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This study investigated the effects of sunflower meal (SFM) inclusion at 15% in turkey diets containing an enzyme cocktail on growth performance, organ weights, nutrient digestibility, and carcass traits in turkey toms. A total of 180 one-day-old turkey toms were divided into 20 pens in a randomized complete block design and fed a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet (CON diet) containing phytase, protease, and nonstarch polysaccharide degrading enzymes (NSPase ; xylanase, glucanase, cellulase, invertase, protease, and amylase) or where 15% SFM was added at the expense of corn and soybean meal (SFM diet). The diets were formulated to meet the nutrient recommendations for the turkey breed and fed to the turkeys in 7 feeding phases until market. Feeding the SFM diet increased (P < 0.05) body weight (BW) at the end of week 4 and BW gain for 0 to 4 wk. Feed conversion ratio for 0 to 4 wk was also decreased (P = 0.085). The SFM diet had similar (P > 0.10) apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter and amino acids and apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and crude protein compared to CON diet. Dietary treatments did not influence (P > 0.10) hot carcass yield, cold carcass yield, and yield of breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings compared to those of turkeys fed the CON diets. In conclusion, SFM can be included at 15% in corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with additional soybean oil and an enzyme blend, including phytase, protease, and NSPase, for turkey toms with minimal impact on the overall feed conversion ratio and carcass yield of turkey toms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Two methods were applied to extract sunflower protein concentrate (SPC). • Alkaline extraction-isoelectric precipitation extracted protein (AI-SPC). • Alkaline extraction-ultrafiltration extracted protein (AU-SPC). • The close relationship between protein production methods and its functional properties and digestibility. This study was the first to compare the structural features, functional properties and in vitro digestibility of two protein concentrates produced from defatted sunflower meal via two different three-stage processes (chlorogenic acid removal-alkaline extraction-isoelectric precipitation versus chlorogenic acid removal-alkaline extraction-ultrafiltration; concentrates termed AI-SPC and AU-SPC, respectively). Compared with AI-SPC, AU-SPC with a darker brown color had much higher protein recovery yield and purity, much higher solubility at pH 4–7, higher oil-holding capacity, greater emulsifying and foaming capacities at pH 7 and 9, and slightly lower foaming capacity at pH 3. The bioavailability was higher for AU-SPC after oral-gastric-intestinal digestion. Moreover, AI-SPC occurred as clumps/lumps of particles, whilst AU-SPC appeared as flat blocks with continuous surfaces. AU-SPC was more negatively charged, and had a smaller particle size, less β -sheet, more β -turn, slightly more α -helix structure. These results confirmed the close relationship between protein production methods and its functional properties and digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier that has the potential to mitigate the environmentally hazardous effects of fossil fuels. Hydrogen is mainly produced through the steam reforming of natural gas however it is also possible to produce hydrogen through the thermochemical conversion of various biomasses. In this study, three Aspen plus simulation models were developed to obtain hydrogen-rich gas products from biomass through catalytic steam reforming. The results obtained in this modeling study were compared to the experimental data obtained by the steam reforming of the sunflower meal, which is a waste product of the seed oil industry. Out of all three models, model II, in which all of the reactions are assumed to occur simultaneously and all species except for biomass are assumed to undergo combustion reactions, was the most successful one at predicting close results (93% similar) to experimental findings. Using this model, the effect of water:biomass feed ratio on the product yields was tested and the highest possible H 2 yield (44.9 mol H 2 /kg sunflower meal) was achieved with a 15:1 water:biomass feed ratio at the constant temperature of 800 °C and atmospheric pressure. • Sunflower meal was catalytically steam reformed for hydrogen production. • Three Aspen Plus models were developed for this process. • At higher H 2 O ratios, H 2 and CO yields increase, C n H m and CO 2 yields decrease. • The most accurate model had an accuracy of 91%. • Extrapolation of experimental data yields the same optimal H 2 O ratio as the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High carbon to nitrogen ratio and complex lignocellulosic structure of wheat straw (WS) are the main hindrances in anaerobic digestion of this substrate. This research, conducted in two experiments, focused on the combined effect of co-digestion and thermal pretreatment of WS and sunflower meal (SM) on biogas production. In the first experiment, five co-digestion mixtures of WS and SM were made and assessed for biogas production. In the second experiment, the optimum co-digestion mixture selected from the first experiment was thermally pretreated at 120, 140, 160 and 180 °C and was evaluated for biogas production. Compared to control, the mixture M5 produced 61% higher biogas. It also showed better buffering capacity as compared to other mixtures and control. Combined effect of co-digestion and thermal pretreatment of the same mixture at 180 °C increased biogas yield by 94.3% as compared to control. Moreover, the experimental data obtained from both the experiments were validated using three different non-linear kinetic models. Image 1 • Co-digestion of 67% wheat straw & 33% sunflower meal produced the highest biogas yield. • Thermal pretreatment considerably decreased the lignin content of the substrates. • Substrate structure disturbance in terms of surface roughness increased with pretreatment. • Co-digestion mixture thermally pretreated at 180 °C enhanced biogas yield by 94.3%. • Three kinetic models reproduced the increased biogas yield data of thermally pretreated mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need for affordable, abundant, nutritionally balanced, and sustainable sources of proteins to meet the food demands of the growing global population. The utilization of sunflower meal/cake proteins (SMPs) in the food industry is currently limited due to their high levels of antinutritional factors, especially phenolics, as well as their limited functional properties. This review critically evaluates the potential of SMPs to meet global dietary protein requirements. Initially, the chemical composition and nutritional value of sunflower meal/cake are discussed. Then, the techno-functional attributes of SMPs are highlighted. Finally, challenges to using SMPs in the food industry are highlighted, as well as potential strategies to overcome them. The utilization of sunflower seed meal has the potential to alleviate malnutrition in severely affected countries. However, antinutritional factors must be removed from sunflower meal to improve its nutritional quality. This may be achieved using various processing technologies, including ultrasound, membrane, solvent, and heat treatments. The current review highlights the possible contribution of SMPs to address three of the United Nations' sustainable development goals: Goal 2 'Zero hunger'; Goal 3 'Good health and well-being'; and Goal 12 'Sustainable Food Production and Consumption'. [Display omitted] • Meeting food protein demands using sunflower oil industry by-products. • Sunflower waste is a sustainable source of functional food protein. • The application of sunflower meal/cake proteins in food is limited. • Sunflower meal/cake has the potential to alleviate malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ultrasonic treatment increased the lightness value of sunflower meal protein (SMP). • Ultrasound treatment reduced the chlorogenic acid content of SMP. • Ultrasound treatment enhanced the solubility and emulsification of SMP. • Ultrasonic treatment enhanced the gel elasticity of SMP. • Ultrasonic treatment changes the secondary and tertiary structures of SMP. Sunflower meal protein (SMP) has been considered as a high-quality source of plant protein. However, because the chlorogenic acid (CA) contained in sunflower seed meal was prone to oxidation reactions under traditional alkali extraction conditions, the extracted protein has a dark color and some poor functional properties. To this end, this study used ultrasound-assisted macroporous resin treatment to extract SMP. The improvement effects and potential mechanisms of ultrasonic-assisted macroporous resin treatment with different powers (100, 300, and 500 W) on the color and functional properties of SMP were studied. The results showed that compared with untreated sunflower meal protein (USMP), the lightness value (L*), solubility, emulsification, and gel elasticity were significantly enhanced when treated with 100 W and 300 W ultrasonic-assisted macroporous resin. However, when the ultrasonic power was increased to 500 W, the L* value, solubility, emulsification, and gel elasticity decreased instead, indicating that lower power (100 W and 300 W) ultrasonic-assisted macroporous resin treatment significantly improved the color and functional properties of SMP. Further research found that ultrasound-assisted macroporous resin treatment changed the secondary and tertiary structures of SMP, transformed β-sheet into α-helix and β-turn through rearrangement, and significantly improved surface hydrophobicity. It shows that ultrasonic-assisted macroporous resin treatment expands the SMP structure and exposes hydrophobic groups, thereby improving the color and functional properties of SMP. This study provides a potential strategy for extracting SMP with light color and good functional properties. It also provides a theoretical basis for the wide application of SMP in food processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2 experiments were conducted to explore nutrient composition, AME , AMEn , standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP, and amino acids (AA) of 4 indigenous protein sources including canola meal (CM), rapeseed meal (RSM), guar meal (GM), and sunflower meal (SFM) collected from 2 different locations, Multan (MUL ; n = 3) and Sukkur (SKR ; n = 3), of Pakistan. Higher (P < 0.05) dry matter (DM), CP, and gross energy (GE), whereas lower (P < 0.05) ash contents were found in SKR, CM, and RSM compared with those from MUL. The MUL GM had higher (P < 0.05) crude fiber (CF) and CP, whereas lower (P < 0.05) GE compared with those from SKR. The SFM from MUL had higher DM, whereas lower CF and CP contents than SKR. In the first experiment, 216 21-d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were distributed over 8 test diets (4 ingredients × 2 locations) and 1 basal diet, with 4 replicates containing 6 birds each (9 × 4 × 6), in a complete randomized design to determine AME and AMEn. The results indicated higher (P < 0.05) AME and AMEn in MUL CM than SKR. In the second experiment, 216 21-d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were raised in 36 cages (6 birds each) to determine SID of CP and AA in a complete randomized design. 8 test diets (4 ingredients × 2 locations) and a protein-free diet, with 4 replicates each, were tested. The SID of CP and some AA were higher (P < 0.05) in MUL CM and RSM than SKR. The SKR GM had a higher (P < 0.05) SID of CP, arginine, methionine, threonine, valine, and cysteine compared with that from MUL. The SFM from MUL had higher (P < 0.05) SID of CP, arginine, histidine, methionine, valine, alanine, aspartate, cysteine, and serine than SKR. In conclusion, major differences do exist between CM, GM, RSM, and SFM from different locations in terms of nutrients, AME, digestible CP, and AA contents for male broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to determine the relative bioavailability (RBV) of P in high-protein sunflower meal (HP-SFM) fed to broiler chickens based on bone traits and to determine the effects of dietary phytase supplementation and increasing levels of HP-SFM as a P source on bone traits, growth performance, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM and nutrients. In total, 240 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 1 of 10 experimental diets with 6 replicate cages of 4 birds each and fed experimental diets from day 14 to 21 of age. Diets included a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet (0.35% total P; P-deficient diet), or the basal diet supplemented with 0.05, 0.10, or 0.15% P from either monosodium phosphate (MSP) or HP-SFM. Another 3 diets were formulated by supplementing the HP-SFM-containing diets with 500 phytase unit/kg of phytase. The bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), and bone mineral density (BMD) of femur and tibia and tibia ash content increased (linear, P < 0.01) with increasing dietary P content from MSP. A linear increase in femur and tibia BMC, femur BA, and tibia BMD was also observed (P < 0.01) with increasing level of dietary P from HP-SFM. The RBV of P in HP-SFM based on femur and tibia BMC were 41 and 44%, respectively. Dietary phytase supplementation increased (P < 0.01) most of bone traits of the birds except for femur BMD. In addition, birds fed the diets supplemented with dietary phytase had greater (P < 0.05) BW gain, feed efficiency, and AID of P than those fed the diets without dietary phytase. In conclusion, the estimated RBV of P in HP-SFM to P in MSP were 41 and 44% based on femur and tibia BMC, respectively. Also, dietary phytase supplementation increased AID of P, growth performance, and bone traits of the birds fed P-deficient diets containing increasing inclusion level of HP-SFM as a P source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the potential of sunflower meal ethanol-wash powder (SEWP) to be used as antimicrobial agent in liquid foods was investigated. SEWP represents the waste of the main process of protein isolation from industrially produced sunflower meal. The washing liquids remaining after treatment of the sunflower meal with 75% aqueous ethanol solution were collected and turned into powder rich in bioactive compounds. Due to its recognized properties, different concentrations (2.5 and 5% w/v) of SEWP were first tested in vitro against Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and a cocktail of Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens strains, using appropriate culture media. Then, the SEWP antimicrobial efficacy was tested on two real food matrices differing in their composition. Soymilk, rich in proteins, and apple juice, composed mainly of carbohydrates, were used as food models. Concentrations equal to 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% (w/v) SEWP were tested in the juice, whereas the sole three highest concentrations were tested in the soymilk. Both beverages were pre-inoculated with different spoilage bacteria. The same mix of Pseudomonas spp. and A. acidoterrestris strain used for the in vitro test were employed to contaminate the soymilk and the apple juice, respectively. In vitro results showed moderate effects of SEWP against selected target microorganisms. On the contrary, two completely different microbial evolutions were recorded in the soymilk and apple juice. The three concentrations of SEWP were slightly effective against spoilage of soymilk, whereas all the concentrations used in the juice were sufficient to completely inhibit microbial growth of A. acidoterrestris. The shelf life of the apple juice supplemented with 1% SEWP was extended for more than 21 days. Considering both the antimicrobial efficacy and the sensory properties of the juice, the lowest SEWP concentration (1% w/v) demonstrated the best result as a bioprotectant. Overall results imply dependence of SEWP antimicrobial efficiency on food composition and a need of preliminary evaluation of the product if used as an antimicrobial agent in the food industry. • In vitro results showed moderate growth-inhibiting effects of SEWP against selected target microorganisms. • SEWP was slightly effective against Pseudomonas spp. in soymilk. • SEWP completely inhibited microbial growth of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in apple juice. • 1% SEWP significantly extended apple juice shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to enhance the nutritional value of sunflower meal used as a feed ingredient for Nile tilapia by application of a solid-state fermentation process with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (YFSFM) or Bacillus subtilis (BFSFM). At 72 h of fermentation, the crude protein, lipid content, essential amino acid contents were increased in YFSFM and BFSFM, but fiber content, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, phytic acid and saponins were decreased. A feeding trial of 84 days was conducted to study the response of feeding YFSFM and BFSFM on growth, hematological and physiological responses in Nile tilapia. Seven isonitrogenous and isocaloric were prepared by the replacing fish meal protein with the SFM protein (0% control diet), YFSFM-25 (25% YFSFM), YFSFM-50 (50% YFSFM) YFSFM-75 (75% YFSFM) and BFSFM-25 (25% BFSFM), BFSFM-50 (50% BFSFM), BFSFM-50 (50% BFSFM) and BFSFM-75 (75% BFSFM) and fed twice daily. Growth performance and feed efficiency of fish fed diets with fish meal replaced by YFSFM up to 25% was not significantly different from the control group, whereas ADCs were not significantly different from control up to 50% of YFSFM. No significant ( P  > 0.05) differences were found in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Htc), red blood cell (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) among different experimental diets. The control diet, YFSFM-25 and BFSFM-25 exhibited lowest value of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in Nile tilapia. The highest value of serum phosphorus and calcium content was detected in the control diet and the lowest one was recorded in YFSFM-75 and BFSFM-75. Tilapia fed diet YFSFM-75 or BFSFM-75 recorded the lowest level of cholesterol, triglycerides high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C). There was no significant difference ( P  > 0.05) in low- density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and the ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C of the serum of fish among experimental diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, sunflower protein isolates were treated with high intensity ultrasound (HIUS) and evaluated for rheological and structural properties. Protein dispersions (10%) were given treatment with bath ultrasound (40 kHz) and probe ultrasound (20 kHz) for 5, 10, 20 and 30 min. Probe ultrasound treatment showed higher effect on the rheological and structural changes in protein isolates as compared to bath ultrasound treatment due to higher intensity. The effect of ultrasound on rheological properties was examined by monitoring the changes in storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″) and loss tangent. Storage modulus and loss modulus increased, while loss tangent decreased, indicating the formation of stronger gel after ultrasound treatment. Change in tertiary and secondary structure was observed by intrinsic fluorescence and circular dichroism, respectively. The conformation of protein was altered with decrease in α-helical content and concomitant increase in β-sheet content. Ultra-sonication changed the surface morphology considerably with more heterogeneous and disordered surfaces and showed the formation of clumps with different sizes and shapes. The regular confirmation of proteins was altered along with reduction in crystalinity in HIUS treated samples as measured by X-ray diffraction. Ultrasound treatment increased the thermal degradation of protein isolates as determined by thermal gravimetric analysis. The structural changes in protein isolates altered their behaviour, which resulted in better functional properties and thereby increased the application in different food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed (RSM) and sunflower (SFM) meals are highly abundant and protein-rich by-products from the oilseed industry. Besides their basic use as animal feed, they are seen nowadays as interesting raw materials for the production of high value added products such as protein isolates, peptides, emulsifiers and biomaterials. In other respects, they contain significant amounts of phenolic compounds exhibiting antioxidant or antimicrobial properties but widely untapped so far. Therefore, any process allowing the single-step separation of both the protein and phenolic parts of meals would be beneficial to the whole oilseed sector. To achieve this double objective this study attempted to separate the RSM and the SFM into their major constituents by using dry fractionation technologies. In a first step, ultrafine milling was applied to the meals. As a function of raw material type, the grid size turned out to be decisive on the particle size distribution and its modality. Then two separation technologies based either on particle charge (electrostatic sorting – ES) or density (turbo-separation – TS) were applied to the previously obtained fractions. Regardless the separation technique, the best results were obtained from fractions of an average particle diameter by mass (D 50 ) of 23.7 ± 1.0 μm and 105.5 ± 8.3 μm, for RSM and SFM respectively. Electrostatic sorting allowed increasing simultaneously the protein and phenolic contents by 50–55% and 80–100% for RSM and SFM respectively, while a lower increase was observed for turbo-separation (23–29% and 58–64% for RSM and SFM respectively). Finally, depending on the process and meal types, the overall recovery yield of the most enriched fractions was in the range of 30–40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The screening of sustainable agro-industrial biorefinery pathways for the production of bio-based products and energy is a complex challenge and needs investigation. Critical tools for predicting the commercialization feasibility of biorefining pathway includes laboratory and pilot-scale experimental results, processes modeling, technoeconomic and market analysis. The objective of the present study was the potential pathways experimental proof of concept of the sunflower meal (SFM), by-product in the sunflower oil production process, at TRL3-4 level, in an effort to assist the bio-based industries in evaluating the profitability of different possible production routes and product portfolios. Taking a reflexive approach, various processes and products were investigated, adding insights in the technical feasibility of conversion towards multi-product pathways at lab scale. Many sets of experiments were conducted in two laboratories, investigating SFM biorefining using physical, biological and thermochemical processes (fractionation, fermentation, enzymatic hydrolysis and pyrolysis) for the production of various added-value products, biochar and energy carriers. Product yields, mass balances, Effective Mass Yield (EMY) and Feature Complexity (FC) were estimated for each pathway. The study demonstrated that SFM cascade refining concept is feasible leading to the production of antioxidants, protein isolate, biochar, bioenergy carriers (pyro-oil and pyro-gas) and also poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and microbial oil with a Feature Complexity (FC): 6-7. The studied pathways were based on the principle of optimised resource utilisation. Pyrolytic chars showed suitable for soil amendment, thus, closing the loop in agriculture (from land-to-land). The study demonstrated at TRL3-4, alternative pathways for sifting from a mono-to-multiple process and product agricultural industry ( Grey biotechnology ), in the context of Circular Bioeconomy and provided experimental protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of graded levels (0–20% total dietary inclusion) of commercial, solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) and expeller sunflower meal (SFM) were investigated on growth, nutrient utilization, and pro-inflammatory gene expression in the distal intestine and spleen of two commercial Canadian strains (Strain 1 and Strain 2) of Arctic charr. Five experimental diets with increasing inclusion of SBM or SFM were fed for 84 days to two Canadian strains of Arctic charr (initial body weight = 9 g/fish). Feeding these diets resulted in no differences in growth rate (measured as final weight or thermal-unit growth coefficient, TGC) in the two strains. Increased inclusion level of plant proteins negatively affected FE (P < 0.0001) with effects most commonly observed in groups fed SBM-based diets. The effect of the ingredient was significant (P < 0.05) on PXR gene expression in the distal intestine; PXR expression was higher with SBM than with SFM. The effect of the inclusion level of plant ingredients was significant (P < 0.05) on IL-Iβ gene expression in the spleen. Feed intake, FE, NRE, ERE, whole body crude protein, lipid, gross energy, and organo-somatic indices were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by genetic strain examined. Strain 2 exhibited higher FE and carcass crude protein content and lower carcass lipid content. The difference in FE, protein and lipid content for the 2 genetic strains of charr may indicate variations in efficiency for protein and lipid utilization, with a potential protein-sparing effect of dietary lipid noted in Strain 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Phenolic compounds were extracted from defatted sunflower meal using ultrasound. • Ultrasound-assisted extraction reduced up to 83% of the phenolic content. • Acoustic cavitation did not degrade the food components of the sunflower meal. • New food ingredient with high protein content was obtained after ultrasound processing. The sunflower Helianthus annuus L. represents the 4th largest oilseed cultivated area worldwide. Its balanced amino acid content and low content of antinutrient factors give sunflower protein a good nutritional value. However, it is underexploited as a supplement to human nutrition due to the high content of phenolic compounds that reduce the sensory quality of the product. Thus, this study aimed at obtaining a high protein and low phenolic compound sunflower flour for use in the food industry by designing separation processes with high intensity ultrasound technology. First, sunflower meal, a residue of cold-press oil extraction processing, was defatted using supercritical CO 2 technology. Subsequently, sunflower meal was subjected to different conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds. The effects of solvent composition (water: ethanol) and pH (4 to 12) were investigated using different acoustic energies and continuous and pulsed process approaches. The employed process strategies reduced the oil content of sunflower meal by up to 90% and reduced 83% of the phenolic content. Furthermore, the protein content of sunflower flour was increased up to approximately 72% with respect to sunflower meal. The acoustic cavitation-based processes using the optimized solvent composition were efficient in breaking down the cellular structure of the plant matrix and facilitated the separation of proteins and phenolic compounds, while preserving the functional groups of the product. Therefore, a new ingredient with high protein content and potential application for human food was obtained from the residue of sunflower oil processing using green technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the aquaculture sector, expanding the amount of plant proteins substituting fish meal (FM) is favorable. This study was conducted to evaluate the properties of diets containing a blend of plant protein sources (cotton seed meal, sunflower meal and jojoba (CSJ)) instead of FM and supplemented with a mixture of exogenous enzymes on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, blood indices, activity of endogenous and digestibility also, immune response of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Three groups of the experimental diet (29.5% crude protein) and (18.76 MJ kg −1 gross energy) were performed. The first group CSJ1 was (FM: CS J = 2:1), the second group diet CSJ2 was (FM: CSM = 2:2) and the third CSJ3 was (FM: CS J = 2:1), the replaced was based on content of protein. All groups of diets were supplemented with mixture of enzymes (Protease, pepsin, trypsin, xylanase and amylase) at 0 and 0.5 g kg −1 diet therefore six diet was formulated. Fingerlings (6.30 ± 0.09 g) were randomly allocated into eighteen plastic tank (450 L capacity) in triplicate per each treatment (25 fish/ treatment) for 90 days. After 90-days of the feeding trial, results indicated that the highest wight gain and best FCR, higher (P < 0.05) activity of trypsin and lipase, apparent digestibility coefficient of nutrients were detected in fish fed diet of FM: CSJ 2:1 and 2:2 supplemented with 0.5 g enzymes mixture kg−1 diet with insignificant differences between group. The diet incorporating FM: CSJ 2:1 with 0.5 g enzymes mixture showed the maximum (P < 0.05) villi length/width, ASA, and MSR values. Fish fed a diet containing FM: CSJ 1:2, and supplemented with 0.5 g of an enzyme mixture kg−1 diet had the maximum Hb, Htc, RBCs and WBCs values (P < 0.05). The highest (P < 0.05) TP and GL value was estimated in diet containing FM: CSJ; 1:2 without the addition of enzymes mixture. while, the best (P < 0.05) value of ALT and AST were showed in diet containing FM: CSJ 2:1 without the addition of enzymes. The highest TAC, GSH and SOD values were recorded by fish fed diet containing FM: CSJ 1:2 or 2:2 with 0.5 g enzymes mixture kg−1 diet. Fish fed diets comprising various ratios of FM: CSJ with 0.5 g enzymes mixture kg−1 diet had the lowest (P < 0.05) MDA value. In conclusion, using mixture of enzymes (protease, pepsin, trypsin, xylanase and amylase) at 0.5 g kg−1 in combination with a high blend of CSJ instead of FM; 2:2 improved the growth performance, digestibility, digestive enzyme, intestinal morphology, blood indices, and immune response of Nile tilapia. • Mixture of exogenous enzymes improved the nutritional values of blend plant protein sources. • Mixture of exogenous enzymes increased the growth performance of tilapia fed blend plant protein. • Mixture of exogenous enzymes improved the physological indices of tilapia fed blend plant protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batch cultures of rumen microorganisms were used to compare the fermentation of sunflower seed (SS) and meal (SM) treated with malic acid and heat (MAH; 150 °C for 1 h) to protect the protein from ruminal degradation with that of the untreated samples supplemented the same amount of malate (as additive), either as free acid (MA) or disodium malate (DSM). As previous studies have shown the influence of donors’ diet on in vitro fermentation, cultures were inoculated with ruminal fluid from four sheep fed a medium-concentrate diet (MC; 50:50 hay:concentrate) or a high-concentrate diet (HC; 15:85 barley straw:concentrate) in a cross-over experimental design. Cultures were sampled at 6 and 16.5 h of fermentation. In 16.5 h incubations, MAH treatment reduced ( P < 0.001) CH 4 production and ammonia-N concentrations for both substrates (by 60.3 and 45.3% for SS and by 23.7 and 17.2% for SM substrate, respectively). Whereas the MAH treatment reduced total volatile fatty (VFA) production by 16.5% for SS substrate, no effects were observed for SM substrate ( P = 0.441). For both substrates, adding the same amount of MA to untreated samples (as a feed additive) resulted in greater CH 4 production and ammonia-N concentrations compared with the MAH treatment. A positive relationship ( P < 0.001) was observed between the concentrations of NH 3 N and CH 4 production at both incubation times for both substrates. Compared with the untreated feeds, MA and DSM did not affect ( P > 0.05) CH 4 production for either substrate, but reduced ammonia-N concentrations (13.8%; P = 0.004) for SM substrate. Compared with DSM, MA treatment resulted in greater ( P < 0.05) production of gas, butyrate, isovalerate and valerate and tended ( P < 0.10) to greater total VFA, and propionate production for SS substrate at 6 h incubation, but most differences disappeared after 16.5 h incubation. For some fermentation parameters, the response to MAH treatment was more pronounced by using fluid from sheep fed the HC diet than that from MC-fed sheep. In conclusion, the MAH treatment was more effective at reducing CH 4 emissions and NH 3 N concentrations than the supplementation of malic acid or disodium malate as a feed additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, sunflower meal is ground by a hammer mill after which air zigzag gravitational air classifier is used for separating sunflower hulls from the kernels in order to obtain protein rich fractions. Three hammer mill sieves with sieve openings diameter of 3, 2 and 1 mm were used, while three air flows (5, 8.7 and 12.5 m 3 /h) and three feed rates (30%, 60% an 90% of bowl feeder oscillation maximum rate) were varied during air classification process. For describing the effects of the test variables on the observed responses Principal Component Analysis, Standard Score analysis and Response Surface Methodology were used. Beside experimental investigations, CFD model was used for numerical optimization of sunflower meal air classification process. Air classification of hammer milled sunflower meal resulted in coarse fractions enriched in protein content. The decrease in sieve openings diameter of the hammer mill sieve increased protein content in coarse fractions of sunflower meal obtained at same air flow, and at the same time decreased matching fraction yield. Increase in air flow lead to the increase in protein content along the same hammer mill sieve. Standard score analysis showed that optimum values for protein content and ratio of coarse and fine fractions have been obtained by using a sieve with 1 mm opening diameter, air flow of 12.5 m 3 /h and 60% of the maximum feeder rate. Fraction ratio and protein content were mostly affected by the linear term of air flow and the sieve openings diameter of the hammer mill sieve in the Second Order Polynomial model. The main focus of CFD analysis was on the particle simulation and the evaluation of the separation efficiency of the zigzag classifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Phenolic compounds are removed at different ratios through de-phenolization. • The highest reduction was found on chlorogenic acid after 2 h of de-phenolization. • Antioxidant capacity of sunflower protein was decreased after the removal of phenolics. • After de-phenolization, fluorescence intensity of sunflower protein was increased. Proteins and phenolic compounds are significant components of foods that can interact, and this interaction can impact the functional properties of proteins and the bioactivity of phenolic compounds. Sunflower meal, which has a high potential to be an important alternative protein source, contains phenolic compounds mostly bonded with proteins. In this study, the interaction between proteins and phenolic compounds which naturally exist in sunflower and prone to oxidation during alkaline treatment (for protein isolation) was investigated. There was a significant decrease up to 96.21% in the content of total phenolics by methanol washing. Chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were detected in the phenolic extract obtained from sunflower protein isolate, and they exhibited different levels of reduction after methanol washing. For the total antioxidant capacity analysis, a decrease by 50% was observed after 4hwashing with methanol solution, and there was no significant decrease afterwards. In addition, the fluorescence intensity of sunflower protein was diminished with reduced washing time, which was mostly attributed to the protein–phenolic interaction. According to hydrodynamic parameters, the main force of the sunflower protein–phenolic complex formation was assumed to be hydrophobic attraction. The Stern-Volmer plot indicated that the main quenching mechanism was only static at all temperature conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-week trial was performed to investigate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) by sunflower meal (SM) or enzymolysis sunflower meal (ESM) on the growth, lipid metabolism, and intestinal health of Ctenopharyngodon idellus. Compared with SM, the small peptides and amino acids contents in ESM increased, while the crude fiber decreased. Seven isonitrogenous and isolipid diets (SM0, SM25, SM50, SM75, SM100, ESM75, and ESM100) were prepared for SM to replace 0, 25, 50, 75, 100% SBM and ESM to replace 75 and 100% SBM, respectively. The results showed that with an increasing proportion of SM instead of SBM, weight gain rate (WGR) of grass carp showed a decreasing trend, while feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed a rising trend, and significantly changed in the SM75 and SM100 groups. WGR in the ESM75 group was significantly increased compared with the SM75 group, and there was no statistical difference with the SM0 group. Replacing 75% and 100% SBM with ESM was beneficial to lipid metabolism, which was mainly manifested in decreased serum low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and total cholesterol contents, and significantly down-regulated acetyl-CoA carboxylase (acc), fatty acid synthase (fas) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (srebp1) gene expression in liver. Replacing 75% and 100% SBM with SM resulted in intestinal oxidative damage (reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde contents increased; superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase activities decreased) and disrupted intestinal physical and immune barrier functions (claudin15 , myosin light chain kinase (mlck), interleukin-1β, 6, 12β (il-1β , il-6 , il-12β), tumor necrosis factor-α (tnf-α), and nuclear factor-κB (nf-κb) gene expression up-regulated; zonula occluden 1, 2 (zo1 , zo2), transforming growth factor β1 (tgf-β1), and il-10 gene expression down-regulated), while substitution of 75% and 100% SBM by ESM alleviated oxidative damage and improved intestinal immune and physical barrier functions. In addition, the α-diversity index and the abundances of Erysipelatoclostridium and Bacteroides in the ESM75 group were significantly increased compared with the SM0 and SM75 groups. In conclusion, the replacement proportion of SBM with SM should not exceed 50%, otherwise it will lead to reduced growth, lipid deposition, intestinal health damage and intestinal microbiota disorder. However, the replacement of 75% SBM with ESM has no negative effect on grass carp, and it improved lipid metabolism and intestinal health compared with substitution of SBM with SM. • Substitution of sunflower meal (SM) for soybean meal should not exceed 50%. • Substitution of 75% and 100% soybean meal with SM had negative effects on growth and lipid metabolism of grass carp. • Higher replacement level (≥75%) induced intestinal oxidative stress and impaired barrier function of grass carp. • Substitution of 75% soybean meal with enzymolysis SM had no negative effect on grass carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock feed production is one of the primary users of freshwater and arable land, and it is also in competition with human food production. Therefore, we require reconsideration of the way we use freshwater in livestock feed production. The objective of this study is to assess the impact on freshwater use of pork production by using alternative pig diets based on local feed ingredients, or by-products. We used a lifecycle approach to analyse the freshwater use associated with feed production to produce one kg of pork. We explored three feeding scenarios (STANDARD: diets commercially used in Ireland; LOCAL: diets based on ingredients grown in Ireland; and BY-PRODUCT: diets based on by-products only). We calculated the freshwater use, using the water footprint (WFP) method, and the competition for water use between food and feed production using the water use ratio (WUR) for each scenario. The WUR quantifies the maximum amount of human digestible protein (HDP) derived from food crops that could be produced on the same land, and using the same water resources, that were used to grow the feed ingredients needed to produce 1 kg of pork. The WFP of the scenarios was 2,470 L/kg pork for STANDARD, 2,492 L/kg pork for LOCAL, and 2,205 L/kg pork for BY-PRODUCT. When we considered the WUR, none of the scenarios had a value < 1 (i.e. in all scenarios, more HDP can be produced from direct cultivation of food crops rather than pork). However, the BY-PRODUCT scenario (1.4) performed better than STANDARD (1.9) and LOCAL (2.9). Beet pulp and bakery by-products had zero WFP and no edibility and were thus considered promising ingredients. Moreover, rapeseed meal had a low WFP and rapeseed meal and sunflower seed meal are not considered human edible and were considered fit for future inclusion in diets. We also concluded that both the WFP and WUR methods have separate strengths and limitations, and should thus be used in conjunction; the ideal diet is one with the minimum WFP and WUR. Consideration of human edibility of feed ingredients is an important approach which should be included in future studies. Moreover, the entire food system including dairy, beef, poultry and other competitive uses should be taken into account when considering which feed ingredients to use in pig diets. • Freshwater use of Irish pork production was studied focusing on different pig diets. • Freshwater use was assessed using the water footprint and water use ratio. • Based on both methods, a diet formulated using by-products used the least water. • Freshwater use assessment should consider human edibility of feed ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Local protein sources can substitute imported protein for growing-finishing pigs. • Green protein does not compromise feed efficiency and meat sensory profile. • Feed carbon footprint is reduced with locally produced protein. The public demand for increased sustainability and reduced climate impact of the pork production incites using high yielding local protein sources as substitutes for the imported protein used presently. Substitution must be done without compromising the productivity, which could counteract the positive effect on climate impact. The aim of the study was to document the effects of replacing imported protein with local protein sources on animal productivity, meat quality and climate impact of pork production. Soybean and sunflower meal represented imported protein (group 1), and biorefined Green protein in combination with fava beans (group 2) and a price-competitive feed with fava beans and rapeseed cake (group 3) presented the local protein. Groups of 120 pigs were fed one of the three diets from 30 kg and until slaughter. Daily growth was not affected by diet, however daily feed intake was higher in group 2 (2.82 kg/pig/day) compared to group 1 and 3 (2.74 kg/pig/day and 2.70 kg/pig/day, respectively) (P=0.0039). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower in group 3 (2.47 kg feed/kg gain) compared to group 1 and 2 (2.52 kg feed/kg growth for both) (P=0.033). Sensory evaluation reported that meat from group 3 was more tender (P=0.003) and with lower chewing time (P<0.0001). The diet did not affect taste or odour of the meat. The carbon footprint (CF) per kg live weight (LW) of pig at farm gate was 10% lower for group 3 compared to group 1, and when the contributions from soil carbon changes and direct land use change (dLUC) were included, CF for group 3 pigs on the price-competitive local protein was 25 % lower than CF for group 1 pigs on imported protein. In this scenario, the CF of diet 2 was assumed to equal that of diet 3, and thereby CF of Green protein was quantified to 290 g CO 2 /kg DM. In conclusion, imported protein sources can be substituted with local protein without adverse effects on animal productivity. Biorefined Green protein can be included without compromising feed efficiency and meat sensory profile. The study demonstrated potential to reduce CF of pork by using feed with only locally produced protein sources like fava beans and rapeseed cake, and probably also Green protein, as the feeding trial indicated that local protein sources can successfully be sustainable alternatives to imported protein. However, further studies are needed to quantify the climate and environmental impact of Green protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • L. helveticus chlorogenic acid (CGA) esterase was effective at hydrolyzing CGA. • CGA esterase was thermostable, easily expressed, and purified. • CGA esterase hydrolyzed CGA in solution and in suspended sunflower seed meal. • CGA esterase hydrolyzed CGA in undefatted and defatted sunflower seed meal. • CGA hydrolysis fully eliminates CGA-induced greening in sunflower protein isolates. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is an ester between caffeic and quinic acid. It is found in many foods and reacts with free amino groups in proteins at alkaline pH, leading to the formation of an undesirable green pigment in sunflower seed-derived ingredients. This paper presents the biochemical characterization and application of a highly active chlorogenic acid esterase from Lactobacillus helveticus. The enzyme is one of the most active CGA esterases known to date with a K m of 0.090 mM and a k cat of 82.1 s−1. The CGA esterase is easily expressed recombinantly in E. coli in large yields and is stable over a wide range of pH and temperatures. We characterized CGA esterase's kinetic properties in sunflower meal and demonstrated that the enzyme completely hydrolyzes CGA in the meal. Finally, we showed that CGA esterase treatment of sunflower seed meal enables the production of pale brown sunflower protein isolates using alkaline extraction. This work will allow for more widespread use of sunflower-derived products in applications where neutrally-colored food products are desired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crude enzyme produced via solid state fermentation using the fungal strain Aspergillus oryzae was used to lyse cells of Cupriavidus necator, enabling the recovery of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), P(3HB-co-12mol% 3HV). A central composite design was employed in order to optimize the temperature and the pH value leading to the highest lysis of Cupriavidus necator cells (88.9 ± 0.4%) and the optimal hydrolysis of protein contained in bacterial cells. Enzymatic lysis of bacterial cells was also carried out at the optimum temperature and uncontrolled pH value leading to P(3HB-co-12mol% 3HV) recovery yield and purity of 98% and 96.7%, respectively. The bacterial cell lysate obtained after the separation of P(3HB-co-12mol% 3HV) granules was evaluated as nutrient-rich supplement together with crude glycerol for the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) in shake flask cultures. This novel downstream separation process could be integrated in a sunflower-based biorefinery reducing the cost of poly(hydroxyalkanoate) recovery and fermentation medium formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy and phosphorus values of sunflower meal (SFM) and rice bran (RB) were determined in 2 experiments with Ross 708 broiler chickens from 15 to 22 d of age. In Exp.1, the diets consisted of a corn-soybean meal reference diet (RD) and 4 test diets (TD). The TD consisted of SFM and RB that partly replaced the energy sources in the RD at 100 or 200 g/kg and 75 or 150 g/kg, respectively, such that the equal ratios were maintained for all energy containing ingredients across all experimental diets. In Exp.2, a cornstarch-soybean meal diet was the RD and TD consisting of SFM and RB that partly replaced cornstarch in the RD at 100 or 200 g/kg and 60 or 120 g/kg, respectively. Addition of SFM and RB to the RD in Exp.1 linearly decreased (P < 0.01) the digestibility coefficients of DM, energy, ileal digestible energy (IDE), metabolizability coefficients of DM, nitrogen (N), energy, N correct energy, metabolize energy (ME), and nitrogencorrected ME. Except for RB, the increased levels of the test ingredients in RD did affect the metabolizability coefficients of N. The IDE values (kcal/kg DM) were 1,953 for SFM and 2,498 for RB; ME values (kcal/kg DM) were 1,893 for SFM and 2,683 for RB; and MEn values (kcal/kg DM) were 1,614 for SFM and 2,476 for RB. In Exp.2, there was a linear relationship between phosphorus (P) intake and ileal P output for diets with increased levels of SFM and RB. In addition, there was a linear relationship between P intake and P digestibility and retention for diets with increased levels of SFM. There were a quadratic effect (P < 0.01) and a tendency of quadratic effect (P = 0.07) for P digestible and total tract P retained, respectively, in the RB diets. The P digestibility and total tract P retention from regression analyses for SFM were 46% and 38%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to examine the effects of treating sunflower and spring pea meals with orthophosphoric or malic acid solutions and heat on growth performance, concentrate intake, and carcass yield and fatness of growing-fattening lambs. Ninety “Entrefino” cross male lambs from three commercial farms (average initial body weights (BW) = 14.6, 15.3 and 13.3 kg) were randomly assigned to five diets with different acid treatment and protein levels, and fattened to an average slaughter weight of 25 kg. Protein sources in the control concentrate (C; crude protein (CP) = 18%) were soybean meal and untreated sunflower and spring pea meals. In three of the experimental concentrates, orthophosphoric acid-treated meals substituted untreated sunflower and spring pea meals (Orthophosphoric Control, PC; CP = 18% dry matter basis (DM)), and soybean meal was partially (Medium Substitution Orthophosphoric, MSP; CP = 16.7%) or totally removed (Total Substitution Orthophosphoric, TSP; CP = 15.6%). In addition, in one concentrate orthophosphoric acid was replaced by malic acid to protect these meals (Medium Substitution Malic, MSM; CP = 16.7%). Wheat straw (roughage source) and concentrate were offered ad libitum . No effect associated with the CP level was observed on any parameter. This suggests that with protected proteins it is possible to feed concentrates with 15.6% CP (on DM) reducing the need to include vegetable protein meals as well as the quality of the protein concentrates. Lambs fed MSM had higher average daily gains (15.2%; P = 0.042), and better hot carcass yields (1.3 percentage points; P = 0.037) than lambs fed MSP. This probably can be explained by ruminal malate actions and by greater protection effects obtained with malic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein sources obtained from co-products might provide an alternative to soybean meal (SBM), counteracting the dependency on other countries and increasing the sustainability. In an energy reduced broiler diet (−0.72 MJ AME N), a mixture of DDGS, sunflower meal and rapeseed meal was applied as alternative fiber rich protein source (APS) to replace 100% of SBM. Furthermore, the diets were supplemented with 0.04% of a lignan-rich phytogenic component derived from bark to improve the performance. The experimental diets were fed to 3,600 broilers (Ross 308, mixed sex) from day 11 to 36 posthatch (grower and finisher phase). Overall, the broilers responded to APS diets with a significantly increased daily feed intake and decreased body weight (P < 0.05), which resulted in an impaired F:G ratio (P < 0.05). The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy with APS diets decreased significantly. The replacement of SBM by APS resulted in higher gizzard weights (P < 0.05), proventriculus weights (P < 0.05) together with a decreased gizzard pH (P < 0.05) and improved foot pad dermatitis score of broiler chickens (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the replacement of soybean meal with alternative protein sources in energy reduced diets destined for broilers negatively affects performance and digestibility, however, improves food pad health and upper intestinal tract characteristics. The supplementation with a phytogenic component, decreased feed intake in finisher phase, however improved F:G ratio and increased the breast weight (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it indicated a positive statistical interaction with APS diets regarding certain digestibility values (P < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower meal (SFM) has been used for the production of an antioxidant-rich fraction, protein isolate and nutrient-rich fermentation supplements. Suspension of SFM in water led to the production of a lignocellulose-rich fraction and a protein concentrate fraction. The ethanolic extract from the SFM showed high antioxidant activity, as it was measured by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) method. The extract obtained from the SFM contained mainly chlorogenic acid (214.3 mg/100 g on a dry basis) and gentisic acid (153.76 mg/100 g on a dry basis) as was quantified by HPLC-DAD analysis. The antioxidant-free protein concentrate fraction was used for the production of protein isolate (purity higher than 95% w/w) after alkaline treatment followed by acidic precipitation at the isoelectric point. Remaining solid and liquid streams were used for the production of nutrient-rich hydrolysates based on on-site enzyme production for hydrolysis of residual streams. Crude glycerol and nutrient-rich hydrolysates were used in fed-batch bioreactor fermentations for the production of 57 g L −1 of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) with an intracellular content of 86.2% (w/w). This is the first study that reports the utilization of biodiesel industry by-products for the production of value-added co-products and PHB with no supplementation of commercial nutrient supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the valorisation of crude glycerol and sunflower meal (SFM) from conventional biodiesel production plants for the separation of value-added co-products (antioxidant-rich extracts and protein isolate) and for enhancing biodiesel production through microbial oil synthesis. Microbial oil production was evaluated using three oleaginous yeast strains ( Rhodosporidium toruloides , Lipomyces starkeyi and Cryptococcus curvatus ) cultivated on crude glycerol and nutrient-rich hydrolysates derived from either whole SFM or SFM fractions that remained after separation of value-added co-products. Fed-batch bioreactor cultures with R. toruloides led to the production of 37.4 g L −1 of total dry weight with a microbial oil content of 51.3% (w w −1 ) when a biorefinery concept based on SFM fractionation was employed. The estimated biodiesel properties conformed with the limits set by the EN 14214 and ASTM D 6751 standards. The estimated cold filter plugging point (7.3–8.6 °C) of the lipids produced by R. toruloides is closer to that of biodiesel derived from palm oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present experiment was to examine the effect of different levels of rapeseed meal (RSM) and sunflower meal (SFM) and enzyme combination (endoxylanase and β-glucanase) on the production performance, carcass quality, gizzard development and digesta viscosity of broiler chickens. The experimental design was a 3×2 factorial arrangement of treatments evaluating three diet types containing different levels of RSM and SFM (low (L), medium (M) and high (H)) and two levels of enzyme inclusion (0 or 100 g/tonne diet to provide 1220 U xylanase and 152 U β-glucanase per kg diet). Broiler starter and grower/finisher diets were formulated, based on wheat and soya bean meal and containing 50, 50 and 80 g/kg RSM and 0, 50 and 60 g/kg SFM for L, M and H treatments, respectively, during starter period and 80, 80 and 120 g/kg RSM and 0, 80 and 100 g/kg SFM for L, M and H, respectively, during grower/finisher period, and each diet was fed ad libitum to eight pens of 20 male broilers each. During the starter period (1 to 21 days), birds fed the H treatment had lower (P<0.05) BW gain (BWG) compared with those fed the L and M treatments. Diet type also influenced (P<0.05) feed intake (FI). Feeding the H treatment reduced (P<0.05) FI compared with the M treatment. Diet type and enzyme supplementation had no effect (P>0.05) on feed conversion ratio (FCR). During the grower/finisher phase (22 to 42 day) and over the entire period (1 to 42 day) birds fed the H treatment had lower (P<0.05) BWG and higher (P<0.05) FCR compared with those fed the L and M diets. Enzyme supplementation improved (P<0.05) FCR compared with the unsupplemented diets. No interactions (P>0.05) between RSM and SFM inclusion level and enzyme supplementation were observed for any of the measured parameters at any period. Diet type and enzyme supplementation had no effect (P>0.05) on carcass traits, abdominal fat pad, breast meat yield and jejunal digesta viscosity. Diet type influenced (P=0.05) relative empty gizzard weight, where the H treatment had higher relative empty gizzard weight compared with the L treatment. Enzyme supplementation tended (P=0.10) to increase relative empty gizzard weight. The present data suggest that high inclusion of SFM and RSM negatively influenced broiler performance. Enzyme supplementation improved FCR at all levels of RSM and SFM included in this study, but did not recover the reduction in weight gain caused by high inclusion of RSM and SFM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study was designed to deter-mine the effect on laying performance and egg qual-ity resulting from total substitution of soybean meal (SBM) with low-fiber sunflower meal (SFM; Helianthus annus L.) meal in diet of hens. ISA Brown layers, 28 wk of age, were randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments and fed for 10 wk. The hens were kept in a free-range environment and fed 2 wheat middling-based diets con-sisting of a control diet, which contained SBM (153 g/ kg of diet), and a test diet containing low-fiber SFM (160 g/kg of diet) as the main protein source. Each di-etary treatment was replicated 4 times. Low-fiber SFM was obtained by a combination of sieving and air clas-sification processes. Feed consumption was recorded daily and egg production was calculated on a hen-day basis; eggs from each group were collected weekly to evaluate egg components and quality. The total sub-stitution of SBM with low-fiber SFM had no adverse effect on growth performance of laying hens. Egg pro-duction and none of egg quality traits examined were influenced by dietary treatment, except for yolk color (P < 0.05) and percentage of large-size eggs (P < 0.05) that were improved in hens fed the low-fiber SFM diet. Including low-fiber SFM decreased serum and egg yolk total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.001), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Our results suggest that the replacement of conventional soybean with low-fiber sunflower meal may be a valid alternative in diets for laying hens to improve egg quality and to develop low-cholesterol eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of increasing content of sunflower meal (SFM) in diets of laying ducks on laying performance, oxidative status, lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. In total, 720 Jingjiang females at 22-week-old with similar body weight were selected and randomly assigned to 6 treatments, each consisting of 6 replicates of 20 birds. The basal diet was a typical corn-soybean ration (SFM0) while the experimental diets were formulated by substituting soybean meal with 40 (SFM40), 80 (SFM80), 120 (SFM120), 160 (SFM160), and 200 (SFM200) g/kg of SFM, respectively. The feeding trial was lasted for 16 weeks. Average egg mass decreased linearly as the level of SFM inclusion increased (P < 0.001), while feed conversion ratio linearly increased (P < 0.05). Yolk color and yolk cholesterol content declined as a linear and quadratic response to SFM substitution (P < 0.001). Increasing of SFM substitution quadratically increased hepatic expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), heme oxygenase 1, nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 and hepatic activities of GPX and total antioxidative capacity, whereas the hepatic content of malondialdehyde was decreased (P < 0.05). There was a linear increase (P < 0.001) in hepatic transcript abundance of cytochrome P450 7A1 along the increased portion of SFM substitution, and linear decrease (P < 0.001) in fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase. In addition, sequencing data of 16S rRNA indicated that a high level of SFM decreased the abundance of cecal Spirochaetes phylum and Megamonas genus, while increased that of Bacteroides (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present results suggested that SFM can be used as an alternative to replace soybean meal, at levels up to 120 g/kg in the diets of laying ducks without affecting laying performance and egg quality. Moderate substitution of soybean meal with SFM also increased hepatic antioxidative capacity, suppressed de novo lipogenesis, and improved gut microbiota. • The effects of sunflower meal on antioxidative capacity, lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in laying ducks were assessed. • Sunflower meal inclusion in diet not affected productive performance and egg quality, except yolk color. • 12% sunflower meal inclusion increased antioxidative capacity, suppressed de novo lipogenesis, and improved gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two experiments (Exp.) involving male Ross 308 broiler chicks were conducted to study the influence of type of cereal (sorghum or wheat) and the inclusion of sunflower meal (SFM) as a dietary fibre source on nutrient retention and growth performance. The experiment involved two feeding periods, starter (1–10d of age) and finisher (11–21d of age) and four experimental diets per period. Diets were organized factorially with two levels of sorghum in substitution of wheat (0 vs. 200 or 250g sorghum/kg for the starter and finisher feeds, respectively) and two levels of SFM (0 vs. 40 or 25g SFM/kg for each period). In Exp. 1, diet did not affect total tract apparent retention of nutrients. At 21d of age, the coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility of starch was higher (P<0.001) for the wheat than for the sorghum diets. At 10 and 21d of age, birds fed the sorghum diets had larger digestive tracts than chicks fed the wheat diets (P<0.01). In Exp. 2, the inclusion of SFM impaired (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) of birds from 1 to 10 days of age. From 11 to 21d of age, birds fed the wheat diets had higher ADG than chicks fed the sorghum diets (P<0.05). However, no differences in growth performance were observed for the entire experimental period. In conclusion, the inclusion of 200g sorghum/kg did not affect nutrient retention or growth performance during the first 10d of life. However, the inclusion of SFM reduced growth performance at this stage. The inclusion of 250g sorghum/kg reduced apparent ileal digestibility of starch and growth performance from 11 to 21d of age. The cereal type and the inclusion of SFM as a source of additional dietary fibre might affect digestive traits and growth performance of young broilers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Response of broiler chickens to 2 levels of endo-1,4-β xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) and endo-1,3-β glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) cocktail (with and without), 3 levels of digestible lysine (8.0, 9.0 and 10.0gkg−1 with the applicability of ideal protein concept), and 2 levels of sunflower meal (SFM; 200 and 300gkg−1) were evaluated in the present experiment. The factorial design of 2×3×2 using 2448 one-day-old straight-run Hubbard broiler chicks was used to evaluate the effect of two levels of enzymes, 3 levels of digestible lysine and 2 levels of SFM in practical vegetable based mash diets having 11.51MJME and 190gCPkg−1 from 1 to 42d of age. The BW gain was improved linearly (P≤0.001) with the increasing level of digestible lysine during 1–21d and 22–42d of age. The gain:feed was improved linearly (P≤0.001) with the increasing digestible lysine during 1–21d and a quadratic effect of digestible lysine was noted during 1–42d where 9.0 and 10.0g digestible lysine kg−1 of diet responded similar for gain:feed. Enzyme supplementation at 300gSFMkg−1 improved BW gain (P≤0.008) and gain:feed (P≤0.048) during 1–21d. When 10.0g digestible lysine kg−1 of diet was used at 2 levels of SFM, gain:feed was improved (P≤0.013) during 1–21d. However, this interaction was not significant on other performance parameters either at 21d or at 42d of age. The enzyme supplementation decreased the feed intake (P≤0.019) by 4.67% and improved gain:feed by 5.53% (P≤0.012) during 1–42d without affecting BW gain. The main effect of SFM was not significant for live performance or carcass response at any stage. The depression in breast weights at 42d due to 300g SFM or 8.0g digestible lysine kg−1 of diet was compensated by the enzyme addition (a significant enzyme×SFM effect). No significant effect of enzyme, SFM, digestible lysine or their interactions was observed on apparent metabolizable energy of the diets. Coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility of nitrogen was improved by the addition of enzyme to 10.0g digestible lysine kg−1 of diet or addition of digestible lysine to high SFM. The results of the present study revealed a positive response of enzyme addition in low nutrient density and high SFM diets. Moreover, digestible lysine is not suggested to be lowered than 10.0g during 1–21d and it may be reduced to 9.0gkg−1 if a single diet having high level of SFM is planned to be offered during 1–42d. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The sunflower meal increases the feed conversion ratio in the grower phase. • The enzyme complexes are not efficient for diets containing sunflower meal. • The sexual maturity and egg quality were not affected by sunflower meal or enzymes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of sunflower meal and enzymes in brown-egg laying pullets in the grower phase (7 to 17 wk of age) on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production performance, sexual maturity, and egg quality at the beginning of the laying phase. A total of 480 brown egg laying pullets were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with sunflower meal (12 and 24%) and enzyme complexes (with or without) and plus 1 (control) with 6 replications per treatment and 16 pullets per pen for the performance assay. At the end of the grower phase, 330 remaining pullets (480 initial birds subtracting removed birds for analysis) were transferred to the laying house until 35 wk of age, where the same experimental design was maintained, however, the replications now had 11 pullets selected those close to the average. There was no interaction between SM and enzyme supplementation, however, the diets containing SM and enzymes caused a increase in feed intake and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). As for laying phase, diets containing SM and enzymes used in the grower phase, did not affect the productive performance, sexual maturity, and egg quality, with a decrease in specific density values when compared to the control treatment (P < 0.01). The increase in inclusion from 12 up to 24% of sunflower meal in the diets of brown-egg laying pullets increase the feed intake and feed conversion ratio in the grower phase, but it had no residual effect in the productive performance at the beginning of the laying phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel bio-economy business model for production of bio-based succinic acid and value-added co-products has been developed using biodiesel industry by-products. Sunflower meal (SFM) fractionation resulted in an antioxidant-rich extract via aqueous ethanol extraction and a protein concentrate stream via NaOH recycling using ultrafiltration. Solid state fermentation (SSF) by Aspergillus awamori using untreated SFM resulted in the production of cellulase, β-glucosidase, xylanase, protease and phytase. After the extraction of co-products, the residual SFM was hydrolysed via thermochemical and enzymatic treatment using crude enzymes resulting in conversion yields of 0.23 g g−1 total Kjeldahl nitrogen to free amino nitrogen, 0.56 g g−1 cellulose to glucose and 0.92 g g−1 hemicellulose to sugars. The SFM-derived hydrolysate was used in fed-batch cultures of Actinobacillus succinogenes leading to 34 g L−1 succinic acid with a yield of 0.6 g g−1 and a productivity of 0.71 g L−1 h−1. Crude glycerol supplemented with SFM hydrolysate resulted in 69.1 g L−1 succinic acid with a yield of 0.39 g g−1 and a productivity of 1.26 g L−1 h−1 by Yarrowia lipolytica PSA02004. SFM was efficiently used for co-product extraction, fermentation medium production and on-site crude enzyme production via SSF. [Display omitted] • Bio-economy business model development using sunflower meal and crude glycerol. • Phenolic-rich extract and protein concentrate as value-added products from sunflower meal. • Efficient on-site production of crude enzyme consortia from sunflower meal. • Succinic acid production at high productivity (1.26 g L−1 h−1) by Yarrowia lipolytica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of mono and dual frequency (20, 28 and 20/28 kHz) ultrasound action on extraction kinetics, functional, and structural traits of sunflower protein (SP) was examined. A simplified model based on Fick's second law was developed, and the mass transfer of soluble SP in a heterogeneous system was successfully described. Findings suggested that ultrasound action significantly increased (p < 0.05) the release and diffusion of soluble SP across the cell wall into extraction solvent, causing enhanced observed rate constant (k) and diffusion-effective coefficient (D s) values over control. Moreover, dual frequency sonication (20/28 kHz) considerably increased oil holding efficacy and surface charge (by 21.07 and 32.15%, respectively), but reduced water holding efficacy and particle size (by 40.74 and 26.61%, respectively) relative to untreated sample (p < 0.05). Also, ultrasonicated SP displayed excellent solubility under varying pH (2−10), likened to the control (p < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) outcomes indicated that ultrasonicated SP showed irregular fragments, heterogenous/ disordered structure and small-sized particles, suggesting that sonication (notably 20/28 kHz) destroyed the cross-linkages among SP molecules. FT-IR spectroscopy exhibited that ultrasonication improved the content of β-sheet from 8.52–18.94% and random coil from 11.63–21.71%, whereas reductions in α-helix and β-turn were noticed, implying limited unfolding of SP structure and decreases in intermolecular interactions. Intrinsic fluorescence analysis revealed that dual frequency treatment was observed to be more efficient in altering the tertiary structure of SP reference to single frequency and control. Sunflower protein, isolated from sunflower residue, is a potentially low-cost resource for food applications. Ultrasonication is reported to improve the extraction of proteins as well as enhancing their functionalities. The existing study displayed that ultrasonication (observably dual frequency treated) was successfully applied to improve the extractability of soluble sunflower protein, and enhanced its functionality (solubility and OH e) reference to control. The research outcomes may benefit food/ chemical industries in extraction and/or alteration of sunflower protein in new applications. • A new kinetic model for extraction of sunflower protein (SP) was developed. • Sonication (observably 20/28 kHz) increased the release and diffusion of soluble SP. • Ultrasonicated SP displayed higher solubility and oil holding efficacy than control. • AFM indicated the collapse of cross-linkages among SP molecules following sonication. • FTIR spectra exhibited notable changes in secondary structure of SP after sonication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The utilisation of sunflower meal as a substitute for fish meal was evaluated in juvenile (44 g±4.6 on average) gilthead sea bream fed diets containing four levels of sunflower meal (0, 12, 24 and 36%). The experiment was divided into two phases; in the first one (until day 90), fish reached a weight of 189, 198, 187 and 174 g, respectively, the diet containing 36% gave the lowest specific growth rate (SGR) and the diet containing 12% sunflower meal the highest. In the second phase (from day 91 to day 248), fish growth was not significantly affected by treatments. In relation to feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), the diet containing 36% sunflower meal gave the worst results in both phases. There were no statistical differences in body composition, but energy and protein efficiency were lowest in fish fed the diet containing 36% sunflower meal. Sensory differences between sea bream fed diets containing 0% and 24% sunflower meal were not detected. Optimum dietary level of sunflower meal for growth and feed conversion obtained from quadratic regression was 10–12%, but when economic aspects were considered, the optimum dietary level was 14–15% sunflower meal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding multienzyme preparation (Rovabio Excel AP, Adisseo Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Singapore) at 2 inclusion levels of sunflower meal (SFM; 20 and 30% of the diets) with 3 levels of digestible Lys (0.8, 0.9, and 1.0%) with and without enzyme in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Each diet was offered to 4 replicates of 51 one-day-old straight-run Hubbard broiler chicks (n = 2448) in a practical vegetable-based mash diet having 2,750 kcal of ME/kg and 19% CP during 2 wk posthatching (1 to 14 d of age). Feed formulation was based on digestible amino acids, which were calculated from the CP and DM contents of each ingredient using AminoDat 2 (Degussa Corp., Allendale, NJ). The enzyme used in this study was authenticated by the supplier to have mini- mum level of endo-1,4-β xylanase (22,000 visco units/g) and endo-1,3(4)-β glucanase (2,000 AGL units/g) and was added at the rate of 50 mg/kg of finished diet. No significant effect of enzyme or level of SFM was observed on BW gain (BWG), feed intake, or mortality during the experimental period. The BWG and feed:gain for birds fed on 30% SFM with enzyme were comparable to those fed on 20% SFM without enzyme during 1 to 14 d of age. However, enzyme at 20% SFM depressed the BWG (P ≤ 0.006) and feed conversion ratio (P ≤ 0.027). A quadratic (P ≤ 0.036) response of digestible Lys was noted for BWG, whereas it was linear (P ≤ 0.001) for feed:gain during 1 to 7 and 1 to 14 d. A level of 1.0% digestible Lys was observed best for BWG and feed:gain. For BWG, 0.8 and 0.9% digestible Lys was comparable when it was used at 30% SFM, along with enzyme. In conclusion, enzyme supplementation during 2 wk posthatching has no remarkable effect when used in SFM-based diets. Moreover, digestible Lys may be lowered to 0.8% during the first week but not less than 1.0% during the second week post-hatching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate an enzymatic process to decrease the chlorogenic acid (CGA) content in a model system with pure CGA as substrate. The results obtained in the model system indicated that CGA can be decreased by 98% in a 3h reaction time period. The effects of pH, temperature, and enzyme and substrate concentrations on the rate of the enzymatic reaction were studied. It was found that the optimum pH and temperature were 4.3 and 45°C, respectively. For low enzyme concentrations, a linear relationship exists between the enzyme concentration and the initial reaction rate. However, this linearity disappears when the enzyme concentration was higher than 1nkat/mL. With respect to the CGA concentration, the enzyme was saturated with substrate when its concentration was 0.13mM. The kinetics of CGA decrease in the model system was also investigated. The results from this study can help to understand better the enzymatic process in a more complex system where sunflower meal is used as a source of substrate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents abstracts of several studies on nonruminant pig nutrition. "Advantages of Formulating Diets Based on Net Energy on Pig Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Production Economics," by M. Rademacher and L. Hagemann; "Energy, Protein, and Amino Acid Digestibility in Different Sources of Rice Bran for Growing Pigs," by C. Kaufmann and colleagues; "Comparison of a Diet Containing Food Waste With a Corn/Soybean Diet Fed to Swine," by J. Jones, M. L. Westendorf and J. E. Wohlt.

Presents abstracts of several studies on nonruminant pig nutrition. "Advantages of Formulating Diets Based on Net Energy on Pig Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Production Economics," by M. Rademacher and L. Hagemann; "Energy, Protein, and Amino Acid Digestibility in Different Sources of Rice Bran for Growing Pigs," by C. Kaufmann and colleagues; "Comparison of a Diet Containing Food Waste With a Corn/Soybean Diet Fed to Swine," by J. Jones, M. L. Westendorf and J. E. Wohlt.

The in vitro digestibility of two-stage dried olive cake (TSDOC) and olive leaves (OL) unsupplemented or supplemented with increasing amounts of urea (U) or sunflower meal (SM) (0, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 g/100 g organic matter (OM) of the by-product) was determined. Chemical and amino acid composition, in vitro digestibility, in situ rumen degradability of crude protein and amino acids, and in situ–in vitro intestinal digestibility of SM CP and amino acids was determined. The in sacco rumen degradability and in vitro intestinal availability of CP and individual amino acids were also determined. Results obtained in Granadina goats and Seguren˜a wethers were compared. SM provides arginine, glycine and aspartic and glutamic acids. The addition of increasing amounts of U or SM improved (P<0.001) the IVDMD and IVOMD of both TSDOC and OL. There was no effect (P>0.05) of the rumen inoculum origin on in vitro TSDOC digestibility. In contrast, values for OL were higher (P<0.001) for goats versus sheep. In sacco ruminal CP degradability of SM was relatively high, and similar in sheep and goats (ED=0.78 and 0.75 for sheep and goats). Individual amino acid ruminal degradability had different values, being lowest for methionine, leucine, proline, tyrosine and cysteine. Values obtained for individual amino acids differed from those of CP. Apparent intestinal digestibility of undegraded protein (AIDUP) of SM was high (0.86 and 0.98, respectively, for sheep and goats). The intestinally absorbable protein (IADP) was low (18.9 and 24.0 for sheep and goats, respectively). Results indicate that goats and sheep have the same capacity for TSDOC digestion, but goats showed a better capacity than sheep for OL utilisation. Although the amino acids supply to the intestine from SM is not important it could be a good supplement for low degradable protein feedstuffs such as TSDOC and OL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nutritional value of sunflower meal (SFM) as a replacement protein source of soybean meal (SBM) for goat kids was evaluated. Thirty-six weaned Shami goat kids were randomly selected and used in a complete randomize design (CRD) trial with three treatments. Kids were divided into three groups of equal number and allocated into pens of similar size and condition. For each group, kids were fed one of three diets containing SBM, SFM, or SFM supplemented with fibrolytic cellulases enzyme (sunflower meal with enzyme, SFME). The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Total gain and average daily gain were higher (P<0.05) for kids fed SFME with no differences obtained between SBM and SFM. Daily gain values averaged 221.7, 155.8, and 141.6 g for the three experiments, respectively. SFME group had the highest (P<0.05) feed intake value. At the same time, SFM and SBM group were not different (P>0.05) with higher value for the former. Same results were obtained for the feed conversion ratio (FCR) where SFME kids had the highest (P<0.05) FCR value of 4.7. No difference was observed for SBM in feed conversion ratio value (6.6) compared to that of the SFM (7.59). It is concluded that sunflower meal can successfully replace soybean meal as a protein source in fattening diets. Moreover, fibrolytic enzymes can be effectively used to enhance the feeding value of the SFM and overcome its high fiber content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Four Holstein heifers with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a cross-over design with the objective to evaluate if, in fresh forage diets, the ruminal N requirements for microbial protein synthesis would be met by forage protein and also if total protein flow at the duodenum could be increased by the use of a low degradable protein (LDP) in the concentrate. Diets consisted of fresh alfalfa forage (CP=19.4%, NDF=44.5%, IVDMD=65.5%) offered ad libitum and 4.5 kg dry matter (DM) of either a highly degradable protein (HDP; CP=18%, IVDMD=82.4%) or a low degradable protein concentrate (LDP; CP=19.9% and IVDMD=83.8%). Concentrates contained ground corn, wheat bran, salt mix and either sunflower meal (SFM) (24% of DM; HDP) or fish meal (FM) (14% of DM; LDP). Cows were fed three times per day. Chromic oxide (Cr2O5) was used as an external marker for digesta flow estimation. Total diet compositions were: OM=91.4 and 90.3%, and CP=19.4 and 20.0% for HDP and LDP, respectively. Total OM and CP intake averaged 10.5 kg OM per day and 364 g N per day (P>0.10). Apparent ruminal OM digestibility was 36.5% of OM intake (P=0.87). Although ruminal ammonia concentration was higher (P=0.02) when HDP was fed (25.3 mg/dl versus 19.5 mg/dl), the proportion of total N consumed reaching the duodenum did not differ with the type of supplement fed (P=0.45) (average: 98.5% of intake). Duodenal flow of non-ammonia N (NAN), microbial N (MN) and dietary N were not different among treatments (average: 354, 281 and 74 g per day). Efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (MPS), as g MN/kg OM apparently or truly digested in rumen, was not affected (P>0.10) by treatments (average: 73.6 and 42.0). Ruminal pH (average: 6.1) and total VFA concentration (average: 159.5 mmol/dl) were also unaffected by the source of protein used. According to these results, the use of SFM or FM as a source of HDP and LDP, respectively, did not alter either MPS or total CP flow to the duodenum, despite lower rumen ammonia concentration when FM was fed in the concentrate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• High-protein sunflower meal (HP-SFM) is a potential source of protein in swine diets. • Evaluation of phosphorus (P) digestibility in HP-SFM is important due to its high P content. • The standardized total tract digestible P in HP-SFM was determined at 3.61 g/kg. • Phytase supplementation tended to increase the standardized total tract digestibility of P in HP-SFM fed to pigs by 100 %. The objective of this research was to determine the coefficient of apparent (CATTD) and standardized total tract digestibility (CSTTD) of phosphorus (P) in high-protein sunflower meal (HP-SFM) fed to growing pigs with or without phytase supplementation. Twenty-four pigs (19.5 ± 1.9 kg) were assigned to 1 of 4 diets to give 6 replicates per diet. The experimental diets consisted of a corn-soybean meal-based diet and a diet containing 300 g/kg of HP-SFM, both of which were fed without or with phytase supplementation at 500 phytase units/kg. The CATTD and CSTTD of P in experimental diets were determined and then the CATTD and CSTTD of P in HP-SFM were calculated using the difference method. Pigs were fed their diets at approximately 2.8 times the maintenance energy requirement. Pigs were housed individually in metabolism crates for 15 days including 10 days for adaptation to experimental diets and 5 days for total collection of feces. Phytase supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) both calcium (Ca; 21.4 vs. 13.4 g/kg) and P (44.4 vs. 32.3 g/kg) concentrations in feces in HP-SFM-containing diets. The addition of dietary phytase to the HP-SFM-containing diets also reduced (P < 0.05) daily fecal Ca output from 3.08 to 1.86 g/day and daily fecal P output from 6.41 to 4.51 g/day. The CATTD of Ca and P and CSTTD of P increased (P < 0.05) with phytase supplementation in both basal and HP-SFM-containing diets. There was a tendency (P = 0.061) for phytase supplementation to increase P utilization in HP-SFM, and the CATTD and CSTTD of P in HP-SFM with phytase supplementation were 0.37 and 0.38, respectively, which were higher than for HP-SFM without phytase supplementation (0.18 and 0.19, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feed is a common factor influencing both fish growth and waste production in aquaculture. We examined the effect of different feed ingredients on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of faecal waste produced by common carp. Ingredients rich in (i) starch (field peas, PEA); (ii) protein (feather meal, FeM); (iii) insoluble non-starch polysaccharides, NSP (sunflower cake meal, SFM); or (iv) soluble NSP (wheat dried distillers grain with soluble, WDG) were studied. Five experimental diets were produced, a control diet produced from a basal mixture (CON) and four other diets (PEA, FeM, SFM and WDG) were prepared by replacing 30% of the basal mixture in CON with the respective test ingredient (70:30). Common carp juveniles (95 g, 15 fish per tank) were fed (restrictively, 22 g/kg0.8/d) the experimental diets for 7 weeks, in triplicate groups. Growth, body composition, energy and nutrient balances were significantly different; with highest growth recorded in CON and WDG; lowest in the FeM and SFM groups. Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter, nutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash and phosphorus) and energy in the diets and ingredients were significantly altered between the groups (p <.001). PEA had the best ADC for macro-nutrients and energy, while ash and phosphorus were highest with WDG; SFM had the lowest ADC values for DM, fat, carbohydrate, energy, and phosphorus. The quantity, proximate composition and recovery percentage of the feaces (collected by settling) was significantly different between treatments (p <.001). Faeces recovery and solid removal efficiency were the highest in WDG, comparable to CON; and lowest in SFM. Physical characteristics of the feaces (stripped) indicated by dry matter content and stability were significantly affected by the ingredients only at day 26 and 29, respectively. However, changes in dry matter and stability over time (days) were significant in SFM and WDG (for DM); and all groups except SFM (stability). Osmolality and viscosity of the stripped faeces was unaffected. In summary, SFM resulted in significantly lower performance, low DM and nutrient digestibility, increased faecal loss, lower stability and removal efficiency. FeM lowered growth, protein and fat digestibility; with altered faecal chemical composition. WDG and PEA performed on par with control, if not better in certain aspects with respect to mineral availability and faecal recovery. Overall, 30% inclusion of the test ingredients not only affected growth, but also the waste production and removal efficiency by altering the physical and chemical characteristics of the faeces in common carp. • Feed is a common factor influencing both fish growth and waste production in aquaculture. • Faecal characteristics and waste production was studied in common carp when fed different ingredients. • Recovery of faeces and solid removal efficiency was the highest in wheat distillers dried grains with soluble. • Sunflower cake meal inclusion resulted in maximal faecal waste production and least removal efficiency. • Dietary starch and non-starch polysaccharides constituents were the major determinants of faeces production and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]