A Review Regarding the Use of Molasses in Animal Nutrition

Supplemental effects of different production methods of pine needle additives on growth performance, intestinal environment, meat quality and serum of broiler chickens

OBJECTIVE

Pine needles are rich in many nutrients and exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant biological activities; however, the effects of different production methods of pine needle additives on the growth performance and intestinal flora of broiler chickens are not known.

METHODS

Normal diets were supplemented with pine needle fermentation juice (PNF), pine needle soaking juice (PNS), or pine needle powder (PNP), and the associated effects on growth performance, relative organ weights, intestinal development, intestinal histological morphology, intestinal flora, meat quality, and serum indicators in broiler chickens were observed.

RESULTS

The results showed that PNF, PNS, and PNP all significantly improved feed utilisation and promoted the growth and development of broilers. All three additives also significantly improved the structure of the intestinal flora, specifically increasing the diversity of bacteria; increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium, Rikenella, and Blautia; and decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus. The antioxidant properties of pine needles were also found to intensify lipid metabolic reactions in the blood, thus leading to lower triglycerides and total cholesterol. Meanwhile, high doses of PNF reduced jejunum and ileum weights and also increased meat yellowness. Lastly, none of PNF, PNS, or PNP had an effect on relative organ weights or intestinal histological morphology.

CONCLUSION

The addition of pine needles to the diet of broiler chickens can effectively promote their growth performance as well as improve their intestinal flora and serum status without side effects; in particular, the dose of 0.2% of either PNF and PNS is expected to have the capacity to replace growth-promoting antibiotics as diet additives.

Effect of cassava pulp treated with Lactobacillus casei TH14, urea, and molasses on gas kinetics, rumen fermentation, and degradability using the in vitro gas technique

This study focused on examining the gas dynamics, rumen fermentation, and digestibility of ensiled cassava pulp (CSVP) using Lactobacillus casei TH14, urea, and molasses in the context of a laboratory experiment. All data in this study were analyzed using treatments arranged in 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangements using a completely randomized design. The L.casei TH14 additive (L) was factor A. Factor B was the molasses additive (M), while factor C was urea (U). There was no interaction effect of L, U, and M on gas production, volatile fatty acid (VFA) content, pH value, or ammonia-nitrogen level (P<0.05). The interaction of L, U, and M influenced in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) at 12 h (P < 0.05), and the CSVP fermented with the additions of L, U, and M together (LUM) was higher than the additions of CON, M, U, UM, and L on IVDMD (P < 0.05). However, the IVDMD values of adding LUM were higher in the control group (CON), M, U, UM, and L additive groups (P < 0.05). There was an interaction effect of L, U, and M on the protozoal count at 8 h (P<0.05), which had a lower protozoal count in the control group. In addition, acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations at 4 h and 8 h (P<0.05) were increased during the fermentation of CSVP using L and M combinations. Furthermore, the combination of U and M enhanced (P<0.05) average acetic acid, propionic acid, and pH at 4 h and 8 h while reducing (P<0.05) the gas generation from the insoluble portion (b). It was suggested that utilizing L. casei TH14 together with urea and molasses can enhance nutrient contents and improve the in vitro dry matter digestibility of CSVP, although it has no effect on ruminal fermentation or gas production.

The Chemical Characteristics and In Vitro Degradability of Pineapple By-Products as Potential Feed for Ruminants

Pineapple fruit, which is cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas, is processed by the food industry, generating a large amount of waste. Using pineapple by-products in animal nutrition could reduce feeding costs and contribute to the containment of pollution. The chemical composition and the in vitro fermentation of five pineapple by-products (crown, bud end, peel, core, and pomace) from two West African pineapple varieties (Smooth Cayenne-SC and Sugarloaf-SL) were evaluated. Significant differences were observed between the varieties and by-products. The dry matter (DM) content was low and superimposable between varieties, averaging 17.7%. On a DM basis, pomace showed the highest protein content (SC 8.10% and SL 8.81%, p < 0.001), whereas the crown showed the highest (p < 0.001) NDF content (47.62% and 39.01% for SC and SL, respectively). Due the high sugar content, the core and pomace showed high in vitro organic matter degradability (SC: 85.09% and SL: 83.98%), estimated metabolizable energy (SC: 7.91 KJ/kg and SL: 7.66 KJ/kg), and volatile fatty acid production (96.86 mmol/g and 90.62 mmol/g). Based on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility results, this study suggests that pineapple by-products have the potential to be used in ruminants' diets, considering the crown, bud end, and peel as fiber sources and the core and pomace as substitutes or supplements to concentrate feedstuffs. Further research should be conducted on the storability of these by-products through in vivo trials evaluating animals' performances and the quality of their products.

Multi-omics characterization of the microbial populations and chemical space composition of a water kefir fermentation

In recent years, the popularity of fermented foods has strongly increased based on their proven health benefits and the adoption of new trends among consumers. One of these health-promoting products is water kefir, which is a fermented sugary beverage based on kefir grains (symbiotic colonies of yeast, lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria). According to previous knowledge and the uniqueness of each water kefir fermentation, the following project aimed to explore the microbial and chemical composition of a water kefir fermentation and its microbial consortium, through the integration of culture-dependent methods, compositional metagenomics, and untargeted metabolomics. These methods were applied in two types of samples: fermentation grains (inoculum) and fermentation samples collected at different time points. A strains culture collection of ∼90 strains was established by means of culture-dependent methods, mainly consisting of individuals of Pichia membranifaciens, Acetobacter orientalis, Lentilactobacillus hilgardii, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Acetobacter pomorum, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Pichia kudriavzevii, Acetobacter pasteurianus, Schleiferilactobacillus harbinensis, and Kazachstania exigua, which can be further studied for their use in synthetic consortia formulation. In addition, metabarcoding of each fermentation time was done by 16S and ITS sequencing for bacteria and yeast, respectively. The results show strong population shifts of the microbial community during the fermentation time course, with an enrichment of microbial groups after 72 h of fermentation. Metataxonomics results revealed Lactobacillus and Acetobacter as the dominant genera for lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria, whereas, for yeast, P. membranifaciens was the dominant species. In addition, correlation and systematic analyses of microbial growth patterns and metabolite richness allowed the recognition of metabolic enrichment points between 72 and 96 h and correlation between microbial groups and metabolite abundance (e.g., Bile acid conjugates and Acetobacter tropicalis). Metabolomic analysis also evidenced the production of bioactive compounds in this fermented matrix, which have been associated with biological activities, including antimicrobial and antioxidant. Interestingly, the chemical family of Isoschaftosides (C-glycosyl flavonoids) was also found, representing an important finding since this compound, with hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity, had not been previously reported in this matrix. We conclude that the integration of microbial biodiversity, cultured species, and chemical data enables the identification of relevant microbial population patterns and the detection of specific points of enrichment during the fermentation process of a food matrix, which enables the future design of synthetic microbial consortia, which can be used as targeted probiotics for digestive and metabolic health.

The Impact of Biotechnologically Produced Lactobionic Acid in the Diet of Lactating Dairy Cows on Their Performance and Quality Traits of Milk

Dairy processing is one of the most polluting sectors of the food industry as it causes water pollution. Given considerable whey quantities obtained via traditional cheese and curd production methods, manufacturers worldwide are encountering challenges for its rational use. However, with the advancement in biotechnology, the sustainability of whey management can be fostered by applying microbial cultures for the bioconversion of whey components such as lactose to functional molecules. The present work was undertaken to demonstrate the potential utilization of whey for producing a fraction rich in lactobionic acid (Lba), which was further used in the dietary treatment of lactating dairy cows. The analysis utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index (HPLC-RID) detection confirmed the abundance of Lba in biotechnologically processed whey, corresponding to 11.3 g L^-1. The basic diet of two dairy cow groups involving nine animals, Holstein Black and White or Red breeds in each, was supplemented either with 1.0 kg sugar beet molasses (Group A) or 5.0 kg of the liquid fraction containing 56.5 g Lba (Group B). Overall, the use of Lba in the diet of dairy cows during the lactation period equal to molasses affected cows' performances and quality traits, especially fat composition. The observed values of urea content revealed that animals of Group B and, to a lesser extent, Group A received a sufficient amount of proteins, as the amount of urea in the milk decreased by 21.7% and 35.1%, respectively. After six months of the feeding trial, a significantly higher concentration of essential amino acids (AAs), i.e., isoleucine and valine, was observed in Group B. The percentage increase corresponded to 5.8% and 3.3%, respectively. A similar trend of increase was found for branched-chain AAs, indicating an increase of 2.4% compared with the initial value. Overall, the content of fatty acids (FAs) in milk samples was affected by feeding. Without reference to the decrease in individual FAs, the higher values of monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) were achieved via the supplementation of lactating cows' diets with molasses. In contrast, the dietary inclusion of Lba in the diet promoted an increase in saturated FA (SFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) content in the milk after six months of the feeding trial.

Supplementation of Molasses-Based Liquid Feed for Cattle Fed on Limpograss Hay

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of (1) different levels of liquid supplementation (LS) based on molasses enriched with 32% (as fed; 45% on DM basis) crude protein (CP) on intake of Hemarthria altissima hay (LH), digestibility, and rumen fermentation, and (2) different levels of LS based on molasses enriched with 32% CP in the in vitro gas production in LH diets. In Exp. 1, twelve heifers and 12 adult male castrated and cannulated cattle were used. Treatments were allocated in a randomized block design, in four treatments: (CTL) access ad libitum to the LH; (SUP2) ad libitum access to LH and supplementation with 0.9 kg d−1; (SUP4) ad libitum access to LH and supplementation with 1.8 kg d−1 and; (SUP6) ad libitum access to LH with 2.7 kg d−1. In Exp. 2, treatments were carried out in a randomized block design with four different proportions of LH diet: (CTL) 100 LH, (SUP2) 85 LH and 15 LS, (SUP4) 70 LH and 30 LS, (SUP6) 55 LH and 45% LS. In Exp. 1, liquid molasses-based supplementation did not affect LH intake (p > 0.05). Molasses intake improved as the supply increased, not reducing the intake of LH. In Exp. 2, the addition of LS to the LH caused a change in the VFA profile, with an increase in propionate production in vitro.

Is Dairy Effluent an Alternative for Maize Crop Fertigation in Semiarid Regions? An Approach to Agronomic and Environmental Effects

Simple Summary

Dairy effluent can be an environmental problem if it is not properly managed. Several application technologies exist for its reuse as a source of nutrients in agricultural crops. Our study provides new information on GHG emissions after the application of dairy effluent through a subsurface drip irrigation system on a semiarid soil of the southern Pampean Region (Argentina). In addition, some edaphic properties are compared with conventional chemical fertilization on the yield of a corn crop, contributing as a proposal for an improvement in agricultural sustainability.

Abstract

The reuse of effluents from intensive dairy farms combined with localized irrigation techniques (fertigation) has become a promising alternative to increase crop productivity while reducing the environmental impact of waste accumulation and industrial fertilizers production. Currently, the reuse of dairy effluents through fertigation by subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems is of vital importance for arid regions but it has been poorly studied. The present study aimed to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, soil properties, and crop yield of a maize crop fertigated with either treated dairy effluent or dissolved granulated urea applied through an SDI system at a normalized N application rate of 200 kg N ha⁻¹. Fertilizer application was divided into six fertigation events. GHG fluxes were measured during fertigation (62-day) using static chambers. Soil properties were measured previous to fertilizer applications and at the harvest coinciding with crop yield estimation. A slight increase in soil organic matter was observed in both treatments for the 20–60 cm soil depth. Both treatments also showed similar maize yields, but the dairy effluent increased net GHG emissions more than urea during the fertigation period. Nevertheless, the net GHG emissions from the dairy effluent were lower than the theoretical CO₂eq emission that would have been emitted during urea manufacturing or the longer storage of the effluent if it had not been used, showing the need for life-cycle assessments. Local-specific emission factors for N₂O were determined (0.07%), which were substantially lower than the default value (0.5%) of IPCC 2019. Thus, the subsurface drip irrigation systems can lead to low GHG emissions, although further studies are needed.

Feeding Thai Native Sheep Molasses Either Alone or in Combination with Urea-Fermented Sugarcane Bagasse: The Effects on Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Hematological Parameters

The purpose of this study was to find out how adding molasses to fermented sugarcane bagasse (FSB) alone or in combination with urea affected sheep’s rumen fermentation, hematological parameters, and ability to digest nutrients. Four Thai native sheep with an initial body weight (BW) of 20.87 ± 1.95 kg and 11 ± 1.0 months old were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 periods of 14-d adaptation and 7 d of sample collection. Each treatment received a different combination of experimental roughage as follows: FSB without additives (T1), FSB + 10% molasses (T2), FSB + 20% molasses (T3), and FSB + 10% molasses + 3% urea (T4). The concentrate diet was fed twice daily at 2% BW, while roughage sources were provided ad libitum for each treatment. The crude protein (CP) digestibility in the T2 and T3 groups was higher (p < 0.05) than in the FSB group without additions, with the T4 group having the highest (p < 0.05). Although there were no significant differences in blood glucose, packed cell volume, ruminal pH, ammonia−nitrogen (NH3-N), propionic acid, or acetic acid, the plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) at 0 h was highest in the T4 group (p < 0.05) compared with the other groups. However, the proportion of butyric acid tended to be higher in all FSB groups with additives. Thus, the current experiment concluded that the addition of molasses alone or in combination with urea had positive effects on pH and LAB population, and including both together in FSB improved the CP digestibility of sheep. In conclusion, FSB with 10% molasses and 3% urea might be used as an alternate roughage source for ruminants without affecting the animal’s ruminal fermentation or hematological parameters.

Improvement of Rumen Fermentation Efficiency Using Different Energy Sources: In Vitro Comparison between Buffalo and Cow

During haymaking and ensilage, a significant loss of sugars occurs. The addition of a total mixed ratio (TMR) with a liquid feed might provide promptly utilisable energy and recover the nutrients lost during the conservation. Interesting results were already obtained by including liquid feed in a TMR in a dairy cow. However, the possibility to also utilize them in Italian Mediterranean buffalo is not yet supported by data. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro fermentation characteristics and kinetics of different types of liquid feed, utilising bovine and buffalo rumen liquor as inocula. TMR supplemented with 0.025 g of four different liquid feeds was incubated with the TMR as control with buffalo and bovine rumen fluid using in vitro gas production technique. Considering bovine inoculum, all the experimental diets showed lower organic matter degradability and higher volatile fatty acid production than control TMR, while with buffalo rumen liquor, significant differences were observed between experimental and control diets in terms of gas production and fermentation kinetics. The tested liquid feeds can have different fermentation patterns depending on their ingredients and compositions. Supplementing liquid feeds to a standard diet seems to provide a source of energy that improves fermentation. No negative effects were observed on the in vitro fermentation at the dosage utilised.

Ruminant Lick Blocks, Particularly in China: A Review

A lick block (LB) is a solidified mixture of molasses, urea, minerals, filler, coagulant and binder that is supplemented to livestock mainly in relatively extensive rearing systems. It provides nutrients, such as soluble sugars, proteins, minerals and vitamins to balance dietary intake and can improve rumen fermentation and facilitate digestion and absorption of nutrients. These supplements improve livestock production, reproduction and carcass quality. In addition, LB can partially replace concentrate, serve as a delivery vehicle for additives such as enzymes and drugs and mediate the distribution of grazing livestock. This paper classifies and analyzes representative research; discusses the types, ingredients and current status of the utilization of LB; and systematically reviews the processing technology, quality assessment, influencing factors of intake, action mechanism and application. This review can provide a basis for the development, popularization and application of novel LB products.

Optimizing Anthocyanin-Rich Black Cane (Saccharum sinensis Robx.) Silage for Ruminants Using Molasses and Iron Sulphate: A Sustainable Alternative

Anthocyanin-rich black cane (aBC) is a grass rich in lignin and carbohydrates, with an abundance of anthocyanins. Silages of aBC produced with molasses (MS) and/or ferrous sulphate (FS) mixtures may have beneficial effects on silage quality and animal performance in ruminants. However, the addition of MS and FS to ensiled grass is relatively unexplored. Therefore, this study systematically evaluated the effect of their administration at different doses to select an effective treatment to modulate the ensiling characteristics of aBC. In the first trial, fresh or pre-ensiled materials (PBC) were compared with ensiled PBC treated with: 0% MS 0% FS, 4% MS, 8% MS, 0.015% FS, 0.030% FS, 4% MS + 0.015% FS, 4% MS + 0.030% FS, 8% MS + 0.015% FS, and 8% MS + 0.030% FS on a fresh matter basis. The quality of ensiling characteristics was determined in laboratory-scale silos after 42 d of preservation. Based on these results, the second trial was further conducted in rumen cultures to ensure that the selected treatment would not impair rumen fermentation. For this, ruminal biogases, rumen fermentation profiles, and microbial communities were evaluated. Ensiled PBC with the incremental addition of MS and FS resulted in the observations for anthocyanin contents and the ensiling characteristics of the aBC silages. The combination of MS (4%) and FS (0.030%) incorporated into silages had the highest silage production effect among the experimental treatments. This combination demonstrated the sustainable mitigation of the ruminal biogases of methane and carbon dioxide without impairment of total gas production. Concurrently, this combination improved total volatile fatty acid concentrations, modulated cellulolytic bacteria, and suppressed methanogenic bacteria in rumen fluids. The results presented here indicated that addition of a mixture of 4% MS and 0.030% FS to aBC resulted in an optimal balance of ensiling characteristics and is suitable for use in ruminants.

Use of Molasses-Based Blocks to Modify Grazing Patterns and Increase Highland Cattle Impacts on Alnus viridis-Encroached Pastures

Alnus viridis is a pioneer species that has expanded in Central Europe in the last decades, causing a series of negative agro-environmental impacts. Robust livestock grazing could be used as a targeted tool to reduce its encroachment, but more information is needed to find the best approach to achieve this goal. In this study, we assessed the potential of molasses-based blocks (MB) to lure Highland cattle into A. viridis-encroached areas and monitored impacts on the vegetation after grazing. In 2019 and 2020, two Highland cattle herds equipped with GPS collars were placed in three paddocks in the Swiss and Italian Alps, differing in the degree of A. viridis encroachment. In 2020, MB were added to highly encroached areas within each paddock to attract the herds to feed on A. viridis. Botanical surveys were carried out before and after grazing, around MB and control areas. Highland cattle grazed significantly more around MB (up to 50 m from the MB) compared to the previous year (i.e., same area without MB) and compared to control areas. The increased targeted grazing around MB led to a significant decrease in herbaceous cover and an increase in bare soil compared to control areas. Livestock grazing and trampling significantly reduced the cover of ferns, tall herbs, medium and small herbs, and woody species around MB compared to control areas. A. viridis leaves and branches were significantly removed and damaged up to 10 m from the MB, due to the more intense livestock grazing. Such results highlight the potential of this management regime to effectively reduce A. viridis encroachment in montane grasslands.

Silage Fermentation Quality, Anthocyanin Stability, and in vitro Rumen Fermentation Characteristic of Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate-Treated Black Cane (Saccharum sinensis R.)

Pretreatment of lignocellulose agricultural biomass with iron prior to ensiling is required to accelerate biomass breakdown during fermentation, which could result in functional microorganisms and chemicals that reduce nutrition loss, harmful substances, and improve animal performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of increasing dilutions of ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FS) pretreatment at fresh matter concentrations of 0, 0.015, and 0.030% on the fermentation quality of black cane (BC) silage, anthocyanin stability, ruminal biogas, rumen fermentation profile, and microbial community. Pre-ensiled and silage materials were evaluated. High moisture, fiber, anthocyanin, and lignification of biomass, as well as undesirable ensiling microorganisms, were found in BC' pre-ensiled form. Increasing dilutions of FS incorporated into silages were observed to linearly decrease dry matter, anthocyanin, and nutritive value losses. The lignin values decreased linearly as the percentage of FS increased up to 0.030%. Given that the ruminants were fed pre-ensiled materials, BC silage treated with 0.030% FS dilution had comparable results to pre-ensiled BC in terms of increasing in vitro volatile fatty acid concentrations, maintaining total gas production, and reducing methane production, when compared to other FS-treated silages. In addition, BC silage treated with a 0.030% FS dilution inhibited methanogenic bacteria and regulated cellulolytic bacteria in rumen fluid. Overall, the anthocyanin content of BC remained constant throughout the rumen fermentation process after increasing dilutions of FS, indicating that BC is a viable ruminant feedstock and that pretreatment of BC with dilute FS-assisted ensiling at 0.030% could be used to generate ruminant diets.

A Review of Biomass Briquette Binders and Quality Parameters

The adverse effect of the use of fossil fuels on the environment and public health has given rise to a sustained renewable energy research and development. An important component of global renewable energy mix is the use of loose biomass, including agricultural and forestry residues, to produce solid fuels in the form of briquettes. Briquettes play a significant role in bioenergy mix in developing and developed countries. The production of biomass briquettes often entails the collection, transportation, storage, processing, and compaction of loose biomass that meet specific quality parameters. The densification process often involves the addition of binders to improve the cohesive strength of the briquette material. This paper surveys recent literature from 2012 to 2021 to establish the current state of research on the use of binders in briquette production; and reviews current parameters used in assessing the quality of biomass briquettes with focus on mechanical and handling properties. While a number of quality parameters were identified, their assessment methodologies varied widely in the literature, thus necessitating standardization for comparability purposes. The review also includes factors affecting the wide production and adoption of biomass briquettes in most developing economies and proposes ways of overcoming the bottlenecks.

Effect of Novel Aspergillus and Neurospora species-Based Additive on Ensiling Parameters and Biomethane Potential of Sugar Beet Leaves

Research on additives that improve the quality of silages for an enhanced and sustainable biogas production are limited in the literature. Frequently used additives such as lactic acid bacteria enhance the quality of silages but have no significant effect on biogas yield. This study investigated the effect of a new enzymatic additive on the quality of ensiling and BMP of sugar beet leaves. Sugar beet leaves were ensiled with and without the additive (Aspergillus- and Neurospora-based additive) in ratios of 50:1 (A50:1), 150:1 (B150:1), and 500:1 (C500:1) (gsubstrate/gadditive) for 370 days at ambient temperature. Results showed that silages with additive had lower yeast activity and increased biodegradability compared to silages without additive (control). The additive increased the BMP by 45.35%, 24.23%, and 21.69% in silages A50:1, B150:1, and C500:1 respectively, compared to silages without additive (control). Although the novel enzyme is in its early stage, the results indicate that it has a potential for practical application at an additive to substrate ratio (g/g) of 1:50. The use of sugar beet leaves and the novel enzyme for biogas production forms part of the circular economy since it involves the use of wastes for clean energy production.

Cane Molasses and Oligofructose in the Diet of Laying Hens Improves the Mineral Content of Eggs and Meat

Poultry-based foods contribute to human health due to their high nutrient value. Previously, it was shown that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by in vitro intestinal fermentation of a molasses and oligofructose mixture (M-O) stimulated iron and calcium transport through the colonic epithelium of laying hens. However, the real impact of including M-O mixture in the diet on the mineral content of poultry products had not yet been demonstrated. In this study, Hy-Line W-36 leghorn hens were assigned into two groups that either received a conventional diet or a diet supplemented with cane molasse and oligofructose, over a period of 42 days. The weight of the animals and their eggs, blood parameters and intestinal epithelium integrity were determined. Intestinal bacteria, their fermentation products, and the mineral content of eggs, bones and muscles were also assessed. The experimental diet proved to be safe, favored the proliferation of SCFA producing bacteria in the intestines, led to higher concentration of acids (mainly SCFA) in the digesta, and induced the elongation of microvilli at the apical tip of enterocytes. Mineral content of eggs and meat were improved after four weeks of feeding with the experimental diet compared to the conventional one. Higher iron content was observed in the edible portion of eggs and leg muscle, and higher calcium content was observed in the egg edible portion and shell in hens fed the supplemented diet. This feeding strategy could be useful to improve the mineral content of poultry products and therefore human nutrition, while diversifying molasses applications.

Natural sweeteners: Sources, extraction and current uses in foods and food industries

Food producers have leaned towards alternative natural and synthetic sweeteners in food formulations to satisfy market demands. Even so, several synthetic sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, saccharin, sucralose) are becoming less popular due to health-related concerns, lower nutritional values, and controversies around their safety. Conversely, natural sweeteners confer favourable customer perceptions due to their association to a healthier lifestyle and higher nutritional values. This article discusses the evidence of natural sweeteners in the available commercial products. A comprehensive review of natural sweeteners is presented, which includes their resources, properties and extraction methods, as well as a discussion on several emerging technologies that offer improvements to the traditional extraction methods. Finally, the progress of natural sweeteners in the food industry is assessed, and the commercial food products containing these natural sweeteners are mentioned.

Beet Molasses Enhance Salinity Tolerance in Thymus serpyllum-A Study under Greenhouse Condition

The growing demand for Thymus serpyllum biomass to produce drugs, cosmetics and spices necessitates the search for innovative methods mitigating the negative effects of environmental stressors in order to improve its yield under unfavorable conditions. Due to the exposure of plants to salinity stress (SS), we investigated the effect of sugar beet molasses (SBM) on the growth and biochemical parameters related to plants’ response to SS. Wild thyme plants were treated for 5 weeks to sodium chloride and 3% molasses solution using two modes of application (soil irrigation or foliar sprays). Plants irrigated by SBM showed slighter stem growth inhibition than control plants, high stress tolerance index and maintained a constant root water content under salt stress. Moreover plants treated with 100 mM NaCl and soil-applied SBM had lower lipid peroxidation level, showed lower POD activity, higher total soluble protein content and maintained a more even free amino acids level, compared to the control treatments. The concentration of potassium ions was higher in the case of plant roots irrigation with sugar beet molasses compared to control plants. In this experiment, most of the growth and biochemical parameters from foliar molasses-sprayed plants did not differ significantly from the control. We provided evidence that soil-applied SBM beneficially changed the plant’s biochemical response to salt stress. On the basis of the obtained results, we conclude that this soil amendment contributes to the strengthening of plant protection against this harmful environmental factor.

Highly efficient production of transfructosylating enzymes using low-cost sugarcane molasses by A. pullulans FRR 5284

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of important prebiotics and produced by transfructosylating enzymes. In this study, sugarcane molasses was used as the substrate for production of transfructosylating enzymes by Aureobasidium pullulans FRR 5284. NaNO3 was a superior nitrogen source to yeast extract for production of transfructosylating enzymes by A. pullulans FRR 5284 and decreasing the ratio of NaNO3 to yeast extract nitrogen from 1:0 to 1:1 resulted in the reduction of the total transfructosylating activity from 109.8 U/mL to 82.5 U/mL. The addition of only 4.4 g/L NaNO3 into molasses-based medium containing 100 g/L mono- and di-saccharides resulted in total transfructosylating activity of 123.8 U/mL. Scale-up of the A. pullulans FRR 5284 transfructosylating enzyme production process from shake flasks to 1 L bioreactors improved the enzyme activity and productivity to 171.7 U/mL and 3.58 U/mL/h, 39% and 108% higher than those achieved from shake flasks, respectively. Sucrose (500 g/L) was used as a substrate for extracellular, intracellular, and total A. pullulans FRR 5284 transfructosylating enzymes, with a maximum yield of 61%. Intracellular, extracellular, and total A. pullulans FRR 5284 transfructosylating enzymes from different production systems resulted in different FOS profiles, indicating that FOS profiles can be controlled by adjusting intracellular and extracellular enzyme ratios and, hence prebiotic activity.

Nutritional Potentials of Atypical Feed Ingredients for Broiler Chickens and Pigs

Simple Summary

Common feed ingredients such as corn, barley, wheat, soybean meal, and canola meal are used to feed broiler chickens and pigs in various countries around the world. However, due to rising costs and the need to practice sustainable animal husbandry, concerted efforts have been aimed at identifying and examining the nutritional potentials of atypical feed ingredients for pigs and chickens. Although there are some articles and reviews that discuss the potential of a single or few feed ingredients for either chickens or pigs, there has not been an extensive review that integrates information from several alternative feed ingredients for both species in one place. Therefore, this review aims to enumerate several feed ingredients that have shown prospects in supplying either one or more nutrients to pigs and chickens while reducing the dependence on commonly used feedstuff. In addition, feeding practices, merits, and limitations associated with these uncommon feed ingredients are discussed. Furthermore, practical applications of these alternative feed ingredients in relation to either pigs or chickens are briefly examined.

Abstract

Diets play an important part in monogastric nutrition. This is because diets are comprised of various feed ingredients that supply energy and nutrients required by broiler chickens or pigs for normal growth and development. The main feed ingredients used for formulating diets for pigs and chickens are comprised of cereals and oilseed meals. Corn and soybean meal (SBM) are mostly used in North America for animal feeds. However, due to geographical locations, availability, and cost, ingredients such as wheat, barley, and canola meal are often used for feeding pigs and chickens. Overdependence on common ingredients such as corn and SBM for decades has resulted in rising costs of animal production. Therefore, the need has risen to examine the potentials of alternative feed ingredients capable of supplying the required energy and nutrients for monogastric animals. Research has been carried out to identify and evaluate several uncommon feed ingredients and their utilization by broiler chickens and pigs. Thus, this review enumerates the nutritional potentials of feed ingredients in 4 main nutritional classes using information from articles in peer-reviewed journals. Feeding practices, advantages, and limitations of using certain uncommon feed ingredients are discussed. In addition, species-specific factors in terms of practical applications are explored.