• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1724-1727
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• 2001

A trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics of LW ${\times}$ Mukota $F_1$ crosses when fed diets containing graded levels of maize cob meal. Sixteen LW ${\times}$ Mukota $F_1$ crossbred pigs of approximately 4.5 months of age, were randomly allocated to four diets that contained 0, 100, 200 and 300 g maize cobs/kg, which corresponded to 276.4, 360.3, 402.9 and 523.5 g NDF/kg, respectively. The pigs were fed ad libitum for 14 weeks. The diets were formulated to contain similar levels of energy (ca. 9MJ ME/kg) and protein (ca.160 g CP/kg). Average daily feed intake (ADFI), daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were monitored for 14 weeks. At slaughter, the cold dressed weight (CDM) and backfat thickness (BFT) were determined. There was no significant linear relationship (p>0.05) between level of cob inclusion and ADFI. The ADG decreased as level of maize cobs increased (p<0.001). The pigs that were on 300 g cobs/kg had the highest FCR (p<0.05) as compared to pigs on the other three diets. No differences (p>0.05) were observed in the CDM between pigs that were fed diets that had 0 and 100 g maize cobs/kg. In addition, pigs on 100 and 200 g cobs/kg diets had the same CDM (p>0.05). The diet that contained 300 g cobs/kg gave the lowest (p< 0.001) CDM. Both BFT parameters showed a decrease (p<0.05) as level of maize cobs increased. An increase in CDM was associated with an increase in BFT (p<0.001), with the correlation coefficient between K7.5 and CDM being 0.84 (p<0.001). It can, therefore, be concluded that crossbred pigs perform well on diets containing up to 200 g/kg maize cobs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1669-1679
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• 2015

The quest to broaden the narrow range of feed ingredients available to pig producers has prompted research on the use of low cost, unconventional feedstuffs, which are typically fibrous and abundant. Maize cobs, a by-product of a major cereal grown worldwide, have potential to be used as a pig feed ingredient. Presently, maize cobs are either dumped or burnt for fuel. The major challenge in using maize cobs in pig diets is their lignocellulosic nature (45% to 55% cellulose, 25% to 35% hemicellulose, and 20% to 30% lignin) which is resistant to pigs' digestive enzymes. The high fiber in maize cobs (930 g neutral detergent fiber/kg dry matter [DM]; 573 g acid detergent fiber/kg DM) increases rate of passage and sequestration of nutrients in the fiber reducing their digestion. However, grinding, heating and fermentation can modify the structure of the fibrous components in the maize cobs and improve their utilization. Pigs can also extract up to 25% of energy maintenance requirements from fermentation products. In addition, dietary fiber improves pig intestinal health by promoting the growth of lactic acid bacteria, which suppress proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines. This paper reviews maize cob composition and the effect on digestibility of nutrients, intestinal microflora and growth performance and proposes the use of ensiling using exogenous enzymes to enhance utilization in diets of pigs.

• Carbon letters
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.275-282
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• 2008

Chemically activated carbons were prepared from maize cobs, using phosphoric acid of variable concentration. The textural parameters of the activated carbons were determined from the nitrogen adsorption isotherms measured at 77 K. The chemistry of the carbon surface was determined by measuring the surface pH, the pHPZC and the concentration of the carbon - oxygen groups of the acid type on the carbon surface. Kinetics of Cr(VI) sorption/reduction was investigated at 303 K. Two processes were investigated in terms of kinetics and equilibrium namely; Cr(VI) removal and chromium sorption were studied at various initial pH (1-7). Removal of Cr(VI) shows a maximum at pH 2.5. At pH<2.5, sorption decreases because of the proton competition with evolved Cr(III) for ion exchange sites. The decrease of sorption at pH>2.5 is due to proton insufficiency and to the decrease of the extent of Cr(VI) reduction. The chemistry of the surface of activated carbon is an important factor in determining its adsorption capacity from aqueous solutions particularly when the sorption process involves ion exchange.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.295-301
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• 1992

Eight crop residues : 1, sorghum (Sorqhum bicolor) straw, 2, maize (Zea mays) straw, 3, cotton (Gossypium Sp.) straw, 4, sunflower (Helianthus Sp.) straw, 5, cotton (Gossypium Sp.) seed hulls, 6, groundnut (Archais hypogaea) hulls, 7, maize (Zea mays) cobs, 8, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) bagasse and two forest grasses 9, Heteropogan contortus dry grass and 10, Sehima nervosum dry grass were subjected to three physical processing 1, chopping (2-3 cm) 2, grinding (8 mm sieve) and 3, pelleting (10 mm die holes). The processed material was fed ad lib. Along with 250 g of concentrate mixture per head per day to 6 adult local goats and 16 adult Nellore rams in ten digestion experiments and finally assessed the nutritive value of the processed roughages by difference method. Grinding increased bulk density by 32.4 (cotton seed hulls, CSH) to 88.1% (Sehima dry grass) while pelleting of ground material increased bulk density by 53.9 (maize cobs) to 235.8% (maize straw). The average particle size ranged from $584.1/^U$ (sorghum straw) to $1467/^U$ (CSH). Modulus of uniformity ranged from 2:5:3 (sorghum straw) to 7:2:1 (CSH) while modulus of fineness ranged from 3.4 (sorghum straw) to 5.4 (CSH). Molasses absorbability was highest with cotton seed hulls and least with maize cobs. Pelleting increased DM intake of the residues except cotton seed hulls compared to grinding. Grinding of chopped material/unprocessed material increased DM intake on sorghum straw and cotton seed hulls. Sheep consumed more DM compared to goats on all the residues except sorghum and sunflower straws. Pelleting increased nutritive value of all the residues compared to grinding and chopping. However, no difference was observed in the nutritive value due to grinding and chopping. Goats performed better compared to sheep in utilizing the fibrous residues.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.755-762
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• 2018

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the influence of varying fibrous diets on fecal characteristics of growing pigs. Methods: A total of 104 pigs (initial weight $18{\pm}2.0kg$) were used in the study. They were housed in individual pens and fed on diets containing maize cob, grass hay, lucerne hay, maize stover, and sunflower husk. These fibers were included at 0, 80, 160, 240, 320 and 400 g/kg. Fecal and urine samples were collected. Results: Fecal output was largest amongst pigs fed on diets containing grass hay and maize stover (p<0.05). Nitrogen content was highest in feces from pigs fed on sunflower husk (p<0.05). Pigs fed on diets containing maize stover and maize cobs produced the largest concentrations of short chain fatty acids. Acetate concentration was high in feces of pigs fed maize stover than those fed grass hay and lucerne hay (p<0.05). As the level of fiber inclusion increased, fecal consistency and nitrogen content increased linearly (p<0.05). Urea nitrogen decreased as the inclusion level increased across all the fibers (p<0.05), with maize cobs containing the largest content of urea nitrogen. As dietary fiber content increased, fecal nitrogen content also increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that different fiber sources influence fecal characteristics, thereby having different implications on pig waste management. It is vital to monitor fiber inclusion thresholds so as to easily manage environmental pollutants such as butyrate that contribute to odors.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.1204-1210
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• 2014

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of feeding fibrous diets on growth performance and occurrence of aggressive behaviours in growing pigs. Sixty healthy castrated pigs (initial body weight: $46.7{\pm}4.35$ kg) were used. A basal diet was diluted with maize cobs to two levels (0 and 160 g/kg dry matter). Behavioural activities were observed using video cameras for three weeks, 8 h/d starting at 0800 h. Pigs subjected to control diet gained more weight compared to pigs receiving fibrous diet in week 1 (0.47 vs 0.15 kg, respectively) and 2 (1.37 vs 1.04, respectively) (p<0.05). Average daily gain was not affected by treatment diet in the third week. Pigs on high fibrous spent more time eating, lying down, standing, walking and fighting (p<0.05) compared to pigs on control diet. Time spent eating increased as the weeks progressed whilst time spent lying down decreased. Time of day had an effect on time spent on different behavioural activities exhibited by all pigs on different treatment diet (p<0.05). Inactivity was greatest in 5th (1200 to 1300 h) hour of the day for all the pigs on different dietary treatments. Skin lesions appeared the most on neck and shoulder region followed by chest, stomach and hind leg region, and finally head region (p<0.05). Pigs on high fibre diet had more skin lesions in all body regions compared to pigs on control diet (p<0.05). It can be concluded that the high fibrous diet with maize cobs did not affect growth performance and also did not reduce aggressive behaviours. Aggressive behaviours emanated out of frustration when queuing on the feeder. The findings of this study suggest that maize cobs can be included at a level of 160 g/kg in diets of pigs. However, to reduce the level of aggression more feeding space should be provided.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.513-520
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• 2017

This study was performed to provide basic data of 'Kangilok'. The objective of this study was to investigate worth of 4 parts of maize hybrid for grain, 'Kangilok' for functional foods. The 4 parts are kernels, dehulled kernels, skin of kernels and cobs of 'Kangilok'. We evaluated moisture, crude ash, crude lipid, crude protein, crude fiber and mineral content of 'Kangilok'. The moisture of kernels, dehulled kernels, skin of kernels and cobs of 'Kangilok' were 11.27%, 12.40%, 9.45%, 8.85% and the crude ash were 1.26%, 0.73%, 3.19%, 1.42%. Each of the crude lipid were 3.84%, 2.69%, 8.59%, 0.46% and the crude protein were 9.40%, 9.96%, 12.10%, 2.80%. The crude fiber of kernels, dehulled kernels, skin of kernels and cobs of 'Kangilok' were 2.24%, 0.92%, 7.07%, and 33.51%. Among the mineral contents, Ca and K content of cobs were highest by 4.84 mg/100 g, 114.33 mg/100 g and Fe, Mn contents of skin of kernels were highest by 5.30 mg/100 g, 2.64 mg/100 g. Mg content of kernels was the highest by 27.42 mg/100 g. P content of kernels, dehulled kernels, skin of kernels and cobs were 1.20%, 0.96%, 2.41%, and 0.19%. It was performed test on anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory activities of 60% ethanol extract from 4 parts of Kangilok. The anti-oxidative effect was measured by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. As a results, DPPH radical scavenging activity (10 mg/mL) was 72.59%~93.05% and ABTS radical scavenging activity (10 mg/mL) was 48.17%~79.88%. The anti-inflammatory effect was measured by ability to inhibit production nitric oxide (NO) in RAW264.7 cell. As a result, all the extract of 4 parts were showed significantly inhibitory effect on NO production. Carotenoid contents quantified by using HPLC. ${\beta}$-Carotene of carotenoid was not analyzed in all the sample. Lutein and zeaxantin ware analyzed in kernels and skin of kernels.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1833-1839
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• 2018

Objective: Incorporating high fibre ingredients into pig diets has the potential to reduce odour emissions from of pigs. The current study was carried out to determine effect of diets containing 0, 80 and 160 g/kg of each of lucerne hay, maize cobs and sunflower husks on the chemical characteristics and odours from pig slurries. Methods: Twenty eight pigs averaging $18{\pm}2.0kg$ were kept in individual cages, over four weeks. All pigs were fed ad libitum. Faeces and urine were collected, mixed in a 1:2.3 ratio (w/w), stored and fermented for 16 days in a temperature controlled room at $22^{\circ}C{\pm}2.3^{\circ}C$. The slurry was sampled twice (on day 1 and on day 16) of the fermentation period and analysed for pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration, on wet basis. All samples were tested for odour offensiveness using 18 panelists. A scale of 1 to 5 was used to rank the odour severity, (1 = not offensive, 5 = extremely offensive). Results: Slurry pH and COD varied with fibre source (p<0.05). On day 16, COD for lucerne hay, sunflower husk and maize cobs were 369, 512, and 425 (standard error of the mean = 34.2) mg of oxygen per litre. Total SCFA concentration was higher at day 16 than day 1 (p<0.05). Odour offensiveness varied with fibre source across both incubation periods (p<0.05). Sunflower husks and lucerne hay-based diets were rated as less offensive (mean rank = 2.2) than maize cob diets (mean rank of 4.3) (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that different fibre sources and incubation period influence chemical composition and odour of the slurry. There is, thereby, a need to incorporate locally available fibrous feeds in the diet of pigs because they have an economical and environmental relevance to pig management.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2018

Unsaponifiables in the kernel and the cob of 7 maize varieties were analyzed by using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography (GC) for the identification of phytosterols and their concentrations. The unsaponifiables of the kernel were clearly separated into band I (campesterol, stigmasterol, and ${\beta}$-sitosterol), band II (${\Delta}^5$-avenasterol), band III (${\Delta}^7$- stigmastenol), and band IV (${\Delta}^7$-avenasterol). In the cob, on the other hand, three or more bands were separated in addition to bands. The GC analysis of unsaponifiables showed good separation of campesterol, stigmasterol and ${\beta}$-sitosterol, but the mixture of ${\Delta}^7$-avenasterol (retention time[RT] 22.846), ${\Delta}^7$-stigmastenol (RT 22.852), and ${\Delta}^5$-avenasterol (RT 22.862) showed poor separation. Phytosterol content of the maize kernel was 635.9 mg/100 g, and that of the cob was 273.0 mg/100 g, respectively. The phytosterol content of the kernel was 2.4-fold higher than that of the cob. The phytosterol content of the kernel was higher in the order ${\beta}$sitosterol 80.05% > campesterol 10.5% > stigmasterol 9.46%, but that of the cob was higher in the order ${\beta}$-sitosterol 59.43% > stigmasterol 31.72% > campesterol 10.98%. Based on these results, it appears that the phytosterols of the maize kernel are synthesized in the maize cob and are transferred to the kernel, because the precursors (${\Delta}^7$-avenasterol, ${\Delta}^7$-stigmastenol, and ${\Delta}^5$-avenasterol) of major phytosterols were detected in maize cobs.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.399-405
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sakso 2 corn kernels and cobs extracts on antioxidant activity in rats fed a high fat-cholesterol diet (HFC) for 2 weeks. 48 male Sprague-Dawley (4-weeks-old) were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal diet (N), HFC (C), HFC and 0.05% kernel extracts of Saekso 2 (T1), HFC and 0.25% kernel extracts of Saekso 2 (T2), HFC and 0.05% cob extracts of Saekso 2 (T3), HFC and 0.25% cob extracts of Saekso 2 (T4). The weight gain in all treatment groups were significantly lower and the food efficiency ratio (FER) in all treatment groups except T3 were lower than C group. Liver index (liver weight/100 g body weight) in N group and T2 were significantly lower than C group. The level of total cholesterol in plasma of N group and T2 were significantly lower than C group and HDL-cholesterol in plasma of N group and T2 were significantly lower than C group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in N group, T3 and T4 were significantly lower than C group. Activity of catalase (CAT) in all treatment groups were lower than C group. These result suggest that saekso 2 corn kernels and cobs extracts may reduce oxidative damage through the activation of antioxidative defense systems in rats fed high fat-cholesterol diets.