Nutritive value of wheat and wheat by-products in pig nutrition: A review

Diversity of chemical composition and nutritional value in grain from selected winter wheat cultivars grown in south-western Poland

Given the low protein coverage by legumes in Poland, alternatives (with high protein content and high nutritional value) are being sought (with high protein content and high nutritional value of protein) that could replace these plants. Cereal cultivation dominates in Poland; hence, the search for high-value plants will also consider this group of plants. The aim of the study was to compare the nutritional value of proteins from two wheat cultivars. A field experiment conducted in Zawidowice in south-western Poland in 2019 investigated the nutritional values of two winter wheat cultivars: Aurelius and Activus. These two cultivars were compared in terms of their chemical composition, the biological value of their proteins for animal nutrition, and the content of macro- and microelements. Significant differences in chemical composition were found between the tested wheat cultivars. In terms of the chemical composition, i.e. the content of protein, fiber and ash, the Activus cultivar was characterized by significantly better parameters. This cultivar also had significantly higher gross energy. In turn, a significantly higher content of essential amino acids, i.e. lysine, cysteine, tryptophan, histidine, leucine, ioleucine, and valine, was found in the Aurelius cultivar; therefore, the indicators determining the biological value of the protein are more favorable in the Aurelius cultivars. Meanwhile, in terms of selected macro- and microelements the Auerlius cultivar was more valuable. Varietal progress is necessary to obtain cultivars with the essential nutrients needed by animals to satisfy their dietary requirements.

Valorization of chicken feather waste using recombinant bacillus subtilis cells by solid-state fermentation for soluble proteins and serine alkaline protease production

Feather waste, a by-product of the poultry industry, is rich in proteins, peptides, and amino acids. Improper disposal of feathers can cause environmental pollution. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a viable alternative to submerged fermentation due to its simplicity, productivity, and lower cost. The study goal is a biorefinery of chicken feather waste supplemented with wheat bran using a recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain to produce soluble proteins and a serine alkaline protease. Plackett-Burman Design and Central Composite Design were utilized in a statistical-mathematical model to optimize the process. Multi-factorial design optimization resulted in 80 % substrate degradation efficiency, an alkaline protease with dual activities (1423 proteolytic units and 190 keratinolytic units), 214 mg soluble proteins/g substrate, and 87 % model validation. Scaling up the SSF process to 50 g of substrate significantly enhanced the end products of feather biodegradation to 1616 proteolytic units, 2844 keratinolytic units, and 127 mg soluble proteins/g substrate. AIM AND SCOPE OF THE MANUSCRIPT: The aim of the present study is to utilize chicken feather waste (alone or supplemented with other materials) through recombinant Bacillus subtilis cells using solid state fermentation (SSF) at a laboratory scale. The plan study provides a promising waste management in the environmental field concerning biodegradation of such recalcitrant keratinous wastes supplemented with agricultural residues via recombinant microorganism. On semi-pilot scale, high production and quality of soluble protein, protease, and keratinase activity were produced according to the statistically optimised first stage fermentation in the laboratory scale. The bioconversion process took place as a major goal to obtain valuable products, with low utilities and energy requirements. Therefore, this will consider as an economically feasible and environmentally friendly alternative. Moreover, this study is considered as first step fermentation for feather waste to pave the road for directing it to a second step fermentation for biogas production and bioenergy generation through bio-electrochemical systems (Manuscript under publication).

An Evaluation of Paddy Rice as an Alternative Energy Source in Protein-Restricted Diets for Growing, Early-Finishing, and Late-Finishing Pigs

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate paddy rice as an alternative energy feedstuff in low-protein diets for pigs. In Experiment 1, a total of 400 growing pigs (20.68 ± 0.29 kg initial bodyweight), were randomly allocated four dietary treatments with 0, 10, 15, and 20% paddy rice for 30 days. Feeding 10% or 15% paddy rice had no adverse impacts on average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio (F:G), while the inclusion of 20% rice in diets significantly influenced the growth performance of pigs. In Experiment 2, 364 early-finishing pigs (42.25 ± 0.47 kg) were divided into four treatments with 0, 15, 20, and 25% paddy rice for 35 days. Feeding 15% or 20% paddy rice had no negative consequences on growth performance, while pigs fed with 25% rice had the lowest ADG and the greatest F:G. In Experiment 3, 364 late-finishing pigs (79.52 ± 1.28 kg) were divided into four treatments with 0, 20, 25, and 30% paddy rice for 60 days. Paddy rice can be included at up to 30% in diets without compromising growth performance, while feeding with 25% rice significantly improved the performance for pigs compared with the corn-fed control.

Chemical composition of barley and co-products from barley, corn, and wheat produced in South-East Asia or Australia

OBJECTIVE

A study was conducted to determine the chemical composition of barley and co-products from barley, corn, and wheat produced in South-East Asia or Australia, and to test the hypothesis that production area or production methods can impact the chemical composition of wheat co-products.

METHODS

Samples included seven barley grains, two malt barley rootlets, one corn gluten feed, one corn gluten meal, one corn bran, eight wheat brans, one wheat mill mix, and four wheat pollards. All samples were analyzed for dry matter, gross energy, nitrogen, amino acids (AA), acid hydrolyzed ether extract, ash, minerals, starch, and insoluble dietary fiber and soluble dietary fiber. Malt barley rootlets and wheat co-products were also analyzed for sugars.

RESULTS

Chemical composition of barley, malt barley rootlets, and corn co-products were in general similar across countries. Wheat pollard had greater (p<0.05) concentrations of tryptophan, magnesium, and potassium compared with wheat bran, whereas wheat bran had greater (p<0.05) concentration of copper than wheat pollard. There were no differences in chemical composition between wheat bran produced in Australia and wheat bran produced in Thailand.

CONCLUSION

Intact barley contains more starch, but fewer AA, than grain co-products. There were only few differences in the composition of wheat bran and wheat pollard, indicating that the two ingredients are similar, but with different names. However, corn gluten meal contains more protein and less fiber than corn bran.

Polar Metabolites Profiling of Wheat Shoots (Triticum aestivum L.) under Repeated Short-Term Soil Drought and Rewatering

The response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants to the soil drought at the metabolome level is still not fully explained. In addition, research focuses mainly on single periods of drought, and there is still a lack of data on the response of plants to short-term cyclical periods of drought. The key to this research was to find out whether wheat shoots are able to resume metabolism after the stress subsides and if the reaction to subsequent stress is the same. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is one of the most valuable and fast methods to discover changes in the primary metabolism of plants. The targeted GC-MS analyses of whole shoots of wheat plants exposed (at the juvenile stage of development) to short-term (five days) mild soil drought/rewatering cycles (until the start of shoot wilting) enabled us to identify 32 polar metabolites. The obtained results revealed an accumulation of sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, and 1-kestose), proline, and malic acid. During five days of recovery, shoots regained full turgor and continued to grow, and the levels of accumulated metabolites decreased. Similar changes in metabolic profiles were found during the second drought/rewatering cycle. However, the concentrations of glucose, proline, and malic acid were higher after the second drought than after the first one. Additionally, the concentration of total polar metabolites after each plant rewatering was elevated compared to control samples. Although our results confirm the participation of proline in wheat responses to drought, they also highlight the responsiveness of soluble carbohydrate metabolism to stress/recovery.

Prediction of the Net Energy of Wheat from Chemical Analysis for Growing Ducks

The goal of this study was to determine the net energy (NE) value of wheat for growing ducks and establish a NE prediction equation based on the grain's chemical composition. Forty wheat samples were selected based on bulk weight from major wheat-producing regions in China. A total of 460 1-week-old ducks (initial body weight (BW): 134.86 ± 3.32 g) were randomly assigned to 46 diets, including a basal diet, 5 restricted feeding diets and 40 test diets. Each diet contained five replicates, each with two ducks. The basic diet was a corn-soybean meal, and 40 kinds of experimental diets were prepared by mixing the basic diet with 20% wheat. A prediction equation for the NE concentration was created using the chemical make-up of wheat samples. The results indicated that the NE and apparent metabolism energy (AME) content of 40 wheat samples ranged from 6.81 to 9.12 MJ/kg and from 11.03 to 14.34 MJ/kg, respectively. The ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and AME were highly correlated with NE value (p < 0.01), with the AME and NE showing the strongest correlation (r = 0.884). Chemical features could be used to predict the NE values with accuracy, and the prediction equation was strengthened by the inclusion of the AME. The best-fit equation was as follows: NE = 0.380 AME - 0.147 NDF - 0.274 ADF + 5.262 (R² = 0.874, RSD = 0.19, p < 0.001). In summary, the NE value of wheat is 8.49 ± 0.30 MJ/kg for growing ducks, and the chemical composition can be used to accurately predict NE in wheat.

Anaerobic fermentation featuring wheat bran and rice bran realizes the clean transformation of Chinese cabbage waste into livestock feed

Rapid aerobic decomposition and a high cost/benefit ratio restrain the transformation of Chinese cabbage waste into livestock feed. Herein, anaerobically co-fermenting Chinese cabbage waste with wheat bran and rice bran at different dry matter levels (250, 300, 350 g/kg fresh weight) was employed to achieve the effective and feasible clean transformation of Chinese cabbage waste, and the related microbiological mechanisms were revealed by high-throughput sequencing technology. The bran treatments caused an increase in pH value (4.75-77.25%) and free amino acid content (12.09-152.66%), but a reduction in lactic acid concentration (54.58-77.25%) and coliform bacteria counts (15.91-20.27%). In addition, the wheat bran treatment improved the levels of short-chain fatty acids, nonprotein nitrogen, water-soluble carbohydrates and antioxidant activity and reduced the ammonia nitrogen contents. In contrast, the rice bran treatment decreased the levels of acetic acid, water-soluble carbohydrates, nonprotein nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, and antioxidant activities. Microbiologically, the bran treatments stimulated Pediococcus, Lactobacillus, Enterobacter, and Weissella but inhibited Lactococcus and Leuconostoc, which were the primary organic acid producers reflected by the redundancy analysis. In addition, Chinese cabbage waste fermented with wheat bran at 350 g/kg fresh weight or with rice bran at 300 g/kg fresh weight increased the scale and complexity of bacteriome, promoted commensalism or mutualism and upregulated the global metabolism pathways, including carbohydrate and amino acid metabolisms. Furthermore, the bran treatments resulted in an increase in bacterial communities that were facultatively anaerobic, biofilm-formed, Gram-negative, potentially pathogenic and stress-tolerant. Collectively, the bran treatments inhibited effluent formation and protein degradation and improved nutrient preservation but reduced organic acid production during the anaerobic fermentation, which is linked to the variations in the bacteriome, indicating that the constructed fermentation system should be further optimized.

Net energy and its establishment of prediction equations for wheat bran in growing pigs

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this experiment was to determine the net energy (NE) value of 6 wheat bran and 1 wheat shorts by indirect calorimetry and establish the NE prediction equations of wheat bran fed to growing barrows.

METHODS

Forty-eight growing barrows (28.5±2.4 kg body weight) were allotted in a completely randomized design to 8 dietary treatments that included a corn-soybean meal basal diet, 6 wheat bran diets and 1 wheat shorts diet. The inclusion level of wheat bran or wheat shorts in diets is 30%.

RESULTS

The addition of wheat bran reduced the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients (p<0.05). The ATTD of gross energy, crude protein (CP) and dry matter (DM) in the wheat shorts were greater than that in the wheat bran. Addition of wheat bran or wheat shorts had no effect on total heat production and fasting heat production. The NE of wheat bran was negatively correlated with neutral detergent fiber (r = -0.84; p<0.05) and acid detergent fiber (r = -0.83; p<0.05), while it was positively correlated with CP (r = 0.92; p<0.01). The NE values of wheat bran ranged from 6.79 to 8.15 MJ/kg DM, and the NE value of wheat shorts was 12.47 MJ/kg DM. The ratio of NE to metabolizable energy for wheat bran fed to growing pigs was from 66.0% to 71.7%, whereas the value for wheat shorts was 83.7%.

CONCLUSION

The NE values of wheat bran ranged from 6.79 to 8.15 MJ/kg DM, and the NE value of wheat shorts was 12.47 MJ/kg DM. The NE value of wheat bran can be well predicted based on energy content and proximate analysis.

Effects of xylanase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum metabolites, and fecal microbiota in growing pigs fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets

This experiment investigated the effects of xylanase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum metabolites, and fecal microbiota in growing pigs fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets. Seventy-two crossbred pigs (Duroc × [Landrace × Large White]) pigs (body weight of 23.30 ± 1.51 kg) were allotted two treatments with six pens per treatment and six pigs per pen. The diets were a wheat-soybean meal-based diet (Control group) and a wheat-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 500 U/kg xylanases (XYL group). The experiment was divided into two periods (phase 1: days 1 to 35 and phase 2: days 36 to 70). Xylanase improved G:F during phase 1 and the entire experiment (P < 0.05) and tended to improve G:F during phase 2 (P = 0.09). Compared with the control group, pigs in the XYL group had greater apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy on days 35 and 70 (P < 0.05) and had greater apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids (histidine, lysine, methionine, and serine) on day 70 (P < 0.05). The fecal microbiota in the XYL group contained greater abundances of g_Terrisporobacter, g_Lactobacillus, g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and g_Romboutsia than the Control group on day 70. Xylanase increased the fecal Lactobacillus populations on day 35 (P < 0.05). On days 35 and 70, xylanase reduced the fecal E. coli populations (P < 0.05). Supplementing xylanase to wheat-soybean meal-based diets collectively improved fecal microbiota, and nutrient digestibility, thereby improving growth performance in growing pigs.

Cereal Processing By-Products as Rich Sources of Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Bioactivities

In today’s society, we can see a progressive paradigm shift that tends towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The proof is represented by the growing interest in food loss and waste of different sectors, from the political to the academic, or even to the private sector. In order to reduce food waste and to increase sustainability, the European Union (EU) has planned a circular bioeconomy. This action plan includes an approach based on reducing, reusing, recovering, and recycling materials and energy. Every year, there are high amounts of waste and by-products resulting from agricultural producing and agro-industrial processing, impacting the environment and the socio-economic sector. Cereal food products cover over 20% of daily diet, so it can be assumed that cereal production and processing are one of the most important sectors of agri-food industries. It is estimated that the waste generated from cereal processing and manufacturing is up to 13%, a percentage that can be decreased by converting the by-products in raw materials for biofuels, biodegradable plastics, alcohols, antioxidants, food additives, or pharmaceutic ingredients due to their content in macro- and micro-nutrients or bioactive compounds. Based on the fact that diet plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of our body, it is important to capitalize on any source of bioactive compounds to which we have access. This review aims to highlight the need to recirculate by-products for the purpose of extraction and use of their key compounds, polyphenols, which have not only antioxidant effects, but also preventive and therapeutic effects against cancer. For these, it is necessary to understand the biotechnologies needed for processing the most consumed cereals, the methods of extraction of phenolic compounds, and the main effects that these compounds have, summarizing the most relevant in vitro and in vivo studies performed so far.

Nutritional Composition, In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Profile of Shortcrust Cookies Supplemented by Edible Flowers

In this study, the changes in nutritional composition, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in free and bound fractions of shortcrust cookies were investigated. By incorporating ingredients such as kamut, matcha tea, dried mango and jasmine flowers, the contents of crude and neutral-detergent fibre reached up to 2.0% and 5.0%, respectively. Similar increments were observed in phenolic compound contents and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity values. Concerning cookies supplemented with matcha tea, the total phenolic compound content raised from 1.0 to 4.8 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and the antioxidant activity value increased from 0.5 to 5.7 mg trolox equivalent/g on a dry weight basis. For determining the antioxidant activity values in water-soluble and insoluble phenolic fractions of the cookies, a photochemiluminiscence assay was separately applied, and they were found up to 0.8 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g and 3.2 mg trolox equivalent/g, respectively. The main phenolic compounds in all supplemented cookies were neochlorogenic, gallic and vanillic acids.

Effect of pelleting on nutrients and energy digestibility in growing pigs fed corn-soybean meal-based diet or diet containing corn distillers dried grains with solubles (cDDGS), wheat middlings, and bakery meal

This study was conducted to determine the effect of pelleting and diet type on the apparent ileal (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy in growing pigs. Six pigs were cannulated at the ileum and were assigned to treatments following a crossover design. One diet was a control diet based on corn and soybean meal (CT). Part of it was replaced by corn distillers dried grains with solubles (cDDGS), wheat middlings, and bakery meal in the second diet (ByP). Diets were in mash (CT-MH and ByP-MH) or pelleted (CT-PT and ByP-PT) form. Results showed that pelleting increased digestibility in all diets with a distinct effect on the CT diet (interaction diet × pelleting, P < 0.05). Pelleting improved the AID of dry matter, crude protein, and energy by 17%, 27%, and 17% in the CT diet and by 10%, 9%, and 17% in the ByP diet (P < 0.01). The AID of amino acids followed the effect observed on crude protein (P < 0.01). Pelleting increased AID of total non-starch polysaccharides for the CT diet by 63% and 42% for the ByP diet (P < 0.01). The pelleting conditions improved the degradability of the compounds in the diets during digestion in pigs.

Effects of Optimal Carbohydrase Mixtures on Nutrient Digestibility and Digestible Energy of Corn- and Wheat-Based Diets in Growing Pigs

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of optimal carbohydrase mixture (OCM) on macronutrients and amino acid digestibility and the digestible energy (DE) in growing pigs fed the corn-soybean meal-based diet (CSM) and the wheat-soybean meal-based diet (WSM). A total of 36 ileal-cannulated pigs (50.9 ± 4.9 kg initial body weight) were allotted to four dietary treatments randomly, which included CSM and WSM diets, and two diets supplied with corresponding OCM. These OCMs were screened using an in vitro method from our previous study. After the five day adaptation period, fecal samples were collected from d six to seven, and ileal digesta samples were collected on d 8 and 10. Chromic oxide was added as an indigestible marker. The results show that the addition of OCM improved the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), ash, carbohydrate (CHO), neutral detergent fiber, and gross energy (GE) and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, CHO, and GE in CSM diet (p < 0.05), but reduced the apparent hindgut disappearance (AHD) of DM in CSM diet (p < 0.05). The ATTD of DM, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, and GE and the AHD of DM, CP, EE, ash, CHO, and GE in WSM diet were improved by the OCM addition (p < 0.05), whereas the AID of DM, CP, ash, CHO, and GE were decreased (p < 0.05). The respective DE contents in CSM and WSM diets were increased from 15.45 to 15.74 MJ/kg and 15.03 to 15.49 MJ/kg under the effects of OCM (p < 0.05). Similar to the trend of AID of CP, the OCM addition increased the AID and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of Ile, Thr, and Cys in CSM diet, but decreased the AID and SID of Ile, Phe, Thr, Val, Ala, Pro, Ser, and Tyr in WSM diet. In conclusion, the OCMs screened by an in vitro method could improve the total tract nutrient digestibility and DE for pigs fed corn-based diet or wheat-based diet but had inconsistent effects on the ileal digestibility of nutrients and energy.

Fiber degrading enzymes increased monosaccharides release and fermentation in corn distillers dried grains with solubles and wheat middlings steeped without or with protease

Treating fibrous feed ingredients with exogenous feed enzymes may improve their utilization in monogastric animals. An in vitro study was conducted to determine the effects of steeping corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) or wheat middlings (WM) with exogenous feed enzymes. Four treatments were arranged as follows: 1) co-product steeped with water (CON), 2) CON plus 0.5-g fiber degrading enzymes (FDE), 3) CON plus 0.5-g protease (PRO), and 4) CON plus 0.5-g FDE and 0.5 g PRO (FDEPRO). The FDE contained about 62,000, 37,000, and 8,000 U/g of xylanase, cellulase, and β-glucanase, respectively, whereas activities in PRO amounted to 2,500,000, 1,300,000, and 800,000 U/g of acid, alkaline, and neutral proteases, respectively. Briefly, 50 g of DDGS or WM samples (n = 8) were mixed with 500-mL water with or without enzymes and steeped for 0 to 72 h at 37 °C with continuous agitation. The pH, concentration of monosaccharides, and organic acids in the supernatant and apparent disappearance (AD) of fiber in solids were measured at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. There was treatment and time interaction (P < 0.005) on monosaccharides concentration. At 12 h, arabinose and glucose concentrations were similar (P > 0.05) between FDE and FDEPRO but higher (P = 0.002) than for CON in DDGS. For WM, FDE, and FDEPRO had higher (P < 0.001) xylose concentration than CON and PRO, whereas glucose concentration was higher (P < 0.001) for enzymes than CON at 12 h. However, FDEPRO had higher (P < 0.001) xylose concentration than CON, whereas xylose concentration for FDE and PRO was intermediate at 24 h. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) between treatment and time effect on lactic acid concentration in DDGS and WM (P < 0.005), and acetic acid concentration in WM (P < 0.001). In general, monosaccharide concentration was higher between 12 and 24 h and decreased after 48 h, whereas the pH decreased, and concentration of organic acids increased continuously over time (P < 0.05). The AD of NDF and ADF in DDGS was greater (P = 0.001) for FDE and FDEPRO than CON and PRO at 72 h. In WM, enzymes increased (P = 0.007) AD of NDF relative to CON at 72 h. Nonetheless, greater (P < 0.05) AD of fiber was observed between 48 and 72 h. In conclusion, although there were differences in responses among co-products, fiber degrading enzymes increased release of fermentable monosaccharides from co-products at 12 to 24 h of steeping and these effects were not extended with the addition of protease.

Phosphorus digestibility and metabolisable energy concentrations of contemporary wheat, barley, rye and triticale genotypes fed to growing pigs

This study was conducted to determine apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of phosphorus (P) and metabolisable energy (ME) concentrations for pigs of 32 different genotypes (n = 8 per grain species) of barley, rye, triticale and wheat. All genotypes were grown at the same location under the same field conditions and were fed to growing castrated crossbred pigs (initial body weight: 31.1 ± 6.95 kg) using a series of duplicate 3 × 3 Latin square designs. A basal ration, which was deficient in P, and 32 experimental rations containing 400 g/kg DM of the basal ration and 600 g/kg DM of the corresponding cereal grain were mixed. Pigs were kept in metabolism crates and the total collection method was used for separate faeces and urine collections with 7-d adaptation and 7-d collection periods. The mean ATTD of P was greater (p < 0.05) for wheat than for triticale, rye or barley (59.4%, 50.4%, 44.9% and 44.4%, respectively, for the mean of each grain species). Within-grain species differences (p < 0.05) among genotypes were obtained for ATTD of P of barley and triticale. The concentrations of ME of triticale and wheat were higher (p < 0.05) than that of barley and rye (16.1 and 16.2 vs. 14.9 and 14.8 MJ ME/kg DM, respectively). Differences in ME concentration among genotypes within a grain species (p < 0.05) were found for barley, triticale and wheat. No differences were found for rye. Compared to literature data the present study showed, in part, considerable differences in ATTD of P and ME concentration. These results should be taken into account for accurate pig ration formulation with regard to minimised P output and efficient use of ME. No significant relationships were detected between ATTD of P and phytic acid concentration or phytase activity in the grain genotypes in this study.

Extrusion enhances apparent metabolizable energy, ileal protein and amino acid digestibility of palm kernel cake in broilers

Objective

This study consisted of two stages; the first was to determine the effect of extrusion and sieving treatments on the chemical properties of palm kernel cake (PKC), and accordingly, a follow-up experiment (second stage) was conducted to determine and compare the apparent metabolizable energy (AME), and protein and amino acid digestibility of extruded and sieved PKC.

Methods

Two physical treatments, namely extrusion (using temperature profiles of 90°C/100°C/100°C, 90°C/100°C/110°C, and 90°C/100°C/120°C) and sieving (to 8 particles sizes ranging from >8.00 to 0.15 mm) were carried out to determine their effects on chemical properties, primarily crude protein (CP) and fiber contents of PKC. Based on the results from the above study, PKC that extruded with temperature profile 90/100/110°C and of sieved size between 1.5 to 0.15 mm (which made up of near 60% of total samples) were used to determine treatments effect on AME and CP and amino acid digestibility. The second stage experiment was conducted using 64 male Cobb 500 chickens randomly assigned to 16 cages (4 cages [or replicates] per treatment) to the following four dietary groups: i) basal (control) diet, ii) basal diet containing 20% untreated PKC, iii) basal diet containing 20% extruded PKC (EPKC), and iv) basal diet containing 20% sieved PKC (SPKC).

Results

Extrusion and sieving had no effect on CP and ash contents of PKC, however, both treatments reduced (p<0.05) crude fiber by 21% and 19%, respectively. Overall, extrusion and sieving reduced content of most of the amino acids except for aspartate, glutamate, alanine and lysine which increased, while serine, cysteine and tryptophan remained unchanged. Extrusion resulted in 6% increase (p<0.05) in AME and enhanced CP digestibility (p<0.05) by 32%, as compared to the untreated PKC while sieving had no effect on AME but improved CP digestibility by 39% which was not significantly different from that by extrusion.

Conclusion

Extrusion is more effective than sieving and serves as a practical method to enhance AME and digestibility of CP and several amino acids in broiler chickens.

A Sight to Wheat Bran: High Value-Added Products

Recently more consideration has been given to the use of renewable materials and agricultural residues. Wheat production is increasing yearly and correspondingly, the volume of by-products from the wheat process is increasing, as well. It is important to find the use of the residuals for higher value-added products, and not just for the food industry or animal feed purposes as it is happening now. Agricultural residue of the roller milled wheat grain is a wheat bran description. The low-cost of wheat bran and its composition assortment provides a good source of substrate for various enzymes and organic acids production and other biotechnological applications. The main purpose of this review article is to look into recent trends, developments, and applications of wheat bran.

Metabolizable energy values of corn and wheat middlings in broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate adaptation length (AL) and composition of reference diets on nitrogen (N)-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) in 22-d-old broilers. Birds were allocated to nine treatments (n = 6) consisting of wheat – soybean meal (SBM) (reference diet), corn–wheat–SBM, and wheat middlings (WM)–wheat–SBM (exp. 1), or oats–SBM (reference diet), corn–oats–SBM, and WM–oats–SBM (exp. 2) in conjunction with three AL (12, 8, and 4 d) in a factorial arrangement of treatments (3 × 3). Dry matter (DM), N, energy (En) utilization, and AMEn of corn and WM were determined using the difference method. In exp. 1, birds on the WM–wheat–SBM-based diet had the lowest (P < 0.05) DM, N, and En utilization, as well as AMEn compared with the other two diets. Additionally, AMEn for corn was higher (P < 0.05) compared with that of WM. In exp. 2, N utilization in birds on the corn–oats–SBM-based diet was lower (P < 0.05) compared with birds on the oats–SBM-based diet; however, AMEn of corn and WM was not different. In both experiments, AL was not significantly different. Based on these results, the composition of the reference diet could influence AMEn values of corn and WM in 22-d-old broilers.

"Dietary fibre": moving beyond the "soluble/insoluble" classification for monogastric nutrition, with an emphasis on humans and pigs

This review describes dietary fibres originating from a range of foods, particularly in relation to their plant cell walls. It explores the categorization of dietary fibres into “soluble” or “insoluble”. It also emphasizes dietary fibre fermentability, in terms of describing how the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) microbiota respond to a selection of fibres from these categories. Food is categorized into cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Mention is also made of example whole foods and why differences in physico-chemical characteristics between “purified” and “non-purified” food components are important in terms of health. Lastly, recommendations are made as to how dietary fibre could be classified differently, in relation to its functionality in terms of fermentability, rather than only its solubility.

Effects of distillers dried grains with solubles on amino acid digestibility, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to compare the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA by growing pigs in European distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced from wheat, maize, or wheat–maize mixtures and to test the effect of increasing the inclusion levels of wheat DDGS on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs fed diets balanced for NE and SID Lys. In Exp. 1, 12 barrows (initial BW: 23.0 ± 2.2 kg) were surgically equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and randomly allotted to a replicated 6 × 6 Latin square design with six diets and six periods. Five sources of European DDGS were used: wheat DDGS from 2011, wheat DDGS from 2012, wheat-80 DDGS (80% wheat and 20% maize), wheat-70 DDGS (70% wheat and 30% maize), and maize DDGS. Each diet contained one source of DDGS as the sole source of AA and an N-free diet was used to determine basal endogenous losses of AA. Results indicated that the SID of CP was greater (P < 0.05) in maize DDGS compared with wheat DDGS from 2011, wheat DDGS from 2012, and wheat-70 DDGS. The SID of all indispensable AA except Trp was also greater (P < 0.05) in maize DDGS compared with all other DDGS sources used in this experiment. For Trp, the SID in wheat-80 DDGS, wheat DDGS from 2011, and wheat DDGS from 2012 were not different from maize DDGS, but were greater (P < 0.05) than in wheat-70 DDGS. The SID for all indispensable AA except Ile and Trp in wheat-70 DDGS were not different from the values calculated for wheat DDGS from 2011 and wheat DDGS from 2012, and no differences between SID values for AA in wheat DDGS from 2011 and wheat DDGS from 2012 were observed. In Exp. 2, 36 growing pigs (initial BW: 38.3 ± 1.97 kg) were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments (one pig/pen and nine replicate pigs/treatment) in a 2-phase feeding program (35 to 65, and 35 to 105 kg BW). The four dietary treatments included diets containing 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% wheat DDGS. Results indicated that there was no effect of wheat DDGS on pig growth performance or carcass quality. However, addition of wheat DDGS increased linearly (P < 0.015) the indole concentration in the carcasses of the pigs. In conclusion, the SID of AA in maize DDGS produced in Europe is greater than in European wheat DDGS and DDGS produced from mixtures of wheat and maize, but inclusion of 30% wheat DDGS in diets fed to growing-finishing pigs did not affect growth performance or carcass quality.

Impact of xylanases on gut microbiota of growing pigs fed corn- or wheat-based diets

This study investigated the effects of xylanase supplementations with cereal-based diets on nutrient digestibility and gut microbiota of growing pigs. A total of 96 individually penned pigs (initial BW = 22.7 ± 0.65 kg) were allotted to 12 treatments and subjected to a completely randomized block design experiment. Pigs in each treatment were fed an isocaloric wheat-based or corn-based diet with or without 1 of 5 types of xylanase supplements (XA, XB, XC, XD, XE). On d 42, all piglets were euthanized to obtain ileal and cecal digesta for microbial analysis, which involved high-throughput sequencing of the V1 - V3 regions of 16S rRNA gene. Corn- and wheat-based diets differed (P < 0.05) in digestion characteristics. Dietary treatments affected the alpha- and beta-diversities of microbiota in the cecum but not in the ileum. The wheat-based diet increased (P < 0.05) alpha-diversity and clustered separately (P < 0.05) compared with the corn-based diet. Wheat-based diet also promoted the relative abundance of genus (g.) Succinivibrio while corn-based diet promoted the proportion of family (f.) Veillonellaceae in the community. Among xylanases, only XC within the wheat-based diet altered (P < 0.05) the beta-diversity of the cecal microbiota compared with control. For each cereal-based diet and compared with the controls, xylanase treatments affected (P < 0.05) the proportions of 5 bacterial taxa in the ileum (f. Peptostreptococcaceae, order [o.] Streptophyta, f. Clostridiaceae, g. Clostridium and g. Streptococcus) and 8 in the cecum (g. Lactobacillus, g. Streptococcus, class [c.] Clostridia, f. Clostridiaceae, g. Megasphaera, g. Prevotella, g. Roseburia and f. Ruminococcaceae). Network analysis showed that across diets under control treatments, Bacteroidetes was the most influential phylum promoting cooperative relationships among members of the ileum and cecum microbiota. Xylanase treatment, however, reduced the influence of Bacteroidetes and promoted a large number of hub taxa majority of which belonged to the Firmicutes phylum. To maximize the efficiency of xylanase supplementation, our data suggest that xylanase C originated from Bacillus subtilis was more effective when applied to wheat-based diets, while xylanase A originated from Fusarium verticillioides was more beneficial when applied to corn-based diets.

Nutrient composition and digestibility of energy and nutrients in wheat middlings and red dog fed to growing pigs

This experiment was designed to determine nutrient composition and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE, DM, OM, and NDF and the concentration of DE and ME in 10 sources of wheat middlings and in 1 source of red dog that were obtained from different flour mills in the United States. Twelve growing pigs (initial BW: 31.0 ± 1.0 kg) were randomly allotted to a 12 × 8 Youden square design with 12 dietary treatments and eight 14 d periods. Pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for total collection of feces and urine. A basal diet based on corn and soybean meal, and 11 diets containing corn, soybean meal, and 39.4% of one of the 10 sources of wheat middlings or of red dog were formulated. The ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and NDF in all diets was calculated using the direct procedure, and the ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and NDF in each source of wheat middlings or red dog was calculated by difference. Values for DE and ME were calculated as well. The average concentration of CP was 17.67% in wheat midlings and 17.0% in red dog, and the concentration of acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE) and total dietary fiber (TDF) was 2.44 and 13.90% in red dog, but 4.07 and 36.45% in wheat middlings. Red dog also contained more starch (42.98%) than wheat middlings (20.28%). Red dog had greater bulk density (498.5 g/L) and smaller particle size (146 µm) compared with wheat middlings (315.1 g/L and 783 µm). The average ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and NDF in wheat middlings (67.2%, 71.2%, 72.9%, and 53.0%, respectively) was less (P < 0.05) than in red dog (79.35%, 82.9%, 86.6%, and 58.7%, respectively). The average concentrations of DE and ME in wheat middlings were 2,990 and 2,893 kcal/kg DM, and these values were less (P < 0.05) than the DE and ME in red dog (3,408 and 3,292 kcal/kg DM). In conclusion, wheat middlings contains more fiber and less starch than red dog and the ATTD of GE and nutrients is greater in red dog than in wheat middlings. As a consequence, concentrations of DE and ME are greater in red dog than in wheat middlings.

Determination of basal ileal endogenous losses and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in barley fed to growing pigs

BACKGROUND

Basal ileal endogenous amino acid (AA) losses (IAA_end) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) values of cereal grains, such as barley, are apparently underestimated when determined according to the nitrogen (N)-free method. Regression analysis between the dietary apparent ileal digestible content (cAID) and total crude protein (CP) and AA can be considered as alternative approach to obtain more accurate values for IAA_end and SID of AA in cereal grains.

METHODS

Eight hulled barley genotypes were used, with barley being the only source of CP and AA in the assay diets. The diets contained 95 % as-fed of these eight barley genotypes each, ranging in CP content between 109.1 and 123.8 g/kg dry matter (DM). Nine ileally T-cannulated barrows, average body weight (BW) 30 ± 2 kg, were allotted to a row-column design comprising eight periods with 6 d each and nine pigs. On d 5 and the night of d 6 of every period, ileal digesta were collected for a total of 12 h. The IAAend and the SID were determined by linear regression analysis between cAID and total dietary CP and AA.

RESULTS

There exist linear relationships between cAID and total CP and AA (P < 0.001). The IAAend of CP, Lys, Met, Thr and Trp amounted to 35.34, 1.08, 0.25, 1.02 and 0.38 g/kg DM intake (DMI), respectively, which are greater compared to average IAAend determined previously under N-free feeding conditions. The SID of CP, Lys, Met, Thr and Trp was 90, 79, 85, 79 and 86 %, respectively, and was greater when compared to tabulated values. Moreover, these SID values were greater than those reported in literature, based on correction of apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and AA for their IAA_end values. Summarized, the results of the present regression analysis indicate greater IAA_end in barley-based diets compared to those obtained by N-free feeding.

CONCLUSIONS

For low-protein feed ingredients like barley the regression method may be preferred over correction of AID values for their IAA_end determined under N-free feeding conditions, as intercepts and slopes of the linear regression equations between cAID and total dietary CP and AA provide direct estimates of IAA_end and SID of CP and AA in the presence of the assay feed ingredient.

Wheat and barley differently affect porcine intestinal microbiota

BACKGROUND

Diet influences the porcine intestinal microbial ecosystem. Barrows were fitted with ileal T-cannulas to compare short-term effects of eight different wheat or barley genotypes and period-to-period effects on seven bacterial groups in ileal digesta and faeces by qPCR.

RESULTS

Within genotypes of wheat and barley, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in contents of analysed NSP, yet cereal types differed (P < 0.001) except for soluble arabinoxylans. Genotypes showed no effect on bacterial gene copy numbers. In ileal digesta of barley- compared to wheat-fed pigs, log10 copy numbers were lower (P < 0.05) for total eubacteria (9.6-9.8), Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas (6.5-6.8), Clostridium cluster IV (6.7-6.9), and Roseburia spp. (6.6-7.2), while higher copy numbers were found for Lactobacillus spp. (9.4-8.8). Enterobacteriaceae (7.0-7.8) and Bifidobacterium spp. (7.0-7.7) were lower (P < 0.001) in faeces of barley compared to wheat-fed pigs. Ileal eubacteria, Clostridium cluster IV and Roseburia spp. linearly increased from period 1 to 8 for both cereals (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Wheat and barley differently influence microbial composition particularly in the small intestine, with barley increasing the Lactobacillus spp.:Enterobacteriaceae ratio, underlining its potential to beneficially manipulate the intestinal microbial ecosystem.

Nutritive value of wheat concentrated distillers solubles in diets for growing pigs

Two experiments (Exp.) were conducted to determine the nutritive value of wheat-derived wet concentrated distillers solubles (CDS) for growing pigs. In Exp. 1, standardised ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) was determined by the difference method, using six ileally cannulated barrows (initial bodyweight (BW) of 31 ± 2.9 kg). The pigs were fed a casein-corn starch-based diet supplemented with wheat CDS so that about half of the crude protein (CP) originated from either wheat CDS or from casein. In Exp. 2, 12 barrows with an initial BW of 17 ± 0.9 kg were used to determine digestible energy (DE) content, and to calculate metabolisable energy (ME) and net energy (NE) content of wheat CDS. Animals were fed either a casein-corn starch-based basal diet or a CDS diet containing 470 g/kg of the basal diet and 530 g/kg wheat CDS on a dry matter (DM) basis. Values of SID of CP and AA in Exp. 1 amounted to 85, 74, 83 and 70% for CP, lysine, methionine and threonine, respectively. The DE, ME and NE contents of wheat CDS were 16.8, 15.8 and 11.1 MJ/kg DM, respectively. It can be concluded that SID of CP and AA and also the energy content in wheat CDS are substantially higher than corresponding values reported in international tables with information on nutritional value of dried co-products of bioethanol production.

Hot water extract of wheat bran attenuates white matter injury in a rat model of vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is characterized by white matter lesions involving the demyelination and activation of astrocytes and microglia. In a previous study, we showed that the supernatant of a laboratory-scale, hot water extract of ground whole wheat (TALE) attenuated white matter injury and astrocytic activation in a rat model of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). In the present study, we made several modifications to the hot water extraction process to remove starch and enable large-scale production. We used wheat bran (WB), which contains less starch, instead of ground whole wheat. In addition, we removed starch granules with a decanter before hot water extraction. The final product, wheat bran extract (WBE), contained 2.42% arabinose, a surrogate marker of arabinoxylan, which is an active constituent of WBE. Supplementation of the rat model of BCCAO with WBE (400 mg/kg/day) for 33 days attenuated white matter injury, which was assessed by Luxol Fast Blue staining, in the corpus callosum (cc) and optic tract (opt) regions. Attenuation of white matter injury in the opt region was accompanied by improvement of the pupillary light reflex. Immunochemical staining revealed that supplementation with WBE reduced astrocytic activation in the cc and opt regions and reduced microglial activation in the opt region. These findings indicate that supplementation with WBE is effective at attenuating white matter injury accompanied by the inhibition of astrocytic and microglial activation. Therefore, extracts from WB, a cheap by-product of wheat milling, can be developed as a nutraceutical to prevent vascular dementia, a disease for which there is no approved pharmaceutical treatment.

A proteinaceous fraction of wheat bran may interfere in the attachment of enterotoxigenic E. coli K88 (F4+) to porcine epithelial cells

Wheat bran (WB) from Triticum aestivum has many beneficial effects on human health. To the best of our knowledge, very little has been published about its ability to prevent pathogenic bacterial adhesion in the intestine. Here, a WB extract was fractionated using different strategies, and the obtained fractions were tested in different in vitro methodologies to evaluate their interference in the attachment of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 to intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) with the aim of identifying the putative anti-adhesive molecules. It was found that a proteinaceous compound in the >300-kDa fraction mediates the recognition of ETEC K88 to IPEC-J2. Further fractionation of the >300-kDa sample by size-exclusion chromatography showed several proteins below 90 kDa, suggesting that the target protein belongs to a high-molecular-weight (MW) multi-component protein complex. The identification of some relevant excised bands was performed by mass spectrometry (MS) and mostly revealed the presence of various protease inhibitors (PIs) of low MW: Serpin-Z2B, Class II chitinase, endogenous alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor and alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitor CM3. Furthermore, an incubation of the WB extract with ETEC K88 allowed for the identification of a 7S storage protein globulin of wheat, Globulin 3 of 66 kDa, which may be one of the most firmly attached WB proteins to ETEC K88 cells. Further studies should be performed to gain an understanding of the molecular recognition of the blocking process that takes place. All gathered information can eventually pave the way for the development of novel anti-adhesion therapeutic agents to prevent bacterial pathogenesis.