Search

Proizvodnja krmnih smjesa uključuje sušenje i mljevenje zrna kukuruza što su čimbenici koji mogu utjecati na bioraspoloživost karotenoida zbog utjecaja na njihov sadržaj i probavljivost. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je odrediti utjecaj temperature sušenja i veličine čestica mljevenja zrna dva hibrida kukuruza različite tvrdoće na sadržaj i deponiranje karotenoida u žumanjak jajeta. Zrno je nakon berbe osušeno na dvije različite temperature (40 i 80 °C) i samljeveno kroz sita veličine pora 5, 6 i 9 mm. Sa po tri nesilice u kavezu, 252 Lohmann Brown nesilice, raspoređene su na 12 hranidbenih tretmana (2 hibrida × 2 temperature sušenja × 3 veličine čestica meljave) prema potpuno nasumičnom rasporedu (12 tretmana × 7 kaveza). Pokus je trajao 10 tjedana, tijekom kojih su jaja za analizu sakupljana svaka tri dana do trenutka stabilizacije sadržaja karotenoida, a zatim jednom tjedno do kraja pokusa. Sadržaj pojedinačnih (lutein, zeaksantin, α- i β-kriptoksantin, i β-karoten) i ukupnih karotenoida u zrnu kukuruza i žumanjcima određen je HPLC metodom. Utvrđen je utjecaj temperature sušenja zrna, te interakcija između temperature sušenja i veličine čestica meljave (P

Boja žumanjka jajeta važno je svojstvo koje određuje preferabilnost proizvoda od strane potrošača, a rezultat je deponiranja karotenoida koja nesilica unese hranom. Kukuruz je važan izvor karotenoida i glavni sastojak potpunih krmnih smjesa za kokoši nesilice, pri čemu se zrno obrađuje, najčešće sušenjem i mljevenjem. Takva obrada zrna kukuruza može utjecati na pigmentaciju žumanjka jer sušenje zrna na visokoj temperaturi uzorkuje razgradnju karotenoida, dok veličina čestica meljave utječe na bioraspoloživost karotenoida. Stoga je cilj ovog rada bio istražiti utjecaj obrade zrna kukuruza različite tvrdoće korištenog u potpunim krmnim smjesama na boju žumanjka jajeta. Zrno dva hibrida je nakon berbe osušeno na 40 i 80 °C, a zatim mljeveno kroz sita s veličinom pora od 5, 6 i 9 mm. Ukupno je sastavljeno 12 potpunih krmnih smjesa (12 tretmana ; 2 hibrida × 2 temperature sušenja × 3 veličine čestica meljave). Ukupno 252 Lohmann Brown nesilica su po tri bile smještene u 84 obogaćena kaveza koja su prema nasumičnom dizajnu raspoređene na 12 tretmana (12 tretmana × 7 kaveza). Jaja su skupljana svaka tri dana do stabilizacije boje, a zatim jednom tjedno. Boja žumanjka jajeta određena je prema CIE L*a*b* (Minolta Chroma Meter CR-410) pri čemu L* predstavlja svjetlinu, a* crvenost, a b* žutost boje žumanjka. Obrada zrna kukuruza nije utjecala na svjetlinu žumanjka (68, 51 do 70, 06) dok su i temperatura sušenja i veličina čestice meljave utjecali na crvenost žumanjka (P

The stability of carotenoids is strongly influenced by light, temperature and oxygen, resulting in their degradation during processing and storage of grains alone or as part of complete feeds. In the present study, the kinetics of carotenoid degradation during storage of complete feeds for laying hens differing in 15 maize hybrids was compared to whole grains of the same hybrids. Carotenoids [lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), α- and β-cryptoxanthin, α- and β-carotene, and total carotenoids (TC)] were quantified using RP- HPLC in grains and complete feeds after 0, 14, 28, 56, and 84 days of storage at 20±2 °C. Carotenoid degradation followed first-order kinetics, which allowed evaluation of the degradation rate for individual and total carotenoids. During storage, a higher carotenoid loss was observed in complete feeds than in whole grains (P

The proportion of maize hybrids in the complete feed can be up to 70%, so even small differences in physicochemical properties between hybrids can affect the production characteristics of laying hens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-yielding maize hybrids on hen production traits and egg quality. Treatment diets contained 60% of grain and differed in only 15 commercial maize hybrids from six seed companies. By three in each cage, 225 Lohmann Brown hens were allocated to 15 dietary treatments in a completely randomised design (15 treatments×5 cages). The experiment lasted 12 weeks, during which egg number and weight were recorded daily, and diet intake was recorded weekly. Eggs for quality analysis were collected once a week during the last five weeks of the experiment. In terms of production characteristics, diet intake and egg production were similar among treatments, while treatments differed (P

Yellow maize is the only component of the hen diet with significant carotenoid content, and its ability to pigment the egg yolk varies among hybrids. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of carotenoid deposition in the yolk of hens fed diets differing in 15 maize hybrids from six seed companies. By three in each cage, 225 Lohmann Brown hens were allocated to 15 dietary treatments in a completely randomised design (15 treatments×5 cages). The experiment lasted 12 weeks, and eggs for analysis were collected once a week for five weeks after stabilising total carotenoid (TC) content. The carotenoid profile of diets and yolks was determined using HPLC method, and the deposition efficiency of individual and total carotenoids was calculated as the ratio between carotenoid production in the yolk and carotenoid consumption by the diet. Dietary treatments varied in carotenoid profile in both diets and yolks (P < 0.001), resulting in TC content from 10.50 to 24.31 μg/g DM and 20.40 to 43.03 μg/g, respectively. The deposition efficiency of lutein and zeaxanthin was higher than that of α- and β- cryptoxanthin and β-carotene in all dietary treatments (average 24.97 vs. 9.17%). Dietary treatments differed in the deposition efficiency of lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and TC (P < 0.001), which ranged from 18.72 to 25.58%. The obtained results suggest that some hybrids are more efficient in depositing carotenoids into the yolk and therefore are more suitable for hen nutrition.

In nature, animals select feeds that contain both nutrients and phytochemicals, compounds that have a beneficial effect on animal and human health. In the sustainable production of farm animals, value- added feeds meet nutrient requirements, and maintain digestive efficiency and metabolic health. Due to high content of phytochemicals such as carotenoids, resistant starch, tocols and phenolics, maize grain is such a feed. These compounds have a beneficial effect on the health and well-being of animals and, if not used for this purpose, are deposited in the tissues. In this way, they improve the quality of meat and egg yolk, but also become sources of phytochemicals in human nutrition. This paper presents the content of phytochemicals in maize grain and their beneficial effects on farm animals.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the potential relationship between grain properties and in vitro digestibility of individual (lutein, zeaxanthin, α- and β-cryptoxanthin, and β- carotene) and total carotenoids in commercial maize hybrids. Digestibility of total and individual carotenoids correlated negatively (P

Proizvodnja silaža predstavlja konzerviranje zelene mase pri čemu proizvodnja mliječne kiseline i hlapivih masnih kiselina (HMK) koje proizvode bakterije mliječne kiseline (BMK) dovodi do pada pH. Proizvodnja kiselina, posebno u prvim danima siliranja, najvažniji je faktor koji utječe na kvalitetu silaže. Iz tog razloga pri siliranju često se dodaju aditivi u obliku inokulanta BMK kako bi se povećala proizvodnja kiselina.Cilj ovog rada je istražiti utjecaj dodatka inokulanta na proizvodnju mliječne (MK), octene (OK), propionske (PK), izomaslačne (IMK) kiseline i etanola u silaži talijanskog ljulja u prvih 10 dana siliranja (silaže uzorkovane 1., 3., 5. i 10. dan u peteroplikatu ; određivanje HPLC metodom). Statistička analiza podataka odrađena je u SAS 9.3. U prvih 10 dana siliranja, u silaži talijanskog ljulja došlo je do povećanja MK (s 0 na 89, 33 g kg-1 ST ; P0, 05). Navedeni rezultati potvrda su intenzivne proizvodnje mliječne kiseline i HMK u prvim danima siliranja silaža te da dodatak inokulanta značajno utječe na profil sintetiziranih kiselina.

Part of maize kernel lipids are located in endosperm where they can occur as free lipids (FL), as lipids weakly bound to the surface of starch granules [bound lipids (BL)], and as lipids located in the structure of the starch [starch lipids (SL)]. Important compounds in the maize endosperm are carotenoids, tetraterpene pigments that exhibit numerous health-promoting effects. Since carotenoids are lipophilic compounds probably related to endosperm lipids, the aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of carotenoids among lipid fractions. The endosperm of 20 commercial maize hybrids was separated from the kernel. Lipid fractions in the endosperm were recovered sequentially, allowing simultaneous sequential isolation of carotenoids. The FL and BL and the corresponding carotenoids were extracted at room temperature with n-hexane and water- saturated n- butanol, respectively. The SL and the carotenoids in this fraction were extracted with n-propanol-water solution at 85 °C to ensure starch gelatinization. Individual and total carotenoids were quantified by HPLC. In the endosperm of tested hybrids, FL content ranged from 0.74 to 1.17%, while BL and SL were present in much lower quantities (0.12-0.56 and 0.13- 0.75%, respectively). The highest portion of carotenoids was found in the fraction BL, averaging 73.84% of the total endosperm carotenoids, while carotenoid content in FL and SL was substantially lower (13.88 and 12.29%, respectively). The distribution of carotenoids varied greatly among the tested hybrids ; the average ranges were 5.29-37.52% for FL fraction, 48.90-90.53% for BL fraction and 2.35- 28.90% for SL fraction. The content of lutein, zeaxanthin, α- and β-cryptoxanthin and total carotenoids in the BL fraction increased with increasing BL and total endosperm lipid content (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the content of individual and total carotenoids in FL fraction decreased with their increasing content in SL and total endosperm fraction (P < 0.05). The carotenoids in the FL and BL fractions present non-starch compounds, whereas the carotenoids in SL are contained within the starch granules. Consequently, 87.72% of the carotenoids in maize are located in the lipoprotein layer outside starch granules in the endosperm matrix.

Plant leaves are a rich source of carotenoids, which become visible in autumn due to the faster decay of chlorophylls. Carotenoids are a diverse family of yellow-orange pigments contributing to vitamin A, antioxidant and pigment status of animals. However, animals must obtain carotenoids from the diet and plant leaves could be used as a carotenoid source in laying hen diets. Leaves are usually left to decompose naturally, so their potential remains unused. Furthermore, the use of fallen autumn leaves as a dietary supplement for poultry pigmentation has been poorly studied. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the carotenoid profile in leaves of plant species with intensive autumn leaves colour and to evaluate their potential as a carotenoid source for egg yolk pigmentation. Leaves of five species (Acer saccharinum, Liquidambar styraciflua, Parrotia persica, Quercus robur, and Tilia cordata) were collected (once in October and November 2021). Immediately after collection, leaves were dried at 40 °C, ground, and the content of individual (lutein, zeaxanthin, α- and β-cryptoxanthin, and α- and β-carotene) and total carotenoids (TC ; expressed as β-carotene equivalents) was quantified using HPLC method. Potential daily carotenoid intake in laying hens was calculated based on their contents in leaves and the potential average daily diet intake of the hens (130 g). The addition of 1% or 3% of leaf meal in the diet was assumed based on previous studies. The plant species studied differed in leaf carotenoid profile, with higher contents in Acer saccharinum and Tilia cordata compared to the other species at both sampling dates (250 vs. 112 µg/g DM of TC). Lutein and zeaxanthin, the main carotenoids in the natural hen diet, were the predominant leaf carotenoids in all collected species (79-95% of TC). Content of zeaxanthin was higher than of lutein only in Liquidambar styraciflua leaves. Higher supplementation of plant meals resulted in higher potential carotenoid intake in hens (on average, 931 µg of lutein, 880 µg of zeaxanthin and 2322 µg of TC), which were comparable to diets in previous studies. To achieve higher carotenoid intake, the diet could be supplemented with a higher proportion of leaf meal, but the effects of increasing fiber content on hen performance should be studied to avoid negative impact. In conclusion, meals prepared from fallen autumn leaves of some plant species could be used as a carotenoid source in hen diets after confirming their microbiological and hygienic suitability.

Carotenoids in eggs are a group of health- promoting bioactive compounds that contribute to the pigmentation of the yolk. Among the various dietary sources, yellow maize is the only cereal with significant carotenoid content used for laying hen diet. However, the efficiency of pigmentation and the final carotenoid concentration in the yolk largely depend on their release from the maize grain during digestion. Objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the digestibility of carotenoids in vitro and their concentration in the yolk of laying hens in vivo. The INFOGEST in vitro method was used to determine the digestibility of carotenoids from 15 maize hybrids. For the in vivo experiment, 225 Lohmann Brown laying hens were allocated into 15 treatment groups in a completely randomized design (15 treatments×5 cages). After the depletion period, hens were fed 15 experimental diets without added pigment, differing only in maize hybrid (60% of diets) for 8 weeks. Eggs were collected every three days until stabilization, and then once a week until the end of the eighth week. The carotenoid profile in maize grains, digesta and egg yolks was determined by the HPLC method. The commercial maize hybrids analysed showed significant differences in total carotenoid content (16.99- 40.14 µg/g DM). The amount of digestible carotenoids averaged (μg/g DM) 6.43 for zeaxanthin, 5.54 for lutein, 0.52 for β- cryptoxanthin, 0.29 for α-cryptoxanthin and 0.27 for β-carotene. Maize hybrid affected (P

Yellow maize is recognized worldwide as a source of carotenoids, fat-soluble pigments that contribute to the pigmentation of poultry products and improve their health. At high levels in hen diet, maize is a natural alternative to synthetic pigments in egg yolk pigmentation. Besides carotenoid profile, maize pigmentation potential is determined by the release of carotenoids from the grain matrix and incorporation into micelles during digestion. The aim of the study was to investigate the carotenoid profile and their digestibility and bioaccessibility in commercial maize hybrids. Representative samples of 105 maize hybrids were collected from nine seed companies in the same county in Central Croatia during 2019 season. Carotenoid profile was determined by reversed-phase HPLC method, which was also used to determine the profile of digested and micellar carotenoids in a standardized INFOGEST in vitro procedure mimicking digestion in the stomach and small intestine. Possible relationships between the levels in grain and digested/micellar carotenoids were tested using the SAS statistical package. The tested hybrids showed the following ranges (μg/g DM): 3.47-13.04 for lutein, 4.72- 23.87 for zeaxanthin, 0.30-3.34 for α- cryptoxanthin, 4.47-4.62 for βcryptoxanthin and 0.21-2.09 for β-carotene. The proportions of both digested and micellar carotenoids decreased in the order: lutein>zeaxanthin> β- carotene>βcryptoxanthin>α-cryptoxanthin (on average 62.2, 50.4, 42.5, 32.0 and 30.5% for digested and 52.7, 42.8, 33.6, 26.9 and 25.6% of grain content for micellar, respectively). The amount of both digested and micellar carotenoids increased with increasing content in the grain (r>0.60 for all carotenoids, P

Since carotenoids of maize grain are located in the endosperm, the endosperm matrix structure will possibly affect the digestibility of carotenoids. Thus, carotenoid digestibility could also be related to hardness, and this study aimed to relate digestibility of individual (lutein, zeaxanthin α- and β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene) and total carotenoids (TC) to hardness in commercial maize hybrids.

Vitamin E is a term that encompasses the same biological activity of the structurally similar compounds tocopherols and tocotrienols, and maize grain, as the main component of animal diet, is their important source. Bioaccessibility represents the fraction of tocols released from the grain matrix and available for absorption by the animal. The aim of this study was to determine the content of individual and total tocols and their bioaccessibility from the grain of 105 commercial maize hybrids in a model that mimics digestion in the stomach and small intestine of monogastric animals. The average tocol content in the tested hybrids was 4.1, 25.0 and 0.7 μg/g DM for α-, γ- and δ-tocopherol, respectively, and 0.9 and 2.2 μg/g DM for α- and γ-tocotrienol, respectively. The average bioaccessibility values decreased in the order: δ-tocopherol (54%), γ-tocotrienol (53%), γ- tocopherol (46%), α-tocopherol (40%) and α- tocotrienol (36%) and bioaccessibility of total grain tocols ranged from 27 to 87%. The content of released tocols in the tested hybrids increased with the increase of their content in the grain (P < 0.001), however, bioaccessibility decreased (P < 0.001), indicating that the efficiency of tocol release from the grain matrix and their micellization decreased the higher the grain tocol content was. Despite the recorded variable values of bioaccessibility, the obtained results indicate that only about half of the tocols present in the grain is available for absorption by the animal.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) additives, enzymes and acid additives are added in order to optimize LA content. Enzymatic and acid activity in silage material has an influence on starch protein matrix that defines starch availability. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of hybrid and silage additives (LAB and lactic acid) on high moisture corn in vitro starch digestibility (IVSD) after one year of ensilage. Three hybrids of different endosperm texture were grown in 5 replicates in split-plot experimental fields. Silages were ensiled at 68-72 % DM in laboratory silo with one part ensiled with Bio-Sil LAB inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum ; 300000 CFU/g fresh material), the second was untreated while the third was treated with LA (15 g/kg DM). Samples were taken in green material and after one year of ensiling after which silage IVSD was evaluated. In ensiled material all IVSD parameters showed improvement ; Lag phase was shorter (from 7.37 to 5.43 hours ; P

Rasplodne junice trebaju postati što prije krave jer je njihov uzgoj trošak bez prihoda. Da bi se junice telile u poželjnoj dobi od 22 – 24 mjeseca starosti moraju prirastati oko 800 g/d, a da bi bile fiziološke zrele moraju se oploditi u dobi od 14 – 15 mjeseci pri čemu trebaju težiti 55% od završne težine i bite više od 120 cm. Dodatno telice i junice koje rastu oko 800 g/d imaju u laktaciji višu mliječnost i bolju plodnost. Prirast junica mora biti prvenstveno strukturna masa (mišići, unutrašnji organi i kostur), a ne salo. U hrani rasplodnih junica najviše su zastupljena vlakna (voluminozna krma) pa proteinska kriva (silaže trava i leguminoza te sačme i pogače) a zatim u ograničenim količinama energetska krmiva kao što su silaže i zrnje žitarica.

Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi kemijski sastav i hranjivu vrijednost dominantnih vrsta i podvrsta travnjačke zajednice Scorzoneretalia villosae. Istraživanje je provedeno na travnjacima visoravni Ćićarije. U sakupljenim uzorcima 17 dominantnih biljaka određen je sadržaj suhe tvari (ST) i u njoj sadržaj sirovog proteina (SP), organske tvari, neutralnih detergent vlakana (NDV), kiselih detergent vlakana (KDV), kiseli detergent lignin (KDL), in vitro probavljivost suhe tvari (IVPST) te neto energija (NEL). Prema proljetnom sadržaju SP i IVPST, najhranjivije za ovce i vrlo palatabilne su bile Hippocrepis comosa (SP 181 g/kg ST; IVPST 63,5%), Scorzonera villosa (SP 121 g/kg ST; IVPST 61,5%) i Satureja montana ssp. variegata (SP 83 g/kg ST; IVPST 60,4%), a najnepovoljniji kemijski sastav imale su Stipa pennata ssp. eriocaulis (NDV 790; KDV 396; ADL 112 g/kg ST) i Brachypodium pinnatum ssp. rupestre (NDV 789; KDV 483; ADL 86 g/kg ST). Utvrđena je visoka IVPST vrste Salvia pratensis (maks. 70,6%) i generalno hepatotoksične vrste Teucrium chamaedrys (67,1%) koja za lokalno stado ovaca nije toksična. Pokazatelji hranjivosti istraživanih vrsta i podvrsta prvi su put prikazani u ovom radu., The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and nutritional value of the dominant species and subspecies of the grassland community Scorzoneretalia villosae. The research was carried out on the grasslands of the Ćićarija plateau. In the collected samples of 17 dominant plants, the content of the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), in vitro digestibility of DM (IVDMD) and net energy for lactation (NEL) were determined. According to the spring content of CP and IVDMD, Hippocrepis comosa (CP 181 g/kg DM, IVDMD 63.5%), Scorzonera villosa (CP 121 g/kg DM, IVDMD 61.5%) and Satureja montana ssp. variegata (CP 83 g/kg DM, IVDMD 60.4%) were the most nutritious and very palatable for sheep while the most unfavorable chemical composition had Stipa pennata ssp. eriocaulis (NDF 790, ADF 396 and ADL 112 g/kg DM) and Brachypodium pinnatum ssp. rupestre (NDF 789, ADF 483 and ADL 86 g/kg DM). A high IVDMD was determined for Salvia pratensis (up to 70.6%) and Teucrium chamaedrys (67.1%), generally hepatotoxic species, but not toxic for the local herd. In this paper, nutrition indicators of collected species and subspecies are presented for the first time.

Lactic fermentation is commonly used in preservation of high-moisture feeds making them available for animal feeding throughout a year. Maize is often ensiled and even dry grain could be ensiled after rehydration. Maize grain is the only cereal with significant carotenoid content and this study aimed to examine the effect of ensiling on changes in carotenoid content in rehydrated grain compared to dry grain during prolonged storage. Grain of seven maize hybrids (Bc 344, Bc 418b, Bc 424, Bc 525, Bc 572, Kekec and Pajdaš) was harvested after physiological maturity. One part of grain was rehydrated to 32% of moisture and ensiled with the addition of commercial inoculant containing lactic acid bacteria in vacuum bags at room temperature (22-25 °C). The other part was stored in conventional silo where temperature was monitored daily. The ensiled rehydrated and dry grain were sampled on days 0, 21, 63, 100, 185, 310 and 420 of the experiment. Lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene in all samples were quantified using reverse-phase HPLC method. Contents of determined carotenoids varied across tested hybrids (P

Kukci predstavljaju izvrstan izvor visokovrijednog i dobro probavljivog proteina za monogastrične domaće životinje. Protein kukaca u odnosu na konvencionalna proteinska krmiva odlikuje se višim sadržajem i probavljivosti aminokiselina te nižom cijenom proizvodnje što ga čini atraktivnim zamjenskim krmivom. Međutim, temeljem važećeg zakonodavstva, kukci i prerađeni proizvodi od kukaca trenutno nemaju znatan udio u proizvodnji hrane za životinje u Europskoj uniji. Navedeno stanje će se u skorijoj budućnosti najvjerojatnije promijeniti. Tako je od 2017. godine prerađeni životinjski protein podrijetlom iz kukaca dopušteno koristiti za akvakulturu, dok se korištenje u ostalim kategorijama monogastričnih domaćih životinja razmatra. U ovom će radu biti opisane nutritivne karakteristike kukaca, njihova uporabljivost i najnovija zakonska regulativa vezana uz uporabu ovog tipa životinjskog proteina.

Maize starch from the grain, cob and the whole plant silage is the main energy source for fattening beef cattle. Ensiling increases degradability of grain starch in rumen and digestibility in the small intestine, which increases maize energy value, but also the risk of decreased fiber digestibility and acidosis. Rehydration enables ensiling of dry grain when a farm has facilities for silage instead for dry grain. Since higher starch degradability could affect neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility, this study aimed to compare fiber digestibility in beef cattle feed starch from the same maize hybrid in the form of dry (DMG) and ensiled rehydrated grain (ERMG). Grain of hybrid Bc 572 was rehydrated to 32% moisture content and ensiled with the addition of a commercial inoculant. The experiment was carried out using four fattening Simmental beef cattle, similar in weight and age, that were assigned to the ration with dry or ensiled rehydrated maize grain in a cross-over design with two 17-day periods. Rations differentiated in contents of starch (P

Maize grain is the most important energy feed in animal nutrition, and it can be used as a dry or ensiled grain whereas, after rehydration, even dry grain could be ensiled. Maize grain is rich in bioactive compounds from carotenoids, tocols and phenolics, and acidic conditions created during ensiling could affect their content. The aim of this research was to determine contents of these beneficial compounds in rehydrated maize grain silage after 185 days of storage. Grain of hybrids Bc 344, Bc 418b, Bc 424, Bc 525, Bc 572, Kekec and Pajdaš was harvested after physiological maturity, rehydrated to 32% moisture content and ensiled in vacuum bags at room temperature with the addition of a commercial inoculant. Contents of carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene) and tocols (α-, γ- and δ-tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol) were determined using HPLC method while contents of free and bound phenolics and flavonoids were determined using the spectrophotometric method. Ensiling affected contents of beneficial compounds in rehydrated maize grain silage (P

Maize grain has the highest content of carotenoids among cereals, including β- cryptoxanthin and β-carotene, provitamins of vitamin A, and tocols, compounds of vitamin E activity. Acidic conditions created during fermentation may reduce the content of these compounds during prolonged storage high- moisture maize grain. However, these conditions can also increase their bioavailability. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high-moisture maize silage storage on the concentration of carotenoids, tocols and retinol in the plasma of heifers fed the same ration during the four-month period. A total of 10 Belgian blue×Holstein heifers were fed rations containing high-moisture maize grain (25%) and maize silage (56%). Blood was taken from each heifer once a month, and concentration of retinol, tocols and carotenoid was determined in plasma using HPLC method. These compounds were also determined in maize silage, high-moisture maize grain and ration sampled on the same day. Significant changes in carotenoid and tocol concentrations in silages and ration were not determined during the trial, however, there were considerable changes in maize silage and ration after the third month. The most abundant carotenoid in heifers’ plasma was β-carotene (0.33 – 0.59 μg/mL) while β-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin were in low concentrations (> 0.05 μg/mL). α-tocopherol concentration in plasma was from 0.99 to 1.48 μg/mL while concentration of retinol was from 0.29 to 0.53 μg/mL. Concentration of determined compounds in plasma varied during four-month trial, however, these changes were not a result of changes in high-moisture maize grain caused by acidic silage conditions.

The increasing human population and incorporation more livestock products in diet drive intensive animal production which significantly contributes to environment pollution due to the large feed consumption (4.7 – 7.0 billion tonnes of DM) of increasing number of animals and low feeds nutrient utilization in livestock. Indicators quantifying impact of animal production on environment are contribution to climate change, eutrophication and acidification potential, energy and land use, and biodiversity. The global climate change, primarily caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting in warming of the atmosphere, is among the most dangerous. The most important greenhouse gases from animal agriculture are CH4 and N20. Herbivore, mainly ruminants, because of low nutrient utilisation (< 50%), generally use the largest amount of feeds and are main producer of GHG, N excretion and ammonia emission. On the other side, monogastric animals have stronger impact on acidification, eutrophication and land use. FAO estimates that animal production contributes 14.5% [8.0 billion tonnes CO2 equivalents (CO2eq.)] to the global GHG emissions and is the largest emitter of N20 (65%), ammonia (40%) and CH4 (35%) in global anthropogenic emissions. Direct emissions accounted for 4.2 billion tonnes of CO2eq. while feed and forage production account for additional 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2eq. In addition, energy used on farms and in the supply chains, as well as emissions from processing and transport of animal products, account for 4.7% of the total livestock emissions. Ruminants consume 80% (3.7 billion tonnes DM/year) of the plant material grown for livestock feeding whereas entheric fermentation of plant fibre (34 -90% of DM) produce 77% of livestock methane production ; the remaining is from manure fermentation. From GHG, forage and feed production produce mainly CO2 and N2O. The global production of manure has not been estimated yet, but production of domestic animals and human faecal biomass is estimated to 3.9 × 1012 kg/year. Manure management emits CH4 and N2O, and the majority of acidification and eutrophication. In addition, breathing of the global livestock population (29.7 × 1012) makes up about 14% of anthropogenic emissions. In summary, livestock production significantly contributes to global warming through emissions of CH4 and N20. To meet future needs of an expanding population, animal production will need to increase and GHG emission intensity per unit of product will need to decrease. One of the principal ways to achieve this environmental standard is to adopt effective mitigation strategies

Retinol (vitamin A) and β-carotene are protecting epithelia from bacterial and viral infections which are primary causes for sickness and death of calves. The concentration of retinol and β-carotene in blood of calves is determined with their content in colostrum and milk in crucial first days of life and then with their content in milk/milk replacer and starter feed mix. The aim of this study was to determine variations of retinol and β-carotene concentrations in plasma of calves up to 42 days of age. The animal trial was conducted on 12 calves at high milk production dairy farm Kapelna fed the same isoprotein and isoenergetic diets. Blood samples were taken on the first (after calves drank colostrum), third, 21st and 42nd day of calves age, and at the same days, samples of diets (colostrum, milk, milk replacers, and starter feed mix) fed to calves were also taken. β-carotene and retinol were extracted with hexane from all samples and quantified using reverse phase HPLC method. Concentrations of β-carotene and retinol in colostrum were on average 73 and 137.3 μg/dL, in milk 9.5 and 27.9 μg/dL, milk replacer 5.2 and 6 μg/dL, while their content in starter mix was 16.4 and 57 μg/g DM, respectively. Concentrations of β-carotene and retinol in plasma of new-born calves were 14.3 and 9 μg/dL, on the third day of age 4.9 and 7.3 μg/dL, on 21st day 7.4 and 8.4 μg/dL a nd 42nd day 3.9 and 9.8 μg/dL, respectively. β-carotene and retinol concentrations in the diet affected their respective concentrations in blood plasma of calves. Colostrum had the highest concentration of retinol, and thus the highest concentration was in new-born calves. Calves with the lowest retinol concentration in plasma died before the end of the trial. Concentration of retinol and β-carotene is important for the survival rate of calves.

Maize kernel is the most important source of energy in the form of starch and most commonly used feed in complete pig diets. When grain is harvested after the optimal period due to the (un)favourable weather conditions and lack of mechanization, it loses water and is unsuitable for ensiling. Rehydrating increases water content to the optimal concentration for ensiling. Since data about digestibility kinetics of starch from rehydrated and ensiled grain is scarce, the aim of this study, using the pig model, was to investigate the in vitro ileal digestibility kinetics of starch in rehydrated kernel from different maize hybrids during ensiling and storage (0th, 21st and 95th day). Grain of hybrids Bc 344, Bc 418b, Bc 424, Bc 525, Bc 572, Kekec and Pajdaš was harvested after physiological maturity, rehydrated to 32% moisture content and ensiled with the addition of a commercial inoculant in vacuum bags at room temperature. The in vitro procedure was performed under controlled conditions in two steps mimicking digestion in the stomach and the small intestine of pigs, and the starch digestibility coefficients were calculated for 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours of incubation and starch digestibility rate was calculated according to the first order kinetics. The starch digestibility coefficients and the starch digestibility rate differed between the hybrids and increased with the time of ensiling (P

Lipid oxidation during food production and processing is of main concern today. Due to the egg shell stability, severe oxidation in egg yolk will not occur before processing. These conditions are usually tested in induced oxidation methods. Major preventive factors of lipid oxidation are natural or synthetics antioxidants. Yellow maize grain, paramount cereal in poultry nutrition, is the cereal offering significant concentrations of natural antioxidants: carotenoids, vitamin E, and phenols. The objective of the study was to explore the relationship between distinctive amounts of antioxidants found in maize hybrids and oxidative stability of eggs during induced oxidation. In total 90 hybrid Tetra-SL lying hens were fed diets based on five different maize hybrids (Bc 572, Mejaš, Kekec, Pajdaš and Riđan) while control diet contained hybrid of unknown origin. The hens were grouped, three in one cage, in a random block design with five repetitions per hybrid. Levels of carotenoids and tocols in hexane extracts were determined using HPLC while bound, free and total phenols and flavonoids were determined spectrophotometrically using the Folin- Ciocalteu reagent (galic acid equivalents) and Al-complexation reaction (catechin equivalents), respectively. The Fe-induced lipid oxidation measured as TBARS was used to determine oxidative stability of egg yolks. Egg yolk stability was significantly affected by maize hybrid (P

Ekološki otisak predstavlja jednu kompleksnu jedinicu antropogenog iskorištavanja prirodnih resursa Zemlje preračunato u poljoprivrednu površinu po stanovniku, a koja je potrebna za proizvodnju hrane, energije i ostalih resursa nužnih za održanje postojećega života stanovništva na nekom području ili cijeloj Zemlji. Obzirom da poljoprivredna proizvodnja značajno pridonosi potrebi za Zemljom, animalna proizvodnja, odnosno, proizvodnja hrane za životinje bitan je čimbenik ukupnog ekološkog otiska neke regije ili zemlje. U hranidbi životinja današnje formulacije obroka i krmnih smjesa uzimaju u obzir samo ograničenja glede nutritivnih i ekonomskih parametara, stoga je svrha ovog rada prikazati mogućnosti smanjenja utjecaja animalne proizvodnje na okoliš korištenjem formulacija obroka s novim, okolišnim parametrima za krmiva u Republici Hrvatskoj. Okolišni utjecaj krmiva prikazan je kroz parametre ; potrošnje fosfora, ukupne potrebe za energijom iz neobnovljivih izvora, utjecaja na klimatske promjene, acidifikaciju, eutrofikaciju i zemljišnom kompetitivnošću koji su izračunati korištenjem CML-IA i ILCD metoda. Navedeni parametri izračunati su za najčešće korištena krmiva u Republici Hrvatskoj, te predstavljaju dobar potencijal za smanjenje ukupnog ekološkog otiska ili samo za pojedini utjecaja animalne proizvodnje na okoliš u Republici Hrvatskoj.

Silaža cijele biljke kukuruza glavno je voluminozno krmivo u hranidbi goveda u RH. Kvaliteta siliranja mjeri se obujmom produkcije tvari tijekom procesa siliranja koji bitno utječu na hranjivost, konzumaciju i zdravlje goveda. Kako u RH nema sustavnih istraživanja kvalitete siliranja, cilj ovoga rada je bio utvrditi vrijednosti parametara kvalitete silaža cijele biljke kukuruza na velikim farmama kontinentalne RH tijekom proljeća 2016. godine. Ukupno 33 uzorka silaže reprezentativno je uzorkovano uzimanjem silaže sa cijelog presjeka silosa. Izabrani parametri kvalitete obuhvaćali su sadržaj suhe tvari (ST) i sirovog pepela, pH vrijednost i titracijsku kiselost, kapacitet zadržavanja vode, raspodjelu veličina čestica cijele silaže i izdvojenog zrna, te aromatska svojstva prema kitu "Sil-All for corn silage" (Danstar Ferment Ag, Švicarska). Gotovo polovica istraživanih uzoraka je imala udio ST van granica optimalnog raspona (300 – 400 g*kg-1). pH vrijednost svih silaža je bila unutar optimalnih granica (3,5 – 4,2) što upućuje da je aktivna faza siliranja dobro provedena. Međutim, dvije trećine uzoraka je imalo lošija aromatska svojstva od poželjnih što upućuje da je tijekom stabilne faze došlo do promjene u sastavu produkata fermentacije. Raspon titracijske kiselosti od 11,61 do 128,93 mekv. NaOH*100 g-1 ST pokazuje da će analizirane silaže imati različita puferirajuća svojstva u buragu. Kapacitet zadržavanja vode varirao je od 4,4 do 8,57 g*g-1 ST što upućuje na varijabilan sadržaj vlakana u analiziranim uzorcima. Udio zrna u silažama varirao je od 23,86 do 45,05% pri čemu je njegova geometrijska veličina čestica dala raspon od 2,15 do 4,3 mm. Kod raspodjele čestica silaže na PSPS (Penn State Forage Particle Separator) sitima, polovica ili više od polovice uzoraka je imalo udjele na pojedinim sitima van optimalnih raspona. Zaključno, silaža cijele biljke kukuruza na velikim mliječnim i tovnim farmama kontinentalne RH je jako neujednačena i u dosta parametara lošija od standarda te se postupcima siliranja mora posvetiti veća pažnja., Maize silage is the main forage for ruminant livestock in Croatia. Production of substances determines quality of ensiling during the process and, therefore, has an impact on nutritive value, consumption, and health of cattle. Since in Croatia there is no systematic research of ensiling quality, this study aimed to determine quality parameters values of maize silage from large farms in continental Croatia during the spring of 2016. In total 33 samples of maize silage were representatively sampled by taking silage from the entire cross-section of the silo. Selected quality parameters included dry matter (DM) and ash contents, pH and titratable acidity, water holding capacity, particle size of the whole silage and separated grains, and aroma according to the "Sil-All for corn silage" (Danstar Ferment Ag, Switzerland). Nearly half of the analyzed samples had DM content outside the optimal range (300 – 400 g*kg-1). The pH value of silages was within the optimal range (3.5 – 4.2) which indicated that the active phase of ensiling was properly done. However, two-thirds of samples had an undesirable aroma which indicated changes of fermentation products occurred during the stable phase. Titratable acidity of tested silages, with a range from 11.61 to 128.93 meqv. NaOH*100 g-1 DM, indicated their different buffering properties in the rumen. Water holding capacity varied from 4.4 to 8.57 g*g-1 DM and this range implied variable fiber content in analyzed samples. Grain content in silages ranged from 23.86 to 45.05% whereas its geometric particle size was in a range from 2.15 to 4.3 mm. When considering particle distribution of whole silage on PSPS (Penn State Forage Particle Separator) sieves, a half or more than half samples had content on individual sieves outside the optimal ranges. In conclusion, maize silages on large dairy and fattening farms in continental Croatia are very variable in quality and, in many parameters, of lower quality than the standards implying that more attention must be given to the silage production procedures.