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Apparent Digestibility (apparent + digestibility)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Earth and Environmental Science50%
Life Sciences41%

Terms modified by Apparent Digestibility

  • apparent digestibility coefficient
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    Selected Abstracts

    Effect of cyclodextrin diallyl maleate on methane production, ruminal fermentation and microbes in vitro and in vivo

    ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2004
    Zeenat Ara LILA
    ABSTRACT Effects of ,-cyclodextrin diallyl maleate (CD-M) on methane production, ruminal fermentation and digestibility were studied both in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro study, diluted ruminal fluid (30 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38°C for 6 and 24 h with or without CD-M using hay plus concentrate (1.5:1) as a substrate. The CD-M was added at different concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g/L). The pH of the medium and numbers of protozoa were not affected by the addition of CD-M. Total volatile fatty acids were increased and ammonia-N was decreased, molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased (P < 0.05) by CD-M. Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) by 14,76%. The effect of CD-M on methane production and ruminal fermentation was further investigated in vivo using four Holstein steers in a cross-over design. The steers were fed Sudangrass hay and concentrate mixture (1.5:1) with or without CD-M (2% of feed dry matter) as a supplement. Ruminal proportion of acetate tended to decrease and that of propionate was increased (P < 0.05) 2 h after CD-M dosing. Total viable counts, cellulolytic, sulfate reducing, acetogenic bacteria and protozoa were unaffected while methanogenic bacteria were decreased (P < 0.05) by CD-M. The plasma concentration of glucose was increased, whereas that of urea-N was decreased (P < 0.05). Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) from 36.4 to 30.1 L/kg dry matter intake by the addition of CD-M. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber were not affected while that of crude protein was increased (P < 0.05) in the medicated steers. These data suggested that dietary supplementation of CD-M decreased methane production and improved nutrient use. [source]

    Apparent digestibilities of common feedstuffs for bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides using individual test ingredients

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 1 2009
    K. MASAGOUNDER
    Abstract Apparent digestibility of dry matter and energy, and availability of amino acids from blood meal (BM), fish meal (FM), meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry by-product meal (PBM), soybean meal (SBM), corn, wheat and yellow grease (YG) were determined for bluegill Lepomis macrochirus (mean weight, 57 g), and likewise, but not for BM or wheat, for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (mean weight, 30 g). To avoid nutrient interaction from a reference diet, diets containing 98.5% (985 g kg,1) of test ingredients were used, except for semi-solid, YG which was mixed with corn to permit pelletization. Faeces were collected by a siphoning method. Apparent dry matter digestibility values ranged from 50% (corn) to 87% (BM) for bluegill and from 53% (MBM) to 76% (PBM) for largemouth bass. Apparent energy digestibility values ranged from 53% (corn) to 92% (BM) for bluegill and from 63% (MBM) to 93% (YG) for largemouth bass. Apparent digestibility of most amino acids exceeded 90% for evaluated protein sources, except for MBM which showed slightly lower values (80,90%) for both fishes. Isoleucine digestibility from BM was relatively low (82%) for bluegill. High digestibility values for SBM, PBM and BM, indicate good potential for replacing FM in diets for both fishes. [source]

    Apparent Digestibility Coefficients of Various Feed Ingredients for Grouper Epinephelus coioides

    JOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 2 2004
    Heizhao Lin
    Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, crude protein, lipid, gross energy, amino acids, and fatty acids in white fish meal, brown fish meal, soybean meal, peanut meal, and yeast were determined for grouper Epinephelus coioides. Apparent digestibility was determined using a reference diet with 0.5% chromic oxide indicator and test diets that contained 70% reference diet and 30% of the feed ingredient being evaluated. The fish, averaging 12.0 g, were held in 250-L tanks at a density of 30 fish per tank. Feces were collected from three replicate groups-of fish. Apparent dry matter digestibility of ingredients was 78.85 ± 2.43, 79.11 ± 0.61, 69.85 ± 3.60, 73.67 ± 2.30 and 57.70 ± 4.69% for white fish meal, brown fish meal, soybean meal, peanut meal, and yeast, respectively. Apparent gross energy digestibility of ingredients was 93.27 ± 2.90, 89.48 ± 1.78, 70.52 ± 4.01, 73.13 ± 2.41 and 51.67 ± 2.01% for white fish meal, brown fish meal, soybean meal, peanut meal, and yeast, respectively. Apparent protein digestibility of ingredients was 89.82 ± 1.24, 87.34 ± 1.25, 83.97 ± 1.92, 80.79 ± 1.95, and 61.14 ± 0.54% for white fish meal, brown fish meal, soybean meal, peanut meal, and yeast, respectively. White fish meal and brown fish meal showed higher protein digestibility among ingredients tested (P ± 0.01). Lipid digestibility of ingredients was high (90.66-94.48%) and not significantly different except for yeast. Amino acid availability values for test ingredients were similar to values of protein digestibility. Amino acid availability values of white fish meal and brown fish meal were higher than other ingredients. Fatty acid availability values for test ingredients were similar to values of lipid digestibility. In general, the digestibility of most fatty acids was over 80% in all ingredients, except for 14:0 in yeast and 18:0 in peanut meal, PUFA + HUFA > MUFA > SFA. Longer-chain saturated fatty acids were less digestibility, except for 14:0, with digestibilities diminishing as fatty acid chain length increased. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, lipid, gross energy, amino acids, and fatty acids in yeast was the lowest among the ingredients. [source]

    A comparison of two faecal collection methods for protein and amino acid digestibility coefficients of menhaden fish meal and two grades of poultry by-product meals for market-size sunshine bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis)

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 1 2010
    S.D. RAWLES
    Abstract Apparent digestibility and availability coefficients for protein and amino acids in menhaden fish meal (MEN), pet-food grade (PBM-pet,) and feed-grade poultry by-product meal (PBM-feed) were determined for market-size (500 g) sunshine bass in two consecutive trials using passive netting (1.6 mm mesh) followed by manual stripping of faeces. A reference diet resembling a commercial feed was formulated to meet or exceed all known nutritional requirements of hybrid striped bass. Test diets were formulated to contain a 70 : 30 mixture of reference diet to test ingredient with chromic oxide (1%) serving as the inert marker. Diets were extruded under commercial conditions and the reference diet was fed for two weeks in order to acclimate fish to experimental conditions. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate tanks containing 30 fish each. Fish were fed their respective diet twice daily to apparent satiation for two weeks, with faecal collections being conducted on the 7th and 14th day, in each trial. ADC values determined in the net method were highly variable and generally lower than ADCs obtained by stripping. Consistently lower and highly variable chromium concentrations were found in the net method faecal samples and suggest that marker loss relative to nutrient content, or dilution of marker with non-faecal matter, on the net collectors influenced results in that trial. In contrast, the standard errors of ADCs determined in the strip method were less than 5 percentage points in most cases. Protein digestibility ranged from a low of 51% (PBM-feed) to a high of 87% (PBM-pet) in the net method, and from a low of 80% (PBM-feed) to a high of 99% (MEN) in the strip method. With the exception of Lys, no differences in amino acid availabilities among diets were found in the net method. In the strip method, protein digestibility and amino acid availabilities in MEN were generally greater than those found in PBM-pet or PBM-feed, whereas ADCs were not significantly different between the two poultry by-products. Based on the conditions of the present study, net collection of faecal matter can not be recommended for determining the digestibility of nutrients in feed ingredients for market-size sunshine bass. Digestibility coefficients obtained by the strip method for feed and petfood grades poultry by-product were higher than those previously reported and will be facilitate more efficient and economical diet formulations for larger sunshine bass. [source]

    A method to determine protein digestibility of microdiets for larval and early juvenile fish

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 6 2009
    J.M. HANSEN
    Abstract A method to evaluate protein quality using in vivo methods was developed for larval fish. FluoSpheres® fluorescent microspheres (10 ,m) were incorporated into two test diets, our standard zein microdiet (ZMD) and a microdiet with identical ingredients except for the replacement of high quality fish meal with the same product cooked for 24 h at 80 °C (ZMD-CF). Several trials were performed to design a reliable method to test digestibility using FluoSpheres® as a marker. The developed in vivo technique was tested on 35 days posthatch (dph) larval Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) and two tropical fish species in the early juvenile stage. The method took into account loss of total protein to the faecal pellet and water column. Apparent digestibility of protein in larval cod fed ZMD was significantly higher than that of larvae fed ZMD-CF (P < 0.05). A growth study to validate differences between the two diets showed significant differences in growth and survival of larvae fed ZMD versus ZMD-CF (P < 0.05). Further validation of our results was indicated through the use of a pH-stat method using enzymes extracted from 35 dph larval cod guts. This novel technique will be advantageous for researchers to evaluate feed ingredients for larval marine fish and is adaptable to many different areas of larval fish nutrition. [source]

    Apparent digestibility of nutrients and energy in extruded diets from cultivars of barley and wheat selected for nutritional quality in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2009
    T.G. GAYLORD
    Abstract A digestibility trial was conducted to elucidate potential differences in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) lines and varieties as a first step in defining their potential for use in aquafeeds. A diverse group of six barley lines having six combinations of selected attributes, normal versus low phytic acid, normal versus waxy, and hulled versus hull-less, were chosen for evaluation along with a waxy wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soft white wheat. The experimental diets were manufactured by cooking extrusion and consisted of a 70% reference diet that was formulated to contain a minimal level of phosphorus and 30% test ingredient. Phosphorus availability ranged from 17 to 78% and was influenced by starch type in wheat. Apparent protein digestibility ranged from 53 to 125% and differences were observed between wheat varieties based on starch type. Apparent energy digestibility ranged from 32 to 63%, with waxy barley varieties having higher energy digestibility coefficients than normal starch varieties. Waxy starch varieties had higher starch digestibility in both barley and wheat because of the greater digestibility of amylopectin than amylose. In summary, the higher energy digestibility of waxy barley lines suggests that these varieties warrant further attention as feed ingredients for rainbow trout. [source]

    Apparent digestibilities of common feedstuffs for bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides using individual test ingredients

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 1 2009
    K. MASAGOUNDER
    Abstract Apparent digestibility of dry matter and energy, and availability of amino acids from blood meal (BM), fish meal (FM), meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry by-product meal (PBM), soybean meal (SBM), corn, wheat and yellow grease (YG) were determined for bluegill Lepomis macrochirus (mean weight, 57 g), and likewise, but not for BM or wheat, for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (mean weight, 30 g). To avoid nutrient interaction from a reference diet, diets containing 98.5% (985 g kg,1) of test ingredients were used, except for semi-solid, YG which was mixed with corn to permit pelletization. Faeces were collected by a siphoning method. Apparent dry matter digestibility values ranged from 50% (corn) to 87% (BM) for bluegill and from 53% (MBM) to 76% (PBM) for largemouth bass. Apparent energy digestibility values ranged from 53% (corn) to 92% (BM) for bluegill and from 63% (MBM) to 93% (YG) for largemouth bass. Apparent digestibility of most amino acids exceeded 90% for evaluated protein sources, except for MBM which showed slightly lower values (80,90%) for both fishes. Isoleucine digestibility from BM was relatively low (82%) for bluegill. High digestibility values for SBM, PBM and BM, indicate good potential for replacing FM in diets for both fishes. [source]

    Apparent digestibility of selected feed ingredients in diets for juvenile hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus

    AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010
    Xiao-Hui Dong
    Abstract The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, ash, phosphorus, gross energy and amino acids of 10 selected ingredients for juvenile hybrid tilapia (7.05 ± 0.09 g) were determined using 0.5% Cr2O3 as an inert indicator. The feed ingredients tested in this study were corn gluten meal (CGM), corn byproduct, corn germ meal (CG), soybean meal (SBM), fermented soybean meal (FSM), soy protein concentrate (SPC), soy protein isolate, malt sprouts (MS), fish meal (FM) and earthworm meal (EM). The test diets were prepared by incorporation of 30% test ingredients into the reference diet. Reference and test diets were fed to the fish and the faecal samples were collected using a faecal collection column attached to the fish-rearing tanks. The ADCs for dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, ash, phosphorus and gross energy were 41.7,98.9%, 90.6,99.6%, 73.1,98.8%, 34.1,98.6%, 49.5,99.6% and 45.4,99.7% respectively. Soy protein isolate, FM and EM had higher dry matter, crude protein and gross energy ADCs. Corn byproduct and EM had higher crude lipid ADCs, and CG and EM had higher phosphorus ADCs. Corn germ meal had the highest ash ADC, while CGM had the highest value for gross energy. The lowest dry matter, crude protein, lipid and gross energy ADCs occurred in MS, while the lowest ash and phosphorus ADCs occurred in SPC. The amino acid ADCs ranged from 83.3% to 100%, exhibiting a positive correlation with crude protein digestibility for a given test ingredient. The feed ingredient digestibility of this study may provide useful information about nutrient and energy utilization to facilitate formulation of least-cost practical diets for hybrid tilapia. [source]

    Apparent digestibility of selected feed ingredients for white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, Boone

    AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009
    Qihui Yang
    Abstract Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), crude protein, crude lipid, gross energy, phosphorus and amino acids in Peruvian fish meal (FM), fermented soybean meal, extruded soybean meal, soybean meal, peanut meal, wheat gluten meal, corn gluten meal, shrimp byproduct meal, meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry meat meal and plasma protein meal (PPM) were determined for white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A reference diet (RF) and test diets (consisting of 70% RF diet and 30% of the feedstuff) were used with 0.5% chromic oxide as an external indicator. A total of 1440 shrimp (initial mean body weight 1.05 ± 0.01 g) were randomly stocked into thirty-six 500-L fibreglass tanks with 40 shrimp per tank and three tanks per diet. Faeces were collected from triplicate groups of shrimp by a faecal collection vessel attached to the shrimp-rearing tank. The shrimp were fed to apparent satiation four times a day and the feeding experiment lasted for 6 weeks. Statistics indicate that apparent DM digestibilities for white shrimp (L. vannamei) were the highest for FM, ranged 52.83,71.23% for other animal products and 69.98,77.10% for plant products. The protein and lipid from plant and animal sources were well digested by white shrimp. Apparent protein and lipid digestibility were in the range 87.89,93.18% and 91.57,95.28%, respectively, in plant products, and 75.00,92.34% and 83.72,92.79%, respectively, for animal products. The white shrimp demonstrated a high capacity to utilize phosphorus in the ingredients. The apparent phosphorus digestibility ranges of animal feedstuffs and plant feedstuffs were 58.90,71.61% and 75.77,82.30% respectively. Amino acid availability reflected protein digestibility, except that in MBM, for which the availability of some amino acid was lower, possibly due to protein damage during processing. Digestibility information could promote the use of ingredient substitution in least-cost formulated diets for white shrimp. [source]

    Apparent digestibility of selected feed ingredients in diets formulated for the sub-adult mud crab, Scylla paramamosain, in Vietnam

    AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009
    Phuong Ha Truong
    Abstract The present study was conducted to explore the potential to incorporate local plant-based feed ingredients into diets formulated for the mud crab species, Scylla paramamosain, commonly exploited for aquaculture in South-east Asia. Four test ingredients (defatted soybean meal, rice bran, cassava meal and corn flour) were incorporated at 30% or 45% inclusion levels in a fishmeal-based reference diet and used in digestibility trials where apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for experimental diets and test ingredients were determined. Generally, high ADC values were obtained using diets containing 30% soybean meal or rice bran. By contrast, the lowest ADC values were obtained for the diet containing 45% cassava meal [70.9% for dry matter (ADMD); 77.1% for crude protein (ACPD) and 80.2% for gross energy (AGED)]. Similar trends were observed when ADC ingredient (I) digestibilities were compared. Specifically, the highest ADCI values were obtained for soybean meal when used at a 30% inclusion level (87.6% ADMDI; 98.4% ACPDI and 95.6% AGEDI) while the lowest ADCI values were obtained using cassava meal at a 45% inclusion level (53.8% ADMDI; 60.2% ACPDI and 67.3% AGEDI). Based on the current findings, we propose that soybean meal and rice bran could be considered for incorporation into formulated diets for S. paramamosain. [source]

    The comparative study digestion and metabolism of nitrogen and purine derivatives in male, Thai, Swamp buffalo and Thai, Brahman cattle

    ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009
    Thongsuk JETANA
    ABSTRACT Studies on in vivo digestion, rates of passages, metabolism of nitrogen, urinary purine derivative excretion and blood metabolites were carried out in Thai Brahman cattle and Thai swamp buffaloes (16 months old). The animals were fed mixed diets based on pineapple (Ananas comusus) waste silage containing urea-N (NPN) and true protein from a concentrate (TP). The Brahman cattle (310 ± 15 kg) were heavier than the swamp buffaloes (195 ± 9.4 kg) and had higher dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intakes when compared on the basis of their metabolic body weight (BW0.75), but these intakes did not differ significantly when the diets of each animal species were compared. The total tract, apparent digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were not significantly different between the animal species when comparing the two types of diets. The NDF digestibility was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in both animal species when fed the TP diet, but was significantly (P < 0.01) greater in cattle than in swamp buffaloes. The passage rate digesta k1 (P < 0.01) and the passage rate digesta k2 (through the caecum and proximal colon) (P < 0.03) were significantly slower, and the total mean retention time (TMRT) (P < 0.01) was significantly longer in swamp buffaloes when compared to Brahman cattle, but the transit time (TT) showed no difference (P = 0.07) between the animal species or the diets. The N intakes were not different in both animal species and diets, but urine-N was greater (P < 0.05) in Brahman cattle than that in swamp buffaloes. Urine N and digestibility of N were significantly (P < 0.04) higher in animals fed the NPN diet than those fed the TP diet. Urinary purine derivatives (PD) and the creatinine (Cr) excretion of swamp buffaloes were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than those in Brahman cattle. Plasma urea-N (BUN) concentration was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in swamp buffaloes than that in Brahman cattle, but plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in Brahman cattle than in swamp buffaloes. The concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were not significantly (P > 0.05) different in animals fed different diets. The present study demonstrated that Brahman cattle were better in fiber digestibility than swamp buffaloes at utilizing pineapple waste silage with both N sources. [source]

    The effect of harvest date and inoculation on the yield, fermentation characteristics and feeding value of forage pea and field bean silages

    GRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 3 2001
    M. D. Fraser
    Two experiments describe the ensiling potential of whole-crop forage peas (Pisum sativum) and field beans (Vicia faba). In Experiment 1, forage peas (cv. Magnus) and field beans (cv. Mayo) were harvested at 10, 12 and 14 weeks after sowing, and ensiled in 10 kg mini-silos either untreated or treated with an inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum). In terms of yield and ensiling potential, the optimum growth stage for harvesting forage peas occurred at 12 weeks of growth. In contrast, delaying the harvest of field beans until 14 weeks gave the highest yields of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP). Changes in crop maturity had little effect on the chemical composition of the fresh forages, but between-harvest date differences were observed in the DM, ammonia-N, CP, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), acid-detergent fibre (ADF), neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), lactic acid and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations and pH of the corresponding silages. Fermentation was improved by applying an inoculant. In Experiment 2, forage peas and field beans were harvested at 14 weeks after sowing and ensiled as round-bale silage, either untreated or treated with an inoculant. The yields of the crops were similar, and the only difference in the chemical composition of the wilted forages was a higher CP concentration in the field beans. However, after the ensiling process was complete, the forage pea silages were found to have significantly higher DM, WSC, starch and butyric acid concentrations compared with the field bean silages, and lower ammonia-N, CP, ADF, acetic acid and lactic acid concentrations. Inoculation was found to increase the lactic acid concentration and reduce the pH and ammonia-N and acetic acid concentrations of the silages. Each of the silages produced in Experiment 2 was offered to six Suffolk crossbred wether lambs, aged 10 months. Voluntary DM intakes were similar on all treatments, despite the apparent digestibility of the forage pea silages being significantly higher than that of the field bean silages. Nitrogen retention was higher for lambs offered forage pea silage. Application of an inoculant was found to have a negative effect on the amount of N retained, indicating the necessity for more detailed investigations into proteolytic activity within these crops during the fermentation process. [source]

    Comparison of total tract digestibility, development of visceral organs and digestive tract of Mong cai and Yorkshire × Landrace piglets fed diets with different fibre sources

    JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 2 2009
    N. T. Len
    Summary The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of piglet age and dietary fibre source on the development of visceral organs and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and on growth performance and total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) in local [pure-breed Mong cai (MC)] and exotic [Landrace × Yorkshire (LY)] piglets. The experimental diets contained different fibre sources: C (basal diet), RB (basal diet + rice bran), SPVM (basal diet + sweet potato vine meal) and CReM (basal diet + cassava residue meal). The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content in diet C and the fibrous diets was 8.8% and 17.1%,17.7% respectively (dry matter basis). Collection of faecal samples to determine TTAD was carried out for five consecutive days before the experiment was finished (63 days). The piglets were killed at the age of 10 days (before being given the same solid feed), 30 days (weaning, 20 days after solid feed introduced) and 63 days (33 days after being given the different fibrous diets) when the length of intestinal segments, weight of organs (liver, heart, kidneys) and empty weight of the GIT (stomach, small intestine, caecum and colon + rectum) were measured. As the age of animals increased, the relative weight of organs and the length of intestines (expressed on a mass-specific basis) decreased (p < 0.05), and the weight of GIT increased (p < 0.001). The piglets fed fibrous diets had heavier GIT than those fed diet C with the highest values in CReM (p < 0.05). The colon + rectum length was not significantly different among C, RB and SPVM, but was shorter than in CReM (p < 0.05). Coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients in the fibrous diets was lower than in C (p < 0.01). Average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in C, RB and CReM were not different and were better than in SPVM (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the weights of organs between the two breeds at day 10, 30 and 63 (p > 0.05). The weight and length of GIT were not significantly different between the two breeds at day 10 and day 30, but were greater for MC at day 63. The caecum and colon + rectum at 10 and 30 days were longer in MC than in LY (p < 0.001). The relative development of GIT post-weaning was higher than pre-weaning, the difference being most apparent in MC. As a result at 63 days, MC had heavier visceral organs and GIT, and longer intestines on fibrous diets than LY (p < 0.05). The MC at 63 days had higher CTTAD of organic matter, gross energy, crude fibre and NDF (p < 0.001) and ether extract and crude protein (p < 0.05), but lower ADG and poorer FCR than LY (p < 0.001). It can be concluded that the GIT of the MC piglets developed more rapidly than LY when they were introduced to solid feed, and that the difference was more marked on the fibrous diets and after weaning, which resulted in higher total tract digestibility of nutrients in MC compared with LY. Cassava residue meal was better digested than RB and SPVM, and supported higher live weight gains. [source]

    Influence of different dietary calcium levels on the digestibility of Ca, Mg and P in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni)

    JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 11-12 2007
    A. Liesegang
    Summary Calcium and phosphorus are very important minerals in reptile nutrition, but many diets are still not balanced. To achieve optimal growth, including a healthy skeleton and a strong shell, a well-balanced supply with these minerals is prerequisite. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the apparent digestibility in Hermann's tortoises of diets with different calcium levels with special emphasis on the digestibility of minerals. Eight adult Hermann's tortoises of the veterinary faculty in Zurich were used. The animals were housed indoors at a mean temperature between 23 °C and 26 °C. The animals were fed a diet, which consisted of vegetables, herbs and different supplementation of calcium carbonate. Daily faecal samples of all tortoises were collected from day 8 to day 12. A proximate analysis was performed and the HCl-insoluble ash was used as an indigestible natural indicator (marker) for the determination of the apparent digestibility of minerals. The calcium content of the mixed feedstuffs of diet I was 0.64% on a dry matter basis, and the Ca:P ratio in the food was 3:1. In diet II the Ca content was 1.29% on a dry matter basis, and the Ca:P ratio in the food was 6:1. The digestibility of Ca in diet I was 57%. The other examined minerals, Mg and P, had a digestibility of 46% and 58% respectively. In diet II the digestibility of Ca was 79%, of Mg 52% and of P 52%. The results of this study indicated, that higher Ca concentrations in the diet led to an increased apparent digestibility of Ca and Mg. [source]

    Effect of supplementation of garlic powder on rumen ecology and digestibility of nutrients in ruminants

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2008
    Metha Wanapat
    Abstract BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the effect of garlic powder (GAP) supplementation on rumen fermentation pattern, nutrient digestibility and intake in ruminants fed on straw as a roughage source. RESULTS: Dry matter intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients were similar among treatments. The apparent digestibility of crude protein tended to be higher in cattle supplemented with GAP compared to those fed without GAP (P = 0.08). Ruminal populations of protozoa and bacteria were decreased, as influenced by GAP supplementation. Ruminal pH and NH3 -N were similar among treatments, while blood urea nitrogen tended to be decreased (P < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were not affected by GAP supplementation but individual VFAs were significantly different (P < 0.05), especially C3; meanwhile, C2:C3 ratio was reduced by GAP supplementation (P < 0.05). In addition, N balances were significantly increased as level of GAP supplementation increased and was highest at 120 g d,1 GAP. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that feeding of GAP at 80 g d,1 with urea-treated rice straw could enhance ruminal propionate production and thus lower C2:C3 ratio, decreasing the protozoal population, as well as increasing N retention and absorption in ruminants. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

    Effect of adding an anaerobic fungal culture isolated from a wild blue bull (Boselophus tragocamelus) to rumen fluid from buffaloes on in vitro fibrolytic enzyme activity, fermentation and degradation of tannins and tannin-containing Kachnar tree (Bauhinia variegata) leaves and wheat straw

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 2 2006
    Shyam S Paul
    Abstract The study investigated the effects of adding an anaerobic fungus (Piromyces sp FNG5; isolated from the faeces of a wild blue bull) to the rumen fluid of buffaloes consuming a basal diet of wheat straw and concentrates on in vitro enzyme activities, fermentation and degradation of tannins and tannin-rich tree leaves and wheat straw. In experiment 1, strained rumen fluid was incubated for 24 and 48 h, in quadruplicate, with or without fungal culture using condensed tannin-rich Bauhinia variegata leaves as substrates. In experiment 2, in vitro incubation medium containing wheat straw and different concentrations of added tannic acid (0,1.2 mg mL,1) were incubated for 48 h, in quadruplicate, with strained buffalo rumen fluid with or without fungal culture. In experiment 3, tolerance of the fungal isolate to tannic acid was tested by estimating fungal growth in pure culture medium containing different concentrations (0,50 g L,1) of tannic acid. In in vitro studies with Bauhinia variegata tree leaves, addition of the fungal isolate to buffalo strained rumen liquor resulted in significant (P < 0.01) increase in neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility and activities of carboxymethyl cellulase (P < 0.05) and xylanase (P < 0.05) at 24 h fermentation. There was 12.35% increase (P < 0.01) in condensed tannin (CT) degradation on addition of the fungal isolate at 48 h fermentation. In in vitro studies with wheat straw, addition of the fungus caused an increase in apparent digestibility (P < 0.01), true digestibility (P < 0.05), NDF digestibility (P < 0.05), activities of carboxymethyl cellulase (P < 0.001), ,-glucosidase (P < 0.001), xylanase (P < 0.001), acetyl esterase (P < 0.001) and degradation of tannic acid (P < 0.05). Rumen liquor from buffaloes which had never been exposed to tannin-containing diet had been found to have substantial inherent tannic acid-degrading ability (degraded 55.3% of added tannic acid within 24 h of fermentation). The fungus could tolerate tannic acid concentration up to 20 g L,1 in growth medium. The results of this study suggest that introduction of an anaerobic fungal isolate with superior lignocellulolytic activity isolated from the faeces of a wild herbivore may improve fibre digestion from tannin-containing feeds and degradation of tannins in the rumen of buffaloes. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

    Winter browsing on Alaska feltleaf willow twigs improves leaf nutritional value for snowshoe hares in summer

    OIKOS, Issue 1 2003
    John P. Bryant
    In boreal forests, browsing by mammals on winter-dormant twigs increases leaf nitrogen, leaf greenness, and leaf size. This suggests browsing reduces competition among meristems for mineral nutrients, and in particular, competition for nitrogen. Winter browsing also reduces the shoot carbohydrate reserves used by leaves to produce condensed tannin. These effects of winter browsing are predicted to improve the nutritional value of leaves for mammals because they increase the mass of digestible nitrogen in leaves. This hypothesis was tested using Alaska feltleaf willow and the snowshoe hare as the experimental system. Six in vivo indicators of leaf nutritional quality were used to compare leaves from winter-browsed plants with leaves from unbrowsed plants. The indicators used were dry matter intake, nitrogen intake, condensed tannin intake, dry matter digestibility, apparent digestibility of nitrogen and nitrogen retention. The results obtained were in agreement with the above hypothesis. In early summer, at the time snowshoe hares and other northern herbivores reproduce, hares fed leaves from browsed plants consumed more nitrogen, digested more of the nitrogen they consumed, and retained more of the nitrogen they digested than did hares fed leaves from unbrowsed plants. The high nitrogen content and low tannin content of leaves from browsed plants may explain this browsing caused increase in leaf nutritional value. How these positive effects of winter browsing on snowshoe hare nutrition at the time of reproduction might affect hare population dynamics are briefly discussed. [source]

    Digestion in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a gummivore,frugivore

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2009
    Michael L. Power
    Abstract Wild common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) feed on fruits, insects, and gums, all of which provide different digestive challenges. Much of the ingested mass of fruits consists of seeds. In general, seeds represent indigestible bulk to marmosets and could inhibit feeding if they are not eliminated rapidly. In contrast, gums are ,-linked polysaccharides that require microbial fermentation. Their digestion would benefit from an extended residence time within the gut. Earlier research found that mean retention time (MRT) for a liquid digestive marker (cobalt EDTA) was significantly longer than MRT for a particulate marker (chromium-mordanted fiber), suggesting that common marmosets preferentially retain liquid digesta. We conducted two four-day-long digestion trials on 13 individually housed adult common marmosets fed a single-item, purified diet in order to examine the relations among MRT of cobalt EDTA and chromium-mordanted fiber, food dry matter intake (DMI), and apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM). We compared the MRT values with the data from the previous study mentioned above and a study using polystyrene beads. There were no significant correlations among MRT, ADDM, or DMI, although increases in DMI between trials were associated with decreases in MRT. ADDM was consistent within individuals between trials; but the mean values ranged from 75.0 to 83.4% among individuals. We found no difference in MRT between the liquid (17.5±1.6,hr) and particulate (17.9±1.4 hr) markers. Although these values were not significantly different than found previously, the MRT for chromium-mordanted fiber tended to be longer. This probably reflects the relatively small size of the chromium-mordanted fiber particles used in this study. An inverse relationship between particle size and MRT was evident; the mean MRT of polysterene beads, the largest marker, was only 8.3±1.5,hr. Marmosets appear to retain liquids and small particles within the gut longer than large particles. Am. J. Primatol. 71:957,963, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

    Associative effects of supplementing rice straw-based diet with cornstarch on intake, digestion, rumen microbes and growth performance of Huzhou lambs

    ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010
    Xian-Dong ZHANG
    ABSTRACT Thirty-six male Hu lambs consuming a rice straw-based diet were used in a 60-day trial to study the associative effects of cornstarch supplementation on intake, digestion, ruminal microbial population and growth performance. All animals were fed rice straw ad libitum together with 160 g/day of rapeseed meal and supplemented with cornstarch at levels of 0 (control), 60, 120 or 180 g/day, respectively. Increment of supplementary cornstarch showed little influence on rice straw intake. Optimal growth performance and highest apparent digestibility of organic matter was achieved in the 120 g/day cornstarch group (P < 0.05), while the digestibilities of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein were significantly decreased by 180 g/day cornstarch (P < 0.05). Similar results were observed for carboxymethyl cellulose activity and relative populations of cellulolytic bacteria (Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Fibrobacter succinogene). Blood urea nitrogen was reduced by supplementary cornstarch, indicating enhanced protein utilization efficiency. Carcass traits were all significantly improved by supplementary cornstarch. These results suggested that proper amounts of starch supplementation (within 0.5% BW) has little adverse effect on forage utilization, but could effectively improve growth performance. High levels of cornstarch, however, would decrease cellulase activity and populations of cellulolytic bacteria, and hence the digestibility of forage. [source]

    Effect of soybean hull supplementation to finishing pigs on the emission of noxious gases from slurry

    ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009
    Yuan WANG
    ABSTRACT Ninety six pigs were assigned on the basis of body weight (BW) to one of four dietary treatments (4 pigs per pen and 6 pens per treatment) and fed for 4 weeks. Four 14.85% CP diets were formulated to contain graded levels of soybean hulls at 0, 5, 10, or 15%, respectively. The results showed that treatments did not affect growth performance. Coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) for dry matter (DM) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with the addition level of soybean hulls. Slurry ammonia nitrogen (NH3 -N) was not affected with the increased soybean hulls levels, but volatile fatty acids (VFA) were linearly (P < 0.05) increased. Slurry pH and ammonia (NH3) emissions were significantly decreased by the addition of soybean hulls (Linear, P < 0.05). Conversely, slurry hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emissions exhibited an increase with the addition of soybean hulls (Linear, P < 0.10). Our data indicate that soybean hulls inclusion can decrease slurry pH value and NH3 emission without any negative influence on growth performance. [source]

    Influence of replacing brewers' grains with green tea grounds on feed intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics of wethers

    ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2008
    Chuncheng XU
    ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to examine feed intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal fermentation and blood components of wethers fed diets containing increasing levels of wet green tea grounds (WGTG). The experimental design was a 4 × 4 Latin square with four wethers in four 15-day periods. Wethers were allowed access to diets ad libitum, and allotted to one of four treatments in which WGTG replaced 0% (no WGTG added, CTG), 5% (low level, LBG), 10% (medium level, MTG), and 15% (high level, HTG) of total mixed ration (TMR) dry matter (DM) as wet brewers grains (WBG). All TMR silages were ensiled for 120 days and, irrespective of the WGTG addition, they were well preserved with a high lactic acid content, low pH and ammonia-N contents. There were no differences among treatments in feed intake, with the exception of ether extract intake (P = 0.032). Digestibilities for LTG and MTG treatments were not different from CTG. However, the organic matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and energy digestibilities for HTG treatment were lower than the CTG (P < 0.05). As the level of WGTG increased, nitrogen intake did not differ, but fecal nitrogen increased (P = 0.002), while urinary nitrogen decreased (P < 0.001). No differences among treatments were found in pH level and volatile fatty acids concentrations. However, the ruminal ammonia-N of the HTG silage was lower than for the CTG silage at all times (P < 0.05). Increasing concentrations of WGTG in the TMR silage decreased (P = 0.019) plasma urea nitrogen content. Therefore, the possible mixing proportion of WGTG for TMR silages can be 10% of the diet DM. [source]

    Performance factors, body composition and digestion characteristics of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fed pelleted or extruded diets

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 4 2009
    B. VENOU
    Abstract The effects of steam pelleting or extrusion of a commercial feed on performance of 2 g (small) and 40 g (large) gilthead sea bream was studied. In addition the apparent digestibility of diets, gastric evacuation time (GET) and trypsin and amylase activities were measured in large fish. Fish size significantly increased protein and energy productive value, body protein and lipid, liver glycogen and liver lipid, however decreased daily growth index, feed intake and feed utilization, body moisture and hepatosomatic index. Extrusion processing decreased feed intake, more strongly for small fish, and increased daily growth index, feed utilization, protein and energy productive value, body protein and lipid. Digestibility of starch and energy increased with extrusion and GET of extruded feed was double that of steam-pelleted conditioned feed (i.e. 544 min versus 284 min). Digestive enzyme activities approached maximum values after 240 min for the pelleted diet, while those of the extruded continued to increase, at higher rates for amylase than trypsin. Pelleted diet indicated higher moisture for stomach digesta, while the moisture of the intestinal precipitate indicated a higher water-binding capacity for the extruded diet. The overall results indicate a better assimilation of the extruded diet, which could result from its prolonged gastric evacuation. [source]

    Comparative performance of juvenile red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, reared in laboratory with fresh kelp and balanced diets

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 2 2009
    Z. GARCIA-ESQUIVEL
    Abstract Juvenile Haliotis rufescens were reared in the laboratory in order to investigate the extent to which fresh kelp and formulated feeds with 250 g kg,1 (25P) and 380 g kg,1 protein content (38P) affected their growth rate, gut residence time (GRT), food consumption (C), food conversion ratio (FCR) and digestibility. Abalone from 38P attained the highest growth rate (70.5 ± 4.2 ,m day,1; 98.3 ± 6.95 ,g day,1), followed by 25P (47.9 ± 2.79 ,m day,1; 67.4 ± 2.82 ,g day,1) and kelp (23.6 ± 3.36 ,m day,1; 28.2 ± 4.11 ,g day,1). No significant differences were observed in consumption rate among treatments (0.61,0.68% body weight per day), yet kelp-fed abalone exhibited higher FCR (2.44), protein efficiency ratio (4.42), and apparent digestibility of dry matter (69.5%), protein (69.8%) and gross energy (79.2%) than 38P organisms (59.8, 62.4 and 62.2%, respectively). They also showed longer GRT (23.1 ± 0.93 h). This study demonstrated that formulated diets with 250 g kg,1 and 380 g kg,1 protein inclusion can sustain higher growth rates of juvenile H. rufescens than fresh algae. These differences seem to be due to the amount of dietary protein. Kelp meal appears to improve the consumption and digestibility of balanced diets, and its inclusion in formulated diets is recommended. [source]