• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.1580-1584
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• 2001

A study was conducted to estimate the nutritive value of some selected acacia forages using palatability index, in sacco degradability and in vitro gas production characteristics. Ten wethers (mean wt. $18{\pm}3.5kg$) were offered Acacia tortilis, Acacia nilotica, Acacia mellifera, Acacia brevispica, Acacia Senegal and Leucaena leucocephala (control) using a cafeteria system to determine the species preference by the animals. The acacia species were rich in nitrogen and showed variable palatability pattern. Significant (p<0.05) differences in relative palatability index (RPI) were detected among the species with the following ranking: brevispica > leucaena > mellifera > tortilis > Senegal > nilotica. Acacia nilotica appeared to be of low relative palatability with RPI of 24% and this was attributed to relatively high phenolic concentrations. The DM potential degradability (B) and rate of degradation (c) of the species were significantly (p<0.05) different, ranging from 40.1 to 59.1% and 0.0285 to 0.0794/h respectively. Acacia species had moderate levels of rumen undegradable protein, much higher than that in leucaena. In vitro gas production results indicated the effect of polyphenolic compounds on the fermentation rate, with lower gas production recorded from A. nilotica and tortilis. Based on RPI, A. brevispica and mellifera were superior to the rest and comparable to L. leucocephala. Long-term feeding trials are required with the superior species when used as protein supplements to poor quality diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1594-1599
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• 2005

The effects of long-term feeding of diets based on bermudagrass hay supplemented with lucerne hay cube (LH) or fermented bagasse feed (FBF) on the growth rate, feed efficiency, behaviour, gut development, carcass characteristics and meat quality of goats were investigated. Six spring-born 8-month-old male crossbred (Japanese Saanen${\times}$Tokara native goats) bucks weighing mean 21.6 kg were allotted to 2 treatment groups (3 animals each) and each animal had ad libitum access to feeds, i.e. bermudagrass hay (basal diet)+LH or FBF throughout the experiment. The FBF was produced by the solid-state fermentation of substrates containing dried sugarcane bagasse mixed with wheat bran in a ratio of 1:3 (w/w DM) with Aspergillus sojae. The live body weight, final weight and average daily gain were not different between treatments. Average basal diet intake of goats fed FBF diet was significantly higher than that fed LH diet (p<0.05), but average dry matter intake (DMI; g/day and g/$W^{0.75}$), feed conversion ratio, digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake of experimental diets were not significantly different between treatments. Goats fed on LH and FBF diets had similar eating, rumination, resting and drinking behaviours, and blood constituents except for phosphorus content. Slaughter and carcass weights, net meat percentage [(total meat/carcass weight)${\times}$100], loin ratio [(loin/total meat)${\times}$100] and rib-eye area were not different between treatments. However, goats fed FBF diet had lower dressing percentage and higher bone/muscle ratio compared with goats fed LH diet (p<0.01). Empty gut and guts fill of goats fed FBF diet were significantly greater (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) than those fed LH diet. The weights of rumen and abomasum were also significantly heavier in goats fed FBF diet (p<0.05), but the length and density of papillae of rumen in goats were not different between treatments. Although meat composition of loin was not different in both groups, the meat of goats fed FBF diet was superior to that of LH diet in flavor, aroma and overall quality of loin (p<0.01). In conclusion, the nature of the diet consumed voluntarily did not affect subsequent growth, nutrient intake and behaviour of goats but had an influence on carcass traits and sensory evaluation of meat partly, when either of LH or FBF was fed with bermudagrass hay.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.193-201
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• 2014

This study was conducted to examine the effects of defaunation (removal of live protozoa) on fermentation characteristics, degradation of ryegrass hay and $CH_4$ (methane) production by rumen microbes when incubated with plant oils (SO, sunflower oil and LO, linseed oil) in vitro. Sodium lauryl sulfate (0.000375 g/ml) as a defaunation reagent was added into the culture solution and incubated anaerobically up to 24 h at $39^{\circ}C$. pH from defaunation was increased for all treatments from 6 h incubation times (p<0.01-0.001) compared with those from fauantion. Concentration of ammonia-N from defaunation is higher than that from faunation at 3 h (p<0.001), 12 h (p<0.05) and 24 h (p<0.001) incubation times. Defaunation decreased (p<0.01-0.001) total volatile fatty acid concentration at all incubation times. Molar proportions of $C_2$ (acetate, p<0.05-0.001) and butyrate (p<0.01-0.001) were also decreased by defaunation at all incubation times. Molar proportion of $C_3$ (propionate), however, was increased by defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.001). Thus the rate of $C_2$ to $C_3$ was decreased by defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.001). Defaunation decreased ED (effective degradability) of dry matter (p<0.001) and ED of neutral detergent fiber (p<0.001) of ryegrass hay. Defaunation decreased total gas, $CH_4$ production, $CH_4$ % in total gas and $CH_4/CO_2$ at all incubation times (p<0.001). Oil supplementation decreased total gas (p<0.05-0.001), $CH_4$ production (p<0.001) and $CH_4$ % in total gas (p<0.001) compared with control at all incubation times. The result of this study showed that defaunation combined with oil supplementation may cause an alteration of microbial communities and further medicate the fermentation pattern, resulting in both reduction of degradation of ryegrass hay and $CH_4$ production. No difference, however, was observed in all the examinations between SO and LO.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.241-256
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• 2021

The current study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Phyllostachys bambusoides (PHB) as a feed additives and investigate whether its antioxidant activity could be helpful for increasing rumen fermentation characteristics and methane reduction. The antioxidant activity results showed that total polyphenols and flavonoids contents were 43.54 ± 8.68 mg CE/g and 17.13 ± 0.45 mg QE/g, respectively, and the IC₅₀ values for 1,1-diphenyl-2-prcrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity were 163.13 ± 19.25 ㎍/mL and 97.07 ± 4.46 ㎍/mL, respectively. Two heads of cannulated Hanwoo (450 ± 30 kg), consuming timothy hay and a commercial concentrate (60:40, w/w) twice daily (at 09:00 and 17:30) at 2% of body weight, with free access to water and a mineral block, were used as rumen fluid donors. An in vitro incubation experiment was performed after 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hr with PHB added at concentration of 2, 4, and 6% of timothy hay basis. Total gas emission decreased as the amount of PHB addition increased at 6 and 24 hr of incubation. However, PHB addition did not affect total volatile fatty acid production, and methane and carbon dioxide emission also decreased as the amount of addition increased at 48 hr of incubation. Therefore, PHB was expected to be used as methane reducing additives in the ruminants.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.521-532
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• 2006

An in vitro study was conducted to examine the effect of addition level of carbohydrates on fermentation characteristics, and bio-hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids by mixed rumen bacteria when incubated with soybean oil or flaxseed oil. Four levels(0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%, w/v) of the mixed carbohydrates(glucose, cellobiose, soluble starch, 1:1:1, in weight basis) and oil sources(soybean or flaxseed oil, 60mg in 150ml culture solution) were added to the mixed solution of strained rumen fluid with artificial saliva(1:4, v/v), and incubated anaerobically for 12 hours at 39℃. pH and ammonia-N concentration were lower by increasing the substrate levels at all incubation periods(P<0.05～P<0.001). The propionate proportion increased(P<0.001), but acetic acid and butyric acid decreased(P<0.001) with the substrate level at 6 and 12 h incubations. Oil sources did not influence the proportions of individual VFA. At the end of incubation, the proportions of C18:0(P<0.01), C18:1(P<0.001) and trans-11C-18:1(P<0.01) were reduced but those of C18:2(P<0.001) and C18:3(P<0.01) were enhanced by the addition of flaxseed oil compared to addition of soybean oil. The proportions of C18:0 and total CLA were reduced(P<0.01) but those of trans-11-C18: (P<0.05) and C18:2(P<0.01) were increased with the substrate level when incubated with soybean oil or flaxseed oil. There were interactions(P<0.05) in the proportions of C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3(P<0.01) between oil source and substrate level. The proportions of cis-9, trans-11-CLA and trans-10, cis-12-CLA tended to reduce with substrate level, although there was no significant difference between treatments.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.433-442
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• 2003

The objective of these studies were to examine the effects of processing methods of corn grains on in vitro dry matter digestability and in sacco degradability in the rumen by three ruminally cannulated dry Holstein cows. The corns for these experiments were untreated; whole corn L(density; 660 g/$\ell$), whole corn H(density; 740 g/$\ell$), and treated by four different types: Ground corn, 3.8 mm, 2.8 mm, and 1.5 mm flaked corns. The results obtained were summarized as follows: The DM degradabilities, after 48 hr incubation by in sacco method, were the highest(94.4, 88.0 and 87.0%, respectively) in 1.5 mm flaked corn, ground corn, and 2.8 mm flaked corn. The 3.8 mm flaked corn was degraded significantly lower than these. Until 12 hr incubation, whole corn L tended to be degraded little more than whole corn H, was not significantly different. However, after 24 hr incubation, the significant differences between whole corn L and whole corn H were shown(P<0.05). The DM digestabilities by in vitro digestion were the highest for 1.5 mm flaked corn and ground corn(92.3 and 91.2%, respectively)(P<0.05), followed by 2.8 mm and 3.8 mm flaked corn(83.9 and 83.4%, respectively), tended to be similar to those by in sacco method. Whole corn L was digested twice more rapidly than whole corn H. Summarizing the experimental data, compared with unprocessed corns, the flaked corns were significantly increased in the degradabilities of dry matter in the rumen. In addition, as increasing the flaking degree of corn, the degradabilities of dry matter were significantly improved. Referring to these kinds of physical characteristics of grain sources in the ruminal degradabilities, it is believed to be possible to optimize the environment of the fermentation in the rumen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 2004

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of the diets supplemented with lard or prilled fat ($Carolac^{(R)}$) on lactation performance, plasma constituents and ruminal characteristics of Holstein cows under a warm climate. In trial 1, 18 Holstein cows, 14 primiparas at 43 DIM and 4 multiparas at 55 DIM, were randomly assigned into six $3{\times3}$ Latin squares, in which three dietary treatments were isoproteinous but varying in energy contents and three 21 d periods. The treatments were basal diet (Control), basal diet supplemented with 2.5% lard (LD), and basal diet supplemented with 2.5% commercial Prilled fat (PF). In trial 2, three rumen canulated pregnant nonlactating Holstein cows with 550 kg average body weight were allotted into a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design with diets same as in trial 1 were fed to the cows at the level of 1.5% body weight on dry matter (DM) basis. The results indicated that the DM intake did not differ among the treatments. Milk yield and 4% FCM yield were greater (p<0.05) in PF than in Control. LD and PF resulted in greater milk fat percentage. Protein, lactose and solid contents in milk were not different among the three dietary treatments. The concentration of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in plasma was significantly greater in LD and PF than that in Control. However, the concentrations of triglycerides, urea nitrogen, and cholesterol in plasma were not significantly different among the three treatments. Although the ruminal molar percentage of isobutyrate in LD and PF was greater, no significant difference was observed in ruminal pH, NH3-N concentration and VFA production among the three treatments. Diet supplemented with fat can improve milk yield and milk fat percentage without resulting in disadvantages of ruminal characteristics in cows at early lactation and under warm climate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.369-378
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• 2011

The effect of a homolactic inoculant containing a blend of Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici and Enterococcus faecium or, the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), alone or in combination on fermentation characteristics, aerobic stability and in situ DM, OM and NDF degradability of barley silage was investigated. Barley (Hordeum vulgare, L.) was harvested (45% DM), chopped and treated with water at 24 ml/kg forage (Control), inoculant at $1.09{\times}10^5$ cfu/g forage (I), SDS at 0.125% (wt/wt) of forage (S) or with the inoculant ($1.09{\times}10^5$ cfu/g) plus SDS (0.125% wt/wt; I+S). The treated forages were ensiled in triplicate mini silos and opened for chemical and microbiological analyses on d 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 42 and 77. Silage samples from d 77 were opened and aerobically exposed for 7 d. The in situ rumen degradability characteristics of silage DM, OM and NDF were also determined. The terminal concentration of NDF in S and I+S was lower (p<0.001) than in other treatments. Lactate concentration was higher (p<0.001) and the rate and extent of pH decline were greater (p<0.001) in I and I+S than S and Control silages. A homolactic pathway of fermentation in I and I+S was evidenced by reduced (p<0.001) water-soluble carbohydrates concentration, higher lactate (p<0.01), lower acetate (p<0.01) and lower pH values (p<0.001) than in S and Control silages. All silages remained stable over 7 d of exposure to air as indicated by lower temperatures and moulds, and by non-detectable yeast populations. The treated silages had lower DM and OM degradability than in the Control but NDF degradation characteristics of I+S were improved compared to other treatments. It is concluded that the inoculant alone improved the fermentation characteristics whereas the combination of the inoculant with SDS improved both fermentation and NDF degradability of barley silage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2009

Two in vitro experiments were conducted to examine the effects of propionate precursors in the dicarboxylic acid pathway on ruminal fermentatation characteristics, $CH_4$ production and degradation of feed by rumen microbes. Fumarate or malate as sodium salts (Exp. 1) or acid type (Exp. 2) were added to the culture solution (150 ml, 50% strained rumen fluid and 50% artificial saliva) to achieve final concentrations of 0, 8, 16 and 24 mM, and incubated anaerobically for 0, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h at $39^{\circ}C$. For both experiments, two grams of feed consisting of 70% concentrate and 30% ground alfalfa (DM basis) were prepared in a nylon bag, and were placed in a bottle containing the culture solution. Addition of fumarate or malate in both sodium salt and acid form increased (p<0.0001) pH of culture solution at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h incubations. The pH (p<0.0001) and total volatile fatty acids (VFA, p<0.05) were enhanced by these precursors as sodium salt at 3, 6 and 9 h incubations, and pH (p<0.001) and total VFA (p<0.01) from fumarate or malate in acid form were enhanced at a late stage of fermentation (9 h and 12 h) as the addition level increased. pH was higher (p<0.001) for fumarate than for malate as sodium salt at 3 h and 6 h incubations. Propionate ($C_3$) proportion was increased (p<0.0001) but those of $C_2$ (p<0.05) and $C_4$ (p<0.01 - p<0.001) were reduced by the addition of sodium salt precursors from 3 h to 12 incubation times while both precursors in acid form enhanced (p<0.011 - p<0.0001) proportion of $C_3$ from 6h but reduced (p<0.018 - p<0.0005) $C_4$ proportion at incubation times of 1, 3, 9 and 12 h. Proportion of $C_3$ was increased (p<0.05 - p<0.0001) at all incubation times by both precursors as sodium salt while that of $C_3$ was increased (p<0.001) from 6h but $C_4$ proportion was decreased by both precursors in acid form as the addition level increased. Proportion of $C_3$ was higher (p<0.01 - p<0.001) for fumarate than malate as sodium salt from 6 h incubation but was higher for malate than fumarate in acid form at 9 h (p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.01) incubation times. Increased levels (16 and 24 mM) of fumarate or malate as sodium salt (p<0.017) and both precursors in acid form (p<0.028) increased the total gas production, but no differences were found between precursors in both chemical types. Propionate precursors in both chemical types clearly reduced (p<0.0001 - p<0.0002) $CH_4$ production, and the reduction (p<0.001 - p<0.0001) was dose dependent as the addition level of precursors increased. The $CH_4$ generated was smaller (p<0.01 - p<0.0001) for fumarate than for malate in both chemical types. Addition of fumarate or malate as sodium type reduced (p<0.004) dry matter degradation while both precursors in both chemical types slightly increased neutral detergent fiber degradability of feed in the nylon bag.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2010

The present study was conducted with four ruminally fistulated cattle to examine the fermentation characteristics and effective degradability (ED) in the rumen, and whole tract digestibility and TDN values of various silages (whole crop rye, RS; whole crop barley, BS; Italian ryegrass, IRGS and sudangrass, SGS) which were produced in Korea. The pH of rumen fluid were not greatly affected by silage at most times after feeding but SGS decreased (p<0.049) the ruminal ammonia-N concentration as 7.28 mg/100 ml at 3h after feeding compared to other silages. An acetate proportion from SGS feeding was higher at 1h (p<0.018), 3h (p<0.004) and 6h (p<0.019) after feeding than those from other silages. The propionate ($C_2$) proportion, however, was greater (p<0.001~p<0.042) for the RS and BS than the corresponding values of other silages up to 6h after feeding while the lowest $C_2$ proportion was observed from SGS. The butyrate proportion was lowest (p<0.007~p<0.027) in the cattle fed BS at 1~6h after feeding among silages. An ED of dry matter (DM) in the rumen was highest (P<0.048) for RS as 59.64%, and was reduced in the order of BS (56.12%), IRGS (55.64%) and SGS (54.02%). Similar tendency was observed in the EDs of crude protein (p<0.014) and organic matter (OM, p<0.039). The whole tract digestibility of DM (p<0.032), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, p<0.034) and OM (p<0.041) of SGS was greatly reduced. The TDN value based on whole tract digestibility of silages was highest for RS as 61.1%, and TDN values of BS, IRGS and SGS were 57.1%, 57.9% and 50.7%, respectively. Based on the results obtained from the present study, components in various whole crop silages produced in Korea might affect the ruminal VFA proportion, and especially, NDF content could greatly influence on the TDN value of silage calculated based on the NDF content.