A comparative study on the physico-chemical quality indices of whole, commercial and refined wheat flours: Emphasis on essential amino acid index for three major penaeid shrimp species cultured in India

The physico-chemical characteristics of three different types of refined wheat flours (RWF-1, RWF-2 and RWF-3) were assessed to ascertain its suitability in shrimp feed along with three different types of whole (WWF-1, WWF-2 and WWF-3) and commercial (CWF-1, CWF-2 and CWF-3) wheat flours, and the essential amino acid index (EAAI) was determined based on the dietary requirement of three major penaeid shrimp species cultured in India viz., Penaeus vannamei, Penaeus indicus and Penaeus monodon. Results revealed that the fineness of WWF and RWF was 100% and alcoholic acidity exceeded an ideal level of 0.1% in WWF-2, CWF-3 and RWF-1. RWF had a low (p<0.05) water absorption (51.88-53.93%) and high bulk density (782.92-794.92 g l-1) compared to others. The moisture content was high (p<0.05) in RWF, whereas carbohydrate, protein, lipid and ash were found to be high in WWF. Of all the analysed samples, RWF had a higher (p<0.05) content of wet (28.56-31.82%) and dry (8.90-10.44%) glutens. Among the essential amino acids (EAA), arginine, lysine and methionine did not vary between the samples tested, while others showed significant (p<0.05) difference. EAAI was affected by the species (p=<0.001) but not by the flours (p = 0.173) and their interactions (p = 0.468). Both P. vannamei and P. indicus had a significantly higher EAAI (0.899 and 0.900, respectively) compared to P. monodon (0.862). Regression analysis showed a positive higher correlation between protein and EAA (r = 0.851) but EAA and its index were negatively correlated (r = 0.3464). Calories from carbohydrates were high in RWF (79.04-81.19%), but the reverse was true for protein and lipid in both WWF and CWF. Results conclude that RWF could be used for shrimp feed production, but ascertaining the processing effect on its utility by shrimps is essential.

Preliminary research on amino acid composition and nutritional value of clover proteins

The amino acid composition and nutritional value of 5 clover varieties including 3 Polish ones ('Gloria', 'Hruszowska', 'Skrzeszowicka') and 2 of foreign origin ('Rotra' and 'Violetta') were investigated. No significant differences in the total protein content (19.2–20.0% of dry matter) as well as in qualitative amino acid composition were found among the clover varieties under examination. EAA index (Essential amino acid index) calculated according to Oser for 'Gloria' and 'Hruszowska' showed the highest nutritional value was – 40. The lowest value of EAA index was found for 'Violetta' cvar. – 32, intermediate values however for Rotra and Skrzeszowicka was 37 and 36.

Effects of utilising sugar beet seed waste on feed lot performance of Chal male lambs

Limited studies on evaluation of the nutritive value of sugar beet seed (Beta vulgaris ) waste (SBSW) and its application in beef or lamb production have been carried out in its producing countries. SBSW is one of the side products of sugar beet seed which approximately a quarter of seeds can not be used in cultivation and is considered as waste. Consisting of 17% whole seeds and the rest as cracked seeds or hulls, SBSW contains 14.5, 32.5, 1.3, 16.9, 27.5, 39 and 49.9 percent CP, CF, EE, NFE, CF, Ash, ADF and NDF respectively. Also, SBSW contains 3.20 Mcalkg-1 Potkanski and Urbaniak (1985) reported an improved average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in comparison to wheat straw because of its better essential amino acid index, which is close to wheat grain, but there is no report on its effects on fat tail composition. This trial was performed to examine SBSW replacement effects in fattening Chal lamb rations.