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Cocoa pod husk (CPH) is a by‐product of cocoa. Whilst this by‐product is converted into animal feed in some countries, it is largely left to decompose and cause environmental issues in most South Pacific countries, including Vanuatu. The husk represent 70%–80% of the whole fruit. Its use as animal feed is limited by the presence of antinutritional factors, of which, theobromine is the most prominent. Other antinutritional factors include tannin and phytate. Feeding value of the CPH is improved by reducing these antinutritional factors through broiling, alkaline, and microbial treatment. Exogenous feed enzymes are used to hydrolyze crude fiber. Up to 10% of this by‐product is included in broiler feed and 15% with supplementation of exogenous feed enzymes in layer feed. In pigs, up to 20% can be included into diets of both the sow and growing pig. In ruminants, up to 35% can be used in cattle diet if treated with urea, molasses and/or fermented. The by‐product is widely used as an ingredient and/or energy/protein sources in Africa and Asia. There is scanty literature on its use in the South Pacific countries. In this review, I compiled existing literature on its chemical composition, use in livestock and poultry diets, and existing strategies to improve feeding value. The aim of this review is to project cocoa pod husk meal (CPHM) as a potential feed ingredient as well as energy/protein sources for livestock and poultry in the South Pacific countries, including Vanuatu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cosmos sulphureus Cav. is a plant species commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes, with its young leaves being consumed as vegetables. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of goat manure rates and different harvest criteria on shoot production as well as the metabolite of C. sulphureus. The experiment was conducted in Kuningan Regency, West Java, Indonesia, from October to November 2022, using a factorial randomized complete block design. Goat manure rates examined were 0, 100, 200, and 300 kg N/ha, equivalent to 0, 6, 12, and 18 tons of goat manure/ha. Shoot harvest criteria were two and four top nodes, with each treatment replicated three times. The result showed that applying goat manure significantly increased the shoot production of C. sulphureus. The harvest criteria affected the shoot weight per plant, where the four-node harvest was 98.3% higher than the two-node. The metabolite content, such as crude fiber, phenolic, and antioxidant activity, was not significantly different between the upper and lower leaves. However, the lower leaves had a total flavonoid and sugar content of 38.9 and 12.6%, higher than the upper leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the effect of long fermentation of rice bran using Aspergillus niger fungus on the content of dry matter (BK), crude protein (PK), and crude fiber (SK). This study used a unidirectional pattern Complete Randomized Design (RAL) with four treatments, and each treatment was repeated three times, namely T0: Fermentation of bran using 2.5% Aspergillus niger for 0 days. Q1: Fermentation of bran using 2.5% Aspergillus niger for 3 days. Q2: Fermentation of bran using 2.5% Aspergillus niger for 5 days. Q3: Fermentation of bran using 2.5% Aspergillus niger for 7 days. Fermentation of rice bran with the addition of 5 grams of urea and 20 ml of molasses The results showed that the average value of BK obtained T0: 94.43%, T1: 82.53%, T2: 95.41%, and T3: 88.01%. The average PK value was obtained: T0:13.03%, T1:13.27%, T2:14.12%, and T3:15.27%. The average SK value was obtained: T0:16.64%, T1:16.56%, T2:15.78%, and T3:12.76%. The conclusion obtained from this study is that the fermentation period of 0 to 7 days using Aspergillus niger mushrooms as much as 2.5% has a real effect on dry matter and crude fiber but has no real effect on crude protein content.

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of varying concentrations of dextrin in fruit leather on attributes such as crude fiber content, total phenols, and organoleptic. The study was carried out utilizing a fully randomized design, implementing four interventions that included adding dextrin at various concentrations: (P0 ) 0%, (P1 ) 1%, (P2 ) 2%, and (P3 ) 3%, each replicated five times. The test results showed aw value of 0.40 - 0.42; crude fiber 6.31 - 7.76 g/100 g; total phenols 2.61 - 3.22%, color score 1.92 - 2.68; aroma 2 - 2.8; taste 2.24 - 2.6; and texture (plastic) 2.12 - 2.68. The test results for total phenols tend to show an increase. Increasing the concentration of added dextrin reduces the crude fiber, aroma, and taste but increases the color and texture (plasticity) of fruit leather. Keywords: Crude fiber, Dextrin,Organoleptic,Phenol

This research aims to evaluate ammoniated corn straw's nutritional content and determine the best urea dose. Corn straw is one of the alternative feed sources from waste in the livestock industry. They contain crude 6.38%protein, 30.19%crude fibre, 2.81%crude fat, 51.69% EMWN, 8.94%ash, 53.12%TDN, 22.5% hemicellulose, 10.6% lignin, and 32.9% cellulose. However, the nutritional quality of corn straw can be affected by various factors, such as the high lignin content. It can bind to cellulose and hemicellulose, reducing digestibility and utilization as animal feed, so it needs to be processed first, one of which is ammoniation technology using urea. This research used 500 grams of corn straw and urea for the ammoniation process based on dry matter (DM) of corn straw for urea doses. The research designed by a complete randomized design (CRD) consisting of 4 treatments and 4 replications, namely T1= only corn straw (control), T2= corn straw with 2% urea, T3= corn straw with 4% urea and T4= corn straw with 6% urea. The variables measured were crude fiber, crude fat,, and TDN. The results showed that urea used in the ammoniation process of corn straw showed a significant effect (P

Ding'an (DA) pig, a prominent local breed in Hainan Province, exhibits notable advantages in coarse feeding tolerance and high-quality meat. To explore the potential genetic mechanism of coarse feeding tolerance in DA pigs, 60-day-old full sibling pairs of DA and DLY (Duroc-Landrace-Yorkshire) pigs were subjected to fed normal (5%) and high (10%) crude fiber diets for 56 days, respectively. The findings showed that increasing the crude fiber level had no impact on the apparent digestibility of crude fiber, intramuscular fat, and marbling scores in DA pigs, whereas these factors were significantly reduced in DLY pigs (p < 0.05). Through differential expression analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) of the colonic mucosal transcriptome data, 65 and 482 candidate genes with coarse feeding tolerance in DA pigs were identified, respectively. Joint analysis screened four key candidate genes, including LDHB, MLC1, LSG1, and ESM1, potentially serving as key regulated genes for coarse feeding tolerance. Functional analysis revealed that the most significant pathway enriched in differential genes associated with coarse feeding tolerance in Ding'an pigs was the signaling receptor binding. The results hold substantial significance for advancing our understanding of the genetic mechanisms governing coarse feeding tolerance in Ding'an pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa is a medium-sized growing tree that can reach 30 feet in height. Malnutrition is a great concern to human health. It occurs as a result of poor intake of food nutrients. Previous research has indicated that adding Moringa oleifera to animal feed can improve growth, blood chemistry, antibacterial activity, immune enhancer, antioxidant activity, and hypo-cholesterol effect. For this reason, this paper aimed to proximately analyze and determine the nutritional content of Moringa oleifera leaves taken from a horticultural garden in Gwagawlada, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria, using suitable standard methods. The nutritional contents of M. oliefera leaves were evaluated and the proximate composition shows that the moisture content recorded for the M. oleifera was 13.67%, the protein content was 28.50% while the fiber content of the three treatments recorded was 3.00%, the ash content recorded was 9.33% and the carbohydrate content was noticeably greater than other nutrient contents of the M. oleifera leaves being 56.50%. However, since M. oleifera is a cheap source of nutrients, it can serve as food supplementation, fortification, and complementation (especially in infant feed). Also, Moringa oleifera leaves can be utilized as a dietary supplement to boost cattle performance and efficiency of fodder or can be substituted for traditional crops for economic sustainability, environmentally friendly, safer, and low-cost production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the effects of different dietary crude fiber levels on growth performance and slaughter performance of pigs. A total of 120 healthy meat sows from a pig farm in Chengxian County of Gansu Province were randomly selected and divided into three groups: low fiber group, middle fiber group and high fiber group, the effects on growth performance, slaughter performance and blood biochemical indexes were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the average daily feed intake of the three groups with different crude fiber levels was significantly different (P<0.05). The average daily feed intake of the high fiber group was significantly higher than that of the low fiber group and the middle fiber group (P<0.05), there were significant differences in backfat thickness and lean meat rate between high fiber group and low fiber group and medium fiber group (P<0.05), there were no significant differences in ketone body length, fat percentage, tenderness and blood biochemical indexes among sows fed with different crude fiber levels (P>0.05). Adding different levels of crude fiber to feed could significantly affect the average daily feed intake and pork quality, which provided a reference for the local pig industry to make high-quality pig feed scientifically and rationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the first domesticated crop plants and is the most widely grown crop in the world, both in terms of cultivated area and yield, and wheat is known to be consumed by about two-thirds of the world's population. The study was carried out to investigate the elemental and proximate composition of wheat against boron induced stress. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in October 2019 under natural light conditions to assess the chemical status of plants under various treatments such as the stress of inorganic boric acid. In the experiment, the pots were filled with sandy loam soil (1 kg). The pots were pre-treated with boron as boric acid (H3BO3) only once before sowing, at the doses of 0 mg/kg (control), 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, 9 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg and 18 mg/kg soil. The different concentrations of Boron (B) were prepared separately by taking a respective amount of boric acid. Pots without supplemented B constituted the control. No additional supplements were applied to the experimental soil. Each pot was irrigated with 100 mL of distilled water with intermittent intervals of 48 hours. All the treatments were replicated three times considering each pot as one replicate. Through EDX analysis, it was noticed that the boron stress treatment exhibited the maximum number of elements detected in (T2, T5, and T6) wheat crops followed by (T0, T1, and T3). A total of 17 elements were detected and observed in wheat including Ca, S, K, Si, Na, Mg, Fe, Al, Cu, Cr, Cl, Mn, B, C, N, Co, and Ni in different treatments of B. It has been determined that the amount of each element varies according to the amount of B applied. Thus, the study performed under B stress helps understand elemental and proximate content in various treatments in wheat plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Indonesian Fisheries Processing Journal / Jurnal Pengolahan Hasil Perikanan Indonesia is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In order to achieve rapid detection of nutritional substances in by-products of rice processing and promote ondemand feed processing and grading of processing by-products, a study was conducted using a total of 302 samples of rice processing by-products (107 broken rice samples, 77 belly white rice samples, and 118 discolored grain samples). Through standard methods of physicochemical data detection, sample pretreatment, near-infrared spectroscopy acquisition, spectral data preprocessing, feature wavelength selection, and model establishment, quantitative prediction models for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber nutritional parameters for the overall categories of broken rice, belly white rice, and discolored grain in rice processing by-products were ultimately established. The results showed that the coefficient of determination (R²) for the established models was greater than 0.85, and the relative prediction error (RPD) was greater than 2.5, indicating good accuracy and stability. The study indicates that the method is rapid, efficient and accurate, and greatly improves the comprehensive utilization rate of by-products of rice processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The effects of the nutritional characteristics of the diet fed from 18 to 29 wk of age on egg production and the development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were studied in brown egg-laying hens from 18 to 61 wk of age. The experimental design was completely randomized with 4 pre-peak diets that contained 2.68 Mcal AMEn/kg, organized as a 2 × 2 factorial, with the standardized ileal digestible lysine content (DLys, 0.78 vs. 0.86%) and level of crude fiber (CF, 3.40 vs. 4.80%) of the diets as main effects. From 30 to 61 wk of age all hens were fed a common commercial diet with 2.78 Mcal AMEn/kg, 0.71% DLys, and 3.40% CF. Each treatment was replicated 16 times. The composition of the pre-peak diet did not affect hen production, egg quality, or any of the GIT traits studied at any age, except ceca length that was longer at 29 wk of age in hens fed the high CF diet (12.5 vs. 11.5 cm/kg BW; P < 0.05). In summary, an increase in DLys from 0.78 to 0.86% or of CF from 3.40 to 4.80% of the diet fed from 18 to 29 wk of age, did not affect hen production, egg quality, or GIT traits of the hens from 18 to 61 wk of age. The data indicate that pre-peak diets with 2.68 Mcal AMEn/kg, 0.78% DLys, and 3.40 to 4.80% CF are adequate to sustain egg production throughout the whole egg cycle, once the hens were fed a common commercial diet.

Abstract Background This study aimed to develop a combined model to quantify the net absorption of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the large intestine (LI) of pigs. Methods Fifteen female growing pigs (Duroc × Large White × Landrace) were ranked by body weight (30 ± 2.1 kg) on day 0 and assigned to one of three treatments, namely the basal diet containing different crude fiber (CF) levels (LCF: 3.0% CF, MCF: 4.5% CF, and HCF: 6.0% CF). The pigs were implanted with the terminal ileum fistula and the cannulation of the ileal mesenteric vein (IMV), portal vein (PV), and left femoral artery (LFA) from days 6 to 7. [13C]‐Labeled VFA and P‐aminohippuric acid were constantly perfused into the terminal ileum fistula and the cannulation of the IMV (day 15), respectively. Blood samples were collected from the PV and the LFA during perfusion (5 h), and LI samples were collected. Results The net flux of [12C]‐acetic acid in the PV was greater for LCF versus MCF (p = 0.045), but no difference was observed in the net flux of [12C]‐propionic acid (p = 0.505) and [12C]‐butyric acid (p = 0.35) in the PV among treatments. The deposition of [12C]‐acetic acid in the LI was greater for LCF versus MCF (p = 0.014), whereas the deposition of [12C]‐propionic acid (p = 0.007) and [12C]‐butyric acid (p = 0.037) in the LI was greater for LCF versus HCF. Conclusions In conclusion, this pig model was found conducive to study the net absorption of VFAs in the LI, and LCF had more net absorption of VFAs in the LI than MCF and HCF.

Moringa is a medium-sized growing tree that can reach 30 feet in height. Malnutrition is a great concern to human health. It occurs as a result of poor intake of food nutrients. Previous research has indicated that adding Moringa oleifera to animal feed can improve growth, blood chemistry, antibacterial activity, immune enhancer, antioxidant activity, and hypo-cholesterol effect. For this reason, this paper aimed to proximately analyze and determine the nutritional content of Moringa oleifera leaves taken from a horticultural garden in Gwagawlada, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria, using suitable standard methods. The nutritional contents of M. oliefera leaves were evaluated and the proximate composition shows that the moisture content recorded for the M. oleifera was 13.67%, the protein content was 28.50% while the fiber content of the three treatments recorded was 3.00%, the ash content recorded was 9.33% and the carbohydrate content was noticeably greater than other nutrient contents of the M. oleifera leaves being 56.50%. However, since M. oleifera is a cheap source of nutrients, it can serve as food supplementation, fortification, and complementation (especially in infant feed). Also, Moringa oleifera leaves can be utilized as a dietary supplement to boost cattle performance and efficiency of fodder or can be substituted for traditional crops for economic sustainability, environmentally friendly, safer, and low-cost production.

The research aimed to determine the effect of using indigofera leaf meal on quail eggs performance and physical quality. The research was conducted from March to May 2023 at the Poultry Laboratory of Yogyakarta Magelang Agricultural Development Polytechnic (POLBANGTAN). The research used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 replications, using 200 blaster quails. Treatments included P0 (without Indigofera leaf meal), P1 (7.5% Indigofera leaf meal), P2 (15% Indigofera leaf meal), and P3 (22.5% Indigofera leaf meal). Parameters observed included feed consumption, egg production, egg weight, egg index, shell thickness, albumen index, egg yolk index, haugh units, and egg yolk color score. The research data was analyzed using ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis analysis. A further Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was carried out if the treatment had a significant difference. Based on the results, the use of Indigofera leaf meal at different levels had no significant effect (P>0.05) on egg production, feed consumption, egg weight, albumen index, egg yolk index, and haugh units. However, it significantly affected (P

Sorghum and klutuk banana can be utilized as functional foods that are high in fiber and antioxidant and suitable for diabetic people. This study examined the effects of klutuk banana flour on the sugar content, crude fiber content, antioxidant activity, and sensory characteristics of sorghum snack bars. This study is true experimental, employing a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 formulations: the ratio of sorghum and banana flour klutuk PO (100:0), P1 (90:10%), P2 (80:20%), and P3 (70:30%), and 6 repetitions. Sugar content, crude fiber, and antioxidant activity were observed and analyzed using the one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Varian) test, followed by Duncan test. The sensory properties were evaluated using Friedman test. 1.94-2.86% sugar, crude fiber content is 46.04-70.89%, and antioxidant activity is 9.06-15.0%. The results revealed a significant relationship (p<0.05) between the addition of klutuk banana flour to the sorghum snack bar sugar level, crude fiber content, and antioxidant activity. Texture, color, flavor, and scent were not significantly affected by the addition of klutuk banana flour to sorghum snack bars. The optimal formulation of a sorghum snack bar with the inclusion of klutuk banana flour was discovered to be P3 based on the test sugar content, crude fiber content, antioxidant activity, and sensory characteristics. The nutritional value of the P3 formulation have met USDA (2018) standards for the Nutri-Grain Fruit and Nut Bar, but the sugar content have not meet the SNI 01-3702-1995 (Indonesian National Standards) quality requirements for diabetes diet biscuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents the effect of cutting height (10, 15 and 30 cm) on yield, nutritional value and chemical composition of silage corn. The experiment was carried out under dryland conditions and the silage corn was harvested with three types of self-propelled silage harvesters. Cutting height increased linearly with increasing operating speed of silage harvesters. For all types of silage harvesters, the cutting height of 30 cm had a statistically significant (p=0.05) effect on losses of yields. The numerical value of the R2 factor (from R2 = 0.8978 to 0.9896) shows a strong dependence in all harvesters for all three cutting heights. The regression coefficients (b) show a significant deviation from the theoretical cutting height at 10 and 15 cm (b = 0.6676 and b = 0.6715), and very significant (b = 2.0249) at the theoretical cutting height of 30 cm. With an increase in cutting height, the nutritional value of silage increased. At a cutting height of 30 cm, during the test period in all types of harvesters, the crude protein (CP) content was significantly (p=0.05) higher than at a cutting height of 10 cm (harvester C = 6.94% at 10 cm, harvester B = 8.15% at 30 cm). The cutting height of 30 cm influenced a significantly (p=0.05) lower crude fiber (CF) content of harvester Claas Jaguar 850 (21.19%), compared to John Deere 6810 (24.33%) at a height of 10 cm. The crude ash content (CAsh) did not vary significantly under the influence of cutting height. Starch content was statistically higher (p=0.05) in all types of silage harvesters during the test at a cutting height of 30 cm (28.2% harvester New Holland FX 28, 33.8% harvester Claas Jaguar 850). The content of calcium (Ca) was significantly higher at a height of 30 cm for harvesters John Deere 6810 and Claas Jaguar 850 in the third year, while no significant difference was found for harvester New Holland FX 28. For phosphorus (P), there was no significant difference depending on the cutting height, but it did exist depending on the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experiment, the corn straw fermented by different compound strains was used as the fermentation substrate, and the rumen in vitro fermentation experiment was carried out to determine the relevant indicators, and the optimal compound strains was selected by combining the indicators. The experiment was divided into control group (CON), Aspergillus niger + Bacillus licheniformis group (HD), Bacillus licheniformis + Phanerochaete chrysosporium group (DB), Aspergillus niger + Phanerochaete chrysosporium group (HB). Each treatment group had 3 replicates. After 21 days of sealed fermentation at room temperature, the bag was opened and sampled. The fermentation effect was evaluated by sensory evaluation and fermentation index. Meanwhile, the in vitro rumen fermentation method was used to determine the gas production parameters, fermentation parameters and in vitro digestibility to evaluate the fermentation effect of different compound strains on corn straw. The results showed that the contents of CF, NDF and ADF in HB group and DB group were significantly lower than those in CON group (P<0.05). The activities of acid xylanase and β -glucosidase in HB combination were significantly higher than those in CON group (P<0.05) and higher than those in other groups. The activity of external sections of β -1, 4-glucanase and filter paper enzyme in DB combination was significantly higher than that in CON group (P<0.05) and higher than that in other. In the rumen in vitro fermentation test, the gas production of DB group was significantly higher than that of CON and HB group (P<0.05). The TVFA of the three experimental groups was significantly higher than that of the CON group (P< 0.05), and the DB group was significantly higher than other groups (P<0.05). The in vitro digestibility of acid detergent fiber in DB group was significantly higher than that in CON group (P<0.05). The in vitro digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber in the three experimental groups was significantly higher than that in CON group (P<0.05), and the in vitro digestibility of neutral detergent fiber in DB group was significantly higher than that in other groups (P<0.05). In summary, the fermentation of the composite strains selected in this experiment can improve the digestibility of nutrients and the degradation rate of crude fiber in corn straw to varying degrees. After comprehensive analysis, the combi‐ nation of 5% Bacillus licheniformis + 5% Phanerochaete chrysosporium in corn straw is the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In intensive and sustainable agriculture, it is not enough to use plant protection products and fertilizers, but it is also important to control plant physiological processes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Tytanit on Festulolium braunii (K. Richt.) A. Camus dry matter yield, photosynthetic activity and the content of chlorophyll and selected chemical compounds. The pot experiment was conducted in 2019 in a plant breeding room. Four levels of treatment were used: control with no treatment and three stimulant concentrations of 0.02%, 0.04% and 0.06% in the spraying liquid. In particular, the research included the determination of dry weight of plant roots, dry weight of plants, chlorophyll a and b content in leaf blades, maximum and actual efficiency of the leaf photosystem, coefficients of non-photochemical and photochemical fluorescence quenching, and the content of total protein, crude fiber, monosaccharides, crude fat, crude ash, Ca, Mg, P and K in the dry matter of plants. Used in controlled conditions, the stimulant contributed to an increase in most parameter values, increasing photosynthetic activity and the content of chlorophyll a and b, total protein, calcium, magnesium and potassium, but it reduced the amounts of crude fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the optimal yeast strains for producing single cell protein based on waste sugar beet pulp (SBP) under various biomass loads. All tested strains were capable of growing on the waste biomass. Candida utilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ethanol Red produced the greatest increase in protein on fresh SBP (ΔN 1.84%). Scheffersomyces stipitis (ΔN 2.27%) provided the highest increase on dried SBP. All tested strains showed significant assimilation of nitrogenous compounds. Based on the crude fiber content after fermentation, the largest reduction in fiber occurred with Candida utilis R6 (10.5%) on fresh SBP, and Yarrowia lipolytica (13.1%) on dried SBP. These results demonstrate the potential of SBP as a substrate for the production of single cell protein and highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate strains to optimize the process.

Soybean pulp is a by-product of soy milk production that is a relatively inexpensive source of protein and is recognized for its high fiber content. Gluten-free peanut cookies have been developed using soybean pulp flour. This study aimed to determine the effect of partial replacement of wheat flour with soybean pulp flour (0%, 20%, 50%, and 80%) on peanut cookies’ sensory attributes and physical and chemical properties. Cookies with increased soybean pulp flour substitutions were found to be nutritionally superior (with higher proximate values for protein, fat, crude fiber content, and ash) to whole-wheat cookies (F1). Based on the sensory evaluation, the formulation of 20% soybean pulp flour presented the most likeness for color, flavor, taste, and manual texture. That ratio gave a final product with an average moisture content of 4.1%, ash content of 0.74%, fat content of 10.02%, protein content of 12.93%, crude fiber content of 0.14%, carbohydrate content of 72.21%, texture score of 746 Cn. The higher proportion of Soybean Pulp Flour also resulted in the cookies' darker color and less crunchy texture

One of the tasks of food industry experts is to prevent the generation of waste in the food industry and, if necessary, reduce the production of this waste. One of the solutions that food industry experts consider is to turn food industry waste into a high value product. Due to the lack of suitable conversion industries for sugar beet waste and its conversion into a high value-added product, the purpose of this study, in addition to using food waste and producing high value products, is to create agricultural waste. And to prevent food caused by rodents. To produce the product using Design expert software, a mixture of 16 formulations is made in the form of pellets and after measuring the amount of crude fiber, the optimal product formula is obtained using the software and after fabrication, it was tested on 60 female mice. In this study, acute toxicity was administered orally to female LD50 in order to determine the LD50 range. Behavior changes and mortality due to toxicity were evaluated in mice for 48 hours. Based on the results of the acute oral toxicity study, LD50 of the product was reported to be 1500 mg / kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Folia Pomeranae Universitatis Technologiae Stetinensis Agricultura Alimentaria Piscaria et Zootechnica is the property of West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Regarding the importance of nutritional management in saline conditions and the need to investigate the nutritional aspects of the new quinoa crop, this research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of different levels of salinity stress and different nano fertilizers on the morphological characteristics and quantitative and qualitative characteristics of quinoa forage. Methods: This experiment was conducted on factorial experimental based on a completely randomized design with three replications in the research field of Urmia University during 2017-2018. The first factor was salinity stress with water of Lake Urmia at three levels (0, 16, 32 dS m-1) and the second factor was nanofertilizer at five levels (potassium, zinc calcium, silica, and no foliar application (control)). Results: The results showed that the highest and lowest values of plant height, leaf dry weight and inflorescence dry weight were obtained from the treatment without salinity stress and salinity stress at 32 dS m-1, respectively. Salinity stress at 32 and 16 ds/m, compared to the control, increased crude protein (5% and 3%), soluble carbohydrates (15% and 14%), acid detergent fiber (23% and 7%), neutral detergent fiber (20% and 5%) and crude fiber (10% and 5%), respectively, while it reduced the total ash (27% and 17%) and dry matter digestibility (22% and 8%). Also, foliar application of nano-fertilizers improved forage quality traits such as crude protein, total ash, dry matter digestibility and soluble carbohydrate content and unfavorable qualitative traits such as neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and crude fiber decreased. Conclusion: Therefore, in order to improve the growth, increase the quality of quinoa forage, and reduce the effects of salinity stress, foliar application with various nano-fertilizers, especially calcium nano-fertilizer, is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate a group of agrobotanical variables in hybrid Saccharum spp. cultivars for sugar and forage production. Materials and Methods: An experiment in a randomized block design with three replications was established at the Holguin Sugarcane Research Institute. Six cultivars and a control (My5514) were used. Thirteen agrobotanical variables and phytosanitary performance under natural conditions were evaluated. Variance analysis and multiple comparison of means test (Tukey) were performed when there were significant differences between cultivars. Results: All cultivars maintained the same performance pattern for the variables pol percentage and fiber content. Cultivars B7274 and C86-12 significantly outperformed the control in the agricultural and sugar yield variables with values higher than 123 and 22,5; respectively. The best results in stem length and diameter were obtained in C86-156, SP70-1284 and C86-12, with no significant differences with the control. In the variable stem fresh weight, most of the cultivars significantly outperformed the control. Cultivar B7274 (19,5 %) achieved the best values for fresh weight of the top, although in general all cultivars had similar results to the control. Conclusions: The cultivars showed performance similar to the control in most of the agrobotanical studied variables. B80250 and C323-68 stood out.

Pomegranate seeds (PS) are valuable sources of bioactive phytochemicals and can be used as substrate for the production of nutritionally valuable and biologically active components that could find several applications as functional food ingredients, food additives, nutraceuticals and supplements and in phenolic-rich diets. Soybeans tend to play a dietary role despite the fact that they are excellent sources of protein, dietary fiber and a variety of micronutrients and phytochemicals. Soybean will improve the nutritional status of the bakery products when it is used partially to replace wheat flour. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the potential use of pomegranate seed powder (PSP) and defatted soybean flour (DSF) as a functional ingredient in the development of cookies and to determine its effects on nutritional composition of cookies. Different concentrations of PSP (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) and DSF (25% and 30%) have been fortified in cookies formulations by replacement of refined wheat flour (RWF). The highest scores for overall acceptability were recorded in the treatment T1 [100% RWF (control): 8.07] followed by T2 [70% RWF +5% PSP + 25% DSF: 7.73]. The best four treatments, along with the control were taken from the sensory evaluation were analyzed for nutrient composition. Among the different treatments, treatment T4 (60% RWF +15% PSP + 25% DSF) recorded the highest protein (7.89%), ash (7.54%), crude fiber (17.10%) fat (24.54%) and total phenol content (18.40 mg GAE/g). Fortification of pomegranate seed powder and defatted soybean flour in cookies enhanced the nutrient composition.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and supplementation level of rice hull as a dietary fiber source for geese. The effect of rice hull addition level on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, and digestive performance of geese was explored. Three hundred 28-day-old Zhedong white geese (half male and half female) with similar body weights were selected and divided into three groups. The crude fiber (CF) level of the groups was 4.8%, 6.1% and 6.9%, respectively. The pre-feeding period was 7 days, and the formal test period was 21 days. The growth performance and serum biochemical indexes, amylase, lipase, and protease activities, and apparent digestibility were determined. CF level of 6.1% and 6.9% were higher than 4.8%, but the feed/gain at 6.9% CF level was higher than that at 4.8% (P

This study investigated the optimal yeast strains for producing single cell protein based on waste sugar beet pulp (SBP) under various biomass loads. All tested strains were capable of growing on the waste biomass. Candida utilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ethanol Red produced the greatest increase in protein on fresh SBP (ΔN 1.84%). Scheffersomyces stipitis (ΔN 2.27%) provided the highest increase on dried SBP. All tested strains showed significant assimilation of nitrogenous compounds. Based on the crude fiber content after fermentation, the largest reduction in fiber occurred with Candida utilis R6 (10.5%) on fresh SBP, and Yarrowia lipolytica (13.1%) on dried SBP. These results demonstrate the potential of SBP as a substrate for the production of single cell protein and highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate strains to optimize the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work presents results of a study conducted in 2016--2018 to determine the effect of component share in the mixture and harvest stage on concentration of crude fibre and its fractions as well as digestibility of field pea/spring triticale mixtures. The following two factors were examined in a field experiment: factor I -- component share in a mixture: field pea in pure stand 100%, spring triticale in pure stand 100%, field pea 75% + spring triticale 25%, field pea 50% + spring triticale 50%, field pea 25% + spring triticale 75%; factor II -- harvest stage: field pea flowering stage (BBCH 65), field pea flat green pod stage (BBCH 79). The concentration of crude fibre and its fractions (NDF, ADF, ADL) were determined in the dry matter in addition to dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility. The lowest content of crude fiber and its fractions, among the mixtures, was revealed in the mixture with the share of components of pea and spring triticale 75% + 25% and 50% + 50%, respectively. Harvesting mixtures at a later stage caused an increase in crude fiber content and its fraction in dry matter. The superior dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility were found for field pea and field pea/spring triticale mixtures containing 75% + 25% and 50% + 50% of the respective components and harvested at the stage of field pea flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effect of different levels of vermicomposting and irrigation on the yield and quality of quinoa forage, this experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design in the research farm of Kurdistan University located in Dehgolan in 1400. The experimental factors included 4 levels of irrigation equal to 50, 75, 100, and 125% of the water requirement of the quinoa plant and the sub-factor included 4 levels of vermicompost fertilizer equal to 0, 5, 10 and 15 tons per hectare respectively. The highest plant height (111.47 cm), grain yield (2374.51 kg/ha), biological yield (5415.84 kg/ha), and digestible dry matter (59.49 %) in the treatment of 125% of plant water requirement and 15 tons per hectare of vermicompost was observed. The highest amount of crude protein of forage (15.71%) forage ash (18.91%) and water use efficiency (0.53 kg/m3) was in the treatment of 15 tons of vermicompost per hectare. Therefore, by improving the environmental conditions through the application of vermicompost and the water consumption required by the quinoa plant, its yield and quality can be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed meal (RM) is produced in large quantities as a byproduct of oil extraction from rapeseeds. However, the efficient utilization of RM as animal feed is limited by its low metabolizable energy, poor palatability, and high levels of fiber and anti-nutritional components. Here, we investigate the potential of enriching RM with single-cell protein through fermentation with conventional and unconventional yeasts. The process of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation improved the parameters of the waste biomass, especially the protein content, while reducing the amount of crude fiber and enhancing the biotransformation of isoflavone compounds present in the waste. Fermentation yielded the highest protein gain for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ethanol Red strain (ΔN = 2.38%) at a biomass load of 12.5 g and for Scheffersomyces stipitis (ΔN = 2.34%) at an enzyme dose of 0.125 mL/10 g DM. The crude fiber content (CF) was reduced by 2.55–7.18%. The simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process resulted in the conversion of isoflavones to forms with fewer adverse effects and a lower estrogenic activity. The results show the potential of using RM as a substrate for making a nutritionally improved feed components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3 × 3 factorial study was conducted in the southern province of Sri Lanka to compare two cultivars of Napier hybrid grass, CO-3 and CO-4, and fodder sorghum (var. sugar graze) at three cutting intervals (4, 6, and 8 weeks) during a 2-year period. For cultivars, plant height followed the order sugar graze > CO-4 > CO-3, while the stem diameter was greater for CO-3, followed by CO-4 and sugar graze. Number of leaves was always greater in hybrid Napier compared with sugar graze. Cultivar had a significant effect on annual dry matter (ADM) production (CO-3 > CO-4 > sugar graze) during both years. Sugar graze had a higher crude protein (CP) and a lower crude fiber (CF) concentration compared to CO-3 or CO-4. Cutting interval also had a significant effect on ADM production and CF concentration, with higher values obtained in the following order: 8 weeks > 6 weeks > 4 weeks. The results revealed that cultivars CO-3 and CO-4 were superior in overall DM and CP yields while Sugar graze performed equally well with highest CP and lowest CF concentrations while cutting interval of 8 weeks appears optimal for the environmental conditions in the area.

Grasslands provide essential forage sources for global livestock production. Remote sensing approaches have been widely used to estimate the biomass production of grasslands from regional to global scales, but simultaneously mapping the forage biomass and quality metrics (e.g., crude fiber and crude protein) is still relatively lacking despite an increasing need for better livestock management. We conducted novel gradient grass-cutting experiments and measured hyperspectral reflectance, forage biomass, crude fiber per area (CFarea), and crude protein per area (CParea) across 19 temperate grassland sites in the Xilingol region, Inner Mongolia, China. Based on these measurements, we identified sensitive spectral bands, calculated nine potential spectral indices (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Enhanced Vegetation Index, Red Edge Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Red-Edge Inflection Point, Inverted Red-Edge Chlorophyll Index algorithm, Normalized Difference Red Edge Index, Nitrogen Reflectance Index, Normalized Greenness Index, Land Surface Water Index) and established Random Forest (RF) models that well predicted forage biomass (R2 = 0.67, NRMSE = 12%), CFarea (R2 = 0.59, NRMSE = 14%), and CParea (R2 = 0.77, NRMSE = 10%). Among these nine indices, Land Surface Water Index (LSWI, calculated by R785-900 and R2100-2280) was identified to be the most important predictor and was then used to establish empirical power law models, showing comparable prediction accuracies (forage biomass, R2 = 0.53; NRMSE = 14%; CFarea, R2 = 0.40, NRMSE = 17%; CParea, R2 = 0.72, NRMSE = 11%) in comparison to Random Forest models. Combining the empirical power law models with the LSWI calculated from Sentinel-2 observations, we further mapped the forage biomass and quality and estimated the livestock carrying capacity. The predicted forage biomass, CFarea, and CParea all showed a significant increase with higher mean annual precipitation, but showed no significant correlations with mean annual temperature. Compared with the estimates based on crude protein, the conventional approach solely based on forage biomass consistently overestimated livestock carrying capacity, especially in wetter areas. Our work provides an approach to simultaneously map the forage biomass and quality metrics and recommends a LSWI-based power law model for rapid and low-cost assessment of regional forage status to guide better livestock management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo is a versatile grass with multiple applications and yielding edible tender shoots. Juvenile shoots are a delicacy for many ethnic communities all over the globe and are rich in essential nutrients for human health. A study was conducted to identify the concentrations of essential amino acids viz. Lysine, Methionine, and Tryptophan with Crude protein, Crude fiber, and Carbohydrates in both fresh and processed tender shoots of seven commercial bamboo species available in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Concentrations of all nutritional parameters considered for this study are comparable with conventional foods and some values were higher in processed bamboo shoot products than those of fresh tender shoots. Findings of this study revealed that bamboo shoots and their processed products are highly nutritious which can provide opportunities in both nutritional as well as economic aspects to the people of the country in general and the state in particular. It may provide opportunities to combat poverty and hunger by opting for new readily available food sources and may also provide scope to overcome malnutrition, especially in the areas where it is widely prevalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroponic-producing selenium (Se)-biofortified vegetables in a greenhouse is a convenient and effective way to provide Se-enriched food and overcome hidden hunger. CO2 fertilization is commonly implemented to increase vegetable yield in greenhouse production. However, this application accompanies decreased mineral concentrations in the edible parts. Here we investigated the effects of [CO2] and Se supply on the growth, gas exchange, and cucumber fruit quality. A hydroponic experiment with two CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) (C1: 410, and C2: 1200 μmol mol−1) and four Se supply levels (Se0: 0, Se1: 0.125, Se2: 0.250, and Se3: 0.500 mg Se L−1) was carried out. A low level of Se supply (Se1: 0.125 mg Se L−1) protected the photosynthetic pigments and stimulated the stomatal opening, especially under [CO2] fertilization. It leads to a higher net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and transpiration rate (Tr) than other Se treatments. The most significant changes in dry weight, fruit yield, and soluble sugar concentration were also obtained in Se1 under CO2 fertilization due to the enhanced CO2 fixation. Meanwhile, the Se concentration in fruit was 0.63 mg kg−1 FW in C2Se1, with the highest Se accumulation and use efficiency. According to the recommended dietary allowance of 55 μg Se day−1 for adults, an intake of 87 g of cucumber grown in C2Se1 is sufficient. Because of the improved Tr and better root structure in Se1, the uptake of mineral nutrients through mass flow and interception was well maintained under CO2 fertilization. So, the concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, and Mn in cucumber fruits were not significantly decreased by elevated [CO2] in Se1. However, the concentrations of soluble proteins, S, Mg, Fe, and Zn in cucumber fruits in C2Se1 were lower than those in C1Se1, which was mainly attributed to the dilution effects under CO2 fertilization. Therefore, a selenite supply of 0.125 mg Se L−1 was found to be the optimal dosage for producing Se-enriched cucumber fruits with high yield and better qualities under CO2 fertilization (1200 μmol mol−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avicennia marina is a plant that is commonly found in coastal areas. Avicennia marina fruit is known to have high carbohydrate and crude fiber content so that it has great potential as an alternative food ingredient that is able to meet the nutritional needs of the body. The purpose of the study was to of Avicennia marina fruit flour on the quality of crackers and its effect on the crude fiber content of crackers and to determine the best formulation for substitution of Avicennia marina fruit flour on crackers. The research uses experimental method with 5 different substitution treatments (0, 25, 30, 35 and 40%). Parameters observed were water content, ash content, protein content, crude fiber, hardness, organoleptic and yield content. The results showed that the best treatment was found in the substitution treatment of 25% Avicennia marina fruit flour with a moisture content, ash, protein, crude fiber, hardness of texture and yield are 3.18%, 2.56%, 6.75%, 3.39%, 42.18 N and 67.62%, respectively. The organoleptic results of the best treatment showed that organoleptic values included texture, taste, flavor and color are accepted by the panelists.

In intensive and sustainable agriculture, it is not enough to use plant protection products and fertilizers, but it is also important to control plant physiological processes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Tytanit on Festulolium braunii (K. Richt.) A. Camus dry matter yield, photosynthetic activity and the content of chlorophyll and selected chemical compounds. The pot experiment was conducted in 2019 in a plant breeding room. Four levels of treatment were used: control with no treatment and three stimulant concentrations of 0.02%, 0.04% and 0.06% in the spraying liquid. In particular, the research included the determination of dry weight of plant roots, dry weight of plants, chlorophyll a and b content in leaf blades, maximum and actual efficiency of the leaf photosystem, coefficients of non-photochemical and photochemical fluorescence quenching, and the content of total protein, crude fiber, monosaccharides, crude fat, crude ash, Ca, Mg, P and K in the dry matter of plants. Used in controlled conditions, the stimulant contributed to an increase in most parameter values, increasing photosynthetic activity and the content of chlorophyll a and b, total protein, calcium, magnesium and potassium, but it reduced the amounts of crude fiber.

Background: Brassica napus is one of the most important oil crops in the world, and B. napus shoots are nutrient-rich fresh vegetables. The crude fiber (CF) component is one of the most important factors affecting the taste quality of B. napus shoots, but the factors underlying the desirable low-CF trait remain poorly understood. Methods: In this study, a high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) map was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for five CF-related traits in a recombinant inbred population. Results: A total of 49 QTLs were obtained in four environments, including eleven, twelve, eight, twelve and six QTLs for content of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose, respectively. The phenotypic variation explained by single QTL ranged from 4.62% to 14.76%. Eight of these QTLs were further integrated into four unique QTLs, which controlled two different traits simultaneously. Five CF-component-related candidate genes were identified, among which BnaC03g07110D and BnaC07g21271D were considered to be the most likely candidate genes. In addition, five lines with low CF content were selected, which can be used as excellent germplasm resources in breeding. Conclusions: The QTLs identified in this study will contribute to our understanding of the genetic mechanism of CF and can be used as targets for reducing CF content in B. napus shoots. In addition, this study also provided excellent germplasm resources for low CF content breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate a group of agrobotanical variables in hybrid Saccharum spp. cultivars for sugar and forage production. Materials and Methods: An experiment in a randomized block design with three replications was established at the Holguin Sugarcane Research Institute. Six cultivars and a control (My5514) were used. Thirteen agrobotanical variables and phytosanitary performance under natural conditions were evaluated. Variance analysis and multiple comparison of means test (Tukey) were performed when there were significant differences between cultivars. Results: All cultivars maintained the same performance pattern for the variables pol percentage and fiber content. Cultivars B7274 and C86-12 significantly outperformed the control in the agricultural and sugar yield variables with values higher than 123 and 22,5; respectively. The best results in stem length and diameter were obtained in C86-156, SP70-1284 and C86-12, with no significant differences with the control. In the variable stem fresh weight, most of the cultivars significantly outperformed the control. Cultivar B7274 (19,5 %) achieved the best values for fresh weight of the top, although in general all cultivars had similar results to the control. Conclusions: The cultivars showed performance similar to the control in most of the agrobotanical studied variables. B80250 and C323-68 stood out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary fiber (DF) is receiving increasing attention, and its importance in pig nutrition is now acknowledged. Although DF for pigs was frowned upon for a long time because of reductions in energy intake and digestibility of other nutrients, it has become clear that feeding DF to pigs can affect their well-being and health. This review aims to summarize the state of knowledge of studies on DF in pigs, with an emphasis on the underlying mode of action, by considering research using DF in sows as well as suckling and weaned piglets, and fattening pigs. These studies indicate that DF can benefit the digestive tracts and the health of pigs, if certain conditions or restrictions are considered, such as concentration in the feed and fermentability. Besides the chemical composition and the impact on energy and nutrient digestibility, it is also necessary to evaluate the possible physical and physiologic effects on intestinal function and intestinal microbiota, to better understand the relation of DF to animal health and welfare. Future research should be designed to provide a better mechanistic understanding of the physiologic effects of DF in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Oil Crop Sciences is the property of Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Livestock & Animal Research is the property of Sebelas Maret University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: Investigation of mechanistic insights of digestive strategies in rodents can be difficult, but it is important to understand how rodents adapt to different environments. Applying physiological analyses to compare the differences between digestive tracts in plateau zokor and laboratory rats, we found that the length and weight of the digestive tract of the plateau zokor was significantly greater than the laboratory rat. Particularly, the weight and length of the large intestine and cecum in plateau zokor is three times that of the laboratory rat. Our gut microbiota analysis results showed that bacteria associated with cellulose degradation were significantly enriched in laboratory rats, when compared to plateau zokor. However, both plateau zokor and laboratory rats were predicted to share the same functions in carbohydrate metabolism and energy metabolism. Our findings suggest that both the morphology of the digestive tract and gut microbiota are vital to the digestion in wild rodents. Rodents' lifestyles vary in different environments, and to adapt to various lifestyles specific digestion strategies have been developed. Among these strategies, the morphology of the digestive tracts and the gut microbiota are considered to play the most important roles in such adaptations. However, how subterranean rodents adapt to extreme environments through regulating gut microbial diversity and morphology of the digestive tract has yet to be fully studied. Here, we conducted the comparisons of the gastrointestinal morphology, food intake, food assimilation, food digestibility and gut microbiota of plateau zokor Eospalax baileyi in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and laboratory rats Rattus norvegicus to further understand the survival strategy in a typical subterranean rodent species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our results revealed that plateau zokor evolved an efficient foraging strategy with low food intake, high food digestibility, and ultimately achieved a similar amount of food assimilation to laboratory rats. The length and weight of the digestive tract of the plateau zokor was significantly higher than the laboratory rat. Particularly, the weight and length of the large intestine and cecum in plateau zokor is three times greater than that of the laboratory rat. Microbiome analysis showed that genus (i.e., Prevotella, Oscillospira, CF231, Ruminococcus and Bacteroides), which are usually associated with cellulose degradation, were significantly enriched in laboratory rats, compared to plateau zokor. However, prediction of metagenomic function revealed that both plateau zokor and laboratory rats shared the same functions in carbohydrate metabolism and energy metabolism. The higher digestibility of crude fiber in plateau zokor was mainly driven by the sizes of cecum and cecum tract, as well as those gut microbiota which associated with cellulose degradation. Altogether, our results highlight that both gut microbiota and the morphology of the digestive tract are vital to the digestion in wild rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives were to 1) compare growth and yield of different ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) propagules grown under two photoperiods (Expt. 1); and 2) evaluate whether their growing season could be extended with night interruption lighting (NI) during the winter (Expt. 2). In Expt. 1, propagules included 1) micropropagated tissue culture (TC) transplants, 2) second-generation rhizomes harvested from TC transplants (2GR), and 3) seed rhizomes (R). Plants received natural short days (SDs) or NI providing a total photon flux density (TPFD) of 1.3 µmol·m−2·s−1. Providing NI increased number of new tillers or leaves per plant, rhizome yield (i.e., rhizome fresh weight), and dry mass partitioning to rhizomes in both species. There was no clear trend on SPAD index in response to photoperiod or propagative material. Although TC-derived plants produced more tillers or leaves per plant, 2GR ginger and R turmeric produced a higher rhizome yield. In Expt. 2, seed rhizomes of ginger and turmeric were grown under five treatments with different photoperiods and/or production periods: 1) 20 weeks with NI (20NI), 2) 24 weeks with NI (24NI), 3) 28 weeks with NI (28NI), 4) 14 weeks with NI + 10 weeks under natural SDs (24NISD), and 5) 14 weeks with NI + 14 weeks under natural SDs (28NISD). NI provided a TPFD of 4.5 µmol·m−2·s−1. Lengthening the production period and providing NI increased rhizome yield and crude fiber content in both species. SPAD index decreased when plants were exposed to natural SDs at the end of the production period (NISD treatments). Results demonstrate the potential to overcome winter dormancy of ginger and turmeric plants with NI, enabling higher rhizome yield under natural SDs.