Elephant grass cv. BRS capiaçu silage with inclusion of different proportions of silk cotton

The objective was to evaluate the qualitative and nutritional aspects of elephant grass cv. BRS capiaçu silage with increasing proportions of silk cotton. A completely randomized design was used with five (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60% on natural matter basis) different inclusion proportions of silk cotton to elephant grass silage and four repetitions. Silages were prepared in PVC minisilos and remained ensiled for 42 days. The inclusion of silk cotton resulted in a linear reduction in dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose, and indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) contents at 0.06, 0.30, 0.23, 0.20, and 0.09 percentage points for each 1% inclusion, respectively. There was an increasing linear effect of crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN), with an increase of 39.32 and 20.89% from the lowest to the highest inclusion of silk cotton to elephant grass cv. BRS capiaçu silage. Values of pH, gas losses (GL), effluent losses (EL), dry matter recovery (DMR), hemicellulose, and lignin were not influenced by the evaluated inclusion levels, showing estimated averages of 3.87, 1, 42%, 11.55kg t-1 natural matter, 97.36%, 19.30%, and 7.20%, respectively. An increasing linear effect was found for fraction a, c, effective degradability (ED) (2% and 5%) dry matter, with an increment of 0.05, 0.0005, and 0.11 percent points, respectively. There was a quadratic effect for fraction b, potential degradability (PD), ED (2%), with minimum points of 23.72%, 50.52%, (at 45% inclusion level) 39.69%, (at 15% inclusion level) respectively. The indigestible fraction (IF) had a quadratic effect with a maximum of 49.48% at the 45% inclusion level. The colonization time (CT) linearly reduced by 0.09 percentage points for each 1% inclusion evaluated. According to the parameters evaluated, the inclusion of up to 60% silk cotton improved nutritional aspects and nutritional value of elephant grass cv. BRS capiaçu silage.

Effects of a dry acidulant addition to prevent Salmonella Contamination in Poultry Feed

Salmonella subs. serovar enteritidis is a potential biological pathogen of concern in the poultry industry. Contamination of the bacterium on eggshells has led to human illnesses. With the implementation of new regulations, animal feed manufacturing continues to be under more stringent requirements. Specifically, there is zero tolerance for Salmonella Pullorum, Gallinarum, or Enteritidis in poultry feed. For this reason, it is important to determine an effective method of reducing or preventing Salmonella contamination in feed for poultry. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of sodium bisulfate (SBS; Jones-Hamilton, Co., Walbridge, OH) added to poultry mash to reduce or prevent Salmonella growth over time. A single, commercially produced all-flock poultry mash was mixed with four different levels of SBS: 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.70%. After SBS addition, the treated mash was inoculated with Salmonella enterica subsp, enterica Serovar enteritidis (ATCC 13076) and enumerated for Salmonella on day 0, 1, 2, 7, and 14 post-inoculation by plating on XLD agar. There was no significant effect of SBS inclusion level on the reduction of Salmonella (P = 0.23); however, there was a significant effect of time across treatments (P < 0.0001). Additionally, there was no inclusion level × time interaction (P = 0.68). These results suggest that while SBS inclusion has no effect on Salmonella concentrations, storage time is effective at reducing or eliminating Salmonella contamination in poultry feed.

The Optimized Inclusion Level of Bacillus Subtilis Fermented Azolla Pinnata In Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Diets: Immunity, Antioxidative Status, Intestinal Digestive Enzymes and Histomorphometry, And Disease Resistance

A 95-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of feeding Bacillus subtilis fermented Azolla (BSFA) on nonspecific immunity, antioxidative status, intestinal digestive enzymes and histomorphometry, and disease resistance in the Nile tilapia. We formulated five isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental diets to incorporate BSFA at (0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%). The growth performance parameters (FBW, BWG, SGR, PER and FCR) revealed a significant increase in the BSFA30 tilapia group compared to the control group followed by BSFA45 (P < 0.05). The BSFA30 group exhibited the highest nonspecific immunity parameters (lysozyme activity, phagocytic index and phagocytic activity) compared to other groups (P < 0.05). SOD and GPx reported the highest values in the BSFA60 group. Nile tilapia carcass composition was not influenced by BSFA inclusion level (P ˃ 0.05). Interestingly, Nile tilapia fed with BSFA15 diet exhibited the highest protease activity level (P ˂ 0.05), while those fed on BSFA30 documented the highest amylase activity. Intestinal histomorphology was significantly enhanced with the gradual increase of administrated BSFA. Tilapia disease resistance against A. septicemia, BSFA significantly diminished the cumulative mortality compared to the control group. To sum up, BSFA was more effective in improving the growth performance and immunity of Nile tilapia.

Institutional Factors Driving Participation of Marginalized Section(s) in Livestock Extension Programs in Tamil Nadu

Livestock plays an important role in livelihood of small and marginal farmers with 5.47 per cent of state GDP (Gross domestic product) and one of the primary sources of employment to marginalized section(s) of rural Tamil Nadu. This study was undertaken to identify the factors driving participation of marginalized section(s) in livestock extension programs in Tamil Nadu. The study was conducted in Tamil Nadu from February 2020 to September 2021 at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, India. Primary data was collected from the selected sample of 23 extension centres using structured questionnaire in google form and secondary data was collected from the Directorate of Extension Education, TANUVAS for the period of 2017 to 2019. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test) were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that better staff availability in the centre and higher proportion of off-campus programs significantly influenced the inclusiveness of marginalised sections in overall extension programmes. Furthermore, improving transport facilities through mobility innovations such as pooling of transport and hiring models during on-campus programmes may facilitate better participation / inclusion level of marginalised sections.

A Closer Look at Supporting Elementary Students With Autism in School

While the educational criteria to be a person impacted by autism will always evolve, implementing educational best practices with fidelity significantly improves the likelihood of a student with autism succeeding in school. This chapter presents a brief overview of the educational criteria for an autism eligibility using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), a comparison of common characteristics or developmental milestones for typically developing elementary students and students with autism, a summary of standard best practices for elementary students with autism. The chapter provides a few examples of how these best practices can be applied across grade and inclusion-level categories.

Replacement level of rubber seed cake for soybean meal on the growth of Japanese quail

A four-week feeding trial on the simultaneous replacement of 0 to 50% of soybean meal and 0 to 100% of soybean oil on the growth performance, carcass composition and profitability was conducted using 45 randomly chosen one-week-old growing Japanese quail. The five experimental diets were; D0= Diet containing 20% soybean meal and 4% soybean oil (control diet), D1= Diet, where 12.5% of soybean meal and 25% of soybean oil has been replaced by RSC; T2 = Diet, where 25% of soybean meal and 50% of soybean oil has been replaced by RSC; T3 = Diet, where 37.5% of soybean meal and 75% of soybean oil has been replaced by RSC; T4 = Diet, where 50% of soybean meal and 100% of soybean oil has been replaced by RSC. Results demonstrated that in raw rubber seed the proportion of kernel to hull is 64: 36. Proximate components of the boiled and sundried full fat rubber seed kernel (RS) were, moisture = 96.6%, ME = 5305 kcal / kg DM, CP = 17.6%, EE = 51.05%, CF = 8.5%, NFE = 18.25% and Ash = 4.6%. The body weights of the birds at 35 days of age in all dietary treatments were statistically similar. The feed intake of the quail among different dietary groups was varied significantly (p < 0.05) and there was a tendency of decreasing the feed intake at 25% and above inclusion level of RSC. The body weight gain and FCR were also statistically similar in all dietary groups. The feed cost and total production cost /kg BW of quail was also found to become steadily higher (p> 0.05) at higher RSC inclusion level. The muscle development was found to better at lower (%) RSC level, whereas the organs were enlarged at higher RSC inclusion. Results on the majority of the production parameters, and economics and carcass yield parameters suggested that the simultaneous replacement of maximum 50% soybean oil 25% soybean meal by processed RSC might be suggested, particularly, there will be a crisis in the availability of these two ingredients.

Delving into the Role of Dietary Fiber in Gluten-Free Bread Formulations: Integrating Fundamental Rheological, Technological, Sensory, and Nutritional Aspects

The evidenced relevance of dietary fibers (DF) as functional ingredients shifted the research focus towards their incorporation into gluten-free (GF) bread, aiming to attain the DF contents required for the manifestation of health benefits. Numerous studies addressing the inclusion of DF from diverse sources rendered useful information regarding the role of DF in GF batter’s rheological properties, as well as the end product’s technological and nutritional qualities. The presented comprehensive review aspires to provide insight into the changes in fiber-enriched GF batter’s fundamental rheological properties, and technological, sensory, and nutritional GF bread quality from the insoluble and soluble DF (IDF and SDF) perspective. Different mechanisms for understanding IDF and SDF action on GF batter and bread were discussed. In general, IDF and SDF can enhance, but also diminish, the properties of GF batter and bread, depending on their addition level and the presence of available water in the GF system. However, it was seen that SDF addition provides a more homogenous GF batter structure, leading to bread with higher volumes and softer crumb, compared to IDF. The sensory properties of fiber-enriched GF breads were acceptable in most cases when the inclusion level was up to 7 g/100 g, regardless of the fiber type, enabling the labeling of the bread as a source of fiber.

Effect of Different Dietary Protein Levels on Physio-metabolic Response during Stunting of Milkfish, Chanos chanos (Forsskal, 1775) Reared under Pond Conditions

Background: Stunting is a process of suppressing growth from unfavourable conditions. The protein supplementation during stunting gives scope to maintain the nutrient reserves of fish and its quality. Methods: A feeding trial was conducted for eight months to study the effect of three hetero-nitrogenous diets with 25% (control), 30% (T1) and 35% (T2) crude protein (CP) levels on growth and physio-metabolic responses of Chanos chanos fingerlings during stunting. Milk fish fingerlings with a mean body weight of 11.71±0.18 g were stocked in earthen ponds @ 20 no/m2 in each replicate (n=3) was fed @ 2% biomass throughout the experiment. Result: Fish fed with T1 diet showed better specific growth rate (0.64±0.01% d-1), weight gain percentage (362.56±14.95) and protease activity (7.53±0.25 U/mg protein). Whereas, lower activity was observed for the enzyme assay, namely superoxide dismutase (45.41±2.50 U/min/mg protein), aspartate aminotransferase (34.01±1.88 U/min/mg protein) and alanine aminotransferase (39.64±0.64 U/min/mg protein). Hence, it may be concluded that the dietary protein inclusion level of 30% CP showed better growth performance and lower physio-metabolic response in milkfish fingerlings during the stunting.

Quality evaluation of powdered ogi produced from maize-sorghum and soybean flour blends in Nigeria

Ogi is a fermented cereal porridge usually made from single cereals such as maize (Zea mays). In traditional production, it is sometimes combined with other cereals such as sorghum or millet. It is usually in semi-solid form after production and has low shelf stability. This study was carried out to produce and evaluate the quality of ogi powder from mixtures of selected cereals (maize and sorghum), with soybean inclusion as advancement for improving the nutritive value of the product. Ogi flour was obtained from grains of maize and sorghum by weighing, sorting, soaking (for 72 hours), wet milling, sieving, dewatering, oven-drying, pulverizing and sieving through muslin cloth with maximum pore size of 20 mm. Optimal blend (70:30) for maize - sorghum ogi cumulating to 100% maize - sorghum mixture was obtained from a preliminary study; and fortified with soybean in the ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, and 100:0. The samples were analyzed for functional, proximate and micronutrient properties using standard methods. Results of water absorption and swelling capacity showed significant (p<0.05) differences among the samples. Proximate composition results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in all samples and ranged as follows: moisture (5.39 - 7.72%), protein (6.22 - 21. 46%), ash (2.66 - 3.64%), crude fibre (2.22 - 2.65%), crude fat (4.22 - 10.22%) and carbohydrate (51.31 - 79.14%). The micronutrient levels were improved and ranged from 166 - 360 mg/100g calcium, 1.15 - 3.22 mg/100g iron, 24.3 - 47.6 IU ß-carotene and 0.59 - 0.89 mg/100g thiamine. Soybean addition generally improved the quality of the samples. Protein increase was observed from 20% inclusion of soybean. The maximum inclusion level of 50% increased the protein content of the sample to 21.5%. Despite adding value and variety to ogi meal due to its powdered form, fortifying maize-sorghum ogi with soybean would reduce the problem of malnutrition especially among children who are usually fed ogi as infant formulae in developing countries.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Dehydrated Culture Modulates Fecal Microbiota and Improves Innate Immunity of Adult Dogs

Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture can be dehydrated, and it has a potential prebiotic effect. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing increasing levels of dehydrated yeast culture (DYC) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Original XPC™, Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA, USA) on fecal microbiota, nutrient digestibility, and fermentative and immunological parameters of healthy adult dogs. Eighteen adult male and female dogs with a mean body weight of 15.8 ± 7.37 kg were randomly assigned to three experimental treatments: CD (control diet), DYC 0.3 (control diet with 0.3% DYC) and DYC 0.6 (control diet with 0.6% DYC). After 21 days of acclimation, fecal samples were collected for analysis of nutrient digestibility, microbiota and fecal fermentation products. On the last day, the blood samples were collected for the analysis of immunological parameters. The microbiome profile was assessed by the Illumina sequencing method, which allowed identifying the population of each bacterial phylum and genus. The statistical analyses were performed using the SAS software and the Tukey test for multiple comparison (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that the addition of DYC increased the percentage of the phyla Actinobacteria and Firmicutes (p = 0.0048 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and reduced that of the phylum Fusobacteria (p = 0.0008). Regardless of the inclusion level, the yeast addition promoted reduction of the genera Allobaculum and Fusobacterium (p = 0.0265 and p = 0.0006, respectively) and increased (p = 0.0059) that of the genus Clostridium. At the highest prebiotic inclusion level (DYC 0.6), an increase (p = 0.0052) in the genus Collinsella and decrease (p = 0.0003) in Prevotella were observed. Besides that, the inclusion of the additive improved the apparent digestibility of the crude fiber and decreased the digestibility of crude protein, nitrogen-free extract and metabolizable energy (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the production of volatile organic compounds. However, an increase in propionate production was observed (p = 0.05). In addition, the inclusion of yeast resulted in an increased phagocytosis index in both treatments (p = 0.01). The addition of 0.3 and 0.6% DYC to the diet of dogs wase able to modulate the proportions of some phyla and genera in healthy dogs, in addition to yielding changes in nutrient digestibility, fermentative products and immunity in healthy adult dogs, indicating that this additive can modulate fecal microbiota and be included in dog nutrition.