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ANFT SEP 2020

ABSTRACT

Ergin, S. and Gumus, H. 2020. Silage quality, fermentation dynamics and chemical composition of alfalfa silage prepared with salt and lactic acid bacteria inoculants. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 367-380

The present study was carried out to investigate the silage quality, fermentation profile and chemical composition of alfalfa silage prepared with salt (NaCl) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as inoculants. After harvesting, fresh alfalfa samples were chopped into small pieces and the silage additives were manually applied to fresh alfalfa in a plastic basin. Four groups were established of salt and LAB inoculant i.e., CON (no supplementation); LAB (LAB supplementation), SALT (salt supplementation) and SALT-L (LAB inoculant and salt supplementation). Four silos from each group were opened for the analysis of silage quality, fermentation quality and chemical composition on 7, 14, 30 and 60th d of ensiling. The physical quality of silages revealed that good and excellent quality silages were obtained regardless of the duration of ensiling. All additives remarkably increased (P<0.01) the Flieg point during ensiling. After 7 d of ensiling, the pH value was linearly decreased in all silages throughout fermentation (P<0.01). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) among groups in terms of NH3 -N/TN content on all treatment days. All inoculants tended to increase acetate and lactate levels (P<0.01) and decrease propionate and butyrate levels (P<0.01) compared to CON- silage irrespective of the days of ensiling. The highest LAB numbers were observed in LAB-treated silages than CON-silage. Silage prepared with salt had greater (P<0.01) CO2 production whereas those prepared with LAB exhibited lower CO2 production (P<0.05) compared to CON-silage. There were significant differences (P<0.01) among groups in DM, CP, ash CF, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose at d 60 of ensiling. This study showed that LAB inoculant was more efficient than S and SALT-L inoculant to improve fermentation quality.

Keywords: Aerobic stability, Alfalfa, Fermentation, Lactic acid bacteria, Salt, Silage

*Corresponding author: hdrgumus@gmail.com, hgumus@mehmetakif.edu.tr

ABSTRACT

Álvarez, S., Martínez-Fernández, A. and Méndez, P. 2020. Ensiling potential of fresh tomato waste with dehydrated beet pulp and cereal straw as additives. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 381-392

This study evaluated the ensilability, fermentation metabolites and nutritive value of fresh waste tomatoes with two different additives namely, dehydrated beet pulp and cereal straw. Initially, the comparative ensilability parameters were assessed in two different types of waste tomato fruits, i.e. interior market (Ti) and ecological (Te) tomatoes. Subsequently, as per the observed ensilability attributes, Ti was selected for further investigation. Accordingly, the waste tomatoes were ensiled as such (Ti) or in combination with 25% dehydrated beet pulp (Ti-DBP) and 25% cereal straw (Ti-CS) in laboratory microsilos. The quality and stability of the silages were assessed over time i.e., on d 35 and 70. In both the treatments, 3.5 L of formic acid was added per ton of silage to improve the fermentation. Both waste tomato types, ecological and interior tomatoes, showed high water-soluble carbohydrates content, but low DM, buffering capacity and fermentability ratio. Chemical analysis data showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the composition (except for OM content) between the silage materials before ensiling, with or without as additives. Both the silages presented good fermentative attributes with significant differences only in the concentrations of ammonia (P=0.004) and formic acid (P<0.001). In contrast, the chemical composition data showed significant differences (P<0.001) in all parameters analyzed except DM and OM contents. Moreover, no differences were detected between ensiling periods (35 and 70 d). In general, waste tomatoes ensiled with dehydrated beet pulp showed better fermentative and nutritional quality than silage with cereal straw.

Keywords: By-product, Fermentation parameter, Nutritive value, Tomato, Silage.

*Corresponding author: salvarez@icia.es

ABSTRACT

Hundal, J.S., Wadhwa, M., Sharma, A., Singh, G. and Kaur, H. 2020. Evaluation of newly developed maize hybrids for yield, whole plant composition and ensiling characteristics under Indian climate. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 393-407.

To evaluate the yield, whole plant composition and ensiling characteristics, five newly developed maize hybrids (BL 1850, BL 4162, BL 9556, BL 8417 and PL 1844) were grown in a completely randomized block design, each with three replications. The entire maize hybrids were shown variable emergence potential as stand count, plant height, number of cobs and cob length remained variable (P<0.05) among different maize hybrids. The biological yield was recorded highest in BL 8417 (549.3 q/ha; P<0.05) in comparison to BL 1850 (459.3 q/ha) and PL 1844 (433.4 q/ha) whereas DM yield remained at par (P>0.05) among all maize hybrids. The values for TDN (%) and net energy lactation (NEL Mcal/kg) were significantly higher for BL 8417 and PL 1844 maize hybrids whereas the lowest values for TDN (68.64%), NEl (1.56 Mcal/kg), digestible DM (67.54%), relative feed value (RFV; 1.34) and relative feed quality (RFQ; 3.13) were reported in BL 9556 maize hybrid. Following ensiling for 45 d, non-significant (P>0.05) variations in silage pH, acetic acid and ammonia-N were observed among different maize hybrids; however, lactic acid content remained statistically lower (P=0.013) in PL 1844 hybrid silage. The values for TDN, digestible DM, NEL, RFV and RFQ in silages prepared from BL 8417 and PL 1844 were highest in comparison to other maize varieties whereas NDF digestibility, ME, OM digestibility, ammonia-N and fermentation efficiency remained comparable (P>0.05) among the tested maize hybrids. Overall, BL 8417 and PL 1844 maize hybrids emerged as superior cultivars with respect to pre-ensiling and post-ensiling characteristics; however, due to better crop yield and nutritive value as silage for ruminants, BL 8417 was considered the best among all the tested hybrids.

Keywords: In vitro evaluation, Maize hybrids, Silage, Whole plant composition, Yield

*Corresponding author: mw_7in@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT

Varzaru, I., Untea, A.E., Saracila, M., Ropota, M. and Olteanu, M. 2020. Comparative analysis of bioactive compounds and nutritive quality of select plants as antioxidant phytoadditives for poultry feed. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 409-418.

This study was designed to investigate the content of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties from three local plants: dandelion, burdock and lady’s bedstraw and the possibility of using them as feed additives in poultry nutrition. The investigated bioactive compounds in the selected plants included lutein and zeaxanthin, β-carotene, vitamin E and total polyphenols. The antioxidant capacity of the plants was assessed by DPPH (2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulphonic acid)] radical-scavenging activity. Proximate analysis and fatty acids composition was also studied. Dandelion registered the highest content of lutein and zeaxanthin (185.78 µg/g), β-carotene (57.57 µg/g) and vitamin E (63.77 µg/g) from among the analysed plants. The phenolic compounds contributed significantly to the antioxidant capacity, which was reflected in the ABTS radical-scavenging activity. Lady’s bedstraw showed the highest ABTS radical-scavenging activity (39.3 mM eq trolox), followed by dandelion (33.33 mM eq trolox) and burdock (23.16 mM eq trolox). The DPPH radical-scavenging activity (mM eq trolox) were in the same range of values for all studied plants, proving a comparable protondonating ability of plant extracts. These results showed that the plant extracts had an increased antioxidant capacity most likely because of the synergistic effects of antioxidant components. The assessment of nutritional quality proved the potential use of studied plants in animal nutrition.

Keywords: Antioxidant capacity, Burdock, Dandelion, Lady’s bedstraw, Nutritional value

*Corresponding author: iulia_maros@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Zammit, V.A. and Park, S.O. 2020. Effect of smart poultry on growth performance, blood biochemical parameters, caecal fermentation indices of broiler chickens. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 419-432.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of a smart poultry feeding system on growth performance of broiler chickens. A total of 2,000 one-day-old mixed-sex broiler chicks (Ross-308) were assigned randomly into two treatments namely, conventional (CON) and smart poultry (SP) feeding system; each replicated 5 times, 200 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design and reared for 35d. Results indicated that the BW gain and feed intake were higher (P<0.05) for broiler chickens in the SP group than those in the CON group. However, FCR was lower (P<0.05) in the SP group. Eviscerated carcass, breast, thigh, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius yields were higher in the SP group whereas abdominal fat was lower in the SP group than that in the CON group (P<0.05). Blood H/L ratio, ALT, AST, and PCO2 were lower in the SP group than those in the CON group whereas pH, glucose, electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl” ), RBC, HCT, Hb, PLT, PCT, PO2 and HCO3 were higher in the SP group (P<0.05). The number of Lactobacillus was higher in the SP group whereas numbers of E. coli, total aerobic bacteria, and coliform bacteria were higher in the CON group than those in the SP group (P<0.05). Total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), acetic acid, and propionic acid were higher in the SP group than those in the CON group while butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid were higher in the CON group (P<0.05). These results suggested that the productivity of broiler chickens with the smart poultry feeding system was higher than that with the conventional rearing through improvements in metabolic status.

Keywords: Blood parameters, Broiler, Cecum bacteria, Performance, Smart poultry

*Corresponding author: sopark@kangwon.ac.kr

ABSTRACT

Agarwal, P., Kamra, D.N., Agarwal, Neeta, Kala, Anju and Chaudhary, L.C. 2020. Evaluation of a rumen modifier in buffaloes to mitigate methane production. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 431-452.

The experiment was conducted on six fistulated male buffaloes with an average body weight of 415±11.8 kg divided into two groups of three each. The diet of the animals comprised of concentrate mixture and wheat straw in 40:60 ratio and was fed as per ICAR feeding standard. The effect of a rumen modifier (RM-7) consisting of mahua (Madhuka latifolia) seed cake, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed, neem (Azadirachta indica) seed cake, baheda (Terminalia bellerica), amla (Emblica officinalis), ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) seed and harad (Terminalia chebula) seed pulp mixed in 2:2:2:1:1:1:1 ratio along with sulphur (as sodium sulphate) were fed at the rate of 2.4 and 0.1 per cent of dry matter intake. On feeding RM-7 and sulphur, the activities of CMCase and avicelase were not affected, whereas, xylanase, amylase, α-glucosidase and â-glucosidase activities increased (P<0.01) and protease activity decreased (P=0.011). The population density of total fungi, protozoa, Ruminococcus albus and R. flavefaciens remained unchanged but total bacteria increased (P<0.05) in RM-7 supplemented group. Further, a trend for a decreased population of methanogens and F. succinogenes was observed in RM-7 supplemented group. When the rumen liquor of the buffaloes was used as inocula for in vitro studies, the methane production (ml/g DM and ml/g DDM) decreased (P<0.001) and in vitro feed digestibility tended (P=0.087) to increase in RM-7 supplemented group. The results indicated that supplementation of RM-7 along with sulphur has shown potential to be used as a feed additive for reduction of enteric methane production and increase in feed digestibility in buffaloes.

Keywords: Feed digestibility, Methane, Microbial profile, Rumen modifier, Rumen, Sulphur

*Corresponding author: dnkamra@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT

Mohanty, P.P., Panda, N., Swain, R.K., Behura, N.C., Panigrahi, B. and Ray, P. 2020. Supplementation of inorganic and organic selenium on antioxidant, immunity status and bioavailability in broiler breeder hen. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 441-451.

The experiment was conducted to ascertain the effect of supplementation of inorganic and /or organic selenium on the antioxidant and immunity status of coloured broiler breeder hens. Forty weekold coloured broiler breeder hens (n=144) were randomly distributed into six treatment groups each with three replicates having eight chicks per replicate. The dietary treatments included the feeding of the basal diet alone (CON) and with supplementation of Se either in inorganic (sodium selenite) form at 0.3 (SSL) and 0.6 ppm (SS-H) or in organic (selenium yeast) form at 0.3 ppm (SY-L) and 0.6 ppm (SY-H) levels or a combination of 0.3 ppm each of inorganic and organic forms (SS-SY). The supplementation was continued for 12 weeks. The results indicated a higher glutathione peroxides activities in all the selenium supplemented groups but higher superoxide dismutase was seen in SY-L, SY-H and SS-SY groups but no effect was seen in catalase activity of the birds. In 46th and 52nd week, there was significantly lower MDA in all the selenium supplemented groups. Significantly higher cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity response was seen in all the selenium supplemented groups, whereas organic as well as combination groups showed a higher response than inorganic groups. The HI titre against sheep RBC was significantly higher in SS-H, SY-H and mixed supplemented groups. Higher egg selenium content was observed in SY-H and SS-SY than other groups. It is concluded that supplementation of a combination of inorganic and organic selenium at equal proportion improved the antioxidant status, immune response in broiler breeder hens.

Keywords: Antioxidant, Bioavailability, Broiler breeder hen, Immunity, Inorganic, Organic, Selenium

*Corresponding author: npandaouat@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Park, J.H., Sureshkumar, S. and Kim, I.H. 2020. Effects of different energy levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of pigs reared in different seasons in Korea. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 453-463.

The objective of the current study was to determine the effects of different energy levels and seasons on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of pigs in Korea. Data were collected from 20 experiments conducted in 2015 to 2017, during the winter period (Dec to next Mar) and summer period (Jun to Sep), with half of them conducted in the summer period and a half in winter. Experiments lasted for 6, 5, and 5 wk for weaning (n=700; BW 7.07±0.12 kg), growing (n=768; BW 27.10±1.65 kg), and finishing pigs (n=768; BW 74.21±0.70 kg), respectively. Animals were fed two energy levels (differed by 150 kcal ME/kg) with soybean oil supplemented at 0 and 3%. There was no effect of different energy levels evident on growth performance in weaning pigs. However, pigs reared during summer period had lower (P < 0.01) average daily feed intake and higher (P<0.01) feed efficiency than those reared in winter. The growing pigs consumed more (P<0.01) feed and grew faster (P<0.01) in winter period than in the summer period. The effect of high energy was shown to increase ADG and FCR, and the increasing effect of the high energy diet was more evident in summer season (interactive effect, P<0.01). The mortality was higher (P<0.01) in summer than in winter period. The apparent total tract digestibility of DM and gross energy were increased (P<0.05) with higher energy. In finishing pigs, ADG was affected by both energy levels and ambient temperature, with the high energy level leading to higher (P<0.01) ADG in summer period than low energy level. Pigs raised in winter period consumed more feed than the summer period. The DM digestibility was higher (P<0.01) in high energy; there was no difference apparent due to season. In conclusion, the ambient temperature could negatively influence the pig growth performance and mortality. Feeding pigs with high energy density diet (by addition of 3% soybean oil) can improve growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing and finishing phase, and this growth improving effect was much more evident in the summer period. However, gross energy digestibility was not influenced during weaning and finishing phases.

Keywords: Body weight, Dietary energy, Nutrient digestibility, Season, Growing pig

*Corresponding author: inhokim@dankook.ac.kr

ABSTRACT

Bharathy, N., Singh, D.A.P., Sivakumar, K., Natarajan, A., Vasanthakumar, P. and Murali, N. 2020. Effect of different levels of concentrate feed supplementation on post-weaning growth, carcass traits and economics in Salem Black kids. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 465-475

A feeding trial was carried out for three months to assess the post-weaning growth, carcass traits and economics in Salem Black kids fed different levels of concentrate supplement (CS). Thirty-two weaned kids from a previous experiment were divided into four treatment groups namely T1 ,T2 , T3 , and T4 (comprising four male and four females in each) at the age of three months. The kids of all groups were allowed for 6 h grazing daily. While the kids of T1 were not supplemented and served as a control, the kids of T2 , T3 and T4 groups were offered CS at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 per cent of BW, respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, four representative animals from each group were slaughtered for assessing the carcass traits. Results revealed that net BW gain and ADG were higher (P<0.01) in T3 and T4 groups as compared to the T1 group. The ADG recorded was 41.64, 46.61, 51. 47 and 58.45 g in T1 , T2 , T3 , and T4 groups, respectively. When compared to T1 the ADG was 11.9, 23.6 and 40.4 per cent more in T2, T3 and T4 groups, respectively. Similarly, the CS-supplemented kids had better (P<0.01) carcass traits in terms of dressing percentage, loin eye area, carcass length. The weight of cut-up parts viz., leg, loin, rack were also higher (P<0.01) in CS-supplemented groups. Feeding of CS resulted in better economic returns. It is concluded that supplementation of CS at the rate of 2.5 per cent of BW during the post-weaning period improved the body weight gain, carcass traits and monetary returns in Salem Black kids.

Keywords: Carcass traits, Concentrate, Supplementation, Economics, Growth, Kids, Salem Black

*Corresponding author: lpmbharathi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Janbandhu, A.V., Ravi, A., Ramana, J.V. and Narendranath, D. 2020. Utilization of chitosan extracted from shrimp waste meal as a prebiotic for broilers. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 477-490

The objective of the study was to extract chitosan from shrimp waste meal by a bioremediation method using organic acids along with yeast and to evaluate the prebiotic effect of the extracted chitosan in commercial broilers. The optimum concentration of the acids and time of incubation was initially studied by incubating the shrimp waste meal with 1, 4 and 8 per cent HCl or 5, 10 and 20 per cent organic acids (namely, fumaric, propionic and lactic acids) for 24, 48 and 72 h and based on the pH change, demineralization and deproteinization of shrimp waste meal. Subsequently, 8% HCl and 20% organic acids were used for the extraction of the chitosan for evaluation in broiler diets. The extracted chitosan was characterized by FT-IR. Commercial broiler chicks (n=360) were allotted to five groups (T1 to T5) with four replicates per treatment and each replicate containing 18 birds. While T1 served as the control group with no chitosan, the diets for groups T2, T3, T4 and T5 additionally contained 1% chitosan (as a prebiotic) extracted using 8% HCl, 20% fumaric acid, 20% lactic acid and 20% propionic acid, respectively. The growth trial was carried out for 6 weeks. The overall BW gain and FCR was improved in birds under the chitosansupplemented groups T2 to T5 than the control (T1) birds. There was a significant (P<0.01) reduction in Eschorihia coli and Salmonella counts in caecal contents, increase in the villi length (VL) of duodenum, jejunum and ileum, reduction in crypt depth (CD) and increase in the VL:CD ratio in the treatment groups of birds (T2 to T5) than in T1 group of birds. It is concluded that 20% organic acids along with yeast were effective as an alternative to the chemical method for extracting chitosan from shrimp waste meal as revealed by the characteristics and prebiotic effect of the extracted chitosan in commercial broilers.

Keywords: Broilers, Chitosan, Organic acids, Prebiotic, Shrimp waste meal, Yeast

*Corresponding author: arunachalamravi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Manobhavan, M., Verma, A.K., Sahoo, N.R., Agarwal, Neeta and Singh, Putan. 2020. Effect of a synbiotic supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient utilization and production economics of grower-finisher Landlly pigs. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 491-499.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of a probiotic (Pediococcus acidilactici strain FT28) and a prebiotic (fructooligosaccharides, FOS) alone and in combination as a synbiotic on the performance and nutrient utilization of weaned Landlly (Landrace × Local) piglets. Twenty-four piglets (40±2 d-old) were divided into four groups namely, CON, PRO, PRE and SYN following a completely randomized design. The CON (control) group animals were fed the basal diet without any additives; additionally, PRO, PRE and SYN groups were supplemented, respectively, with a probiotic (Pediococcus acidilactici FT28; 1x109 cfu/g), prebiotic (FOS, 2 g/kg diet) and both probiotic and prebiotic for a period of 180 d. The ADG, feed intake and FCR did not vary (P>0.05) among the four groups in grower, finisher and overall phases of the experiment. In the finisher phase, significantly (P<0.05) higher crude fibre digestibility was observed in the synbiotic group (SYN) whereas higher nitrogen-free extract digestibility was noticed in the CON group. Significantly (P<0.05) higher GE digestibility was noticed in the SYN group compared to the CON group. Feed cost per kg gain was least in PRO and SYN during the grower and finisher phase, respectively. Based on the results, it can be concluded that dietary inclusion of the tested feed additives in the diet of pigs has positive effects on performance, nutrient digestibility and cost economics.

Keywords: Cost economics, Nutrient utilization, Performance, Piglets, Synbiotic

*Corresponding author: vermaak62@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Biswas, Avishek, Dev, Kapil, Mir, N.A. and Mandal, A.B. 2020. Effect of dietary levels of a synbiotic on immunity, serum biochemicals, intestinal morphometry and expression of nutrient transporter genes of broiler chicken. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 501-514

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of a synbiotic supplementation on immune response, expression of nutrient transporter genes and gut health status of broiler chickens. Day-old chicks (n=240) were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments (each with 5 replicates of 8 birds), and fed a basal diet alone (T1 ) or supplemented with bacitracin methylene di-salicylate (BMD) at 20 mg/kg diet (T2 ), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LBA) at 106 cfu/g + 0.1% mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS; T3 ), LBA at 107 cfu/g + 0.1% MOS (T4 ), LBA at 106 cfu/g + 0.2% MOS (T5 ), LBA at 107 cfu/g + 0.2% MOS (T6 ). Results of the 6 weeks study indicated that the haemagglutination titre to sheep RBC and foot pad index following sensitization with phytohaemagglutinin-P were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T5 and T6 groups. Significant increases (P<0.05) were observed in serum proteins and decreases in aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, high- and low densitylipoprotein concentrations in T5 and T6 group. Villus height and crypt depth were increased (P<0.05) in T5 and T6 groups. The mRNA expression of glucose transporters-5 (GLUT5), sodium glucose transporter1 (SGLT1) and peptide transporter-1 (PepT1) gene in ileum, measured at 14 d of age, were significantly (P<0.05) upregulated in T5 and T6 groups. The results of the present study indicated that inclusion of a synbiotic containing 0.2% mannan-oligosachharide along with L. acidophilus (at 106 cfu/g) in the diet improved the immune response, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal morphometry and expression of nutrient transporter genes of broiler chickens.

Keywords: Antibiotic, Broiler, Immunity, Nutrient transporter gene, Synbiotic,

*Corresponding author: drbiswas007@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT

Srivastava, A., Ansal, M.D. and Khairnar, S.O. 2020. Effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder supplementation on survival, growth and flesh quality of an Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Ham.) fingerlings. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 515-524.

Efficacy of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder (ARP) supplemented feeds on survival, growth and flesh quality of an Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Ham.) fingerlings was evaluated through an outdoor study. Four experimental feeds, containing ARP at 0 (Control), 1 (ARP-1), 2 (ARP-2) and 3 (ARP-3) per cent levels, were fed to fingerlings at 2% of fish body weight for 180 d. In all the treatments, the water quality parameters remained well within the recommended range. In ARP fed treatments 93.75 to 95.63% fish survival was recorded as compared to 92.50% in control. Net weight gain (NWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish were significantly improved (P<0.05) in all the ARP fed treatments, with significantly higher condition factor in ARP-2 and ARP-3 treatments (K-value 1.25 and 1.20, respectively) as compared to control (K-value 1.12). However, among all the treatments, fish recorded the best growth (NWG 134.16 g and SGR 1.51%) at 2% ARP inclusion level as compared to control (NWG 76.87 g and SGR 1.20%). Further, the FCR and protein efficiency ratio also improved significantly (P<0.05) in all the ARP fed treatments than control (1.80 and 2.19) and among ARP treatments, best FCR and PER were recorded in ARP-2 treatment (1.59 and 2.50, respectively). ARP supplementation also improved the flesh quality of fish significantly (P<0.05) by increasing the total protein content (wet weight basis) by 11.94% at 2% inclusion level. The overall results revealed that ashwagandha root powder can serve as a potential feed additive at 2% in the grow out feed of L. rohita for enhanced growth performance and improved flesh quality.

Keywords: Ashwagandha, Flesh quality, Growth, Rohu, Survival

*Corresponding author: ansalmd@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Paul, B.N., Das, A., Mandal, R.N., Singh, P., Adhikari, S., Ghosh, K., Chowdhury, D., Chakrabarti, P.P. and Giri, S.S. 2020. Protein requirement of Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794) larvae. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 525-533.

A 22 d experiment was carried out to study the protein requirement of Ompok bimaculatus larvae (weight 0.11±0.01 g; length 20.49±0.70 mm). Three different formulated feeds were prepared with graded levels of crude protein i.e., with low (35% CP; LP), medium (40% CP; MP) and high (45% CP; HP) crude protein levels. The water quality parameters were optimum during the whole experimental duration. The survival rate was more than 70%. The fish grew to 0.34±0.06, 0.91±0.15 and 0.36±0.07 g, respectively in LP, MP and HP groups. The final weight was significantly (P<0.01) higher in MP having 40% CP in the diet. Both the net weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly (P<0.05) higher in MP having 40% CP in the diet as compared to LP and HP. The FCR was also significantly (P<0.05) lower in MP having 40% protein in the diet when compared with LP and HP. However, the protein efficiency ratio was similar (P>0.05) among the three treatment groups. Further, it was also revealed that the activities of enzymes in the digestive tract namely, α-amylase, lipase and pepsin were significantly (P<0.05) higher in MP diet having 40% crude protein. The present experiment, thus. revealed that 40% CP was sufficient for the optimum growth and survival of O. bimaculatus larvae.

Keywords: Amylase, Growth, Lipase, Ompok, Pepsin

*Corresponding author: bnpaulcifa@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Chaudhary, S.K., Dutta, N., Jadhav, S.E. and Pattanaik, A.K. 2020. Effect of feed supplement on in vitro gas production, substrate degradation and efficiency of microbial biomass production. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 535-542.

The present study was conducted to ascertain the efficacy of a special feed supplement (SFS) in the ration of dairy animals by in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT). For this, four substrates viz., wheat straw, SFS, the composite diet typically used by dairy farmers (control; CON) and a combination of the CON and SFS (TREAT) were studied for in vitro fermentation kinetics and substrate degradation. The total gas volume (mL/200 mg) produced after 24 h of incubation was significantly (P<0.01) higher for SFS as compared to CON, TREAT and wheat straw. The microbial biomass production (MBP, mg/ 200 mg), the efficiency of microbial biomass production (EMP,%TDOMR) and partitioning factor (PF) were found to be significantly (P<0.01) higher in SFS as compared to TREAT, CON and wheat straw. The fortification of CON diet with the SFS significantly (P<0.01) increased the MBP, EMP and PF as compared to CON. The cumulative gas production at different hours of incubation was significantly (P<0.05) higher in SFS followed by TREAT, CON and wheat straw. The addition of the SFS to CON diet had significantly (P<0.05) increased the cumulative gas production. The potential gas production (b) was significantly (P<0.05) higher for SFS as compared to other substrates; however, the inclusion of SFS to CON diet led to significantly (P<0.05) higher potential gas production as compared to CON and wheat straw. The fractional rate of fermentation (c) was also found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher in SFS followed by TREAT, CON and wheat straw. Furthermore, the addition of SFS to CON diet had significantly (P<0.05) reduced gas production at half time (t½) as compared to CON. Thus, it can be concluded that inclusion of the special feed supplement to CON significantly improved the fractional rate of fermentation ‘c’, TDOMR, MBP, EMP and PF. Furthermore, it reduced the half time (t½) of asymptotic gas production.

Keywords: Feed supplement, Fermentation kinetics, In vitro feed degradability, Microbial biomass.

*Corresponding author: dutta65@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Xiao, X., Yang, Z., Jiang, S.S., Yang, H.M. and Wang, Z.Y. 2020. Effect of phytase on nutrient utilization of cockerels. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 20: 543-551.

A metabolism experiment was conducted to assess the effects of four dietary phytase concentrations namely, 150, 300, 450 and 600 U/kg on the utilization of conventional nutrients and select trace elements in birds. Thirty healthy 40-week old male New Yangzhou cockerels with similar BW were randomized into five dietary groups with six replicates per treatment and one bird per replicate. The apparent utilization of DM, CP, crude ash, calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese and zinc were measured. The results indicated significant (P<0.05) effects of dietary phytase on the utilization of DM, CP, crude ash, Ca, P, Mn and Zn except for Cu indicating that dietary phytase addition improved nutrient utilization. Additionally, the apparent utilization of DM, crude ash, Ca, P, Mn and Zn showed significant (P<0.05) quadratic response to increasing dietary phytase, while that of CP showed a linear (P<0.05) response. The apparent utilization of crude ash and Ca was the highest with phytase supplementation at 150 U/kg. The utilization of P and Cu was highest with 300 U phytase/kg while that of DM, CP, Mn and Zn reached the highest level with 450 U phytase/kg. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference recorded between phytase supplementation levels 300 and 450 U/kg. Overall, it is concluded that the optimal additional level of dietary phytase at 300 U/kg gave the best performance in New Yangzhou cockerels.

Keywords: Nutrients, New Yangzhou chicken, Phytase, Trace element

*Corresponding author: zhiyang@yzu.edu.cn