Intake, blood metabolites and hormonal profile in sheep fed processed Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) meal

Growth, metabolism and digestibility of Nile tilapia fed diets with solvent and extrusion-treated Jatropha curcas cake

Physic nut Jatropha curcas cake/meal obtained after oil extraction has a high protein content, however, the presence of antinutrients (trypsin inhibitor, lectin and phytate) and toxic compounds (phorbol esters) limit their use as an alternative feedstuff. Thus, the detoxification process in cake/meal is necessary to allow their inclusion in fish diets. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of solvent and extrusion-treated jatropha cake (SETJC) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets on growth, body composition, nutrient utilization, metabolic and hematological responses, and digestibility of experimental diets. Five experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (28.50% digestible protein) and isoenergetic (13.39 MJ/kg digestible energy) with graded levels of SETJC (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12%). The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and four replicates. The detoxification treatments reduced the phorbol esters (PE) of jatropha cake by 96% (0.58 mg/g of PE before and 0.023 mg/g of PE after treatments). Increased levels of SETJC depressed growth, feed efficiency, and protein digestibility. A similar trend was observed for hematological and biochemistry parameters. Aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, as well as phosphorus and magnesium concentrations in the fillets, increased at the highest levels of SETJC. Thus, the data of the present study suggests that the residual content, different structural forms of phorbol ester and its biological activity, as well as some antinutritional factors, can influence negatively the growth, metabolism and digestibility of experimental diets for Nile tilapia.

Benefits and Challenges of Jatropha Meal as Novel Biofeed for Animal Production

Jatropha curcas L. has gained importance as a source of seed oil for biodiesel production. The meal contained about 60% protein with a good balance of essential amino acids, containing various bioactive compounds, including saponins, phytic acids, trypsin inhibitors, lectins, phenolics, and flavonoids, which render it as a potential biofeed for animal production. The Jatropha meal demonstrated various biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects which enhance its property as a bio-feed. The levels of these bioactive compounds in the seeds are dependent on the genotypes. The J. curcas possessed different varieties which are either toxic or non-toxic according to the presence of phorbol esters. The presence of phorbol esters in the meal confirmed the toxic variety of Jatropha resulting in the limited application of meal as a biofeed. The Jatropha meal devoid of phorbol esters could be applied as a biofeed in the animal production industry, and for the toxic varieties, various techniques such as physicochemical and biological treatments have been introduced to the industry to remove the phorbol esters from Jatropha meal. Several studies employing various cells and animals confirmed the toxicity of the phorbol esters. The molecular mechanism of action of phorbol esters is through up-regulation of PKC-β II gene, overexpression of down-stream proto-oncogenes resulted in inflammation and oxidative stress ending by apoptotic cell death. Despite the presence of valuable bioactive compounds in the Jatropha meal, its nutritional application is not recommended unless the phorbol esters are completely removed.

<i>In vitro </i> Evaluation and <i>in vivo</i> Digestibility of Physically, Chemically and Biologically Treated Jatropha Meal

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Protein considered the second main nutrient in diet formulation for all types of animals after energy. Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different treatments on the nutritive value of Jatropha meal (JM) by in vitro and in vivo trials as protein source in sheep diet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, gas production and phorbol esters (PE) were recorded for physically, chemically and biologically treated Jatropha meal. In vivo digestibility was measured by using 24 Barki rams randomly assigned into 4 nutritional groups (6 animals/treatment) as follow: 1) control ration and in 2, 3 and 4 groups cotton seed meal replaced with 30, 45 and 60% heated Jatropha meal (HJM).

RESULTS

The various treatments raised DM (Dry matter), CP (Crude protein), NFE (Nitrogen free extract) and ash, whereas reduced OM (Organic matter), CF (Crude fiber) and EE (Ether extract) content in JM, the results of in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) have a significant height (p<0.01) for physical followed by the chemical and biological treatments. Otherwise high significant results (p<0.01) for gas production for different treatments was observed. The different treatments decreased the concentration of PE in JM than untreated.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that all treatments especially heat enhanced chemical composition, IVDMD of JM and gas production. Feeding values were better with the ratio 30 and 45%.

Feeding value of supplemental curcas crude oil in finishing diets for feedlot lambs

The objective of this experiment was to determine the feeding value of a mechanically extracted nontoxic variety of oil (JCO) as source of energy for feedlot lambs. Twenty Pelibuey × Katahdin lambs were individually fed a dry-rolled-corn-based finishing diet supplemented with 0%, 2%, 4%, or 6% JCO (diet dry matter basis). Supplemental JCO replaced dry rolled corn in the basal diet. Fatty acid composition of JCO was C16:0, 14.0%; C18:0, 8.2%; C18:1, 26.0%; C18:2, 50.3%, and C18:3, 0.4%. Daily intakes of JCO averaged 24.7, 51.1, and 77.3 g/day or 0.57, 1.08, and 1.62 g/kg LW for the 2%, 4%, and 6% levels of supplementation, respectively. Supplemental JCO did not affect ( = 0.33) dry matter intake (DMI), but tended to increase (linear effect, = 0.06) average daily gain, efficiency of gain (linear effect, < 0.01), and dietary net energy (linear effect, < 0.01) and decreased (linear effect, < 0.01) the ratio of observed/expected DMI. At low levels (20 g/kg diet dry matter) of supplementation, the net energy (NE) value of JCO corresponds closely (0.99) to the NE value assigned by current standards (), and this NE value decreased linearly as the inclusion level of JCO increased. There were not treatment effects on plasma metabolites. Across treatments, the concentrations of hemoglobin (11.64 ± 1.08 g/dL), hematocrit (39.15 ± 3.67%), glucose (85.2 ± 17.64 mg/dL), creatinine (1.43 ± 0.28 mg/dL), and urea (20.70 ± 4.35 mg/dL) were within normal (9-15 g/dL, 27%-40%, 50-90 mg/dL, 1.0-1.8 mg/dL, and 15-50 mg/dL, for hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, creatinine, and urea, respectively) ranges for healthy lambs. Based on DMI, performance and plasma metabolites observed in this study, nontoxic JCO is a suitable source of energy in finishing diets for lambs.

Digestibility of solvent-treated Jatropha curcas kernel by broiler chickens in Senegal

Jatropha curcas is a drought-resistant shrub belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. The kernel contains approximately 60 % lipid in dry matter, and the meal obtained after oil extraction could be an exceptional source of protein for family poultry farming, in the absence of curcin and, especially, some diterpene derivatives phorbol esters that are partially lipophilic. The nutrient digestibility of J. curcas kernel meal (JKM), obtained after partial physicochemical deoiling was thus evaluated in broiler chickens. Twenty broiler chickens, 6 weeks old, were maintained in individual metabolic cages and divided into four groups of five animals, according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design where deoiled JKM was incorporated into grinded corn at 0, 4, 8, and 12 % levels (diets 0, 4, 8, and 12 J), allowing measurement of nutrient digestibility by the differential method. The dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility of diets was affected to a low extent by JKM (85 and 86 % in 0 J and 81 % in 12 J, respectively) in such a way that DM and OM digestibility of JKM was estimated to be close to 50 %. The ether extract (EE) digestibility of JKM remained high, at about 90 %, while crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) digestibility were largely impacted by JKM, with values closed to 40 % at the highest levels of incorporation. J. curcas kernel presents various nutrient digestibilities but has adverse effects on CP and CF digestibility of the diet. The effects of an additional heat or biological treatment on JKM remain to be assessed.