Abstract
Minerals play an important role in animal metabolism. Knowledge of mineral requirements allows well-formulated diets to be provided, which is the main factor that affects performance. To ...determine the macromineral and trace element requirements for growth and maintenance, thirty-eight 2-month-old Santa Ines lambs with initial body weight (BW) of 13.0 ± 1.49 kg were distributed in a factorial design with feeding levels (ad libitum
,
30% and 60% feed restriction) and sex classes castrated (CM) and intact males (IM). The net mineral requirements for gain were higher (
P
< 0.05) with increasing BW and average daily gain, except for Ca and Na, which remained constant as the empty BW (EBW) increased. The macromineral net requirement for maintenance (g/kg EBW
0.75
) and the true retention coefficient (k; %) were 0.0784 and 65.2 for Ca, 0.0926 and 80.0 for P, and 0.0379 and 59.0 for K, respectively. The k of Mg was higher (
P
< 0.05) for IM (11.3 for IM and 7.9 for CM). Sex did not affect (
P
> 0.05) the maintenance requirement of the trace elements Co, Cu, Zn and Cr which were 0.0015, 0.037, 0.698, and 0.0055 (mg/kg EBW
0.75
), respectively. Our study indicated that the Santa Ines net mineral requirements are different from the main nutritional requirements established by committees for sheep, which may result in unbalanced diets.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of feeding licuri cake to lambs on the sensory characteristics, physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid (FA) profile of meat from lambs. ...Forty-four crossbred Santa Ines lambs (21.2 ± 2.70 kg body weight; 6 months old) were housed in individual pens and fed 4 experimental diets, containing 0, 8, 16 or 24% licuri cake (DM basis). The averages concentrations of ash (11.4), pH (5.82), lightness (38.1), cooking loss (26.8) or shear-force resistance (2.48) of lamb meat were not affected by the licuri cake diets. However, there was a linear decrease (P < 0.01) of redness and chroma indexes, lipid and protein contents, whereas the moisture content of the meat (P < 0.001) increased linearly due to the inclusion of licuri cake in lambs' diets. The licuri cake inclusion in the lambs feed linearly increased (P < 0.05) the fatty acids concentrations of C12:0, C17:0, C20:0, C20:1, C18:3, C20:3, C20:4 and ΣPUFA/ΣMUFA ratio, Σω-3 and atherogenicity index (AI). However, C18:1 cis, C20:2, C20:5, ΣMUFA, ΣMUFA/ΣSFA and Σω-6:Σω-3 ratios in the longissimus lumborum of lambs linearly decreased by licuri cake inclusion. There was a quadratic increase (P < 0.05) on C14:0 (maximum point 4.94 g/100 g FAME to 14.5% licuri inclusion), C16:1 (maximum point 8.59 g/100 g FAME to 10.7% licuri inclusion) and enzymatic activities of Δ9-desaturase C16 (maximum point 27.5 g/100 g FAME to 10.6% licuri inclusion) in the longissimus lumborum of lambs fed due to increased concentrations of licuri cake. However, there was a quadratic decrease (P = 0.04) in ΣPUFA/ΣSFA ratio with minimum concentration of 0.63 g/100 g FAME to 11.1% inclusion. The inclusion of licuri cake in the lambs diet did not change (P > 0.05) the concentrations of SFA C10:0, C15:0, C16:0, C18:0, C14:1, MUFA C18:1 trans, PUFA C18:2 cis, CLA, total sum of ΣSFA and ΣPUFA, desirable fatty acids (DFA), hypocholesterolemic:hypercholesterolemic index, and elongase and Δ9-desaturase C18 enzymes. Licuri cake in the lamb diet improved (P < 0.05) meat aroma, flavor and overall acceptance by consumers. Licuri cake inclusion in the diet of lambs improves sensory attributes of meat and the meat fatty acid profile becomes nutritionally healthier for the human diet because do not affect major FA of meat; however, the growth performance of finishing lambs is reduced.
Agricultural production is influenced by the water content in the soil and availability of fertilizers. Thus, superabsorbent hydrogels, based on polyacrylamide, natural cashew tree gum (CG) and ...potassium hydrogen phosphate (PHP), as fertilizer and water releaser were developed. The structure, morphology, thermal stability and chemical composition of samples of polyacrylamide and cashew tree gum hydrogels with the presence of fertilizer (HCGP) and without fertilizer (HCG) were investigated, using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA/DTG) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Swelling/reswelling tests, textural analysis, effect of pH, release of nutrients and kinetics were determined; the ecotoxicity of the hydrogels was investigated by the
test. The results showed that PHP incorporation in the hydrogel favored the crosslinking of chains. This increased the thermal stability in HCGP but decreased the hardness and adhesion properties. The HCGP demonstrated good swelling capacity (~15,000 times) and an excellent potential for reuse after fifty-five consecutive cycles. The swelling was favored in an alkaline pH due to the ionization of hydrophilic groups. The sustained release of phosphorus in HCGP was described by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, and Fickian diffusion is the main fertilizer release mechanism. Finally, the hydrogels do not demonstrate toxicity, and HCGP has potential for application in agriculture.
The production of edible film from onion (
L.) to be applied as packaging is attractive, due to its chemical properties and biodegradable characteristics. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that edible ...onion film can positively influence the sensory properties, quality and increasing shelf life of beef burgers patties. The experiment was designed in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with two treatments (beef burgers patties with or without edible onion film) at an interval of four storage times (0, 3, 6 and 9 days) at 4 °C. The uncoated burger patties (control) suffered the most intense color modifications during the storage (
< 0.05). The luminosity index was higher (
< 0.05) in the control at all storage times, except at day 6, and redness, yellowness and chrome were higher (
< 0.05) in the edible onion film patties at all storage times. The pH of the beef burger patties was lower (
< 0.05) at all storage times when the edible onion film was applied. For the texture profile, only the chewiness was affected, as the inclusion of the edible onion film improved the chewing of the beef burgers patties over the storage time (
< 0.05). Additionally, there was an inhibition of the microbial growth of mesophiles and psychrophiles with the application of the edible onion film in beef burgers patties. The use of edible onion film improved the perception of panelists for the variables texture, color, flavor, odor and overall appearance, and increased the preference of panelists. The edible onion film is recommended for preserving beef burgers patties, as it delays the proliferation of unwanted microorganisms, stabilizes and improves the color parameters and sensory attributes, and increases the overall acceptance of the consumer.
The use of hydrogels helpsthe production of plants in drought-stress environments. Thus, this work evaluated using different hydrogels to minimize drought stress in soybean cultivation. The ...treatments employed two different hydrogels, one already commercialized and the other produced with cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale), five levels (0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg pot
) of the hydrogels, and two levels of drought stress in sandy soil. The growth and yield of soybeans and the levels of macro- and micronutrients in soybeans were evaluated.growth. The use of CG hydrogel promoted 12% increase in protein content in the seeds in the when soybean plants were subjected to drought stress. The levels of 30 mg pot
, corresponding to 7.5 kg ha
, improved the 'morphological and productive parametersof the soybeans. The increasing levels of hydrogel promoted the increase in P, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe and reduced S and Cu on an exponential scale. The use of cashew gum hydrogel increased the K and Ca contents in soybean seeds compared to commercial hydrogel.
The growth characteristics and chemical composition of Nopalea cochenillifera under water stress were evaluated, comparing the use of hydrogel based on natural fiber of Orbignya phalerata, to the ...commercial hydrogel based on polyacrylamide and under different levels of the test hydrogel. Two trials were performed, adopting a completely randomized design with six replications. In the first trial, the treatments were three forms of soil hydration: no hydrogel - NH, commercial hydrogel - CH and test hydrogel - TH. While in the second trial, the treatments were levels of 0, 7.5, 15, 30 and 90 kg ha
−1
of TH. In the first trial, significant effect (p < .05) was observed on the number of cladodes, cladode area, plant height, cladode dry biomass (CDB), root dry biomass (RDB), dry matter content (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). In the second trial, significant effect (p < .05) was observed on the number of cladodes, cladode area, plant height, CDB and RDB, according to the increase in the level of TH in the initial growth of cactus pear. Regarding the chemical composition of the cactus pear grown with different levels of TH, an effect was found (p < .05) on dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The use of hydrogel provides greater growth and better chemical composition of the cactus pear Nopalea cochenillifera, in its initial growth, with the hydrogel based on natural fiber of Orbignya phalerata being the best economically and environmentally option, upto a level of 30 kg ha
−1
.
The objective was to evaluate the fermentation parameters, chemical composition and in situ degradability of sesame silage in comparison to usual silages. The losses, fermentation quality and ...chemical composition of the forages and silages were evaluated using a completely randomised design with four treatments (sesame, corn, millet and sunflower) and four replicates per treatment, the silages were produced in experimental silos. In-situ degradability was evaluated using a completely randomised design with four treatments and three replicates (animals) per treatment. The results were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance and Tukey's test with a level of 5% of probability. Three rumen fistulated non-castrated Santa Inês rams were used. Sunflower and corn silages presented higher percentages of losses through gases (p = .0256). Millet silage presented higher losses by effluent (p < .0001). The dry matter recovery (p < .0001) ranged from 70.0 to 96.5% for sesame and corn silage, respectively. The dry matter content (p = .0002) in the silages ranged from 280.0 to 429.4 g kg
−1
. The sesame silage presented loss amounts and fermentation parameters similar to those found in corn and sunflower silage. Sesame silage showed moderate dry matter (DM), content, excellent crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) contents, and low lignin content. Corn silage presented higher concentration of the soluble fraction of DM (p < .0001). The sesame silage presented a high degradability rate of DM and it was similar to corn and millet which have great nutritional potential for ruminants feeding. Sesame has the potential to produce quality biomass and silage for animal feeding.
highlights
The sesame can be an option for silage making.
Sesame helps to ensure sustainability by promoting lower seasonal risks in this region through the usage of silage as feed for the animals.
Sesame also increases the productivity of livestock throughout the year, through the availability of feed for the herd mainly during the dry season of the year.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of condensed tannin inclusion (0, 10, 30 or 50 g/kg of dry matter (DM) total) from Acacia mearnsii extract on the fatty acid profile, ...physicochemical quality and sensorial analysis of salted and sun-dried meat from young Nellore bulls. The inclusion of condensed tannin extract in the young bulls' diets promoted a quadratic reduction in the lipid content. There was a linear increase in the water retention capacity, cooking weight loss and C18:3n-3 and a linear reduction in collagen, C16:0, C16:1cis-9, C18:1, MUFAs, and Δ9-desaturaseC18 in the salted and sun-dried meat from young Nellore bulls supplemented with condensed tannin. The myristic fatty acid (C14:0) and the flavor sensory attribute presented a quadratic increase. The inclusion of condensed tannin extract in the young Nellore bulls' diets did not influence most of the physicochemical characteristics, fatty acids and nutraceutical compounds, including CLA, atherogenicity, thrombogenicity and the h:H index, the tenderness and the global appearance of the salted and sun-dried meat. Condensed tannins reduce ruminal biohydrogenation and improve the PUFA content of salted and sun-dried meat from young Nellore bulls.
In livestock management, the production of forage plants is undoubtedly the most efficient way to produce products of animal origin with quality and economic viability. We hope that the readers of ...the book "New Perspectives in Forage Crops" will have a good reading and appreciate the information provided on forage production, since the book draws on the expertise of different specialists of the area, who discuss the following aspects: fertilization, semiarid region production, forage species selection, nitrogen fixation, grasses, legumes, cacti, drought, etc. The authors of the book are of different nationalities and provide important information and diverse perspectives on the subject of forage farming.
Oilseed cakes can partially replace corn or soy used in the diet without losing animal performance. The objective was to carry out a meta‐analysis and principal component analysis to evaluate the ...effects of cakes on the intake and apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter (DM) and milk production and composition in lactating dairy cows. The data set used in the meta‐analysis came from 51 studies published between 2009 and 2019, which resulted in 119 studies with 18 types of cakes evaluated in 1350 cows. Cows fed with cakes increased dry matter intake (DMI) by 0.366 kg d−1 (P < 0.001) and DMI as a function of the animal's body weight by 0.103% (P < 0.0001) compared with the diet without cake. The milk protein content decreased by 0.050% (P < 0.010). The contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (26%–%) and ether extract (EE) (3%–7%) of the cake diets did not affect ADCDM. Cakes with contents between 10% and 30% can replace corn or soy in the diet without affecting milk production, components (fat, protein, and lactose), and contents (fat and lactose), but it can reduce the milk protein content of milk.