 mg/kg,共11组,每组3重复,饲养8周。根据肝脏胆碱沉积量和试验鱼胆碱摄食量,评定团头鲂幼鱼对不同浓度的胆碱利用率和这7种原料中胆碱的生物学效价。结果表明:在4个纯和饲料中,肝脏胆碱沉积量和增重率随着饲料胆碱水平从0到1230 mg/kg饲料的增加而显著上升（P0.05）,并在饲料胆碱水平从1230到1430 mg/kg饲料的增加而差异不显著（P0.05）;在同一胆碱水平（1230 mg/kg）的条件下,原料组的增长率均高于对照组;团头鲂幼鱼对鱼粉、豆粕、菜粕、棉粕、次粉、麸皮和米糠的胆碱生物学效价分别为87.42%、112.54%、76.84%、98.00%、95.91%、43.88%、91.5%。分析可知,团头鲂生产饲料中尚需要额外添加氯化胆碱方能满足其对胆碱的需要,实际添加量与饲料所使用的原料有关。       

鮸形态性状与体质量的关系

为了研究鮸的形态性状与体质量之间的关系,测量了524尾12月龄左右鮸的体质量(Y, g)和8个形态性状(cm),包括全长(X₁)、体长(X₂)、头长(X₃)、躯干长(X₄)、尾长(X₅)、尾柄长(X₆)、尾柄高(X₇)和体高(X₈).采用相关分析、回归分析、通径分析以及模型拟合等方法对其进行分析.结果表明: 鮸所有性状两两之间存在极显著正相关关系,相关系数在0.834～0.941.经共线性诊断排除了体长这一具有严重共线性的性状后,采用逐步引入-剔除法进行多元回归并进行显著性检验,成功筛选出全长(X₁)、躯干长(X₄)、尾柄高(X₇)和体高(X₈)4个统计检验极显著的形态性状,并建立多元回归方程:Y ＝-444.188 +7.943X₁ +12.861X₄ +38.254X₇ + 42.722X₈.通径分析结果显示,4个形态性状中,体高对体质量的直接作用最大(通径系数=0.351),全长次之(通径系数=0.335).对全长和体高与体质量之间的函数关系进行曲线模型拟合得出,在6个拟合模型中,幂函数模型拟合效果最好,方程为:y=0.013 x^2.891(全长); y=2.028 x^2.751(体高).经适合性检验得知,全长比体高通过幂函数对体质量的预测效果更好.研究结果可为鮸的形态性状在选择育种中的有效利用提供重要参考.     

Effects of protein sources on concentrations of hydrogen sulphide in the rumen headspace gas of dairy cows

Two Latin square design experiments investigated the relationship between hydrogen sulphide concentration in the rumen headspace gas of dairy cows and the early stages of protein degradation in the rumen. In Expt 1, three protein sources differing in rumen N (nitrogen) degradability (maize gluten feed (MGF); sunflower meal (SFM); and soyabean meal (SBM)) were used, whereas in Expt 2 four different batches of the same feed (MGF) differing in colour (CIE L*, a*, b* (CIELAB) scale) were used. After allowing the concentration of hydrogen sulphide in rumen gas to decline close to zero, a fixed amount of protein sources was offered to cows and the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide were recorded in rumen headspace gas at 30-min intervals. In Expt 1, the concentration of hydrogen sulphide showed considerable variation between protein sources, with MGF having the highest concentration followed by SFM and SBM resulting in very low concentrations. The N wash losses (zero time measurements with nylon bags) ranked the feeds in the same way, from MGF (highest; 61%) to SBM (lowest; 26%). There were marked differences in the degradation of cystine and methionine between protein sources, although the degradation of cystine was always higher than for methionine. MGF (Expt 2) led to increased concentrations of hydrogen sulphide, with peak concentrations achieved between 1 and 2 h after feeding. The concentrations of hydrogen sulphide were higher for MGF1, intermediate for MGF2 and lower for MGF3 and MGF4, agreeing with colour scale. Differences in the early stages of dietary sulphur degradation corresponded with differences in hydrogen sulphide concentrations in rumen gas. The results suggest that hydrogen sulphide concentrations in the rumen headspace gas could be useful to evaluate nutritional parameters not measured by the in sacco technique, contributing to a better understanding of the response of dairy cows to different protein supplements.     

SURVIVAL OF AN UNIRRADIATED SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM MARKER STRAIN INOCULATED IN POULTRY FEEDS AFTER IRRADIATION

The present study was designed to compare unirradiated Salmonella typhimurium survival during storage after inoculation in either irradiated or unirradiated poultry feed. The effects of irradiation (5 kGy) on the indigenous feed microflora and on the survival of marker strain of S. typhimurium contaminated after irradiation treatment were determined during 56 days of storage of either soybean meal (SBM) or meat and bone meal (MBM) based feeds. The initial aerobic bacterial populations were reduced more than 90% in both SBM (4.96 to 4.08 ± 0.03 log₁₀ CPU/g feed) and MBM (5.12 to 3.90 ± 0.03) by irradiation. Irradiation treatment reduced the average fungal counts during 56 days of storage in both SBM (4.24 to 2.74 ± 0.03) and MBM (4.38 to 2.15 ± 0.03) containing feeds. However, unirradiated S. typhimurium populations inoculated after irradiation of the feed were not different in either irradiated or nonirradiated SBM and MBM based feeds. Therefore, the differences in fungal versus bacterial sensitivity among the feed types and storage times suggests that gamma irradiation can alter the makeup of indigenous microbial populations in feed but this does not appear to have a discernible influence on subsequent survival of unirradiated S. typhimurium added as a dry inoculum after irradiation.     

四种植物蛋白对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹生长性能、氨基酸沉积率和抗氧化酶活性的影响

为了筛选适宜于养殖中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的饲料植物蛋白源,探究不同植物蛋白源饲料对幼蟹生长性能、氨基酸沉积率和抗氧化性能等方面的影响,以50%的鱼粉配制基础饲料（记为FM）,分别采用30.5%发酵豆粕、32.5%豆粕、28%棉粕和39%菜粕替代基础饲料中鱼粉总量的50%,配制成4种等氮等能的饲料（分别记为FSBM、SBM、CSM和RSM）,投喂初始体重为（0.249±0.003）g的中华绒螯蟹幼蟹8周。结果表明:（1）与FM组相比,FSBM、SBM和CSM组的增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数、蛋白质效率和蛋白质沉积率均没有显著性差异;RSM组的增重率与FM组相比差异不显著（P>0.05）,但显著低于SBM组（P < 0.05）,而其饲料系数则显著高于FM、FSBM及SBM组（P < 0.05）,蛋白质效率显著低于其他各组（P < 0.05）,蛋白质沉积率显著低于SBM和CSM组（P < 0.05）。（2）不同植物蛋白组的总必需氨基酸沉积率和FM组相比差异不显著（P>0.05）,而RSM组总必需氨基酸沉积率显著低于FSBM和CSM组（P < 0.05）。（3）与FM组相比,不同植物蛋白组蟹的血清和肝胰腺中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）活性和肝胰腺丙二醛（MDA）含量并没有显著的影响,而RSM组血清丙二醛（MDA）含量显著的高于其他各组（P < 0.05）。结果表明,在幼蟹饲料中,豆粕、发酵豆粕和棉粕替代基础配方中鱼粉的50%后并未对幼蟹的生长性能、氨基酸沉积率及抗氧化能力造成负面的影响,发酵豆粕、豆粕和棉粕可以作为替代鱼粉的适宜蛋白源,且添加水平约在30%左右。菜粕替代后降低了饲料的利用和氨基酸沉积效率,这可能是由于菜粕的蛋白质消化率低、含有相应的抗营养因子和添加水平过高所致,建议使用前应适当进行脱毒处理,并与或和其他植物蛋白配伍使用。     

Nitrogen in vivo digestibility and in situ degradability data for estimation of lower tract N digestibility with or without correction for microbial contamination

In situ degradability and in vivo (by difference) digestibility trials were conducted to estimate lower tract residual N digestibility (LTRND) of five protein supplements. Efforts were also made to improve the in situ method of measuring protein degradability. For in situ degradability trials, soybean meal (SBM), corn gluten meal (CGM), cotton seed cake (CSC), wheat bran (WB) and corn gluten feed (CGF) were weighed into Dacron bags and incubated in the rumen of three cannulated Chios ewes. SBM, CGF and WB were degraded significantly, while CGM and CSC were least degraded. Microbial contamination (MC) resulted in a 5.3–28.3% artificially decrease in effective ruminal protein degradation of supplements. Total tract digestibility was measured using five rams in an in vivo, by difference, trial using a 5 × 5 Latin-square design. SBM had higher CP digestibility compared to WB, CGF and CSC, and higher N free extract (NFE) digestibility compared to the other feeds. CGM showed higher CP digestibility compared to WB, CGF or CSC, while CGF had higher organic matter (OM) and crude fibre (CF) digestibility compared to WB. CSC was the protein source with the lowest digestibility of OM, CP and NFE in comparison with the other feeds. LTRND was predicted as 0.928, 0.806, 0.227, 0.540, and 0.498 for SBM, CGM, CSC, WB, and CGF, respectively, or 0.931, 0.803, 0.147, 0.364, and 0.316 when the correction for MC was applied. Lower tract N digestibility could be predicted via a combination of in situ degradability and in vivo apparent digestibility data. This approach yields significant data regarding LTRND estimation of protein supplements, while diminishing animal suffering by avoiding small intestinal fistulation.     

Amino acid utilization and body composition of growing pigs fed processed soybean meal or rapeseed meal with or without amino acid supplementation

Feed ingredients used in swine diets are often processed to improve nutritional value. However, (over-)processing may result in chemical reactions with amino acids (AAs) that decrease their ileal digestibility. This study aimed to determine effects of (over-)processing of soybean meal (SBM) and rapeseed meal (RSM) on post-absorptive utilization of ileal digestible AAs for retention and on body AA composition of growing pigs. Soybean meal and RSM were processed by secondary toasting in the presence of lignosulfonate to obtain processed soybean meal (pSBM) and processed rapeseed meal (pRSM). Four diets contained SBM, pSBM, RSM or pRSM as sole protein source. Two additional diets contained pSBM or pRSM and were supplemented with crystalline AA to similar standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA level as the SBM or RSM diet. These diets were used to verify that processing affected AA retention by affecting ileal AA digestibility rather than post-absorptive AA utilization. The SID AA levels of the protein sources were determined in a previous study. In total, 59 pigs were used (initial BW of 15.6±0.7 kg) of which five were used to determine initial body composition at the start of the experiment. In total, 54 pigs were fed one of six experimental diets and were slaughtered at a BW of 40 kg. The organ fraction (i.e. empty organs plus blood) and carcass were analyzed separately for N and AA content. Post-absorptive AA utilization was calculated from AA retention and SID AA intake. An interaction between diet type, comprising effects of processing and supplementing crystalline AA, and protein source was observed for CP content in the organ fraction, carcass and empty body and for nutrient retention. Processing reduced CP content and nutrient retention more for SBM than for RSM. Moreover, processing reduced (P<0.001) the lysine content in the organ fraction for both protein sources. Supplementing crystalline AA ameliorated the effect of processing on these variables. Thus, the data indicated that processing affected retention by reducing digestibility. Correcting AA retention for SID AA intake was, therefore, expected to result in similar post-absorptive AA utilization which was observed for the RSM diets. However, post-absorptive AA utilization was lower for the pSBM diet than for the SBM diet which might be related to an imbalanced post-absorptive AA supply. In conclusion, processing negatively affected nutrient retention for both protein sources and post-absorptive utilization of SID AA for retention for SBM. Effects of processing were compensated by supplementing crystalline AA.     

A simplified management of the in situ evaluation of feedstuffs in ruminants: Application to the study of the digestive availability of protein and amino acids corrected for the ruminal microbial contamination

The ruminal effective degradability (RED) and intestinal effective digestibility (IED) for dry matter, crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) were estimated by a simplified in situ method using pooled samples from rumen-incubated residues, which represented the ruminal outflow of undegraded feed. The effect of microbial contamination in the rumen was corrected using ¹⁵N infusion techniques. Studies were carried out for soybean meal (SBM), barley grain (BG) and lucerne hay (LH) in three wethers cannulated in the rumen and the duodenum. Uncorrected values of RED for CP obtained either by mathematical integration or our simplified method were similar in all feeds. Microbial N in the pooled samples of SBM, BG and LH were 2%, 11% and 24% of total N, respectively. However, intestinal incubation eliminated this microbial charge by 100%, 99% and 88%, respectively. With microbial corrections, RED showed an increase, and IED showed a decrease, except for SBM. With this correction, intestinal digested CP was reduced by 2% in SBM, 13% in BG and 34% in LH. Corrected IED of AA was relatively similar in SBM (97–99%). However, large variations were observed in BG (74–93%) and in LH (10–88%). Digestion in the rumen and intestine changed the essential AA pattern. Overall, our results support that AA digestion is affected by the characteristics of their radicals and their contents in plant cell wall proteins. The accurate estimation of feed metabolisable AA or protein requires effective measures that are corrected by ruminal microbial contamination. The proposed in situ method largely simplifies these tasks and allows a more complete and less expensive feed evaluation.     

Effects of balancing crystalline amino acids in diets containing heat-damaged soybean meal or distillers dried grains with solubles fed to weanling pigs

Two experiments were conducted to investigate if adjustments in diet formulations either based on total analysed amino acids or standardized ileal digestible (SID) amino acids may be used to eliminate negative effects of including heat-damaged soybean meal (SBM) or heat-damaged corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in diets fed to weanling pigs. In Experiment 1, four corn–SBM diets were formulated. Diet 1 contained non-autoclaved SBM (315 g/kg), and this diet was formulated on the basis of analysed amino acid concentrations and using SID values from the AminoDat® 4.0 database. Diet 2 was similar to Diet 1 in terms of ingredient composition, except that the non-autoclaved SBM was replaced by autoclaved SBM at 1 : 1 (weight basis). Diet 3 was formulated using autoclaved SBM and amino acid inclusions in the diet were adjusted on the basis of analysed total amino acid concentrations in the autoclaved SBM and published SID values for non-autoclaved SBM (AminoDat® 4.0). Diet 4 also contained autoclaved SBM, but the formulation of this diet was adjusted on the basis of analysed amino acids in the autoclaved SBM and SID values that were adjusted according to the degree of heat damage in this source of SBM. Pigs (160; initial BW: 10.4 kg) were allotted to the four treatments with eight replicate pens per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Diets were fed to pigs for 21 days. The gain to feed ratio (G : F) was greater (P<0.05) for pigs fed Diet 1 compared with pigs fed the other diets and pigs fed Diet 4 had greater (P<0.05) G : F than pigs fed Diet 2. In Experiment 2, 144 pigs (initial BW: 9.9 kg) were allotted to four diets with eight replicate pens per diet. The four diets contained corn, SBM (85 g/kg) and DDGS (220 g/kg), and were formulated using the concepts described for Experiment 1, except that heat-damaged DDGS, but not heat-damaged SBM, was used in the diets. Pigs fed Diet 1 had greater (P<0.05) G : F than pigs fed Diet 2, but no differences were observed for G : F among pigs fed diets containing autoclaved DDGS. Results demonstrate that the negative effects of heat damage of SBM or DDGS may be ameliorated if the reduced concentration and digestibility of amino acids in heat-damaged SBM or DDGS is taken into account in diet formulation. Further research is needed to improve the prediction of the ileal digestibility of amino acids in heat-processed ingredients used in practical diet formulations.     

麦瑞加拉鲮幼鱼对12种原料表观消化率的比较研究

试验以麦瑞加拉鲮（Cirrhinus mrigala）幼鱼（3.88±0.06）g为试验对象,研究其对国产鱼粉、白鱼粉、花生粕、白酒糟、鸡肉粉、米糠、棉粕、菜粕、豆粕、玉米蛋白粉、玉米酒糟和羽毛粉的干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、总能、磷、钙、镁、锌、铜、铁和锰的表观消化率。结果表明:12种试验原料的干物质、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、总能、磷、钙、镁、锌、铜、铁和锰的表观消化率范围分别为24.93%-85.68%、50.02%-97.40%、51.89%-94.02%、39.18%-96.39%、9.72%-87.37%、3.47%-25.92%、26.11%-88.25%、12.63%-66.35%、41.33%-104.86%、10.69%-91.84%、4.42%-85.49%。其中包括干物质、粗蛋白和总能在内的主要营养物质的表观消化率以国产鱼粉和白鱼粉最高。除鱼粉外的其他原料中,干物质以花生粕、豆粕和玉米蛋白粉最高;粗蛋白以花生粕最高;粗脂肪以米糠和花生粕最高;总能以花生粕和鸡肉粉最高;白酒糟的干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、总能的消化率最低。在矿物质元素表观消化率中,羽毛粉的磷、铜、铁和锰的表观消化率最高;米糠的锌表观消化率最高;钙的表观消化率以白鱼粉、豆粕和羽毛粉最高;镁的表观消化率以豆粕、羽毛粉和玉米酒糟最高;鸡肉粉的磷、钙、镁和铁表观消化率最低;花生粕和棉粕中锌的表观消化率最低;菜粕中铜的表观消化率最低;白酒糟中锰的表观消化率最低。因此,花生粕、豆粕和玉米蛋白粉是麦瑞加拉鲮幼鱼配合饲料中较优质的蛋白源,可进一步开发用于适量替代饲料中的鱼粉;米糠可作为较好的能量饲料;羽毛粉可作为饲料中较好的矿物质元素来源;白酒糟对麦瑞加拉鲮幼鱼而言营养价值最差。     

Variability of in vitro ruminal fermentation and nutritional value of cell‐disrupted and nondisrupted microalgae for ruminants

The objective of this study was to investigate ruminal fermentation and the nutritional value of different microalgae products (MAP) for ruminants, including inter‐ and intra‐genera variability. Furthermore, the effect of mechanical cell disruption was also evaluated. Cell‐disrupted and nondisrupted MAP of four genera were investigated using the Hohenheim Gas Test. The investigations included characterization of gas production (GP), production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and methane, organic matter digestibility, and energetic value as well as utilizable crude protein at the duodenum and ruminally undegradable crude protein (RUP). Furthermore, a three‐step enzymatic in vitro system was used to estimate intestinal digestibility of RUP (IDP). Ruminal fermentation was low for all investigated microalgae genera, as indicated by overall low GP, low production of VFA, and low ruminal protein degradation. Nevertheless, all microalgae genera were characterized by high RUP concentrations (236–407 g/kg dry matter; passage rate = 8% hr^?1), indicating that microalgae might be a promising protein source for high‐performing ruminants. Low IDP (26%–49% of RUP) considerably contradicted this potential. Mechanical cell disruption in general enhanced the extent of ruminal fermentation of MAP but, as RUP was decreased and IDP was hardly affected, mechanical cell disruption appears not to be necessary when microalgae are intended for application as a protein source for ruminants. Because of the high variability in the characteristics of the nutritional value, general means are inappropriate to characterize the nutritional value of MAP. In conclusion, suitability of microalgae as a protein source for ruminants might be limited because of low IDP, although further studies are necessary to prove these findings in vivo.     

Screening of Vitamin D activity (VDA) of Solanum glaucophyllum leaves measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA)

The ingestion of Solanum glaucophyllum (SG) causes a calcinosis of cattle named Enteque Seco (ES). The toxic principle is the 1,25-(OH)₂D₃, mainly conjugated as glycoside. This study aims to validate a simple novel method of evaluation of the VDA of SG leaves. Aqueous extracts of SG were purified using C₁₈ minicolumns and assayed by RIA with an antibody raised in rabbits by injection of the acid—C22, 1-(OH)Vitamin D₃. Data were expresed as glycoside equivalent to 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ in ng/g of dry leaves. We compared this data with 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ levels measured, in the same samples, by liquid chromatography (HPLC) after enzyme cleavage. This procedure involved the incubation of SG leaves with rumen fluid, followed by C₁₈-OH solid phase extraction. The 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ fraction was run by HPLC and detection was achieved using a photodiode array detector. Data were expressed as micrograms of 1,25-(OH)₂D₃/g dry leaves. A significant regression of 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ levels (Y) as a function of glycoside RIA 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ equivalents (X) was found: Y = 12.02 + 0.35X [R = 0.81; P = 0,0002; N = 15], allowing us to conclude that this novel assay could be used to estimate the amount of this active principle contained in SG leaves.