Search

Background Commercial horse feeds utilise cereal grains and byproducts; however, their effects on the caecal environment remain poorly characterised. Objective Characterise the effect of commonly used feed ingredients on caecal pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration. Study design 6 × 6 Latin square. Methods Two days prior to the start of the study, 6 caecally cannulated Quarter horses were moved into individual stalls where Smooth bromegrass hay (brome) was offered at 2.0% BW/d split between 2 feedings (0600 and 1800). On day 0, caecal digesta was collected every 2 h for 12 h relative to the 0600 feeding to establish control values for horses consuming only brome (HAY). On day 1, horses began consuming their respective treatments which consisted of beet pulp (BP), maize (M), dehydrated alfalfa (A), oats (OAT), soybean hulls (SBH), or wheat middlings (WM) at 0.25% BW/d split into 2 feedings. On day 7 of each treatment period, caecal digesta was collected every 2 h for 12 h and analysed for pH and VFA. Data were analysed using mixed ANOVA with repeated measures, fixed effects of treatment and time, and random effects of horse and period. Results There was a main effect of hour (P ≤ 0.05) indicative of post-prandial shifts in caecal metabolites. There were no main effects of treatment on pH or VFA concentration (P ≥ 0.3). Effects of hour × treatment (P ≤ 0.04) were observed for all response variables. Regardless of treatment or hour, caecal pH remained well within normal limits. Three horses exhibited signs of lower oesophageal choke immediately after consumption of BP pellets. Limitations Interactions between ingredients when mixed for formulation of a concentrate warrant further research. Furthermore, a short adaptation period was chosen to mimic common management practices. Conclusion Minimal differences in caecal fermentation parameters were detected when ingredients were fed at a common inclusion level.

20 páginas, 3 figuras, BACKGROUND. The production of mycelium from endophytic fungi is of interest for applications ranging from inoculants and biofertilizers for crop production to fermentations for enzyme and metabolite production. The purpose of this study was to test the capacity of a solid growth medium based on beet pulp for growing different strains of endophytes. RESULTS. The ergosterol content of inoculated medium was measured to estimate fungal growth. Several parameters related to the preparation of the growth medium, such as water content, calcium salts and incubation time, were evaluated. The greatest fungal biomass production was observed in a medium prepared with a 1:2 (beet pulp:water) ratio, containing calcium sulfate and carbonate. Strains belonging to different fungal species grew well in the growth medium finally selected, producing yields ranging from 50 to 500 g mycelium per kilogram of dry culture, after 22–27 days. Cultures containing up to 400 g beet pulp grew successfully, and could be scaled up. CONCLUSION. A solid culture medium based on beet pulp supported the growth of diverse taxa of fungal endophytes. Both the water and calcium salt content of the growth medium affected the efficiency of mycelium production. Considering these factors, beet pulp medium was an excellent endophyte cultivation medium because of the high yield of fungal biomass observed, together with its ease of handling and scaling‐up production., This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities grant AGL2016-76035-C21R, and the Government of Castilla y León grant CSI231U14.

The present study was conducted to determine the net energy (NE) values and energy efficiency of wheat bran (WB), sugar beet pulp (SBP), corn gluten feed (CGF), soybean hulls (SBH), and defatted rice bran (DFRB) fed to pregnant sows. Thirty-six multiparous pregnant sows were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment. Each period lasted for 21 days including 14 days for adaptation. On day 15, sows were moved into respiration chambers for heat production (HP) measurement and provided feed at 544 kJ/kg BW0.75 /day. On day 20, sows were fasted to measure the fasting heat production (FHP). Experimental diets included corn-soybean meal basal diet and five diets containing 29.20% WB, SBP, CGF, SBH, and DFRB, respectively. Results showed that inclusion of WB, SBP, CGF, SBH, and DFRB to basal diet decreased (p < 0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of energy and nutrients. The average adjusted total HP and FHP were 418 kJ/kg BW0.75 /day and 326 kJ/kg BW0.75 /day, respectively. The average NE:ME ratio of experiment diets was 82.5%. In conclusion, the NE values of WB, SBP, CGF, SBH, and DFRB were 9.05, 8.59, 8.37, 7.64, and 7.93 MJ/kg DM, respectively.

The prediction of renal energy excretion is crucial in a metabolizable energy system for horses. Phenolic acids from forage cell walls may affect renal energy losses by increasing hippuric acid excretion. Therefore, the relationships were investigated between renal energy, nitrogen (N) and hippuric acid excretion of four adult ponies (230-384 kg body weight (BW)) consuming diets based on fresh grass, grass silage, grass cobs (heat-dried, finely chopped, pressed grass), alfalfa hay, straw, extruded straw and soybean meal. Feed intake was measured; urine and faeces were quantitatively collected for three days. Feed was analysed for crude nutrients, gross energy, amino acids and neutral-detergent-insoluble crude protein (CP); faeces were analysed for crude nutrients and cross energy; urine was analysed for N, hippuric acid, creatinine and gross energy. Renal energy excretion (y; kJ/kg BW0.75 ) correlated with renal N excretion (x1 ; g/kg BW0.75 ) and renal hippuric acid excretion (x2 ; g/kg BW0.75 ): y = 14.4 + 30.2x1 +20.7x2 (r = .95; n = 30; p

The temperature-humidity index (THI) is widely used to characterize heat stress in dairy cattle. Diet composition is known to induce variation in metabolic-associated heat production. However, the relationships between THI and diet are poorly characterized with regard to performance and intake behaviour. Therefore, the objectives were to evaluate the impact of THI on water intake (WI), dry matter intake (DMI) and the frequency of drinking and feeding bouts in lactating dairy cows offered four dietary treatments: each contained 20% grass silage and additionally (i) 20% maize silage, 60% concentrate (M-HC); (ii) 60% maize silage, 20% concentrate (M-LC); (iii) 20% pressed beet pulp silage, 60% concentrate (BPS-HC); or (iv) 60% pressed beet pulp silage, 20% concentrate (BPS-LC) (DM basis). Individual WI and DMI were recorded from April to July 2013. Furthermore, dietary effects on milk production and reticular pH were estimated. Milk yield was lowest for M-LC, while energy-corrected milk was similar for all diets. Milk fat percentage was higher and milk protein amount lower for cows offered both LC diets. Reticular pH below 6.3, 6.0 and 5.8 lasted longest for BPS-LC. WI was higher for HC diets. However, the frequency of drinking bouts was not influenced by the ration. Lower DMI occurred for BPS-LC compared to M-LC. Frequency of feeding bouts was significantly higher for LC diets. THI was significantly related to WI, DMI as well as drinking and feeding bouts. Per increasing THI, WI increased slightly more for LC diets and DMI decreased more for HC diets. Frequency of drinking bouts increased slightly higher for BPS rations per rising THI, while the decrease in feeding bouts was highest for M-HC. In conclusion, TMR composition and moderate heat stress impacted WI and DMI of dairy cows, while both dietary energy density and ruminal filling might intensify the THI impact.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different forage sources on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites of dairy calves. Individually housed calves (n = 40; body weight = 41.2 ± 3.5 kg) were randomly allocated (n = 10 calves per treatment: five males and five females) to one of the following four treatments: (i) starter without forage provision (CON), (ii) starter plus chopped alfalfa hay (AH), (iii) starter plus chopped wheat straw (WS) and 4) starter plus dried sugar beet pulp (BP) flakes. Calves fed AH diets had lowest (p

This experiment aimed to determine the changes in chemical composition, fermentation profile, in situ disappearance characteristics, and nutrient losses of ensiled total mixed ration (TMR) containing steam-flaked corn or brown rice (BR) during storage. TMRs for dairy cows, containing either steam-flaked corn or BR at 31.9% with 15.2% rye silage, 40.5% alfalfa silage, 5.0% beet pulp and 7.0% soybean meal, were prepared (dry matter (DM) basis). Each TMR was placed in a plastic drum silo, stored at 23°C in an air-conditioned room and sampled 0, 7, 14, 30, 90 and 210 days after preparation. In both grain sources, the fermentation products increased, while DM and starch storage losses increased and starch content greatly decreased during storage. The rapidly degradable fraction and effective ruminal degradability of DM, crude protein and starch increased during storage. These changes of dietary characteristics were large during 30 days of storage, but small after 90 days of storage. Replacing corn with BR led to increased fermentation products, starch loss and effective ruminal degradability of the ensiled TMR. These results indicate that the ensiling process of TMR changes the dietary characteristics and replacing corn with BR in TMR had a large impact on these dietary characteristics.

Although diet supplementation is a well-established tool for managing livestock distributions and improving vegetation, the principle is less commonly applied to wild ungulates. One reason for this is that it is not known whether wildlife species, such as elk (Cervus elaphus), will habituate to novel supplements and feeders in the landscape. We, therefore, performed a pilot study during winters of 2013 and 2014 to test Rocky Mountain elk (C. e. nelsoni) preferences for 4 diet supplements—2 high in energy (beet pulp and molasses) and 2 high in protein (soybean meal and canola meal)—at a feeding ground in northern Utah, USA. We also tested elk preference for 2 types of feeders that differed in shape, size, and color. We measured the amounts of supplement consumed by elk and used observational techniques (scan sampling) to determine supplement and feeder preference. The weights of refused supplements showed that elk discriminated among supplements, showing greater preferences for high-energy supplements during periods of low ambient temperatures (P

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of partial replacement of barley grain with beet pulp (BP) on dry matter intake (DMI), ruminal fermentation, plasma concentration of metabolites and milk yield of transition dairy cows. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows [735 ± 26 kg of body weights and 3.5 ± 0.05 of body condition score (BCS)] were used in a randomized complete block design. Cows were assigned randomly on day 28 relative to expected parturition date to one of three treatments containing (i) 0% BP, (ii) 25% BP or (iii) 50% BP substituted for barley grain on a DM basis. During the pre-partum period, DMI and energy intake were greater (P < 0.01) in cows fed the BP diet compared with cows fed the barley grain diet. During the post-partum period, substituting BP for barley grain caused a response in DMI and energy intake, with the highest amount for the 25% BP diet and lowest for the 50% BP diet (P < 0.01). Milk yield was lowest (P < 0.01) for 50% BP diet than the other treatments. During the post-partum period, cows fed the 50% BP diets had greater rumen pH, molar proportion of butyrate and acetate: propionate ratio (P < 0.01) in the rumen compared with cows fed the 0% BP diets. In addition, cows fed the BP diets had greater (P < 0.01) plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and lower plasma glucose (P < 0.05) and blood urinary nitrogen (BUN) (P < 0.01) concentrations than cows fed the barley grain diets. Results showed that substituting BP for barley grain was effective in increasing DMI, but it did not have a significant effect on net energy balance during the post-partum period. However, replacing BP for barley grain at 50% had adverse effects on DMI, milk yield and metabolic status, as indicated by key blood metabolite concentrations.

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of beet pulp supplementation on growth performance, fecal moisture, serum hormones and litter performance in lactating sows. Ninety primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments in a 21-day trial starting 3 days before parturition. The three dietary treatments were supplemented with 0, 10 and 20% beet pulp, respectively. Backfat loss and fecal moisture content were increased (P < 0.05), where cortisol and norepinephrine levels were decreased (P < 0.05) in sows fed beet pulp supplementation diets compared with control diet, but there was no difference between 10% and 20% beet pulp supplementation treatments. No effect was observed on bodyweight, average daily intake, weaning to estrus interval, epinephrine level in sows and litter weight, litter size, survivability in piglets among dietary treatments. Taken together, beet pulp supplementation has no significant effect of growth performance of lactating sows and piglets with decreased cortisol and norepinephrine levels in lactating sows, but it can increase fecal moisture content which is beneficial for sow feces excretion.

This experiment was conducted to determine whether increasing the net energy (NEL ) of a total mixed ration (TMR) with mainly unsaturated fat from corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) vs. rumen inert (RI)-saturated fat has similar impacts on animal performance. The experiment was an incomplete Youden square with three treatments and four 28-days periods, completed on a large commercial dairy using three early lactation pens each with approximately 380 multiparity cows. The TMR for all treatments was the same, except for 150 g/kg dry matter (DM) of each TMR which contained 90 g/kg high-protein DDGS (HPDDGS) and 60 g/kg beet pulp (i.e. low-fat control diet; LFC); 150 g/kg DDGS (i.e. high-fat diet with unsaturated fat; HFU); or 111 g/kg HPDDGS, 20 g/kg beet pulp and 19 g/kg RI fat (i.e. high-fat diet with saturated fat; HFS). The DM intake was highest (p < 0.05) for HFU-fed cows. Milk, fat and true protein yields, as well as milk energy output, were higher (p < 0.01) when cows were fed HFS vs. HFU and LFC diets. Milk true protein concentration was lowest (p < 0.01) for HFS-fed cows, but milk fat % was lowest (p < 0.01) for HFU and highest (p < 0.01) for HFS-fed cows. There were numerous differences (p < 0.01) in milk fatty acid levels amongst diets. The increase in body condition score was lowest (p < 0.01) for LFC. Whole tract digestibility of acid detergent fibre was lower (p < 0.01) for LFC vs. HFS cows, and fat digestion was lowest (p < 0.01) for LFC-fed cows. This DDGS, high in unsaturated fatty acids, was fed at high levels (i.e. 152 g/kg DM) with little impact on animal performance vs. a lower fat control diet, although addition of an RI-saturated fat to create a diet with a similarly higher fat level resulted in higher animal productivity.

Feeding sites for wild Yeso sika deer around Lake Akan, Japan, were established. Effects on the number of deer using the feeding sites, the prevention of bark stripping damage, the amount of feeding, and eating time in a 5-year period (1999-2003) were evaluated. The number of deer using feeding sites increased with years during the feeding period. The damaged tree ratio after the initiation of feeding markedly decreased compared with 16.5% before the initiation of feeding. After the start of feeding, there were no trees with damage the entire circumference. According to tree species, the number of damaged trees of Ulmus laciniata Mayr as a percentage of all investigated trees was high (5.2%). The total amount of beet pulp feeding increased with the feeding year, showing 4.5-fold increase. At feeding sites in deer culling, eating behavior was observed during the night. The preventive effects on bark stripping damage continued during the 5-year feeding period. However, with the course of feeding years, the number of deer using feeding sites and the level of feeding increased.

The aim of this study was to compare a batch-fed continuously mixed anaerobic reactor (FCMR) with an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR), in terms of waste stabilization and methane production treating sugar-beet processing wastewater and beet-pulp simultaneously. A reactor was operated as FCMR, which then was operated as an ASBR by changing operational conditions after the steady-state was reached. Although the hydraulic retention time value of the ASBR configuration was lower (8 days) than that of the FCMR (15 days) and the corresponding organic loading rate (OLR) was higher (0.71 to 1.33 g COD/L.d), increased biomass retention enabled a significant increase in biomethanation for the ASBR configuration. So, methane production yield of 255 +/- 11 mL/g COD-added was increased to 337 6 15 mL/g COD-added (32.2% increase in methane yield) when the configuration was changed from FCMR to ASBR. The experimental results indicated that the ASBR configuration, which was applied to sugar-beet processing wastes for the first time, was superior to the FCMR configuration. Water Environ. Res., 83, 247 (2011).

BACKGROUND: Food-processing residues are good feedstocks for biofuel and biochemical production because they have high energy content and are abundant. Year-round biofuel and biochemical production requires proper storage to prevent microbial decomposition and thermal runaway. In this study, microbial activity of tomato pomace (TP), grape pomace (GP), fermented grape pomace (FGP) and sugar beet pulp (SBP) was monitored at nine different moisture contents. RESULTS: Maximum and cumulative respirations for each feedstock with respect to moisture content followed a sigmoidal relationship. The critical moisture content below which no microbial activity was detected for SBP, TP, FGP and GP was 24–31, 16–21, 23–33 and 43–46% (dry basis) respectively. A logarithmic relationship was observed (R2 = 0.94) between critical moisture content and initial water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content of the processing residues. CONCLUSION: The critical moisture content below which no microbial activity was detected and the relationship between critical moisture content and initial WSC content were determined in this study for four food-processing residues. Both parameters permit evaluation of the potential for deterioration of food-processing residues during storage based on moisture content and WSC content. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

The influence of the feeding ratio of a non-forage fiber source and hay on ruminal mat characteristics and chewing activity was evaluated in dairy dry cows. Cows were fed four different diets: the ratios of alfalfa hay (AH) to beet pulp (BP) were 8:2 (dry matter basis, A8B2) and 2:8 (A2B8), and those of grass hay (GH) to BP were 8:2 (G8B2) and 2:8 (G2B8). Total eating time was decreased with increasing BP content (P < 0.01). Total rumination time for AH was shorter than that for GH (P < 0.01), and it decreased with increasing BP content (P < 0.01). The ruminal mat was detected by using a penetration resistance test of the rumen digesta. Penetration resistance value (PRV) of ruminal mat was highest with the G8B2 diet and PRV decreased with increasing BP content (P < 0.05) and feeding AH (P < 0.05). Thickness of the ruminal mat was greater for increasing BP content (P < 0.05). Simple linear regression of ruminal mat PRV on total rumination time resulted in a high positive correlation (r = 0.744; P < 0.001; n = 16). The results demonstrated that increasing the PRV of the ruminal mat stimulated rumination activity and a ruminal mat could be formed, although it was soft even when cows were offered a large quantity of BP.

BACKGROUND: Growing interest in the replacement of synthetic food antioxidants by natural ones has fostered research on vegetable sources and screening of raw materials to identify new antioxidants. The food-processing industry generates substantial quantities of phenolic-rich by-products that could be valuable natural sources of antioxidants. In this study the antioxidant properties and total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents of three industrial by-products, sugar beet pulp, sesame cake and potato peel, extracted with various solvents were examined. Since different antioxidant compounds have different mechanisms of action, several methods were used to assess the antioxidant efficacy of extracts. RESULTS: Among the six solvents tested, methanol gave the highest extract yield of potato peel and sugar beet pulp, while diethyl ether gave the highest extract yield of sesame cake. Methanol exhibited the highest extraction ability for phenolic compounds, with total phenolics amounting to 2.91, 1.79 and 0.81 mg gallic acid equivalent g−1 dry weight in potato peel, sugar beet pulp and sesame cake extracts respectively, and also showed the strongest antioxidant capacity in the three assays used. All three methods proved that potato peel extract had the highest antioxidant activity owing to its high content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the results obtained, potato peel, sugar beet pulp and sesame cake extracts could serve as natural antioxidants owing to their significant antioxidant activity. Therefore they could be used as preservative ingredients in the food and/or pharmaceutical industries. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

Summary A beef production trial was conducted with 4 groups of 12 young bulls fed intensively on complete dry rations containing respectively 0, 25, 50 and 75% dried sugar beet pulp pellets and 75, 50, 25 and 0% rolled barley. The digestibility of the four rations was determined with wethers. No significant difference was observed in the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and nitrogen free extract among the treatments, but crude fiber digestibility of the rations increased with increasing amounts of beet pulp in the diets. The mean daily gain amounted to an average of 1280 g and was not significantly different among the treatments. Intake of dry matter per kg gain increased slightly with increasing amounts of beet pulp in the rations. From the analysis of the feed conversion efficiency can be concluded, that the feeding value of dried sugar beet pulp, used in large amounts for beef cattle, was still approximately 10% lower than this of rolled barley with a crude fiber content of 4% in the dry matter. Results of digestibility trials with 8 different lots of dried sugar beet pulp confirm last statement. Calculated net energy content of beet pulp amounted to an average of 90% of this of rolled barley (± 4% crude fiber in the dry matter). Zusammenfassung Der Einsatz von Trockenschnitzeln und gequetschter Gerste in der Bullenmast Zwolf Jungbullen wurden in 4 Gruppen eingeteilt und erhielten 0 (I), 25 (II), 50 (III) und 75 (IV)% Trockenschnitzel und 75 (I), 50 (II), 25 (III) und 0 (IV)% gequetschte Gerste. Die Verdaulichkeit der 4 Rationen wurde an Hammeln ermittelt. Dabei konnte kein signifikanter Unterschied der Verdaulichkeit der Trockensubstanz, der organischen Substanz und der NfE festgestellt werden. Die Verdaulichkeit der Rohfaser stieg mit hoherem Anteil von Trockenschnitzeln in der Ration an. Die durchschnittliche, tagliche Gewichtszunahme der Tiere stieg bis auf 1280 g an. Dabei zeigte sich kein Unterschied zwischen den Rationen. Die Trockensubstanzaufnahme pro kg Gewichtszunahme erhohte sich mit steigendem Trockenschnitzelanteil in der Ration. Aus der Futterverwertung las sich schliesen, das der Futterwert von Trockenschnitzeln in der Fleischerzeugung ungefahr 10% niedriger liegt als der von gequetschter Gerste mit 4% Rohfaser in der Trockensubstanz. Der berechnete Nettoenergiegehalt von Trockenschnitzeln betragt ca. 90% von dem der gequetschten Gerste.

An in vivo experiment was performed to determine the effect of level of maize starch in the diet on digestion and site of digestion of organic matter, starch and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). In a repeated change-over design experiment, three cows fitted with a rumen cannula and T-piece cannulae in duodenum and ileum received a low-starch (12% of ration dry matter) and a high-starch (33% of ration dry matter) diet. Starch level was increased by exchanging dried sugar beet pulp by ground maize. After a 2-week adaptation period, feed intake, rumen fermentation parameters (in vivo and in situ), intestinal flows, faecal excretion of organic matter, starch and NDF were estimated. When the high-starch diet was fed, dry matter intake was higher (19.0 kg/day vs. 17.8 kg/day), and total tract digestibility of organic matter, starch and NDF was lower when the low-starch diet was fed. Maize starch concentration had no significant effect on rumen pH and volatile fatty acid concentration nor on the site of digestion of organic matter and starch and rate of passage of ytterbium-labelled forage. On the high-starch diet, an extra 1.3 kg of maize starch was supplied at the duodenum in relation to the low-starch diet, but only an extra 0.3 kg of starch was digested in the small intestine. Digestion of NDF was only apparent in the rumen and was lower on the high-starch diet than on the low-starch diet, mainly attributed to the reduction in sugar beet pulp in the high-starch diet. It was concluded that without the correction for the reduction in NDF digestion in the rumen, the extra supply of glucogenic (glucose and propionic acid) and ketogenic nutrients (acetic and butyric acid) by supplemented starch will be overestimated. The mechanisms responsible for these effects need to be addressed in feed evaluation.

Four wethers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square to study the feed intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance and ruminal fermentation characteristics when fed total mixed ration (TMR) silages which included wet barley tea grounds (WBTG). The TMR silages were prepared using compound feed including wet brewers' grains (WBG), corn, oat hay, alfalfa hay, dried beet pulp, salt and vitamin-mineral supplement in a ratio of 30.7:15:8:24:10:12:0.15:0.15, respectively, on a dry matter (DM) basis. The WBTG and soybean meal mixture (7:3 on DM basis) were substituted for WBG at ratio of 0% (Control), 5% (LTG), 10% (MTG), and 15% (HTG) on DM of TMR. WBTG addition to the TMR silages increased lactic acid concentration, decreased pH, acetic acid and ammonia-N (P 0.05). However, EE and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, crude protein, EE and NDF digestibility was lower, but the DM and gross energy digestibility was higher for the HTG treatment compared to control (P

An in vitro trial was conducted to investigate the effect of different inoculum sources (buffalo vs. cattle) on rumen fermentation and degradability. Incubations were carried out using rumen fluid obtained from buffalo or cattle fed the same diet [60% grass hay and 40% concentrate; 18 kg dry matter (DM)/day]. The fermentation kinetics of eight feeds commonly used in ruminant nutrition (alfalfa hay, barley meal, beet pulp, corn meal and silage, ryegrass hay and silage and soya bean meal s.e.) were studied with the in vitro gas production technique and rumen fermentation parameters (substrate disappearance, pH and volatile fatty acids production) were determined after 120 h of incubation. The linear relationship indicates that the microbial metabolic pathways of the two inocula for all the substrates were qualitatively similar, albeit often quantitatively different. In this in vitro study, a significant influence of rumen inoculum (buffalo vs. cow) on fermentation and degradability of the examined substrates was found. The differences in buffalo and cattle rumen fermentation can be explained with a different microbial activity of the two ruminant species, because of different amount of microbial population or microbial population constituted by different species of bacteria and protozoa.

Wet green tea waste (GTW) was ensiled in laboratory silos with or without dried beet pulp at a ratio of 2:1 on a fresh weight basis. The silos were opened at 15, 30 and 60 days after anaerobic storage; fermentation products, tea catechins, antioxidative activity and in vitro gas production were determined. Acetic acid prevailed over the fermentation and the pH declined to below 4.2 when wet GTW was ensiled alone. Addition of dried beet pulp greatly enhanced lactic acid production and the pH further decreased to below 3.8 with no butyric acid being detected. Approximately 90% and 80% of (-)-epicatechin gallate and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, respectively, were degraded in silage prepared from wet GTW alone, while the degradation was ameliorated in mixed silage to about 55% and 70%, respectively. Antioxidative activity was not markedly altered by ensiling and 70-80% of the initial activity was detected after 60 days. Changes were small in (-)-epigallocatechin, caffeine and total phenols with or without mixing with dried beet pulp. In vitro gas production was similar between materials and their silages, indicating that reduction of tea catechins would not elicit an improvement in digestibility. It is concluded that wet GTW can be ensiled successfully without bacterial inoculants when mixed with other materials containing certain sugars. Ensiling may degrade part of the components of tea catechins, while not affecting total phenols, antioxidative activity and digestibility of wet GTW.

BACKGROUND: High aerobic stability can be expected when wet brewers' grains are stored as a total mixed ration (TMR) silage. To understand the factors affecting the stability, the effects of ration formulation, air infiltration and storage period were studied. RESULTS: A TMR containing wet brewers' grains, hay, maize, wheat bran, beet pulp and molasses was ensiled in laboratory silos for 14 and 56 days. The effects of hay species (lucerne or sudangrass) and air infiltration (Exp. 1) and of excluding one, two or three items from the six ingredients (Exp. 2) were examined. Ethanol was the main fermentation product in all TMR silages in this study. Aerobic deterioration occurred in 14 day silages prepared with sudangrass hay along with air infiltration (Exp. 1), and with the simplest recipe where three items (hay, maize and wheat bran) were excluded (Exp. 2). No deterioration occurred in 56 day silages regardless of ration formulation and air infiltration. Yeasts receded in 56 day silages, except with the simplest recipe, to the 102 cfu g−1 level and remained undetectable in the presence of air (Exp. 2). CONCLUSION: TMR silage can resist aerobic deterioration provided that a sufficient ensiling period has elapsed. Silages stored for only a few weeks may be susceptible to deterioration when air is infiltrated or where fewer ingredients are used in the TMR mixture. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

An experiment was conducted to analyze feed, climate and animal factors affecting dry matter intake (DMI) in lactating dairy cows. Sixteen lactating Holstein cows, with parity from 1 to 6, were assigned to a feeding trial for 2 years, comprising 31 lactations. The animals were fed Italian ryegrass silage, oat hay, alfalfa hay, beet pulp and three types of concentrate. The data, pooled and classified by stage of lactation, season of lactation and parity were analyzed by stepwise multiple regression to determine the nature and extent of factors affecting DMI. A total of 45 prediction equations for DMI were derived. Energy-corrected milk yield or milk yield was selected as the primary factor of DMI in all the equations in which the ratio of contribution (R2) varied from 0.26 to 0.67. The dietary concentration of organic cell wall, crude fiber, crude protein, organic b fraction, forage to concentrate ratio, average ambient temperature and temperature–humidity index were selected as the secondary factors affecting DMI for pooled data, late lactation (251–350 days of lactation), summer (June–August), spring (March–May), ≥4th lactation, autumn (September–November) and 3rd lactation, respectively, and improved R2 up to 0.77. Except for an impact of bodyweight in several equations, feed and climatic factors significantly improved prediction equations effectively for data classified in different ways. To estimate DMI accurately in lactating dairy cows, feed and climatic factors should be considered for specific conditions.

Odor and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stored pig (Sus scrofa) manure were monitored for response to changes in the crude protein level (168 or 139 g kg(-1), as-fed basis) and nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) content [i.e., control, or modified with beet pulp (Beta vulgaris L.), cornstarch, or xylanase] of diets fed to pigs in a production setting. Each diet was fed to one of eight pens of pigs according to a 2 x 4, full-factorial design, replicated over three time blocks with different groups of animals and random assignment of diets. Manure from each treatment was characterized and stored in a separate, ventilated, 200-L vessel. Repeated measurements of odor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from the vessels were taken every two weeks for eight weeks. Manure from high-protein diets had higher sulfur concentration and pH (P < or = 0.05). High-NSP (beet pulp) diets resulted in lower manure nitrogen and ammonia concentrations and pH (P < or = 0.05). Odor level and hedonic tone of exhaust air from the storage vessel headspaces were unaffected by the dietary treatments. Mean CO2 and CH4 emissions (1400 and 42 g d(-1) m(-3) manure, respectively) increased with lower dietary protein (P < or = 0.05). The addition of xylanase to high-protein diets caused a decrease in manure CO2 emissions, but an increase when added to low-protein diets (P < or = 0.05). Nitrous oxide emissions were negligible. Contrary to other studies, these results do not support the use of dietary protein reduction to reduce emissions from stored swine manure.

The effects of the nature of carbohydrate source on in sacco protein degradation of 15 samples of plant protein sources were studied in four mature fistulated rams fed a control diet (C) of meadow hay and soyabean meal (83:15 on dry matter basis) and three diets in which 36, 34 or 40% of diet dry matter was sugar beet pulp, maize or wheat (diets P, M and W respectively). Degradation parameters were estimated from the exponential equation p = a + b[1 − exp(−ct)]. Diet composition significantly affected (P < 0.001) all the degradation parameters, the effect being more pronounced on the degradation rate (c). This parameter was stimulated (P < 0.05) by beet pulp but depressed (P < 0.05) by cereal inclusion in the diets, in particular when animals were fed the W diet (4.46, 5.65, 3.74 and 3.05% h−1 for the C, P, M and W diets respectively). An interaction effect between carbohydrate source and incubated plant protein sources was observed (P < 0.001). The reason(s) for these differential effects were not elucidated. The practical consequences of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

In a cross-over study with six adult horses, the effect of isoenergetic replacement of dietary glucose by beetpulp on the concentration of plasma triacylglycerols was studied. The test ration contained 25% beetpulp in the dietary dry matter. The feeding of beet pulp lowered plasma triacylglycerol concentrations (p = 0.058) in the fasting state and raised the activity of heparin-released lipoprotein lipase (LPL) (p = 0.059) and the concentration of HDL2 cholesterol (p = 0.058). In the fasting state, the plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (p = 0.073) and those of beta-hydroxybutyrate (p = 0.043) were increased after feeding beetpulp. At 3 h after feed intake, consumption of beetpulp instead of glucose had produced higher plasma concentrations of both glucose (p = 0.014) and insulin (p = 0.040). It is suggested that beetpulp ingestion activates LPL followed by a drop in plasma triacylglycerols.

Summary This contribution is meant to obtain basic data for feeding chinchillas (ingestion behaviour, feed and water intake) kept as companion animals. The chinchillas ingested more than 70% of their total feed intake during the dark phase (highest level of activity between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am). Daily amounts of feed intake varied between 2.5 (fresh grass) or 2.6 (hay) and 5.5 (pelleted complete diet) g of dry matter per 100 g of body weight. An offered mixed feed based on native components led to a selection of individual ingredients (high palatability: carob, beet pulp, sunflower seeds). The chinchillas’ daily water intake varied between 30 (mixed feed in briquette form) and 40 ml (alfalfa cubes) and amounted on average between 1.5 and 3 ml/g of dry matter. Compared with rabbits or guinea-pigs, the chinchillas generally showed noticeable differences (rhythm of feed intake, palatability of individual ingredients, capacity for digestion, etc.) which must be considered in order to optimize the nutrition of this species.

Introduction Even at a similar energy concentration of the diet, energy source may affect animal performance. O wens et al. (1997) reported that daily dry matter (DM) intake tended to be lowest for wheat-based diets and highest for milo and oat-based diets. O’M ara et al. (1997) found a lower pH and less ammonia in the rumen of lactating cows, when unmolassed beet pulp was replaced with ground wheat. Contrary to the results of O’M ara et al. (1997), M alestein et al. (1984) found a greater risk for lactic acidosis for citrus and beet pulp than for maize meal and tapioca. For years it has been known that rapidly degradable carbohydrates may provoke acidosis (H untington and B ritton 1979; F iems et al. 1993). Furthermore, low ruminal pH may inhibit cellulose digestion (M ould et al. 1983) and decrease efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (R ussell et al. 1979). As energy concentration of the diet is important for finishing cattle (B oucqu& eacute; et al. 1980), the amount of roughage is rather limited. This may result in sub-clinical acidosis with a negative impact on animal performance (O wens et al. 1998), especially when the diet is rich in rapidly fermentable carbohydrates. Therefore an experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of energy source in the finishing diet on voluntary daily feed intake, daily liveweight gain, feed efficiency, blood metabolites and carcass quality. Energy source may also affect meat quality. C asteels et al. (1969) found differences in meat colour when concentrates were based on cereals or sugarbeet pulp. W ood (1984) reported that the concentrate : forage ratio in the diet affects the fatty acid composition of body fat through an increase in propionate production in the rumen. Therefore the effect on meat quality was also studied.

The quality of the cell wall fraction content of two silage by-products was assessed together with their different mineral composition. Various treatments to test possible improvements in the ensilage of canning industry artichoke and orange by-products were compared with the addition of different additives. Three treatments were assessed: sodium chloride (25 g kg -1 ), dehydrated beet pulp (62.5 g kg -1 ), formic acid at 4% in doses of 62.5 ml kg -1 . A fourth batch acted as a control group. Samples were analysed for their nutritive characteristics. After a 100-day ensilage period the results showed that the use of the additives in the given doses did not significantly improve the quality of the silage, although the composition of the sodium chloride batch appeared to be better.

Current research focuses on the utilization of low value agro-industrial byproducts for targeting B. subtilis towards different exoenyzeme lines. This includes α-amylase, β-mannanase, xylanase, and lichenase. As an orientation step, growth and α-amylase activity were monitored in three different nutritional media. A medium which showed low levels of catabolite repression and spore development was selected as a basal fermentation medium. Different patterns of exoenzyme induction were obtained when beet pulp, corn cob, rice husk, wheat bran, and wheat straw were separately used to partially replace the nutrient contents of the selected medium. α-Amylase and lichenase were maximally expressed in the presence of corn cob or beet pulp. On the other hand, considerable levels of the four polysaccharide hydrolyzing enzymes were induced by wheat bran. β-mannanase and xylanase expression responded more significantly towards inducers than α-amylase and lichenase. The effects of five different organic solvents as precipitative agents on these exoenzymes were also studied.

Three studies were undertaken with the aim of examining in-silo losses associated with ensiling mixtures of beet pulp and herbage. In Experiment 1, first-regrowth perennial ryegrass was ensiled untreated or mixed with either 40 or 120 kg unmolassed beet pulp t−1 fresh grass prior to ensiling. In each of Experiments 2 and 3, second-regrowth ryegrass was ensiled untreated or mixed with either 40, 80 or 120 kg unmolassed beet pulp t−1 fresh grass prior to ensiling. Dry-matter concentrations of herbage ensiled in Experiments 1, 2 and 3 were 141, 157 and 139 g kg−1 respectively. Time-course studies indicated a more rapid fermentation with the untreated silages. Ensiling beet pulp with herbage resulted in significant improvements in silage fermentation, reflected in reductions in silage pH and ammonia nitrogen concentrations, with these effects being pronounced at beet pulp inclusion in excess of 80kg t−1. Beet pulp inclusion increased the dry-matter concentrations of the resulting silages while reducing crude protein, modified acid detergent fibre and gross energy concentrations. In Experiment 1 beet pulp retained 1·62 and 1·641 effluent kg−1 at the 40 and 120kg t−1 application rates respectively. In Experiments 2 and 3, effluent retentions were 1·40, 1·29 and 0·93 1 kg−1 and 2·87, 2·19 and 1·781 kg−1 at the 40, 80 and 120kg t−1 beet pulp inclusion rates respectively. In each of Experiments 1 and 3, in-silo losses were reduced with increasing level of beet pulp inclusion, while in Experiment 2 in-silo losses were relatively unaffected by treatment. Nutrient losses in effluent were reduced by the inclusion of beet pulp in all three experiments, while nutrient losses in surface waste and invisible nutrient losses tended to increase with higher levels of beet pulp inclusion. It is concluded that the inclusion of beet pulp with herbage at ensiling can result in an improved silage fermentation and a reduction in in-silo losses, while at the same time retaining considerable quantities of effluent within the silo. However, with herbage dry-matter concentrations below 160gkg−1, beet pulp inclusion in excess of 120 kg t−1 herbage would be required to eliminate effluent production totally.

Twenty-one British Friesian dairy cows, in mid-lactation, were used in a seven-treatment, partially balanced change-over design experiment consisting of three periods each of 4 weeks' duration. Treatments involved offering grass silage either without a sugar-beet pulp (beet pulp) supplement (US) or supplemented with beet pulp at silage/beet pulp dry matter ratios of 80:20 (C40), 65:35 (C80) and 55:45 (C120), and offered in the form of a mixed ration. A further three treatments consisted of offering ensiled blends of silage and beet pulp, produced by mixing 40 (E40), 80 (E80) and 120 (E120)kg beet pulp t−1 of grass at ensiling. Silage was offered ad libitum on all treatments, with cows receiving 1kg d−1 of a concentrate supplement containing 470 g crude protein kg−1 fresh weight. Dry matter intakes increased with increasing level of beet pulp inclusion in the diet, irrespective of method of beet pulp inclusion in the diet. Similarly, milk fat + protein yields increased with increasing level of beet pulp offered. However, when comparisons were made between the two methods of beet pulp inclusion in the diet with beet pulp requirements equivalent to those obtained in treatments C40, C80 and C120, namely 2·28, 4·53 and 6·21 kg d−1, offering beet pulp as a supplement to an untreated silage resulted in fat + protein yields of 32 (s.e.d. 9·8), 53 (s.e.d. 19·5) and 81 (s.e.d. 21·3)gd−1 greater than would have been achieved had equivalent quantities of beet pulp been included at ensiling as part of an ensiled blend. This effect can be attributed to the higher metabolizable energy intakes with the control silage supplemented with beet pulp at feeding, a consequence of the loss of nutrients from the beet pulp fraction during ensiling, in the case of treatments E40, E80 and E120. However, when account is taken of differences in the efficiency of recovery of edible silage dry matter between ensilage systems and differences in forage dry-matter intake between treatments, overall efficiency of feed use was not significantly different between the two systems of beet pulp inclusion in the diet.

Twenty early-lactation British Friesian dairy cows were used in a five-treatment, partially balanced change-over design experiment, consisting of four periods each of 4 weeks' duration. Three treatments consisted of offering ensiled blends of silage and sugar-beet pulp produced by mixing 40 (S40), 80 (S80) and 120 (S120)kg beet pulp t−1 herbage at ensiling. In two further treatments, an untreated silage was supplemented with 5 kg of beet pulp daily, either mixed with the silage prior to feeding (SM) or offered in two equal feeds each day (ST). Silage was offered ad libitum in all treatments, while in addition all cows received 1 kg d−1 of a concentrate supplement containing 470 g crude protein kg−1 fresh weight. Dry-matter intakes and milk fat + protein yields increased with increasing level of beet pulp inclusion in the diet, irrespective of whether it was offered in the form of an ensiled blend or as a supplement to an untreated silage. With the exception of D-value (digestible organic matter in the dry matter), which was significantly higher with treatments SM and ST than with the ensiled blend treatment (S80), no significant differences were identified in total ration digestibility or in the efficiency of nitrogen or energy utilization between methods of beet pulp inclusion in the diet. However, offering beet pulp in the form of an ensiled blend reduced the acetate/propionate ratio in rumen fluid compared with offering best pulp as a supplement to an untreated silage. When account is taken of differences in the efficiency of recovery of edible silage dry matter between ensilage systems and of differences in dry-matter intakes between treatments, total milk fat + protein outputs per 10000 kg herbage dry matter ensiled were 55 (s.e. 50·9) and 78 (s.e. 47·5) kg lower when equal quantities of beet pulp were offered as part of an ensiled blend rather than as a supplement to an untreated silage, as in treatments SM and ST respectively. However, these differences were non-significant. Alternatively, in order to produce an equal milk output from ensiling a given quantity of herbage, 12·5 and 16·2% more beet pulp would have been required if the beet pulp had been mixed with the herbage at ensiling, rather than offered as a supplement, as in treatments SM and ST respectively.

Any potential effects of postharvest freezing storage of beets on physicochemical characteristics of isolated pectin and beet pulp were determined. Fresh beets were stored at -20°for up to 3 mo. At the end of storage, beets were thawed and shredded, and sucrose was extracted. Pectin was isolated using a combination of enzyme treatment and acid extraction. Yield, galacturonic acid content, methoxyl ester content, and molecular mass distributions of the isolated pectin were determined. Neutral and acidic sugar compositions in the nonstarchy polysaccharides (NSP) of the beet pulp were determined using enzyme hydrolysis and gas chromatography. Results showed that physicochemical characteristics of isolated pectin, and sugar composition of the NSP in the beet pulp were not notably influenced by the freeze/thaw cycle.

Growth kinetics of Aspergillus niger strain A.n./61 on a solid medium containing beet pulp were examined. Solid state fermentation was carried out in laboratory microfermenter (aerated packed columns). During the experiments the CO2 evolution, protein biosynthesis, as well as cellulose and sucrose utilization were determined. It was found that CO2 evolution evidently increased in the logarithmic phase, together with the protein biosynthesis. Between 30–32 h of culture CO2 evolution and protein content in product were the greatest. Subsequently, CO2 evolution decreased. During 28 h of culture, cellulose was slightly utilized, the strain using mainly sucrose. Intense utilization of cellulose was paralleled by a drop in CO2 evolution.

Two grass silages made from perennial ryegrass, and with D-values of 0·216 and 0·255, were offered ad libitum to 18 Ayrshire cows in two feeding experiments. On the control treatment the silages were supplemented with soybean meal only, and on the other two treatments with equal weights of DM from either barley or dried molassed sugar-beet pulp plus the same weight of soya as on the control treatment. The daily intakes of silage DM were not significantly different on the barley and beet-pulp treatments, and, on average, the intake of silage DM was reduced by 0·24 and 0·20 kg by feeding 1 kg barley and beet pulp DM respectively. The daily milk yields were not significantly different on the barley and beet-pulp treatments with mean values of 19·2 and 19·2 kg per cow respectively compared with 17·2 kg on the control treatment. On the barley and beet-pulp treatments the fat, SNF, CP and lactose concentrations in the milk and the live weights of the cows were not significantly different. It is concluded that the barley and beet pulp had similar feeding values and replacement rates when used as supplements with grass silage, and that the two feeds were interchangeable on an equal DM basis.

The object of the presented studies was to determine the conditions of protein biosynthesis from lignocellulosic raw material using filamentous fungi. It was found that on beet pulp + 50% wheat straw, strain A. niger (A.n./61) shows the highest effectivity of protein biosynthesis. Using this strain, after 48-hour incubation the following results were obtained: increase in protein 4.43 g/100 g˙DM, daily protein increase coeffizient 2.22 g/100 g DM x 24 h, protein yield (based on the decrease in dry matter) 22.3% and cellulose utilization 37%. Upon use of a new strain CEL 2 and milled wheat straw as the substrate, the best results obtained after 74-hour incubation were as follows: increase in protein 1.82 g/100 g DM, daily protein increase coefficient 0.61 g/100 g DM x 24 h, protein yield 15,8% and cellulose utilization 22.0%. For rape straw and strain Sporotrichum pulverulentum, after 192-hour cultivation the following results were obtained: increase in protein 5.4 g/100 g DM, daily protein increase coefficient 0.68 g/100 g DM x 24 h, protein yield 14% and cellulose utilization 50.2%.

Study was made of the effect of medium humidity, source and dose of nitrogen, dose of phosphorus, dose of inoculum and aeration on protein biosynthesis by strain Aspergillus oryzae A. or. 11 in solid state fermentation. It was found that for a maximal protein yield the medium ought to contain about: 60% of water, 36% of starchy raw materials d. m. (e.g. 28.8% of coarse rye meal and 7.2% of beet pulp), 0.85% of nitrogen sources (1.6% of (NH4)2SO4 and 1.1% of urea), and 0.35% of phosphorus source (1.3% of KH2PO4). pH of medium should be near 6.5. The dose of inoculum should not be lower than 108 spores/100 g medium. The duration of culture ought to be 20–22 h at 30–35°C, with aeration at least 40 dm3 of air/h × 1000 g medium. Under these conditions the protein yield is about 6.0–6.3 g/100 g of starting medium d.m. at the cost of utilization of about 25 g total carbohydrates.

Culture filtrates of Talaromyces emersonii UCG 208 grown on beet pulp can convert the polysaccharide components of this agricultural waste to soluble sugars. The saccharification process is facilitated if the pulp is milled or incubated with alkali or peracetic acid before addition of enzyme. However, treatment of unmilled pulp with commercial pectinase prior to incubation with Talaromyces filtrate is also very effective; under suitable conditions, complete hydrolysis of total polysaccharides has been achieved.

Fermentable sugars from beet pulp were obtained in a two-stage hydrolytic process. The first stage involved mild acid treatment to hydrolyze the hemicellulose, producing a pentose-rich syrup and a cellulose-rich fraction. The second stage was the enzymic saccharification of the cellulose fraction with fungal cellulases to produce a glucose-rich syrup. The acid hydrolysis stage was evaluated to optimize the type of acid, acid concentration, temperature and reaction time. Solubilization was markedly temperature-dependent, whereas the specificity of hemicellulose degradation depended on the type of acid utilized. The effects of different reaction times, enzyme-to-substrate ratios and particle sizes on the enzymic stage were studied. Both saccharification rate and the extent of final conversion to glucose were markedly affected by the enzyme-to-substrate ratio. Sugars recovered from the enzymic degradation of cellulose were partially fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 4126.

High resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with refractive index detection (RI) and enzymic analysis (EA) were evaluated for sugar and sugar alcohol determination in pressed beet pulp (P), tomato (T) and apple pomace (A), with maize (M) as a traditional reference forage. The methods were not significantly different for fructose and sucrose, whereas glucose in T and A was overestimated by HPLC as these feedstuffs contain relatively large amounts of mannitol and sorbitol, which co-elute with glucose in HPLC. HRGC and HPLC capacity factors of several standards are reported, as well as the detection limits of each method. HRGC is about 1000 times more sensitive than HPLC/RI.

Extracts of solid-state cultures of Penicillium capsulatum grown on beet pulp exhibit cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic, and pectinolytic activities. Such extracts catalyzed extensive solubilization of untreated beet pulp. The effects of pH, temperature, and endproducts on the saccharification process were investigated.