Influence of varying levels of dried citrus pulp on nutrient intake, growth performance and economic efficiency in lambs

This study was conducted to evaluate the dietary supplemental effects of 2-nitroethanol (NEOH) in comparison with monensin on methane (CH4) emission, growth performance and carcass characteristics in female lambs. Sixty female, small-tailed Chinese Han lambs (3.5 ± 0.3 month) were randomly allotted into three dietary treatment groups: (1) Control group, a basal control diet, (2) monensin group, the basal diet added with 40 mg/kg monensin, (3) NEOH group, the basal diet added with 277 mg/kg nitroethanol, and the feedlotting trial lasted for 70 days. Although dietary addition of monensin and NEOH did not affect nutrient digestibility of lambs, both monensin and NEOH decreased the calculated CH4 production (12.7% vs. 17.4% decrease; p < 0.01). In addition, the CH4 production represents less dietary energy loss in the monensin and NEOH group than in the control, indicating that monensin and NEOH are potent CH4 inhibitors that can reduce dietary energy loss. Dietary addition of monensin and NEOH decreased dry matter intake (p < 0.01); however, they increased the ADG of female lambs (p < 0.01). As a result, both monensin and NEOH increased feed conversion efficiency of the feedlotting lambs (p < 0.01), suggesting that feed energy saved from CH4 production promoted the feed efficiency and ADG in the present study. Except for the fact that NEOH addition increased the net muscle percentage to carcass weight (p = 0.03), neither monensin nor NEOH had a significant influence on carcass characteristics of female lambs (p > 0.05). From an economic point of view, NEOH and monensin caused a reduction in feed consumption costs, therefore resulting in a higher net revenue and economic efficiency than the control. In summary, dietary supplementation of NEOH in comparison with monensin presented a more promoting effect on energy utilization in female lambs by inhibiting rumen methanogenesis more efficiently, and NEOH improved the net revenue and economic efficiency more significantly than monensin.

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Effect of Yeast-Fermented Citrus Pulp as a Protein Source on Nutrient Intake, Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance and In Situ Digestion Kinetics in Nili Ravi Buffalo Bulls

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061713 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1713

Author(s):

Muhammad Awais ◽

Muhammad Sharif ◽

Khurram Ashfaq ◽

Amjad Islam Aqib ◽

Muhammad Saeed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Balance ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Protein Source ◽

Cell Protein ◽

Citrus Pulp ◽

Digestion Kinetics

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of single cell protein (SCP) supplement as a protein source on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and in situ digestion kinetics in four Nili Ravi buffalo bulls. Four iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous concentrates containing 3, 6, 9 and 12% of Saccharomyces cerevisiae-fermented citrus pulp were formulated. All animals were fed a ration with a concentrate/forage ratio of 50:50. Diets were provided ad libitum twice a day as a total mixed ration in a 4 × 4 Latin Square Design. Each experimental period lasted 3 weeks while the overall study 12 weeks. The first 2 weeks of each experimental period were used as adaptation period while the third week as collection period. Chemical composition of fermented citrus pulp appeared as an excellent source of protein. No significant difference was observed on dry matter intake, digestibility of nutrients and SCP among all the treatments. Moreover, no significant effect was observed on ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen at different times. Rate of disappearance and lag time of in situ dry matter digestion kinetics remained nonsignificant regardless of SCP percentage. Based on results of similar nutrients intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal parameters it is concluded that SCP could be used in the concentrate diet of ruminant up to 12%. Furthermore, the SCP has the potential of an alternative protein source in animal diet formulation.

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