Ruminal methane emission and lactational performance of cows fed rapeseed cake and oats on a grass silage-based diet

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of lipid from rapeseed cake and oats on ruminal CH4 emission and lactational performance of dairy cows. Twelve lactating Nordic Red cows, of which 4 primiparous, and averaging (±SD) 48 ± 22.9 DIM, 37.8 ± 7.14 kg/d milk yield were enrolled in a switch-back design experiment with 3 periods of 4 wk each. The cows were assigned into 6 pairs based on parity and days-in-milk, milk yield, and body weight at the beginning of the experiment. The experimental treatments were 1) rapeseed cake and oats (RSC+O), and 2) rapeseed meal and barley (RSM+B) as the concentrate feeds. Cows in each pair were randomly assigned to one of the 2 groups, which received the treatments in 2 different sequences, i.e., group 1 received RSC+O in period 1 and 3, and RSM+B in period 2, whereas group 2 was fed RSM+B in period 1 and 3, and RSC+O in period 2. The diets consisted of a partially mixed ration with grass silage mixed with either oats or barley, according to the treatment sequence, and the rapeseed cake or meal being mixed into a pellet with either oats or barley according to the treatments, and a mineral mix. The pellet was delivered at a fixed amount (i.e., 6 kg/d for multiparous and 5 kg/d for the primiparous cows) from the milking robot. The actual forage to concentrate ratios for RSC+O and RSM+B were 51:49 and 52:48, respectively, with NDF concentrations of 41.5 and 36.0% and CP concentrations of 17.0 and 16.7% of diet DM. Dry matter intake, milk yield, and gas exchange (with a GreenFeed system attached to the milking robot) were recorded daily, and milk composition and spot fecal samples were collected during the last wk of each period. Based on feed analysis, and dry matter intake of the cows during the experiment, the total fat content of the experimental diets was 4.1 and 2.7% of DM for RSC+O and RSM+B diets, respectively. Dry matter intake was 1.5 kg/d lower, and milk yield tended to be 1.0 kg/d greater for RSC+O vs. RSM+B. There were no differences in energy-corrected milk yield and milk composition between the treatments, while milk metabolizable energy efficiency was greater for cows fed RSC+O than RSM+B. Methane yield (g/kg dry matter intake) did not differ between treatments, but CH4 production (g/d) was 9.4% and CH4 intensity as g/kg energy-corrected milk was 11.7% lower for RSC+O vs. RSM+B. The lower CH4 production was likely caused by the lower DMI and fiber digestibility, observed with the RSC+O diet. In addition, the greater lipid intake also contributed to lower rate of fermentation and subsequent decrease in CH4 production. Overall, feeding rapeseed cake with oats in a grass silage-based diet increased feed efficiency while decreasing CH4 emission intensity in lactating cows. This provides a practical way of mitigating ruminal CH4 emission from dairy operations while maintaining milk production with commonly utilized feed stuffs in Nordic conditions.

Degradation of lignocellulosic matrix of oilseed cakes by solid-state fermentation: fungi screening for enzymes production and antioxidants release

BACKGROUND

Vegetable oils are yearly produced in large amounts generating solid by-products, the oilseed cake (OC). OCs are lignocellulosic materials that have been used for animal feed with some limitations due to high fibre content from the plant cell walls. Biotechnological processes can help to overcome these limitations and contribute to up-grading such by-products, enhancing their nutritional value as feed ingredients.

RESULTS

All fungal species were able to decrease neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre in all by-products. Additionally, relevant enzymes were produced by the three fungi studied resulting in an improved antioxidant capacity of all fermented OCs. Aspergillus niger led to the highest activity of cellulase (109 U g^-1 ), xylanase (692 U g^-1 ) and protease (157 U g^-1 ) per dry OC matter and to the recovery of an extract rich in antioxidants, with the highest scavenging potential of free radicals and superoxide anion, iron chelation ability and reducing power. Rhyzopus oryzae produced the highest activity of β-glucosidase (503 U g^-1 ) and led to the highest liberation of total phenolic content (TPC). Principal components analysis showed that extracts with high antioxidant potential were obtained in solid-state fermentation (SSF) with high enzymatic activity. A positive correlation was established between the action of β-glucosidase and TPC.

CONCLUSION

Within the same bioprocess it was possible to improve the nutritional value of OCs and to obtain relevant bioactive compounds such as lignocellulosic enzymes and phenolic compounds with antioxidant potential, resulting in a significant improvement of already valuable by-products with commercial interest for animal feed. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Effects of nitrogen reduction combined with organic materials on crop yield, photosynthetic characteristics, and product quality of corn-cabbage rotation system]

Nitrogen reduction combined with organic materials is an important measure to achieve or even increase crop yield retention at the background of fertilizer reduction. We conducted a pot experiment to explore the effects of nitrogen reduction combined with organic materials on yield, photosynthetic characteristics, and product quality of agricultural products of maize-cabbage rotation system in yellow soil area of Guizhou. There were five treatments, including no fertilizer (CK), conventional fertilizer (CF), nitrogen reduction (20%, the same below) combined with biochar (RF+B), nitrogen reduction combined with rapeseed cake (RF+O), and nitrogen reduction combined with both biochar and rapeseed cake (RF+BO). Leaf photosynthetic characteristics were measured in maize (seedling stage, jointing stage, heading stage, and mature stage) and cabbage (seedling stage, growing stage and harvest stage). The biological characters, yield and quality indices were investigated in the harvest period. Compared with CF, RF+BO significantly enhanced the yield of corn and cabbage by 9.7% and 39.2%, respectively, while RF+O had no effect, and RF+B did not affet maize yield. RF+BO improved the biological properties of maize and cabbage, including the 100-kernel weight of maize, and plant height, maximum leaf length and total biomass of cabbage. Furthermore, the green holding period and high photosynthetic duration of maize and cabbage were prolonged, among which, maize leaf SPAD was increased respectively by 42.7%, 11.0%, 12.8%, and 30.3% at seedling, jointing, heading, and mature stages, the cabbage leaf SPAD was increased by 13.5%, 9.2%, and 30.3% in seedling, growing and harvest stages, respectively. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n) of maize was increased by 11.1%, 10.9%, and 119.8% in seedling, jointing, and mature stages, while that of cabbage was increased by 12.7% and 14.6% in growing and harvest stages, respectively. The stomatal conductance (g_s) of maize was increased by 58.3% and 41.7% in jointing and harvest stages, while that of cabbage was increased by 10%, 64.7%, and 19.2% in seedling, growing, and harvest stages, respectively. The transpiration rate (T_r) of maize was increased by 55.0%, 10.6%, 14.0%, and 143.9% in seedling, jointing, heading, and mature stages, respectively, while that of cabbage was increased by 26.1% in growing stage. The nutritional quality of maize and cabbage was significantly improved. The contents of reducing sugar, starch, and crude protein in maize were increased by 16.2%, 3.5% and 20.3%. The contents of Vc, amino acid, and reducing sugar in cabbage were increased by 26.3%, 21.0% and 27.8%, separately. In conclusion, 20% nitrogen reduction combined with biochar and rapeseed cake had positive effects on crop growth, yield increase, green retention period, high photosynthetic duration, and agricultural product quality improvement in Guizhou yellow soil maize-cabbage rotation system, the overall effect of which was the best. Nitrogen reduction combined with single organic material overally did not affect crop yield, photosynthetic characteristics, and quality.

Performance and Egg Quality of Laying Hens Fed Diets Containing Raw, Hydrobarothermally-Treated and Fermented Rapeseed Cake

The present study was conducted to investigate how raw rapeseed cake (RRC), hydrobarothermally-treated rapeseed cake (HRC) and fermented rapeseed cake (FRC) fed to laying hens over a period of 12 weeks affected their performance, and the quality, fatty acid (FA) profile and oxidative stability of eggs. A total of 304 Hy-Line Brown laying hens at 36 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design to four treatment groups with 38 replicates per treatment and two hens per replicate. The birds had ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the study. During the experiment, the birds were fed isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets in mash form, with various protein sources. In the control group (C), soybean meal (SBM) was the main source of dietary protein, whereas the experimental groups were fed diets containing 20% of RRC, HRC or FRC. Hydrobarothermal treatment and fermentation decreased the glucosinolate (GLS) content of RC, and fermentation reduced the concentration of phytate phosphorus (PP). In comparison with the RRC group, layers from the HRC and FRC groups were characterized by higher laying performance, comparable with that in group C. Irrespective of its physical form, RC added to layer diets adversely affected eggshell quality in all experimental groups, whereas albumen quality was highest in the FRC group. In comparison with group C, diets containing RRC, HRC and HRC led to a significant decrease in the content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), an increase in the proportion of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the total FA pool in egg yolks, and a decrease in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The inclusion of RRC, HRC and FRC in layer diets decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in egg yolks, relative to group C. Group FCR eggs were characterized by the highest activity of catalase (CAT) and the lowest lipid peroxides LOOH concentration, compared with the remaining groups. The addition of RC to layer diets did not compromise the sensory quality of eggs, and eggs produced in group FRC received the highest overall score. It can be concluded that the inclusion of 20% RRC, HRC and FRC in layer diets does not compromise the sensory quality of eggs and has a beneficial influence on the FA profile and antioxidant potential of egg yolks. The use of FRC is recommended because it contributes to the highest laying performance, superior albumen quality and the highest sensory quality of eggs, relative to RRC and HRC.

Comparison between the effects of feeding copper sulphate-treated and untreated rapeseed cake containing high glucosinolates on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and nitrogen metabolism in steers

Two trials were carried out to study the effects of copper sulphate (CuSO₄ ) on detoxifying glucosinolates (GLS) in rapeseed cake (RSC) and compare the effects of feeding CuSO₄ -treated and untreated RSC on nutrient digestion and nitrogen (N) metabolism in steers. In Trial 1, different concentrations of CuSO₄ solution (1.6 vs. 3.2 g CuSO₄ ·5H₂ O L^-1 ), soaking temperatures (25 vs. 60°C) and drying methods (air drying at 60°C vs. freeze drying) were allocated in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in vitro. In Trial 2, six steers and dietary inclusions of untreated RSC (control), CuSO₄ -treated RSC and CuSO₄ -added RSC were assigned in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. CuSO₄ treatment in vitro decreased the contents of GLS and thiocyanate (TC) in RSC (p < 0.001). The total amount of GLS and TC decreased by 62.7-68.5% for all treatments. The animal trial showed that CuSO₄ -treated RSC inclusion decreased ruminal concentration of valerate (p < 0.01), whereas it did not affect ruminal pH, ammonia N and total volatile fatty acids. Compared with the control, feeding CuSO₄ -treated or CuSO₄ -added RSC had no effect on plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxine, N excretion and N retention. CuSO₄ -treated RSC tended to increase neutral detergent fibre digestibility (p = 0.072) and urinary excretion of urea (p = 0.056). Urinary excretion of purine derivatives (p = 0.076) and rumen microbial N supply (p = 0.084) tended to decrease when feeding CuSO₄ -treated RSC versus control. TC was found to be the only metabolite of GLS in rumen fluid, plasma and urine. It was feasible to detoxify GLS in RSC using low CuSO₄ at room temperature. However, feeding CuSO₄ -treated or CuSO₄ -added RSC had minor effects on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and N metabolism in steers. CuSO₄ treatment on RSC for feeding steers seems to be unnecessary.

The Fermentation Process Improves the Nutritional Value of Rapeseed Cake for Turkeys-Effects on Performance, Gut Bacterial Population and Its Fermentative Activity

Simple Summary

Rapeseed cake (RC) could be valuable raw material in turkey diets, but its wide use is limited by the presence of anti-nutritional factors that are detrimental to gut function. The fermentation process contributes to the degradation of over 80% of carbohydrates, 30% of lignin, and 45% of total glucosinolates in RC, which are harmful to birds. Our research showed that fermentation can improve the nutritional value of RC, enabling good performance and maintainenance of a healthy gut in birds. Therefore, FRC appears to be highly promising in commercial turkey nutrition.

Abstract

This experiment investigated the potential inclusion of fermented rapeseed cake (FRC) in turkey diets. The turkeys received diets either not supplemented (C) or supplemented with raw rapeseed cake (RRC) or FRC at 150 g/kg diet. In comparison with RRC, turkeys receiving FRC achieved significantly higher final BW comparable with that noted in the control group. The dietary inclusion of FRC increased the concentrations of propionic and valeric acid in the cecal digesta compared with the control group, and increased the proportion of butyric acid in SCFA profile compared with RRC group. The activities of glycolytic bacterial enzymes in the cecal digesta, were lowest in turkeys fed FRC. Experimental diets did not cause a shift in the relative abundances of the main bacterial phyla or orders in the cecal digesta. FRC increased the abundance of Bacteroidaceae at the family level, but decreased the abundance of Lactobacillus at the genus level compared with birds fed RRC. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of FRC at 150 g/kg did not compromise bird performance, did not excessively stimulate bacterial activity, and did not cause shifts in the bacterial composition in the cecum. Actually, FCR exerted several beneficial effects that contributed to maintaining gut health in turkeys, which points to its advantage over RRC.

The effect of raw and fermented rapeseed cake on growth performance, carcass traits, and breast meat quality in turkey

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of including 15% of raw or fermented rapeseed cake (RRC or FRC) in turkey diets on growth performance, carcass traits, and breast meat characteristics. A total of 1,350 day-old female Hybrid Converter turkeys were allocated to 3 dietary treatments (9 replicates per treatment and 50 birds each) and fed complete isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. In the control group, soybean meal was the main source of dietary protein, whereas the experimental groups were fed diets containing 15% of RRC or FRC. The fermentation of rapeseed cake reduced the content of glucosinolates and phytate-phosphorus. In comparison with RRC, turkeys receiving FRC achieved significantly higher final BW, comparable with that noted in the control group. The experimental factor had no effect on carcass dressing percentage or carcass fat content, whereas turkeys fed diets containing rapeseed cake were characterized by lower relative weight of breast muscles and higher relative gizzard weight. The muscles of birds from groups RRC and FRC had also significantly lower cholesterol concentration. In comparison with control diet, diets RRC and FRC contributed to a significant decrease in the levels of saturated fatty acids and an increase in the share of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the total fatty acid pool in breast meat. The highest concentrations of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the most desirable n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio were noted in the breast muscles of RRC group turkeys. Both RRC and FRC reduced catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, and decreased the malondialdehyde content of muscle tissue. In conclusion, the replacement of RRC with FRC in diets led to an increase in the final BW of turkeys, but it had no influence on carcass quality and the majority of meat quality traits. The inclusion of rapeseed products in turkey diets positively affected meat quality, improving the fatty acid profile and antioxidant status, but it also decreased the yield of breast muscles.

Extraction of rapeseed cake oil using subcritical R134a/butane: Process optimization and quality evaluation

The optimal extraction conditions of rapeseed cake oil using subcritical R134a/butane were established by response surface methodology. The quality of subcritical R134a/butane extraction oil (SRBEO) was compared with supercritical CO2 extraction oil (SCO2EO) and hexane extraction oil (HXEO). The results showed the highest extraction yield obtained by subcritical R134a/butane in the condition of R134a-butane ratio of 1.5 kg/kg, at 45°C for 50 min. Compared with SCO2EO and HXEO, the extraction yield and β-carotene content of SRBEO (87.76%, 357.21 μg/100g) were the highest. The content of phospholipids and canolol in SRBEO (3.01 mg/g, 118.51 mg/100 g) was higher than SCO2EO (not detected, 95.82 mg/100 g) and less than HXEO (25.78 mg/g, 131.85 mg/100 g). The tocopherols in SRBEO were equivalent to SCO2EO but phytosterol content of SRBEO (560.19 mg/100 g) was less than SCO2EO (591.40 mg/100 g). For fatty acids, the three extraction oils had slight difference. Thus, subcritical R134a/butane extraction appeared to be feasible for rapeseed cake oil extraction.

The Use of Waste from the Production of Rapeseed Oil for Obtaining of New Polyurethane Composites

This article presents the results of research on obtaining new polyurethane materials modified by a by-product from vegetable oils industry—rapeseed cake. The chemical composition of rapeseed cake was examined. Rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (RPU/PIR) foams containing a milled rapeseed cake in their composition were obtained as part of the conducted research. Biofiller was added in amount of 30 wt.% up to 60 wt.%. Effects of rapeseed cake on the foaming process, cell structure and selected properties of foams, such as apparent density, compressive strength, brittleness, flammability, absorbability, water absorption, thermal resistance and thermal conductivity are described. The foaming process of RPU/PIR foams modified by rapeseed cake was characterized by a lower reactivity, lower foaming temperature and decrease in dielectric polarization. This resulted in a slowed formation of the polyurethane matrix. Apparent density of RPU/PIR foams with biofiller was higher than in unmodified foam. Addition of rapeseed cake did not have a significant influence on the thermal conductivity of obtained materials. However, we observed a tendency for opening the cells of modified foams and obtaining a smaller cross-sectional area of cells. This led to an increase of absorbability and water absorption of obtained materials. However, an advantageous effect of using rapeseed cake in polyurethane formulations was noted. Modified RPU/PIR foams had higher compressive strength, lower brittleness and lower flammability than reference foam.

A Novel Approach for Microbial Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Whisky Lactones Based on Solid-State Fermentation

In this study, solid-state fermentation (SSF) was proposed as an alternative approach to obtain optically pure forms of one of the most common aroma compounds, whisky lactone. Filamentous fungi were used for enantioselective hydrolysis of a racemate of trans and cis whisky lactones, utilizing rapeseed cake as a growth medium. Among the tested fungi, Fusarium oxysporum AM13 and Papularia rosea AM17 were chosen for further studies. Various process parameters, including temperature, moisture content of solid media, and substrate concentration were optimized to maximize the efficiency of the kinetic resolution process. After optimization of the culture conditions (33 °C temperature, 60% moisture content, and substrate concentration of 3 mg/g oilseed cake), F. oxysporum AM13 resolved a mixture of trans-(+)-(4S,5R) and cis-(+)-(4R,5R) whisky lactones with enantiomeric excess (ee), ee > 99% and ee = 98%, respectively. This study presents an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method for the production of enantiomerically pure aroma lactones via the solid-state fermentation of oilseed cake. The results revealed that SSF is an effective method for acquiring highly valued and industrially demanded compounds with negligible economic cost.

Influence of Rapeseed Cake on Heavy Metal Uptake by a Subsequent Rice Crop After Phytoextraction Using Sedum plumbizincicola

A glasshouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of phytoextraction by Sedum plumbizincicola and application of rapeseed cake (RSC) on heavy metal accumulation by a subsequent rice (Oryza sativa L.) crop in a contaminated paddy soil collected from east China. After phytoextraction by S. plumbizincicola the soil and brown rice Cd concentrations effectively declined. After phytoextraction, RSC application reduced brown rice Cd concentrations in the subsequent rice crop to 0.23-0.28 mg kg(-1), almost down to the standard limit (0.2 mg kg(-1)). After phytoextraction and then application of RSC, the soil solution pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations increased during early stages of rice growth resulting directly and indirectly in lowering the bioavailability of the heavy metals. Thus the grain yield of the subsequent rice crop increased and the heavy metals in the brown rice declined significantly. In this contaminated acid soil, growing the hyperaccumulator S. plumbizincicola and rice in rotation together with RSC application may therefore be regarded as a viable strategy for safe grain production and bioremediation.