Chromium picolinate can ameliorate the negative effects of heat stress and enhance performance,carcass and meat traits in broiler chickens by reducing the circulatory cortisol level

BACKGROUND: Dietary chromium (Cr³⁺) supplementation reduces stress in livestock by lowering circulatory cortisol and potentiating the action of insulin. This study aimed to assess the stress‐alleviating effects of supplemental Cr³⁺ as chromium picolinate in broilers. RESULTS: The birds, which were heat stressed and had restricted feed intake between 31 and 40 days of age, were supplemented with 0 (control), 0.5 or 1 mg Cr³⁺ kg^?1 diet from 10 to 40 days of age. Live weight gain, feed efficiency, utilisation efficiency of energy and protein and conversion efficiency of feed protein to muscle protein improved owing to Cr³⁺ supplementation (P < 0.05), especially during the period of feed restriction. Cr³⁺ supplementation increased hot and eviscerated carcass weights and breast weight (P < 0.05) and reduced ether extract content (P = 0.02, linear effect). Meat protein accretion improved owing to Cr³⁺ supplementation (P = 0.006, quadratic effect). Relative to its pre‐supplementation value, serum cortisol increased by 2.3% in the control group and decreased by 7.6 and 14.3% in the 0.5 and 1 mg Cr³⁺‐supplemented birds respectively (age × diet interaction P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that supplemental Cr³⁺ may ameliorate heat stress and augment growth in broilers during periods of physical feed restriction. However, increasing the inclusion of Cr³⁺ beyond the dose level of 0.5 mg kg^?1 diet may not be substantially beneficial. Copyright © 2007 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     

Intestinal structure and function of broiler chickens on diets supplemented with a mannan oligosaccharide

A study was conducted to evaluate the response of broiler chickens to a commercial synthetic mannan oligosaccharide, Bio‐Mos? (BM), included in sorghum/lupin‐based diets at 0.0, 1.0, 3.0 or 5.0 g kg^?1 diet. The diets were fed between 7 and 28 days of age, and both the gross response and mechanisms involved were evaluated. The highest level of BM in the diet resulted in longer (P < 0.01) jejunal villi than those observed at other levels of supplementation. The RNA content of the ileal mucosal homogenate was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in chicks raised on diets supplemented with 3.0 and 5.0 g BM kg^?1 diet than in other groups. The protein/DNA ratio of the jejunal mucosal homogenate was also higher (P < 0.05) in chicks fed the 1.0 g BM kg^?1 diet than in chicks fed the other diets. The protein/RNA and RNA/DNA ratios in ileal homogenates were significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by the presence of BM in the diet. There were significantly greater specific activities of maltase (P < 0.01), leucine aminopeptidase (P < 0.05) and alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001) in the jejunum as a result of supplementation with BM. Digestive enzyme activities in the ileum were unaffected. L ‐Tryptophan uptake by jejunal brush‐border membrane vesicles was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in chicks raised on the 5.0 g BM kg^?1 diet than in the other chicks. The supplement led to minor improvement in body weight but no improvement in feed conversion ratio. These effects were related to changes in digestive enzyme activities and, perhaps, amino acid transport. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of chromium propionate on response to an intravenous glucose tolerance test in growing Holstein heifers

To test the effect of chromium propionate on glucose utilization in growing dairy heifers, 0, 5, 10, or 15 mg of chromium/d were fed to 20 Holstein heifers of 11 to 14 mo of age, in a replicated Latin square. A 2-wk adaptation period was followed by 4 periods of 2 wk each with a 2-wk flush out period between treatments. Treatments were allotted to periods in a design balanced for potential carryover effects. Chromium propionate was fed in 0.25 kg/d of ground corn individually. After 14 d on each treatment, animals were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter, and an intravenous glucose tolerance test was conducted the following morning. Body weights increased throughout the experiment, but weights and condition scores were unaffected by treatment. Chromium supplementation increased basal glucose and decreased basal insulin and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in serum in a dose-dependent, quadratic manner. Chromium increased glucose clearance rate as measured by half-life, time to nadir, and area under the curve. Over all periods, insulin concentrations tended to be lower in treated animals whereas clearance rates were unchanged. Serum NEFA levels were negatively correlated with glucose, such that treated animals with increased glucose had lower NEFA overall. There was an apparent long-term effect of chromium, because heifers in period 4 on the control diet had reduced insulin concentrations than those in the other control periods. Chromium propionate may increase glucose utilization in growing dairy heifers.     

Comparison of in vitro techniques for predicting digestibility of mixed cereal straw and citrus by‐product diets in goats

Prediction of in vivo digestibility of different fibrous feedstuffs using five in vitro techniques (rumen fluid–pepsin, pepsin–cellulase, NDF–cellulase, amylase–NDF–cellulase and rumen fluid–NDF) was assessed using 13 different diets. Samples were grouped into four batches: (1) barley straw; (2) barley straw supplemented with urea; (3) barley straw treated with urea; and (4) barley straw treated with urea+NaOH. Batches 2, 3 and 4 were also supplemented with citrus by‐product at four different levels. The predictive power of the in vitro techniques was assessed using a simple linear regression analysis (Y=a+bX) between the coefficients of in vivo digestibility (Y) and the different in vitro methods (X). Rumen inoculum was significantly associated with in vivo organic matter digestibility (OMD) (r=0.778, P<0.01 and r=0.901, P<0.001 for rumen fluid–acid pepsin and rumen fluid–NDF, respectively). Pepsin–cellulase, NDF–cellulase and amylase–NDF–cellulase were also related with in vivo OMD (r=0.969, P<0.001; r =0.917, P<0.001 and r=0.920, P <0.001, respectively). These results suggest that using pepsin–cellulase provides the better predictive value (RSD 1.2). Bifactorial analysis demonstrated that all techniques were suitable for predicting the effect of the level of supplementation (P<0.001) and straw type (P <0.001) on in vivo OMD. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of garlic powder on the performance,egg traits and blood parameters of laying hens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of garlic powder on the performance, egg traits and blood parameters of laying hens. One hundred and sixty‐two SHSY‐type brown layers aged 21 weeks were chosen at random from a large flock. They were allocated to three dietary treatments. Each treatment comprised six replicates of nine layers in groups of three. The diets were supplemented with 0, 5 and 10 g kg^?1 garlic powder. The experimental period lasted 22 weeks. Garlic powder addition did not significantly affect body weight, egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg shell index, egg breaking strength, egg shell thickness, egg albumen index, egg yolk index, egg Haugh unit, egg yolk weight and serum protein concentration. Egg weight increased (P < 0.01) with garlic powder supplementation. There was a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in egg cholesterol concentration as mg g^?1 yolk when the dietary level of garlic powder was increased from 0 to 10 g kg^?1. Hen serum triglyceride (P < 0.05) and total cholesterol (P < 0.01) concentrations decreased with garlic powder supplementation. This study demonstrated that garlic powder addition increased egg weight and decreased egg yolk cholesterol concentration (mg g^?1 yolk) and serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations without adverse effects on performance and egg traits. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of ovariectomization and ractopamine hydrochloride inclusion on heifer feedlot performance,meat yield,and tenderness of select muscles

Forty-eight British cross heifers were used to examine the effects of ovariectomization (OVX v. intact; INT) and ractopamine-HCl inclusion (0 or 0.41 mg/kg of BW day^− 1; NORAC or RAC) for the final 31 days on performance, meat yield, and tenderness of select muscles. Ractopamine supplemented heifers had heavier BW (P ≤ 0.05) and greater dressing percent than NORAC. Dressing percent was also greater (P < 0.01) for INT v. OVX. LM area tended to be larger for RAC (P = 0.07) and was larger for INT (P = 0.05). Neither ractopamine inclusion nor sex class affected (P > 0.08) organ weights or percent intramuscular fat. Ractopamine inclusion increased (P ≤ 0.05) subprimal weight for the shoulder clod and bottom round. However, ractopamine inclusion and sex class had minimal effects on subprimal yields or slice shear force. Heifers receiving ractopamine had increased BW, DP, carcass weight and select subprimal weights without impacting meat quality. Ovariectomization did not influence the affects of ractopamine supplementation.     

The effect of monensin supplementation of dried grass or barley diets on aspects of propionate metabolism,insulin secretion and lipogenesis in the sheep

The effects of 33 mg kg ^?1 monensin supplementation (+M) of barley (HC) or dried grass (HF) diets on aspects of propionate metabolism, insulin secretion, rumen vitamin B₁₂ synthesis and lipogenesis in sheep were investigated. Monensin had no significant effect on the estimated metabolisable energy intake, or the liveweight gain, but increased the proportion of propionate in rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA), P<0.01 and P<0.05 for HC and HF diets respectively, and increased rumen ammonia concentration, P<0.01 for both diets. Plasma propionate concentrations were increased (P<0.01) with the HC+M diet. Significant increases in adipose tissue and liver-propionyl-CoA carboxylase (P<0.001), a non-significant trend toward increases in fatty acid synthetase and significant increases in malic enzyme (P<0.01), indicated an induction of the pathways of propionate metabolism and lipogenesis; this was also supported by a trend toward increases, or significant increases, in total propionate derived fatty acids (PDFA), branchedchain fatty acids (BCFA) (P<0.01) and 18:1/18:0 ratio (P<0.02) in adipose tissue triacylglycerols of sheep fed the HC+M diet. Dietary monensin did not influence plasma glucose but reduced plasma insulin concentrations with both diets, P<0.001 and P<0.05 for HC and HF diets respectively, possibly due to a direct effect of monensin on insulin secretion. Monensin supplementation led to significant increases (P<0.02) or a trend toward increases in serum vitamin B₁₂, for HC and HF diets respectively, and to significant increases in liver vitamin B₁₂ (P<0.02) for the HF diet.     

Effect of chitin and chitosan on gelling properties of surimi from barred garfish (Hemiramphus far)

The addition of chitin/chitosan significantly increased the breaking force and deformation of gels prepared from barred garfish surimi (P < 0.05). Addition of 7B chitosan with 65.6% degree of deacetylation (% DD) at the level of 15 mg g⁻¹ resulted in the maximum increases in both breaking force and deformation of suwari and kamaboko gels compared to the control and gels containing chitin or chitosan with other % DD (P < 0.05). A chitosan concentration of 10 mg g⁻¹ was found to render the highest breaking force of kamaboko gel compared to other concentrations tested (P < 0.05). Kamaboko gel containing chitosan had an increased breaking force as the calcium chloride concentration increased (P < 0.05), indicating the role of endogenous transglutaminase in cross‐linking of protein–protein and protein–chitosan conjugates. Therefore the incorporation of chitosan and calcium chloride greatly improved the gelling properties of surimi from barred garfish without changes in colour. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of dietary α-tocopherol supplementation and antioxidant spraying on colour stability and lipid oxidation of turkey meat

Vitamin E was supplemented in the diet (250 mg kg^?1) of turkeys or sprayed directly on turkey meat. Turkey breast muscles were cut into 1.5 cm slices, wrapped with oxygen-permeable film and stored at 2–4°C for 1 week. Colour coordinates (L*, a*, b*), pH and reflectance values between 630 and 580 nm were determined at various times post mortem, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) values and vitamin E content were assessed immediately after slaughter and at 7 days post mortem for vitamin E-supplemented, sprayed and control groups. Vitamin E supplementation or antioxidant spraying resulted in a lower myoglobin oxidation (P < 0.05) and a higher a* value at day 2, but not thereafter. No differences in TBARS values and ultimate pH were detected. When peroxidation was induced experimentally by addition of an activated mixture, vitamin E supplemented or antioxidant-sprayed samples exhibited lower TBARS values than the controls. Vitamin E supplementation in the diet or antioxidant spraying of meat produced a temporary delay in the rate of discoloration of turkey meat.     

Effect of nitrate/nitrite on the quality of sausage (sucuk) during ripening and storage

The effects of nitrate/nitrite on the microbial and chemical properties and sensory quality of Turkish‐style sausage (sucuk) were investigated during 15 days of ripening and 45 days of storage. Aerobic plate count, mould and yeast count, pH, 2‐thiobarbituric acid value, residual nitrite level, nitrosomyoglobin conversion and sensory characteristics (flavour, colour and cutting scores) were monitored. Aerobic plate count increased (P < 0.05) during the first 8 days of ripening and decreased (P < 0.05) during further ripening and storage. Mould and yeast count increased (P < 0.05) during the first 4 days of ripening and decreased (P < 0.05) during further ripening and storage. Overall sensory quality increased (P < 0.05) during the first 12 days of ripening and decreased (P < 0.05) during further ripening and storage. Increasing the nitrate/nitrite concentration increased (P < 0.05) the overall sensory quality. During the first 4 days of ripening, the pH of all sausages decreased (P < 0.05) from 5.98 to 4.53–4.81, owing to the action of lactic acid bacteria. Residual nitrite level decreased (P < 0.05) sharply during the first 8 days of ripening, from 150 to about 2 mg kg^?1 in sausage samples B3 (prepared with 150 mg kg^?1 nitrite, 300 mg kg^?1 nitrate and starter culture) and from 75 to about 1 mg kg^?1 in samples B2 (prepared with 75 mg kg^?1 nitrite, 150 mg kg^?1 nitrate and starter culture). The conversion of haem pigments to nitrosomyoglobin increased (P < 0.05) during the first 12 days of ripening and decreased (P < 0.05) during further ripening and storage. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Growth performance,carcass characteristics,organs measurement and haematology of broiler chickens fed a high fibre diet supplemented with antibiotics or dried yeast

Four antibiotics, namely procaine penicillin, tylosin, streptomycin and neomycin-oxytetracycline each at 150 mg · kg^?1, and four levels of dried yeast, viz. 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.5 g · kg^?1 were incorporated into a basal high fibre diet containing 250 g · kg^?1 palm kernel meal. The unsupplemented diet was the control. The nine experimental diets were fed to broilers between 7 and 42 days of age to evaluate performance, carcass characteristics, organ weights and haematology in response to the supplements. The investigation revealed that broilers fed antibiotics or dried yeast supplemented diets attained heavier (P < 0.05) body weights, consumed greater (P < 0.05) quantities of feed except on penicillin and 6.0 g · kg^?1 dried yeast, converted the feed better (P < 0.05), and yielded heavier carcass and cut-parts than those fed the unsupplemented diet. Organ weights were similar in broilers on the treatments, except the greater (P < 0.05) hepatic, spleenic and gizzard weights and lengthier intestinal tracts in birds fed dried yeast. Haematological indices were superior (P < 0.05) in broilers fed supplemented diets to the basal group. The data suggest improvement in performance, carcass yield and haematology of broilers as a result of antibiotics or dried yeast supplementation of a high fibre diet.     

Effects of selenium form on blood and milk selenium concentrations,milk component and milk fatty acid composition in dairy cows

BACKGROUND: Human health may be improved if milk with a favorable fatty acid composition and Se concentration is ingested. The present study is to determine how a basal diet supplemented with daily 5 mg Se as Se‐enriched yeast (SY) or sodium selenite (SS) affects the fatty acid composition and Se concentration of bovine milk. The effects of Se form on blood Se concentration, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) activity, serum GPx3 activity and milk yield and component were also studied. RESULTS: Both Se forms, when compared to control group, increased Se concentrations of blood (P < 0.01) and milk (P < 0.01), erythrocyte GPx1 activity (P < 0.05) and milk percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P < 0.05) and cis‐9,cis‐12 linoleic acid (P < 0.05). Cows supplemented with SY had higher Se levels in blood (P < 0.01) and milk (P < 0.01) and percentage of PUFA in milk (P < 0.05) when compared with those supplemented with SS. Milk yield, milk component and serum GPx3 activity were not significantly affected by Se form. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of diet with SY appears to be of more benefit than SS in producing favorable milk with high PUFA and Se concentrations. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

Dietary β‐cyclodextrin reduces the cholesterol levels in meats and backfat of finishing pigs

BACKGROUND: A hypocholesterolemic effect of β‐cyclodextrin (βCD) has been recently reported in various animals. This study was performed to determine the effect of dietary βCD on hypocholesterolemic effect, and its relationship to bile acid changes of 120 finishing pigs fed a commercial diet containing 0%, 5%, 7%, or 10% βCD for 30 days before slaughter. RESULTS: Plasma total lipids, triacylglyceride, and total cholesterol of βCD supplemented pigs were lower (P < 0.05) than the control pigs. When 5%, 7%, or 10% βCD was supplemented to pigs, cholesterol levels of the plasma were reduced by 26.0%, 28.2%, and 31.3%, respectively. Excretion of total sterol increased (P < 0.05) with increasing βCD supplementation and the composition of excreted bile acid was significantly altered in pigs fed βCD. The cholesterol levels of pig backfat, belly, loin, and ham were reduced as βCD supplementation increased (P < 0.05) in the diet. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that supplementing the finishing diet of swine with βCD resulted in reducing not only circulating lipids and cholesterol but also cholesterol level of pork lean meat and fat, and may provide the method of low‐cholesterol pork production to the swine industry. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

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     

Effects of albusin B (a bacteriocin) of Ruminococcus albus 7 expressed by yeast on growth performance and intestinal absorption of broiler chickens--its potential role as an alternative to feed antibiotics

BACKGROUND: Bacteriocins with antimicrobial activity are considered as potential alternatives to antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of albusin B (bacteriocin) of Ruminococcus albus 7 expressed by yeast on the growth performance of broiler chickens. Ninety 1‐day‐old healthy broiler chickens were randomly divided into three groups: control, albusin B (2.5 g kg^?1) and nosiheptide (2.5 mg kg^?1, antibiotic control). Growth performance and intestinal functions were measured at 5 weeks of age. RESULTS: Albusin B‐supplemented broilers showed increased body weight gain compared with control broilers (54.7 ± 5.3 vs 48.5 ± 6.1 g day^?1 per bird, P < 0.05). Broilers supplemented with nosiheptide had a less developed mucosal layer than broilers in the other two groups. Compared with the control group, broilers supplemented with albusin B or nosiheptide showed increased mRNA expression of sGLT1, GLUT2 and PEPT1 in the jejunum (P < 0.05). The faecal Lactobacillus count was higher in the albusin B group than in the other two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Albusin B supplementation increased intestinal absorption and elevated the faecal Lactobacillus count, thereby promoting the growth performance of broiler chickens. These improvements resulting from albusin B supplementation provide evidence of potential alternatives to antibiotics in broiler chicken feed. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

D-Psicose,a Sweet Monosaccharide,Ameliorate Hyperglycemia,and Dyslipidemia in C57BL/6J db/db Mice

ABSTRACT: D-psicose has been implicated in glycemic control in recent animal and human studies. In this study, the effects of D-psicose on glycemic responses, insulin release, and lipid profiles were compared with those of D-glucose and D-fructose in a genetic diabetes model. C57BL/6J db/db mice were orally supplemented with 200 mg/kg BW of D-psicose, D-glucose, or D-fructose, respectively, while diabetes control or wild type mice were supplemented with water instead. D-psicose sustained weight gain by about 10% compared to other groups. The initial blood glucose level maintained from 276 to 305 mg/dL during 28 d in the D-psicose group, whereas a 2-fold increase was found in other groups (P < 0.05) among diabetic mice. D-psicose significantly improved glucose tolerance and the areas under the curve (AUC) for glucose among diabetes (P < 0.05), but had no effect on serum insulin concentration. The plasma lipid profile was not changed by supplemental monosacchrides, although the ratio of LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol was ameliorated by D-psicose. The administration of D-psicose reversed hepatic concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) by 37.88% and 62.89%, respectively, compared to the diabetes control (P < 0.05). The current findings suggest that D-psicose shows promise as an antidiabetic and may have antidyslipidemic effects in type 2 diabetes.     

Different oilseed supplements alter fatty acid composition of different adipose tissues of adult ewes

Twenty-five mature Small Tail Han ewes were used to investigate the effects of supplemental oilseeds in the diet (sunflower seed, safflower seed, rapeseed, and linseed) on fatty acid composition in different tissues (longissimus lumborum muscle, tail fat, subcutaneous back fat and kidney fat). Averaged over tissue, safflower and sunflower seed was most effective (P < 0.05) in enhancing the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid compared to rapeseed, linseed, and control (1.35% and 1.15% vs. 0.80%, 0.80%, and 0.75%, respectively). Linseed supplemented ewes had lesser n−6/n−3 value (2.48, P < 0.05) compared to sunflower and safflower supplemented ewes (6.12 and 3.90, respectively). Fatty acid composition for most major fatty acids differed among tissues (P < 0.05) but tissue differences varied depending on oilseed supplement (P < 0.05). Proportions of conjugated linoleic acid were greatest in tail fat (1.54% vs. 0.82%, 0.79% and 0.70% for kidney, back, and muscle fat, P < 0.05) as were total unsaturated fatty acids (49.1% vs. 42.4%, 36.7% and 33.4% for muscle, back, and kidney fat, P < 0.05) and tail fat was the most responsive tissue to improvement in fatty acid profile through supplementation. Beneficial fatty acid content of tissues can be increased by oilseed supplementation, but the magnitude of increase varies according to tissue.