Search

Background: Fungal laccases have widespread application in a number of biotechnological processes including the biodegradation of lignin. Their low yield in the native state limits their practical use in the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass for feeding ruminants. Enzymes in bulk quantities are required to treat biomass which has got greater product consistency and less lot to lot variations. The present study was an attempt to evaluate the effect of feeding finger millet straw treated with exogenous laccases in heifers. Methods: The effect of feeding exogenous laccases obtained from immobilized Schizophyllum commune (MTCC 11893) on body weight gain, dry matter intake and nutrient digestibility in heifers was evaluated in three groups of heifers (4-each) with body weights ranging between 275 ± 47.12 to 276.75 ± 64.48kg. The control group received ad lib. finger millet straw treated with only production media (GI). Test group 1 (GII) received ad lib. straw treated with laccase rich media in a 3:5 (w/v) ratio, while test group 2 (GIII) received ad lib. straw treated in a 4:5 (w/v) ratio. Result: After 14- days of feeding, gain in body weights for GI, GII and GIII were 277.9 ± 68.47; 277.50 ± 46.43 and 278.85 ± 37.22 respectively with an overall increase of 1.15, 4.25 and 3.60 kgs. No significant variation (P>0.05) was observed with regard to DMD (%) between the groups which was 46 ± 5.8 for the control animals and 41±13.0 and 41± 3.4 in G2 and G3 groups. Though significant variations were observed digestibility studies proved inconclusive. Though preliminary results indicate that applying lignin degrading enzymes as feed supplements could enhance digestibility of crop residues in ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentinus squarrosulus, a white-rot Basidiomycete, produces versatile peroxidase under nutrient-limiting conditions. This study was undertaken to enhance the yield of versatile peroxidase from the fungus by optimizing the physiological factors of nutrients and their concentration, inducers, temperature, and pH. Optimal medium was devised using a central composite design -- response surface methodology and experimental validation. The fungus produced high levels of versatile peroxidase at a C:N ratio of approximately 100, temperature of 35 °C, and initial pH of 7. Immobilization of Lentinus squarrosulus on inert polyurethane foam (PUF) with optimized medium for production enhanced the versatile peroxidase yield multifold. Maximal yield of versatile peroxidase achieved through optimization and immobilization strategies was 116 U/mL. Efficacy of crude versatile peroxidase on aromatics degradation was illustrated through Fourier transform infrared analysis. The results demonstrated the improvised yield of versatile peroxidase from Lentinus squarrosulus and its efficiency in delignification of crop residues, substantiating the role of this enzyme in biotechnological applications especially for enriching ruminant feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese peroxidase (MnP), a crucial enzyme in biodegradation of lignin, is synthesized by most white rot fungi. To obtain novel enzymes with superior biodegradation potential, MnP-producing wild isolates were evaluated for their ability to degrade recalcitrant azo dyes, sulfonephthalein dyes, and kraft lignin. Of 30 wild isolates screened, 18 tested positive for lignin modifying enzymes (LMEs). Thirteen of these isolates were positive for both laccase and MnP, whereas four produced only laccase, and one produced lignin peroxidase alone. The isolates were identified as Clitopilus scyphoides MH172162 (AGUM004), Ganoderma rasinaceum MH172163 (AGUM007), and three Schizophyllum species: MH172164, MH172165, and MH172166 (KONA001, AGUM0011, and AGUM021). The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of dye degradation and kraft lignin samples with AGUM004 and AGUM007 revealed biotransformation. The former could not completely degrade Reactive Black 5 and bromocresol green, but it could completely (100%) decolorize bromophenyl blue, bromothymol blue, and Remazol brilliant blue R. The latter efficiently degraded almost all tested dyes. Both degraded kraft lignin. The screened hyper MnP-producing wild AGUM004 and AGUM007 were shown to be potential dye degraders in addition to having lignin degrading abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scarcity of quality feed is a major constraint to livestock productivity, and it is attributed to recalcitrant lignin, which hinders the utilization of crop residues. White-rot lignicolous fungi have been used for enrichment of crop residues through fungal pre-treatment, but dry matter loss is inevitable. Versatile peroxidase oxidizes a diverse class of aromatics without mediators and plays a key role in ligninolysis. In this study, the efficacy of a novel versatile peroxidase isolated from a wild species was evaluated for its effect in the delignification of crop residues. The strain identified as Lentinus squarrosulus (TAMI004, BankIt2098576 MH172167) demonstrated predominant versatile peroxidase activity amongst screened isolates in solid-state and submerged fermentations; it displayed hybrid characteristic of manganese oxidation and manganese independent reactions on aromatic compounds. The manganese oxidizing peroxidase activity was 12 U/mL in submerged and 131 U/mL in solid-state fermentation. Treatment of crop residues with L. squarrosulus extract rich in versatile peroxidase showed a decrease in neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin contents, prompting delignification. Thus, the use of versatile peroxidase in enhancing the digestibility of straws is substantiated through proximate and in vitro digestibility analysis. Thus, the potential use of versatile peroxidase in increasing the in vitro degradation of straws for enhancing feed utilization in ruminants was substantiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutraceuticals are gaining importance owing to their potential applications in numerous sectors including food and feed industries. Among the emerging nutraceuticals, d‐tagatose occupies a significant niche because of its low calorific value, antidiabetic property and growth promoting effects on beneficial gut bacteria. As d‐tagatose is present in minute quantities in naturally occurring food substances, it is produced mainly by chemical or biological means. Recently, attempts were made for bio‐production of d‐tagatose using l‐arabinose isomerase enzyme to overcome the challenges of chemical process of production. Applications of d‐tagatose for maintaining health and wellbeing are increasing due to growing consumer awareness and apprehension against modern therapeutic agents. This review outlines the current status on d‐tagatose, particularly its production, properties, biological role, applications, and the future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pentose based prebiotic xylooligosaccharides attracts greater attention around the world because it exhibits several beneficial effects to the host. Therefore, an in vivo experiment was carried out to reveal the effects of corn husks derived xylooligosaccharides in broiler chicken. The day-old broiler chickens (96; divided into 2 groups) were raised for 3 weeks on control diet or same diet supplemented with 0.5% xylooligosaccharides (XOS); derived from corn husks. In order to produce the XOS, xylan was extracted from the corn husks by alkaline extraction. The xylan was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis at pH 5.8, temperature 44°C, enzyme dose of 5.7U/ml for 17h to yield XOS. The concentrated XOS was supplemented in the diet of broiler chicken during the entire experimental periods. Albeit, no positive influence was noticed on either the live weight or feed conversion efficiency, but 0.5% XOS supplementation resulted in to selective stimulation of Bifidobacteria, coupled with reduction in the population of Streptococci and E. coli in the caecum of broiler chicken. In line with the caecal microflora changes, blood biochemical profiling reflected reduced cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose concentration as a result of XOS supplementation. Thus, corn husks derived XOS showed positive influence on caecal microflora and blood biochemical profile in broiler chicken and could be incorporated in the diets for ensuring beneficial effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of exogenous lignolytic enzymes harvested from immobilized Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidium on body weight, in vivo digestibility, rumen fermentation and rumen enzymes in sheep. Four groups of sheep (6-each) were fed 350 g concentrate mixture to meet the energy and protein requirement as per ICAR standards. The control sheep received ad lib. ragi straw treated with production media devoid of enzyme (G1). Test group 1 (G2) received ad lib. ragi straw treated with C. versicolor enzyme media (Enz.1) in a 1:2.5 (w/v) ratio, group 2 (G3) received ad lib. straw treated with G. lucidium enzyme media (Enz.2) in a 1:2.5 (w/v) ratio. Group 3 (G4) received ad lib. amount of straw treated with a combination of Enz.1 and Enz.2 in an equal volume in a 1:2.5 (w/v) ratio. After 40 d feeding an ADG (gd-1) of 112.5 and 107.5 was recorded in G2 and G3 as compared to 97.5 of control. A 5% increase in dry matter digestibility (DMD) of 77 .36±4.28 and 77.04±5.69% was obtained in G2 and G3. Treatment of straw with a combination of enzymes (G4) failed to show increase in either ADG or DMD. Rumen fermentation pattern did show any significant difference. The fiber degrading enzymes elicited enhancement of activity in sheep fed the supplemental enzymes. Applying lignin degrading enzymes as feed supplements for enhancing digestibility of crop residues holds promise in the immediate future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study regarding effects of dietary resveratrol, a type of synthetic phenol, supplementation in attenuating aflatoxin induced biochemical changes with reference to serum marker enzymes and antioxidant status in broiler birds. The study reports that resveratrol was found to attenuate aflatoxin induced biochemical changes in broilers and also improve total protein in serum. Further mentioned is the need of further research to understand resveratrol's effect better.

The article focuses on a study on the impact of solid state fermentation (SSF) by white rot fungi on the production of proteases and lignolytic enzymes in finger millet straw. Under the study, finger millet straw or Eleusine coracana has been subjected to various pretreatments which are without any pretreatment, steaming and 4% urea treatment. Results show that there was high protease activity during the first two days of fermentation.

In the light of restriction on use of certain feed additives like antibiotics, growth promoters etc, probiotics and prebiotics are emerging as potential alternative to improve rumen function. The present research was aimed to study the influence of probiotic and prebiotic on rumen fermentation of lambs maintained on complete feed block. Twelve growing Bannur lambs were divided into three groups with four animals in each. As a result of supplementation of probiotic and prebiotic, TCA precipitable N was significantly (P<0.05) improved with decrease in NPN fractions. Total viable bacteria population (no/ml of rumen liquor) increased from 10.67x108 to 30.67x108 in probiotic-supplemented lambs and to 18.83x108 in prebiotic supplemented lambs. Similarly, total protozoa population increased from 2.88x105 to 11.60x105 and 13.92x105 in probiotic- and prebiotic-supplemented lambs, respectively. Prebiotic supplementation has also shown to modulate rumen fermentation in lambs in comparison to probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study which evaluated quality protein maize (QPM), nithyasree hybrid (NH) and commercial maize based diets on the performance of lambs. The treatment diets used in the study included ragi straw as basal feed and a concentrate mixture. Researchers concluded that the feeding and digestion trials did not reaffirm the assumption that QPM and NH based diets would result in a superior performance.

The effects of prebiotic on hindgut fermentation in pigs under in vitro system with different levels of inulin (0, 0.5, 1 and 2%) added in the fermentation media (pre-digested grower diets + fecal inoculums) were studied. The digestibility and fermentation pro le were determined after 24 h incubation in shaking incubator (39±10C) were reported in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research which examined the influence of prebiotic on nutrient utilization of total mixed ration (TMR). The researchers have collected rumen liquor two hours after providing feed and water from the adult fistulated cattle. They found that inherently ragi straw has high neutral detergent fiber and low protein content just like other residues of agricultural crop.

The article presents a study that evaluates the nutritional composition of Moringa leaves and its effects on rumen metabolic profile. The study is undertaken through collecting Moringa leaves and the use of chemical analysis to determine various rumen metabolites such as total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, and volatile fatty acids. The results of the study reveal that Moringa leaves contain 20.36% crude protein, 6.7% ether extract and 19.45% neutral detergent fiber.