Predicting Levels of Crude Protein, Digestibility, Lignin and Cellulose in Temperate Pastures Using Hyperspectral Image Data

Hyperspectral sensors provide the potential for direct estimation of pasture feed quality attributes. However, remote sensing retrieval of digestibility and fibre (lignin and cellulose) content of vegetation has proven to be challenging since tissue optical properties may not be propagated to the canopy level in mixed cover types. In this study, partial least squares regression on spectra from HyMap and Hyperion imagery were used to construct predictive models for estimation of crude protein, digestibility, lignin and cellulose concentration in temperate pastures. HyMap and Hyperion imagery and field spectra were collected over four pasture sites in southern Victoria, Australia. Co-incident field samples were analyzed with wet chemistry methods for crude protein, lignin and cellulose concentration, and digestibility was calculated from fiber determinations. Spectral data were subset based on sites and time of year of collection. Reflectance spectra were extracted from the hyperspectral imagery and collated for analysis. Six different transformations including derivatives and continuum removal were applied to the spectra to enhance absorption features sensitive to the quality attributes. The transformed reflectance spectra were then subjected to partial least squares regression, with full cross-validation “leave-one-out” technique, against the quality attributes to assess effects of the spectral transformations and post-atmospheric smoothing techniques to construct predictive models. Model performance between spectrometers, subsets and attributes were assessed using a coefficient of variation (CV), —the interquantile (IQ) range of the attribute values divided by the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) from the models. The predictive models with the highest CVs were obtained for digestibility for all spectra types, with HyMap the highest. However, models with slightly lower CVs were obtained for crude protein, lignin and cellulose. The spectral regions for diagnostic wavelengths fell within the chlorophyll well, red edge, and 2000-2300 nm ligno-cellulose-protein regions, with some wavelengths selected between the 1600 and 1800 nm region sensitive to nitrogen, protein, lignin and cellulose. The digestibility models with the highest CV’s had confidence intervals corresponding to ±5% digestibility, which constitutes approximately 30% of the measured range. The cellulose and lignin models with the highest CV’s also had similar confidence intervals but the slopes of the prediction lines were substantially less than 1:1 indicating reduced sensitivity. The predictive relationships established here could be applied to categorizing pasture quality into range classes and to determine whether pastures are above or below for example threshold values for livestock productivity benchmarks.

An Evaluation on the Ratio of Plant to Animal Protein in the Diet of Juvenile Sea Cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus):Growth,Nutrient Digestibility and Nonspecific Immunity

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant/animal(P/A) protein ratios(viz.1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1,2:1, 3:1, 4:1) on growth performance, body composition, apparent digestibility of diets, and nonspecific immunity of juvenile sea cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus). Sea cucumbers were divided into 21 plastic tanks, and each tank was stocked with 15 individuals(initial weight: about 23.73 g). Each feed was allocated to three replicates of sea cucumbers. The feeding experiment lasted for 50 days. Results indicated that weight gain rate(WGR) and body wall weight(BWW) significantly increased as dietary ratio of P/A increased from 1:4 to 3:1, and then decreased significantly with further increase of this ratio(P < 0.05). The body wall coefficient(BWC) showed a similar tendency to WGR and BWW, but no significance was detected among dietary treatments(P > 0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein and lipid increased with ratio of P/A increasing from 1:4 to 2:1(P < 0.05), and then decreased with further increase of this ratio. Correspondingly, activities of trypsin and amylase were significantly increased as P/A increased from 1:4 to 2:1(P < 0.05). The activities of SOD and CAT showed a similar trend with WGR, with the highest value observed in the ratio of 1:2 and 1:1, respectively. Results above showed that moderate or relatively higher ratio of P/A protein(1:1-3:1) significantly increased the growth performance, apparent digestibility, and nonspecific immunity of sea cucumber. This will contribute to improving the feed formulation for juvenile cucumbers.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis supplementation in diets with low-and high-protein content on ileal crude protein and amino acid digestibility and intestinal microbiota composition of growing pigs

Background： Bacillus spp. seem to be an alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters for improving animals＇ health and performance. However, there is little information on the effect of Bacillus spp. in combination with different dietary crude protein（CP） levels on the ileal digestibility and microbiota composition. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of Bacillus spp. supplementation to low-（LP） and high-protein diets（HP） on ileal CP and amino acid（AA） digestibility and intestinal microbiota composition.Methods： Eight ileally cannulated pigs with an initial body weight of 28.5 kg were randomly allocated to a rowcolumn design with 8 pigs and 3 periods of 16 d each. The assay diets were based on wheat-barley-soybean meal with two protein levels： LP（14% CP, as-fed） and HP diet（18% CP, as-fed）. The LP and HP diets were supplemented with or without Bacil us spp. at a level of 0.04%（as-fed）. The apparent ileal digestibility（AID） and standardized ileal digestibility（SID） of CP and AA was determined. Bacterial community composition from ileal digesta was analyzed by Illumina amplicon sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial design using the GLIMMIX procedures of SAS.Results： The supplementation with Bacillus spp. did not affect both AID and SID of CP and AA in growing pigs.Moreover, there was no difference in AID of CP and AA between HP and LP diets, but SID of cystine, glutamic acid,glycine, and proline was lower（P 〈 0.05） in pigs fed the HP diets. The HP diets increased abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp.,（P 〈 0.05） and by amplicon sequencing the latter was identified as predominant genus in microbiota from HP with Bacillus spp., whereas dietary supplementation of Bacillus spp. increased（P 〈 0.05） abundance of Roseburia spp.Conclusions： The HP diet increased abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.. The supplementation of Bacil us spp. resulted in a higher abundance of healthy gut associated bacteria without affecting ileal CP and AA digestibility, whereas LP diet may reduce the flow of undigested protein to the large intestine of pigs.

Functional properties,antioxidant activity and in-vitro digestibility characteristics of brown and polished rice flours of Indian temperate region

The present investigation was aimed to study functional properties,antioxidant activity and in-vitro digestibility characteristics of brown and polished flours obtained from four rice cultivars(SR-4,K-39,Mushq Budij and Zhag)of Kashmir.Brown rice flours had higher total dietary fibre(3.08%-3.68%),oil absorption(116.0%-139.0%),emulsion capacity(4.78%-9.52%),emulsion stability(87.46%-99.93%)and resistant starch content(6.80%-9.00%)than polished flours.However,polished flours presented greater water absorption(102.0%-122.0%),foaming capacity(8.00%-13.63%),apparent amylose(19.16%-22.62%),peak(2260.0-2408.0 cP),trough(1372.0-1589.0 cP)and breakdown(714.0-978.0 cP)viscosities than their brown counterparts.Brown rice flours depicted highest total phenolic content(4.40-6.40 mg GAE/g)and inhibition of lipid peroxidation(19.50%-33.20%).However,equilibrium starch hydrolysis percentage(C∞)and predicted glycemic index of brown rice flours were lower than their polished counterparts.Among rice cultivars,brown Zhag flour had the highest total dietary fibre(3.68%),emulsion capacity(9.52%),emulsion stability(99.93%),resistant starch(9.00%),DPPH radical scavenging activity(85.45%)and inhibition of lipid peroxidation(33.20%),respectively.Emulsion capacity and emulsion stability were positively correlated with protein content of rice flours.However,peak,trough,breakdown and setback viscosities were negatively correlated with protein and fat contents of rice flour.The present investigation will be helpful in identifying nutritive role of rice flours from studied cultivars in human diet.

The Effects of Mustard Protein Concentrate on Nutrient Digestibility and Performance of Broiler Chickens

This experiment was conducted to de- termine the effects of feeding mustard protein concen- trate on nutrient digestibility and the performance of broiler chickens. A total of 180, day-old, male broiler chickens, weighing an average of 52.8±0.6 g, were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a randomized block design. The control diet was based on wheat and soybean meal and contained 15% cano- la meal. The experimental diets contained 3 %, 6%, 9% ,12% or 15% mustard protein concentrate added at the expense of canola meal. The digestibility of crude protein and energy declined linearly （ P 〈 0.01 ） with increasing levels of mustard protein concentrate. In addition, weight gain and feed intake were linearly （P 〈 0.01 ） reduced as the level of mustard protein concentrate in the diet increased. Feed conversion wasalso negatively affected （ P 〈 O. O1 ） by mustard pro- tein concentrate while mortality did not differ among treatments. The results of the present experiment pro- vide a strong indication that there is a factor or factors present in mustard protein concentrate which negative- ly affects broiler performance. The process through which the protein in mustard seed is concentrated from mustard meal may concentrate some of the anti-nutri- tional factors found in mustard. Previous research has reported an increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds in protein isolates from mustard and this may be the cause of the reduction in performance as the level of mustard protein concentrate in the diet in- creased. Further research should be conducted to test this hypothesis.

Phytochemical, anti nutrient, invitro-protein digestibility and functional properties of (Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile) Aduwa protein meals, Protein Concentrate and Isolate

Background:Protein meals,Concentrate and Isolates are widely use as bioactive ingredients in functional food.In this study,the effect of toasting of Aduwa(Balanites aegyptiaca)seed on the phytochemicals,Anti nutrient,in vitro protein digestibility and functional properties of Aduwa Protein Meals,Protein Concentrate and Isolate were investigated.Methods:Aduwa seeds toasted at 70°C to make Aduwa protein meal(APM)yield extensive resolved biomaterials.The meal were resolved into DAPM,APC and API.Results:Phytochemicals analysis revealed reduction as APM sample is being resolved to protein concentrate and isolate.Similar trend was also observed in Anti-nutrients content significant reduction as material meal are resolved into protein concentrate and isolate.The in-vitro protein digestibility showed that APM(59.81%)and API(76.41%)had high percentage protein digestibility.Functional properties declined as meals materials were been resolved into protein concentrate and isolate.Swelling capacity revealed that resolved and unresolved samples leached biomolecules.Conclusion:The results obtained showed nutritional potential,and safety of biomaterials from Aduwa meals,an alternative food ingredient for protein supplementation.

Effects of Low Protein Diets on Nutrient Digestibility and Excretion in Finishing Pigs

The experiment was conducted to study the effects of low protein diets on nutrient digestibility and excretion of finishing pigs. For the 30-d trial,fortytwo duroc × landrace × yorkshire( DLY) finishing pigs with the initial weight of( 91. 13 ± 1. 64) kg were randomly divided into two groups,with three replicates in each group. The pigs in the two groups were fed with different crude protein( CP) levels( control groups: 15. 49% and low protein groups: 12. 59%). The results showed that:( 1) The digestibility of dry matter and crude fat( CF) in low protein groups were increased significantly( P < 0. 01),but there were no significant differences in digestibility among CP,calcium( Ca) and phosphorus( P);( 2) The digestibility of arginine( Arg) in low protein groups were 2. 02%( P <0. 05) lower than that in control groups. However,the digestibility of other amino acid were no difference between two groups;( 3) The nitrogen( N) excretion in low protein groups was 23. 96%( P < 0. 05) lower than that in control groups,but there were no significant differences in excretion among organic matter,P and Ca( P > 0. 05). The results showed that 2. 9% reduction of the CP in diets could improve nutrient digestibility and reduce the excretion of N,but reduced the digestibility of Arg.

Development of sorghum mutants with improved in vitro protein digestibility by CRISPR/Cas9 editing of kafirin genes

Sorghum(Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench) is a major world crop that is a reliable source of fodder and food grain in arid regions. However, unlike other cereals, sorghum grain has low nutritional value, owing mainly to the resistance of its storage proteins(kafirins) to protease digestion. Changing the composition of kafirins or their primary structure may address this problem. To induce mutations in kafirin-encoding genes that were expected to disturb their accumulation in endosperm cells, we used a genome-editing approach. By Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of immature embryos of cv. Avans, we obtained 14 transgenic plants with genetic constructs for site-directed mutagenesis of the k1C5 and g KAF1 genes encoding 22 k Da a-and 28 kDa γ-kafirins, respectively. Sequencing of 5 regenerants obtained by using k1C5-addressing vector revealed two plants with mutations. T_1 progeny of these mutants had higher in vitro digestibility of endosperm proteins(86%–92%), in comparison with the donor Avans(63%–67%). The kernels of these plants had a thick vitreous endosperm. A mutant with increased in vitro protein digestibility and vitreous endosperm, carrying a mutation in the target sequence, was also obtained by use of the gKAF1-addressing vector. Thus, using genome editing technology, we have obtained mutants with improved kafirin digestibility that can be used in sorghum breeding.

Macronutrient Composition and Digestibility of Extruded and Fermented Soya Protein Products

The macronutrient composition and in vitro protein digestibility of extruded fermented and unfermented extruded soya protein products （low, medium and high moisture）, raw and fermented soya meal and soya kernel were studied. The protein content （g/100g soya dry weight） ranged from 38.20 to 62.98 with the highest content in the high moisture extruded protein product fermented with 5 mL inoculum of Bacillus natto. Contents of carbohydrates ranged from 14.77 to 29.08 while those of crude fibre, fat and ash were generally low. Fermentation better improved protein digestibility in the raw soya meal and kernel than in the unfermented extruded and extruded fermented products. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis revealed some degradation of the protein sub units of fermented samples.

Physical and chemical changes of rapeseed meal proteins during toasting and their effects on in vitro digestibility

Background： Toasting during the production of rapeseed meal（RSM） decreases ileal crude protein（CP） and amino acid（AA） digestibility. The mechanisms that determine the decrease in digestibility have not been fully elucidated. A high protein quality, low-denatured, RSM was produced and toasted up to 120 min, with samples taken every 20 min. The aim of this study was to characterize secondary structure and chemical changes of proteins and glucosinolates occurring during toasting of RSM and the effects on its in vitro CP digestibility.Results： The decrease in protein solubility and the increase of intermolecular β-sheets with increasing toasting time were indications of protein aggregation. The contents of NDF and ADIN increased with increasing toasting time.Contents of arginine, lysine and O-methylisourea reactive lysine（OMIU-RL） linearly decreased with increasing toasting time, with a larger decrease of OMIU-RL than lysine. First-order reactions calculated from the measured parameters show that glucosinolates were degraded faster than lysine, OMIU-RL and arginine and that physical changes to proteins seem to occur before chemical changes during toasting. Despite the drastic physical and chemical changes noticed on the proteins, the coefficient of in vitro CP digestibility ranged from 0.776 to 0.750 and there were no effects on the extent of protein hydrolysis after 120 min. In contrast, the rate of protein hydrolysis linearly decreased with increasing toasting time, which was largely correlated to the decrease in protein solubility, lysine and OMIU-RL observed. Rate of protein hydrolysis was more than 2-fold higher for the untoasted RSM compared to the 120 min toasted material.Conclusions： Increasing the toasting time for the production of RSM causes physical and chemical changes to the proteins that decrease the rate of protein hydrolysis. The observed decrease in the rate of protein hydrolysis could impact protein digestion and utilization.

Influence of fish meal quality on growth,feed conversion rate and protein digestibility in shrimp (Penaeus chinensis ) and red seabream (Pagrosomus major)

The effect of fishmeal quality on growth,feed conversion ratio and protein digestibility was studied in a growth experiment with shrimp and red seabream.The shrimp and fish were fed three diets varing in the quality of the fishmeal used in the respective feeds: low quality fish meal,good quality fish meal,and Peru fish meal.The experiment lasted for 2 months.The shrimp and fish fed the feed with good quality fish meal showed significantly better feed conversion ratio,weight gain rate,protein digestibility than the other groups.

Estimation of Digestible Energy Values of Plant Protein Supplement in Pig

[Objective] The aim of the study was to establish the effective and accurate formulas for estimating the digestible energy （DE） values of plant protein supplement in pig. [Method] By difference method with different amount of alternative feeds （20% -50%）, two4 x4 Latin- square-designed trials were taken on eight castrated male pigs [ Yorkshire x Landrace x Neijiang pig, initial body-weight： （46 ±2） kg ] to deter- mine the apparent digestible energy （ADE） of the eight kinds of plant protein supplement commonly used in China, that is, corn gluten meal （sol.）, soybean meal （ sol. ）, fababean, pea, rapeseed meal （ sol. ）, sesame meal （ sol. ）, rapeseed meal （ exp. ） and cotton seed meal （sol.）. [Resultl （1） Fiber was the most important factor to estimate the ADE of plant protein supplement in pigs, and ADF was the best one. （2） The most effective equations were as below： （ 1 ） OE （kJ/kg DM） = 14 741.86 - 185.01ADF＋54.01SCHO＋22.45CP （ R =0.988,RSD= 67.9,P〈0.01 ） ; （2） DE （kJ/kg DM） =22 223.26 -209.58ADF＋26.79SCHO-1.09GE （ Ff =0.989,RSD=66.9, P〈0.01 ） . [Conclusion] The accurate, practical and specific regression equations were established for DE prediction of plant protein supplement in pig.

Effect of Different Protein Levels on Nutrient Digestion Metabolism and Serum Biochemical Parameters in Calves

The current study has been performed to examine the effects of different dietary protein levels on the growth, nutrient digestion and absorption, as well as biochemical parameters in calves. Nine healthy newborn calves were selected, randomly divided into 3 groups and fed 3 milk replacers with different protein levels （18, 22, and 26%）, respectively. Five period-digestion-metabolism trials were taken between 12-20, 22-30, 32-40, 42-50, and 52-60 days after birth. All 3 groups showed a similar growth curve during 11 to 61 experimental days, however, the growth rate of the 22% crude protein （CP） group was 8.89% higher than that of the 18% CP group and 19.48% higher than that of the 26% CP group, respectively. The apparent digestibility of dry material （DM） declined gradually with age, whereas, the apparent digestibility of N, extract ether （EE） rose slightly. Compared to the 22% CP and 26% CP group, calves fed with 18% CP apparently had a lower digestibility than DM, EE, and nitrogen （N）. The average apparent digestibilities of N were 69.39, 75.36, and 74.55%, respectively. Both the apparent digestibility and retention of calcium （Ca） and phosphorus （P） were steady throughout the experiment, but the average apparent digestibility of P in the 26% CP group was only 63.83%, which was markedly lower than that of the 18% CP group （70.40%） and 22% CP group （69.73%）. In addition, the serum concentrations of total protein （TP）, albumin （ALB）, and globulin （GLOB） of the 22% CP group were higher than those in the 18% CP and 26% CP groups. The urea N （BUN） content in the 18% CP group, on the other hand, was significantly lower than that of the other two groups. The highest glucose （GLU） concentration was found in the 22% CP group （5.38 mmol L^-1）, at the end of the trials. The protein levels in the milk replacer affected the digestion metabolism of nutrition and the serum biochemical parameters of calves at different physiological phases. Calves fed with 22% CP milk replacer had a better growth performance than the other groups.

Effect of Different Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on the Growth,Body Composition,and Intestinal Digestive Enzyme Activities of Juvenile Yellow Drum Nibea albiflora(Richardson)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein-to-lipid ratio for juvenile Nibea albiflora with an initial weight of(11.76 ± 0.20) g.Nine experimental diets containing different concentrations of protein(40%,47%,or 54%) and lipids(5%,9%,or 13%) in a 3 × 3 factorial experimental design were tested in triplicate groups of fish,while the protein-to-energy(P/E) ratios of the diets varied in the range of 19.74–28.32 mg k J^(-1).Results showed that fish fed diets containing 9% or 13% lipids with 54% protein exhibited significantly higher weight gains and specific growth rates than those fed other diets.The feed conversion rate of fish fed the diet with 40% protein and 5% lipids was significantly poorer than that of fish fed other diets.The protein efficiency rate of fish fed diets with 5% lipids was significantly lower than that of fish fed 9% or 13% lipid diets.Carcass lipid and energy contents were positively correlated with dietary lipid level regardless of protein level.Fish fed a 54% protein diet showed the highest trypsin activity.The intestinal lipase activity of fish fed the diet containing 13% lipids was significantly higher than that of fish fed 5% or 9% lipid diets.These results demonstrate the high protein dietary requirements of N.albiflora.A diet containing 54% protein and 9%–13% lipids with a P/E ratio of 26.2–27.81 mg protein k J^(-1) can be considered optimal for juvenile N.albiflora.

Effects of Dietary Soy Protein Concentrate on Growth, Digestive Enzymes Activities and Target of Rapamycin Signaling Pathway Regulation in Juvenile Soft-Shelled Turtle, <i>Pelodiscus sinensis</i>

Soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis is important aquatic species in China, and searching for alternatives protein resources to fish meal (FM)-based feeds in feed has become urgent and important for its sustainability development. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary soy protein concentrate (SPC) on growth, digestive enzymes and target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway of juvenile P. sinensis (4.56 ± 0.09 g). SPC was applied to replace FM protein at 0%, 15%, 30% and 60% (designated as T0, T15, T30 and T60, respectively), and each diet was fed to triplicate groups. The results showed that there was no significant difference in growth performance and feed utilization except of the turtles fed with T60 diet, of which showed poorer daily weight gain and feed conversion rate. The pepsin/trypsin and Na+-K+ ATP-ase activities decreased dramatically when SPC level increased, and lipase activities in liver and intestinal tract also showed decline tendency. However, amylase activities were unaffected. No significant differences were observed in TOR, S6K1 and 4E-BP1 genes mRNA expression level of TOR signaling pathway among the treatments. However, the relative phosphorylated level of these proteins decreased significantly when SPC level increased. The present study indicated that high SPC substitution level would suppress digestive enzymes and TOR signaling pathway proteins phosphorylated level and eventually result in growth reduction of P. sinensis.

Effect of AAPH oxidation on digestion characteristics of seed watermelon(Citrullus lanatus var)kernels protein isolates

Seed watermelon kernel is a typical complex food with high fat and protein contents.During storage and processing,it is often affected by various factors to undergo interactions between components,which lead to its quality change.In this experiment,seed watermelon kernels were used as research objects,and the effects of 2-Azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride(AAPH)on seed watermelon kernel protein isolates(WMP)were investigated.The structure and digestion characteristics of WMP after oxidation were studied.The results showed that with the increase of AAPH concentration(0.05−5 mol/L),WMP showed obvious aggregation,and its solubility decreased from 6.76 mg/mL to 9.59 mg/mL.The free sulfhydryl content of WMP was 18.24 mmol/g decreased to 11.25 mmol/g,α-helix decreased andβ-sheet decreased in secondary structure,and its disulfide bond increased by 43.06 mmol/g from 39.57 mmol/g,enthalpy(H)and denaturation temperature increased(Td)(P<0.05).By mass spectrometry results of simulated gastric digestion products,it was found that oxidation adversely affected the digestion characteristics of WMP.It can be seen that the lipid oxidation product APPH of seed watermelon kernel can significantly affect the structure and function of the protein extracted from the seed kernel.

Protein Quality Evaluation of Animal Food Proteins by <i>In-Vitro</i>Methodologies

Animal protein foods are undoubtedly among the most concentrated source of essential amino acids (AA) for the human diet. However, their high prices and diseases associated to their excessive consumption have fomented the consumption of other alternative sources of animal proteins such as those from marine or aquatic species. Sonora is a well recognized producer of animal foods in Mexico, both terrestrial and aquatic. In this study, the protein quality evaluation of these animal food sources, highly produced and consumed in Sonora, is proposed, using in-vitro methodologies. Four different species, from each aquatic and terrestrial origin, were selected. Samples of lean muscle were used in all cases. Various in-vitro methodologies for protein quality evaluation were selected, alternatives to the animal bioassays: % digestibility, Total amino acid analyses (HPLC), PDCAAS, computerized PER calculations (C-PER and DC-PER) and total collagen contents. % in-vitro digestibility presented significant differences among samples from terrestrial species, but muscle from aquatic species did not showed significant differences. All sources of proteins, both aquatic and terrestrial proved to be rich sources of essential amino acids. PDCAAS was unable to establish significant differences in protein quality among sources of protein from different origin. Both methods C-PER and DC-PER were more exact in their results and were able to detect significant differences among samples of different origin. An important finding was the great difference in the total collagen content between aquatic and terrestrial sources of proteins, where terrestrial muscle proteins had almost 10-time more collagen than aquatic protein sources. However, these collagen contents did not seem to have a significant influence in the protein quality of these animal proteins. These muscle proteins, from both aquatic and terrestrial species, confirmed to have a high protein quality and some of the in-vitro methodologies used in this study represent a valuable alternative to the animal bioassays.

Peritrophin-like protein from Litopenaeus vannamei (LvPT) involved in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in digestive tract challenged with reverse gavage

The peritrophic membrane plays an important role in the defense system of the arthropod gut. The digestive tract is considered one of the major tissues targeted by white spot syndrome virus （WSSV） in shrimp. In this study, the nucleotide sequence encoding peritrophin-like protein of Litopenaeus vannamei （LvPT） was amplified from a yeast two-hybrid library of L. vannamei. The epitope peptide of LvPT was predicted with the GenScript OptimumAntigenTM design tool. An anti-LvPT polyclonal antibody was produced and shown to specifically bind a band at -27 kDa, identified as LvPT. The LvPT protein was expressed and its concentration determined. LvPT dsRNA （4 pg per shrimp） was used to inhibit LvPT expression in shrimp, and a WSSV challenge experiment was then performed with reverse gavage. The pleopods, stomachs, and guts were collected from the shrimp at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h post-infection （hpi）. Viral load quantification showed that the levels of WSSV were significantly lower in the pleopods, stomachs, and guts of shrimp after LvPT dsRNA interference than in those of the controls at 48 and 72 hpi. Our results imply that LvPT plays an important role during WSSV infection of the digestive tract.

Effect of Additional Feed Supplement Fermentation Shrimp Waste Extract on Digestibility in Sentul Chicken Growth Phase

This study aims to determine the effect of adding feed supplements of fermented shrimp waste extract in the ration on the digestibility of local chicken rations in the growth phase.The research was carried out in Jatinangor District as well as the Laboratory of Ruminant Animal Nutrition and Animal Feed Chemistry,Faculty of Animal Husbandry,Padjadjaran University,Sumedang.The method used in this study was experimental with a Complete Randomized Design(RAL).The data were analyzed by fingerprint test(ANOVA)with further tests using the Dunnet test.The object of this study consisted of 20 Sentul chickens raised from the age of 1 day to 12 weeks,divided into 5 treatments and 4 tests.The treatment consists of P0=Basal ration without the addition of feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,P1=Basal ration+0.5%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,P2=Basal ration+1.0%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,P3=Basal ration+1.5%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,and P4=Basal ration+2.0%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract.The changes observed are the digestibility of dry matter,the digestibility of organic matter,and the digestibility of proteins.The results showed that the addition of feed supplements for fermented shrimp waste extract had a significantly different influence on the digestibility of dry matter,the digestibility of organic matter,and the digestibility of protein.This study concludes that the addition of a feed supplement of 2%fermented shrimp waste extract in the ration can produce a high ration digestibility value for Sentul chicken in the growth phase.

Structure-Function relationship of Australian Acacia seed protein concentrates:Amino acid composition,in vitro protein digestibility and molecular properties

The nutritional,functional,in vitro protein digestibility(PD),structural,and molecular properties of Acacia seed protein concentrates(ASPC)from three Acacia species(Acacia victoriae,A.coriacea and A.cowleana)were investigated and compared with a commercial soy protein isolate(SPI).The essential amino acid profile in ASPC,except for methionine,exceeded the minimum daily requirements for adults recommended by the FAO/WHO.The ASPC PD,particularly from A.victoriae and A.coriacea,was considerably high(64.2-79.3%),but lower than SPI(89.5%).ASPC proteins had higher molecular weights ranging from 50 to 65 kDa(associated with 7S vicilin subunit),better protein solubility and oil absorption capacity than SPI.Emulsifying properties were comparable between ASPC and SPI.Among the Acacia species,the proteins from A.victoriae and A.cowleana exhibited higher protein quality,foaming capacity and solubility compared to A.coriacea.Overall,ASPC from A.victoriae and A.cowleana showed potential as ingredients in food processing.