Studies on ammonia-treated straw. I. The effects of type and level of ammonia,moisture content and treatment time on the digestibility in vitro and enzyme soluble organic matter of oat straw

Oat straw containing 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% moisture was treated with anhydrous or aqueous ammonia at 20 and 40 g NH₃/kg dry matter for 3 and 6 weeks at room temperature (17–20° C). Samples were milled and used for determinations of digestibility of dry matter in vitro (IVDMD) and of organic matter (IVOMD) and also enzyme solubility (ESOM).The moisture contents of the straw after treatment corresponded fairly well with those planned. Both types of ammonia improved the IVDMD, IVOMD and ESOM of the straw as compared with the untreated samples. However, aqueous ammonia caused significantly higher improvements than did anhydrous ammonia. The averages of IVDMD, IVOMD and ESOM of the straw were 61.9, 64.2 and 25.6 with aqueous ammonia, and 54.7, 57.4 and 18.9 with anhydrous ammonia.The 40 g kg^?1 level of ammonia was more effective than the 20 g kg^?1 level; this trend was more clear with aqueous than with anhydrous ammonia. The effects of both types of ammonia were more pronounced at 6 weeks than at 3 weeks.The results showed that treatment with 40 g kg^?1 aqueous ammonia for 6 weeks improved the IVDMD, IVOMD and ESOM to 69.4, 71.7 and 33.4, respectively. However, anhydrous ammonia in the same conditions gave values of 58.3, 61.2 and 22.2, respectively. The ammonia treatment was less effective at low than at higher moisture contents, particularly with anhydrous ammonia.It was concluded that maximal improvement in the nutritive value of the oat straw was obtained when straw containing 7.5% moisture was treated with 40 g kg^?1 aqueous ammonia for 6 weeks. With this treatment values for IVDMD, IVOMD and ESOM of oat straw were 72.5, 74.5 and 35.5, respectively.     

The effect of prolonged storage on the digestibility and nitrogen content of ammonia-treated barley straw

Barley straw in a 10-t stack was treated with anhydrous ammonia (40 kg t^?1 straw dry matter). Four bales, two buried in the stack and two with one face exposed, were sampled before treatment, at 54 days (1 day after the stack was first opened) and at regular intervals thereafter for a further 12 days. The total nitrogen content of the straw increased from the 6.7 g kg^?1 straw dry matter present before treatment to 20.7 g kg^?1 at day 54. Ammonia nitrogen contributed 7.4 g and non-ammonia nitrogen 6.6 g of this increase. There was a rapid loss of ammonia on opening the stack and this continued for the first week; thereafter ammonia was lost at a much slower rate. In all, 39% of the ammonia nitrogen present 1 day after opening was lost by the end of the sampling period. This loss accounted for the 18% reduction in total nitrogen recorded over the same period. Loss of nitrogen did not affect the digestibility of treated straw as determined by the nylon bag method using sheep. Digestibility, whether expressed as loss of dry matter or as digestibility of cellulose, remained constant throughout. Added water-insoluble nitrogen appeared to be more readily available than that initially present in untreated straw. The position of bales within the stack did not affect results significantly.     

The effect of urea on the preservation and digestibility in vitro of perennial ryegrass

Mature perennial ryegrass with a digestible organic matter in vitro (DOM) content of 544 kg^?1 dry matter (DM) and a DM content of 568 g kg^?1 was treated with urea prills at 0, 30 and 60 kg^?1 DM. Packages, each containing about 4 kg DM, were stored either aerobically for 120 days or anaerobically for 60 days followed by 60 days of exposure to air. Temperature, DM losses and changes in chemical composition were measured.Urea hydrolysed rapidly to ammonia and there was no benefit from an additional supply of urease enzyme. When no urea was added, aerobic storage resulted in heating and the loss of up to 25% of the initial weight of DOM. Treatment with urea reduced these effects, the DOM loss declining to approximately 10 and 3% for the low and high levels of urea, respectively. During the anaerobic period these treatments produced a gain in DOM of, respectively, 3.4 and 8.9%. It is concluded that urea can be a useful preservative for moist materials which may also improve the feeding value of mature crops.     

Selection of white-rot basidiomycetes for bioconversion of mustard (Brassica compestris) straw under solid-state fermentation into energy substrate for rumen micro-organism

Aims: Selection of white‐rot fungi of bio‐conversion of mustard straw (MS) into feed for ruminants. Methods and Results: Mustard straw was cultured with Ganoderma applanatum, Coriolus versicolor and Phanerochaete chrysosporium for solid‐state fermentation at 35°C from 7 to 63 days for dilignification and for 21 days to study dry matter digestibility and protein enrichment. Lignin loss in fungus cultured straw varied between 100 and 470 g kg^?1 lignin. Dilignification was higher between 7 and 28 days fermentation with C. versicolor. Among the three fungi P. chrysosporium was the most effective in degrading lignin for longer fermentation. In‐vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and crude protein content was higher in C. versicolor cultured straw. Large quantity of straw was cultured by C. versicolor for 21 days, for in vivo evaluation. Mean pH and metabolites of rumen fermentation were not different while, pH and volatile fatty acid increased at 6 h postfermentation on cultured straw feeding. Cultured straw fermentation increased (P = 0·001) small holotricks and reduced (P = 0·005) large holotricks population. Fungus cultures straw did not improve microbial enzyme concentration. Conclusions: Coriolus versicolor and P. chrysosporium were the promising fungus for MS bio‐dilignification. Significance and Impact of the Study: Coriolus versicolor treated MS improved dry matter digestibility and protein content.     

Methods of improving the utilization of cereal straw by ruminants. II. Further studies on dried grass as a supplement for lambs

Sixteen growing castrated lambs (37.0 ± 3.31 kg) were used in two 5 × 5 and one 6 × 6 Latin squares to measure the intake and digestibility of: (1) urea—molasses-treated straw, or mixtures containing (2) 25; (3) 50; or (4) 75% dried grass; and (5) grass alone. The dry matter intake was 40, 50, 69, 84 and 90 g day^?1 per kg of metabolic live weight (P<0.001), and digestibility was 470, 489, 591, 671 and 735 g kg^?1, respectively, for the above treatments. The dry matter intake of lambs offered diets 2, 3 and 4 as complete diets was 47, 56 and 66 g day^?1 kg of metabolic live weight, and digestibility was 513, 621 and 673 g kg^?1, respectively. When the feeds were offered separately, dry matter intake was 54, 63 and 78 g day^?1 per kg of metabolic live weight and digestibility was 541, 582 and 662 g kg^?1, respectively. Dry matter intake for mixed diets was higher (P<0.01) than for feeds given separately.     

Ammoniation of wheat straw and native grass hay during baling of large round bales

Wheat straw and native grass hay were treated with anhydrous ammonia during baling with a large round baler. In Experiment 1, ammonia (3.2 and 7.1% w/w of straw DM) was applied by use of a Cold-flow Converter to wheat straw that either had not been sprayed or had been sprayed with one of two rates of water as it passed over the pick-up frame of the baler. Straw water concentrations immediately after baling were 13.8 and 23.8%, respectively, for the low and high rates of water application. Straw water concentrations were about 12 percentage units lower than anticipated, and indicate that water penetration of the hard cuticular surface of the straw was low. Treatment with 3.2% ammonia of straw not sprayed with water increased the crude protein content from 3.2 to 5.7% immediately after baling. However, none of the ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N) was retained 45 days after baling, and dry matter digestibility in vitro (IVDMD) of the straw was not increased. Straw that was treated with low levels of both ammonia and water contained 6.0% crude protein after storage, and IVDMD increased 27% (i.e., 36.7 vs. 28.9%; P < 0.001). Retention of NH₃-N after storage ranged from ?1.4 (low level of ammonia and no added water) to 14.8% (low level of both ammonia and water) and was increased (P < 0.001) by added water at the low level of ammonia application.The effects of crimping wheat straw during baling and addition of a surfactant (0.2% v/v) to aqua-ammonia on crude protein content, retention of NH₃-N and the IVDMD of straw were studied in Experiment 2. Water content of ammoniated straw in Experiment 2 (ca.14%) was similar to that of straw sprayed with the low level of water in Experiment 1. Crimping did not visibly disrupt the surface of the straw, nor affect crude protein content or IVDMD. Addition of surfactant to the aqua-ammonia increased (P < 0.01) the crude protein content after storage of non-crimped and crimped straw, respectively, by 0.3 and 1.5 percentage units (P < 0.05 for crimping by surfactant interaction). Straw IVDMD was not increased by either crimping or addition of surfactant to the aqua-ammonia. Retention of NH₃-N after storage, which ranged from 26 to 49%, was greater than that of Experiment 1, and was attributed to the lower level of ammonia application (1.7% of straw DM). Native grass hay readily adsorbed aqua-ammonia. Water content of the hay was increased from 12.2 to 28.7%, and the crude protein content was increased from 4.4 to 13.9% by ammoniation. The studies indicate that while ammoniation of crop residues during the baling operation is a possible means of treatment, low retention of NH₃-N remains a problem. Disruption of the hard cuticular surface of residues such as wheat straw may improve penetration of aqua-ammonia and therefore the effectiveness of treatment.     

Different sources of ammonia for improving the nutritive value of low quality roughages

The study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of anhydrous NH₃, aqueous NH₄OH and urea + urease as sources of ammonia for treating maize stover, rice and wheat straws at graded treatment rates of 0, 25 and 50 g NH₃/kg DM of roughage and at two moisture levels of 20 and 40% in all combinations in improving dry matter digestibility in vitro (IVDMD), organic matter digestibility in vitro (IVOMD) and crude protein (CP) contents when allowed to react for 15 or 30 days.Rate of ammonia was the most important factor in enhancing IVDMD, IVOMD and CP. Moisture level and days of reaction had a less important influence on the parameters measured. While anhydrous NH₃ was most effective in improving IVDMD and IVOMD of maize stover, aqueous NH₄OH had a similar effect in increasing IVDMD and IVOMD of rice and wheat straws and urea + urease was the least effective but promising. Highest responses in IVDMD and IVOMD were obtained with rice straw, followed by wheat straw and, lastly, maize stover.In a second experiment maize stover which was treated with aqueous NH₄OH at 0, 25 and 50 g NH₃/kg DM at two moisture levels of 20 and 40% was given to Black Headed Persian rams. Digestibility of DM and OM and voluntary feed intake were improved significantly (P < 0.01) by ammonia treatment and there was also a significant (P < 0.01) response to increasing moisture levels.     

Nutritive value of ensiled broiler litter for cattle

Broiler litter, consisting of bedding material (chopped wheat straw or rice hulls), excreta, wasted feed and feathers was ensiled at 40 or 50% moisture for 42 days. Cheddar cheese whey was added to adjust the moisture level in some of the silage. The dry matter digestibility in vitro (IVDMD), after 21 days of ensiling was greater for silage containing the wheat straw base than for that with the rice hull base. Whey improved the IVDMD of the wheat straw base silage but not that of the rice hull base silage. Moisture levels did not influence the IVDMD. In a second trial, broiler litter consisting of chopped wheat straw bedding, excreta, wasted feed and feathers was ensiled for 28 days at approximately 45% dry matter. The litter was ensiled as: (1) litter alone; (2) litter plus Irish potato cannery waste (IPW); (3) litter plus ground maize, and (4) litter plus ground grain sorghum. The materials added supplied 33% of the dry matter of the silages. The pH of the silages 1 and 4 weeks after ensiling was (1) 6.00, 5.83; (2) 5.00, 4.56; (3) 4.96, 4.80; and (4) 4.92, 4.78. Total faecal and urine collection trials were conducted using 12 Holstein steers having an average body weight of 200 kg. Dry matter digestibility was greater (P < 0.01) for silages 2, 3 and 4. Digestible energy and protein were 61.2, 70.6; 65.3, 74.6; 65.2, 71.2; and 68.2, 76.4% for silages 1 through 4.     

Wachstumsuntersuchungen an Bullen des Schwarzbunten Milchrindes (SMR) bei niedrigem Fütterungsniveau

Artificially dried ryegrass, untreated and ammonia‐treated wheat straw were ground and incubated in nylon bags in the rumen of three sheep each fed with diets based on roughage or concentrate. Dry matter degradability, the concentration and the release of the trace elements Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn from the incubated feeds were measured after 0 (washing loss), 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h rumen incubation time.

Dry matter degradability, trace element concentration and their release were significantly influenced by the kind of incubated feeds, incubation time and feeding of sheep.

Cu‐ (1.8–6.9 mg kg^?1 DM) and Zn concentrations (36–103 mg kg^?1 DM) of straw residues in the bags were much higher than those of original straw (1.2–1.6 and 8.1–9.9 mg kg^?1 DM resp.).

The inflow of Cu and Zn in the bags containing straw residues was higher than their release. The Cu‐, Fe‐ and Mn‐release from ryegrass was similar to the dry matter degradability, but the Zn‐release was much lower.     

Ensiled alkali-treated straw. I. Effect of level and type of alkali on the composition and digestibility in vitro of ensiled barley straw

In three experiments barley straw chopped to 5 cm nominal particle length was ensiled in laboratory silos for 90 days after treatment with alkali. In the first two experiments, NaOH was added at 0, 1.05, 2.10, 3.15 or 4.20 g per 100 g straw dry matter (DM) (Experiment 1) or at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 g per 100 g straw DM (Experiment 2) in solutions at either 60 ml or 120 ml solution per 100 g straw DM. Digestibility in vitro of organic matter (OM) and digestible OM in DM (DOMD) increased with increasing level of NaOH. The effect of volume of solution on digestibility was small. The pH of the straws decreased during storage. The content of neutral detergent fibre decreased as the level of NaOH increased, but there was relatively little change in the contents of acid detergent fibre or acid detergent lignin. Lactate and acetate were detected in all silages, and butyrate was present in silages made from straws treated with less than 5 g NaOH per 100 g straw DM. On opening the silos little moulding was seen and the temperature of the straws remained close to ambient in both experiments throughout 16 days of subsequent exposure to air.In the third experiment, the comparative effects of Ca(OH)₂ and KOH were studied alone and in combination ($\text{50}\text{50}$ by weight) with NaOH. KOH mixed with NaOH gave levels of DOMD in vitro similar to those obtained with NaOH alone. Ca(OH)₂, whilst improving DOMD, was slightly less effective than the other alkalis.The optimum level of alkali for the treatment of barley straw prior to ensiling appeared to be 7.5 g/100 g straw DM. At this level of addition, DOMD in vitro would be expected to be about 65%. Ca(OH)₂ is worth further attention as an alternative to NaOH.     

Effect of three strains of Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) Sing. on chemical composition and rumen fermentation of wheat straw

This study was conducted to investigate changes in in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and cell wall constituent degradation in wheat straw treated with 3 strains of the fungus Pleurotus tuber-regium (PT). The incubation of wheat straw for 30 days at 28 degrees C improved IVDMD from 30.3% (UWS-untreated wheat straw) to 47.1% for strain PT1, to 48.5% for PT4, and was unchanged IVDMD-29.9% -for PT5. The growth of fungi was accompanied by the dry matter loss of wheat straw: 31.5% for PT1, 20.9% for PT4, and 4.8% for PT5. Fungal treatment was characterized by increased crude protein and ash contents (%) in all fungi-treated straws and reduced hemicellulose and lignin content. It is evident that enzymes of all 3 PT strains preferentially degraded hemicellulose and lignin over cellulose. Wheat straw treated with PT1 (TWS-PT1), PT4 (TWS-PT4), and PT5 (TWS-PT5) and barley (80% : 20%) were used as the experimental diets at the fermentation in the artificial rumen. UWS with barley (80% : 20%) served as the control diet. The fermentation of experimental diets was accompanied with increased IVDMD and a very low degree of hemicellulose degradation. Total gas and methane productions were similar in all diets. Moreover, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production (mmol day(-1)), mol % of acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate were not influenced during the fermentation of experimental diets. From the stoichiometric relations, production, utilization, and recovery of metabolic hydrogen and organic matter fermented were unchanged. Only the recovery of metabolic hydrogen in TWS-PT5 was significantly increased in comparison to control diet. Total microbial production showed the tendency of lower values in experimental diets, and it was accompanied with a significant decrease of ammonia nitrogen (mg L(-1)). Finally the results showed that the strains of Pleurotus tuber-regium can improve the quality of wheat straw, but the loss of dry matter (DM) (mainly hemicellulose) limits the effective utilization of fungi-treated straw in ruminant digestion.     

Fermentation characteristics and feeding value of ensiled poultry litter containing wheat straw,bagasse or sawdust

Poultry excreta substantially increased the crude protein (CP) content and the calcium and phosporus content of the base bedding materials. The crude fibre (CF) content of sawdust (52.3%) was higher than that of wheat straw (38.9%) and bagasse (30.2%). Dry matter digestibility in vitro (IVDMD) of wheat straw, bagasse and sawdust poultry litters (PL) was 65.4, 64.5 and 48.1%, respectively. Green sorghum fodder when ensiled alone or with 20% wheat straw PL, sawdust PL or bagasse PL on fresh basis contained 4.67, 7.80, 10.00 and 7.55% CP, respectively. Nitrogen-free extract (NFE) content of PL silages was lower than that of the control. Apart from wheat straw PL, all silages accumulated considerable amounts of lactic acid. The total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentrations were similar for all silages. The addition of PL caused an increase in the proportion of ammonia nitrogen. A feeding trial with crossbred adult male cattle revealed no significant difference in dry matter (DM), CP and ether extract (EE) digestibility of wheat straw and bagasse PL silages. The CF digestibility was similar for all the silages. Sawdust PL silage, however, was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in digestibility of DM, EE and NFE compared to other PL based silages. The DCP and TDN values for the control, wheat straw, bagasse and sawdust PL silages were 2.0, 60.1; 4.3, 45.3; 6.1, 50.3 and 2.9, 41.9 kg/100 kg DM, respectively.     

Studies on ammonia-treated straw. II. Fixation of ammonia in treated straw by spraying with acids

Ammonia-treated barley straw (NH₃ straw) was sprayed with either formic, acetic or phosphoric acid immediately after opening the stack in order to capture the excess ammonia. The amount of acid applied was estimated to neutralize 100% of the ammonia added to the straw (30 kg NH₃/t straw). After spraying with acid the straw was stored in plastic bags for about 8 weeks at room temperature (15–20° C). When bags of NH₃ straw treated with acids were opened, there was very little smell of ammonia whereas there was a very strong smell from the bag of NH₃ straw without acid added.The nitrogen content of the straw (g/100 g DM) was for untreated straw, 0.88, NH₃ straw without acid, 2.50, and NH₃ straw with added formic acid, 3.49, acetic acid, 3.81, and phosphoric acid, 2.27. The digestibility of organic matter determined in sheep was 47.3, 60.5, 59.0, 60.4 and 51.3 following the same order as above.It is concluded that spraying NH₃ straw with organic acids effectively reduces the loss of ammonia and increases the nitrogen content of the straw. Another advantage of this is that the air pollution with ammonia which may occur in the barn when the straw is not well aired is effectively prevented.Spraying with organic acids had no negative effect on the digestibility of the straw. The nitrogen supply and the digestibility of nitrogen in the animal seemed to be markedly improved.     

Estimation of metabolisable energy and net energy of rice straw and wheat straw for beef cattle by indirect calorimetry

Two experiments were conducted to estimate the metabolisable energy (ME) and net energy (NE) of rice straw and wheat straw for beef cattle. In each experiment, 16 Wandong bulls (Chinese indigenous yellow cattle) were assigned to 4 dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. Four dietary treatments included one corn silage-concentrate basal diet and three test diets in which the basal diet was partly substituted by rice straw (Exp. 1) or wheat straw (Exp. 2) at 100, 300 and 600 g/kg. Total collection of faeces and urine was conducted for 5 consecutive days after a 2-week adaption period, followed by a 4-d period where gas exchange measurements were measured by an open-circuit respiratory cage. Linear regression equations of rice straw- or wheat straw-associated ME and NE contribution in test diets against rice straw or wheat straw substitution amount were developed to predict the ME and NE values of rice straw and wheat straw. These regression equations resulted in ME and NE values (dry matter basis) of 6.76 and 3.42 MJ/kg for rice straw and 6.43 and 3.28 MJ/kg for wheat straw, respectively. The NE and ME requirement for maintenance of Wandong cattle fed a straw-based diet were 357 and 562 kJ·kg^?0.75·d^?1, respectively. The regression-derived ME and NE have lower standard errors and coefficients of variation than those estimated by any single substitution ratio. Our study found that the regression method based on multiple point substitution is more reliable than the substitution method for energy evaluation of feedstuffs for beef cattle.     

Continuous single cell protein production fromCellulomonas sp. andCandida utilis grown in mixture on barley straw

Summary Continuous fermentations with mixed cultures of the cellulolytic bacteriaCellulomonas sp. and the yeastCandida utilis were examined. Fermentations were carried out in an aerated 5-l fermenter with different preparations of wet disintegrated barley straw as the cellulose source (3.6–4.2%). The straw was pretreated with NaOH (3.2–8.5 kg NaOH/100 kg dry straw) under high pressure and temperature in a feedstuff pellet press. The quantity of dry cell mass produced and the breakdown of the straw were measured. Crude protein and ash content in cell dry matter and residual fiber were determined. The experiments showed thatCellulomonas sp. andCandida utilis may be grown together in a continuous culture (dilution rate D=0.12–0.14 h^–1) for at least 3 days without washing out one of the organisms. Highest productivity was 1.39 g cell dry matter/l/h when using straw pretreated with 5.7% NaOH. The dry cell product contained 58–66% crude protein and up to 51% of the organic fiber dry matter was solubilized. The yield constants were 0.32–0.61 g cell dry matter per g solubilized organic fibers.     

The response of sheep to big bale grass silage ensiled with,or supplemented separately with,molassed sugar beet feed

Second cut big bale grass silage was prepared with grass ensiled alone or with added pelleted, molassed sugar beet feed (MSBF) at 32 or 64 g MSBF kg⁻¹ fresh weight of grass. Addition of MSBF at ensilage increased silage dry matter (DM), water soluble carbohydrate and lactic acid concentrations and decreased ammonia concentration. When fed to wether lambs, MSBF addition, whether at ensilage or given separately, variably improved DM intake, live-weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. Ruminal concentrations of ammonia were reduced and acetate molar proportion increased in diets supplemented with MSBF separately compared with the silage only control diet. Animal performance was generally improved by MSBF supplementation with responses to silages made with added MSBF comparable to those from silage supplemented with MSBF at feeding. There was little difference in animal performance between silages made with 32 or 64 g kg⁻¹ MSBF added at ensiling.     

Influence of Moisture Content,Particle Size,and Binder Ratio on Quality and Economics of Rice Straw Briquettes

Rice straw as solid residues are biomass residue materials that are not optimally used by farmers in Punjab and potentially become environmental pollutant. A large amount of rice straw (17 million tons) is generated and left as much in combine harvested rice fields in Punjab, India. It is very difficult to manage such huge amount of rice straw thus, farmers resort to burning it which leads to greenhouse gas emissions like CO₂ due to open field burning and loss of rich organic matter present in the soil. Further due to imposition of restrictions by the state government, the practice of burning rice straw has now become an offense. So farmers are looking for alternatives which are economically viable. Rice straw can be effectively used as bio energy as it has about the same heating value (15 kJ kg^?1) as that of wood, half that of good quality coal and one third of oil. The operational conditions required to produce high-quality chopped rice straw briquettes have not been determined and this study determined the optimal moisture content, particle size, and binder ratio required to produce rice straw briquettes. The optimized conditions resulted in formation of high-density (1030.38–1159.22 kg m^?3) briquettes with durability ranging from 71.9 to 92.3% with minimum power requirement for briquetting (36.60 kW), maximum calorific value of 15.61 MJ kg^?1, and minimum ash content (16.34%).Total cost of making chopped rice straw briquettes was 0.041 USD per kg and 0.00281 USD per mega joule of energy. Cost of briquetting from chopped rice straw with 10 and 20% cotton stalks was 0.050 and 0.051 USD per kg, respectively, and 0.0033 USD per mega joule of energy. Also, the briquettes prepared from chopped rice straw with and without cotton stalk as a binder were economically viable.     

Dietary total aromatic amino acid requirement and tyrosine replacement value for phenylalanine in Indian major carp: Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) fingerlings

Two 8‐week growth trials were conducted to determine total aromatic amino acid requirement and tyrosine replacement value for phenylalanine in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. To determine the phenylalanine requirement, 20 fish were randomly stocked in triplicate groups in 55‐L indoor polyvinyl flow‐through circular tanks and fed six experimental diets containing graded levels of phenylalanine (5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0 and 17.5 g kg^?1, dry diet) with 10 g kg^?1 tyrosine. Maximum weight gain (287%), best FCR (1.44) and PER (1.74) occurred at 12.5 g kg^?1 dietary phenylalanine. Quadratic regression analysis of weight gain, FCR and PER data indicated phenylalanine requirement at 13.5, 12.9 and 12.7 g kg^?1 of dry diet, respectively. Protein deposition was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 12.5 g kg^?1 dietary phenylalanine. Based on the above results, phenylalanine requirement of C. mrigala is recommended at 13.0 g kg^?1 of dry diet, corresponding to 32.5 g kg^?1 of protein. On the basis of the above requirement, a second experiment with a similar design was conducted using six diets containing graded levels of tyrosine (2.1, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0 and 12.0 g kg^?1) with 13.0 g kg^?1 phenylalanine fixed in all diets to determine the phenylalanine replacement value with that of tyrosine. Maximum weight gain (315%), best FCR (1.47) and PER (1.69) was at 8.0 g kg^?1 dietary tyrosine. Quadratic regression analysis of weight gain, FCR and PER data indicated tyrosine requirement at 9.0, 8.4 and 8.2 g kg^?1 of dry diet, respectively. Protein deposition was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 8.0 g kg^?1 dietary tyrosine. On the basis of the above results, 8.5 g kg^?1 tyrosine, corresponding to 21.3 g kg^?1 of protein, is taken as the optimum requirement and the replacement value is 39.53% on a weight and 36% on a molar basis. Thus, the total aromatic amino acid requirement is 21.5 g kg^?1 of diet, corresponding to 53.8 g kg^?1 of protein for optimum C. mrigala growth.     

Influence of formaldehyde-treated soybean and commercial nutrient supplementation on mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) yield and in-vitro dry matter digestibility of spent substrate

Summary Pleurotus sajor-caju 537 was grown on chopped, pasteurized wheat straw non-supplemented and supplemented with formaldehyde-treated soybean, commercial delayed-release nutrient (SpawnMate II SE) or vegetable oil. Yield was 2.1-fold higher for substrate supplemented (12% dry wt) with low-volume formaldehyde-treated soybean as compared to non-supplemented substrate. Mushroom yield from substrate supplemented with commercial nutrient was 1.7-fold higher than yield from non-supplemented substrate. As the supplement level increased, the mushroom yield response increased. The yield ranged from 3.56 kg/m² for non-supplemented substrate to 7.36 kg/m² for substrate supplemented (12% dry wt) with formaldehyde-treated soybean. The type of supplement affected in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of spent substrate; commercial supplement resulted in higher IVDMD compared to formaldehyde-treated substrate. An opportunity exists for commercial development of a nutrient(s) specifically designed for Pleurotus cultivation.     

Effects of dietary thymol‐carvacrol on growth performance,hematological parameters and tissue composition of juvenile rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

Growth performance, carcass quality, survival and hematological responses of Oncorhynchus mykiss juveniles (initial weight 8.4 ± 0.1 g) fed diets containing thymol‐carvacrol powder at the levels of 0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 g kg^?1 were tested. Thymol‐carvacrol powder originated from Origanum vulgare, a Mediterranean plant, added to diets. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish for 45 days. Fish fed diets containing thymol‐carvacrol had significantly higher final weight and growth than the control group. Food conversion ratio in fish fed diets containing 2.0 and 3.0 g kg^?1 thymol‐carvacrol was statistically better than in other treatments. Survival was not different among all treatments. The number of lymphocytes increased when thymol‐carvacrol was used at higher levels. Furthermore, whole body lipid content was higher in fish fed 1.0 and 2.0 g kg^?1 thymol‐carvacrol than the other groups, but body protein in the group fed 3.0 g kg^?1 was higher than in other groups. Also, body ash in control and 1.0 g kg^?1 was higher than in other groups. Whole body dry matter was not affected by dietary treatments. These results indicated that dietary administration of thymol‐carvacrol can influence some growth, hematological parameters and tissue composition in rainbow trout juveniles.