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Soybean Meal (soybean + meal)
Kinds of Soybean Meal Selected AbstractsReplacement of Fish Meal with Soybean Meal in the Production Diets of Juvenile Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanusJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2005D. Allen Davis The replacement of fish meal with soybean meal in fish diets has met with varying degrees of success. Quite often, poor responses to high soybean meal diets are either due to shifts in the nutrient profile or a reduced palatability of the diet when fish meal is removed. The present research was designed to evaluate the replacement of menhaden fish meal with solvent-extracted soybean meal in practical diets containing 10% poultry by-product meal and formulated to contain 40% protein, 8% lipid, and a total sulfur amino acid content of > 3.0% of the protein. The response of red snapper (mean initial weight 10.9 g) to diets containing graded levels of fish meal (30,20, 10, 0%) as well as the response to a low fish meal diet (10%) without poultry by-product meal were evaluated over a 6-wk growth period. Significant (P± 0.05) differences in final mean weight, percent weight gain, and feed conversion were observed. Final weights (percent gain) ranged from 30.9 g (185.5%) for fish offered diets with 30% fish meal to 12.6 g (16.3%) for fish offered diets with 0% fish meal. Corresponding feed conversion efficiencies ranged from 60.1% to 7.7%. No significant differences were observed for survival between treatment means. Although there was a clear reduction in performance as the fish meal was replaced with soybean meal, the use of 10% poultry by-product meal or 10% fish meal resulted in similar performance of the fish. This is a good indication that poultry by-product meal does not have palatability problems and could be used as a substitute. The present findings suggest that replacing fish meal with high levels of soybean meal appears to reduce the palatability of the diet. While the cost reducing benefit, with respect to the replacement of fish meal, has been shown with other species, before high levels of inclusion can be efficiently utilized further research is needed to address the palatability problems observed with red snapper. [source] Soybean meal alters autochthonous microbial populations, microvilli morphology and compromises intestinal enterocyte integrity of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 9 2009D L Merrifield Abstract Rainbow trout were fed either a diet containing fishmeal (FM) as the crude protein source or a diet containing 50% replacement with soybean meal (SBM) for 16 weeks. An enteritis-like effect was observed in the SBM group; villi, enterocytes and microvilli were noticeably damaged compared with the FM group. The posterior intestine microvilli of SBM-fed fish were significantly shorter and the anterior intestine microvilli significantly less dense than the FM-fed fish. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of autochthonous bacterial populations associated with microvilli of both fish groups. Reduced density of microvilli consequently led to increased exposure of enterocyte tight junctions, which combined with necrotic enterocytes is likely to diminish the protective barrier of the intestinal epithelium. No significant differences in total viable counts of culturable microbial populations were found between the groups in any of the intestinal regions. A total of 1500 isolates were tentatively placed into groups or genera, according to standard methods. Subsequent partial 16S rRNA sequencing revealed species that have not been identified from the rainbow trout intestine previously. Compared with the FM group levels of Psychrobacter spp. and yeast were considerably higher in the SBM group; a reduction of Aeromonas spp. was also observed. [source] Substitution of plant protein for fish meal in the diet of laying ducksANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2007Narin THONGWITTAYA ABSTRACT Fish meal is a good source of protein feed that can be used to get a high production yield even though it has a comparatively higher price. Plant protein has been found to substitute for fish meal without any adverse effect on production as well as helping to reduce feed cost. Moreover, it is not necessary for a level more than 5% fish meal in the diet of laying ducks. One type of plant protein is soybean meal, considered one of the most valuable sources of vegetable protein and whose amino acid composition is comparable to that of milk protein. In a soybean meal, the first limiting amino acid is methionine. Soybean meal can substitute for fish meal in laying ducks' diet but supplementation of methionine and lysine is recommended. Since sesame meal is rich in methionine and agrinine, 50% of soybean meal can be replaced by sesame meal without adverse effects. Leucaena leaf meal is also a valuable source of protein (26%) and carotenoids but it also has a toxic amino acid (mimosine). However, soaking leucaena leaf meal in water can remove the toxic amino acid and can be used, together with added methionine and lysine, as 10% of the diet for laying ducks. [source] Evaluation of the influence of different species and cultivars of lupin kernel meal on the extrusion process, pellet properties and viscosity parameters of salmonid feedsAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 1 2010B. GLENCROSS Abstract This study examined the influence of different lupin species and cultivars and their inclusion levels on the physical properties of an extruded diet. Lupin kernel meals were included into a fish diet formulation at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%. Soybean meal was also included in a series of diets on a similar basis as a reference. The diet mashes were extruded using a laboratory-scale APV19:45 twin-screw extruder. The pellets were examined for radial expansion, bulk density, vacuum oil uptakes, sink rate, shear and crush strengths. Inclusion of lupin kernel meal significantly increased bulk density, sink rate, shear and crush strength of the pellets. With the increase in lupin kernel meal inclusion level, a concomitant decline in vacuum oil uptake and radial expansion was also observed. An assessment of the diet mashes using a Rapid Visco Analyser showed that the inclusion of lupin kernel meals increased the rate and degree of gelatinization of the mash starch content compared with that with a similar inclusion level of soybean meal. The inclusion of lupin kernel meals in the diet mash also improved the water-holding capacity of the extrudate, which has important implications for the reduction in extruder wear. [source] Variation in commercial sources of soybean meal influences the severity of enteritis in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 5 2009P.A. URÁN Abstract Soybean meal (SBM) is a potential alternative for the replacement of fishmeal in aquafeeds. In Atlantic salmon, however, dietary SBM causes an inflammation of the distal intestine, known as SBM-induced enteritis. The objective of the present study is to verify whether different (geographically spread) commercial sources of SBM yield contrasting inflammatory responses. To do so, six SBM batches from different origins were included in the Atlantic salmon diets at the level of 20%. After 4 weeks of feeding, the distal intestine of the salmon was sampled and scored by a semi-quantitative scoring system, which assessed six separated parameters, characterizing the extent of enteritis. The overall mean score as well as the score of the separate parameters varied between the different commercial sources of SBM included in the diet. The variation in SBM caused different degrees of disparity in the score of the separate parameters. The parameter that was most affected by the variation in the source of SBM was the disappearance of supranuclear vacuoles in enterocytes. In contrast, the increase in goblet cells showed the smallest variation between the different SBM sources. This study shows that different commercial sources of SBM can result in differences in the severity of SBM-induced enteritis in Atlantic salmon. [source] Influence of lipase and/or emulsifier addition on the ileal and faecal nutrient digestibility in growing pigs fed diets containing 4% animal fat,JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 12 2004NA Dierick Abstract Information on the addition of lipase and/or emulsifiers to less digestible or saturated fat sources, such as tallow or other animal fats, used in swine feeding is very limited. Therefore, in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, the effects of adding lipase (0.05% L5, microbial source) and/or an emulsifier (0.3% Lysoforte) on the apparent ileal (AID) and faecal (AFD) digestibility of the main nutrients and fatty acids in particular were studied with four ileal-cannulated growing pigs (female, initial live weight 20 kg) fed diets containing barley/soybean meal supplemented with 4% animal fat. The fat source contained 35% saturated (S) and 65% unsaturated (U) fatty acids. All diets were free of antibacterial substances (antibiotics, copper sulphate or zinc oxide beyond requirements), in order to avoid interactions between the parameters studied and the gut flora. Lipase addition did not affect the AID or AFD of fat. However, the digestibility of minor fatty acids (C6:0, C14:0) was significantly improved by lipase at both ileal and faecal level. On the other hand, lipase supplementation (P < 0.05) improved the AID of dry matter (DM) and energy as well as the AFD of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ash and energy. Addition of an emulsifier did not have any significant influence on the AID or AFD of fat, while the AID values of DM, OM, CP and energy as well as the AFD values of DM, OM, CP and ash were significantly (P < 0.05) improved. Adding lipase in combination with an emulsifier to the diets decreased (P < 0.05) the AID and AFD of fat, with minor effects on the AID and AFD of the non-fat components of the diet. The lack of improvement in the digestion of fat by exogenous lipase and/or emulsifier may be related to the rather high U/S ratio (0.65:0.35) of the animal fat source used and to the mode of incorporation of the emulsifier (no pre-dispersion in the fat source). Furthermore, during the trial the diets, stored at room temperature, showed a steady increase in their content of free fatty acids (to more than 700 g kg,1 fat), due to endogenous lipase activity, leaving less room for upgrading the digestion of animal fat by exogenous lipase and/or emulsifier. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Optimization of the extraction and purification of oligosaccharides from defatted soybean mealINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2003Suna Kim Summary Optimization of the extraction of oligosaccharides from defatted soybean meal (DSM) was investigated under various conditions. The optimal ratio of water to DSM and optimal temperature for oligosaccharide extraction was 5:1 and 50 °C, respectively. The use of a stirring process, without any further grinding, improved the extractability of oligosaccharides from DSM, a 10% ethanol-water solution was more effective than distilled water alone. To purify the oligosaccharides, ultrafiltration was used. More than 90% of the protein was removed from the extracts at a volume concentration ratio (VCR) of 3,5. The percentages of fructose, sucrose, raffinose and stachyose in permeate for a VCR of 5 were 38.6, 51.4, 54.2 and 52.6%, respectively. A VCR of 5 was the most effective for protein removal and recovery of oligosaccharides. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Application of soybean meal, soy protein concentrate and isolate differing in , -galactosides content to low- and high-fibre diets in growing turkeysJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 5 2010Z. Zdu, czyk Summary The aim of this experiment was to investigate the physiological and growth response of young turkeys (up to 8 weeks of age) to dietary replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by soy protein concentrate (PC) or protein isolate (PI). This replacement resulted in a differentiated dietary concentration of , -galactosides of over 2.5% in the SBM diet, approximately 2% with a mixture SBM and PC, 1% with a PC diet and 0.1% with a PI diet. Each treatment was applied in two ways: with lower (3.5%) or higher (5.3%) dietary crude fibre content, made by supplementation with soybean hulls. The highest and lowest body weight of turkeys was recorded both after the first and second 4-week half of the study in the PC and PI-type diets respectively. A gradual withdrawal of , -galactosides from a diet was accompanied by a decline in ileal tissue mass, ileal viscosity and activity of endogenous maltase (the latter was found to be significant at 4 weeks of age). At the same time, two-way anova revealed that an elevated level of crude fibre (HF treatment) caused an increase in ileal tissue mass (p < 0.05 after 4 weeks of feeding) as well as a decrease in activity level of intestinal sucrase and maltase. The presence of raffinose family oligosaccharides in a diet, in contrast to dietary crude fibre level, significantly affected the caecal metabolism. The rate of bacterial production of short-chain fatty acids in the caeca was distinctly diminished by dietary withdrawal of , -galactosides. In conclusion, the soy protein concentrate, in contrast to the protein isolate preparation, exerted positive effects on the turkeys' growth and gastrointestinal tract physiology and should be considered as an effective SBM substitute. [source] Metabolic and productive response to ruminal protein degradability in early lactation cows fed untreated or xylose-treated soybean meal-based dietsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 6 2009M. Jahani-Moghadam Summary Effects of different dietary rumen undegradable (RUP) to degradable (RDP) protein ratios on ruminal nutrient degradation, feed intake, blood metabolites and milk production were determined in early lactation cows. Four multiparous (43 ± 5 days in milk) and four primiparous (40 ± 6 days in milk) tie-stall-housed Holstein cows were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 21-day periods. Each period had 14-day of adaptation and 7-day of sampling. Diets contained on a dry matter (DM) basis, 23.3% alfalfa hay, 20% corn silage and 56.7% concentrate. Cows were first offered alfalfa hay at 7:00, 15:00 and 23:00 hours, and 30 min after each alfalfa hay delivery were offered a mixture of corn silage and concentrate. Treatments were diets with RUP:RDP ratios of (i) 5.2:11.6 (control), (ii) 6.1:10.6, (iii) 7.1:9.5 and (iv) 8.1:8.5, on a dietary DM% basis. Different RUP:RDP ratios were obtained by partial and total replacement of untreated soybean meal (SBM) with xylose-treated SBM (XSBM). In situ study using three rumen-cannulated non-lactating cows showed that DM and crude protein (CP) of SBM had greater rapidly degradable fractions. The potentially degradable fractions were degraded more slowly in XSBM. Treatment cows produced greater milk, protein, lactose, solids-non-fat and total solids than control cows. Increasing RUP:RDP reduced blood urea linearly. Feed costs dropped at RUP:RDP ratios of 6.1:10.6 and 7.1:9.5, but not at 8.1:8.5, compared with the 5.2:11.6 ratio. Intake of DM and CP, rumen pH, blood glucose, albumin and total protein, faecal and urine pH, changes in body weight and body condition score, and milk lactose and solids-non-fat percentages did not differ among treatments. Results provide evidence that increasing dietary RUP:RDP ratio from 5.2:11.6 to 7.1:9.5 optimizes nitrogen metabolism and milk production and reduces feed costs in early lactation cows. Reduced blood urea suggests reprodutive benefits. [source] Selenium supplementation and selenium status of dairy cows fed diets based on grass, grass silage or maize silageJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2002M. GIERUS In three separate trial series (TS) the effect of diet composition on selenium (Se) status of dairy cows were investigated. Diets were formulated based mainly on grass (TS1), grass silage (TS2) or maize silage (TS3) with different levels of Se supplementation. Each TS comprised a total of 30 dairy cows and contained one treatment group without Se supplementation (control) and two groups with increasing levels of Se supplementation (levels 1 and 2). Selenium was administered as Na-selenite. The control groups of the different TS showed a very low Se supply of 38,54 ,g Se/kg DM. At level 1 the Se supply was increased to 102,165 ,g Se/kg DM and at level 2 was 294,373 ,g Se/kg DM. After completion of the 6-week trials the average plasma Se concentration of the control cows (without Se supplementation) across all TS was 21.5 ,g/l; this increased significantly following Se supplementation, to 37.7 ,g/l at level 1 and 61.5 ,g/l at level 2. The plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of the control cows averaged 67 U/l, rising considerably after supplementation at level 1 to a value of 101 U/l, but showed little further increase at level 2 with a mean value of 120 U/l. By contrast, the average Se content of the milk was unchanged in the control and level 1 groups at 10.5 ,g/kg and 10.9 ,g/kg, respectively, and only increased markedly after supplementation at level 2 to a mean value of 15.1 ,g/kg. The diet based on maize silage, while having a similar Se content as the grass and grass silage-based diets, resulted in a slightly improved Se status, which is due to a higher Se intake from soybean meal. [source] Effect of inclusion of blue-green algae meal on growth and accumulation of microcystins in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 1 2006M. Zhao Summary Six isonitrogenous (crude protein content: 38%) and isoenergetic (gross energy content: 17 kJ g,1) diets were formulated to investigate the effects of inclusion of blue-green algae meal on gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). In each diet, 15% of the protein was supplied by fishmeal; the remainder was supplied by soybean meal and blue-green algae meal. Diet 1 was used as control with no blue-green algae meal whereas the content in diets 2,6 was 15.15, 29.79, 44.69, 59.58 and 74.48%, respectively. Each diet was fed to five groups of gibel carp for 12 weeks in a flow-through system. Final body weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diet 5 were significantly lower than the control diet (P < 0.05). Mortality of gibel carp increased with increase in algae meal inclusion (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between fish fed diets 3,6 (P > 0.05). Feed conversion efficiency (FCE) decreased with the increase in algae meal inclusion (P < 0.05). Fish-fed diet 6 showed the highest feeding rate (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences among the other groups (P > 0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter, protein, and energy decreased with increasing algae meal inclusion in the diets (P < 0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) activity in the liver was not significantly different among groups (P > 0.05). Liver alanine aminotransferase (GPT) activity of fish-fed diets 4, 5 and 6 was significantly lower than the control diet (diet 1; P < 0.05). Microcystins in the muscle, liver, gallbladder, and spleen increased with increasing algae inclusion (P < 0.05). [source] Growth and product quality of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) as affected by dietary protein and lipid sourcesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 2 2003U. Luzzana Summary A 12-week feeding trial was undertaken to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of marine raw materials in the diet with soybean meal and beef tallow on growth and product quality of European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Based on growth, feed efficiency and chemical composition, soybean meal was found to be an unsuitable ingredient for eel diets as a substitute for fishmeal (25% on a protein basis), probably because of the low digestibility of its carbohydrate content. However, beef tallow can be used to replace 50% of fish oil without reduction in growth, provided that digestible carbohydrates are present in the diet. No major effects of protein and lipid sources in the diet were found on fillet chemical composition. Sensory analysis revealed no significant differences between fish fed the control and the experimental diets, with the exception of salty taste which was significantly higher in fish fed combined soybean meal and beef tallow compared with fish fed the control diet. [source] A study of antifungal antibiotic production by Thermomonospora sp MTCC 3340 using full factorial designJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2003Monali Gupte Abstract The three independent variables, viz concentration of carbon source (glucose), concentration of nitrogen source (soybean meal) and temperature of incubation were found to be the most important for production of antifungal antibiotic by the isolate Thermomonospora sp MTCC 3340 from one-factor-at-a-time study. These variables were varied at three levels in a total number of 27 experiments designed using full factorial design. The results on analysis using the statistical software SPSS (version 6.0) indicated that the optimum combination of the three factors for the maximum yield of the antibiotic was concentration of carbon source (glucose) 2%, concentration of nitrogen source (soybean meal) 1% and temperature of incubation 30 °C. A close fit between experimental and predicted values of the antifungal yield was obtained using one of the modes derived from the statistical analysis, indicating that this model was applicable to this production. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Soybean meal alters autochthonous microbial populations, microvilli morphology and compromises intestinal enterocyte integrity of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 9 2009D L Merrifield Abstract Rainbow trout were fed either a diet containing fishmeal (FM) as the crude protein source or a diet containing 50% replacement with soybean meal (SBM) for 16 weeks. An enteritis-like effect was observed in the SBM group; villi, enterocytes and microvilli were noticeably damaged compared with the FM group. The posterior intestine microvilli of SBM-fed fish were significantly shorter and the anterior intestine microvilli significantly less dense than the FM-fed fish. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of autochthonous bacterial populations associated with microvilli of both fish groups. Reduced density of microvilli consequently led to increased exposure of enterocyte tight junctions, which combined with necrotic enterocytes is likely to diminish the protective barrier of the intestinal epithelium. No significant differences in total viable counts of culturable microbial populations were found between the groups in any of the intestinal regions. A total of 1500 isolates were tentatively placed into groups or genera, according to standard methods. Subsequent partial 16S rRNA sequencing revealed species that have not been identified from the rainbow trout intestine previously. Compared with the FM group levels of Psychrobacter spp. and yeast were considerably higher in the SBM group; a reduction of Aeromonas spp. was also observed. [source] Response to soy: T-cell-like reactivity in the intestine of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 1 2007A M Bakke-McKellep Abstract T-cell-mediated hypersensitivity could be central in soybean meal (SBM)-induced intestinal changes in salmon. However, tools for immunohistochemical detection of T cells have been lacking in teleosts, including Atlantic salmon. Application of a specific histochemical protocol allowed demonstration of T-cell-like reactivities in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues using an antibody reacting to a conserved region of human CD3, (Dako A0452). Characteristic staining was observed in cells of the thymus as well as distal intestine, skin, gills and spleen. These cells were negative for immunoglobulin M (IgM). Intestinal intraepithelial leucocytes were CD3, positive. During the SBM-induced enteropathy, the mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria of the distal intestine included many lymphocytes with a T-cell-like reactivity. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed significantly increased expression of a complex polypeptide (CD3pp), CD4 and CD8, (P < 0.05) in the distal intestine of SBM-fed fish compared to fish meal-fed reference fish. Increased reactivity for extracellular IgM in the lamina propria and a positive material between the epithelial cells at the tips of the folds was observed, possibly due to leakage of IgM through an abrogated epithelial barrier. In conclusion, a T-cell-like response appears to be involved in this example of a food-sensitive enteropathy. [source] Changes in immune and enzyme histochemical phenotypes of cells in the intestinal mucosa of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., with soybean meal-induced enteritisJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 2 2000A M Bakke-McKellep Extracted soybean meal (SBM) in the diet for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., causes an inflammatory response in the distal intestine. The morphological changes of the epithelial cells and a characterization of the inflammatory cell infiltrate of the distal intestinal mucosa were studied using a panel of enzyme and immunohistochemical markers. The salmon (average body weight 927 g) used in the study were fed either a fishmeal-based diet (control diet) or a diet in which 30% of the fishmeal protein was replaced with SBM protein (SBM diet). In salmon fed SBM, there were markedly reduced enzyme reactivities in the distal intestinal epithelial cells, both in the brush border [5,-nucleotidase (5,N), Mg2+-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP)] and in the intracellular structures [alkaline and acid phosphatase, non-specific esterase (NSE) and alanine aminopeptidase (AAP)]. There appeared to be an increased presence of cells of monocytic lineage, including macrophages, as well as neutrophilic granulocytes and immunoglobulin (Ig) M in the lamina propria of the SBM-fed fish. The mid intestine showed little response to the diet. The results suggest that toxic/antigenic component(s) of SBM affect the differentiation of the distal intestinal epithelial cells and may help explain the reduced nutrient digestibilities previously reported in salmonids fed extracted SBM. [source] Effect of extrusion on in situ ruminal protein degradability and in vitro digestibility of undegraded protein from different feedstuffsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 15 2008Estela M Solanas Abstract BACKGROUND: The effect of extruding maize, barley, whole soybean (WSB), peas, lupins and soybean meal (SBM) on their in situ ruminal protein degradability and in vitro digestibility of the rumen undegraded protein (RUP) was studied. Two mixtures containing 0.75 WSB or lupins and 0.25 maize were also formulated. RESULTS: Extrusion of maize resulted in an increase of its effective protein degradability from 0.538 to 0.734 (P < 0.001), whereas the opposite occurred with barley (from 0.854 to 0.797; P < 0.001). Extrusion increased the in vitro digestibility of the RUP of both cereals, increasing therefore the amount of barley crude protein (CP) digested in the intestines (PDI) from 62 to 176 g kg,1 CP (P < 0.01), whereas maize resulted in lower (332 versus 229 g kg,1 CP; P < 0.01). Extrusion decreased (P < 0.001) the protein degradability of the three legume seeds and increased (P < 0.001) the in vitro digestibility of the RUP, resulting in a PDI increase (P < 0.001), from 60 to 367 g kg,1 CP for peas, from 69 to 265 g kg,1 CP for WSB and from 107 to 205 g kg,1 CP for lupins. This effect was enhanced when WSB was extruded jointly with maize. The extrusion of SBM also resulted in an increase in the PDI from 296 to 384 g kg,1 CP (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Extrusion decreases the rumen protein degradability of legume seeds, soybean meal and barley, and increases the digestibility of the RUP, resulting in an increase in the feed protein digested in intestine. The extrusion of soybean seeds together with maize enhances these effects. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Comparative assessment of soybean meal with high and low glucosinolate rapeseed,mustard cake as protein supplement on performance of growing crossbred calvesJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 5 2008S Ravichandiran Abstract BACKGROUND: Feeding of high glucosinolate rapeseed,mustard cakes (RMCs) imparts adverse effects on dry matter (DM) intake, health and overall performance of animals. Recently, plant breeding efforts have resulted in many cultivars of RMCs containing low to moderate levels of glucosinolate in India. The feeding value of RMC cultivars with high and low glucosinolate was evaluated relative to commonly used soybean meal as a protein supplement in growing crossbred calves. RESULTS: Eighteen growing crossbred calves (62.9 ± 3.8 kg body weight) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments SBM, LG and HG containing soybean meal, low glucosinolate B. napus (15 µmol glucosinolates g,1) and high glucosinolate B. juncea (135 µmol glucosinolates g,1), respectively. Although daily intake of total DM and wheat straw did not differ (P > 0.05) among the dietary treatments, intake (g/kgW0.75) of concentrate moiety decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) with increasing glucosinolate levels in diets. Nutrient digestibility and balances of N, Ca and P by calves were similar (P > 0.05) among dietary treatments. However, average daily gain (g) decreased and feed conversion ratio values increased quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing glucosinolate levels. Serum metabolic profile and triiodothyronine remained within the normal range; however, thyroxine changed quadratically. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that while high glucosinolate RMCs may reduce the palatability and consequently growth rate in crossbred calves, SBM can be replaced completely by low glucosinolate rapeseed without compromising their performance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Dietary oligochitosan supplementation enhances immune status of broilersJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 1 2007Rui-Lin Huang Abstract Oligochitosan (COS) is a type of prebiotic, which favourably alters the intestinal microflora balance, inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, promotes good digestion and boosts immune function. The effect of dietary COS supplementation on immune function in broilers was assessed by feeding graded levels (0, 50, 100, 150 mg kg,1) of COS. Two thousand four hundred male commercial Avian® broilers (1 day old) were assigned randomly to five dietary treatment groups (60 birds/pen with eight pens per treatment). Diet A was a typical maize- and soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 6 mg kg,1 antibiotics of flavomycin (positive control). Diet B was the basal diet without any supplement. Diets C, D and E were formulated by addition of 50, 100, 150 mg kg,1 of COS to the basal diet, respectively. On the morning of days 21 and 42, a total of 64 (eight birds/pen with eight pens per treatment) of the growth experimental birds were killed by cervical dislocation, respectively for determination of serum concentrations of IgG, IgA and IgM, and weights of spleen, bursa and thymus. Compared with broilers fed the control and the positive control diets, dietary supplementation with COS increased (P < 0.001) serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM, with the greatest response for the 100 mg kg,1COS supplementation. Chitosan oligosaccharides supplementation also enhanced the immune organ development. Results suggest COS can improve immune response in birds. Through positive modulation of the immune response, COS has great potential as an effective, antibiotic-like growth promoter for poultry. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Chemical composition and nutritive value of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) in ratsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2005Pascal Leterme Abstract The peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is the starchy fruit of a palm tree widely cultivated in Central and South America. The present study aimed at determining its chemical composition and its nutritive value in rats. The average chemical composition of 17 samples was as follows: 410 g kg,1 water and, in g kg,1 of dry matter (DM), 54 g crude protein, 114 g oil, 39 g neutral detergent fibre, 716 g starch, 21 g sugars and 18 g ash. The main variability was observed for the oil (60,180 g kg,1 DM) and starch (590,780 g DM) contents. The proteins contained, on average, in g kg,1 of proteins, 49 g lysine, 13 g methionine, 19 g cysteine, 39 g threonine and 7 g tryptophan. The mineral fraction contained, per kg DM: 1.0 g Ca, 0.8 g P, 0.6 g Mg, 0.3 g Na, 44 mg Fe, 4 mg Cu and 10 mg Zn. The digestibility of four peach palm genotypes was determined in rats fed a diet composed of 350 g kg,1 of peach palm and 650 g of a control diet based on maize and soybean meal. The digestibility of DM, energy, starch and protein of peach palm alone reached, on average 91, 87, 96 and 95%, respectively. No difference was observed between varieties, except for starch (p < 0.05). On average, peach palm contained 51 g of truly digestible protein kg,1 DM and 3.691 kcal digestible energy kg,1 DM. A growth trial was also carried out for 1 month on rats (initial weight: 78 g) fed a diet containing 0, 200, 400, 600 or 800 g peach palm kg,1, at the expense of a diet composed of maize starch and casein. The growth rate of the rats decreased (p < 0.05) as the peach palm concentration increased. The growth decrease was due to a decrease (p < 0.05) in DM intake and to the lower quality of the peach palm protein. It is concluded that peach palm is mainly an energy source for humans and animals. It is poor in protein and minerals but can be consumed in large amounts. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Nutrient utilisation in response to dietary supplementation of chicory inulin in growing pigsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2004Todd C Rideout Abstract The digestive and post-absorptive utilisation of dietary crude protein (CP), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in response to dietary supplementation of chicory inulin extract was investigated with six Yorkshire barrows with an average initial body weight of 30 kg. The barrows were fed a corn (maize) and soybean meal-based diet containing 0 or 50 g kg,1 chicory inulin extract according to a two-period crossover design. The digestive utilisation of CP, Ca and P did not differ (P > 0.05) between the control and the inulin-fed pigs. Furthermore, the post-absorptive urinary loss of CP and Ca was not affected (P > 0.05) by 50 g kg,1 chicory inulin supplementation. However, inulin supplementation improved post-absorptive P utilisation through a reduction (P = 0.01) in urinary P loss by 1.6 percentage units compared with the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 50 g kg,1 chicory inulin does not affect dietary CP and Ca utilisation but does reduce urinary P loss in growing pigs. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Nutritional evaluation of peas for ducksJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 5 2004Charles M Nyachoti Abstract The nutritive value of four pea cultivars (AC Advantage, Carneval, CDC Mozart and Keoma) and soybean meal (SBM) was evaluated in a 102 h study with 48 male White Pekin ducks. All birds were tube-fed 25 g of dextrose at 24 and 30 h after feed withdrawal, then 25 g of each feedstuff was tube-fed to eight ducks at 48 and 54 h after feed withdrawal. Excreta were quantitatively collected during the next 54 h. Endogenous nitrogen, amino acids and energy per bird in the 54 h collection period were 1.06 ± 0.58 g, 0.047 ± 0.025 g and 0.098 ± 0.049 MJ respectively. There were differences (P < 0.05) in apparent amino acid digestibilities (AAAD) and true amino acid digestibilities (TAAD). On average, AAAD were 82.8, 82.0, 70.3, 82.4 and 77.7% and TAAD were 89.4, 89.2, 82.3, 89.5 and 85.3% for SBM, AC Advantage, Carneval, CDC Mozart and Keoma respectively. The nitrogen-corrected apparent and true metabolisable energy values did not differ among the pea diets and were 13.36 ± 0.071 and 14.59 ± 0.071 MJ kg,1 respectively. Respective values for SBM were 12.16 ± 0.16 and 13.39 ± 0.16 MJ kg,1 and both were lower (P < 0.05) than in peas. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effect of tannic acid on in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis of some protein sourcesJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 5 2003Tomás F Martínez Abstract The pH-stat system has been used to assess the effect of tannic acid (TA) on solubility and in vitro enzyme hydrolysis of different proteins. Added TA (from 10 to 50 g kg,1) decreased the extent of hydrolysis of bovine serum albumin. Enzymic hydrolysis of casein, pea meal, soybean meal, and haemoglobin (HB) was increased, as measured by total amino acids released and by the degree of hydrolysis. SDS-PAGE confirmed the results of the in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis. These findings suggest that, under in vitro conditions, when simulating the gastrointestinal environment of domestic mammals, the negative effects of TA described from in vivo experiments are not necessarily due to reduced hydrolysis of proteins. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effect of Dietary Protein Sources on Growth and Body Composition of Snail, Semisulcospira gottscheiJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 4 2010Sang-Min Lee A feeding experiment was conducted to determine a dietary protein source for juvenile snail, Semisulcospira gottschei. Eight experimental diets (designated as 1,8) were formulated to contain 31% casein, 42% fish meal, 31% blood meal, 39% meat meal, 46% corn gluten meal, 57% soybean meal, 50% cottonseed meal with 23% casein, and 50% wheat flour with 6% casein, respectively, as dietary sole protein sources. Snails (37 ± 3.4 mg/snail) were randomly distributed into 25 L aquaria (20 L water each) in a recirculating aquarium system at a density of 100 juveniles per aquarium. Three replicate groups of snails were fed one of the experimental diets ad libitum once in every 2 d for 12 wk. At the end of the feeding experiment, survival of snails ranged from 77 to 89%, and was not significantly different among the treatments. Snails fed Diet 7 containing 25.3% crude protein deriving from cottonseed meal and casein grew faster than did snails fed other diets, except for snails fed Diet 6 containing soybean meal as a protein source. Growth of snails fed diets containing blood meal, corn gluten meal, and meat meal was the least of snails fed any diet. Crude protein, crude lipid, and ash contents of whole body varied remarkably with dietary protein source. The present findings suggest that dietary protein source could affect the body weight and proximate composition of snails. Cottonseed meal and soybean meal might be a more preferable dietary protein source for snail juvenile compared with other ingredients tested. [source] Growth and Survival of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Fry Fed Diets with 36 or 45% Total Protein and All Plant or Animal Protein SourcesJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2010Todd D. Sink The basic nutrient requirements for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, are well known, with anecdotal evidence suggesting that catfish fry grow faster and have better survival when fed an animal protein diet. However, the ability to grow channel catfish as small as 11 g on all plant diets and a lack of published data showing the superiority of fish or animal proteins compared to nutritionally equivalent plant proteins for catfish fry indicates that it may be possible to raise channel catfish fry on diets with only plant protein sources. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to compare the effects of 36 and 45% animal protein diets and 36 and 45% all plant protein diets on catfish fry growth and survival. Experimental diets were formulated to contain: 36% all plant protein (primarily from soybean meal); 36% animal and plant protein (,45% of crude protein as fish meal); 45% all plant protein (primarily from soy protein concentrate and soybean meal); and 45% animal and plant protein (,60% of crude protein as fish meal). The catfish were fed at a rate of 20% of body weight daily for 28 d using 24-h automated feeders. Mean ending weights and lengths of catfish fry were not significantly different (P > 0.05) for any treatment. Mean mortality was also not significantly different (P > 0.05) among diets. Regression analysis of growth rate and analysis of variance of final weights revealed that there was no significant difference in growth rate for any of the four diets. These results indicate that growth is not limited in channel catfish fry fed all plant protein diets, and that there is no apparent advantage to the inclusion of animal protein in diets for channel catfish fry. [source] Evaluation of Reduced Fish Meal Diets for Second Year Growout of the Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoidesJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 6 2009Nathan J. Cochran Development of efficient cost-effective diets is a critical component in the refinement of production technologies for the largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (LMB). One of the first steps in reducing feed costs can be to decrease the amount of fish meal in the diet. The objective of this study was to evaluate reduced levels of fish meal, and a least-cost formulation diet, for second year growout of LMB under practical pond conditions. Twelve 0.04-ha ponds were stocked with juvenile LMB (210.1±3.3 g) at a stocking density of 8650 fish/ha (350 fish/pond). Each pond was randomly assigned one of the four dietary treatments with three replicate ponds per treatment. The three experimental diets contained varying levels of fish meal. Diets FM-45, FM-24, and FM-8 contained 45, 23.5, and 8% fish meal, respectively. In diets FM-24 and FM-8, fish meal was replaced by varying levels of poultry by-product meal, soybean meal, and blood meal. The fourth diet was a commercial salmonid diet widely used as a LMB growout feed (Nelson and Sons, Inc., SilvercupTM, Steelhead, Murray, UT, USA). This diet served as a commercial control (CC) and contained 46% crude protein. The experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric with the CC diet and were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 180 d. At harvest, there were no significant differences between treatments (P > 0.05) in terms of survival, which averaged 95% overall. Mean weights of fish fed the three experimental diets FM-45, FM-24 and FM-8 were not significantly different (P > 0.05) and averaged 518, 546, and 529 g, respectively, but were all significantly greater (P, 0.05) than those fed the CC (488 g). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fish fed the FM-45 and FM-8 diets (1.43 and 1.46, respectively) was significantly greater (P, 0.05) than those fed the FM-24 diet (1.34). The FCR of fish fed the CC diet (1.39) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from fish fed other diets. Feed cost per unit of weight gain ($US/kg) was significantly lower (P, 0.05) in fish fed the FM-24 and FM-8 diets ($0.73 and $0.72/kg, respectively) than in fish fed other diets. Feed cost per unit gain of fish fed the FM-45 diet ($0.83/kg) was significantly lower (P, 0.05) than those fed the CC diet ($1.04/kg). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in dress-out percentages or proximate composition among fish fed the four diets. This study indicates that fish meal levels in feeds used for the second year growout of LMB can be reduced to,8% of the formulation without reducing survival or growth and without negatively impacting body composition. [source] Evaluation of Alternative Protein Sources to Replace Fish Meal in Practical Diets for Juvenile Tilapia, Oreochromis sppJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2009Tri N. Nguyen Two feeding experiments were conducted to evaluate if methionine is limiting in practical grow-out diets for tilapia, Oreochromis spp. Four diets containing 32% protein and 5% lipid were designed to compare the use of diets high in dehulled solvent-extracted soybean meal (DSESM) and expeller pressed soybean meal (EPSM) compared with a diet containing 6% fish meal (FM). Tilapia (4.78 ± 0.07 g, mean ± SD) were randomly stocked into twelve 600-L flow-through tanks at 20 fish per tank. After 6 wk, there were no notable trends or statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in final mean weight, survival rate, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the treatments. Because results of this study indicated that DSESM could totally replace FM in practical diets for juvenile tilapia, a second batch of diets were formulated using other protein sources. Typical levels of cottonseed meal (CSM), DSESM, and meat and bone meal (MBM) were used to evaluate whether methionine could be limiting. Two basal diet formulations were tested either without or with methionine supplement (0.06/100 g diet). The first diet contained 15% CSM, 27% DSESM, and 10% MBM and the second diet contained 15% CSM and 37% DSESM. These diets contained 28% protein and 5% lipid. Tilapia (3.90 ± 0.05 g) were randomly stocked into twelve 60-L glass aquaria of a recirculation system at 18 fish per aquarium for 5 wk and then moved to the 600-L flow-through tanks for five more weeks. After 10 wk, there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in final mean weight, survival rate, and FCR among the four treatments. Results of the present study indicated that DSESM and EPSM could totally replace FM's inclusion rate in commercial diets for juvenile tilapia. Furthermore, methionine did not appear to be limiting in practical diets using typical levels of CSM, DSESM, and MBM as primary protein sources. [source] Replacement of Fish Meal with Soybean Meal in the Production Diets of Juvenile Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanusJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2005D. Allen Davis The replacement of fish meal with soybean meal in fish diets has met with varying degrees of success. Quite often, poor responses to high soybean meal diets are either due to shifts in the nutrient profile or a reduced palatability of the diet when fish meal is removed. The present research was designed to evaluate the replacement of menhaden fish meal with solvent-extracted soybean meal in practical diets containing 10% poultry by-product meal and formulated to contain 40% protein, 8% lipid, and a total sulfur amino acid content of > 3.0% of the protein. The response of red snapper (mean initial weight 10.9 g) to diets containing graded levels of fish meal (30,20, 10, 0%) as well as the response to a low fish meal diet (10%) without poultry by-product meal were evaluated over a 6-wk growth period. Significant (P± 0.05) differences in final mean weight, percent weight gain, and feed conversion were observed. Final weights (percent gain) ranged from 30.9 g (185.5%) for fish offered diets with 30% fish meal to 12.6 g (16.3%) for fish offered diets with 0% fish meal. Corresponding feed conversion efficiencies ranged from 60.1% to 7.7%. No significant differences were observed for survival between treatment means. Although there was a clear reduction in performance as the fish meal was replaced with soybean meal, the use of 10% poultry by-product meal or 10% fish meal resulted in similar performance of the fish. This is a good indication that poultry by-product meal does not have palatability problems and could be used as a substitute. The present findings suggest that replacing fish meal with high levels of soybean meal appears to reduce the palatability of the diet. While the cost reducing benefit, with respect to the replacement of fish meal, has been shown with other species, before high levels of inclusion can be efficiently utilized further research is needed to address the palatability problems observed with red snapper. [source] Apparent Digestibility Coefficients of Various Feed Ingredients for Grouper Epinephelus coioidesJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 2 2004Heizhao 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] Effects of Fungal Phytase on Utilization of Dietary Protein and Minerals, and Dephosphorylation of Phytic Acid in the Alimentary Tract of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Fed an All-Plant-Protein DietJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2002Weibing Yan A feeding trial was conducted to quantify the effects of phytase at levels of 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 units (U) per kg diet on utilization of dietary protein and minerals by fingerling (12 g) channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fed an all-plant-protein diet composed of soybean meal, corn, and wheat middlings. The effects of phytase on dephosphorylation of phytic acid (phytate) in the alimentary tract of catfish also were determined. After 14 wk, mean weight gains (30.2,43.9 g/fish), feed conversion ratios (2.27,2.40 g feed consumed/g weight gain), protein efficiency ratios (1.47,1.61 g weight gaid/g protein consumed), and dietary protein retentions (23.8,26.7%) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among treatment groups. A digestibility trial conducted after the feeding trial showed no difference (P > 0.05) in mean digestibility of diet dry matter (49.0,58.3%) or crude protein (85.4-88.5%) among treatment groups. Concentrations of ash (46.7,48.6%), calcium (Ca, 17.9,18.5%), phosphorus (P, 9.1,9.5%), and manganese (Mn, 65.5,74.1 mg/kg) were significantly higher (P , 0.05) in bone of fish fed , 500 U/kg than in bone of fish fed 0 U/kg (ash, 43.5%; Ca, 16.4%; P, 8.4%; and Mn, 49.0 ma/kg), but concentrations of these minerals did not differ (P > 0.05) in bone of fish fed , 500 Uk/g. The magnesium (Mg) content of bone did not differ (P > 0.05) between fish fed 0 U/kg (0.29%) or 500 U/kg (0.34%), but was significantly lower in fish fed 0 U/kg than in fish fed , 1,000 U/kg (0.35,37%). Bone Mg levels did not differ (P > 0.05) among fish fed , 500 U/kg. The amount of zinc (Zn) in bone of fish fed 8,000 U/kg (153.3 mg/kg) was significantly higher than that in fish fed 0 U/kg (115.7 mg/kg) or 500 U/kg (130.3 mg/ kg), but did not differ from Zn levels in bone of fish fed 1,000,4,000 U/kg (134.5,135.8 mg/ kg). Dephosphorylation of phytate occurred primarily in the stomach within 2,8 h after diet ingestion, depending on the level of phytase supplementation. Initial levels of total phytate in the diet decreased 32,94% in stomach contents of fish fed l,000,8,000 U/kg within 2 h after feeding. Eight hours after feeding, stomach contents of fish fed , 1,000 U/kg contained less than 6% of initial total dietary phytate. Stomach contents of fish fed 500 U/kg retained 92% of initial total dietary phytate 2 h after feeding and 15% of total dietary phytate 8 h after feeding. Results of this study indicate that phytase supplementation at levels up to 8,000 U/kg diet did not increase weight gain or improve dietary protein utilization of channel catfish fed an all-plant-protein diet. Addition of phytase at a level of 1,000 U/kg diet was sufficient to significantly increase the Ca, P, Mg, and Mn content of bone, relative to fish fed an unsupplemented diet, and significantly decrease the quantity of total phytate in feces. A phytase level of 8,000 U/kg diet significantly increased the bioavailability of naturally occurring Zn in feed ingredients and increased the rate of phytate dephosphorylation in the stomach, compared with a diet containing no added phytase. Increased utilization of naturally occurring minerals in feed ingredients reduces the need for mineral supplements in diets and results in decreased elimination of minerals in feces. Thus, use of phytase in catfish feeds can be expected to provide both economic and environmental benefits. [source] | ||||||||||||||||