• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.343-350
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• 2015

Cocoa pod is among the by-products of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) plantations. The aim of this study was to apply a number of treatments in order to improve nutritional quality of cocoa pod for feeding of ruminants. Cocoa pod was subjected to different treatments, i.e. C (cocoa pod without any treatment or control), CAm (cocoa pod+1.5% urea), CMo (cocoa pod+3% molasses), CRu (cocoa pod+3% rumen content) and CPh (cocoa pod+3% molasses+Phanerochaete chrysosporium inoculum). Analysis of proximate and Van Soest's fiber fraction were performed on the respective treatments. The pods were then subjected to an in vitro digestibility evaluation by incubation in rumen fluid-buffer medium, employing a randomized complete block design (n = 3 replicates). Further, an in vivo evaluation of the pods (35% inclusion level in total mixed ration) was conducted by feeding to young Holstein steers (average body weight of $145{\pm}3.6kg$) with a $5{\times}5$ latin square design arrangement (n = 5 replicates). Each experimental period lasted for 30 d; the first 20 d was for feed adaptation, the next 3 d was for sampling of rumen liquid, and the last 7 d was for measurements of digestibility and N balance. Results revealed that lignin content was reduced significantly when cocoa pod was treated with urea, molasses, rumen content or P. chrysosporium (p<0.01) with the following order of effectiveness: CPh>CAm>CRu>CMo. Among all treatments, CAm and CPh treatments significantly improved the in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility (p<0.05) of cocoa pod. Average daily gain of steers receiving CAm or CPh treatment was significantly higher than that of control (p<0.01) with an increase of 105% and 92%, respectively. Such higher daily gain was concomitant with higher N retention and proportion of N retention to N intake in CAm and CPh treatments than those of control (p<0.05). It can be concluded from this study that treatment with either urea or P. chrysosporium is effective in improving the nutritive value of cocoa pod.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.747-751
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• 1999

The Hohenheim in vitro gas test was used to assess the nutritional value of some crop residues of known in vivo digestibility. The crop residues are groundnut shells (GNS) corn cobs (CC); cassava peels (CaP); unripe and ripe plantain peels (UPP, RPP) and citrus pulp/peels (CPP). Compared to other crop residues, crude protein (CP) content of CC was low. Except for CaP and CPP that had low neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF), other residues contained a high amount of cell wall constituents. Net gas production was significantly different among the crop residues (p<0.05). Gas production was highest in CPP followed by CaP. CC, UPP and RPP have the same volume of net gas production, while the least net gas production was in GNS. True dry matter (TDM) digestibility was significantly different (p<0.05) among the residues. GNS was the least in TDM digestibility. CaP, UPP and RPP had similar TDM digestibility values, while the highest TDM digestibility was obtained in CPP. OM digestibility was different among the residues (p<0.05). CaP and CPP had the same ME value while CC, UPP and RPP had close ME values and GNS the least in ME (p<0.05). The potential extent (b) and rate (c) of gas production were statistical different among the residues (p<0.05). The Hohenheim gas test gave high in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility for CC, CaP, UPP and RPP and CPP. Fermentable carbohydrates and probably available nitrogen in the crop residues influenced net gas production. The results showed that crop residues besides, providing bulk are also a source of energy and fermentable products which could be used in ruminant livestock production in the tropics.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1721-1728
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• 2007

An in vitro and a feeding trial were conducted to investigate the effect of xylanase supplementation on the feeding value of growing pig diets containing high proportions of Chinese double-low rapeseed meals (DLRM). Seven diets were formulated to meet NRC (1998) nutrient requirements. Diet 1 based on corn-soybean meal was used as positive control 1, and diet 2, a practical diet which incorporated a conventional level of Chinese DLRM (60 g/kg diet), as positive control 2. Diet 3 contained a higher level of DLRM (100 g/kg diet) as the negative control. Diet 3 plus xylanase at 0.10, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.70 g/kg diet created diets 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively. The seven diets were incubated in triplicate with the in vitro two-stage enzyme incubation method to predict responses of diets to xylanase in terms of digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). In vitro, the negative control had the lowest CP and NDF digestibility. Both DM and CP digestibility were increased (p<0.05) owing to xylanase supplementation either at 0.50 or 0.70 g/kg diet, and NDF digestibility was improved following xylanase addition at all of the test levels. There was a high linear correlation ($r^2>90$, p<0.05) between the activity concentration of the enzyme when transformed into its logarithmic value and in vitro digestibility coefficients of DM, CP or NDF. In the feeding trial, 112 crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments with 16 replicate pens of one pig each. An obvious dose effect on growth rate was observed ($r^2=0.79$, p<0.05) within the inclusion levels of xylanase. Compared with the negative control, xylanase addition at 0.70 g/kg diet resulted in significantly increased ADG (878 g/d vs. 828 g/d, p<0.05), and a tendency towards improved growth rate (868 g/d vs. 828 g/d, p = 0.10) was also observed following the inclusion of xylanase at 0.50 g/kg diet. It would appear that the nutrient utilization of corn and Chinese DLRM diets by pigs could be enhanced by an appropriate amount of xylanase addition. The in vitro and in vivo results suggested that the in vitro incubation method is feasible for predicting responses of pigs to exogenous enzymes and identifying those preparations that possess potential for improvement of the nutritive values of feedstuffs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.807-817
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• 2008

Steers with ad libitum access to rice straw were assigned to four diets to evaluate the effects of maize or soybean hull supplementation on intake, in vivo digestibility, ruminal pH, VFA, ammonia-nitrogen ($NH_3-N$) and in situ ruminal disappearance of feed nutrients by cattle consuming rice straw. Supplement treatments were: no supplement (RS); soybean meal at 0.127% BW (SBM); cracked maize at 0.415% BW plus 0.044% BW soybean meal (MAIZE); or soybean hulls at 0.415% BW plus 0.044% BW soybean meal (HULLS). The MAIZE and HULLS diets were formulated to provide approximately 4 MJ of $NE_m$ per kg of diet. Rice straw DMI was not affected (p = 0.34) by supplement. Apparent dry matter (DM) digestibility was greater (p<0.001) for MAIZE and HULLS (56.6 and 60.0%, respectively) than for steers consuming SBM or RS (51.8 and 44.4%, respectively). Apparent NDF digestibility was greater (p<0.0004) for HULLS than MAIZE (61.7 vs. 58.0%, respectively) and apparent ADF digestibility was greater (p<0.0008) for HULLS than MAIZE (61.1 vs. 49.2%, respectively). There was no difference in apparent hemicellulose digestibility (p = 0.43). Analysis of ruminal fluid collected 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h post-feeding revealed ammonia-nitrogen was greatest (p<0.05) for steers on SBM and HULLS diets at 2 h (24.08 and 22.57 mg/dl, respectively) and total volatile fatty acids was greatest (p<0.05) for HULLS at 4 h (230 mM/L). In situ disappearance, measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 and 24 h, indicated that SBM, MAIZE and HULLS tended to enhance the digestibility of DM and fiber components of rice straw. In situ disappearance of rice straw DM was greatest for SBM and/or HULLS from 4 to 24 h (p = 0.03). Rice straw NDF and ADF disappearance was enhanced by supplementation from 16 to 24 h (p<0.02). Rice straw DM, NDF and ADF disappearances at 24 h were similar for MAIZE and HULLS treatments. When feeding cattle rice straw diets, energy and protein-based supplements are essential. This study showed that fiber-based supplements are just as, if not more, effective as starch-based supplements in rice straw utilization. This study shows that soybean hulls, in spite of their high fiber content, are as efficient as maize for supplementing rice straw primarily because fiber in soybean hulls is highly digestible as shown by in vivo digestibility and in situ disappearance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 1991

Nutrient evaluation of sago fibre showed that the fibre has potential and could be utilized as feed for ruminants. However, as a source of nutrients, it has limitations arising from low intake, digestibility, crude protein and minerals content. The present study showed that the sago fibre is low in crude protein (3.3%) and high in neutral detergent fibre (72.5%) and acid detergent lignin (25.8%) contents. Treatment of sago fibre with urea increased the crude protein content from 3.3 to 16.7%. Both urea and sodium hydroxide treatment decreased the neutral detergent fibre level from 72.5 to 59 and 56.5%, respectively. Rumen degradation of sago fibre by nylon bag showed that both urea and sodium hydroxide treatments increased dry matter and organic matter disappearance of the fibre significantly. In vivo digestibility of 2% urea treated sago fibre was 47.5% and intake of the fibre was 1.57% of body weight of the lamb.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.325-332
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• 2014

The antioxidant capacity of porcine splenic hydrolysate (PSH) was studied in vitro and in vivo. Peptide hydrolysates were prepared, using the proteolytic enzyme $Alcalase^{(R)}$. The molecular weights of PSH were 37,666, 10,673, 6,029, and 2,918 g/mol. Rats were fed a 5% (w/v) PSH diet, instead of a casein diet, for 4 wk. The food intake, body weight gain, and liver weight of rats in the PSH group were similar to those in the control (CONT) group. There were no differences in the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, or albumin levels between PSH and CONT groups. However, the level of in vivo hepatic lipid peroxidation in PSH group was significantly lower than that in CONT. In vivo hepatic catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the PSH group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The in vitro protein digestibility of PSH was lower than that of casein. The in vitro trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity of PSH was significantly higher than that of the peptide hydrolysate from casein. The in vitro radical scavenging activities of PSH were significantly higher than those of the peptide hydrolysate from casein. The present findings suggest that porcine splenic peptides improve the antioxidant status in rats by enhancing hepatic catalase and GSH-Px activities, and indicate a potential mechanism of radical scavenging activity during gastrointestinal passage.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 1994

A study was conducted to develop a new analytical method to quantitate chicken dietary fiber (CDF). Four types of grain diets and 2 types of forages were used. Three broiler chicks at eight weeks of age were used in the Latin square design to estirnate the in vivo digestibility. Six quantitative analytical methods (Southgate method, total dietary fiber or TDF, acid detergent fiber or ADF, neutral detergent fiber or NDF, crude fiber or CF) including CDF were compared in this study. ADF, NDF and CF contained the lowest amount of the unavailable carbohydrate(UC). The value of TDF was higher than the values of ADF, NDF and CF and lower than CDF and the Southgate method. The value of NDF showed the lower values than the CDF, Southgate fiber and TDF. The recovery rate of the fiber in the feces was high in the TDF, ADF, NDF and CF, while CDF and Southgate fiber showed lower recovery rates. TDF, NDF, ADF, or CF can replace chromium in the digestibility test, while the CDF and Southgate fiber can not replace chrorniurn. The digestibility of TDF, NDF, ADF and CF in the chicken showed negative values or values close to zero depending on the types of feed but the digestibility of CDF and Southgate fiber showed relatively high positive values.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1580-1587
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• 2006

Several researchers have demonstrated that the rumen microbial community rapidly adapts to saponins and proposed interval feeding to prevent this rapid adaptation. An in vivo experiment was carried out to examine the effect of daily versus application every third day (interval feeding) of Sapindus rarak saponins (SE) on rumen fermentation end products, protozoal counts and nutrient digestibility. Thirty sheep were allocated into 5 groups. Sheep were fed daily or every third day with two levels of SE (0.48 and 0.72 g/kg body mass). One group received no saponin and served as control. All sheep received the same diet, a mixture of elephant grass and wheat pollard (65:35 w/w). Independent of the feeding regime and the level of inclusion, the addition of SE decreased protozoal counts and rumen ammonia concentrations (p<0.01). Microbial N supply and N retention were not affected by the high feeding regime. Daily feeding negatively influenced rumen xylanase and cellulase activity, but only when the high level of saponins was fed. However, these negative effects on rumen cell wall degradation were not reflected in decreasing total tract digestibility of the organic matter or the plant cell walls. Our results show that rumen microorganisms do not rapidly adapt to S. rarak saponins.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.220-228
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• 2007

The nutritive value and the effect of tannins on the utilization of foliage from three commonly used legumes, Acacia nilotica, Albizia procera, and Sesbania acculeata, were determined. Three mature rumen-fistulated bullocks were used to study in sacco degradability and twelve adult sheep were randomly allocated on the basis of live weight to 4 groups of 3 in each to study the in vivo digestibility of the foliages. In all foliages, the contents of crude protein (17 to 24% of DM) were high. Fibre was especially high in Albizia (NDF 58.8% of DM vs. 21% in Sesbania and 15.4% in Acacia). Contents of both hydrolysable (4.4 to 0.05%) and condensed tannins (1.2 to 0.04%) varied from medium to low in the foliages. Acacia contained the highest level of total phenolics (20.1%), protein precipitable phenolics (13.2%) and had the highest capacity to precipitate protein (14.7%). Drying in shade reduced the tannin content in Acacia and Albizia by 48.6 and 69.3% respectively. The foliages ranked similarly for each of the different methods used to estimate tannin content and activity. Acacia and Sesbania foliage was highly degradable (85-87% potential degradability of DM in sacco), compared to Albizia (52%), indicating a minimal effect of tannins in Acacia and Sesbania. Yet, in vitro, the tannins in the Acacia inhibited microbial activity more than those in Albizia and Sesbania. Following the addition of polyethylene glycol to neutralise the tannins, gas production and microbial growth increased by 59% and 0.09 mg RNA equiv./dg microbial yield respectively in the Acacia, compared to 16-17% and 0.06 mg RNA equiv./dg microbial yield in the other foliages. There was a trend for low in vivo apparent digestibility of N in the Acacia (43.2%) and Albizia (44.2%) compared to the Sesbania (54.5%) supplemented groups. This was likely to be due to presence of tannins. Consistent with this was the low N retention (0.22 and 0.19 g N/g NI) in sheep supplemented with Acacia and Albizia compared to that for the Sesbania (0.32). Similarly, a trend for poor microbial N yield was observed in sheep fed these foliages. Across the foliages tested, an increase in tannin content was associated with a reduction in ruminal fermentation, N digestibility and N retention. For overall nutritive value, Sesbania proved to be the superior forage of the three tested.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1219-1227
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• 2000

Rumination behavior, in vivo digestibility of cell wall constituents, particle size reduction in the rumen, and retention time in the digestive tract of sheep were examined using rice and oat straw as roughage sources. The in sacco digestibility, rumen fermentation, and microbial population and internal adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) content were also determined under feeding conditions of high-roughage and high-concentrate diets. Chewing number and time in rumination behavior were higher with rice straw than with oat straw, while the in sacco and in vivo DMD of rice straw were consistently lower than those of oat straw. Rice straw also showed higher frequency of thinner and longer particles in the rumen contents and lower retention time in the whole digestive tract as compared to those of oat straw. Rice straw was more effective to maintain the ruminal pH than oat straw, being reflected in higher internal ATP content of large-type protozoa on the high- concentrate diet. Changes in the ruminal microflora by shifting from the low- to the high- concentrate diet were also different between rice and oat straw.