A Simulative Study on Effects of Climate Warming on Nutrient Contents and In Vitro Digestibility of Herbage Grown in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

The increasing trend of air temperature along with the climate warming has been accepted gradually by scientists and by the general public. Qinghai_Xizang Plateau, a unique geographic unit due to high_altitude climate, is one of the most susceptible regions to climate warming. Its ecosystem is very fragile and sensitive to climate change. In order to get a better understanding of the impacts of climate warming on the nutrient contents of herbage grown in Qinghai_Xizang Plateau, a simulative study was implemented at Daban Moutain by using temperature differences resulted from sites selected at different altitudes and nutrient contents and in vitro digestibility were determined for assessing the quality of the grown herbage. There were significant downtrends in crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) contents of herbage along with the increase of temperature. It had a positive correlation between temperature and content of acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) in herbage. In vitro digestibility of herbage decreased along with the increase of temperature. The results of this study indicated that climate warming significantly influence nutrient contents and in vitro digestibility of herbage grown in Qinghai_Xizang Plateau. It is suggested that the future climate warming especially the gradual rise of the night temperature could cause negative effect on herbage quality grown in Qinghai_Xizang Plateau by decreasing CP, EE, and NFE contents and increasing some indigestible ingredients such as crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), ADF, and ADL. This, consequently, decreases the ruminant assimilation ability.

Effect of wall-disruption on nutrient composition and in vitro digestion of camellia and lotus bee pollens

The nutrient digestion,absorption and biological activity of bee pollen may be limited due to the complex pollen wall.Here,the effect of superfine grinding technology on the release of nutrients from bee pollen were investigated,and their antioxidant activities and in vitro digestion were explored in this study.Results showed that the content of nutrients in bee pollen increased after wall disruption.Among them,fat content increased by 22.55%-8.31%,protein content increased by 0.54%-4.91%,starch content increased by 36.31%-48.64%,soluble sugar content increased by 20.57%-29.67%,total phenolic acid content increased by 11.73%-86.98%and total flavonoids content increased by 14.29%-24.79%.At the same time,the antioxidant activity increased by 14.84%-46.00%.Furthermore,the active components such as phenolic compounds in the wall-disruption bee pollen were more readily to be released during the in vitro digestion,and easier to be absorbed because of their higher bioaccessibility.Antioxidant activities during in vitro digestion were also improved in walldisruption bee pollen.These findings provide evidence that bee pollen wall disruption was suggested,thus,it is more conducive to exerting the value of bee pollen in functional foods.

Effect of Graded Levels of Fiber from Alfalfa Meal on Nutrient Digestibility and Flow of Fattening Pigs

The fiber level and composition have an important effect on nutrient digestibility of swine diets. Little information is known about the effects of fiber level and composition from alfalfa meal on nutrient digestibility of fattening pigs fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of alfalfa fiber on the growth performance, intestinal nutrient flow and apparent total tract digestibility（ATTD） of nutrients in fattening pigs. 24 barrows（Duroc×（Large White×Landrace）, body weight=（60.6±0.7） kg） were randomly allotted to 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 1 pig per replicate. The pigs were provided a control diet or a diet containing 5, 10 or 20% of alfalfa meal during a 14-d experiment period. Average daily gain（ADG） and the ATTD of dry matter（DM）, organic matter（OM）, crude protein（CP）, neutral detergent fiber（NDF）, acid detergent fiber（ADF） and gross energy（GE） reduced linearly as the level of alfalfa meal in the diet increased（P〈0.01）. The total tract flow of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and GE increased with the increase in dietary alfalfa（linear, P〈0.05）. Growth performance and nutrient digestion were not affected by inclusion of 5% alfalfa meal in the diet（P〉0.05）. A multiple linear regression analysis, taking into account both soluble and insoluble fiber intake, explained approximately 70% of the variation in the ATTD of DM, OM, NDF, and GE（P〈0.01）. In conclusion, alfalfa meal should be limited to less than 5% of the diet in fattening pigs to maximize growth performance and nutrient digestion. Soluble and insoluble fiber from alfalfa meal has the differential roles in nutrient digestion, which may help explain the main variation observed in nutrient digestibility. These findings suggest that knowledge of specific fiber components is necessary to accurately predict the effects of dietary fiber on nutrient digestibility.

The effects of dietary fiber level on nutrient digestibility in growing pigs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of total dietary fiber level on nutrient digestibility and the relationship between apparent total tract digestibility of total dietary fiber, and soluble dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber and available energy. Sugar beet pulp was as the only fiber source. The experiment was designed as a 6 x 6 Latin square with an adaptation period of 7 d followed by a 5-d total collection of feces and urine. Feed intake tended to decrease （P =0.] O） as total dietary fiber level increased. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy decreased （P 〈0.0]） when total dietary fiber increased but the digestibility of soluble dietary fiber and insoluble dietary fiber increased （P 〈0.01）. The digestible energy and metabolizable energy content of diets decreased （P 〈0.01） as the total dietary fiber increased.

Nutritional value of a partially defatted and a highly defatted black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) meal for broiler chickens: apparent nutrient digestibility,apparent metabolizable energy and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility

Background: The study aimed to determine the apparent total tract digestibility coefficients(ATTDC) of nutrients, the apparent metabolizable energy(AME and AMEn) and the amino acid(AA) apparent ileal digestibility coefficients(AIDC)of a partially defatted(BSFp) and a highly defatted(BSFh) black soldier fly larvae meal. The experimental diets were: a basal diet and two diets prepared by substituting 250 g/kg(w/w) of the basal diet with BSFp or BSFh, respectively.Results: Significant differences were found between BSFp and BSFh meals for ATTDC of the nutrients: BSFp resulted more digestible than BSFh, except for ATTDC of CP which did not differed between meals, while a statistical trend was observed for ATTDC of DM and EE. The AME and AMEn values were significantly(P < 0.05) different between the two BSF meals, with higher levels for BSFp(16.25 and 14.87 MJ/kg DM, respectively). The AIDC of the AA in BSFp ranged from 0.44 to 0.92, while in BSFh they ranged from 0.45 to 0.99. No significant differences were observed for the AA digestibility(0.77 and 0.80 for BSFp and BSFh, respectively), except for glutamic acid, proline and serine that were more digestible in the BSFh meal(P < 0.05).Conclusions: Defatted BSF meals can be considered as an excellent source of AME and digestible AA for broilers with a better efficient nutrient digestion. These considerations suggested the effective utilization of defatted BSF larvae meal in poultry feed formulation.

Effects of dietary yeast β-glucan on nutrient digestibility and serum profiles in pre-ruminant Holstein calves

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of yeast 13-glucan on the nutrient digestibility and serum profiles in pre-ruminant Holstein calves. Forty-two neonatal Holstein calves （（39.6＋4.2） kg） were randomly allotted to six groups, and each was offered one of the following diets： a basal diet （control） or the basal diet supplemented with 25, 50, 75, 100 or 200 mg of yeast 13-glucan kg-~ feed （dry matter basis）. The basal diet consisted of a milk replacer and a starter feed. The trial lasted for 56 d. Two digestibility trials were conducted from d 14 to 20 and from d 42 to 48. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 14, 28 and 42 for serum profile analyses. On d 56, three calves from each group were slaughtered, and intestinal samples were collected to assess the villous height, crypt depth and mucosal thickness. Although feed intake was not affected by dietary treatment （P〉0.05）, the average daily gain （ADG） and gain-to-feed ratios were higher （P〈0.05） for the calves fed 75 mg of yeast β-glucan kg^-1 feed than those in the other groups. The supplementation of yeast β-glucan at 75 mg kg^-1 feed increased the apparent digestibility of dry matter （DM）, crude protein （CP）, ether extract （EE）, and phosphorus （P） （P〈0.05） and the ratio of intestinal villous height to crypt depth （V/C） （P〈0.05） when compared with the control group. No effects of yeast β-glucan on the serum concentrations of total protein （TP）, albumin （ALB）, serum urea nitrogen （SUN） and glucose （GLU） were observed （P〉0.05）. Compared with the control group, supplementation of yeast β-glucan decreased （P〈0.05） the serum concentrations of triglycerides （TG） and total cholesterol （TC）. The serum concentration of immunoglobulin G （IgG） and immunoglobulin M （IgM） increased quadratically （P〈0.05）, whereas the serum concentration of immunoglobulin A （IgA） was unaffected by dietary treatments （P〉0.05）. The supplementation of yeast β-glucan stimu- lated the enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase （ALP） （P〈0.05） compared with the control group. The lysozyme （LYZ） concentration increased quadratically （P〈0.05） with increasing yeast β-glucan levels. The results suggested that dietary supplementation of yeast 13-glucan at 75 mg kg^-1 feed improved nutrient digestibility, enhanced immunity by increasing the immunoglobulin concentration and stimulating ALP, and exerted no adverse effects on metabolism in pre-ruminant calves.

Effect of Replacing Fish Meal with Extruded Soybean Meal on Growth, Feed Utilization and Apparent Nutrient Digestibility of Juvenile White Shrimp(Litopenaeus vannamei)

Extruded soybean meal （ESBM） was evaluated as a protein source for partial replacement of fish meal （FM） in diets of juvenile Litopenaeus vannarnei. In the control diet （Diet 1）, FM protein was replaced with increasing dietary levels of ESBM （4.28%, 8.40%, 12.62%, 16.82%, and 25.26%） at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 60% levels （Diets 2 to 6, respectively）. An eight-week feeding trial was conducted on 720 juvenile shrimp （0.67 g ± 0.01 g mean initial Weight）, and nutrient digestibility of the six diets was determined. ESBM could replace 20% of FM without causing a significant reduction in growth of shrimp, but other dietary treatments strongly affected whole body composition. Crude protein content of the whole body fed Diet 6 was significantly lower than that fed Diet 2 （P〈0.05）, while crude lipid content of the whole body fed Diet 5 or 6 was significantly higher than that fed Diet 2 （P〈0,05）. Protein digestibilities of Diets 5 and 6 were significantly lower than that of Diet 1 （P〈0.05）. Digestibility of lipids ranged from 96.97% in Diet 6 to 98.34% in Diet 3, whereas dry matter digestibility decreased with increasing replacement level. This study indicates that 20% FM replacement with ESBM in the basic diet containing 40% protein and 30% FM is optimal for juvenile L. vannamei.

Amino acid and mineral digestibility,bone ash,and plasma inositol is increased by including microbial phytase in diets for growing pigs

Background The effect of microbial phytase on amino acid and energy digestibility is not consistent in pigs,which may be related to the phytase dosage or the adaptation length to the diet.Therefore,an experiment was conducted to test the hypotheses that increasing dietary phytase after an 18-day adaptation period:1)increases nutrient and energy digestibility;2)increases plasma P,plasma inositol,and bone ash of young pigs;and 3)demonstrates that maximum phytate degradation requires more phytase than maximum P digestibility.Results Data indicated that increasing inclusion of phytase[0,250,500,1,000,2,000,and 4,000 phytase units(FTU)/kg feed]in corn-soybean meal-based diets increased apparent ileal digestibility(AID)of Trp(quadratic;P<0.05),and of Lys and Thr(linear;P<0.05),and tended to increase AID of Met(linear;P<0.10).Increasing dietary phytase also increased AID and apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of Ca and P(quadratic;P<0.05)and increased ATTD of K and Na(linear;P<0.05),but phytase did not influence the ATTD of Mg or gross energy.Concentrations of plasma P and bone ash increased(quadratic;P<0.05),and plasma inositol also increased(linear;P<0.05)with increasing inclusion of phytase.Reduced concentrations of inositol phosphate(IP)6 and IP5(quadratic;P<0.05),reduced IP4 and IP3(linear;P<0.05),but increased inositol concentrations(linear;P<0.05)were observed in ileal digesta as dietary phytase increased.The ATTD of P was maximized if at least 1,200 FTU/kg were used,whereas more than 4,000 FTU/kg were needed to maximize inositol release.Conclusions Increasing dietary levels of phytase after an 18-day adaptation period increased phytate and IP ester degradation and inositol release in the small intestine.Consequently,increasing dietary phytase resulted in improved digestibility of Ca,P,K,Na,and the first 4 limiting amino acids,and in increased concentrations of bone ash and plasma P and inositol.In a corn-soybean meal diet,maximum inositol release requires approximately 3,200 FTU/kg more phytase than that required for maximum P digestibility.

Effects of dietary forage to concentrate ratio and wildrye length on nutrient intake, digestibility, plasma metabolites, ruminal fermentation and fecal microflora of male Chinese Holstein calves

Twenty-eight male, weaned Chinese Holstein calves（（156.8±33.4） kg） were used to investigate the effects of dietary forage to concentrate ratio（F：C） and forage length on nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites, ruminal fermentation, and fecal microflora. Animals were randomly allocated to four treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement： whole-length forage（WL） with low F：C（50：50）; WL with high F：C（65：35）; short-length forage（SL） with high F：C（65：35）; and SL with low F：C（50：50）. Chinese wildrye was used as the only forage source in this trial. The grass in the SL treatments was chopped using a chaff cutter to achieve small particle size（-50% particles 〉19 mm）. Dry matter intake（DMI） and organic matter（OM） intake was increased by increasing both F：C（P〈0.01） and forage length（FL）（P〈0.05）, while acid detergent fiber（ADF） and neutral detergent fiber（NDF） intakes were only increased by increasing the F：C（P〈0.01）. The digestibility of NDF was increased as the FL increased（P〈0.01）, and it was also affected by interaction between F：C and FL（P〈0.05）. Cholesterol（CHO）（P〈0.01）, leptin（LP）（P〈0.05）, and growth hormone（GH）（P〈0.01） concentrations in plasma were increased as dietary F：C increased. A significant increase in plasma triglyceride（TG）（P〈0.01）, insulin（INS）（P〈0.05）, and GH（P〈0.01） levels was observed with decreasing dietary FL. Ruminal p H values of calves fed with low F：C diets were significantly lower than those in high F：C treatment（P〈0.05）. Increasing the F：C enhanced ruminal acetic acid（P〈0.05） and acetic acid/propionic acid（P〈0.01）. Fecal Lactobacillus content was significantly higher, while Escherichia coli and Salmonella contents were significantly lower in WL and high F：C groups（P〈0.05）. Lower fecal scores（higher diarrhea rate） were observed in calves fed with SL hay compared to WL hay（P〈0.05）. Denatured gradient gel electrophoresis（DGGE） bands and richness index（S） were significantly affected by the interaction between F：C and FL（P〈0.05）, under high F：C, band numbers and richness index from WL group were higher than that from SL group（P〈0.05）, whereas there were no differences between WL andSL groups under low F：C（P〉0.05）. Microflora similarity was 50–73% among the different treatments. It is concluded that the WL with high F：C（65：35） diet is suitable for weaned calves.

Effects of Guar (<i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</i>) Residues on the Performance and Nutrients Digestibility in Finishing Awassi Lambs

The nutritive quality of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) residues (GR) was investigated and the effects of partial replacement of wheat straw by GR on nutrients intake, digestibility, and growth performance. Twenty four male lambs, with average body weight (BW) of 40.3 ± 2.5 kg were divided into three groups. Lambs were fed individually for 104 days with concentrate mixture (18% crude protein) and wheat straw as a total mixed ration. Wheat straw was replaced with 0, 100 and 145 g/kg dry matter guar residues. All rations were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The fattening trial lasted 104 days. At the end of week 10 of the trail, a digestion trial was performed using six lambs from each group. The composition of nutrients in the GR was 87%, 8.5%, 56.4% and 40.1% for DM, CP, NDF and ADF, respectively. DM and crude protein (CP) intake were not affected by the inclusion of GR. However, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) intake were lower in lambs fed GR compared to control lambs. At the end of the experiment, lambs fed 100 and 145 g GR/kg DM diets gained more weight (P < 0.05) than those fed the control diet. The same trend was found for feed conversion (CR). Results from this work suggested that GR had advantages compared to regular roughage (wheat straw) in regard to parameters investigated as well as the significant reduction in fattening diets cost.

Dietary fibers with low hydration properties exacerbate diarrhea and impair intestinal health and nutrient digestibility in weaned piglets

Background:This study aimed to investigate the hydration properties of different-source fibrous materials by com-paring their water-binding capacity(WBC),water swelling capacity(WSC),viscosity,and in vivo effects of selected samples on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,diarrhea,and intestinal health in weaned piglets.Methods:A total of 13 commercially available fibrous materials were first compared in chemical composition and in vitro hydration property.Subsequently,40 weaned piglets were randomized to five experimental dietary groups(8 piglets per group):control diet(a basal diet without dietary fiber,CON),basal diet supplemented with 5%microcrys-talline cellulose(MCC),5%wheat bran(WB),5%Moringa oleifera leaf powder(MOLP),or 5%sugar beet pulp(SBP),fol-lowed by analyzing their growth performance and diarrhea rate in a 28-d experiment.After the feeding experiment,anaesthetized piglets were killed,and their intestinal and colon content or plasma samples were analyzed in nutrient digestibility,intestinal morphology,intestinal barrier,short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs),and bacterial population.Results:In vitro studies showed low hydration properties for WB and MCC,while medium hydration properties for MOLP and SBP.In vivo studies indicated that compared with medium hydration property groups,low hydration prop-erty groups showed(1)exacerbated diarrhea,impaired intestinal health,and reduced apparent fecal digestibility of dry matter,gross energy,acid detergent fiber,and neutral detergent fiber;(2)decreased SCFAs concentration and rela-tive levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium,but increased levels of Escherichia coli and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in colon contents.Additionally,SBP showed optimal performance in reducing diarrhea and increasing SCFAs produc-tion.Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation of fiber hydration properties with in vitro SCFAs production,and diarrhea index and nutrient digestibility were negatively and positively correlated with SCFAs levels in the colon contents of weaned piglets,respectively.Conclusions:Different-source dietary fibers varied in their hydration properties and impacts on diarrhea,microbial composition and SCFAs production in weaned piglets.WB and MCC could exacerbate diarrhea and impair nutrient digestibility,probably because their low hydration properties were detrimental to gut microbial homeostasis and fermentation.Our findings provide new ideas for rational use of fiber resources in weaned piglets.

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.

Effects of Dietary Fat Levels on Growth, Nutrient Digestibility, Nitrogen Utilization and Fur Quality of Growing-furring Blue Foxes

This study evaluated the effects of dietary fat levels on the growth, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance and pelt characteristics of the blue fox(Alopex lagopus). Age-matched blue foxes(12 weeks old) with similar body weights were randomly divided into six dietary groups over 98 days, during the growing-furring period. Blue foxes in the six groups were fed with experimental diets containing 10%(groupⅠ), 12%(groupⅡ), 14%(group Ⅲ), 16%(group Ⅳ), 18%(groupⅤ) and 20%(group Ⅵ) fat during the growing period(from 13 weeks to 18 weeks of age);foxes were fed with diets containing 12%(groupⅠ), 14%(groupⅡ), 16%(group Ⅲ), 18%(group Ⅳ), 20%(groupⅤ) and 22%(group Ⅵ) fat during the furring period(from 18 weeks to 26 weeks of age). The results indicated that 16%-18% dietary fat, during the growing period significantly improved nutrient utilization, and as a main energy source, significantly reduced the feed/gain ratio. A dietary fat level of 18%, during the furring period not only improved the growth and development and decreased the feed/gain ratio, but also increased nutrient digestibility and fur quality. These data, combined with data from a conic regression model, showed that dietary fat levels between 16.29% and 18.40%, during the growing period and between 17.72% and 18.72%, during the furring period enhanced the growth performance and fur quality of blue foxes.

Comparison of acid-detergent lignin,alkaline-peroxide lignin,and acid-detergent insoluble ash as internal markers for predicting fecal output and digestibility by cattle offered bermudagrass hays of varying nutrient composition

Background： The potential for acid-detergent insoluble ash （ADIA）, alkaline-peroxide lignin （APL）, and acid-detergent lignin （ADL） to predict fecal output （FO） and dry matter digestibility （DMD） by cattle offered bermudagrass [Cynodon doctylon （L） Pers.] hays of different qualities was evaluated. Eight ruminally cannulated cows （594 ± 35.5 kg） were allocated randomly to 4 hay diets： low （L）, medium low （ML）, medium high （MH）, and high （H） crude protein （CP） concentration （79, 111,131, and 164 g CP/kg on a DM basis, respectively）. Diets were offered in 3 periods with 2 diet replicates per period and were rotated across cows between periods. Cows were individually fed 20 g DM/kg of body weight in equal feedings at 08：00 and 16：00 h for a 10-d adaptation followed by a 5-d total fecal collection. Actual DM intake （DMI）, DMD, and FO were determined based on hay offered, ort, and feces excreted. These components were then analyzed for ADL, APL, and ADIA concentration to determine marker recovery and marker-based estimates of FO and DMD. Results： Forage DMI was affected by diet （P = 0.02）, and DMI from MH and H was greater （P 〈 0.05） than from L. Apparent DMD tended （P = 0.08） to differ among diets while FO （P = 0.20） was not affected by diet treatments. Average ADL recovery （1.16） was greater （P 〈 0.05） than that of ADIA （1.03） and APL （1.06）, but ADIA and APL did not differ （P = 0.42）. Estimates of FO and DMD derived using APL and ADIA were not different （P≥0.05） from total fecal collection while those using ADL differed （P 〈 0.05）. There was no diet by marker interaction （P≥ 0.22） for either FO or DMD. Conclusion： Acid-detergent insoluble ash and APL accurately predicted FO and DMD of cattle fed bermudagrass hay of varying nutrient composition. These internal markers may facilitate studies involving large numbers of animals and forages. Results from such studies may be used to develop improved equations to predict energy values of forages based on the relationship of dietary components to digestibility across a wide range of forages.

Pelleting and particle size reduction of corn increase net energy and digestibility of fiber,protein,and fat in corn-soybean meal diets fed to group-housed pigs

Background Reduction of the particle size of corn increases energy digestibility and concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy.Pelleting may also reduce particle size of grain,but it is not known if there are interactions between particle size reduction and pelleting.The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that particle size reduction and pelleting,separately or in combination,increase N balance,apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of fiber and fat,and net energy(NE)in corn-soybean meal diets fed to group-housed pigs.Methods Six corn-soybean meal-based diets were used in a 3×2 factorial design with 3 particle sizes of corn(i.e.,700,500,or 300μm)and 2 diet forms(i.e.,meal or pelleted).Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water.Twenty-four castrated male pigs(initial weight:29.52 kg;standard diviation:1.40)were allotted to the 6 diets using a 6×6 Latin square design with 6 calorimeter chambers(i.e.,4 pigs/chamber)and 6 periods.Oxygen consumption and CO_(2)and CH_(4)productions were measured during fed and fasting states and fecal and urine samples were collected.Results Regardless of particle size of corn,the ATTD of gross energy(GE),N,and acid-hydrolyzed ether extract(AEE),and the concentration of NE were greater(P<0.05)in pelleted diets than in meal diets.Regardless of diet form,the ATTD of GE,N,and AEE,and the concentration of NE were increased(linear;P<0.05)by reducing the particle size of corn,but the increase was greater in meal diets than in pelleted diets(interaction;P<0.05).Conclusions Both pelleting and reduction of corn particle size increased nutrient digestibility and NE,but increases were greater in meal diets than in pelleted diets.

Effects of Dietary Supplement of Fermented Tomato Pomace on Dry Matter Intake and Nutrient Apparent Digestibility of Dairy Cows

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of replacing corn silage with ensiled tomato pomace on dry matter intake and apparent digestibility of diets.Eight close up dry Holstein cows were used in 2 × 2 Latin square design.The animals were fed control(0% tomato pomace silage) and experimental(10% corn silage replaced by tomato pomace silage) diets.The result showed that dry matter intake in experimental group was 9.77 ± 0.44 kg/d,which was significantly higher than in control group(p < 0.05).Dry matter digestibility in experimental and control group was 73.9% and 70.2%,respectively,but there was no difference between two groups(p > 0.05).The substitution of tomato pomace silage in diet was associated with an increase of dry matter intake,dietary supplement of ensiled tomato pomace without any adverse effect on their health performance.

Effect of Euchsaena mexicana Schrad Diets on Nutrient Digestibility and Nitrogen Metabolism for Wulong Goose

One trial was conducted to study nutrition digestibility of Euchsaena mexicana Schrad (EMC) diets for Wulong Goose. Thirty-two geese of 9 months old were selected and divided into four groups randomly, with eight geese in each group. Four groups were fed with the isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets of different EMC contents (12, 19, 25 and 31%), respectively. The results showed that, as dietary EMC increased, dry matter (DM) digestibility was decreased significantly, meanwhile the digestibility of crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased significantly (P<0.05). The ratio of apparent essential amino acid (EAA) digestibility (except Leu) among the four groups had significant difference (P<0.01). the content of NH3-N in feces dropped (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in net protein utilization (NPU), N apparent digestibility, N deposition and Ca apparent digestibility in different groups (P> 0.05). The apparent digestibility of P in different groups elevated, while there was significant difference between group D and A (P<0.01), and there was significant difference between group D and B (P<0.05).

Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in soybean meal fed to non-pregnant and pregnant sows

Background Two studies were designed to determine standard ileal crude protein(CP)and amino acid(AA)digestibility of soybean meal(SBM)from different origins fed to non-pregnant and pregnant sows.Seven solvent-extracted SBMs from soybeans produced in the USA,Brazil,and China were selected.In Exp.1,eight different diets were created:a nitrogen(N)-free diet and 7 experimental diets containing SBM from different origins as the only N source.Eight non-pregnant,multiparous sows were arranged in an 8×8 Latin square design(8 periods and 8 diets).In Exp.2,the diet formula was the same as in Exp.1.Eight gestating sows(parity 3)were assigned to 4 different diets in a replicated 4×3 Youden square design(three periods and four diets)in mid-gestation and again in late-gestation stages.Results When fed to non-pregnant and late-gestating sows,the standardized ileal digestibility(SID)of CP and most AAs from different SBM were not significantly different(P>0.05).When fed to mid-gestating sows,the SID values for Arg,His,Lys,Phe,Cys,Gly,Ser,and Tyr in SBM 1 were lower than in SBM 4 and 5(P<0.05),whereas SID for Leu from SBM 5 was higher than in SBM 1 and 4(P<0.05).SID values for Ile,Ala,and Asp from SBM 4 were lower than in SBM 1 and 5(P<0.05).Sows had significantly greater SID values for Lys,Ala,and Asp during mid-gestation when compared with late-gestation stages(P<0.05).Mid-gestating sows had greater SID value for Val and lower SID value for Tyr when compared with non-pregnant and late-gestating sows(P<0.01),whereas non-pregnant sows had significantly greater SID value for Met when compared with gestating sows(P<0.01).Conclusions When fed to mid-gestating sows,the SID values for most AAs varied among SBM samples.The SID values for Lys,Met,Val,Ala,Asp,and Tyr in SBM were affected by sow gestation stages.Our findings provide a cornerstone for accurate SBM use in sow diets.

Modulation of starch digestibility using non-thermal processing techniques:A review

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are widespread throughout the world, especially in developed countries. Starch is an important part of human staple food, the modulating of starch digestibility is conducive to reducing postprandial blood glucose levels and alleviating the chronic disease caused by high caloric intake. The digestion properties of starch are correlated with its structural features, including crystallization, amylose/amylopectin ratio, non-starch components, etc. Among the modified methods applied to regulate starch digestibility, non-thermal processing techniques(NTPT) receive extensive attention due to the characteristics of safety, environmental friendliness and high efficiency. The influence and mechanism of NTPT on the digestion properties of starch are discussed in this review, including ultrasounds, high pressure, γ-irradiation, etc. NTPT induces the alternation of morphological and structural characteristics of native starch, changing their sensitivity to enzymes. The effects of NTPT on the digestibility of starch are highly related to the processing parameters and structure characteristics of native starch. The review shows that NTPT is an effective way to modulate the digestion properties of starch and prevent people from suffering from chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

In vitro Evaluating the Influence of Grape Seed Polyphenol Extract on the Digestibility of Macronutrients

Interaction between dietary polyphenol and proteins including digestive enzymes may result in reduced digestibility of food macronutrients, thus lowering absorption of nutrients that contributing to high energy accumulation in human body. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of grape seed polyphenol extract （GSPE） on the digestibility of starch, food lipid and food protein by digestive enzymes such as u-amylase, lipase, pepsin and trypsin. The digestion of each substrate was conducted at the optimal pH and temperature of specific enzyme. Bread containing different amount of grape pomace was used as a real food model and its digestion was conducted under simulated digestion condition. Concentrations of reducing sugar, fatty acid and amino acids in enzyme digested mixtures were determined as indicators of starch, lipid and protein digestions, respectively. Results indicate that GSPE significantly inhibited the digestion of starch, cooking oil and casein, but did not inhibit digestion of whey protein and egg white protein. Instead, the digestion of egg white and whey protein by trypsin was moderately enhanced in the presence of GSPE. However, under simulated human digestion condition, the grape pomace in the bread significantly reduced the digestibility of bread starch and protein.