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Objective: To assess the effects of adding fibrolytic enzymes (FE) or lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants to 40 d silages with oat and triticale (O:T) mixtures on the ratio and composition of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and its subsequent in vitro gas production (GP) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) at 24 h. Design/Methodology/Approach: Silages elaborated with two O:T ratios (60:40 and 80:20) treated with low (LD), medium (MD), and high (HD) doses of FE (0.75, 1, and 1.25 g/kg forage in wet basis (WB), respectively), and LAB (0.188, 0.25, and 0.31 g/kg WB, respectively). In both cases (FE and LAB), the control had a value of 0. Subsequently, pH, NDF, acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), hemicellulose (HEM), cellulose (CEL), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), GP parameters, and IVDMD were assessed. GP parameters included maximum velocity (Vmax), fractional rate (S), and lag. Experiments were planned in complete randomized designs (CRD), including factorial and split-plot arrangements. Variance analysis (ANOVA) models included fixed (doses, additives, and FR) and random (place/moment of sampling) effects. Results: LAB improved the IVDMD at 24 h of 60:40 and 80:20 O:T silages. FE did not reduce the NDF of 60:40 silages, but LD and MD increased the HEM and CP, and reduced the ADF, ADL, and CEL; these results are correlated (r) with the improvement of pH pattern, GP, and IVDMD. Study Limitations/Implications: The differences in the NDF of FR mixtures could affect the effectiveness of FE and LAB. Findings/Conclusions: Although FE and LAB did not reduce the NDF, they changed the ratios of ADF, ADL, HEM, CEL, and CP of silages, potentially improving the GP and IVDMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to explore the productive performance and health status of lactating buffaloes fed diets supplemented with probiotic and/or fibrolytic enzymes. Forty multiparous lactating Egyptian buffaloes (body weight 451 ± 8.5 kg) were equally assigned to four experimental groups: (1) the first group fed control diet, (2) second experimental group fed control diet plus 4 g of probiotic/kg dry matter (DM) (probiotic), (3) third experimental group fed control diet plus 4 g of fibrolytic enzymes/kg DM (enzymes) and (4) fourth experimental group fed control diet plus 2 g of probiotic + 2 g fibrolytic enzymes/kg DM (Mix), The experiment was extended for 63 days. Nutrients digestibility was estimated, daily milk yield was recorded and milk samples were analyzed for total solids, fat protein, lactose and ash. Blood serum samples were analyzed for glucose, total protein, albumin, urea‐N, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and cholesterol concentrations. Results showed that adding probiotic and/or fibrolytic enzymes improved nutrients digestibility (p < 0.05). The probiotic, enzymes and mix groups did not affect (p > 0.05) concentrations of serum total protein, albumin (A), globulin (G), albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio and urea‐N concentrations. An improvement in daily milk yield (p < 0.0001) and energy‐corrected milk (p = 0.0146) were observed with the probiotic and mix groups compared with the control. In conclusion, this study suggests that supplementing lactating buffaloes' diets with probiotic alone or in combination with fibrolytic enzymes would improve their productive performance without adversely impacting their health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesame seed coat (SSC), agro-industrial waste of Halava, is characterized by high fiber content, moderate energy, low digestibility, and sugar. The aim of this study was to improve their nutritional value and rumen fermentation characteristics through a bioconversion approach using liquid exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) produced by Trichoderma longibrachiatum. SSC was pre-treated for 12 h with EFE (xylanases, endoglucanase, and exoglucanase) at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, and 4 µl g−1 dry matter (DM). The in vitro gas production technique with cow inoculum was used to determine rumen fermentation. At the end of fermentation, dry matter digestibility (DMD) as well as protozoa, ruminal fibrolytic enzyme activity, ruminal pH, and ammonia–nitrogen (NH3-N) were determined, and net energy-lactation (NEL), total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and microbial crude protein synthesis (MCP) were estimated. Our results showed that the highest dose of EFE improved the amount and rate of rumen fermentation (p < 0.05) and decreased lag time in onset of fermentation (p < 0.05). In addition, it increased (p < 0.05) DMD, NEL, SCFA, and MCP, while NH3-N decreased (p < 0.05) and ruminal pH was unaffected (p > 0.05). This result was due to hydrolysis (p < 0.05) of fiber content and release (p < 0.05) of total and reducing sugars, as well as the increase (p < 0.05) of ruminal fibrolytic enzyme activity and protozoa. The low and medium had no effect on the nutritional value of SSC. This eco-friendly bioprocess with the high dose of EFE can be a good strategy for bioconversion of these agro-industrial wastes into high-energy feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The efficient feed utilization of raw feed ingredients is one of the main factors associated with superior growth and production in poultry farming. The higher demand for cereal grains as energy sources has encouraged the dietary inclusion of other alternative cereals to achieve the target poultry production. However, alternative cereals such as barley grains may limit poultry growth due to their higher content of anti-nutritional factors, such as non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs). Hence, the application of solid-state fermentation technology with fibrolytic enzymes allows for a higher dietary inclusion of barley comparable to its actual inclusion levels. In this study, including 10% fermented and enzymatically treated barley not only improved feed utilization efficiency, but also modified intestinal barrier functions and antioxidant status and upregulated the expression of nutrient-transport-related genes. Therefore, fermented and enzymatically treated barley can be used as a promising alternative to corn and achieve the target production of broiler chickens. The present and future high demand of common cereals as corn and wheat encourage the development of feed processing technology that allows for the dietary inclusion of other cereals of low nutritional value in poultry feeding. Barley grains contain anti-nutritional factors that limit their dietary inclusion in the poultry industry. The treatment of barley with solid-state fermentation and exogenous enzymes (FBEs) provides a good alternative to common cereals. In this study, barley grains were subjected to solid-state microbial fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis and exogenous fibrolytic enzymes. This study aimed to assess the impact of FBEs on growth, feed utilization efficiency, immune modulation, antioxidant status and the expression of intestinal barrier and nutrient transporter-related genes. One-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308, n = 400) comprised four representative groups with ten replicates (10 chicks/replicate) and were fed corn-soybean meal basal diets with inclusions of FBEs at 0, 5, 10 and 15% for 38 days. Solid-state fermentation of barley grains with fibrolytic enzymes increased protein content, lowered crude fiber and reduced sugars compared to non-fermented barley gains. In consequence, the group fed FBEs10% had the superior feed utilization efficiency and body weight gain (increased by 4.7%) with higher levels of nutrient metabolizability, pancreatic digestive enzyme activities and low digesta viscosity. Notably, the group fed FBEs10% showed an increased villi height and a decreased crypt depth with a remarkable hyperactivity of duodenal glands. In addition, higher inclusion levels of FBEs boosted serum immune-related parameters and intestinal and breast muscle antioxidants status. Intestinal nutrient transporters encoding genes (GLUT-1, CAAT-1, LAT1 and PepT-1) and intestinal barriers encoding genes (MUC-2, JAM-2, occludin, claudins-1 and β-defensin 1) were upregulated with higher dietary FBEs levels. In conclusion, feeding on FBEs10% positively enhanced broiler chickens' performance, feed efficiency and antioxidant status, and boosted intestinal barrier nutrient transporters encoding genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different additives on farm‐scale silage quality and beef cattle performance are inconsistent. This study aimed to carry out a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the efficacy of chemical and microbial additives to silage on beef cattle performance. Systematic searches were performed using databases and scientific journals, and 42 articles were selected. Data for all variables were grouped into subgroups according to the additive type. For dry matter intake and average daily gain, the data were also grouped by forage type due to greater comparison numbers. The treatment mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (p < 0.05) were analysed using a random‐effects model. The use of homo‐ and heterofermentative microbial inoculant mixtures and chemical additives (Ch) increased the average daily gain of beef cattle fed maize/sorghum silage. Homofermentative microbial inoculant (Ho), Ch, and a mixture of microbial inoculant and chemical additives also increased the average daily gain of beef cattle fed temperate grasses. Only Ch increased dry matter intake. Ch increased feed efficiency, and Ch and Ho increased carcass weight. The evaluated additives improved the silage fermentation process mainly via pH and ammonia nitrogen reduction. Overall, this meta‐analysis demonstrated that silage additives improved the ensiling process and beef cattle performance, with better results with Ch use. Due to the aerobic stability and microbiological profile analyses being carried out more in laboratory‐scale silos, more studies are needed to determine these silage parameters after opening the silo at the farm scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addition of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) in high roughage based ruminant diets can improve their feeding value and thus animal performance. The present study aimed to assess the effect of EFE cocktail inclusion in the diet of sheep on wool quantitative and qualitative characteristics and economics. An in vitro experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of graded increasing levels (0.00, 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80 and 1.00% substrate dry matter) of EFE inclusion in total mixed ration (TMR) of sheep (each in six replicates) on nutrient degradability parameters. The results revealed the effective level of EFE inclusion in TMR for optimal nutrient degradability was observed at 0.60% (p = 0.001). The in vitro assay was followed by an in vivo experiment in which a feeding trail was conducted for three months on 12 number of crossbred (Hampshire×Fec-B gene carrying strain) male sheep distributed uniformly into two equal groups: control fed basal TMR only and the treatment group fed basal TMR added with EFE cocktail at 0.60% (as top), the level chosen on basis of the best results of in vitro assay. A digestibility trial by total collection method of 6 days collection period was carried out in last fortnight of the feeding trial after which the animals were shorn to quantify the wool yields from each sheep. Fibre qualitative characteristics and production economics of wool were also evaluated. The animals of both the group had similar feed intake (81.26 vs 76.90 g DM/kg W0.75/day), digestible nutrient contents (9.98 vs 10.70% digestible crude protein, 59.02 vs 65.30% total digestible nutrients) and their intakes except TDN intake (p<0.05) of 515.51 vs 616.22 g/d in control and treatment group, respectively. Significantly (p<0.05) higher digestibility of crude fibre and nitrogen free extract was recorded in treatment compared to control group. In wool quantitative parameters, greasy as well as clean wool yield were higher (p<0.05) in treatment compared to control group, while skirting yield, total wool yield, wool production per day, fleece weight index and feed conversion to wool were not affected. Likewise, wool qualitative characters were comparable between the two dietary treatment groups; however, the values tended to be better for animals fed EFE cocktail added TMR. Cost of wool production ($/kg) lowered numerically to the tune of 18.15% with the profit of 0.29 $ per animal for market sale price of wool yield in treatment compared to control group. It was concluded that incorporation of 0.60% EFE cocktail in basal TMR of sheep resulted in economical benefits through higher wool production with no adverse effect on quality characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present and future high demand of common cereals as corn and wheat encourage the development of feed processing technology that allows for the dietary inclusion of other cereals of low nutritional value in poultry feeding. Barley grains contain anti-nutritional factors that limit their dietary inclusion in the poultry industry. The treatment of barley with solid-state fermentation and exogenous enzymes (FBEs) provides a good alternative to common cereals. In this study, barley grains were subjected to solid-state microbial fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis and exogenous fibrolytic enzymes. This study aimed to assess the impact of FBEs on growth, feed utilization efficiency, immune modulation, antioxidant status and the expression of intestinal barrier and nutrient transporter-related genes. One-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308, n = 400) comprised four representative groups with ten replicates (10 chicks/replicate) and were fed corn-soybean meal basal diets with inclusions of FBEs at 0, 5, 10 and 15% for 38 days. Solid-state fermentation of barley grains with fibrolytic enzymes increased protein content, lowered crude fiber and reduced sugars compared to non-fermented barley gains. In consequence, the group fed FBEs10% had the superior feed utilization efficiency and body weight gain (increased by 4.7%) with higher levels of nutrient metabolizability, pancreatic digestive enzyme activities and low digesta viscosity. Notably, the group fed FBEs10% showed an increased villi height and a decreased crypt depth with a remarkable hyperactivity of duodenal glands. In addition, higher inclusion levels of FBEs boosted serum immune-related parameters and intestinal and breast muscle antioxidants status. Intestinal nutrient transporters encoding genes (GLUT-1, CAAT-1, LAT1 and PepT-1) and intestinal barriers encoding genes (MUC-2, JAM-2, occludin, claudins-1 and β-defensin 1) were upregulated with higher dietary FBEs levels. In conclusion, feeding on FBEs10% positively enhanced broiler chickens’ performance, feed efficiency and antioxidant status, and boosted intestinal barrier nutrient transporters encoding genes.

Purpose: The present experiment aimed to evaluate date palm leaves (DPL) treated without or with fibrolytic enzymes as a feed for ruminants. Methods: The experiment employed an in vitro wireless gas production system to evaluate the dietary inclusion of DPL as sun-dried, DPL ensiled without or with fibrolytic enzymes for 45 days. The different forms of DPL replaced berseem hay (300 g/kg diet) at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in the diet. Results: Dried DPL linearly decreased the asymptotic total gas production (GP), rate of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) production, and acid detergent fiber degradability, and increased the lag of total GP (P < 0.05). The ensiled DPL also linearly decreased (P < 0.05) the asymptotic total GP, asymptotic CH4, asymptotic CO2 production and the rate of CH4 and CO2 productions, but dry matter degradability and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were unaffected. Date palm leaves treated with fibrolytic enzymes linearly decreased the asymptotic total GP, CH4 and CO2 productions, and the rate of CH4 and CO2 production. Ensiling of DPL with fibrolytic enzymes increased (P < 0.05) dry matter and fiber degradability and the concentrations of ruminal ammonia-N and total VFA. Conclusion: It is concluded that DPL treated with fibrolytic enzymes can replace berseem hay up to 100% in the diet to reduce CH4 production from ruminants. Ensiling with fibrolytic enzymes is recommended as a sustainable strategy to reduce environmental pollution and utilization of DPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utility of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) as a source of biologically active substances and nutrients for Jumbo quail is limited by high concentrations of condensed tannins and fiber. Simultaneous application of polyethylene glycol (PEG), a tannin-binding compound, and exogenous fibrolytic multi-enzymes could ameliorate antinutritional effects of condensed tannins and fiber thus improving MOLM utilization in quail diets. This study investigated the effect of pre-treating dietary MOLM with PEG and fibrolytic enzymes on live performance, blood parameters, visceral organs, and carcass and meat quality characteristics in Jumbo quail. A total of 381, two-week-old quail chicks (57.5 ± 3.95 g live-weight) were randomly distributed to six dietary treatments replicated six times. The treatments were: T1 = a standard grower diet containing untreated MOLM (10%); T2 = a standard grower diet containing MOLM (10%) pre-treated with 5.4% PEG; and a standard grower diet containing MOLM (10%) pre-treated with 5.4% PEG and 1.25% (T3), 1.50% (T4), 1.75% (T5) and 2.0% (T6) fibrolytic multi-enzymes. Graded levels of enzymes did not induce linear or quadratic effects for overall feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, hematological, carcass, and meat quality parameters in response to increasing fibrolytic enzyme levels. However, weight gain in week 3 quadratically responded [R2 = 0.117, P = 0.043]. Three-week old birds reared on T3 had lower (p < 0.05) weight gains (40.9 g/bird) than those reared on the other treatment groups. Birds reared on T6 diet had longer caecum (14.1 cm) than those reared on T2, T3, T4 and T5 whose caeca lengths did not differ (P > 0.05). Birds reared on diet T5 had shorter small intestines (59.5 cm) than those reared on T1 and T2 diets. It can be concluded that simultaneous pre-treatment of dietary MOLM with PEG and fibrolytic enzymes did not improve live performance, blood parameters, and carcass and meat quality traits, but affected some visceral organ sizes in Jumbo quail.

Treating ruminant feeds with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes may potentially increase forage cell wall degradability and thus feed efficiency. In nature, fungi biosynthesize lignocellulolytic enzymes that can break down lignocellulosic material into its sugar components, thereby providing ready fermentable substrates. This work showed the in vitro fibrolytic activity of three Trichoderma strains (T. atroviride strain P1, T. afroharzianum strain T22, T. reesei strain T67). Total protein concentration and enzymatic (e.g., glucanase, cellulase, and xylanase) activities were determined in fungal culture filtrates after 7 and 14 days of growth on different fiber-based media. The enzymatic mixtures produced by Trichoderma spp. showed the highest concentration of fibrolytic enzymes and were added to industrial feed to test their ability to hydrolyze insoluble fibers. The supplementation of industrial feeds containing medium-fiber or low-fiber concentrates with T22 enzymes produced in the presence of lyophilized mushrooms and durum wheat fiber reduced hemicellulose concentration up to 33% and 24%, respectively. These results may offer novel opportunities to develop livestock feeds with improved fiber digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out at the Ruminant Researches Station, Department of Livestock Research, and Section of Agricultural Research, in the district of Abu Ghraib / Baghdad. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (EFE) (Safizym®- France) on the performance of local male goats. The study included two experiments: Experiment 2 (Nutritional Trail), the experiment was conducted during the period from 22 May 2017 to 17 July 2017. Eighteen males of local goats aged 4-5 months were used in this experiment. The animals were randomly assigned to three equal groups (6 animals/group). The first group (control) without enzyme, the second group (T1) treated with the EFE of 500g/ton of concentrate feed, the third group (T2) treated with the EFE of 1000g/ ton of concentrate feed. Experiment 2 (Digestion Trail), The digestion trail continued for a week during the period from 22 July 2017 until 28 July 2017. In this trail, nine local male goats were used. Three males from each group from experiment 1 were selected and submitted to the same previous treatments. The results showed no significant differences in body weight among the treatments during the duration of the experiment as well as between the weeks within the same treatment as a result of treatment with EFE of 500 g/ ton and 1000 g/ ton of concentrate feed. There were no significant effect on dry matter intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. The results of the second experiment showed no significant effect of the treatment with EFE in the digestion coefficient of all nutrients as well as the total digestible nutrients.

To counteract the negative effects of phytotannins, ruminants host a diverse community of bacteria that break down tannins. These bacteria not only possess tanninolytic activity but also have other functional relevance which has not been properly examined. Therefore, the present study was conducted to isolate and characterize tannin degrading bacteria (TDB) with possible fibrolytic activity from rumen of sheep fed tannin-rich diet. Based on the development of a clear zone on tannin-enriched agar plates, a total of 24 isolates were screened as tannin hydrolyzing bacteria. Majority of the isolates were gram positive cocci. The isolates could tolerate phenolic monomers such as ferulic acid, gallic acid, vanillic acid up to 30 mM and pyrogallol up to 10 mM however, the isolates failed to grow in presence of syringic acid, p-coumaric acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Highest tannase activity was observed in isolate TDB23 while, lowest in isolates TDB2 and TDB5. In terms of fibrolytic activity, maximum endoglucanase, exoglucanase, and FPase activity was observed in isolate TDB9. In vitro digestibility of Prosopis cineraria leaves was considerably enhanced by inoculation of isolate TDB23 followed by TDB9. Therefore, the screened isolates demonstrated promising tannin and fibre degrading potential which can be further explored as direct-fed microbial in ruminants for effective utilization of tannin-rich fibrous feeds. • Tanninolytic bacteria were isolated from rumen contents of Malpura sheep. • 16 belonged to order Lactobacillales with tannase activity ranging from 1.2 to 12.5 mol gallic acid/min. • Total cellulolytic enzyme activity (FPase) of the isolates ranged from 0.14 to 9.80 U/ml. • Innoculation of the tanninolytic isolates effectively degraded Prosopsis cineraria leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experiment aimed to evaluate the inclusion of dried olive cake treated or untreated with fibrolytic enzyme, partially replacing concentrates in the diet of ewes. Forty lactating Barki ewes, weighing 37.1 ± 4.0 kg, were assigned into four treatments (n=10) in a complete randomized design for 9 weeks. Ewes were stratified according to parity (2 ± 1 parity) and previous milk production (615 ± 11 g/d). The control diet consisted of concentrates and corn fodder at 60:40, respectively. For the experimental diets, 30% of the concentrates was replaced with dried olive cake (DOC treatment), olive cake silage (SOC treatment) or olive cake silage treated with fibrolytic enzymes (ESOC treatment). Without affecting intake, DOC, SOC and ESOC diets enhanced (P<0.05) dry matter, organic matter and non-structural carbohydrate digestibility; however, ESOC diets increased (P<0.05) neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility. Additionally, DOC, SOC and ESOC diets increased (P<0.05) ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate without affecting ruminal pH and ammonia-N concentration. The ESOC diet increased serum glucose concentration (P=0.019). Both of SOC and ESOC diets increased (P<0.05) daily milk production and energy corrected milk as well as milk fat concentration (P=0.028). All of DOC, SOC and ESOC increased (P<0.05) feed (milk) efficiency compared with the control diet. It is concluded that 30% of concentrates can be replaced with olive cake without negative effects on performance but with better performance when olive cake was ensiled with or without fibrolytic enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forages play an important role in ruminant animal production worldwide. Unlocking the nutritional potential of poor-quality tropical forages with fibrolytic enzymes would improve forage digestibility and utilization. Using in vitro and in vivo methods this study investigated the effect of pre-treating Smutsfinger hay for 24 hours with a mixture of fibrolytic enzyme (100% cellulase; 75% cellulase: 25% xylanase; 50% cellulase: 50% xylanase; 25% cellulase: 75% xylanase; 100% xylanase and a control with no enzyme) on ruminal fermentation and digestibility of nutrients by sheep. For in vitro fermentation, dry matter, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradability and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were determined with standard procedures. The same treatments were used for an in vivo digestibility trial using Merino sheep in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Feed intake and total tract digestibility were recorded. Rumen fluid samples were collected daily, preserved, and analysed for VFA. The addition of 100% cellulase enzyme to Smutsfinger hay in vitro increased (P <0.05) NDF degradability and gas production compared with the control and inclusion of 100% xylanase enzyme. Both 100% cellulase and xylanase enzymes significantly reduced in vitro end time fermentation pH. A 50:50 mixture of cellulase and xylanase plus enzyme in vivo, increased acetate, total VFA concentration, and higher NDF and ADF digestibility of the test feed compared with the control. Inclusion of a 50-75% mixture of cellulase and 50-25% xylanase enzymes treatment led to higher gas production and butyrate concentration, decreased ruminal pH and improved nutrient digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the feed’s nutritive value and utilisation efficiency of local straws in Tibet, hulless-barley straw was conserved as silage by mixing with tall fescue and adding the tested additives and their combination. In experiment 1, hulless-barley straw was ensiled with four levels of tall fescue (0, 20, 40 or 60 of fresh weight, FW) in laboratory silos (1 L) for 60 days. The results suggested that 40% hulless-barley straw inclusion of 60% tall fescue was proper for further study. In experiment 2, a mixture of hulless-barley straw and tall fescue (40/60) were treated with (1) no additive (control), (2) fibrolytic enzymes (E, 0.1% FW), (3) molasses (M, 4% FW), (4) Lactobacillus plantarum MTD-1 (Lp, 106 cfu g−1 FW), (5) E + Lp and (6) M + Lp, respectively. Silos were opened after 7, 24, 45 and 60 days of ensiling respectively. The fermentation quality and structural carbohydrates were analysed. After 60 days of ensiling, all the additives except fibrolytic enzymes increased the lactic acid contents, and decreased the pH, ammonia nitrogen and butyric acid contents. All the treated silages had lower neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, hemicellulose and cellulose contents than that of control, especially in E + Lp and M + Lp treated silages. In conclusion, application of L. plantarum together with fibrolytic enzymes or molasses could further improve the fermentation quality and structural carbohydrate compositions in comparison with using each of the three additives alone.Highlights Enhancing the utilisation efficiency of local straws by mixed silage. Improving the feed’s nutritive value by reducing the crude fibre contents.

Treating ruminant feeds with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes may potentially increase forage cell wall degradability and thus feed efficiency. In nature, fungi biosynthesize lignocellulolytic enzymes that can break down lignocellulosic material into its sugar components, thereby providing ready fermentable substrates. This work showed the in vitro fibrolytic activity of three Trichoderma strains (T. atroviride strain P1, T. afroharzianum strain T22, T. reesei strain T67). Total protein concentration and enzymatic (e.g., glucanase, cellulase, and xylanase) activities were determined in fungal culture filtrates after 7 and 14 days of growth on different fiber-based media. The enzymatic mixtures produced by Trichoderma spp. showed the highest concentration of fibrolytic enzymes and were added to industrial feed to test their ability to hydrolyze insoluble fibers. The supplementation of industrial feeds containing medium-fiber or low-fiber concentrates with T22 enzymes produced in the presence of lyophilized mushrooms and durum wheat fiber reduced hemicellulose concentration up to 33% and 24%, respectively. These results may offer novel opportunities to develop livestock feeds with improved fiber digestibility.

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This study was carried out to evaluate using palm fronds only or supplemented with fibrolytic enzymes as alternative roughage on the ruminal nutrients digestibility and gas production. Treatments were: clover hay (Trifolium alexandrinum), palm fronds only and palm fronds plus fibrolytic enzymes (enzymes were mixed with palm fronds in rate of 4 g kg-1 of dry matter (DM). The results showed a reduction (p < 0.05) in gas production, ammoniac nitrogen (NH3-N, DM and organic matter (OM) digestibility in palm fronds compared with clover hay. While supplementing palm fronds with fibrolytic enzymes improved DM and OM digestibility compared with palm fronds only without (p < 0.05) differences with clover hay. Also, supplementing palm fronds with fibrolytic enzymes reduced (p < 0.05) gas production compared with other treatments. It could be concluded that adding fibrolytic enzymes improved the utilization of palm fronds as alternative roughage without negative effect on nutrients digestibility and reduced gas production which improve the environmental aspects of feeding ruminant animals.

This study investigated the effect of treatment of wheat straw using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) and exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (Viscozyme) on fiber digestibility, rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, and microbial populations in an artificial rumen system [Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC)]. Four treatments were assigned to 16 vessels (4 per treatment) in 2 RUSITEC apparatuses in a randomized block design. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial using untreated or AFEX-treated wheat straw with or without exogenous fibrolytic enzymes [0 or 500 μg of protein/g straw dry matter (DM)]. Fibrolytic enzymes were applied to straw, prior to sealing in nylon bags. The concentrate mixture was provided in a separate bag within each fermentation vessel. The RUSITECs were adapted for 8 d and disappearance of DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP) was measured after 48 h of incubation. Ammonia fiber expansion increased (P < 0.01) the disappearance of wheat straw DM (69.6 vs. 38.3%), NDF (65.6 vs. 36.8%), ADF (61.4 vs. 36.0%), and CP (68.3 vs. 24.0%). Total dietary DM, organic matter (OM), and NDF disappearance was also increased (P ≤ 0.05) by enzymes. Total microbial protein production was greater (P < 0.01) for AFEX-treated (72.9 mg/d) than untreated straw (63.1 mg/d). Total gas and methane (CH4) production (P < 0.01) were also greater for AFEX-treated wheat straw than untreated straw, with a tendency for total gas to increase (P = 0.06) with enzymes. Ammonia fiber expansion increased (P < 0.01) total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and the molar proportion of propionate, while it decreased (P < 0.01) acetate and the acetate-to-propionate ratio. The AFEX-treated straw had lower relative quantities of fungi, methanogens, and Fibrobacter succinogenes (P < 0.01) and fewer protozoa (P < 0.01) compared to untreated straw. The pH of fermenters fed AFEX-treated straw was lower (P < 0.01) than those fed untreated straw. Both AFEX (P < 0.01) and enzymes (P = 0.02) decreased xylanase activity. There was an enzyme × straw interaction (P = 0.02) for endoglucanase activity. Enzymes increased endoglucanase activity of AFEX-treated wheat straw, but had no effect on untreated straw. The addition of enzymes lowered the relative abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens , but increased F. succinogenes. These results indicate that AFEX increased the ruminal disappearance of wheat straw and improved fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in the RUSITEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of treatment of wheat straw using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) and exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (Viscozyme) on fiber digestibility, rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, and microbial populations in an artificial rumen system [Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC)]. Four treatments were assigned to 16 vessels (4 per treatment) in 2 RUSITEC apparatuses in a randomized block design. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial using untreated or AFEX-treated wheat straw with or without exogenous fibrolytic enzymes [0 or 500 μg of protein/g straw dry matter (DM)]. Fibrolytic enzymes were applied to straw, prior to sealing in nylon bags. The concentrate mixture was provided in a separate bag within each fermentation vessel. The RUSITECs were adapted for 8 d and disappearance of DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP) was measured after 48 h of incubation. Ammonia fiber expansion increased (P < 0.01) the disappearance of wheat straw DM (69.6 vs. 38.3%), NDF (65.6 vs. 36.8%), ADF (61.4 vs. 36.0%), and CP (68.3 vs. 24.0%). Total dietary DM, organic matter (OM), and NDF disappearance was also increased (P ≤ 0.05) by enzymes. Total microbial protein production was greater (P < 0.01) for AFEX-treated (72.9 mg/d) than untreated straw (63.1 mg/d). Total gas and methane (CH4) production (P < 0.01) were also greater for AFEX-treated wheat straw than untreated straw, with a tendency for total gas to increase (P = 0.06) with enzymes. Ammonia fiber expansion increased (P < 0.01) total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and the molar proportion of propionate, while it decreased (P < 0.01) acetate and the acetate-to-propionate ratio. The AFEX-treated straw had lower relative quantities of fungi, methanogens, and Fibrobacter succinogenes (P < 0.01) and fewer protozoa (P < 0.01) compared to untreated straw. The pH of fermenters fed AFEX-treated straw was lower (P < 0.01) than those fed untreated straw. Both AFEX (P < 0.01) and enzymes (P = 0.02) decreased xylanase activity. There was an enzyme × straw interaction (P = 0.02) for endoglucanase activity. Enzymes increased endoglucanase activity of AFEX-treated wheat straw, but had no effect on untreated straw. The addition of enzymes lowered the relative abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens , but increased F. succinogenes. These results indicate that AFEX increased the ruminal disappearance of wheat straw and improved fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in the RUSITEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the feed's nutritive value and utilisation efficiency of local straws in Tibet, hulless-barley straw was conserved as silage by mixing with tall fescue and adding the tested additives and their combination. In experiment 1, hulless-barley straw was ensiled with four levels of tall fescue (0, 20, 40 or 60 of fresh weight, FW) in laboratory silos (1 L) for 60 days. The results suggested that 40% hulless-barley straw inclusion of 60% tall fescue was proper for further study. In experiment 2, a mixture of hulless-barley straw and tall fescue (40/60) were treated with (1) no additive (control), (2) fibrolytic enzymes (E, 0.1% FW), (3) molasses (M, 4% FW), (4) Lactobacillus plantarum MTD-1 (Lp, 106 cfu g−1 FW), (5) E + Lp and (6) M + Lp, respectively. Silos were opened after 7, 24, 45 and 60 days of ensiling respectively. The fermentation quality and structural carbohydrates were analysed. After 60 days of ensiling, all the additives except fibrolytic enzymes increased the lactic acid contents, and decreased the pH, ammonia nitrogen and butyric acid contents. All the treated silages had lower neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, hemicellulose and cellulose contents than that of control, especially in E + Lp and M + Lp treated silages. In conclusion, application of L. plantarum together with fibrolytic enzymes or molasses could further improve the fermentation quality and structural carbohydrate compositions in comparison with using each of the three additives alone. Enhancing the utilisation efficiency of local straws by mixed silage. Improving the feed's nutritive value by reducing the crude fibre contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary composition affects blood metabolic profile of farm animals. Hemato-biochemical indices serve as clinical indicators for the impact of dietary manipulations on physiological health status. To augment sheep productivity in temperate regions by improving animal health conditions, the present study was undertaken to assess the effect of supplementation of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) cocktail and Artemisia absinthium L. (commonly known as wormwood) herb alone and in combination as feed additives on blood metabolic profile in lambs. Crossbred lambs (n = 20) divided into four equal groups of five in each and fed for 90 days followed by 6 days of metabolism trial on oat straw-based complete feeds supplemented with either EFE cocktail (T1) @ 6 g/kg DM or wormwood herb (T2) @ 4.5% of DM or a combination of the two (T3) and complete feed without any supplementation served as control (T0). Hemato-biochemical parameters of all the animals were studied at 0-, 30-, 60-, and 90-day intervals. The feed additives supplementation improved the nutritive value of diets; however, the significant (P < 0.01) effect for percent digestible crude protein and digestible energy were with T3 where combination of enzymes and herb was applied, whereas higher (P < 0.05) percent total digestible nutrients were recorded in groups supplemented with wormwood herb (T2 and T3) compared to control. Feed additive supplementations did not change significantly the mean observations of red blood cell (except hematocrit) and platelet indices, total blood cell counts, energy metabolic profile, serum total cholesterol and total triglycerides, serum total proteins, serum albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, serum creatinine, and uric acid levels; however, feed additive supplementation have a significant positive effect on differential WBC counts, high-density lipoproteins (P < 0.05), low-density lipoproteins, atherogenic index, serum globulin, and albumin: globulin ratio and serum urea nitrogen (P < 0.01) levels among the treatment groups. The hemato-biochemical metabolic profile of feed additive-supplemented lambs revealed better physiological health status compared to un-supplemented animals. Supplementations of EFE cocktail, wormwood herb, or their combination improved the nutritive value of diets without any adverse effects on hematological and blood biochemical parameter suggesting supplementation of the feed additives for successfully raising lambs intensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silage quality and nutritive value of sunflower silages ensiled with different level of fibrolytic enzymes at blooming, milk and dough stages were investigated. Fibrolytic enzyme complex (Viscozyme® L, V2010 Sigma Novozyme) was applied 0, 1, 1.5 and 2.5 ml/kgDM at ensiling. The dry matter (DM) yield increased with each increment of the maturity stage. Dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE) and crude cellulose (CC) contents of silages increased also in each delay in harvesting, while crude protein (CP), NDF and ADF contents of silages were the highest in blooming stage. The pH was higher in sunflower silage harvested at dough stage when compared to blooming stage, while acetic, propionic and butyric acid concentrations were all higher in blooming stage, although there were no differences in lactic acid concentrations among harvesting periods. Although silage structural carbohydrate composition was not significantly affected by any enzyme dose, Dose III enzyme treatment at the dough was associated with the highest concentration of lactic acid. Overall, there was no profound effect of enzyme supplementation on nutritive value and silage characteristics of sunflower silage.

Objective. To characterize the fibrolytic enzymatic activity of Pleurotus ostreatus-IE8 and Fomes fomentarius-EUM1 in sugarcane bagasse (BCA); to evaluation of the kinetics of in vitro production of BCA treated by solid fermentation (FS), crude enzyme extract (ECE) of P. ostreatus-IE8 and Fibrozyme®. Materials and methods. In fungi measured radial growth rate ( Vcr ) and biomass production in two culture media (with or without nitrogen source); activity of xylanases, cellulases and FS on BCA at 0, 7 and 15 d. The chemical analysis and kinetic analysis of in vitro gas production in 4 treatments (ECE adding enzymes obtained from the direct addition FS or FS ), witness (Fibrozyme®) and a control without addition and analyzed by a was completely randomized design. Results. Xylanases (7 d ) showed 6.32 and 5.50 UI g-1 initial substrate dry weight (SSi) for fungi P. ostreatus-IE8 and F. fomentarius-EUM1 , respectively ; P. ostreatus-IE8 scored higher activity of laccases (10.65 g -1 UI SSi) and F. fomentarius-EUM1 (1.90 UI g-1 SSi) cellulases. The ECE of P. ostreatus-IE8 and commercial enzyme did not differences (p>0.05). In the chemical composition or the gas production kinetics. The 4 treatments evaluated decreased values of the variables measured in the kinetics of gas production compared to the control (p≤0.05). Conclusions. The ECE of P. ostreatus-IE8 was similar to commercial enzyme degradation in vitro, so it is feasible to use pre-digest high fiber products.

This study used a high-throughput in vitro microassay, in vitro batch culture, and the Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC) to screen recombinant fibrolytic enzymes for their ability to increase the ruminal fiber degradability of barley straw. Eleven different recombinant enzymes in combination with a crude mixture of rumen enzymes (50% recombinant enzyme:50% crude mixture of rumen enzymes) were compared with the crude mixture of rumen enzymes alone. In the microassay, all treatments were applied at 15 mg of protein load per gram barley straw glucan. Based on the microassay results, 1 recombinant endoglucanase [EGL7A, from the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 7], 2 recombinant xylanases (XYL10A and XYL10C, from GH10), and a recombinant enzyme mixture were selected and compared with a crude mixture of fibrolytic enzymes from Aspergillus aculeatus for their ability to hydrolyze barley straw. For batch culture, enzymes were applied to barley straw at 2 dosages (100 and 500 µg of protein/g of substrate DM). All enzymes increased (P < 0.05) DM disappearance and total VFA production, but the mixture of recombinant enzymes was not superior to the use of a single recombinant enzyme. Based on positive results (P < 0.05) for total DM disappearance and VFA production in batch culture, 3 enzymes (EGL7A, XYL10A, and XYL10C) were selected and applied to barley straw at 500 µg of protein per gram for further assessment in RUSITECs fed a concentrate:barley straw diet (300:700 g/kg DM). In RUSITECs, the recombinant enzyme XYL10A increased (P < 0.05) barley straw DM, NDF, and ADF disappearance, whereas EGL7A and XYL10C had no effect. The enzymes selected based on the high-throughput in vitro microassay consistently increased barley straw degradation in ruminal batch culture, but not in the semicontinuous culture RUSITEC system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many plants contain valuable compounds which could be used as pharmaceuticals, nutrients, or cosmetics, etc. The objective of the current review is to describe the ENLAC process (enzyme-assisted solid-state lactic acid fermentation) which enables the preservation of plant biomass and enhances the recovery of valuable natural compounds from plants. The advantages attributed to ENLAC include the possibility of preserving the plant biomass until extraction under mild temperature conditions. Using fibrolytic enzymes, it was possible to increase the yield of extracted protein, chlorophyll and -carotene from alfalfa silages, and to enhance the extraction of polyphenols from ensiled sage and rosemary. A further development of the process included the use of enzymes produced in situ by fungi under aerobic solid-state fermentation, which lowered the estimated costs of ENLAC considerably. We hope that the review will encourage researchers to pursue ENLAC and develop useful applications for it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to use meta-analytical methods to estimate effects of adding exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) to dairy cow diets on their performance and to determine which factors affect the response. Fifteen studies with 17 experiments and 36 observations met the study selection criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The effects were compared by using random-effect models to examine the raw mean difference (RMD) and standardized mean difference between EFE and control treatments after both were weighted with the inverse of the study variances. Heterogeneity sources evaluated by meta-regression included experimental duration, EFE type and application rate, form (liquid or solid), and method (application to the forage, concentrate, or total mixed ration). Only the cellulase-xylanase (C-X) enzymes had a substantial number of observations (n = 13 studies). Application of EFE, overall, did not affect dry matter intake, feed efficiency but tended to increase total-tract dry matter digestibility and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) by relatively small amounts (1.36 and 2.30%, respectively, or <0.31 standard deviation units). Application of EFE increased yields of milk (0.83 kg/d), 3.5% fat-corrected milk (0.55 kg/d), milk protein (0.03 kg/d), and milk lactose (0.05 kg/d) by moderate to small amounts (<0.30 standard deviation units). Low heterogeneity (I² statistic <25%) was present for yields and concentrations of milk fat and protein and lactose yield. Moderate heterogeneity (I² = 25 to 50%) was detected for dry matter intake, milk yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, and feed efficiency (kg of milk/kg of dry matter intake), whereas high heterogeneity (I² > 50%) was detected for total-tract dry matter digestibility and NDFD. Milk production responses were higher for the C-X enzymes (RMD = 1.04 kg/d; 95% confidence interval: 0.33 to 1.74), but were still only moderate, about 0.35 standardized mean difference. A 24% numerical increase in the RMD resulting from examining only C-X enzymes instead of all enzymes (RMD = 1.04 vs. 0.83 kg/d) suggests that had more studies met the inclusion criteria, the C-X enzymes would have statistically increased the milk response relative to that for all enzymes. Increasing the EFE application rate had no effect on performance measures. Application of EFE to the total mixed ration improved only milk protein concentration, and application to the forage or concentrate had no effect. Applying EFE tended to increase dry matter digestibility and NDFD and increased milk yield by relatively small amounts, reflecting the variable response among EFE types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two additives (bacterial inoculants and fibrolytic enzymes) were tested for their effects on fermentation characteristics, in vitro digestibility, mold counts and aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1 and G2) content in corn silages. Whole-plant corn was harvested with one-half milk line stage and ensiled after the following treatments: (i) untreated ( CON); (ii) bacterial inoculants at 105 CFU g−1 of fresh forage (B); (iii) fibrolytic enzymes at 100 U g−1 of fresh forage (E); and (iv) mixture of bacterial inoculants and enzymes at 105 CFU g−1 and 100 U g−1 of fresh forage, respectively (B+E). All the additives increased the lactic acid content and in vitro dry matter digestibility ( P < 0.05), decreased ammonia nitrogen content ( P < 0.05). E and B+E decreased the neutral detergent fiber content and increased the crude protein, in vitro digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein ( P < 0.05). Aflatoxins content and mold counts for treated silage were lower than untreated silage ( P < 0.05) throughout the air exposure stages (0, 1, 5, and 10 days). Additionally, the aflatoxins were not detected in B treated silage after 0 day exposure to air and in B+E throughout the air exposure stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recombinant technologies have made possible the production of a broad catalogue of proteins of interest, including those used for animal production. The most widely studied proteins for the animal sector are those with an important role in reproduction, feed efficiency, and health. Nowadays, mammalian cells and fungi are the preferred choice for recombinant production of hormones for reproductive purposes and fibrolytic enzymes to enhance animal performance, respectively. However, the development of low-cost products is a priority, particularly in livestock. The study of cell factories such as yeast and bacteria has notably increased in the last decades to make the new developed reproductive hormones and fibrolytic enzymes a real alternative to the marketed ones. Important efforts have also been invested to developing new recombinant strategies for prevention and therapy, including passive immunization and modulation of the immune system. This offers the possibility to reduce the use of antibiotics by controlling physiological processes and improve the efficacy of preventing infections. Thus, nowadays different recombinant fibrolytic enzymes, hormones, and therapeutic molecules with optimized properties have been successfully produced through cost-effective processes using microbial cell factories. However, despite the important achievements for reducing protein production expenses, alternative strategies to further reduce these costs are still required. In this context, it is necessary to make a giant leap towards the use of novel strategies, such as nanotechnology, that combined with recombinant technology would make recombinant molecules affordable for animal industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rumen is a unique natural habitat, exhibiting an unparalleled genetic resource of fibrolytic enzymes of microbial origin that degrade plant polysaccharides. The objectives of this study were to identify the principal plant cell wall-degrading enzymes and the taxonomic profile of rumen microbial communities that are associated with it. The cattle rumen microflora and the carbohydrate-active enzymes were functionally classified through a whole metagenomic sequencing approach. Analysis of the assembled sequences by the Carbohydrate-active enzyme analysis Toolkit identified the candidate genes encoding fibrolytic enzymes belonging to different classes of glycoside hydrolases(11,010 contigs), glycosyltransferases (6366 contigs), carbohydrate esterases (4945 contigs), carbohydrate-binding modules (1975 contigs), polysaccharide lyases (480 contigs), and auxiliary activities (115 contigs). Phylogenetic analysis of CAZyme encoding contigs revealed that a significant proportion of CAZymes were contributed by bacteria belonging to genera Prevotella, Bacteroides, Fibrobacter, Clostridium, and Ruminococcus. The results indicated that the cattle rumen microbiome and the CAZymes are highly complex, structurally similar but compositionally distinct from other ruminants. The unique characteristics of rumen microbiota and the enzymes produced by resident microbes provide opportunities to improve the feed conversion efficiency in ruminants and serve as a reservoir of industrially important enzymes for cellulosic biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation with different nitrogenous compounds on the activities of carboxymethil cellulase (CMCase) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). In the first experiment, four treatments were evaluated in vitro: cellulose, cellulose with casein, cellulose with urea, and cellulose with casamino acids. After 6, 12 and 24 hours of incubation, CMCase and GDH activity, pH, and concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (AN) and microbial protein were measured. In the three incubation periods, the concentration of AN was higher when urea was used as a supplemental source of nitrogen. The activity of CMCase was higher with the addition of urea and casamino acids when compared with the control and the casein treatment. Supplementation with casamino acids provided higher GDH activity when compared with the control at 6 hours of incubation. At 12 hours of incubation, the GHD activity was also stimulated by casein. At 24 hours, there was no difference in GHD activity among treatments. In the second experiment, three rumen-fistulated bulls were used for in situ evaluation. Animals were fed Tifton hay (Cynodon sp.) ad libitum. The treatments consisted of control (no supplementation), supplementation with non-protein nitrogenous compounds (urea and ammonium sulphate, 9:1) and supplementation with protein (albumin). In treatments with nitrogenous compound supplementation, 1 g of crude protein/kg of body weight was supplied. The experiment was conducted in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. The measurements were performed at 6, 12 and 24 hours after supplementation. No difference in GDH activity was observed among treatments. The control treatment showed higher CMCase activity when compared with the treatments containing supplemental sources of nitrogen. However, urea supplementation provided higher CMCase activity compared to albumin.

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of the supplementation of an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (EFE; 1:1 v/v mixture of cellulase PLUS and xylanase PLUS, Dyadic International Inc, USA) to untreated (Control(WS)) and urea pretreated wheat straw (UWS) on feed intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal fermentation, growth performance and blood metabolites of meat lambs. The diet contained 50 % wheat straw and 50 % concentrate (DM basis), and the EFE was applied at 1 mL/ kg DM to the straw. Lambs were arranged in a completely randomized design with four treatments (n = 5 lambs per treatment): Control(WS), WS+EFE, UWS, UWS+EFE. The lambs were housed individually in metabolic crates for 56 d divided into three experimental periods: d 0–21 adaptation period, d 21–28 digestibility trial and average daily gain (ADG) measurements and d 28–56 for only ADG measurements. All studied treatments have no effect on nutrients intake. As compared to the control WS, only the EFE supplementation affected the nutrients digestibility. The EFE addition improved the digestibility of dry matter by 9 % and 14 %, organic matter by 8 % and 13 %, crude protein by 7 % and 6 %, neutral detergent fiber by 24 % and 47 %, and acid detergent fiber by 30 % and 48 % for WS+EFE and UWS+EFE as compared to Control(WS) and UWS, respectively. The ruminal NH 3 -N concentrations measured during d 21 , d 24 and d 28 were lower for animals fed WS+EFE and UWS+EFE than those fed on Control(WS) and UWS. The nitrogen retention improved only for UWS+EFE. The EFE supplementation to straw had no effect on ruminal pH and blood metabolites. For the ADG, the highest total ADG improvement (22 %) was recorded for UWS+EFE. These results indicate that urea treatment alone was inefficient in improving straw digestibility and lamb growth performance. However, the EFE supplementation was efficient on lamb growth, especially when combined with urea treatment due to increased ruminal digestibility and nitrogen retention. • EFE upgrade the nutritional value of wheat straw as an ingredient in lamb diets. • Exogenous enzyme supplementation (EFE) improves digestibility and daily weight gain in fattening lambs. • The urea treatment and EFE association were efficient on lamb growth performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of fecal inocula from horses fed on concentrate (restricted amount daily) and oat straw ( ad libitum ) supplemented with fibrolytic enzymes on in vitro hindgut activity. Cellulase (CE), xylanase (XY), and CE + XY (1:1 vol/vol; CX) were tested at three levels (μL/g dry matter [DM]): 0, 1, and 3, in addition to control without enzyme addition. Fecal inocula were collected from 16 Quarter Horse mares supplemented with enzyme at 0 (without enzyme), or fed 5-mL enzyme/mare/d of CE (FCE), XY (FXY), or CE + XY (1:1 vol/vol; FCX) for 15 days. The fecal content mixed with the culture media were used for incubation in bottles containing 1-g DM of substrate (a mixture of concentrate and oat straw [1:1 DM]). Gas (GP), methane (CH 4 ), and carbon dioxide productions were measured at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, and 48 hours after incubation. Interactions occurred ( P < .05) between fecal source × enzyme product for the asymptotic GP, the rate of GP, CH 4 production, and fermentation kinetic parameters. Moreover, interactions were observed ( P < .05) between fecal source × enzyme product × enzyme dose for the rate of GP, CH 4 production, and DM digestibility. Xylanase at 3-μL/g DM with FXY fecal increased ( P < .05) the asymptotic GP, short-chain fatty acids, and microbial protein productions with lowering ( P < .05) partitioning factor. At 24 and 48 hours and without enzyme, FCX and FXY, had the highest ( P < .05) CH 4 production. It can be concluded that XY enzyme at 3-μL/g DM was the most effective compared with other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To characterize the fibrolytic enzymatic activity of Pleurotus ostreatus-IE8 and Fomes fomentarius-EUM1 in sugarcane bagasse (BCA); to evaluation of the kinetics of in vitro production of BCA treated by solid fermentation (FS), crude enzyme extract (ECE) of P. ostreatus-IE8 and Fibrozyme®. Materials and methods. In fungi measured radial growth rate (Vcr) and biomass production in two culture media (with or without nitrogen source); activity of xylanases, cellulases and FS on BCA at 0, 7 and 15 d. The chemical analysis and kinetic analysis of in vitro gas production in 4 treatments (ECE adding enzymes obtained from the direct addition FS or FS), witness (Fibrozyme®) and a control without addition and analyzed by a was completely randomized design. Results. Xylanases (7d) showed 6.32 and 5.50 UI g-1 initial substrate dry weight (SSi) for fungi P. ostreatus-IE8 and F. fomentarius-EUM1, respectively; P. ostreatus-IE8 scored higher activity of laccases (10.65 g-1 UI SSi) and F. fomentarius-EUM1 (1.90 UI g-1 SSi) cellulases. The ECE of P. ostreatus-IE8 and commercial enzyme did not differences (p>0.05). In the chemical composition or the gas production kinetics. The 4 treatments evaluated decreased values of the variables measured in the kinetics of gas production compared to the control (p≤0.05). Conclusions. The ECE of P. ostreatus-IE8 was similar to commercial enzyme degradation in vitro, so it is feasible to use pre-digest high fiber products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar o efeito do emurchecimento e uso de enzimas fibrolíticas aplicadas durante a ensilagem de capim-tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia) ou antecedendo o fornecimento aos animais. Foram realizadas avaliações de parâmetros de fermentação e cinética ruminal, comportamento ingestivo, consumo voluntário e digestibilidade dos nutrientes em bovinos. Os tratamentos utilizados consistiram da ensilagem das forragens, conforme descrito: A - forragem emurchecida sem aplicação de enzimas; B - não-emurchecida sem aplicação de enzimas; C - emurchecida com aplicação de enzimas (2 L/t de massa verde); D - não-emurchecida com aplicação de enzimas e E - não-emurchecida com enzimas (10 L/t de massa verde) aplicadas após a abertura do silo e antes da oferta aos animais. Cinco novilhos da raça Nelore foram distribuídos ao acaso em delineamento do tipo quadrado latino 5 x 5, recebendo rações contendo 50% de silagem na MS. Os parâmetros de cinética de passagem de sólidos (2, 23%/hora) e de líquidos (4, 83%/hora) foram similares nos tratamentos avaliados. As médias das concentrações molares totais dos AGVs (109, 62 mM) e de nitrogênio amoniacal (5, 6 mg/dL) do fluido ruminal não foram alteradas. O emurchecimento da forragem determinou menor relação C2:C3 ruminal. O comportamento ingestivo dos animais não foi alterado com a adição de enzimas fibrolíticas na ensilagem, sendo observados os seguintes tempos (minutos/dia) e taxas (min/kg MSI): ingestão de MS (247 e 24), ruminação (426 e 43) e mastigação (673 e 67), respectivamente. No caso do emurchecimento, houve menor tempo de ruminação e de mastigação pelos animais. As digestibilidades médias de MS (47, 5 vs. 53, 6%), de FDN (45, 8 vs. 55%) e de FDA (45, 5 vs. 54, 8%) foram reduzidas nas rações completas contendo silagens emurchecidas. O emurchecimento da forragem e o uso de aditivo enzimático resultaram em alterações marginais nos parâmetros ruminais e no comportamento ingestivo dos animais.The present trial aimed to study the effects of forage wilting or the addition fibrolytic enzymes to the Tanzaniagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania) during the ensiling process or after the silage unloading and before animal feeding. The fermentation and ruminal kinetics parameters, animal ingestive behavior, dry matter intake and in vivo nutrient digestibilities in bovine were measured. Treatments consisted of forage ensiling as described: A - wilted forage without enzymes; B - fresh forage without enzymes; C - wilted forage with enzymes at ensiling (2 L/t wet forage); D - fresh forage with enzymes at ensiling; E - enzymes applied into silage (10 L/t wet silage) 30 minutes before feeding (direct-fed). Silage samples were submitted to chemical analysis and screened for particle size measurements. Five ruminally cannulated Nellore steers were randomly assigned to a 5 x 5 Latin square design and fed with 50% silage total mixed rations diets. The ruminal passage rate of solid (2.23%/hour) and liquid (4.83%/hour) phases were similar for all treatments. The molar concentration (109.62 mM) of total VFAs and ammonia-N (5.6 mg/dL) observed in ruminal fluid were similar across silages diets. The forage wilting determined lower C2:C3 ration in the rumen. The animal ingestive behavior measured as total time (minutes/day) and rate (minutes/DM kg) was not changed with enzymes application, averaging DM eating (247; 24), DM ruminating (426; 43) and DM chewing (673; 67), respectively. Rations containing wilted silages showed less rumination and chewing. The mean DM (47.5 vs. 53.6%), NDF (45.8 vs. 55%) and ADF (45.5 vs. 54.8%) digestibilities were decreased on total mixed rations containing wilted silages. The wilting of Tanzaniagrass or the addition of fibrolytic enzymes resulted in marginal improvement, both in the ruminal parameters or animal ingestive behavior.

This study aimed to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of chemical, enzymatic, and microbial additives on the silage quality and performance of sheep. After article selection using the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS and MEDLINE-PubMed databases and a manual search of scientific journals and the references of articles selected in the systematic review, 4257 articles published through May 2021 were identified. Fifty-four randomized control trials eligible for review were selected. Data were grouped into subgroups by the additive type (Mho = homofermentative microbial inoculant; Mhe = heterofermentative microbial inoculant; MMi = microbial inoculant mixture; Fa = formic acid; En = enzymes). The meta-analysis was performed using the "meta" package of R software. The data were analyzed using the random effects model and the raw mean difference with a 95% confidence interval (p < 0.05). Fa use reduced (p < 0.05) the silage crude protein digestibility (CPD) (−20.7 g/kg DM), and the ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 –N) (−53.6 g/kg total N), and acetic acid (−5.06 g/kg DM) content and pH (−0.325) and increased the animal nitrogen retention (1.30 g/day), and the dry matter (DM) (14.1 g/kg NM), crude protein (CP) (20.4 g/kg DM) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) (11.5 g/kg DM) content. En use reduced (p < 0.05) the silage neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) (−33.1 g/kg DM), CP (−10.8 g/kg DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (−49.1 g/kg DM), NH 3 –N (−25.5 g/kg total N) and acetic acid (−4.43 g/kg DM) content. Mho use increased (p < 0.05) the dry matter intake (DMI) (95 g/day), dry matter digestibility (DMD) (28.8 g/kg DM), CPD (26.6 g/kg DM), WSC (2.55 g/kg DM), nitrogen intake (2.23 g/day), retained nitrogen (2.19 g/day) and lactic acid (10.4 g/kg DM) content and reduced the mold count (−1.01 log 10 CFU/g), NH 3 –N (−13.4 g/kg total N), acetic acid (−3.31 g/kg DM) content and aerobic stability (−33.8 h) of the silage. Mhe use increased (p < 0.05) the DMI (78.6 g/day), carcass yield (0.906%), DM (9.96 g/kg NM), aerobic stability (23 h) and acetic acid (19.9 g/kg DM) content and reduced the NDF (−20 g/kg DM) and ADF (−16.2 g/kg DM), yeast (−0.852 log 10 CFU/g) and mold (−0.469 log 10 CFU/g) counts. MMi use increased (p < 0.05) the average daily gain (17 g/day), DM (13.4 g/kg NM) and yeast (0.930 log 10 CFU/g) count and reduced the silage pH (−0.037). All additive types improved the silage quality, but only MMi improved weight gain in sheep. Mhe increased silage aerobic stability and can be used for this purpose on commercial farms. • Formic acid reduced protein digestibility and increased nitrogen retention. • Enzymes reduced neutral detergent fiber digestibility and content and NH 3 –N. • Homofermentative microbial inoculant increased dry matter intake and digestibility. • Heterofermentative microbial inoculant increased intake and aerobic stability. • Inoculant mix increased average daily gain and reduced silage pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the effects of cellulase, xylanase, and their mixture (1:1, v/v) on in vitro rumen fermentation of five mixed rations with different maize silage (F) to concentrate (C) ratios (0F:100C, 25F:75C, 50F:50C, 75F:25C, 100F:0C). Samples were incubated using rumen inoculum from Brown Swiss cows fed ad libitum a total mixed ration of concentrate and alfalfa hay (1:1). Gas production (GP) was recorded after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h of incubation. Interaction effects (P < 0.0001) were observed between type of ration and enzyme for discrete lag time prior to GP. Ration type affected asymptotic GP (linear and quadratic, P < 0.0001) and in vitro GP at 24 h onward. Moreover, rations affected pH (linear and quadratic, P < 0.0001), dry matter degradability (quadratic, P = 0.05), metabolizable energy (linear, P = 0.038), short-chain fatty acids (linear, P = 0.0005), gas yield from truly digested dry matter at 24 h (linear, P = 0.0026), and microbial crude protein yield (linear, P = 0.0264). The most effective rations for in vitro GP during different times differed between different measured parameters. Enzyme administration was more effective when the ratio of maize silage was increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]