Effects of supplementing rice straw with Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and Madras thorn (Pithecellobium dulce) foliages on digestibility, microbial N supply and nitrogen balance of growing goats

Fermentation Patterns, Methane Production and Microbial Population under In Vitro Conditions from Two Unconventional Feed Resources Incorporated in Ruminant Diets

In this study, four experimental treatments were evaluated: (T1) alfalfa hay + concentrate, (50:50%, DM); (T2) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); (T3) alfalfa hay + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); and (T4) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:10:10:50%, DM). NH3-N concentrations in T2 and T4 decreased when replaced with alfalfa hay in 20 and 10%, respectively. Treatments did not affect the concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) between T3 and T4 (p > 0.05), while the concentrations among T1 and T2 were different (p < 0.05). T2 showed a reduction of 25.5% in the methane production when compared to T1 (p < 0.05). The lowest concentrations of protozoa were observed in T2 and T4, which contained Leucaena leucocephala (T2) and Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear (T4) (p < 0.05). The highest concentration of total methanogens was recorded in T1 and was different in T2, T3, and T4 (p < 0.05). Leucaena leucocephala, at an inclusion percentage of 20%, decreased the methane when compared to T1, whereas prickly pear increased methane production in relation to T1.

The Effect of Neem Leaf Supplementation on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Ruminal Microbial Population in Goats

This study aims to investigate the effect of neem leaf supplementation on the feed intake, digestibility, performance, fermentation characteristics, and ruminal microbes in goats. We included 24 Anglo-Nubian Thai native male goats with a body weight of 20 ± 2.0 kg, using 2 × 2 factorial in a completely randomized design for the following four treatments: (1) control, (2) control + 15% PEG in the concentrate, (3) 6% NL in concentrate, and (4) 6% NL + 15% PEG in concentrate. The results show that supplementation with 6% NL + 15% PEG in the concentrate had a higher (p < 0.05) feed intake gDM/d, % BW, g/kgBW^0.75, nutrient intake, nutrient digestion, weight change, and ADG than did the goats that were fed with 0% NL + 0% PEG, 0% NL + 15% PEG, and 6% NL + 0% PEG in concentrate, respectively. The feeding with 6% NL + 15% PEG had a higher (p < 0.05) level of propionic acid at 2 and 4 h post feeding compared to the other treatments. Supplementation with 6% NL + 15% PEG in the concentrate had the lowest (p < 0.05) methanogen, protozoa, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid, and butyric acid, as well as a lower ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid at 2 and 4 h post feeding than the other treatments. However, supplementation with 6% NL + 15% PEG in concentrate had the highest values of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Streptococcus gallolyticus at 2 and 4 h post feeding compared to the other treatments (p < 0.05). Collectively, this study indicates that neem leaf supplements can increase growth performance and propionic acid and can modulate the abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Streptococcus gallolyticus. Thus, neem leaf could potentially be a good supplement for goat feed.

Effect of Purple Neem Foliage as a Feed Supplement on Nutrient Apparent Digestibility, Nitrogen Utilization, Rumen Fermentation, Microbial Population, Plasma Antioxidants, Meat Quality and Fatty Acid Profile of Goats

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of Purple Neem foliage as a feed supplement on nutrient apparent digestibility, nitrogen utilization, rumen fermentation, microbial population, plasma antioxidants, meat quality and fatty acid profile of goats. Eighteen Boer male goats (approximately 20 ± 2 kg body weight; mean ± standard deviation (SD)) were randomly allocated into three treatments. All goats were fed a 60 d daily feeding with three treatments: (1) control, (2) 3% Purple Neem foliage (PNF) + 3% sunflower oil (SFO) in concentrate, and (3) 6% Purple Neem foliage (PNF) + 3% sunflower oil (SFO) in concentrate. The findings indicate that goat feed containing 6% PNF + 3% SFO in concentrate increased feed consumption, nutrient intake, nutrient apparent digestibility and nitrogen utilization compared to the goat feed at 3% PNF + 3% SFO and the control group. The feeding of goats with 6% PNF + 3% SFO in concentrate resulted in high ammonia nitrogen, BUN, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and the total VFA levels were increased at 2 and 4 h after feeding (p < 0.01). The individual microbial population with 6% PNF + 3% SFO had higher (p < 0.01) total bacteria, higher Butyrivibrio fibrisolven, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefacises, and Streptococcus bovis, decreased protozoa and methanogen levels at 2 and 4 h after feeding. The antioxidant in plasma indices varied, with 6% PNF + 3% SFO having higher total antioxidant (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and catalase (CAT) antioxidant activity and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma at 2 and 4 h after feeding. Additionally, goat fed 6% PNF + 3% SFO can improve meat quality by lowering drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, and saturated fatty acid as well as increase the fatty acid profile (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids) in goat meat. Our findings suggest that Purple Neem foliage might be an excellent alternative additive for goat feed.

Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) and Its Potential Uses as Alternative Protein Sources in Animal Diets: A Review

The rapidly growing population has increased demand for protein quantities and, following a shortage of plant-based feed protein sources and the prohibition of animal-based feed protein, has forced the search for new sources of protein. Therefore, humans have turned their attention to edible insects. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens L.) are rich in nutrients such as fat, protein and high-quality amino acids and minerals, making them a good source of protein. Furthermore, BSFL are easily reared and propagated on any nutrient substrate such as plant residues, animal manure and waste, food scraps, agricultural byproducts, or straw. Although BSFL cannot completely replace soybean meal in poultry diets, supplementation of less than 20% has no negative impact on chicken growth performance, biochemical indicators and meat quality. In pig studies, although BSFL supplementation did not have any negative effect on growth performance and meat quality, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was reduced. There is obviously less research on the feeding of BSFL in pigs than in poultry, particularly in relation to weaning piglets and fattening pigs; further research is needed on the supplementation level of sows. Moreover, it has not been found that BSFL are used in ruminants, and the next phase of research could therefore study them. The use of BSFL in animal feed presents some challenges in terms of cost, availability and legal and consumer acceptance. However, this should be considered in the context of the current shortage of protein feed and the nutritional value of BSFL, which has important research significance in animal production.

Consumption of Purple Neem Foliage Rich in Anthocyanins Improves Rumen Fermentation, Growth Performance and Plasma Antioxidant Activity in Growing Goats

This study aimed to investigate how the consumption of purple neem foliage rich in anthocyanins improves rumen fermentation, growth performance and plasma antioxidant activity in growing goats. In total, 25 Anglo-Nubian Thai native male goats (about 20 ± 2 kg body weight; mean standard deviation (SD)) were assigned to 2 × 2 + 1 factorial in a completely randomized study design. There were five treatments: (1) control, (2) 3% normal neem foliage in concentrate, (3) 6% normal neem foliage in concentrate, (4) 3% purple neem foliage in concentrate and (5) 6% purple neem foliage in concentrate. The results show that the goats that were fed 6% purple neem foliage in concentrate had a higher (p < 0.01) feed intake gDM/d, %BW, g/kgBW0.75, nutrient intake, nutrient digestion, final weight, weight change and ADG than did the goats that were fed 3% purple neem foliage in concentrate, 3% normal neem foliage in concentrate, 6% normal neem foliage in concentrate and control treatment. The feeding of 6% purple neem foliage in concentrate had higher (p < 0.01) N intake, N urine, N digestion, N digestion (%), N retention and N retention (%) than the other treatments. The goats receiving 6% purple neem foliage in concentrate had no negative effect (p < 0.01) on pH but had a higher (p < 0.01) level of ammonia nitrogen, BUN, acetic acid, propionic acid, ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid and total VFA at 2 and 4 h after feeding compared to the other treatments. The effect of anthocyanin-rich 6% purple neem foliage was shown to be higher than the other treatments (p < 0.01) for total bacteria, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Streptococcus bovis at 2 and 4 h after feeding. The goats fed 6% purple neem foliage displayed higher (p < 0.01) levels of total antioxidant (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and catalase (CAT) antioxidant activity in plasma at 2 and 4 h after feeding. The goats fed 6% purple neem foliage had lower (p < 0.01) protozoa methanogen and malondialdehyde (MDA) at 2 and 4 h after feeding. In developing growing goats, the introduction of anthocyanin-rich purple neem foliage boosted plasma antioxidant capacity, improved rumen volatile fatty acids and caused a shift in the structure and relative abundance of the ruminal microbial community.

Empirical Evaluation and Prediction of Protein Requirements for Maintenance and Growth of 18-24 Months Old Thai Swamp Buffaloes

Simple Summary

Thai swamp buffalo is a domesticated swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) which has a functional significance for the livestock production system and for the economic benefit of Thailand. For instance, meat supply derived from Thai swamp buffalo is a secondary consideration in recently years. Therefore, there is mounting interest concerning the regulation of the nutrient requirements of Thai swamp buffalo to optimize their production. However, no systematic report is available on the nutrient requirements of the growing Thai swamp buffalo. This study investigates and predicts protein requirement systems that can provide an abundant energy intake and can be included in the 18–24 months old Thai swamp buffalo’s diet, as well as supply the recommended amount of net nitrogen or crude protein requirement to optimize their growth and maintenance. Protein requirement, nutrient utilization, and microorganism profile are included to corroborate the influences mentioned.

Abstract

In some geographical areas and in certain breeding situations, the interpretation of increased gain in the bovine is difficult to investigate. Due to their inherent genetic variations, their energy and protein needs vary as a function of inherent genetic differences, making these requirements difficult to accurately assess in bull species, e.g., Thai swamp buffalo. The study aimed at investigating and predicting protein requirement systems, by the provision of an abundant energy intake of 2.2 Mcal/kg DM for the maintenance and growth of Thai swamp buffaloes using a comparative prolonged feeding trial for 90 days. Sixteen bull Thai swamp buffaloes at the initial (Age: 18–24 months; BW: 233 ± 25.0 kg) were assigned into four treatment groups, four buffaloes each, fed 5.4, 6.6, 8.5, and 10.5% DM crude protein (CP). CP intake, BW, and physiological fluid were determined. The net CP requirements for maintenance and growth of Thai swamp buffaloes were 5.41 g CP/kg W^0.75 and 0.46 g CP/g average daily gain (ADG), respectively. Our results indicated that CP requirement increases when the BW increases. An increased dietary CP resulted in increased amounts of blood urine nitrogen (N), N absorption, total volatile fatty acid, urinary purine derivative, and the microbial N. Notably, the net CP requirement for growth of Thai swamp buffalo was higher than it reported in NRC, but the maintenance was lower.

Optimization of a minimal synergistic enzyme system for hydrolysis of raw cassava pulp

Cassava pulp is an underused agricultural by-product comprising residual starch granules entrapped in cell wall polysaccharides, making it unique from other lignocellulosic wastes in terms of enzymatic processing.