Substitution of wheat straw with sugarcane bagasse in low-forage diets fed to mid-lactation dairy cows: Milk production, digestibility, and chewing behavior

Wheat silage partially replacing oaten hay exhibited greater feed efficiency and fibre digestion despite low feed intake by feedlot lambs

This study aimed to investigate the feeding effect of wheat silage on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and microbiota composition in feedlot lambs. Sixty-four male crossbred Chinese Han lambs (BW = 27.8 ± 0.67 kg, 3 months of age) were randomly assigned to four ration groups with wheat silage replacing 0% (WS0), 36% (WS36), 64% (WS64), and 100% (WS100) of oaten hay on forage dry matter basis. The concentrate-to-forage ratio was 80:20 and the feeding trial lasted 52 d. Increasing wheat silage inclusion linearly decreased dry matter intake by 4% to 27% (P < 0.01). However, increasing the wheat silage replacement of oaten hay by no more than 64% improved the feed efficiency by 14% as noted by the feed-to-gain ratio (P = 0.04). Apparent digestibility of organic matter (P < 0.01), neutral detergent fibre (P = 0.04) and acid detergent fibre (P < 0.01) quadratically increased. Ammonia nitrogen (P = 0.01) decreased while microbial protein production (P < 0.01) increased with the increase of wheat silage inclusion. Total volatile fatty acids concentration increased quadratically with the increase of wheat silage inclusion (P < 0.01), and the highest occurred in WS64. The molar proportion of acetate (P < 0.01) and acetate-to-propionate ratio (P = 0.04) decreased while butyrate (P < 0.01) and isovalerate (P = 0.04) increased. Increasing wheat silage inclusion increased the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidota ratio by 226% to 357%, resulting in Firmicutes instead of Bacteroidota being the most abundant phylum. The relative abundance of cellulolytic Ruminococcus numerically increased but that of amylolytic Prevotella (P < 0.01) decreased as increasing wheat silage inclusion. Taken together, increasing wheat silage replacement of oaten hay by no more than 64% exhibited greater feed efficiency and fibre digestion despite low feed intake by feedlot lambs due to the change of Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidota ratio in the rumen.

Antidiabetic Activity of Potential Probiotics Limosilactobacillus spp., Levilactobacillus spp., and Lacticaseibacillus spp. Isolated from Fermented Sugarcane Juice: A Comprehensive In Vitro and In Silico Study

Probiotics are regarded as a potential source of functional foods for improving the microbiota in human gut. When consumed, these bacteria can control the metabolism of biomolecules, which has numerous positive effects on health. Our objective was to identify a probiotic putative Lactobacillus spp. from fermented sugarcane juice that can prevent α-glucosidase and α-amylase from hydrolyzing carbohydrates. Isolates from fermented sugarcane juice were subjected to biochemical, molecular characterization (16S rRNA) and assessed for probiotic traits. Cell-free supernatant (CS) and extract (CE) and also intact cells (IC) were examined for the inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase and α-amylase. CS of the strain showed the highest inhibition and was subjected to a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis to determine the organic acid profile. The in silico approach was employed to assess organic acid stability and comprehend enzyme inhibitors' impact. Nine isolates were retained for further investigation based on the preliminary biochemical evaluation. Limosilactobacillus spp., Levilactobacillus spp., and Lacticaseibacillus spp. were identified based on similarity > 95% in homology search (NCBI database). The strains had a higher survival rate (>98%) than gastric and intestinal fluids, also a high capacity for adhesion (hydrophobicity > 56%; aggregation > 80%; HT-29 cells > 54%; buccal epithelial cells > 54%). The hemolytic assay indicated that the isolates could be considered safe. The isolates' derivatives inhibited enzymes to varying degrees, with α-glucosidase inhibition ranging from 21 to 85% and α-amylase inhibition from 18 to 75%, respectively. The CS of RAMULAB54 was profiled for organic acid that showed the abundance of hydroxycitric acid, citric acid, and lactic acid indicating their role in the observed inhibitory effects. The in silico approach has led us to understand that hydroxycitric acid has the ability to inhibit both the enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) effectively. Inhibiting these enzymes helps moderate postprandial hyperglycemia and regulates blood glucose levels. Due to their promising antidiabetic potential, these isolates can be used to enhance intestinal health.

Effect of dietary peNDF levels on digestibility and rumen fermentation, and microbial community in growing goats

Physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) is a concept that accounts for the particle length of NDF in diets, sustaining the normal chewing behavior and rumen fermentation of ruminants. Specifically, peNDF>1.18 is the commonest one that is calculated from NDF and the percentage of feed dry matter left on the 1.18, 8.00, and 19.00 mm sieves. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of peNDF>1.18 on the rumen microbiome and its correlation with nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in goats. A total of 30 Lezhi black goats were randomized and blocked to five dietary treatments (n = 6). All the diets were identical in composition but varied in hay lengths, leading to the different peNDF>1.18 content of the diets: 32.97, 29.93, 28.14, 26.48, and 24.75%. The results revealed that the nutrient digestibility increased when dietary peNDF>1.18 levels decreased from 32.97% to 28.14%, with the highest digestibility at 28.14% peNDF>1.18 treatment, after which nutrient digestibility decreased with the decreasing of dietary peNDF levels. Ruminal NH3-N concentrations in the 29.93% and 28.14% groups were higher than that in the 24.75% group (p < 0.05). Ruminal microbial protein concentration was the highest in the 32.97% group (p < 0.05). Daily CH4 production in the 32.97% and 24.75% peNDF>1.18 treatments was lower than that in the 26.48% group (p < 0.05) and no differences were observed among other groups. The relative abundance of rumen fungi at the phylum and genus levels and archaea at the species were affected by dietary peNDF>1.18 content. In conclusion, decreasing dietary peNDF>1.18 levels within a certain range can improve nutrient digestibility and change the rumen microbial community structure of goats. Dietary peNDF>1.18 level should be 28.14% (roughage length around 1 cm) among the five levels for 4 months Lezhi black goats with the purpose of optimal nutrient digestibility.

Effects of Capsicum Oleoresin Supplementation on Lactation Performance, Plasma Metabolites, and Nutrient Digestibility of Heat Stressed Dairy Cow

The present study investigates the effect of Capsicum oleoresin (CAP) supplementation on the dry matter intake, milk performance, plasma metabolites, and nutrient digestibility of dairy cows during the summer. Thirty-two lactating Holstein dairy cows (n = 32) were randomly divided into four groups. The CAP was dissolved in water and added to the total mixed ration with graded levels of CAP (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg of dry matter). The trial period consisted of seven days for adaptation and thirty days for sampling. Data were analyzed using the MIXED and GLM procedure SAS. The linear and quadratic effects were tested. The milk yield, milk fat, and milk urea nitrogen increased linearly with the dietary addition of CAP (p < 0.05). The dry matter intake increased linearly in the 20CAP group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the 4% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, milk fat yield, and milk fat to milk protein ratio increased quadratically (p < 0.05), while the rectal temperature decreased quadratically (p < 0.05). Serum total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids increased linearly (p < 0.05); glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate tended to increase quadratically with the dietary addition of CAP (p = 0.05). Meanwhile, CAP supplementation did not affect the milk protein yield, blood concentration of triglyceride, insulin, lipopolysaccharide, immunoglobulin G, or heat shock protein 70 expression level (p > 0.05). In addition, nutrient digestibility was comparable among groups (p > 0.05). These findings indicated that CAP supplementation could enhance the lactation performance of dairy cows during the summer.

Comparative study of polyphenolic compound extraction from empty palm fruit bunches and sugarcane pulp

Polyphenolic compounds have many benefits, one of which being their efficacy as antioxidants. They can be extracted from various parts of plants and from agricultural waste. In this research, sugarcane pulp, and empty palm fruit bunches from the palm oil production were investigated as potential raw materials. This study aims to determine solvents and easy-to-perform extraction methods that show the highest effectivity in regards to total phenolic and flavonoid yield and the correlated antioxidant activity. Extraction methods comprised maceration, Soxhlet extraction, and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE); solvents that were investigated included water, 70% methanol and 70% ethanol. The antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH (diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) method and FRAP (Ferric Reduction Ability of Plasma) method. Based on the amount of polyphenol compounds as well as the antioxidant activity, the experiments showed that Soxhlet extraction with 70% methanol as solvent worked best for palm bunch waste and sugar cane pulp, resulted in about two times higher values for total phenolic content, flavonoid content and FRAP antioxidant activity as well as extract mass (yield) compared to the results from other extraction methods or solvents used in this experiment. The antioxidant activity of the extracts as measured by DPPH method seemed also to be promising, although the trend among solvent and extraction method was rather inconclusive.