The changes of nutrient composition of piled laying hen manure and anaerobic fermentation for recycling as a dietary ingredient for ruminants

Modeling and optimization of laying hen manure drying process to reduce protein and ammonium-N losses by adding sodium bentonite and wheat straw

Laying hen manure (LHM) is a major source of pollution due to its high nitrogen (N) and moisture content (MC). Therefore, reducing the MC of LHM is necessary to retain its recyclable value and reduce environmental pollution. One effective way is by incorporating sodium bentonite (SB) and wheat straw (WS) as amendments in the LHM. This work aimed to optimize the drying conditions of LHM and investigate the effect of SB and WS utilization on the dehydration rate, reduction of crude protein (CP), and reduction of ammonium-N (N [Formula: see text] -N). The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize these processes. For this purpose, two sets of experiments (drying of LHM with and without SB and Ws) were designed. The independent parameters were air temperature (70, 80, and 90 °C), air velocity (1, 1.5, and 2 m s-1), layer thickness (5, 10, and 15 mm), SB (2%, 4%, and 6%), and WS (3%, 7.5%, and 12%). The results indicated that temperature and WS had the most significant influence on all responses. To maximize the dehydration rate and minimize the reduction of CP and N [Formula: see text] -N, the optimal conditions were a temperature of 78 °C, air velocity of 1 m s-1, and layer thickness of 5 mm in the first set of experiments, and a temperature of 80 °C, air velocity of 1.5 m s-1, layer thickness of 11 mm, 6% SB, and 12% WS in the second set of experiments. Under the optimum conditions, LHM treated with 6% SB and 12% WS retained 10% more CP and 58% more N [Formula: see text] -N than untreated LHM. Therefore, according to the obtained results, SB and WS are recommended as additives to reduce the CP and N [Formula: see text] -N losses of LHM during the drying process.

Nutritional Value, Volatile Components, Functional Metabolites, and Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities of Different Parts of Millettia speciosa Champ., a Medicinal and Edible Plant with Potential for Development

Highly nutritious traditional plants which are rich in bioactive substances are attracting increasing attention. In this study, the nutritional value, chemical composition, biological activities, and feed indices of different parts of Millettia speciosa were comprehensively evaluated. In terms of its nutritional value, this study demonstrated that the leaves, flowers and seeds of M. speciosa were rich in elements and amino acids; the biological values (BVs) of these ingredients ranged from 85% to 100%, showing the extremely high nutritional value of this plant. GC-MS analysis suggested that the main chemical components of the flower volatile oil were n-hexadecanoic acid (21.73%), tetracosane (19.96%), and pentacosane (5.86%). The antibacterial activities of the flower and seed extracts were significantly stronger than those of the leaves and branches. The leaf extract displayed the strongest antifungal activities (EC50 values: 18.28 ± 0.54 μg/mL for Pseudocryphonectria elaeocarpicola and 568.21 ± 33.60 μg/mL for Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and were the least toxic to mouse fibroblasts (L929) (IC50 value: 0.71 ± 0.04 mg/mL), while flowers were the most toxic (IC50 value: 0.27 ± 0.03 mg/mL). In addition, the abundance of fiber, protein, mineral elements, and functional metabolite contents indicated the potential applicability of M. speciosa as an animal feed. In conclusion, as a traditional herbal plant used for medicinal and food purposes, M. speciosa shows potential for safe and multifunctional development.

The Eco-Agricultural Industrial Chain: The Meaning, Content and Practices

Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. Resource-saving and environmentally friendly industrial structures, production, and living modes are pursued continuously for sustainable ecological development. According to the Second National Pollution-Source Survey, agricultural non-point pollution is still the most important source of the current water pollution. In order to improve the water environment and control the pollution, the meaning and content of the eco-agricultural industrial chain was introduced. Based on this conception, the eco-agricultural industrial chain, integrating a whole circular system with different sessions of crop farming, animal breeding, agricultural product processing, and rural living, was innovatively put forward to control the agricultural non-point pollution and protect the water environment systematically for the first time in this paper. The sustainable development was realized at a large scale from the reduction and harmlessness at the source, resource utilization in the process, and ecological restoration in the end. Core techniques were innovated based on the integration of agricultural industries to achieve the high-quality and green development of agriculture. The system included ecological breeding technologies, ecological cultivation technologies, as well as rural sewage treatment and recycling technologies, in the principle of reduce, reuse, and resource. Based on this, the agricultural production changed from the traditional mode of "resources-products-wastes" to the circulation pattern of "resources-products-renewable resources-products". Thus, the final aim could be achieved to realize the material's multilevel use and energy conversion in the system. The eco-agricultural industrial chain technology was proven to be efficient to achieve both the good control of agricultural non-point pollution and an effective improvement in the water quality.

Evaluation of gaseous and solid waste in fermentation bedding system and its impact on animal performance: A study of breeder ducks in winter

In order to further optimize the application of fermentation bedding system and evaluate its improvements on low temperature, low humidity and other adverse environments of animal breeding in winter, we tested the waste discharge and performance of 12,921 breeder ducks from November to January. The fresh bedding materials and fermentation microbes showed significant advantages. They increased the temperature and temperature humidity index (THI) by more than 3.48 °C and 5.54, reduced the emissions of H₂S, NH₃, CO₂, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM₁₀) and total suspended particulate (TSP) by more than 29.92%, 47.21%, 13.69%, 25.90%, 23.43% and 25.94% respectively, compared to control. The stale bedding materials increased the mortality rate and breeding egg loss rate of breeder ducks by 0.17% and 4.22% significantly, reduced the healthy duckling rate and total effective hatching rate by 2.41% and 4.22%, compared to control, had limited effects on the improvement of house environments. PM_2.5, TSP, CO₂, H₂S and NH₃ were important environmental parameters affecting the productive and reproductive performance of ducks. These data can provide an insight that the fermentation bed system could reduce the waste emission of breeder ducks, improve their production and increase the health rate of their offspring. Its application in livestock farming would create a better breeding environment and economic benefits. In addition, the stale bedding materials were not recommended to recycle in fermentation bed system for cleaner production and sustainable development.