Chemical composition,antinutritional constituents,precaecal crude protein and amino acid digestibility in three unconventional tropical legumes in broilers

Three tropical crop seeds, namely Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Mucuna pruriens and Centrosema pubescens, were assessed for their contents of chemical constituents, antinutritional factors (ANFs), crude protein (CP) and amino acid (AA) digestibility. Their meals were incorporated into broiler diets in place of maize starch at two levels (150 and 300 g kg^?1). Four hundred and twenty 1‐day‐old broilers were randomly assigned to seven experimental diets on a weight basis and used to determine CP and AA digestibility in the diets and seeds, and performance of the birds. The CP contents were 237, 278 and 252 g kg^?1 DM in E. cyclocarpum, M. pruriens and C. pubescens, respectively. Compared to the basal diet, the digestibility of CP and AAs in the diets and seeds was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced at higher level of inclusion of E. cyclocarpum and M. pruriens but increased at higher C. pubescens inclusion. Digestibility of arginine, threonine and lysine in the C. pubescens meal diets was similar to that in the basal diet. Digestibility values of CP and AAs were least in E. cyclocarpum. Aspartic acid was the least and glutamic acid the most digested AA in all the seeds. Among the essential AAs, threonine was the least digested AA, while leucine (in E. cyclocarpum and M. pruriens) and lysine (in C. pubescens) had the highest digestibility with values of 65, 73 and 72%, respectively. Feed intake, body weights and weight gain in the birds were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the E. cyclocarpum and M. pruriens diets but increased in the C. pubescens diets compared to the basal diet. Results of the study suggest that, based on the CP content and AA profiles in the seeds, they have potential for poultry feeding. The presence of ANFs, especially in E. cyclocarpum and M. pruriens, however, could be a major limitation in their use in poultry feeding. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of feed intake level on ileal digestibilities of crude protein and amino acids in diets for piglets

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to determine the effect of graded levels of feed intake on apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibilities of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in diets for piglets. The piglets were surgically fitted with simple T‐cannulas at the distal ileum. The cornstarch–casein–soybean meal‐based diets were fed at three graded levels of feed intake corresponding to 30, 45 and 60 g kg^?1 body weight (BW) per day. RESULTS: The AID and SID of most AA were quadratically affected by the feed intake level (P?0.05). Initially, both AID and SID of most AA increased up to 1.9 percentage units as the feed intake level was increased from 30 to 45 g kg^?1 BW. Thereafter, these AID and SID values decreased by 2.6 and 2.7 percentage units, respectively, as the feed intake level was further increased from 45 to 60 g kg^?1 BW. CONCLUSION: Because the voluntary feed intake is highly variable in piglets after weaning, comparison of ileal AA digestibilities between and within studies may be confounded by variations in feed intake level. Thus, when designing digestibility studies with piglets, a standardization of feed intake should be taken into consideration. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Responses of intake,digestibility and nitrogen utilisation in goats fed low‐quality roughages supplemented with tree foliages

BACKGROUND: A meta‐analysis of data containing 127 different dietary treatments with 593 goats from 30 published studies was performed to explain the effects of foliage supplementation to low‐quality roughages on intake, digestibility and N utilisation in goats. RESULTS: Basal dry matter (DM) intake decreased linearly with increasing foliage level (FL) in diets and foliage crude protein (CP) intake, whereas total DM intake increased linearly with increasing FL and CP intake from foliages and quadratically with increasing concentration of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in foliages. The digestibility of DM and CP increased linearly with increasing FL and CP concentration in basal roughages and foliage CP intake. The greater concentration of NDF in foliages and roughages decreased CP digestibility linearly. Intakes of digestible DM and CP increased quadratically with increasing FL, with plateau levels of 36.4 and 5.52 g kg^?1 (body weight)^0.75 in response to 490 and 740 g kg^?1 FL respectively. Faecal N, urinary N and N retention increased linearly with increasing FL and foliage CP intake. CONCLUSION: Responses of goats fed basal roughages supplemented with foliages are influenced by the quality and quantity of foliages and quality of roughages. Up to 490 g kg^?1 FL can be incorporated in diets for better feed utilisation and animal performance, beyond which nutrient utilisation may be adversely affected. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of expander processing and pelleting on the nutritive value of feed for growing and finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of pelleting and/or expander processing on the nutritive value of feed when fed to growing and finishing pigs. Experiment 1 determined the effects of pelleting and/or expander processing on the apparent nutrient digestibility of the diets. In experiment 2, productive performance and carcass characteristics were determined in group‐fed pigs (n = 312) offered identical diets in raw pellet form (T1), expander‐processed pellet form (T2), raw meal form (T3) and expander‐processed meal form (T4). The expanded diets were expander processed at 105 °C for 5 s at 35 bar pressure. The pellet diets were steam pelleted at 85 °C into 3.0 mm pellets. Pelleting of the diets increased organic matter (P < 0.05), protein (P < 0.01), energy (P < 0.01) and ash (P < 0.01) digestibility as well as the digestible energy (DE) content of the diets (P < 0.01). Expander processing had no effect on the organic matter, protein and energy digestibility of the diets. There was a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between pelleting of the diet and expander processing in DE content of the diets. Expansion had no effect on the DE content of the pelleted diets; however, expansion increased the DE content of the meal diets (P < 0.05). In experiment 2 there was a significant interaction between the physical form of the diet and expansion in feed intake during the grower and finisher period (P < 0.01). Expander processing had no effect on feed intake in the pelleted diets; however, expansion decreased feed intake of the meal diets (P < 0.001). Both pelleting and expansion of the diets decreased growth rate during the grower and finisher period (P < 0.05). Pelleting of the diets improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the grower and finisher period (P < 0.05), while expander processing had no effect on FCR. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nutritional value of feed grade chickpeas for ruminants and pigs

The feeding value of feed grade chickpeas (Kabuli and Desi type) for ruminants and pigs was determined in two studies. Two ruminally fistulated cows were used in the first study to determine the effects of moist heat treatment (127 °C for 10 min) on the ruminal protein degradability of feed grade chickpeas. Heat treatment reduced (P < 0.05) soluble crude protein and increased (P < 0.05) the amount of crude protein associated with neutral detergent fibre for both types of chickpeas. Ruminal degradability of crude protein for Kabuli and Desi chickpeas was reduced by 39 and 33% (P < 0.05) respectively as a result of heating. In the second study, 64 crossbred pigs were each assigned to one of four dietary treatments in a factorial (4 treatments × 2 sexes) design experiment. The experimental barley/wheat‐based diets were supplemented with either soybean meal (control), Kabuli chickpeas (300 g kg⁻¹), Desi chickpeas (300 g kg⁻¹) or field peas (300 g kg⁻¹). Dry matter and gross energy digestibility coefficients, determined using the indicator method, were lower (P < 0.05) for the Desi‐ than for the Kabuli‐supplemented diet. However, no differences were observed in dry matter or gross energy digestibility between the Kabuli chickpea‐supplemented diet and the control or the field pea‐supplemented diet. Diets supplemented with chickpeas or field peas had a lower (P < 0.05) crude protein digestibility than the control diet. Pigs fed either of the chickpea‐supplemented diets during the growing phase gained less (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the control diet. However, during the finishing phase and over the entire experiment, dietary treatment had no effect on pig performance. There were no significant differences in carcass traits between pigs fed any of the four diets. It was concluded that moist heat treatment is an effective method to increase the rumen escape protein value of chickpeas and that the inclusion of feed grade Kabuli or Desi chickpeas in finishing diets up 300 g kg⁻¹ had no detrimental effects on pig performance. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

High apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in raw and germinated faba bean (Vicia faba)‐ and chickpea (Cicer arietinum)‐based diets for rats

The effects of germinated faba bean (Vicia faba minor var Alameda)‐ and chickpea (Cicer arietinum kabuli var Athenas)‐based diets on performance, N utilisation, amino acid ileal digestibility and plasma concentrations were studied in growing male Wistar rats. Raw and germinated faba bean and chickpea seed meals were incorporated in essential amino acid‐supplemented and energy‐equalised diets as the only sources of protein. A lactalbumin‐based diet equalised in protein (100 g kg^?1) and digestible energy (15.5 kJ g^?1) with the test diets was used as control. Weight gains, gain/feed ratios, N retention and NPU values of animals fed raw or germinated legumes were lower than those of rats given the control (lactalbumin) diet, while faecal dry weights were higher. However, N retention and NPU values of rats fed germinated faba bean diets were higher and faecal dry weights lower than those of animals fed non‐germinated faba bean diets. Liver and thymus fresh and dry relative weights were lower than controls for all legume diets, whilst small intestine, caecum and colon relative weights were higher than controls for non‐germinated faba beans and chickpeas either germinated or not. Caecum and colon fresh and dry relative weights of rats fed germinated faba bean seeds were lower than those of rats fed non‐germinated faba beans and not different from controls. Except for aspartic acid and proline in rats fed raw faba bean diets, apparent ileal digestibilities of amino acids were not different or higher in rats fed legume diets as compared with controls. Except for arginine, apparent ileal amino acid digestibility was higher for germinated than for non‐germinated faba bean seeds. The amounts of glycine, arginine and ornithine in plasma significantly increased whilst those of threonine, alanine, leucine and lysine decreased with respect to controls in faba bean‐ or chickpea‐fed rats, either germinated or not. We conclude that (a) germination of faba bean seeds gave rise to a significant (P < 0.01) but limited improvement in performance, N retention and apparent ileal digestibilities of some amino acids in growing rats compared with non‐germinated seeds, while there was no detectable effect in the case of germinated chickpea seeds, and (b) the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of essential amino acid‐supplemented diets based on faba bean or chickpea meals, either germinated or not, is similar or even higher than controls. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Moist and dry heating-induced changes in protein molecular structure,protein subfractions,and nutrient profiles in camelina seeds

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the nutritive value of camelina seeds (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) in ruminant nutrition and to use molecular spectroscopy as a novel technique to quantify the heat-induced changes in protein molecular structures in relation to protein digestive behavior in the rumen and intestine of dairy cattle. In this study, camelina seeds were used as a model for feed protein. The seeds were kept as raw (control) or heated in an autoclave (moist heating) or in an air-draft oven (dry heating) at 120°C for 60 min. The parameters evaluated were (1) chemical profiles, (2) Cornell Net Protein and Carbohydrate System protein subfractions, (3) nutrient digestibilities and estimated energy values, (4) in situ rumen degradation and intestinal digestibility, and (5) protein molecular structures. Compared with raw seeds, moist heating markedly decreased (52.73 to 20.41%) the content of soluble protein and increased (2.00 to 9.01%) the content of neutral detergent insoluble protein in total crude protein (CP). Subsequently, the rapidly degradable Cornell Net Protein and Carbohydrate System CP fraction markedly decreased (45.06 to 16.69% CP), with a concomitant increase in the intermediately degradable (45.28 to 74.02% CP) and slowly degradable (1.13 to 8.02% CP) fractions, demonstrating a decrease in overall protein degradability in the rumen. The in situ rumen incubation study revealed that moist heating decreased (75.45 to 57.92%) rumen-degradable protein and increased (43.90 to 82.95%) intestinal digestibility of rumen-undegradable protein. The molecular spectroscopy study revealed that moist heating increased the amide I-to-amide II ratio and decreased α-helix and α-helix-to-β-sheet ratio. In contrast, dry heating did not significantly change CP solubility, rumen degradability, intestinal digestibility, and protein molecular structures compared with the raw seeds. Our results indicated that, compared with dry heating, moist heating markedly changed protein chemical profiles, protein subfractions, rumen protein degradability, and intestinal digestibility, which were associated with changes in protein molecular structures (amide I-to-amid II ratio and α-helix-to-β-sheet ratio). Moist heating improved the nutritive value and utilization of protein in camelina seeds compared with dry heating.     

Nutritional value of animal feed grade wheat as replacement for maize in lamb feeding for mutton production

The utilization of abundantly available animal feed grade wheat (AFW) as a replacement for conventional and costly cereal supplement in lamb feeding to lower the cost of mutton production was explored. Thirty‐five growing lambs divided into five equal groups and were fed diets containing 0, 118, 235, 353 or 470 g kg^?1 AFW replacing equal quantity of maize. The diets were fed in the form of composite feed mixture, which had a roughage (Prosopis cineraria leaves) to concentrate ratio of 25:75. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not different in these groups, ranging from 35 to 42 g kg^?1 body weight, while AFW inclusion linearly (P < 0.05) reduced DMI. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and cellulose were not affected by AFW addition, whereas neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre digestibility coefficients were reduced (P < 0.05). The digestible CP content (142.7–162.7 g kg^?1 diet) increased (P < 0.01) linearly with increased AFW inclusion levels. However, AFW additions did not affect metabolizable energy (ME) value of diet (10.2–10.5 MJ kg^?1 diet DM). Digestible CP intake was similar but digestible DM and OM intake tended to decrease (P < 0.05) linearly when expressed in terms of g kg^?1 W^0.75. ME intake (MJ d^?1) was not different among the diets but showed linear (P = 0.041) reducing trends with increasing AFW levels in diet. The efficiency of ME and N utilization for unit gain was also not affected by AFW incorporation. N retained as g d^?1, percentage of intake and percentage of absorbed ranged from 15.4 to 19.5 g, 49.7% to 60.3% and 62.6% to 74.6%, respectively. Intake and utilization of dietary N was not affected but urinary N excretion reduced (P < 0.05) linearly by AFW. Daily microbial N (MN) flow estimated by urinary purine derivative excretion was significantly (P < 0.01) higher for lambs fed a diet with AFW 235 g kg^?1 (3.05 g MN) and 353 g kg^?1 (2.51 g MN) compared to without AFW diet (1.31 g MN). MN when expressed as g kg^?1digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) and microbial protein g kg^?1 digestible organic matter apparently fermented in rumen (DOMR) followed a similar trend. During the growth trial, lambs fed diets containing AFW (353 g kg^?1), which replaced 75% maize had higher total gain (14 kg, P < 0.05) and average daily gain (ADG 154 g, P < 0.05). However, feed efficiency (feed consumed kg^?1 live weight gain) was not different. Rumen pH and microbial enzyme activities studied 4 h post feeding revealed that AFW did not affect rumen pH, which ranged from 5.95 to 6.30. Similarly, carboxymethyl cellulase and β‐xylosidase enzyme activities were not different among treatments, but AFW inclusion linearly (P = 003) increased carboxymethyl cellulase enzyme activities. The α‐amylase enzyme activity differed significantly (P < 0.05) and was highest (22.6 IU) in groups where AFW replaced maize completely. It was concluded that, in lambs reared under intensive system for mutton production on high concentrate diets, conventional and costly energy supplements like maize can be replaced up to 75% with a low‐cost animal feed grade wheat to economize on cost of production. However, more studies are required to confirm these inclusion levels for greater economic returns. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nutritional and anti-nutritional characteristics of mucuna (Mucuna utilis) bean seeds

Some nutritional and anti-nutritional characteristics of mucuna (Mucuna utilis (Wight) Burck) bean seeds were studied. The mature seeds contained 264 g crude protein, 63 g crude fibre, 41 g crude fat, 37 g ash and 595 g carbohydrates kg^?1 DM. The essential amino acid profile compared well with the FAO/WHO scoring pattern except for a deficiency of sulphur-containing amino acids. Mineral composition was similar to those reported for most tropical grain legumes. Raw mucuna seed samples contained moderately high levels of anti-tryptic activity (2170 trypsin units inhibited g^?1 DM), but this was completely destroyed by cooking. The other anti-nutritional factors (phytate, cyanide and tannins) are probably of little nutritional significance provided that the beans are properly processed. The in-vitro protein digestibility of raw and cooked beans were 71·5 and 80·3 %, respectively. In view of the high L-DOPA contents reported in some mucuna cultivars, overconsumption of mucuna beans should be viewed with some caution until suitable processing methods are developed.     

Effects of freeze-dried Mitsuokella jalaludinii culture and Natuphos(®) phytase supplementation on the performance and nutrient utilisation of broiler chickens

BACKGROUND: Phytate‐bound phosphorus (P) in poultry diets is poorly available to chickens. Hence exogenous phytase is often added to their diets. Mitsuokella jalaludinii is a rumen bacterial species that produces high phytase activity. In this study the effects of freeze‐dried active M. jalaludinii culture (FD‐AMJC) and Natuphos^® phytase (phytase N) supplementations on the growth performance and nutrient utilisation of broiler chickens fed a low‐available P (aP) diet were evaluated. RESULTS: Supplementation of FD‐AMJC or phytase N to the low‐aP diet improved the feed intake, feed conversion rate, body weight gain, dry matter (DM) digestibility and P, Ca and Mn retention, increased the tibia bone ash content, Ca and P concentrations in tibia DM and P and Zn concentrations in plasma and reduced the P excretion of broiler chickens. However, the feed conversion rate, P and Ca retention, DM digestibility and reduction of P excretion were better with FD‐AMJC than phytase N supplementation. Supplementation of FD‐AMJC to the low‐aP diet also improved the apparent metabolisable energy value of the diet, Cu and Zn retention and crude protein digestibility, but phytase N supplementation did not. CONCLUSION: FD‐AMJC supplementation was more efficient in improving nutrient utilisation and reducing P excretion in chickens than phytase N supplementation. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Utilisation of two varieties of full‐fat and simulated soyabeans in meal and pelleted diets by broiler chickens

Full‐fat soyabeans (FFSB) (Glycine max) of two varieties, TGX 1440/^E and M‐351, and recombined soyabean meal and oil (SBMO, simulated soyabeans) along with a basal diet were evaluated in a growth and digestibility study designed to examine energy and nutrient digestibility and growth performance of broiler chickens fed the soyabean diets presented as meal or pellets. The soyabean products were incorporated into the basal diet in a 40:60 ratio (product/basal). The resulting eight experimental diets were assessed in a growth trial covering the starter to the finisher phase (1–8 weeks) of the broiler rearing period, during which daily weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion efficiency were measured. Two digestibility trials were conducted at the starter (1.5–2 weeks) and finisher (7.5–8 weeks) phases of the broiler rearing. Apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and apparent fat (AFD), nitrogen (AND) and dry matter (ADD) digestibilities of diets were determined. Data on carcass and gut measurements were also obtained. The bird rearing phase had a significant (P ≤ 0.001) effect on energy and nutrient digestibility of diets and soyabean products, with the finisher broilers yielding higher values. Mean AME values for FFSB were 16.1 vs 13.6 MJ kg⁻¹ DM for the finisher and starter broilers. Pelleting of diets improved AFD (P ≤ 0.001) and AME (P ≤ 0.10). Significant interaction (P ≤ 0.01) between diet and feed form resulted in improvement in fat digestibility of pelleted FFSB diets but not that of SBMO diets. Carcass fat (P ≤ 0.01) and breast weight (P ≤ 0.05) were increased and gizzard weight decreased (P ≤ 0.01) in birds given the pelleted diets compared with those on meal diets. Birds fed the TGX FFSB diets had significantly lower dietary fat and nitrogen digestibilities and heavier weight of the small intestine than those on the M‐351 diets, thus suggesting varietal differences in the structure and nutritional value of soyabeans. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Soybean oil supplementation and starter protein content: Effects on growth performance,digestibility, ruminal fermentation,and urinary purine derivatives of Holstein dairy calves

This study investigated the effects of feeding dairy calves starter diets containing 19% or 22% crude protein (CP) content on a dry matter basis and either supplemented or not with soybean oil (SBO, 0 vs. 3%, dry matter basis) on growth performance, digestibility, urinary nitrogen, and purine derivatives (PD) excretion. A total of 48 female Holstein dairy calves (mean 39.8 kg of body weight) were randomly distributed to experimental diets in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The 4 dietary treatments were (1) starter diet without SBO supplement and 19% CP (NSBO-19CP), (2) starter diet without SBO supplement and 22% CP (NSBO-22CP), (3) starter diet with 3% SBO and 19% CP (SBO-19CP), and (4) starter diet with 3% SBO and 22% CP (SBO-22CP). Milk feeding value was similarly based on a constant protocol across experimental treatments and calves had ad libitum access to water and starter diets throughout the study. All calves were weaned on d 63 of age and remained in the study until d 83 of age. Calves supplemented with SBO had lower starter feed intake and average daily gain (ADG) and lower feed efficiency (FE) but had a higher fecal score indicating a higher likelihood of diarrhea occurrence compared with unsupplemented calves. Wither heights, digestibilities of organic matter, CP, and neutral detergent fiber were decreased, and ruminal volatile fatty acids tended to be reduced, and the molar proportion of ruminal butyrate (preweaning) and acetate (postweaning) reduced by supplemental SBO. The urinary allantoin and total PD excretion were reduced; however, urinary nitrogen excretion was increased when calves were supplemented with SBO. The CP amount did not affect starter feed intake, FE, or diarrhea occurrence rate, whereas the 22CP diets increased neutral detergent fiber digestibility, improved ADG (tendency), and increased allantoin and urinary PD excretion compared with the 19CP diets. The starter feed intake, ADG, FE, diarrhea occurrence rate, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal fermentation were not affected by the interaction between starter SBO and CP level; however, hip height and total PD in calves that received the SBO-22CP diets were higher than those fed the SBO-19CP diets. In conclusion, based on our experimental conditions, supplemental SBO could not be recommended for dairy calves. Furthermore, our findings indicate that SBO has negative effects on performance more attributed to reducing starter intake, digestibility, and ruminal volatile fatty acid concentration rather than because of a limitation of starter metabolizable protein supply and intestinal amino acid availability. Therefore, our results indicate that feeding the higher starter CP content is not a viable strategy to compensate for the negative effects of SBO supplementation on the growth performance of dairy calves.     

Effects of feeding salt-tolerant forage cultivated in saline-alkaline land on rumen fermentation, feed digestibility and nitrogen balance in lamb

BACKGROUND: Mixing salt‐tolerant plants with other plants may affect rumen fermentation, which could result in an increase of feed conversion rate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of partially or entirely replacing the corn stover with a mixture of salt‐tolerant forage (Dahurian wildrye grass, weeping alkaligrass and erect milkvetch) in the diet of lambs on ruminal fermentation, feed digestibility and nitrogen (N) balance. Ratios of corn stover to the mixture of salt‐tolerant forages in the four experimental diets were 100:0, 67:33, 33:67 and 0:100, respectively, for control, low (LF), medium (MF) and high (HF). RESULTS: Ruminal pH was lower (P = 0.048) with LF and MF than with control and HF diets. Total VFA concentration was consistently higher (P = 0.039) for LF and MF than for control and HF with increasing amount of salt‐tolerant forage. Ratio of acetate to propionate was linearly (P = 0.019) decreased due to the decrease in acetate production. Digestibilities of OM, NDF and CP in the whole tract linearly (P < 0.002) decreased with increasing amount of salt‐tolerant forage. Similarly, retained N and ratio of retained N to digestible N also linearly (P < 0.005) decreased. CONCLUSION: Feeding salt‐tolerant forage cultivated in saline‐alkaline land improved rumen fermentation with increased total VFA production, and changed the rumen fermentation pattern to increased butyrate production. However, the decreased feed digestibility in the whole digestive tract of lamb may reduce nutrient availability to animals and thus adversely affect animal productivity. Additionally, feeding salt‐tolerant forages may require more protein supplement to meet animal requirements, because of the low protein content and low protein digestibility of the salt‐tolerant forages. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nutritional evaluation of transgenic high‐methionine lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L) with broiler chickens

The nutritive value of transgenic lupin seeds (Lupinus angustifolius L) with higher contents of methionine was evaluated with broiler chickens. The crude protein, methionine and cysteine contents in the conventional and transgenic lupins were 322 and 324, 2.0 and 4.5, and 3.6 and 3.7 g kg^?1 dry matter respectively. In the feeding trial, conventional and transgenic lupins with hulls were incorporated into a maize–soyabean meal diet at 250 g kg^?1 level and the diets were fed to female broiler chicks from 6 to 20 days of age. All diets were balanced to contain similar levels of apparent metabolisable energy (AME), lysine and sulphur‐containing amino acids. The levels of free methionine added to the maize–soyabean meal control, conventional lupin and transgenic lupin diets were 2.2, 2.8 and 2.2 g kg^?1 respectively. Weight gain and feed intake were not influenced by dietary treatments, but feed/gain tended to be higher (P = 0.09) in birds fed lupin diets compared with those fed the control diet. Feed/gain of birds fed the conventional lupin diet was higher (1.82 vs 1.74) than for those fed the transgenic lupin diet. These results showed that the supplemental methionine required in poultry diets containing 250 g kg^?1 lupin can be lowered by 0.6 g kg^?1 diet by the use of high‐methionine lupins. The AME values of conventional and transgenic lupins were determined to be 9.42 and 10.18 MJ kg^?1 dry matter respectively. The higher AME value in transgenic lupins may be related to the lower content of soluble non‐starch polysaccharides (45.6 vs 60.7 g kg^?1 air‐dry basis). Data on ileal amino acid digestibility indicate that the amino acids in transgenic lupins are as digestible as those in conventional lupins. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of extrusion on in situ ruminal protein degradability and in vitro digestibility of undegraded protein from different feedstuffs

BACKGROUND: The effect of extruding maize, barley, whole soybean (WSB), peas, lupins and soybean meal (SBM) on their in situ ruminal protein degradability and in vitro digestibility of the rumen undegraded protein (RUP) was studied. Two mixtures containing 0.75 WSB or lupins and 0.25 maize were also formulated. RESULTS: Extrusion of maize resulted in an increase of its effective protein degradability from 0.538 to 0.734 (P < 0.001), whereas the opposite occurred with barley (from 0.854 to 0.797; P < 0.001). Extrusion increased the in vitro digestibility of the RUP of both cereals, increasing therefore the amount of barley crude protein (CP) digested in the intestines (PDI) from 62 to 176 g kg^?1 CP (P < 0.01), whereas maize resulted in lower (332 versus 229 g kg^?1 CP; P < 0.01). Extrusion decreased (P < 0.001) the protein degradability of the three legume seeds and increased (P < 0.001) the in vitro digestibility of the RUP, resulting in a PDI increase (P < 0.001), from 60 to 367 g kg^?1 CP for peas, from 69 to 265 g kg^?1 CP for WSB and from 107 to 205 g kg^?1 CP for lupins. This effect was enhanced when WSB was extruded jointly with maize. The extrusion of SBM also resulted in an increase in the PDI from 296 to 384 g kg^?1 CP (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Extrusion decreases the rumen protein degradability of legume seeds, soybean meal and barley, and increases the digestibility of the RUP, resulting in an increase in the feed protein digested in intestine. The extrusion of soybean seeds together with maize enhances these effects. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in feed ingredients determined with broilers and layers

The apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in eight feed ingredients were determined using broilers and layers. The ingredients included three cereals (wheat, sorghum and maize), one cereal by‐product (wheat middlings), three oilseed meals (canola, cottonseed and soybean meals) and one animal protein meal (meat and bone meal). Dietary protein in the assay diets was supplied solely by the test ingredient. All diets contained 20 g kg^?1 acid‐insoluble ash as an indigestible marker, and each diet was offered ad libitum in mash form to five replicate pens of 42‐day‐old broilers and 60‐week‐old layers. The digestibility coefficients of most amino acids for wheat and sorghum were similar (P > 0.05) in broilers and layers. The digestibility of most amino acids for maize was higher (P < 0.05) in broilers compared to those in layers. The digestibility of individual amino acid for wheat middlings was higher (P < 0.05) in layers than in broilers. In general, the digestibility of amino acids for cottonseed meal, soybean meal, and meat and bone meal were similar (P > 0.05) between broilers and layers. The influence of class of bird on digestibility in canola meal was variable. The digestibility of threonine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid and alanine were higher (P < 0.05), and those of methionine, histidine and lysine were lower (P < 0.05) in broilers compared to layers. These results suggest that the practice of using amino acid digestibility values generated with broilers for layers may not be appropriate for all feed ingredients. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of enzymes,flavor and organic acids on nutrient digestibility,performance and carcass traits of growing–finishing pigs fed diets containing dehydrated lucerne meal

BACKGROUND: We recently determined that 150 g kg^?1 of lucerne meal can be fed during the finishing period without detrimental effects on pig performance but lucerne should be limited to less than 75 g kg^?1 during the growing period. Lucerne has a high fiber content, is poorly digested and contains antinutritional factors such as saponins which reduce palatability. Therefore, pig performance could be enhanced by supplementing lucerne‐containing diets with feed additives such as flavors, enzymes or organic acids. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of these additives on nutrient digestibility, performance and carcass traits when fed to growing‐finishing swine fed diets containing lucerne. RESULTS: Flavor and enzyme had no effect on nutrient digestibility, pig performance or carcass traits. During the growing period, inclusion of propionic and acetic acids increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of dry matter, protein and energy. Weight gain and intake also increased (P < 0.05). None of the additives had any effect on pig performance during the finishing period or on carcass traits. CONCLUSION: During the growing period, including 200 g kg^?1 lucerne was detrimental to pig performance. Addition of organic acid improved pig performance and nutrient digestibility. During the finishing period, 200 g kg^?1 lucerne can be successfully incorporated into pig diets without negative effects on pig performance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Relationship between proportion and composition of albumins,and in vitro protein digestibility of raw and cooked pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.)

BACKGROUND: Peas provide an excellent plant protein resource for human diets, but their proteins are less readily digestible than animal proteins. To identify the relationship between composition and in vitro digestibility of pea protein, eight pea varieties with a wide range of protein content (157.3–272.7 g kg^?1) were determined for the proportion of albumins and globulins, their compositions using sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) before and after heat treatment using a multi‐enzyme (trypsin, chymotrypsin and peptidase) method. RESULTS: The proportion of albumins based on total seed protein content decreased from 229 to 147 g kg^?1 as seed protein content increased from 157.3 to 272.7 g kg^?1, while the proportion of globulins increased from 483 to 590 g kg^?1. The IVPDs of eight raw pea seeds were 79.9–83.5%, with significant varietal variations, and those were improved to 85.9–86.8% by cooking. Albumins, including (pea albumins 2) PA2, trypsin inhibitor, lectin and lipoxygenase, were identified as proteolytic resistant proteins. Globulins were mostly digested by protease treatment after heating. CONCLUSION: The quantitative ratio of albumins and globulins, and the quantitative variations of albumin protein components, including lipoxygenase, PA2, lectins and trypsin inhibitors, appear to influence the protein digestibility of both raw and cooked pea seeds. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Riboflavin content in lupine seeds and blood plasma riboflavin status in broilers fed diets containing high levels of lupine seeds

BACKGROUND: The potential of lupine as a source of protein and other nutrients in poultry has attracted considerable attention in countries dependent on imports of soybean meal (SBM), as well as in organic farming. Nutritional aspects of riboflavin in lupines are poorly understood. This work evaluated riboflavin content in whole and dehulled seeds of three lupines (L. albus, L. angustifolius, L. luteus) and riboflavin status in broiler fed diets containing high levels of lupine seeds in comparison to SBM. RESULTS: Riboflavin is concentrated mainly in lupine cotyledons, predominantly as flavin mononucleotide. Its content in whole seeds ranged from 2.07 to 2.70 mg kg^?1, and was comparable to content in SBM (2.35 mg kg^?1). In comparison to the SBM‐fed group, broilers fed lupine diets showed higher plasma riboflavin (P < 0.05), but their growth rate and feed intake parameters were significantly lower (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lupine seeds contain moderate to high levels of riboflavin. Feeding diets containing high levels of lupine seeds did not have adverse effects on plasma riboflavin status in broilers. Poor performance of broilers fed lupine diets is not associated with inadequacy of riboflavin. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of feeding complete feed block containing Prosopis cineraria leaves and polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐6000 on nutrient intake,its utilization,rumen fermentation pattern and rumen enzyme profile in kids

A study was carried out to determine the effect of replacing the cake portion of concentrate mixture with 5 parts polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐6000 in a complete feed block (CFB) containing Prosopis cineraria leaves on the performance, rumen fermentation pattern and rumen enzyme profile of kids under an intensive system of rearing. Eighteen weaners of Sirohi goat of similar body weight (16.0 ± 0.5 kg) and age (90 ± 5 days) were divided into three equal groups. They were housed in individual cages in a side open asbestos roof shed with mud floor. All the kids received CFBs containing 50 parts P cineraria leaves and 50 parts concentrate mixture. CFB offered to the first group had high protein (183.8 g kg^?1; HP), that offered to the second group had low protein (131.3 g kg^?1; LP) and that offered to the third group had low protein (124.7 g kg^?1) but contained PEG‐6000 (LP‐PEG). The concentrate mixtures in LP and LP‐PEG were without groundnut cake, whereas in LP‐PEG, groundnut cake was replaced by barley and 5 parts PEG‐6000 were incorporated. CFBs were similar in their nutritive value except for crude protein (CP). Prosopis leaves utilized in the CFB contained (g kg^?1 dry matter) 129.1 CP, 535.5 neutral detergent fibre, 395.8 acid detergent fibre and 222.8 acid detergent lignin. There were significant differences in dry matter intake (g day^?1) between HP (1102), LP (1108) and LP‐PEG (1194); the trend in Metabolizable energy intake was similar. During the growth trial, LP kids consumed maximum amount of feed (76.91 kg) followed by HP (75.73 kg) and LP‐PEG (73.12 kg). However, maximum feed efficiency (feed consumed kg^?1 live weight gain) was recorded in LP‐PEG kids (9.59) followed by HP (10.64) and LP (11.60). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference in the digestibility of dry matter among the groups, there was significant difference in the digestibility of CP, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre. The digestibility of CP was 0.591, 0.484 and 0.645, that of neutral detergent fibre was 0.397, 0.308 and 0.499 and that of acid detergent fibre was 0.168, 0.154 and 0.282 in HP, LP and LP‐PEG, respectively. Rumen metabolites studied 6 h after feeding revealed that there were significant (p < 0.05) differences in the concentrations of ammonia N, tri‐chloro acetic acid precipitable N and total volatile fatty acids among the three groups, but not pH. The rumen enzyme concentrations showed significant (p < 0.05) differences for α‐amylase, whereas the differences were non‐significant for CMcase and protease. After 90 days of feeding trial, the maximum weight gain was recorded in LP‐PEG (7.62 kg) followed by HP (7.23 kg) and LP (6.53 kg). It can be concluded that, when kids are reared under an intensive system on complete feed blocks containing Prosopis leaves, high protein concentrate can be replaced with a low protein concentrate containing 5 parts PEG, which would not only alleviate the negative effects of tannin but would also spare expensive groundnut protein. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry