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Direct-fed microbial products (DFM) are probiotics that can be used advantageously in ruminant production. The in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT) is a method to simulate rumen fermentation and can be used to measure degradation, gas production, and products of fermentation of such additives. However, inter-laboratory differences have been reported. Therefore, tests using the same material were used to validate laboratory reproducibility. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of adding two DFM formulations on fermentation kinetics, methane (CH4) production, and feed degradation in two different basal feeds while validating a newly established IVGPT laboratory. Six treatments, with three replicates each, were tested simultaneously at the established IVGPT lab at the University of Copenhagen, and the new IVGPT lab at Chr. Hansen Laboratories. Maize silage (MS) and grass silage (GS) were fermented with and without the following DFM: P1: Ligilactobacillus animalis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii (total 1.5 × 107 CFU/mL), P2: P1 with added Bacillus subtilis and B. licheniformis (total 5.9 × 107 CFU/mL). The DFM were anaerobically incubated in rumen fluid and buffer with freeze-dried silage samples for 48 h. Total gas production (TGP: mL at Standard Temperature and Pressure/gram of organic matter), pH, organic matter degradability (dOM), CH4concentration (MC) and yield (MY), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and profiles were measured after fermentation. No significant differences between the laboratories were detected for any response variables. The dOM of MS (78.3%) was significantly less than GS (81.4%), regardless of the DFM added (P1 and P2). There were no significant differences between the effects of the DFM within the feed type. MS produced significantly more gas than GS after 48 h, but GS with DFM produced significantly more gas at 3 and 9 h and a similar gas volume at 12 h. Both DFM

Background:Coffee hulls obtained from dry processing, have the potential to be used in ruminant diets. Objective: To evaluate the chemical composition and in situ degradability of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of coffee hulls treated with calcium oxide (CaO) in different environmental conditions (EC). Methods: Coffee hulls were subjected to treatments distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of two levels of CaO (0 and 5%, on a DM basis) and two environmental conditions (aerobiosis and anaerobiosis) in a completely randomized design with four replicates, totaling sixteen experimental units. Five-gram samples were incubated in the rumen of two male cattle for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h. Results:Regarding dry matter degradation kinetic parameters, except for fraction b, the potential and effective degradability was affected (p<0.05) by a CaO × EC interaction. As for estimated fiber degradation parameters, the potentially degradable fraction b was affected (p<0.05) by CaO and EC. Treatment with CaO increased fraction b in 4.08 percentage points. Conclusions: The use of CaO in the treatment of coffee hulls increases the effective and potential degradability of DM and reduces the undegradable fiber fraction. Anaerobic condition is the best environment for the treatment of coffee hulls with CaO., Antecedentes: cascas de café obtidas pelo processamento a seco têm potencial de serem usadas na alimentação de ruminantes. Objetivo: avaliar a composição química, a degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca (DM) e da fibra em detergente neutro (NDF) da casca de café tratada com óxido de cálcio (CaO) em diferentes condições de ambiente (EC). Métodos: a casca de café foi submetida aos tratamentos, distribuídos em esquema fatorial 2 × 2, sendo duas doses de CaO (0 e 5% base da matéria seca) e duas condições de ambiente (aeróbico e anaeróbico), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, totalizando dezesseis unidades experimentais. Amostras de cinco gramas foram incubadas no rúmen de dois bovinos machos, nos tempos 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 e 120 horas. Resultados: para os parâmetros cinéticos de degradação da DM, à exceção da fração b, a degradabilidade potencial e efetiva foram afetados (p<0,05) pela interação CaO × EC. Quanto aos parâmetros estimados da degradação da fibra, a fração potencialmente degradável (b) apresentou efeito (p<0,05) para CaO e EC. O tratamento com CaO promoveu aumento da fração b em 4,08 pontos percentuais. Conclusões: a utilização do CaO no tratamento da casca de café promove aumento da degradabilidade efetiva e potencial da DM e redução da fração indegradável da fibra. A condição de anaerobiose constitui-se no melhor ambiente para o tratamento da casca de café com CaO., Antecedentes: la cáscara de café obtenida por procesamiento en seco presenta potencial de uso en la alimentación de rumiantes. Objetivo: Evaluar la composición química, la degradabilidad in situ de la materia seca (DM) y de la fibra detergente neutra (NDF) de la cascara de café tratada con óxido de calcio (CaO) en diferentes condiciones ambientales (EC). Métodos: la cáscara de café fue sometida a tratamientos distribuidos en un diseño factorial 2 x 2, dos dosis de CaO (0 a 5% en base seca), y dos condiciones ambientales (aeróbica y anaeróbica) en un diseño completamente al azar con cuatro repeticiones, totalizando dieciséis unidades experimentales. Las muestras de cinco gramos se incubaron en el rumen de dos bovinos machos durante 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 y 120 horas. Resultados: para los parámetros cinéticos de degradación de la DM, a excepción de la fracción b, la degradabilidad potencial y efectiva fueron afectadas (p<0,05) por la interacción CaO × EC. En cuanto a los parámetros estimados de la degradación de la fibra, la fracción potencialmente degradable b presentó efecto (p<0,05) para CaO y EC. El tratamiento con CaO promovió un aumento de la fracción b en 4,08 puntos porcentuales. Conclusión: la utilización del CaO para el tratamiento de la cáscara de café aumenta la degradabilidad efectiva y potencial de la DM y reducción de la fracción no degradable de la fibra. La condición de anaerobiosis se constituye en el mejor ambiente para el tratamiento de la cascara de café con CaO.

Background:Coffee hulls obtained from dry processing, have the potential to be used in ruminant diets. Objective: To evaluate the chemical composition and in situ degradability of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of coffee hulls treated with calcium oxide (CaO) in different environmental conditions (EC). Methods: Coffee hulls were subjected to treatments distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of two levels of CaO (0 and 5%, on a DM basis) and two environmental conditions (aerobiosis and anaerobiosis) in a completely randomized design with four replicates, totaling sixteen experimental units. Five-gram samples were incubated in the rumen of two male cattle for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h. Results:Regarding dry matter degradation kinetic parameters, except for fraction b, the potential and effective degradability was affected (p<0.05) by a CaO × EC interaction. As for estimated fiber degradation parameters, the potentially degradable fraction b was affected (p<0.05) by CaO and EC. Treatment with CaO increased fraction b in 4.08 percentage points. Conclusions: The use of CaO in the treatment of coffee hulls increases the effective and potential degradability of DM and reduces the undegradable fiber fraction. Anaerobic condition is the best environment for the treatment of coffee hulls with CaO., Antecedentes: cascas de café obtidas pelo processamento a seco têm potencial de serem usadas na alimentação de ruminantes. Objetivo: avaliar a composição química, a degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca (DM) e da fibra em detergente neutro (NDF) da casca de café tratada com óxido de cálcio (CaO) em diferentes condições de ambiente (EC). Métodos: a casca de café foi submetida aos tratamentos, distribuídos em esquema fatorial 2 × 2, sendo duas doses de CaO (0 e 5% base da matéria seca) e duas condições de ambiente (aeróbico e anaeróbico), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, totalizando dezesseis unidades experimentais. Amostras de cinco gramas foram incubadas no rúmen de dois bovinos machos, nos tempos 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 e 120 horas. Resultados: para os parâmetros cinéticos de degradação da DM, à exceção da fração b, a degradabilidade potencial e efetiva foram afetados (p<0,05) pela interação CaO × EC. Quanto aos parâmetros estimados da degradação da fibra, a fração potencialmente degradável (b) apresentou efeito (p<0,05) para CaO e EC. O tratamento com CaO promoveu aumento da fração b em 4,08 pontos percentuais. Conclusões: a utilização do CaO no tratamento da casca de café promove aumento da degradabilidade efetiva e potencial da DM e redução da fração indegradável da fibra. A condição de anaerobiose constitui-se no melhor ambiente para o tratamento da casca de café com CaO., Antecedentes: la cáscara de café obtenida por procesamiento en seco presenta potencial de uso en la alimentación de rumiantes. Objetivo: Evaluar la composición química, la degradabilidad in situ de la materia seca (DM) y de la fibra detergente neutra (NDF) de la cascara de café tratada con óxido de calcio (CaO) en diferentes condiciones ambientales (EC). Métodos: la cáscara de café fue sometida a tratamientos distribuidos en un diseño factorial 2 x 2, dos dosis de CaO (0 a 5% en base seca), y dos condiciones ambientales (aeróbica y anaeróbica) en un diseño completamente al azar con cuatro repeticiones, totalizando dieciséis unidades experimentales. Las muestras de cinco gramos se incubaron en el rumen de dos bovinos machos durante 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 y 120 horas. Resultados: para los parámetros cinéticos de degradación de la DM, a excepción de la fracción b, la degradabilidad potencial y efectiva fueron afectadas (p<0,05) por la interacción CaO × EC. En cuanto a los parámetros estimados de la degradación de la fibra, la fracción potencialmente degradable b presentó efecto (p<0,05) para CaO y EC. El tratamiento con CaO promovió un aumento de la fracción b en 4,08 puntos porcentuales. Conclusión: la utilización del CaO para el tratamiento de la cáscara de café aumenta la degradabilidad efectiva y potencial de la DM y reducción de la fracción no degradable de la fibra. La condición de anaerobiosis se constituye en el mejor ambiente para el tratamiento de la cascara de café con CaO.

Based on fifteen European plant species, a statistical model for the estimation of the anaerobic biodegradability of plant material was developed. We show that this new approach represents an accurate and cost-eective method to identify valuable energy plants for sustainable energy production. In particular, anaerobic biodegradability (Bo) of lignocellulosic material was empirically found to be related to the amount of cellulose plus lignin, as analytically assessed by the van Soest method, i.e., the acid detergent fiber (ADF) value. Apart from being theoretically meaningful, the ADF-based empirical model requires the least eort compared to the other four proposed conceptual models proposed, as individual fractions of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin do not need to be assessed, which also enhances the predictive accuracy of the model's estimation. The model's results showed great predictability power, allowing us to identify interesting crops for sustainable crop rotations. Finally, the model was used to predict Bo of 114 European plant samples that had been previously characterized by means of the van Soest method., Sanitary Engineering

Based on fifteen European plant species, a statistical model for the estimation of the anaerobic biodegradability of plant material was developed. We show that this new approach represents an accurate and cost-eective method to identify valuable energy plants for sustainable energy production. In particular, anaerobic biodegradability (Bo) of lignocellulosic material was empirically found to be related to the amount of cellulose plus lignin, as analytically assessed by the van Soest method, i.e., the acid detergent fiber (ADF) value. Apart from being theoretically meaningful, the ADF-based empirical model requires the least eort compared to the other four proposed conceptual models proposed, as individual fractions of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin do not need to be assessed, which also enhances the predictive accuracy of the model's estimation. The model's results showed great predictability power, allowing us to identify interesting crops for sustainable crop rotations. Finally, the model was used to predict Bo of 114 European plant samples that had been previously characterized by means of the van Soest method., Sanitary Engineering

This study aimed to evaluate effect of replacing soybean meal with Moringa Seed Cake (MSC) on degradation of dry matter (DM) and fiber as well as methane production using in vitro fermentation technique. Basal diet consisted of Egyptian clover hay and concentrate (1:1). MSC was used to replace 0, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5% of soybean meal on total DM basis. Dry matter, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were determined before and after 48 h of fermentation. Hemicellulose (hemi), cellulose and degradation of DM, NDF, ADF and hemi (dDM, dNDF, dADF, dhemi) in incubated samples were calculated. Total gas production (TGP) and methane production were measured at different intervals. Use of 5% MSC did not reduce DM degradation as compared to control. Total gas production only differed between MSC levels when expressed per gram ADF at 12 and 36 h, while all other measures of TGP (TGP per unit of degraded DM and fiber fractions) and methane did not differ between 5% MSC and control. The 12.5% MSC ration resulted in decreased TGP per unit DM and fiber fractions from 6 to 48 h of incubation compared to control. Total gas production decreased with increasing ADF and NDF and increased with increasing dNDF, but was unaffected by dADF, at any MSC level. The 12.5% MSC significantly reduced methane to a substantially (>80%). The results show that 5% MSC can be used in ruminant diets without negative effects on fiber degradation, rumen fermentation or methane production.

Based on fifteen European plant species, a statistical model for the estimation of the anaerobic biodegradability of plant material was developed. We show that this new approach represents an accurate and cost-eective method to identify valuable energy plants for sustainable energy production. In particular, anaerobic biodegradability (Bo) of lignocellulosic material was empirically found to be related to the amount of cellulose plus lignin, as analytically assessed by the van Soest method, i.e., the acid detergent fiber (ADF) value. Apart from being theoretically meaningful, the ADF-based empirical model requires the least eort compared to the other four proposed conceptual models proposed, as individual fractions of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin do not need to be assessed, which also enhances the predictive accuracy of the model's estimation. The model's results showed great predictability power, allowing us to identify interesting crops for sustainable crop rotations. Finally, the model was used to predict Bo of 114 European plant samples that had been previously characterized by means of the van Soest method.

This study aimed to evaluate effect of replacing soybean meal with Moringa Seed Cake (MSC) on degradation of dry matter (DM) and fiber as well as methane production using in vitro fermentation technique. Basal diet consisted of Egyptian clover hay and concentrate (1:1). MSC was used to replace 0, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5% of soybean meal on total DM basis. Dry matter, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were determined before and after 48 h of fermentation. Hemicellulose (hemi), cellulose and degradation of DM, NDF, ADF and hemi (dDM, dNDF, dADF, dhemi) in incubated samples were calculated. Total gas production (TGP) and methane production were measured at different intervals. Use of 5% MSC did not reduce DM degradation as compared to control. Total gas production only differed between MSC levels when expressed per gram ADF at 12 and 36 h, while all other measures of TGP (TGP per unit of degraded DM and fiber fractions) and methane did not differ between 5% MSC and control. The 12.5% MSC ration resulted in decreased TGP per unit DM and fiber fractions from 6 to 48 h of incubation compared to control. Total gas production decreased with increasing ADF and NDF and increased with increasing dNDF, but was unaffected by dADF, at any MSC level. The 12.5% MSC significantly reduced methane to a substantially (>80%). The results show that 5% MSC can be used in ruminant diets without negative effects on fiber degradation, rumen fermentation or methane production.

Nitrate decreases enteric CH4 production in ruminants, but may also negatively affect fiber degradation. In this experiment, 28 lactating Holstein dairy cows were grouped into 7 blocks. Within blocks, cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 isonitrogenous treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: control (CON); NO3 [21 g of nitrate/kg of dry matter (DM)]; DHA [3 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/kg of DM]; or NO3+DHA (21 g of nitrate/kg of DM and 3 g of DHA/kg of DM). Cows were fed a total mixed ration consisting of 21% grass silage, 49% corn silage, and 30% concentrates on a DM basis. Based on the difference in natural 13C enrichment and neutral detergent fiber and starch content between grass silage and corn silage, we investigated whether a negative effect on rumen fiber degradation could be detected by evaluating diurnal patterns of 13C enrichment of exhaled carbon dioxide. A significant nitrate × DHA interaction was found for neutral detergent fiber digestibility, which was reduced on the NO3 treatment to an average of 55%, as compared with 61, 64, and 65% on treatments CON, DHA, and NO3+DHA, respectively. Feeding nitrate, but not DHA, resulted in a pronounced increase in 13C enrichment of CO2 in the first 3 to 4 h after feeding only. Results support the hypothesis that effects of a feed additive on the rate of fiber degradation in the rumen can be detected by evaluating diurnal patterns of 13C enrichment of CO2. To be able to detect this, the main ration components have to differ considerably in fiber and nonfiber carbohydrate content as well as in natural 13C enrichment.

Sixty-four male Holstein-Friesian x Dutch Friesian veal calves (46 ± 3.0 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of different levels and sources of dietary roughage on animal performance and rumen development. Treatments consisted of 1) C100 = concentrate only; 2) C70-S30 = concentrate (70%) with straw (30%), 3) C70-G30 = concentrate (70%) with dried grass (30%), 4) C70-G15-S15 = concentrate (70%) with dried grass (15%) and straw (15%), 5) C70-CS30 = concentrate (70%) with corn silage (30%), 6) C40-CS60 = concentrate (40%) with corn silage (60%), 7) C70-CS30-AL = concentrate (70%) with corn silage (30%) ad libitum, 8) C70-G15-S15-AL = concentrate (70%) with dried grass (15%) and straw (15%) ad libitum. All dietary treatments were provided in addition to a commercial milk replacer. Concentrate was provided as pellets and roughage was chopped. The dietary treatments 1 to 6 were supplied restrictedly to a maximum of 750 g of dry matter (DM) per day, whereas treatments 7 and 8 were offered ad libitum in combination with a reduced amount of milk replacer. Calves were euthanized after 10 wk. Straw supplementation (C70-S30 vs. C70-G30 and C70-CS30) reduced DM intake, and ad libitum supply of concentrate and roughage increased DM intake. Roughage addition did not affect growth performance. Rumen fermentation was characterized by low pH and high total volatile fatty acids and reducing sugar concentrations. Calves fed ad libitum showed lower ruminal lactate concentrations than calves fed restrictedly. Ammonia concentrations were highest in calves fed C-100 and lowest in calves fed ad libitum. The recovery of CoEDTA (added to milk replacer) varied between 20.5 and 34.9%, indicating that significant amounts of milk entered the rumen. Roughage addition decreased the incidence of plaque formation (rumen mucosa containing focal or multifocal patches with coalescing and adhering papillae covered by a sticky mass of feed, hair and cell debris) and the incidence of calv

The aim of this experiment was to examine the effects of concentrates in feed, differing in carbohydrate source, on the growth performance and rumen fermentation characteristics of veal calves. For this purpose, 160 Holstein Friesian x Dutch Friesian crossbred male calves were used in a complete randomized block design with a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement. Dietary treatments consisted of 1) milk replacer control, 2) pectin-based concentrate, 3) neutral detergent fiber-based concentrate, 4) starch-based concentrate, and 5) mixed concentrate (equal amounts of concentrates of treatments 2, 3, and 4). Concentrate diets were provided as pellets in addition to a commercial milk replacer. Calves were euthanized either at the end of 8 or 12 wk of age. The overall dry matter intake of the concentrate diets varied between 0.37 and 0.52 kg/d. Among the concentrate diets, the dry matter intake was lower in the starch diet (0.37 kg/d of dry matter) and differed between the NDF and pectin diets. The average daily gain for all the dietary treatments varied between 0.70 and 0.78 kg/d. The mixed- and NDF-fed calves had an increased average daily gain (0.78 and 0.77 kg/d, respectively) compared with the starch- and pectin-fed calves (0.70 and 0.71 kg/d, respectively). Rumen fermentation in the calves fed concentrates was characterized by a low pH (4.9 to 5.2), volatile fatty acid concentrations between 100 and 121 mmol/L, and high concentrations of reducing sugars (33 to 66 g/kg of dry matter). The volatile fatty acid concentrations of calves fed concentrates were higher than those of the control calves. All concentrate treatments showed a low acetate-to-propionate ratio in rumen fluid (between 1.3 and 1.9). Among the concentrates, the NDF diet had the highest (55.5%) and starch the lowest (45.5%) molar proportions of acetate. Calves fed the mixed, pectin, and starch diets had significantly higher molar proportions of butyrate (13.1 to 15.8%) than the NDF- and control-fed groups (9.9 a

The objectives of the present study were to characterize and estimate parameters of kinetics of carbohydrate degradation using alfalfa hay, elephant grass, tifton 85, and corn silage, fed to dairy goats under different forage: concentrate ratio. Kinetic parameters of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradation at different pH values were estimated by using cumulative gas production technique and their values contrasted with those obtained by both in vitro and in situ studies. Kinetic interpretation for specific degradability, rate of degradation and the potentially digestible insoluble fraction was done by using the logistic model V(t) = Vf/(1+exp(2+4c(L-T))). A modified McDougall buffer was used for the in vitro assay to adjust pH to the values observed in the animals, by adding 1M of citric acid solution according to the roughage to concentrate ratio studied of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 e 20:80. Similar pattern was found for extent and rate of degradation of the potentially digestible insoluble fraction which confirm the interference of pH on kinetic parameter of carbohydrates in the rumen. Gas production approach yielded the lowest variation coefficient for the values of dry matter degradation but lower figures were found as compared to both in situ and in vitro techniques. Similar values were found for NDF as the three approaches were compared and it was suggested that they can be used interchangeably to precisely estimate NDF degradation.

The objectives of the present study were to characterize and estimate parameters of kinetics of carbohydrate degradation using alfalfa hay, elephant grass, tifton 85, and corn silage, fed to dairy goats under different forage: concentrate ratio. Kinetic parameters of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradation at different pH values were estimated by using cumulative gas production technique and their values contrasted with those obtained by both in vitro and in situ studies. Kinetic interpretation for specific degradability, rate of degradation and the potentially digestible insoluble fraction was done by using the logistic model V(t) = Vf/(1+exp(2+4c(L-T))). A modified McDougall buffer was used for the in vitro assay to adjust pH to the values observed in the animals, by adding 1M of citric acid solution according to the roughage to concentrate ratio studied of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 e 20:80. Similar pattern was found for extent and rate of degradation of the potentially digestible insoluble fraction which confirm the interference of pH on kinetic parameter of carbohydrates in the rumen. Gas production approach yielded the lowest variation coefficient for the values of dry matter degradation but lower figures were found as compared to both in situ and in vitro techniques. Similar values were found for NDF as the three approaches were compared and it was suggested that they can be used interchangeably to precisely estimate NDF degradation.