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The present study was conducted with privately owned dogs and cats to investigate whether a relationship exists between the dietary AGEs and the urinary excretion of AGEs, as indication of possible effective absorption of those compounds in the intestinal tract of pet carnivores. For this purpose, data were collected from both raw fed and dry processed food (DPF) fed to dogs and cats, through spot urine sampling and questionnaires. Raw pet food (RF, low in AGE diets) was fed as a primary food source to 29 dogs and DPF to 28 dogs. Cats were categorized into 3 groups, which were RF (n = 15), DPF (n = 14) and dry and wet processed pet food (DWF, n = 25). Urinary‐free carboxymethyllysine (CML), carboxyethyllysine (CEL) and lysinoalanine (LAL) were analysed using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)—mass spectrometry, and were standardized for variable urine concentration by expressing the AGE concentrations as a ratio to urine creatinine (Ucr) concentration (µg/µmol Ucr). Urinary excretion of CML, CEL and LAL in dogs fed with DPF was 2.03, 2.14 and 3 times higher compared to dogs fed with RF (p <.005). Similar to the dogs, a significant difference in CML:Ucr, CEL:Ucr and LAL:Ucr between the three diet groups was observed in cats (p‐overall < 0.005, ANOVA), in which the RF fed group excreted less AGEs than the other groups. Linear regression coefficients and SE of CML:Ucr, CEL:Ucr and LAL:Ucr showed that body weight and neuter status were significantly correlated with CML and CEL excretion, but not to LAL excretion. Our results revealed a significant correlation between dietary AGEs and urinary excretion of free CML, CEL and LAL, and also showed that endogenous formation of these AGEs occurs in both dogs and cats under physiological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace minerals are commonly supplemented in the diets of farmed animals in levels exceeding biological requirements, resulting in extensive fecal excretion and environmental losses. Chelation of trace metal supplements with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) can mitigate the effects of dietary antagonists by preserving the solubility of trace minerals. Lack of EDTA biodegradability, however, is of environmental concern. l -Glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA) is a readily biodegradable chelating agent that could be used as a suitable alternative to EDTA. The latter was tested in sequential dose–response experiments in broiler chickens. Study 1 compared the effect of EDTA and GLDA in broilers on supplemental zinc availability at three levels of added zinc (5, 10, and 20 ppm) fed alone or in combination with molar amounts of GLDA or EDTA equivalent to chelate the added zinc, including negative (no supplemental zinc) and positive (80 ppm added zinc) control treatments. Study 2 quantified the effect of GLDA on the availability of native trace mineral feed content in a basal diet containing no supplemental minerals and supplemented with three levels of GLDA (54, 108, and 216 ppm). In study 1, serum and tibia Zn clearly responded to the increasing doses of dietary zinc with a significant response to the presence of EDTA and GLDA (P < 0.05). These results are also indicative of the equivalent nutritional properties between GLDA and EDTA. In study 2, zinc levels in serum and tibia were also increased with the addition of GLDA to a basal diet lacking supplemental trace minerals, where serum zinc levels were 60% higher at the 216 ppm inclusion level. Similar to the reported effects of EDTA, these studies demonstrate that dietary GLDA may have enhanced zinc solubility in the gastrointestinal tract and subsequently enhanced availability for absorption, resulting in improved nutritional zinc status in zinc-deficient diets. As such, GLDA can be an effective nutritional tool to reduce supplemental zinc levels in broiler diets, thereby maintaining health and performance while reducing the environmental footprint of food-producing animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Different fungal strains show variable capabilities to improve the degradability of lignocellulosic biomass in ruminants. • High potential fungi like Ceriporiopsis subvermispora , can improve the nutritive value of different types of wheat straw. • Fungi are fundamentally different in degrading lignin and utilizing protein. • The fungal pretreatment of biomass for ruminant feeding has a promising prospect. In recent years, the use of white-rot fungi as a pretreatment method to improve the nutritive value of agricultural biomass as ruminant feed, has received a substantial attention. However, there are several issues that need to be addressed for a successful application of this method. One of the issues is the inevitable variation in the nutritive values of the fungal-treated biomass. This paper reviews our recent works on validating the variation in the nutritive values of biomass treated with different fungal species. The general aims of these studies are: (1) to study the variability among different fungal species (and strains) in improving the nutritive value of the same batch of wheat straw; and (2) to assess the capabilities of selected fungi to improve different batches and types of wheat straw. A large variation of ruminal degradability – measured as in vitro gas production, IVGP), was observed, even for different strains of the same fungal species. The IVGP for different strains of Ceriporiopsis subvermispora ranged from 205.5 to 317.8 mL/g organic matter (OM), while the IVGP ranges for the strains of Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus eryngii were 183.5–306.6 ml/g OM) and 206.6–267.0 ml/g OM, respectively. A high potential fungus, strain CS1 of C. subvermispora consistently improved the IVGP of different batches and types of wheat straw by 27.7–47.6%. The variation in the nutritive value of fungal-treated biomass is evident. However, this issue can be overcome by using the right fungal strains with an optimal culture and growth conditions. More research needs to be done to make it an attractive substitute to physico-chemical methods. Here, we also put forward our manifestation on the future prospects of fungal pretreatment for ruminant feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Wheat bran improves colonization of wheat straw by Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Lentinula edodes. • The two fungal species degraded wheat bran starch clearly differently. • Supplementation with wheat bran had no effect on lignin degradation. A rapid and complete colonization of lignocellulosic biomass by white-rot fungi is a prerequisite for an efficient and contamination free delignification. To improve the colonization, mycelium growth and delignification by Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Lentinula edodes of wheat straw, with addition of 2, 4, 6 and 10% of wheat bran for 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, was evaluated. The ergosterol content, chemical composition and in vitro gas production (IVGP) by ruminal microorganisms were determined. The fungal biomass and starch amount was significantly (P < 0.001) affected by the inclusion level of wheat bran and incubation time. An increase in added wheat bran increased the fungal biomass with different effects observed for the two fungi. The added starch from the wheat bran was degraded by C. subvermispora , mainly during the first two weeks (up to 44%), whereas, L. edodes degraded starch during 12 weeks up to 83%. The supplementation of wheat bran, however, did not affect (P > 0.05) the amount of hemicellulose and lignin at the end of the incubation. There was no significant effect of wheat bran addition on the IVGP for the two fungal treatments. Supplementation of wheat straw with wheat bran resulted in a quicker fungal colonization, which is useful for C. subvermispora , a fungus that forms only thin mycelium and is more prone to contamination than L. edodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dairy cattle, the hormonal changes around calving induce large metabolic changes to support milk production. Mobilization of adipose reserves is one of the changes involved, imposing a metabolic load on the liver. We hypothesized that the risk for excessive lipolysis and hepatic lipidosis postpartum can be reduced by starting fat mobilization and processing during the prepartum period by physical exercise, especially in cows with a high body condition score (BCS). As a proof of concept, 32 pregnant Holstein‐Friesian dairy cows were selected for a 2 × 2 experimental design. Sixteen cows had a BCS < 3.25 (group LOW) and 16 cows a BCS ≥ 3.25 (group HIGH). Cows within each group were randomly allocated to one of two treatments: group STEP was walked twice daily for 45 min during the dry period while group CON remained indoors. Treatment was stopped at calving and cows were monitored until 6 weeks after calving. Liver biopsies were taken in a subset of 16 cows to determine liver triglyceride (TG) concentration. We found that calculated energy balance was more negative for group STEP prepartum, resulting in higher plasma non‐esterified fatty acids and β‐hydroxybutyrate concentrations. During the first 6 weeks postpartum, neither dry matter intake nor milk yield was affected by exercise. As expected, the cows in group HIGH had increased liver TG concentrations postpartum relative to group LOW with increased plasma non‐esterified fatty acids directly after calving. Exercise during the dry period mitigated postpartal liver TG accumulation, but this did not seem to be related to increased plasma lipoprotein transport. We conclude that substantial physical activity prepartum can induce lipolysis and lipid utilization, thereby starting an early adaptation to lactation. This may be instrumental to reduce the risk for excessive liver TG accumulation postpartum, especially in cows with a high BCS at dry‐off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The background of the current in vitro study involves the issue of methane (CH4) production inherent to rumen fermentation. One of the dietary strategies to reduce enteric CH4 production by ruminants involves the supplementation of medium‐chain fatty acids in diets. As such, oils containing high amounts of MCFA, such as coconut, palm kernel and krabok oil, are of much interest to formulate energy efficient and environmentally friendly rations for ruminants. Krabok oil (KO) reduces methanogenesis, but the appropriate inclusion level of dietary KO is unclear. We therefore investigated the dose–response relationship between krabok oil and CH4 production. In practice, the use of whole krabok seed (WKS), instead of KO, is easier, but the efficacy of WKS to inhibit methanogenesis was hitherto unknown. Thus, we also investigated whether WKS provides an alternative tool to inhibit CH4 production. The experimental substrates contained either KO, WKS, the residue of WKS after fat extraction residue (FER) or FER + KO. Appropriate amounts of WKS or its derivatives were added to a basal substrate so as to attain either a low, medium or high content of KO, that is, 37–46, 90–94 and 146–153 g/kg dry matter respectively. The experimental substrates were formulated to keep the amounts of incubated fat‐free OM, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre constant in order to avoid biased results through potential differences in fermentability between WKS and its derivatives, and the basal substrate. The latter resembled the ingredient composition of a total mixed ration commonly used in Thai dairy cows. Fully automated gas production (GP) equipment was used to measure gas‐ and CH4 production. Irrespective of the type of substrate (p ≥.115), both the absolute (ml/g fat‐free OM) and relative (% of total GP) CH4 production was reduced at the highest inclusion level of WKS or its derivatives (p ≤.019). Total GP (ml/g fat‐free OM), however, was reduced after incubation of FER, FER + KO, and WKS, but not KO, at the highest inclusion level of the respective substrates (p =.019). Volatile fatty acids were likewise affected (p ≤.001). Krabok oil can inhibit CH4 production but only when the dietary KO content is at least 9.4% (DM). Supplementation of KO in the form of WKS, however, is considered not opportune because the fat extracted residue of WKS is poorly degraded during fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Due to the growing public concern regarding the addition of chemical antioxidants to foods, focus has shifted towards natural alternatives. Because of their antioxidant potential, culinary herbs and spices have long been used to extend the shelf‐life of foods. However, a better understanding of the fate of these products following intake is required to assess their use in lamb diets. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty‐eight Rasa Aragonesa male lambs (70 days old) were supplemented (5.0 g kg−1 compound feed) with bay, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, thyme, turmeric, cumin, caraway, dill, cinnamon and nutmeg extracts for 14 days before slaughter. Dietary supplementation with plant extracts had no effect on intake, growth performance or antioxidant activity in blood (TEAC values). In muscle, nutmeg supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the radical‐scavenging capacity (TEAC), whereas a decrease in the radical‐scavenging capacity was found for lambs supplemented with oregano, dill, cinnamon and nutmeg (ORAC values). In liver, nutmeg supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the antioxidant capacity (TEAC), whereas bay (ORAC), turmeric, cinnamon and nutmeg (DPPH• values) decreased (P < 0.05) the radical‐scavenging capacity of the tissue. In kidney, a lower (P < 0.05) radical‐scavenging capacity (TEAC values) was found in lambs supplemented with oregano, cumin and caraway, whereas, turmeric, cumin, caraway, cinnamon and nutmeg increased (P < 0.05) the antioxidant capacity (ORAC values) in kidney. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of lamb diets with plant extracts affected radical‐scavenging activity in muscle, liver and kidney. However, due to the divergent results of the different assays for the same tissue, it is not advisable to discriminate plant extracts using this approach. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the ruminal degradability of various wheat straw types by the white‐rot fungi Ceriporiopsis subvermispora (CS) and Lentinula edodes (LE). Different cultivars (CV) of wheat straw at different maturity stages (MS) were treated with the fungi for 7 weeks and assessed for chemical composition and in vitro gas production (IVGP). RESULTS: Both fungi showed a more pronounced degradation of lignin on a more mature straw (MS3; 89.0%) in comparison with the straw harvested at an earlier stage (MS1; 70.7%). Quantitative pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, using 13C lignin as an internal standard 13C‐IS Py‐GC/MS revealed that lignin in more mature straw was degraded and modified to a greater extent. In contrast, cellulose was less degraded in MS3, as compared to MS1 (8.3% versus 14.6%). There was no effect of different MS on the IVGP of the fungus‐treated straws. Among the different straw cultivars, the extent of lignin degradation varied greatly (47% to 93.5%). This may explain the significant (P < 0.001) effect of cultivar on the IVGP of the fungal‐treated straws. Regardless of the factors tested, both fungi were very capable of improving the IVGP of all straw types by 15.3% to 47.6%, (as compared to untreated straw), with CS performing better than LE – on different MS (33.6% versus 20.4%) and CVs (43.2% versus 29.1%). CONCLUSION: The extent of lignin degradation caused by fungal treatment was more pronounced on the more mature and lignified straw, while variable results were obtained with different cultivars. Both fungi were capable of improving the IVGP of various straw types. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Ensiling does not change the cell wall degradation of maize stems. • Fungal treatment does not decrease the lignin content of lower maize stems. • Fungal treatment does not improve the degradability of lower maize stems. Abstract The effect of ensiling and fungal treatment on the chemical composition and on in vitro gas production, an indication of rumen degradability, of maize stems was studied. Stems from two maize cultivars (LG30211 and MZP8057) were separated into three parts: upper (above internode 12 up to and including internode 15), middle (above internode 8 up to and including internode 11), and lower stem (above internode 5 up to and including internode 7). The three parts of the stems were ensiled for 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks and the lower stem was treated with the white-rot fungi Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus eryngii for 3, 6, and 9 weeks. The dry matter content decreased and the acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content increased from the top to the bottom in the stem. Upon ensiling, the neutral detergent fibre, ADF and ADL content increased. The gas production between 3 and 20 h, a measure of cell wall degradability in rumen fluid, did not change after ensiling, but gas production within 3 h and within 72 h decreased after ensiling. The acetic acid content and the proportion of ammonia-N in total N increased, and pH decreased, after 1 week of ensiling and did not show a clear trend from 1 to 8 weeks. The ADL and cellulose content of the lower part of the stem of both maize cultivars increased after fungal treatment and the hemicellulose content decreased except for the lower stem of MZP8057 treated with P. eryngii. The ratio of syringyl to guaiacyl compounds increased after fungal treatment. The gas production between 3 and 20 h and within 72 h decreased after fungal treatment. Both ensiling and fungal treatment cannot improve the degradability of the investigated maize stems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) has been recommended by the FAO for the evaluation of protein quality in human foods, but the application of DIAAS is currently limited because of a lack of published data on the true ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of AAs in foods. The importance of DIAAS is highlighted. To calculate DIAAS, it is necessary to determine the true ileal AA digestibility of human foods using the growing pig as an animal model for the human based on previous FAO recommendations. A method is described in detail in Supplemental Methods to determine the true ileal AA digestibility of foods for humans using the pig as a model for the adult human. Adoption of the method will enable consistency in the development of databases on predicted true ileal AA digestibility in human foods for the calculation of DIAAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Phlorotannins (PhTs) are marine tannins consisting of phloroglucinol subunits connected via carbon–carbon and ether linkages. These have non‐covalent protein binding properties and are, therefore, expected to be beneficial in protecting protein from hydrolysis during ruminal fermentation. In this study, the effectiveness of a methanolic PhTs extract from Laminaria digitata (10, 20, 40, 50, 75 and 100 g kg−1 tannin‐free grass silage, with or without addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG), was investigated in vitro on protection of dietary protein and reduction of methane (CH4) in ruminal fluid. RESULTS: Addition of PhTs had linear ( P < 0.0001) and quadratic ( P = 0.0003) effects on gas and CH4 production, respectively. Optimal dosage of PhTs was 40 g kg−1 as at this point CH4 decreased ( P < 0.0001) from 24.5 to 15.2 mL g−1 organic matter (OM), without affecting gas production ( P = 0.3115) and total volatile fatty acids ( P = 1.000). Ammonia trended ( P = 0.0903) to decrease from 0.49 to 0.39 mmol g−1 OM, indicating protection of protein. Addition of PEG inhibited the effect of tannins at all dosage levels, and none of the fermentation parameters differed from the control. CONCLUSION: PhTs effectively protected protein from fermentation and reduced ruminal methanogenesis. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat straw and oak wood chips were incubated with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Lentinula edodes for 8 weeks. Samples from the fungal treated substrates were collected every week for chemical characterization. L. edodes continuously grew during the 8 weeks on both wheat straw and oak wood chips, as determined by the ergosterol mass fraction of the dry biomass. C. subvermispora colonized both substrates during the first week, stopped growing on oak wood chips, and resumed growth after 6 weeks on wheat straw. Detergent fiber analysis and pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showed a selective lignin degradation in wheat straw, although some carbohydrates were also degraded. L. edodes continuously degraded lignin and hemicelluloses in wheat straw while C. subvermispora degraded lignin and hemicelluloses only during the first 5 weeks of treatment after which cellulose degradation started. Both fungi selectively degraded lignin in wood chips. After 4 weeks of treatment, no significant changes in chemical composition were detected. In contrast to L. edodes , C. subvermispora produced alkylitaconic acids during fungal treatment, which paralleled the degradation and modification of lignin indicating the importance of these compounds in delignification. Light microscopy visualized a dense structure of wood chips which was difficult to penetrate by the fungi, explaining the relative lower lignin degradation compared to wheat straw measured by chemical analysis. All these changes resulted in an increased in in vitro rumen degradability of wheat straw and oak wood chips. In addition, more glucose and xylose were released after enzymatic saccharification of fungal treated wheat straw compared to untreated material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Factorial determination of the sodium (Na) requirement of heat-stressed lactating cows is hindered by accurate estimates of the Na losses through sweat. Direct studies, therefore, may be needed requiring information on the time course of healthy animals to become Na depleted and the subsequent rate of repletion. The rate of Na depletion and subsequent rate of Na repletion with two levels of dietary Na to lactating dairy cows housed under tropical conditions were investigated using the salivary Na/K. RESULTS The 12 lactating cows (salivary Na/K ratio 14.6) rapidly developed clinical signs of Na deficiency, including pica, polyuria and polydipsia, reduced body weight and reduced milk yield when fed a low-Na ration (0.33 g kg−1 dry matter ( DM)) for 3 weeks. Deficiency symptoms were associated with a rapid decrease in salivary Na/K ratio to <4.3 from 7 to 21 days. Subsequent repletion of the cows with NaCl to a ration concentration of 1.1 or 1.6 g Na kg−1 DM for 5 weeks did not restore salivary Na/K ratio to values of >6. CONCLUSION A daily Na intake of heat-stressed lactating cows to a ration intake of 1.6 g Na kg−1 DM was insufficient to restore Na deficiency. One week was sufficient to deplete heat-stressed lactating cows of Na, allowing for rapid dose-response studies utilizing the salivary Na/K ratio as a parameter for Na status of cows under tropical conditions. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the inter-individual variability in fermentation of standard fibrous substrates by faecal inocula from ten healthy adult female cats. Substrates were citrus pectin (CP), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), guar gum (GG), sugar beet pulp (SBP) and wheat middlings (WM). Each substrate was incubated with faecal inoculum from each cat. Gas production was measured continuously during the 48 h incubation and SCFA and organic matter disappearance (only SBP and WM) after incubation. Out of ten cats, nine produced faeces on the days of inoculum preparation. The substrates contrasted in terms of fermentation parameters measured. The inter-individual variability was in general lower for the more simple and pure substrates (CP, FOS, GG) than for the more complex substrates containing mixtures of fibres (SBP, WM). Furthermore, for total SCFA and gas produced, inter-individual variability was lower than for proportions of butyrate and of branched-chain fatty acids and for the parameters of gas production kinetics. It is concluded that the variability in in vitro fermentation parameters is associated with the complexity of fibrous substrates. The presented data are instrumental for the calculation of number of faecal donors required for precise in vitro characterisation of the fermentability of dietary fibres. In addition, the number of faecal donors should be adjusted to the specific fermentation parameter(s) of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effects of hydrothermal conditions for pretreating wheat bran on the quality of residual protein for animal feeding, and on monosaccharide release for ethanol production were studied according to a 4×2×2 design with the factors, temperature (120, 140, 160, and 180°C), acidity (pH 2.3 and 3.9), and retention time (5 and 10min). Temperature affected the quality of residual protein for animal feeding. Pretreatment at 120 and 140°C did not affect O-methylisourea-reactive lysine in protein-rich wheat bran residue, although total lysine decreased with increasing temperature at pH 2.3. At temperatures higher than 140°C, reactive lysine decreased and melanoidins, furfural and 5-HMF increased. Lower acidity during pretreatment at 120 and 140°C increased the digestibility of the residual wheat protein in vitro by 36%. Pretreatment conditions did not substantially affect the release of monomeric xylose and arabinose by hemicellulases, which suggests that arabinoxylans in wheat bran are well accessible for enzymes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Lentinula edodes produce different metabolites. • Various organic acids and sugars are formed by storage of fungal treated wheat straw. • Fungal treated wheat straw darkens in colour with storage. • Storage does not affect in vitro fermentation. • Fungal treated wheat straw maintains its nutritional value during anaerobic storage. Degradation of lignocellulose by selective white-rot fungi can significantly improve the nutritional value of high lignocellulose containing biomass by affecting the access of rumen microbes to structural carbohydrates. To determine if such treated biomass is stable in time to allow it to be conserved for subsequent feeding to ruminant animals, wheat straw (WS) pre-treated for 7 weeks with either Ceriporiopsis subvermispora or Lentinula edodes was stored anaerobically up to 10 weeks at different temperatures (24.7–52.4 °C). Substrates were subsequently analysed for changes in pH, titratable acidity, fibre composition, in vitro gas production (IVGP) and colour, as well as polar metabolites by GC–MS and ceriporic acids by LC–MS. The increased titratable acidity of fungal treated WS during storage indicated acidification of the straw. A significant decrease in hemicellulose and an increase in acid detergent lignin content was observed at 52.4 °C. No negative effect of the storage condition on the degradability of both fungal treated WS in rumen fluid was observed. A darker colour was observed for substrates incubated at higher temperatures, coinciding with a strong accumulation of several organic acids and sugars. A decrease in ceriporic acid A, B, C and G produced by C. subvermispora was observed when stored at 52.4 °C from week 2–10. The results show that, although the chemical composition changes, anaerobic storage of fungal treated WS at different temperatures does not affect its fermentation potential for ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Goats showed a preference for grass silage over fresh fungal treated wheat straw (FWS). • Goats readily consume fresh FWS in a mixed diet. • Goats showed a higher intake rate of fresh FWS than wet wheat straw in a mixed diet. • No difference in intake rate of goats was observed between the two FWS. • Storage improved the preference of FWS for goats. The successful application of fungal treated lignocellulosic biomass as an animal feed ingredient depends on its acceptance by animals. The objective of this study was to test the preference of fresh and stored fungal treated wheat straw (WS) by non-lactating Saanen goats. Three studies were conducted. Wheat straw was aerobically treated with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora (CS) and Lentinula edodes (LE) for 7 weeks before being stored at -20°C (fresh CS [CS f , fresh LE [LE f) until use. The CS f and LE f were also anaerobically stored at 54°C (stored CS [CS s , stored LE [LE s) for 7 weeks before being frozen at -20°C until use. In study 1, preference for individual feedstuffs was tested and included grass silage (GS), maize silage (MS), CS f , LE f and WS. Goats showed a strong preference for GS and were more reluctant to consume MS. Minor amounts of CS f , LE f and WS were consumed even when the preference time was extended to 2 h. Study 2 compared the preference of CS f , LE f and WS when included at 50% (as is basis) in a GS/MS based feed over 6 days. Goats had a higher (P < 0.05) intake rate of the CS f and LE f than the WS containing feed, with no significant difference observed between CS f and LE f. In study 3, the preference of goats between diets containing (50% as is basis) fresh and stored fungal treated WS was investigated. In an identical study design to study 2, the goats showed a higher intake rate for the CS s and LE s containing feeds. Wheat straw treated with C. subvermispora and L. edodes were significantly less preferred to GS and MS. This feeding study showed that fungal treated WS can be used as a major part in a diet for goat and the storage increases its palatability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) often suffer from posttransplant diarrhea. The observed dysbiosis in RTR may influence the fermentation processes in the gut. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fermentation differs between RTRs and healthy controls (HCs), by measuring breath H2 and CH4 concentrations. Additionally, we determined the fecal presence of the methanogen Methanobrevibacter smithii (M. smithii), which plays a main role in the process of methanogenesis. Data from the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study (NCT03272841) was used. A total of 142 RTRs and 77 HCs were included. Breath H2 concentrations in RTRs were not significantly different from HCs. Breath CH4 concentrations in RTRs were significantly lower compared with HCs (median [interquartile range (IQR)] 7.5 [3.9–10.6] ppm vs. 16.0 [8.0–45.5] ppm, p < 0.001). M. smithii was less frequently present in the feces of RTRs compared to HCs (28.6% vs. 86.4% resp., p < 0.001). Our findings regarding the altered methanogenesis in the gut of RTRs show similarities with previous results in inflammatory bowel disease patients. These findings provide novel insight into the alterations of fermentation after renal transplantation, which may contribute to understanding the occurrence of posttransplant diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the γ-glutamylfelinylglycine metabolite excretion in the urine of the domestic cat by researchers from Wageningen, Netherlands. The researchers attempt to quantify the concentration of N-acetyl-felinine (NAc-felinine) in the urine of intact male, castrated male and intact female cats to ascertain whether the excretion of NAc-felinine, like felinine, is gender-dependent. The recent discovery that felinine metabolites other than free felinine are present in the urine of intact male cats means that the dietary total sulfur amino acid requirements for the synthesis of felinine-containing compounds is higher than previously thought.

The article determines the total reactive lysine content of commercial dog foods and determines whether a relation exists between lysine availability and producer price. There were 14 extruded canine growth and 19 maintenance diets were obtained in the study and the lysine content was calculated as the difference between the total and O-methylisourea-reactive lysine content. The results show that the prices of the growth diets were greater than the prices for the maintenance diets. It also shows that the total lysine content was sufficient to meet lysine requirements for growth and maintenance and a large proportion of the lysine in the diets appears to have been damaged and expected to be unavailable to dogs.

The article investigates the preliminary findings of the plasma genistein absorption and urinary excretion of isoflavones genistein and daidzein in domestic cats. The two domestic cats were used in the study wherein both cats receive a dose provided from soy extract that contain isoflavones in tablet form. The results show that cats are capable of absorbing isoflavones when ingested orally. The evidence shows that domestic cats consuming genistein and daidzein in concentrations are capable of absorbing compounds from the gastrointestinal tract.

Enhanced dietary Ca intake linearly increases intestinal Ca absorption in pigs, but not in broilers, suggesting potential differences in whole body Ca homeostasis. To determine the role of kidney in Ca homeostasis in these species, we varied in growing pigs in experiment ( Exp ) 1, the dietary Ca content 2.0 vs. 9.6 g/kg and phytase 0 vs. 500 FTU/kg, in broilers, in Exp 2 the dietary Ca/retainable P from 1.3 to 2.8 and phytase 0 vs. 1000 FTU/kg, and in Exp 3 dietary Ca/P from 0.50 to 1.75. Increasing dietary Ca reduced renal mRNA expression of Ca-related transporters (TRPV5, TRPV6, CaBP-D28k, NCX1) and tight junctions (CLDN-12 and -16) in pigs, indicating Ca reabsorption was reduced to maintain Ca homeostasis. In broilers (Exp 2), high dietary Ca increased renal TRPV6, CaBP-D28k and CLDN-2 mRNA, indicating an increased capacity for Ca reabsorption. Moreover, the effect of dietary Ca was enhanced by inclusion of dietary phytase in pigs but reduced in broilers. Furthermore, increasing dietary Ca upregulated PiT-1 while phytase downregulated XPR1 mRNA expression in pigs; in broilers dietary Ca downregulated renal mRNA expression of NaPi-IIa, PiT-1, PiT-2 and XPR1, while phytase downregulated NaPi-IIa but upregulated PiT-2 and XPR1 mRNA expression. In Exp 3, Ca/P effect on transporter mRNA expression was largely consistent with Exp 2. In conclusion of this study, together with previously measured data about Ca and P homeostasis, in pigs the kidneys play a more regulatory role in Ca homeostasis than in broilers where the intestine is more important for regulation.

Preservation of fish as diet ingredient is challenging in many tropical regions due to poor socioeconomic conditions and lack of freezing facilities. So, alternative preservation techniques could be viable to address the issue. The present study evaluated the effect of brine salting (15% w/v) prior to drying at different temperatures on the nutrient profiles of tambaqui fish (Colossoma macropomum). Whole fish samples (n = 48; 792 ± 16 g; 8 months old) were grouped into two as brine-salted and non-salted, and treated at seven different drying temperatures of 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60°C for a period of 23 h each. To evaluate the impact of Maillard reaction, reactive lysine was also quantified. Drying temperature had no effect on the evaluated macro- and micro-nutrients of tambaqui fish (P > 0.05) while brining reduced the overall protein concentration by 6% (58.8 to 55.4 g/100 g DM; P = 0.004). Brining significantly reduced many amino acids: taurine by 56% (7.1 to 3.1 g/kg; P < 0.001), methionine 17% (14.7 to 12.1 g/kg; P < 0.001), cysteine 11% (5.1 to 4.4 g/kg, P = 0.016), and reactive lysine 11% (52.0 to 46.4 g/kg; P = 0.004). However, alanine, arginine, and serine were not affected by brining (P > 0.05). Brining also reduced the concentrations of Se by 14% (149 to 128 μg/kg DM; P = 0.020), iodine 38% (604 to 373 μg/kg DM; P = 0.020), K 42% (9.71 to 5.61 g/kg DM; P < 0.001) and Mg 18% (1.32 to 1.10 g/kg DM; P = < 0.001) versus an anticipated vast increase in Na by 744% (2.70 to 22.90 g/kg DM; P < 0.001) and ash 28% (12.4 to 16.0 g/100g DM; P < 0.001) concentration. Neither brining nor drying temperature induced changes in % lysine reactivity and fat content of tambaqui fish (P > 0.05). Agreeably, results of multivariate analysis showed a negative association between brining, Na, and ash on one side of the component and most other nutrients on the other component. In conclusion, drying without brining may better preserve the nutritive value of tambaqui fish. However, as a practical remark to the industry sector, it is recommended that the final product may further evaluated for any pathogen of economic or public health importance., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Mebratu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Feeding whole prey to felids has shown to benefit their gastrointestinal health. Whether this effect is caused by the chemical or physical nature of whole prey is unknown. Fifteen domestic cats, as a model for strict carnivores, were either fed minced mice (MM) or whole mice (WM), to determine the effect of food structure on digestibility, mean urinary excretion time (MUET) of 15 N, intestinal microbial activity and fermentation products. Faeces samples were collected after feeding all cats a commercially available extruded diet (EXT) for 10 d before feeding for 19 d the MM and WM diets with faeces and urine collected from day 11 to 15. Samples for microbiota composition and determination of MUET were obtained from day 16 to 19. The physical structure of the mice diet (minced or not) did not affect large intestinal fermentation as total SCFA and branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA), and most biogenic amine (BA) concentrations were not different ( P > 0·10). When changing from EXT to the mice diets, the microbial community composition shifted from a carbolytic ( Prevotellaceae ) to proteolytic ( Fusobacteriaceae ) profile and led to a reduced faecal acetic to propionic acid ratio, SCFA, total BCFA ( P < 0·001), NH 3 ( P = 0·04), total BA ( P < 0·001) and para-cresol ( P = 0·08). The results of this study indicate that food structure within a whole-prey diet is less important than the overall diet type, with major shifts in microbiome and decrease in potentially harmful fermentation products when diet changes from extruded to mice. This urges for careful consideration of the consequences of prey-based diets for gut health in cats.

The aim was to determine ileal endogenous nitrogen losses (ENL) and true ileal N-digestibility (TD-N) under non-steady-state conditions of the 15 N-isotope dilution technique ( 15 N-IDT), using diets generating low and high ENL and compare results to those obtained under steady-state conditions. Twelve growing pigs (mean LW 22.4 kg) fitted with a post-valve T-caecum cannula were fed an enzyme-hydrolysed casein (EHC)-based diet or an EHC diet + 4% quebracho tannins (QT) and were labelled via continuous 15 N-leucine i.v . infusion or twice daily oral 15 N-leucine administration. Digesta were collected daily over three consecutive hours with blood plasma sampled on the four consecutive days after cessation of 15 N-labelling. There was a significant effect of sampling day on the dilution factor. Endogenous N losses were significantly lower for the EHC than the EHC+QT diet (2.41 vs. 8.69 g/kg DMI), while no significant effect of sampling day was observed. The TD-N of the EHC+QT diet did not differ from the TD-N of the EHC diet (95.1 vs. 92.0%). A significant effect of sampling day was observed for TD-N with day 1 and 2, being higher than day 4. Non-steady-state conditions overestimated ENL by 25-28% as compared to 3 h collections in steady-state conditions, but the relative overestimation was similar for the EHC diet as for the EHC+QT diet. TD-N did not differ significantly compared to 12 h steady-state measurements, but comparison to 3 h steady-state measurements showed that non-steady-state conditions overestimated TD-N for the EHC+QT diet by 9%. However, on day 4 this overestimation disappeared. Using the 15 N-IDT during non-steady-state conditions can provide valuable additional data on endogenous N losses and TD-N.

The determination of amino acid (AA) requirements for mammals has traditionally been done through nitrogen (N) balance studies, but this technique underestimates AA requirements in adult animals. There has been a shift toward researchers using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique for the determination of AA requirements in humans, and recently in dogs. However, the determination of AA requirements specific to adult dogs and cats at maintenance is lacking and the current requirements outlined by the National Research Council are based on a dearth of data and are likely underreporting the requirements of indispensable AA (IAA) for the population. To ensure the physiological requirements of our cats and dogs are met, we need methods to accurately and precisely measure digestibility. In vivo methods, such as ileal cannulation, are most commonly used, however, due to ethical considerations, we are moving away from animal models and toward in vitro methods. Harmonized static digestion models have the potential to replace in vivo methods but work needs to be done to have these methods more accurately represent the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of cats and dogs. The Digestible IAA Score (DIAAS) is one metric that can help define protein quality for individual ingredients or mixed diets that uses AA SID estimates and ideally those can be replaced with in vitro AA digestibility estimates. Finally, we need accurate and reliable laboratory AA analyses to measure the AA present in complete diets, especially those used to quantify methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys), both often limiting AAs in cat and dog diets. Together, this will guide accurate feed formulation for our companion animals to satisfy requirements while avoiding over-supplying protein, which inevitably contributes to excess N excretion, affecting both the environment and feed sustainability., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two glucogenic diets (C: ground corn and corn silage; S: steam-flaked corn and corn silage) and a lipogenic diet (L: sugar beet pulp and alfalfa silage) on the ruminal bacterial and archaeal structures, the metabolomic products, and gas production after 48 h in vitro fermentation with rumen fluid of dairy cows. Compared to the C and S diets, the L dietary treatment leaded to a lower dry matter digestibility (DMD), lower propionate production and ammonia-nitrogen concentration. The two glucogenic diets performed worse in controlling methane and lactic acid production compared to the L diet. The S diet produced the greatest cumulative gas volume at any time points during incubation compared to the C and L diet. The metabolomics analysis revealed that the lipid digestion especially the fatty acid metabolism was improved, but the amino acid digestion was weakened in the L treatment than in other treatments. Differences in rumen fermentation characteristics were associated with (or resulting from) changes in the relative abundance of bacterial and archaeal genera. The rumen fluid fermented with L diet had a significantly higher number of cellulolytic bacteria, including the genera of Ruminococcus , Butyrivibrio , Eubacterium , Lachnospira , unclassified Lachnospiraceae , and unclassified Ruminococcaceae . The relative abundances of amylolytic bacteria genera including Selenomonas&#95;1 , Ruminobacter , and Succinivibrionaceae&#95;UCG-002 were higher in samples for diets C and S. The results indicated that the two glucogenic diets leaded to a higher relative abundance of bacteria which functions in succinate pathway resulting in a higher propionate production. The steam-flaked corn diet had a higher gas production and lower level of metabolites in fatty acids and amino acids. Most highly abundant bacteria were observed to be not sensitive to dietary alterations of starch and fiber, except for several amylolytic bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria. These finding offered new insights on the digesting preference of ruminal bacteria, which can assist to improve the rumen functioning., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential interest conflict., (Copyright © 2022 Hua, Hendriks, Zhao, Xue, Wang, Jiang, Xiong and Pellikaan.)

Carbohydrates (e.g., starch and cellulose) are the main energy source in the diets of dairy cows. The ruminal digestion of starch and cellulose is achieved by microorganisms and digestive enzymes. In order to improve their digestibility, the microbes and enzymes involved in starch and cellulose degradation should be identified and their role(s) and activity known. As existing and new analytical techniques are continuously being developed, our knowledge of the amylolytic and cellulolytic microbial community in the rumen of dairy cows has been evolving rapidly. Using traditional culture-based methods, the main amylolytic and cellulolytic bacteria, fungi and protozoa in the rumen of dairy cows have been isolated. These culturable microbes have been found to only account for a small fraction of the total population of microorganisms present in the rumen. A more recent application of the culture-independent approach of metagenomics has acquired a more complete genetic structure and functional composition of the rumen microbial community. Metagenomics can be divided into functional metagenomics and sequencing-based computational metagenomics. Both approaches have been applied in determining the microbial composition and function in the rumen. With these approaches, novel microbial species as well as enzymes, especially glycosyl hydrolases, have been discovered. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the major amylolytic and cellulolytic microorganisms present in the rumen of dairy cows. The ruminal amylases and cellulases are briefly discussed. The application of metagenomics technology in investigating glycosyl hydrolases is provided and the novel enzymes are compared in terms of glycosyl hydrolase families related to amylolytic and cellulolytic activities.

Objective: This study determined the optimal ratio of whole plant corn silage (WPCS) to corn stover (stems+leaves) silage (CSS) (WPCS:CSS) to reach the greatest profit of dairy farmers and evaluated its consequences with corn available for other purposes, enteric methane production and milk nitrogen efficiency (MNE) at varying milk production levels., Methods: An optimization model was developed. Chemical composition, rumen undegradable protein and metabolizable energy (ME) of WPCS and CSS from 4 cultivars were determined to provide data for the model., Results: At production levels of 0, 10, 20, and 30 kg milk/cow/d, the WPCS:CSS to maximize the profit of dairy farmers was 16:84, 22:78, 44:56, and 88:12, respectively, and the land area needed to grow corn plants was 4.5, 31.4, 33.4, and 30.3 ha, respectively. The amount of corn available (ton DM/ha/yr) for other purposes saved from this land area decreased with higher producing cows. However, compared with high producing cows (30 kg/d milk), more low producing cows (10 kg/d milk) and more land area to grow corn and soybeans was needed to produce the same total amount of milk. Extra land is available to grow corn for a higher milk production, leading to more corn available for other purposes. Increasing ME content of CSS decreased the land area needed, increased the profit of dairy farms and provided more corn available for other purposes. At the optimal WPCS:CSS, MNE and enteric methane production was greater, but methane production per kg milk was lower, for high producing cows., Conclusion: The WPCS:CSS to maximize the profit for dairy farms increases with decreased milk production levels. At a fixed total amount of milk being produced, high producing cows increase corn available for other purposes. At the optimal WPCS:CSS, methane emission intensity is smaller and MNE is greater for high producing cows.

The effects of replacing grass silage by sainfoin silage in a total mixed ration (TMR) based diet on fatty acid (FA) reticular inflow and milk FA profile of dairy cows was investigated. The experiment followed a crossover design with 2 dietary treatments. The control diet consisted of grass silage, corn silage, concentrate and linseed. In the sainfoin diet, half of the grass silage was replaced by a sainfoin silage. Six rumen cannulated lactating multiparous dairy cows with a metabolic body weight of 132.5 ± 3.6 kg BW 0.75 , 214 ± 72 d in milk and an average milk production of 23.1 ± 2.8 kg/d were used in the experiment. Cows were paired based on parity and milk production. Within pairs, cows were randomly assigned to either the control diet or the sainfoin diet for 2 experimental periods (29 d per period). In each period, the first 21 d, cows were housed individually in tie-stalls for adaptation, then next 4 d cows were housed individually in climate-controlled respiration chambers to measure CH 4 . During the last 4 d, cows were housed individually in tie stalls to measure milk FA profile and determine FA reticular inflow using the reticular sampling technique with Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA) and Yb-acetate used as digesta flow markers. Although the dietary C18:3n-3 intake was lower ( P  = 0.025) in the sainfoin diet group, the mono-unsaturated FA reticular inflow was greater ( P  = 0.042) in cows fed the sainfoin diet. The reticular inflow of trans-9, trans-12-C18:2 and cis-12, trans-10 C18:2 was greater ( P  ≤ 0.024) in the sainfoin diet group. The cows fed sainfoin diet had a lower ( P  ≤ 0.038) apparent ruminal biohydrogenation of cis-9-C18:1 and C18:3n-3, compared to the cows fed the control diet. The sainfoin diet group had greater ( P  ≤ 0.018) C18:3n-3 and cis-9, cis-12-C18:2 proportions in the milk FA profile compared to the control diet group. Transfer efficiencies from feed to milk of C18:2, C18:3n-3 and unsaturated FA were greater ( P  ≤ 0.0179) for the sainfoin diet. Based on the results, it could be concluded that replacing grass silage by sainfoin silage in dairy cow rations reduces ruminal C18:3n-3 biohydrogenation and improves milk FA profile., Competing Interests: We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the content of this paper., (© 2020 Chinese Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.)

The stability of creatine monohydrate (CrMH), crystallised guanidinoacetic acid (GAA-C) and granulated GAA (GAA-G) in a moist retorted and a dry extruded dog food formulation during production and storage was investigated. Commercial food mixtures were supplemented with CrMH, GAA-C or GAA-G. Uniformity after mixing and retorting or extrusion was determined based on replicate samples (moist n = 8, dry n = 10). Storage stability was evaluated at 25°C/60% relative humidity for 15 months and 40°C/75% for 6 months. Foods with CrMH were analysed for creatine (Cr) and creatinine (Crn), whereas GAA-C and GAA-G foods were analysed for GAA concentrations. Coefficients of variation (CV) for uniformity of the additives after mixing of moist and dry pet food formulations were below 15%, and the CV was lower in processed mixtures. Recoveries after retorting and extrusion were higher for GAA-G (79 and 99%) and GAA-C (89 and 86%) compared to CrMH (36 and 85%) foods. In moist CrMH food, Cr concentrations re-increased by 54% whilst Crn concentrations decreased by 39% after storage at 25°C for 15 months. With total molar Cr + Crn remaining stable throughout storage, Crn and Cr appeared to effectively interconvert. Storage of the extruded CrMH food at 25°C for 15 months resulted in a 63% decrease in Cr and a 39% increase in Crn concentration. The decrease in Cr concentration was larger at 6 months storage at 40°C compared to 15 months storage at 25°C. Both GAA-C and GAA-G moist and dry foods were stable during storage (<10% decrease). This study showed that GAA is highly stable during production and storage of moist and dry canine foods whilst CrMH is relatively unstable, particularly during storage. The latter makes it difficult to establish a guaranteed Cr content in finished moist retorted and dry extruded foods with CrMH., (© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition Published by Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Background: White rot fungi have been used to improve the nutritive value of lignocellulose for ruminants. In feed analysis, the Van Soest method is widely used to determine the cell wall contents. To assess the reliability of this method (Method A) for determination of cell wall contents in fungal-treated wheat straw, we compared a combined monosaccharide analysis and pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) (Method B). Ruminal digestibility, measured as in vitro gas production (IVGP), was subsequently used to examine which method explains best the effect of fungal pretreatment on the digestibility of wheat straw., Results: Both methods differed considerably in the mass recoveries of the individual cell wall components, which changed on how we assess their degradation characteristics. For example, Method B gave a higher degradation of lignin (61.9%), as compared to Method A (33.2%). Method A, however, showed a better correlation of IVGP with the ratio of lignin to total structural carbohydrates, as compared to Method B (Pearson's r of -0.84 versus -0.69). Nevertheless, Method B provides a more accurate quantification of lignin, reflecting its actual modification and degradation. With the information on the lignin structural features, Method B presents a substantial advantage in understanding the underlying mechanisms of lignin breakdown. Both methods, however, could not accurately quantify the cellulose contents - among others, due to interference of fungal biomass., Conclusion: Method A only accounts for the recalcitrant residue and therefore is more suitable for evaluating ruminal digestibility. Method B allows a more accurate quantification of cell wall, required to understand and better explains the actual modification of the cell wall. The suitability of both methods, therefore, depends on their intended purposes. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: The white-rot fungi Ceriporiopsis subvermispora ( Cs ), Pleurotus eryngii ( Pe ), and Lentinula edodes ( Le ) have been shown to be high-potential species for selective delignification of plant biomass. This delignification improves polysaccharide degradability, which currently limits the efficient lignocellulose conversion into biochemicals, biofuels, and animal feed. Since selectivity and time efficiency of fungal delignification still need optimization, detailed understanding of the underlying mechanisms at molecular level is required. The recently developed methodologies for lignin quantification and characterization now allow for the in-depth mapping of fungal modification and degradation of lignin and, thereby, enable resolving underlying mechanisms., Results: Wheat straw treated by two strains of Cs ( Cs1 and Cs12) , Pe ( Pe3 and Pe6) and Le ( Le8 and Le10) was characterized using semi-quantitative py-GC-MS during fungal growth (1, 3, and 7 weeks). The remaining lignin after 7 weeks was quantified and characterized using 13 C lignin internal standard based py-GC-MS and whole cell wall HSQC NMR. Strains of the same species showed similar patterns of lignin removal and degradation. Cs and Le outperformed Pe in terms of extent and selectivity of delignification ( Cs  ≥  Le  >>  Pe) . The highest lignin removal [66% (w/w); Cs 1] was obtained after 7 weeks, without extensive carbohydrate degradation (factor 3 increased carbohydrate-to-lignin ratio). Furthermore, though after treatment with Cs and Le comparable amounts of lignin remained, the structure of the residual lignin vastly differed. For example, C α -oxidized substructures accumulated in Cs treated lignin up to 24% of the total aromatic lignin, a factor two higher than in Le -treated lignin. Contrarily, ferulic acid substructures were preferentially targeted by Le (and Pe ). Interestingly, Pe -spent lignin was specifically depleted of tricin (40% reduction). The overall subunit composition (H:G:S) was not affected by fungal treatment., Conclusions: Cs and Le are both able to effectively and selectively delignify wheat straw, though the underlying mechanisms are fundamentally different. We are the first to identify that Cs degrades the major β - O -4 ether linkage in grass lignin mainly via C β - O -aryl cleavage, while C α -C β cleavage of inter-unit linkages predominated for Le. Our research provides a new insight on how fungi degrade lignin, which contributes to further optimizing the biological upgrading of lignocellulose.

Background: Supra-nutritional vitamin E supplementation is a commonly used approach to delay lipid oxidation and colour deterioration in lamb and beef meat marketed under modified atmosphere packaging. However, these applications lack a precise calibration of dose for the desired effect and, in addition, limited information is available regarding the use of natural vitamin E for this purpose., Results: Three hundred and sixty Rasa Aragonesa lambs were fed diets supplemented with all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate (250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg -1 compound feed), RRR-α-tocopheryl acetate (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg -1 compound feed) and a basal diet without vitamin E supplementation for 14 days before slaughter at 25.8 ± 1.67 kg body weight. Vitamin E supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on average daily weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. Display time had larger effects on lipid oxidation, colour stability, myoglobin forms and meat discolouration parameters compared to vitamin E supplementation. However, vitamin E source and dosage significantly extended meat shelf-life as indicated by lipid oxidation, redness, hue angle, metmyoglobin formation, deoxymyoglobin formation, A 580-630 and I SO2 ., Conclusion: The quantification of these effects demonstrated that the biological activity value of 1.36 used to distinguish both vitamin E sources is not appropriate for meat quality enhancing properties. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: Fermentative capacity among ruminants can differ depending on the type of ruminant species and the substrate fermented. The aim was to compare in vitro cow and goat rumen inocula in terms of methane (CH 4 ) and gas production (GP), fermentation kinetics and 72 h volatile fatty acids (VFA) production using the browse species Acacia etbaica, Capparis tomentosa, Dichrostachys cinerea, Rhus natalensis, freeze-dried maize silage and grass silage, and a concentrate as substrates., Results: Total GP, CH 4 and VFA were higher (P ≤ 0.008) in goat inoculum than cows across substrates. The half-time for asymptotic GP was lower (P < 0.0001) in phase 1 and higher (P < 0.012) in phase 2, and the maximum rate of GP was higher (P < 0.0001) in phase 1 and phase 3 (P < 0.0001) in goats compared to cows. Methane production and as a percentage of total GP was higher (P < 0.0001) and the half-time tended (P = 0.059) to be at a later time for goats compared to cows., Conclusion: Goat inoculum showed higher fermentative activity with a concomitant higher CH 4 production compared to cows. This difference highlights the ability of goats to better utilise browse species and other roughage types. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: No attention has been paid so far to the preservation of fungal-treated lignocellulose for longer periods. In the present study, we treated wheat straw (WS) with the white-rot fungi Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Lentinula edodes for 8 weeks and assessed changes in pH, chemical composition and in vitro gas production (IVGP) weekly. Fungal-treated WS was also stored for 64 days 'as is', with the addition of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or with a combination of LAB and molasses in airtight glass jars mimicking ensiling conditions., Results: Both fungi significantly reduced the lignin and hemicellulose content of WS, and increased the cellulose content. The IVGP increased with increasing time of incubation, indicating the increase in digestibility. Both fungi lowered the pH of WS under 4.3, which guarantees an initial and stable low pH during anaerobic storage. Minor changes in fibre composition and IVGP were observed for stored L. edodes treated WS, whereas no change occurred for C. subvermispora., Conclusion: It is possible to conserve C. subvermispora and L. edodes treated straw under anaerobic condition without additives up to 64 days. This finding is important for practical application to supply fungi-treated feed to ruminant animals for a prolonged period. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2017 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

Domestic dogs diverged from grey wolves between 13,000 and 17,000 years ago when food waste from human settlements provided a new niche. Compared to the carnivorous cat, modern-day dogs differ in several digestive and metabolic traits that appear to be more associated with omnivorous such as man, pigs and rats. This has led to the classification of dogs as omnivores, but the origin of these 'omnivorous' traits has, hitherto, been left unexplained. We discuss the foraging ecology of wild wolves and calculate the nutrient profiles of fifty diets reported in the literature. Data on the feeding ecology of wolves indicate that wolves are true carnivores consuming a negligible amount of vegetal matter. Wolves can experience prolonged times of famine during low prey availability while, after a successful hunt, the intake of foods and nutrients can be excessive. As a result of a 'feast and famine' lifestyle, wolves need to cope with a highly variable nutrient intake requiring an adaptable metabolism, which is still functional in our modern-day dogs. The nutritive characteristics of commercial foods differ in several aspects from the dog's closest free-living ancestor in terms of dietary nutrient profile and this may pose physiological and metabolic challenges. The present study provides new insights into dog nutrition and contributes to the ongoing optimisation of foods for pet dogs.

Intestinal absorption of anthocyanins (ACNs) was studied in vitro by comparing ACN disappearance from the mucosal solution of Ussing chambers not containing any tissue (controls) and that of Ussing chambers containing segments of mouse duodenum, jejunum, ileum or colon. The tissues were mounted in the chambers and bathed with Ringer's solution (RS) adjusted to a pH representative of the respective segments in vivo. The chambers were kept at 37 degrees C and RS was perfused continuously with carbogen (95% O(2)/5% CO(2)). After the addition of an ACN extract to the mucosal solution, samples from both the mucosal side and the serosal side were withdrawn at 10, 40, 80 and 120 min and analyzed for ACN concentration using reversed-phase HPLC with photodiode array detection. The highest absorption of ACNs occurred in chambers mounted with jejunal tissue (max absorption rate, 55.3+/-7.6%). Minor absorption occurred with duodenal tissue (10.4+/-7.6%), with no absorption recorded when tissues from the ileum or colon were used. This study demonstrates for the first time that ACN absorption in mice occurs predominantly in the jejunum.