Effect of phytase inclusion and calcium/phosphorus ratio on the performance and nutrient retention of grower–finisher pigs fed barley/wheat/soya bean meal‐based diets

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of phosphorus (P) level and calcium (Ca)/total P (tP) ratio on the efficacy of microbial phytase. Experiment 1 examined the effects of P concentration and microbial phytase inclusion on mineral excretion and pig performance, while experiment 2 examined the effects of Ca/tP ratio and microbial phytase inclusion on mineral excretion and pig performance. In experiment 1, nutrient and mineral digestibility (n = 4) and growth performance (n = 12) were determined in pigs individually fed diets containing (T1) 5.5 g kg^?1 tP, 2.3 g kg^?1 available P (aP) and 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca, (T2) 5.5 g kg^?1 tP, 2.3 g kg^?1 aP, 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca and 750 FYT kg^?1 Peniophora lycii phytase, (T3) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP, 1.4 g kg^?1 aP and 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca and (T4) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP, 1.4 g kg^?1 aP, 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca and 750 FYT kg^?1 P lycii phytase. In experiment 2, nutrient and mineral digestibility (n = 4) and growth performance (n = 12) were determined in pigs individually fed diets containing (TT1) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP and 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca, (TT2) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP, 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca and 750 FYT kg^?1 P lycii phytase, (TT3) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP and 5.0 g kg^?1 Ca and (TT4) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP, 5.0 g kg^?1 Ca and 750 FYT kg^?1 P lycii phytase. All diets were formulated, using standard feeding values for the ingredients, to have similar concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and lysine. In experiment 1, pigs offered the low‐P diets had significantly lower P intake (P < 0.001), faecal P excretion (P < 0.05), Ca intake (P < 0.05) and faecal Ca excretion (P < 0.05) compared with pigs given the adequate‐P diets. These pigs also had significantly lower daily gain (P < 0.01), feed intake (P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P < 0.05). The inclusion of phytase in both the adequate‐ and low‐P diets increased the digestibility of energy (P < 0.05) and Ca (P < 0.01) but had no effect on pig performance. In experiment 2, lowering the Ca/tP ratio from 1.85:1 to 1.15:1 increased the DE content of the diet (P < 0.05). The inclusion of phytase increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of protein (0.874 versus 0.840, SEM 0.009) and Ca (0.427 versus 0.380, SEM 0.019) as well as the DE content of the diet (14.47 versus 14.26 MJ kg^?1, SEM 0.073). There was a significant ratio × phytase interaction (P < 0.5) for P digestibility. Microbial phytase significantly increased P digestibility when added to the 1.15:1 ratio diet but had no effect when added to the 1.85:1 ratio diet. The inclusion of microbial phytase increased feed intake (2.16 versus 2.00 kg day^?1, SEM 0.05; P < 0.05) and weight gain (0.893 versus 0.818 kg day^?1, SEM 0.022; P < 0.05). Lowering the Ca/tP ratio resulted in a significant improvement in FCR (2.32 versus 2.40 kg kg^?1, SEM 0.03; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the beneficial effects of microbial phytase supplementation of pig diets are adversely affected by a wide Ca/tP ratio. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of level of oil inclusion in the diet of dairy cows at pasture on animal performance and milk composition and properties

The effect of including additional oil, incorporated as whole rapeseeds, in the diet of 64 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows (32 mid‐ and 32 late‐lactation) at pasture on animal performance and milk fat composition and properties was followed over a continuous trial of 20 weeks duration. Within two stages of lactation (mid, 130 ± 16.2 days, or late, 231 ± 58.9 days), cows were allocated to concentrate treatments representing four levels of rapeseed oil inclusion, 0 (control), 200, 400 and 600 g oil day^?1. Oil inclusion had little effect on milk yield but decreased milk fat content significantly (P < 0.01), with a mean depression of 0.40% at the highest level of oil inclusion. The content of milk protein also decreased with increasing addition of oil, but the decrease was smaller than the milk fat depression and was not statistically significant. Increasing the level of rapeseed oil in the diet to 600 g oil day^?1 resulted in linear changes in milk fat and protein concentrations which were described by regression equations. For each 100 g of rapeseed oil added to the diet, milk fat content decreased by 0.068% in mid‐lactation cows and 0.061% in late‐lactation cows, while protein content decreased by 0.026% in mid‐lactation cows and 0.028% in late‐lactation cows. Total unsaturated fatty acid content of milk fat also increased in a linear fashion with increased level of oil addition, from 345.7 g kg^?1 total fatty acids in control milk fat to 459.3 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1, while total saturated fatty acids decreased in the same milk fats from 640.7 to 522.2 g kg^?1 total fatty acids. These changes were reflected in lower solid fat contents (SFC) in the milk fat at the lower temperatures of measurement, eg 41% SFC at 5 °C at the highest level of oil inclusion compared with 52% in the control milk fat. However, SFC at 20 °C showed little difference with increasing level of dietary oil addition, an important factor in maintaining product integrity at room temperatures. The relatively high content of the monounsaturated fatty acid C18:1 (345.5 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1) and low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (total C18:2 and C18:3 <40 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1) ensured that the oxidative stability of the treatment and control milk fats did not differ significantly. Stage of lactation had an unexplained effect of consistent magnitude on milk fat composition throughout the trial period, with late‐lactation animals producing milk fats containing a significantly (P < 0.001) higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids than the mid‐lactation animals. Changes in the proportions of unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat, as reflected by changes in iodine value, were established within 2 weeks of the trial commencing and persisted over the 20 weeks of the trial duration. No adverse effect on animal health from this type of dietary manipulation was identified. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency in lactating cattle and buffaloes

An attempt was made to assess the comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency of lactating buffaloes and cows based on results obtained from experimental feeding trials conducted in India. Data on dry matter (DM) intake, total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake, digestible crude protein (DCP) intake, body weight or metabolic body size (MBS), body weight change, milk yield or 4% fat‐corrected milk (FCM) yield, milk fat percentage and roughage/concentrate ratio in the diet of lactating buffaloes and cows were collected from published reports. The data were processed and analysed to assess the comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency using suitable statistical analysis models. DM intake was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in buffaloes (2.57 kg DM per 100 kg body weight or 119.2 g kg^?1 MBS) than in cattle (3.09 kg DM per 100 kg body weight or 132.0 g kg^?1 MBS). Mean gross energetic efficiency (30.53 versus 27.83%; P < 0.01), gross protein efficiency (45.48 versus 37.06%; P < 0.01), net energetic efficiency (69.16 versus 64.10%; P < 0.05) and net protein efficiency (80.15 versus 59.59%; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in buffaloes than in cattle. Lactating buffaloes consumed significantly less (P < 0.001) protein (75.69 g DCP) and less (P < 0.01) energy (695.9 g TDN) than cows (93.89 g DCP, 774.8 g TDN) for production of 1 kg of 4% fat‐corrected milk. Buffaloes had higher energy and protein utilisation efficiencies as compared with cattle at similar fat‐corrected milk production level, plane of energy and protein nutrition, body size and body weight change. Buffaloes (1.189 kg DM kg^?1 4% FCM) consumed a similar (P > 0.05) amount of feed dry matter to that of cows (1.267 kg DM kg^?1 4% FCM). However, when DM intake kg^?1 FCM (4%) was compared at constant levels of metabolic body size, fat‐corrected milk, body weight change, dietary energy concentration and green forage percentage in the diet, lactating buffaloes consumed significantly less DM kg^?1 FCM yield as compared with cattle. It was concluded that DM intake was lower in lactating buffaloes. Moreover, lactating buffaloes utilised dietary dry matter, energy and protein for milk production more efficiently than cattle. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Protein nutrition of dairy cows receiving grass silage diets: Effects of feeding a protein supplement of unbalanced amino acid composition

Eight cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 latin square design experiment with period lengths of 3 weeks to investigate the effects of protein supplementation of a grass silage diet on silage intake and milk production. The four treatments were (i) the basal diet, consisting of grass silage ad libitum plus 2 kg day^?1 of molassed sugar beet pulp; (ii) basal diet plus 1 kg day^?1 of fish meal (F): (iii) basal diet plus 0.8 kg day^?1 of feather meal 1 (FE1); and (iv) basal diet plus 0.8 kg day^?1 of feather meal 2 (FE2). Silage intake was significantly (P < 0.01) increased by the F supplement but was not affected by the FE supplements; values were 9.9, 10.6, 9.6 and 9.6 kg DM day^?1 for basal, F, FE1 and FE2, respectively. Relative to the basal treatment, F increased (P < 0.001) the yield of milk and milk protein but, again, these were unaffected by FE; values were, for milk yield, 13.6, 16.3, 13.7 and 13.1 kg day^?1; and, for milk protein yield, 420, 545, 429 and 414 g day^?1 for basal, F, FE1 and FE2, respectively. However, supplementation with FE produced increases in the concentration (P < 0.001) and yield (P < 0.05) of milk fat; values were 42.8, 39.9, 46.6 and 47.8 g kg^?1 and 575, 646, 628 and 618 g day^?1 respectively, for the basal, F, FE1 and FE2 treatments. The profile of amino acids in blood plasma was characterised by markedly lower (at least P < 0.01) concentrations of methionine, lysine, tryptophan and histidine for the diets containing FE compared with F. The results show pronounced effects of the amino acid composition of the undegraded protein component of the supplement on both silage intake and milk production but also draw attention to a possible relationship between amino balance and the secretion of milk fat.     

Starch but not protein digestibility is altered in pigs fed transgenic peas containing α‐amylase inhibitor

Eighteen individually housed boars were randomly allocated to one of three dietary treatments, an experimental wheat diet containing 989.4 g kg^?1 of a basal wheat diet, or this experimental wheat diet with 500 g kg^?1 of the basal wheat diet replaced with 500 g kg^?1 of either transgenic or non‐transgenic peas. The transgenic peas expressed the bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) α‐amylase inhibitor 1 gene. Diets contained n‐hexatriacontane (0.2 g kg^?1) as an indigestible marker to allow the determination of nutrient digestibility at the terminal ileum. Pigs were offered 1.6 kg day^?1 for 15 days, after which they were anaesthetised, the ileal and faecal digesta collected and the pigs subsequently euthanased. The ileal dry matter and starch digestibilities of the experimental wheat, non‐transgenic and transgenic pea diets were 78.3, 74.2 and 45.8% and 95.9, 95.2 and 42.4%, respectively. The apparent nutrient digestibilities of the non‐transgenic and transgenic peas were determined by difference. The ileal dry matter digestibility was significantly reduced in the transgenic peas compared with the non‐transgenic peas (12.7 and 69.9%, respectively; P = 0.006), which was largely due to a reduced starch digestibility. The apparent crude protein digestibilities of the transgenic peas were similar to the non‐transgenic, being 79.7 and 78.5%, respectively. The amino acid digestibilities of the transgenic and non‐transgenic peas were also similar. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development of low‐fat mayonnaise containing polysaccharide gums as functional ingredients

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to develop a low‐fat (LF) mayonnaise containing polysaccharide gums as functional ingredients. Xanthan gum (XG, 15 g kg^?1), citrus fiber (CF, 100 g kg^?1) and variable concentration of guar gum (GG) were used to formulate the optimum ratios of polysaccharide gums as fat replacers. The fat content in LF mayonnaise was reduced to 50% if compared with full‐fat (FF) mayonnaise, and the products still maintained ideal rheological properties. RESULTS: The rheological parameters showed that there were no (P > 0.05) differences in yield stress, viscosity and flow behavior index between XG + 10 g kg^?1 GG, CF + 5 g kg^?1 GG and FF control. LF mayonnaises had lower caloric values and higher dietary fiber content than the FF counterpart. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs illustrated that the network of aggregated droplets in LF treatments contained a large number of interspaced voids of varying dimensions. Furthermore, in a comparison of sensory evaluation of LF treatments with commercial and our FF mayonnaises, there were no (P > 0.05) differences in any sensory scores among XG + 10 g kg^?1 GG control. CONCLUSION: This study shows that XG + 10 g kg^?1 GG and CF + 5 g kg^?1 GG could be used in LF mayonnaise formulations based on its multiple functions on processing properties. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

A comparison of the nutrient digestibility of Desi and Kabuli chickpeas fed to swine

An experiment was conducted to compare the nutritional composition of 16 varieties of chickpeas (Kabuli and Desi) and to determine their nutrient digestibility for swine using the mobile nylon bag technique. The average crude protein content of the Kabuli chickpeas (226 g kg^?1) was lower than that of the Desi chickpeas (235 g kg^?1). Desi chickpeas were higher in acid detergent fibre (145 versus 50 g kg^?1) and neutral detergent fibre (264 versus 181 g kg^?1) than Kabuli chickpeas. Digestibility coefficients for dry matter (83.1 versus 72.5%), gross energy (83.5 versus 74.8%) and crude protein (83.7 versus 79.4%) were higher for Kabuli chickpeas than for Desi chickpeas. Based on chemical analysis and nutrient digestibility, Kabuli chickpeas would appear to have greater potential as a protein and energy source for use in swine rations than Desi chickpeas. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary fibre level and enzyme inclusion affect nutrient digestibility and excreta characteristics in grower pigs

An experiment was conducted with 12 grower pigs to determine the effects of (1) manipulating dietary neutral detergent fibre (NDF) level and (2) dietary inclusion of fibre‐degrading enzymes on nutrient digestibility and excreta characteristics in pigs. Four diets were formulated to contain three levels of NDF: 1, 66 g kg^?1 NDF (low fibre); 2, 121 g kg^?1 NDF (moderate fibre); 3, 222 g kg^?1 NDF (high fibre); 4, diet 3 plus 2.0 g kg^?1 enzyme. Increasing levels of dietary NDF linearly decreased dry matter and energy digestibilities (r² = 0.99, P < 0.05). Lowering dietary NDF from 222 to 121 g kg^?1 improved nitrogen digestibility by 13% (P < 0.01). Faecal production was decreased by 9% for each 1% decrease in dietary NDF content (r² = 0.99, P < 0.05). Inclusion of fibre‐degrading enzymes in the high‐fibre diet improved dry matter and energy digestibilities by 2 and 3% respectively, and reduced faecal production by 10% (P < 0.01). Faecal and manure (faeces plus urine) pH values from pigs fed the high‐fibre diet and the high‐fibre plus enzyme diet were lower than those from pigs fed the other experimental diets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, lowering the dietary NDF level or inclusion of fibre‐degrading enzymes in high‐fibre diets may offer relatively practical and easy methods for reducing waste production in pigs. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Protein nutrition of dairy cows receiving grass silage diets. Effects on silage intake and milk production of postruminal supplements of casein or soya-protein isolate and the effects of intravenous infusions of a mixture of methionine,phenylalanine and tryptophan

Milk production responses to protein supplementation of grass silage diets were investigated in two experiments with dairy cows. In Experiment 1. four cows received a basal diet of grass silage ad libitum plus a barley/soya supplement at 5 kg day^?1. The cows received the following treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 10-day periods: (1) basal diet, (2) basal diet plus 230 g casein day^?1 infused into the abomasum; (3) basal diet plus 225 g soya protein isolate (SPI) day^?1 into the abomasum; and (4) basal diet plus a dietary addition of 1.2 kg fishmeal-based product (AP) day^?1. All three supplements increased (P < 0.05) the yield of milk and milk protein relative to the basal diet, the values being 16.9. 535:18.8. 610; 19.5, 625; and 18.5 kg day^?1 and 582 g day^?1 for the basal. AP, casein and SPI treatments respectively. Responses to casein were greater (P < 0.05) than to SPI. Changes in the concentrations of amino acids in blood plasma suggested that methionine, tryptophan and phenylalanine were in shortest supply relative to demand, and their potential role as limiting amino acids was investigated in a second experiment. In Experiment 2, four dairy cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 10-day periods. The four treatments were (1) a diet of grass silage ad libitum plus 5 kg day^?1 of a barley/soya supplement containing 176 g CP kg^?1 DM (LP); (2) LP plus an intravenous infusion of 5.0 g methionine, 9.1 g phenylalanine and 2.2 g tryptophan day^?1; (3) grass silage ad libitum plus 5 kg day^?1 of a barley/soya supplement containing 334 g CP kg^?1 DM (HP); and (4) HP plus the intravenous infusion of methionine, phenylalanine and tryptophan. The HP treatment produced a higher yield (P < 0.05) of milk protein than the LP treatment (722 vs. 667 g day^?1) but the amino acid infusion had no effect with either treatment. The elimination of methionine, phenylalanine and tryptophan (and, in previous experiments, methionine and lysine) as candidates for limiting amino acids on diets of grass silage plus soya-based supplements questions whether the differences in responses to casein and SPI can be explained in terms of their amino acid compositions. The role of factors such as peplides, producing during digestion, some of which may be biologically active, deserves investigation.     

Interaction between lactose levels and antimicrobial growth promoters on growth performance of weanling pigs

In experiment 1, 224 pigs (initially 8.85 kg and 28 ± 2 days of age) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to investigate the interaction between lactofeed (LF70) (860 g kg^?1 whey permeate, 140 g kg^?1 soya bean meal) level (175 g kg^?1 and 350 g kg^?1) and avilamycin (0 and 40 mg kg^?1) inclusion in piglet starter diets. Pigs were fed starter diets from day 0 to day 22 and a transition diet was fed from day 23 to day 39. The inclusion level of LF70 in the transition diet was 75 g kg^?1 and 150 g kg^?1. Pigs fed 350 g kg^?1 LF70 had a higher daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.01) and an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05) during the starter period than the pigs fed 175 g kg^?1 LF70. Pigs fed medicated diets had a higher ADG (p < 0.05) and an improved FCR (p < 0.05) than the non‐medicated fed pigs during the starter period. There was an increase in feed intake (AFI) (p < 0.05) during the transition period with increasing levels of LF70. There was an improvement in FCR during the transition period with the inclusion of avilamycin (p < 0.01). There was a significant interaction (p < 0.01) between LF70 and avilamycin for ADG during the transition period. The inclusion of avilamycin at 175 g kg^?1 LF70 inclusion had no effect (p > 0.05) on ADG. However at 350 g kg^?1 LF70 inclusion the pigs offered medicated diets had a higher ADG (p < 0.001) compared with non‐medicated diets. In experiment 2, 224 pigs (initially 8.85 kg and 28 ± 2 days of age) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial to investigate the interaction between LF70 level (175 g kg^?1 and 350 g kg^?1) and zinc oxide (ZnO) (0 and 3.1 g kg^?1) inclusion in piglet starter diets. The inclusion level of LF70 in the transition diet was 75 g kg^?1 and 150 g kg^?1 and of ZnO was 2 g kg^?1. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in ADG with increasing levels of LF70 during the starter period. The inclusion of ZnO during the starter period resulted in an increase in ADG (p < 0.001) and FCR (p < 0.05) compared with no ZnO inclusion. Neither the inclusion of zinc oxide not of LF70 had an effect (p > 0.05) on performance during the transition period. In conclusion the supplementation of starter diets with increasing levels of LF70, ZnO and avilamycin resulted in increased ADG and improved FCR. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of dietary supplementation of cysteamine on growth performance,carcass quality,serum hormones and gastric ulcer in finishing pigs

A study was conducted to determine the effects of graded levels of dietary inclusion of a cysteamine (Cs) preparation on growth performance, carcass quality, plasma hormone levels, gastric pH and occurrence of gastric ulcer in finishing pigs. A total of 384 Landrace × Large White finishing pigs, (192 gilts and 192 barrows) with an average initial body weight of 66.05 ± 0.623 kg (mean ± SEM) were randomly divided into 24 floor pens, with eight gilts and eight barrows in each pen (9.2 m²) as one experimental unit. The 24 pens of pigs were randomly allocated to one of three diets: (1) a maize/soybean meal basal diet; (2) the basal diet plus 30 mg Cs kg^?1 diet; and (3) the basal diet plus 50 mg Cs kg^?1 diet. Dietary supplementation of Cs had quadratic effects (P < 0.01) on final body weight and average daily gain, with optimal responses occurring at 30 mg kg^?1. Dietary supplementation of Cs quadratically improved (P < 0.01) average daily feed intake and feed/gain ratio, with optimal responses occurring at 30 mg kg^?1. Dietary supplementation of Cs had a quadratic effect (P < 0.01) on muscle RNA/DNA ratio. Furthermore, dietary supplementation of Cs reduced (P < 0.05) back‐fat thickness. Dietary supplementation of Cs had quadratic effects (P < 0.05) on plasma glucagon and T₃ hormone levels, with optimal responses occurring at 30 mg kg^?1, but had no effect (P > 0.05) on plasma growth hormone, insulin and T₄ levels. There were no apparent pathological changes seen in the stomach mucosa of pigs fed at 30 mg Cs kg^?1 compared with the control diet. It is concluded that a low dose of dietary inclusion of Cs at 30 mg kg^?1 can improve growth performance and carcass quality without adverse effects on the stomach in finishing pigs. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical composition,nutritive value and voluntary intake of tropical tree foliage and cocoyam in pigs

The composition of the leaves of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and of two trees (Trichanthera gigantea and mulberry, Morus alba), their nutritive value in pigs and voluntary intake by pigs were determined. The average protein content ranged from 170 to 240 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM) and that of neutral detergent fibres from 218 to 398 g kg^?1 DM. The leaves are interesting sources of calcium (up to 69 g kg^?1 DM), potassium, iron and manganese. The proteins are well balanced in essential amino acids, with lysine ranging from 43 to 57 g kg^?1 proteins. The apparent faecal digestibility was determined by difference in 35 kg pigs fed a diet containing 35% leaf meal. The digestibility coefficients of DM, N and energy were, respectively, 47–57, 33–36 and 51–53%. The digestible energy value ranged from 1.674 to 2.037 kcal kg^?1 DM. The voluntary intake of Trichanthera and Xanthosoma was measured in sows weighing 100 kg on average. The intake reached 3.4 kg fresh leaves day^?1 (0.51 kg DM) and 1.0–1.1 kg dry leaf meal/day. It is concluded that low energy density is the main limiting factor of tree foliage for pig nutrition but that they are good sources of minerals and well‐balanced proteins. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of saponins and tannins on intake and nutrient digestion of alkaloid-containing foods

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that eating a food containing saponins (SAP), or tannins (TAN) prior to foods containing the alkaloids gramine (GRA) or 5‐methoxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (TRP) would provide benefits not possible when the alkaloid‐containing foods were eaten alone. METHODS: In Trial 1, four groups of five lambs were first offered food with SAP for 30 min followed by food with either GRA or TRP for 3.5 h in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of a completely randomized design that included alkaloid (GRA or TRP) with or without SAP. In Trial 2 TAN replaced SAP. All foods were isocaloric (3.3 Mcal kg^?1) and isonitrogenous (14% crude protein). Foods, fecal and urine samples were collected and analyzed for dry matter intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter, energy (in megajoules, MJ), nitrogen (N), and neutral detergent fiber. RESULTS: Supplemental SAP did not affect digestibility of the parameters tested (P > 0.10). Supplemental TAN increased digestibility of N (g kg^?1, P = 0.04), N retained (g day^?1, P = 0.07), N digested (g day^?1, P = 0.06), and N retained/N consumed (g kg^?1, P = 0.07). However, digestibilities of dry matter (g kg^?1, P = 0.0026), energy (MJ 1000 MJ^?1, P = 0.003), neutral detergent fiber (g kg^?1, P = 0.008), and digested N retained (g kg^?1, P = 0.07) were lower for lambs fed TAN than for unsupplemented animals. CONCLUSIONS: Tannin supplementation can improve retention of nitrogen in animals fed alkaloid‐containing grasses such as reed canarygrass and tall fescue. Combinations of forages with complementary primary and secondary compounds enable animals to maintain intake and improve nutrient utilization. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ileal digestibility of defatted soybean,lupin and chickpea seed meals in cannulated Iberian pigs: II. Fatty acids and carbohydrates

Five castrated male Iberian pigs (100 ± 2 kg mean live body weight) fitted with T‐shaped ileal cannulas were used to determine ileal digestibility of legume seed meals. The diets were based on defatted soybean (256 g kg^?1), lupin (451 g kg^?1) or chickpea (731 g kg^?1) seed meals and contained similar amounts of digestible energy (14.2–15.1 kJ g^?1) and protein (107 g kg^?1). Only myristic acid (C14:0) ileal apparent digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) in lupin than in chickpea meal. Ileal apparent digestibility of unsaturated fatty acids (FA) (710–920 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than that of saturated (480–710 g kg^?1) FA for both seed meals. Ileal digestibility of chickpea starch was 850 g kg^?1. Ileal digestibility of oligosaccharides (sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, verbascose and ciceritol) in lupin (820 g kg^?1) and chickpea (690 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than that of defatted soybean (510 g kg^?1). However, total amounts of oligosaccharides digested were higher (p < 0.05) for lupin and chickpea meals (29.6 and 24.6 g kg^?1 feed respectively) than for soybean (15.2 g kg^?1 feed). Among individual non‐starch polysaccharide (NSP) sugars, ileal digestibility values for rhamnose and xylose in lupins were higher (p < 0.05) than those for soybean or chickpea. Ileal digestibility of lupin meal NSP (650 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than those of soybean (560 g kg^?1) or chickpea (430 g kg^?1). Up to the terminal ileum, higher (p < 0.05) amounts of lupin total NSP (94.1 g kg^?1) than for soybean (24.3 g kg^?1) or chickpea (27.1 g kg^?1) were digested. Lactate, acetate and isobutyrate concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in ileal contents of pigs fed lupin and chickpea seed meals compared with soybean‐fed animals. It is concluded that higher lactate and short chain fatty acids concentrations in ileal contents of pigs fed lupin or chickpea seed meals compared with soybean are likely to be the result of higher total amounts of lupin NSP and/or lupin and chickpea oligosaccharides digested up to the terminal ileum. This might have a protective effect on Iberian pig's intestinal physiology. Both lupin and chickpea meals are likely to constitute a valuable alternative to defatted soybean in Iberian pig feeding. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nutrient digestibility,performance and carcass traits of growing–finishing pigs fed diets containing graded levels of dehydrated lucerne meal

BACKGROUND: Plant breeders have attempted to improve the nutritonal value of lucerne (alfalfa) by selecting for higher protein and lower fibre concentrations. Although targeted at ruminants, such changes could also improve the nutritional value of lucerne for monogastrics. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of graded levels of dehydrated lucerne meal on nutrient digestibility, performance and carcass traits of swine. RESULTS: The digestibility of dry matter, protein and energy declined linearly (P < 0.05) as the level of lucerne meal in the diet increased. Including lucerne meal at levels greater than 75 g kg^?1 was detrimental to the growth rate of pigs during the growing period. During the finishing period, inclusion of lucerne meal at 75 and 150 g kg^?1 resulted in improvements in weight gain and feed intake. Carcass traits were generally unaffected by lucerne inclusion. CONCLUSION: Lucerne meal may have greater potential for inclusion in diets fed to growing–finishing pigs than previously realized. To maximize pig performance, lucerne meal should be limited to less than 75 g kg^?1 diet during the growing period, while it is possible to go as high as 150 g kg^?1 diet during the finishing period without detrimental effects on performance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Genotype,environment and genotype × environment effects on trypsin inhibitor in peas

Four multiparous ruminally canulated cows and four primiparous cows without a ruminal cannula were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to study the effect of dietary fat source on milk fatty acid composition. Cows were fed a diet containing 550 g lucerne silage and 450 g concentrate kg^?1 dietary DM. The four diets were control and fat supplementation (32 g fat kg^?1 diet DM) as roasted soya beans, calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids (Megalac®). or hydrogenated tallow (Alifet®). Cows fed supplemental fat as roasted soya beans. Megalac®. or Alifet® produced 33.8, 32.6, and 32.5 kg day^?1 of 3.5% FCM. respectively, compared with 31.6 kg day^?1 with no fat supplementation. Addition of fat decreased milk protein percentage. Milk fat percentage was increased with Megalac® and decreased with Alifet® feeding. Dietary fat decreased the proportion of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (C6-C14:0) in milk and increased the proportion of long-chain fatty acids (C16 : 0 and longer). Roasted soya beans were most effective in reducing C16 : 0 and increasing C18 : 1, C18 : 2 and C18 : 3 acids in milk fat. Megalac® did not decrease milk C16 : 0 content, and neither Megalac® nor Alifet® affected C18 : 2 content.     

Chemical composition and nutritive value of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) in rats

The peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is the starchy fruit of a palm tree widely cultivated in Central and South America. The present study aimed at determining its chemical composition and its nutritive value in rats. The average chemical composition of 17 samples was as follows: 410 g kg^?1 water and, in g kg^?1 of dry matter (DM), 54 g crude protein, 114 g oil, 39 g neutral detergent fibre, 716 g starch, 21 g sugars and 18 g ash. The main variability was observed for the oil (60–180 g kg^?1 DM) and starch (590–780 g DM) contents. The proteins contained, on average, in g kg^?1 of proteins, 49 g lysine, 13 g methionine, 19 g cysteine, 39 g threonine and 7 g tryptophan. The mineral fraction contained, per kg DM: 1.0 g Ca, 0.8 g P, 0.6 g Mg, 0.3 g Na, 44 mg Fe, 4 mg Cu and 10 mg Zn. The digestibility of four peach palm genotypes was determined in rats fed a diet composed of 350 g kg^?1 of peach palm and 650 g of a control diet based on maize and soybean meal. The digestibility of DM, energy, starch and protein of peach palm alone reached, on average 91, 87, 96 and 95%, respectively. No difference was observed between varieties, except for starch (p < 0.05). On average, peach palm contained 51 g of truly digestible protein kg^?1 DM and 3.691 kcal digestible energy kg^?1 DM. A growth trial was also carried out for 1 month on rats (initial weight: 78 g) fed a diet containing 0, 200, 400, 600 or 800 g peach palm kg^?1, at the expense of a diet composed of maize starch and casein. The growth rate of the rats decreased (p < 0.05) as the peach palm concentration increased. The growth decrease was due to a decrease (p < 0.05) in DM intake and to the lower quality of the peach palm protein. It is concluded that peach palm is mainly an energy source for humans and animals. It is poor in protein and minerals but can be consumed in large amounts. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of Silage Fermentation and Post-ruminal Casein Supplementation in Lactating Dairy Cows: 1—Diet Digestion and Milk Production

Two silages were prepared from the first-cut sward of timothy-meadow fescue and wilted to a dry matter (DM) content of 300 g kg^-1. One was ensiled with the addition of a formic-acid-based additive (4 litres formic acid (FA) per tonne) and the other with the addition of a bacterial inoculant (LAB) at a rate of 5×10⁶ colony forming units g^-1. Both silages were well preserved, but the extent of fermentation was greater in LAB-silage than in FA-silage as indicated by a lower concentration of water soluble carbohydrates (68 vs 177 g kg^-1 DM) and a higher concentration of lactic acid (147 vs 32 g kg^-1 DM). Four Ayrshire cows were used in a 4×4 Latin square experiment with 21-day periods to study the effects of silage fermentation and postruminal casein supplementation on silage intake, nutrient supply and milk production. The four treatments were FA-silage without casein (FA-0), LAB-silage without casein (LAB-0), FA-silage with casein (FA-C) and LAB-silage with casein (LAB-C). Both silages were given ad libitum with 8 kg day^-1 of barley without or with 400 g day^-1 of casein infused into the duodenum. Organic matter digestibility was lower (0·723 vs 0·753; P<0·01) for FA-silage than for LAB-silage. Cows offered FA-silage had a higher molar proportion of acetate and a lower proportion of propionate in ruminal fluid than cows offered LAB-silage. Microbial protein synthesis estimated from the output of purine derivatives in urine was greater (288 vs 260 g N day^-1; P<0·05) for cows given FA-silage compared with LAB-silage. Feeding LAB-treated silage tended (P<0·10) to decrease silage DM intake compared with FA-treated silage (10·61 vs 11·77 kg DM day^-1). Silage composition did not affect significantly milk yield or milk composition. Casein infusion increased milk yield (25·1 vs 27·1 kg day^-1; P<0·05), milk protein content (32·4 vs 33·8 g kg^-1; P<0·05) and protein yield (808 vs 905 g day^-1; P<0·01). The responses were similar for both silages. © 1997 SCI.     

Effects of intraruminal infusions of propionate and butyrate with two different protein supplements on milk production and blood metabolites in dairy cows receiving grass silage-based diet

Four cows were used in a balanced 4×4 Latin square with 2 week experimental periods to investigate the effects of intraruminal infusions of volatile fatty acids and protein source on milk production and blood metabolites. The four treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement were isoenergetic intraruminal infusions of propionate (500 g day⁻¹) or butyrate (417 g day⁻¹) each given with isonitrogenous protein supplementation of fish meal (FM) or barley protein (BP). The cows were fed restrictively with 9 kg dry matter day⁻¹ of formic acid treated grass silage and 8 kg day⁻¹ of concentrate. Propionate infusion increased milk yield (24·9 vs 23·4 kg day⁻¹; P<0·05), milk protein yield (832 vs 778 g day⁻¹; P=0·05) and milk lactose content (44·7 vs 43·5 g kg⁻¹; P<0·05) and yield (1113 vs 1023 g day⁻¹; P<0·01), whereas butyrate infusion was associated with a higher milk fat content (44·7 vs 39·4 g kg⁻¹; P<0·01) and yield (1033 vs 974 g day⁻¹; P<0·01). FM tended (P<0·10) to increase milk yield, but had no significant effects on milk composition or milk component yields compared with BP. Butyrate infusion increased blood ketones, plasma non-esterified fatty acids and glycine relative to propionate infusion. The concentrations of ammonia N in rumen fluid and urea in plasma and milk were similar for both protein supplements. The profile of amino acids in plasma was similar for both protein supplements except for the higher concentrations of phenylalanine, proline and tyrosine with BP. The results show that protein utilisation can be improved by increasing the supply of propionate from rumen fermentation in cows given a grass silage-based diet. © 1998 SCI.     

Effect of cellulase/glucanase/xylanase (Roxazyme G2) enzymes combination on nutrients utilisation of vegetable meal (Amaranthus cruentus) fed as sole dietary protein source in rat assay

Amaranthus cruentus vegetable meal (ACVM) had 23% crude protein. Ca, Na, K, Mg and Fe were abundant at 2.0 g kg^?1, 7.1 g kg^?1, 4.8 g kg^?1, 2.5 g kg^?1, 1109 mg kg^?1, respectively. P‐phosporous, oxalates and tannins were noticeable. Lysine, methionine and cystine were limiting. Weight gain for rats on the reference (casein) diet 2 at 6.30 g ±2.87 was highest (P < 0.05) followed by diet 6 (12% ACVM with enzyme supplementation) at 5.01 g ±2.42. Feed intakes were similar (P > 0.05) for rats on the reference diet and for rats on 10% and 12% with/without enzyme supplementation ranging from 42.90 g ± 4.52 in reference diet to 45.12 g ± 3.64. Nitrogen retention was highest for rats on reference diet but similar (P > 0.05) to rats on 12% enzyme supplemented diet at 0.53 ± 1.12 and 0.53 ± 2.10, respectively. Other investigated protein evaluation parameters revealed similar results among rats kept on reference diet and the rats on ACVM based diets with enzyme supplementations. Enzyme supplementation had a complimentary role in ACVM nutrition in rat trial.