Effects of ß-Mannanase Supplementation and Soyhull Inclusion on Production Performance, Economics, Egg Quality, Blood Biochemicals, Nutrient Digestibility, and Intestinal Morphology in Golden Brown Hens (RIR × Fayoumi) during Late Peak Production.

This study investigated the effects of the ß-mannanase enzyme and soyhulls on production performance, economics, egg quality, hematology and serum biochemistry, nutrient digestibility, gut morphology, digesta viscosity, and excreta consistency in laying hens during the late peak production phase (37 to 40 weeks of age). Golden brown hens (RIR × Fayoumi; n = 200) were fed a control diet (no soyhulls or enzymes) and diets containing four combinations, i.e., 3% soyhulls with 20 mg/kg ß-mannanase (D1), 3% soyhulls with 30 mg/kg ß-mannanase (D2), 9% soyhulls with 20 mg/kg ß-mannanase (D3), and 9% soyhulls with 30 mg/kg ß-mannanase (D4), for four weeks in four replicates of 10 birds each. Overall, a significantly higher (p < 0.05) feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and water intake were calculated in the D2 group as compared to the control and remaining combinations of soyhulls and ß-mannanase. No mortality was recorded during the entire experiment. Economically, the D1 and D2 groups showed the best results as compared to the D3 and D4 groups. Egg quality parameters like egg weight, shell weight and shell thickness, yolk weight, albumen weight and height, and the Haugh unit remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Similarly, the D2 group showed significantly lower total cholesterol, LDL, and VLDL levels and enhanced gut morphology with greater villus width, height, crypt depth, and surface area across intestinal segments. Crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), crude fat, and ash digestibility were higher (p < 0.05) in the D1 and D2 groups compared to the control. Digesta viscosity, excreta consistency, and other egg quality parameters remained unaffected. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of a combination of 3% soyhulls and 30 mg/kg ß-mannanase may have potential benefits for laying hens by improving some production performance and egg quality indicators and economics, lowering blood cholesterol, LDL, and VLDL levels, enhancing nutrient digestibility, and improving gut morphology without affecting egg quality.

Novel techniques for the mass production of nutritionally improved, fungus-treated lignocellulosic biomass for ruminant nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Laboratory-scale experiments have shown that treatment with selective lignin-degrading white-rot fungi improves the nutritional value and ruminal degradability of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB). However, the lack of effective field-applicable pasteurization methods has long been recognized as a major obstacle for scaling up the technique for fungal treatment of large quantities of LCB for animal feeding. In this study, wheat straw (an LCB substrate) was subjected to four field-applicable pasteurization methods - hot-water, formaldehyde fumigation, steam, and hydrated lime - and cultured with Pleurotus ostreatus grain spawn for 10, 20, and 30 days under solid-state fermentation. Samples of untreated, pasteurized but non-inoculated and fungus-treated straws were analyzed for chemical composition, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro total gas (IVGP), methane (CH4 ), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. RESULTS: During the 30-day fungal treatment, steam and lime pasteurized straws had the greatest loss of lignin, resulting in marked improvements in crude protein (CP), IVDMD, IVGP, and total VFAs. Irrespective of the pasteurization method, the increase in IVDMD during fungal treatment was linearly (R2 = 0.77-0.92) related to lignin-loss in the substrate during fungal treatment. The CH4 production of the fungus-treated straw was not affected by the pasteurization methods. Aflatoxin B1 was within the safe level (<5 µg kg-1 ) in all pasteurized, fungus treated straws. CONCLUSION: Steam and lime were promising field-applicable pasteurization techniques to produce nutritionally improved fungus-treated wheat straw to feed ruminants. Lime pasteurization was more economical and did not require expensive energy inputs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles through the Piper cubeba ethanolic extract and their enzyme inhibitory activities.

Introduction: The area of "Green Synthesis of Nano-medicine," as compared to its synthetic counterparts, is a relatively safer research technology for various biomedical applications, including identification, therapeutic application, and prevention of pathological conditions, pain control, safety, and development of human wellness. The present study explored the synthesis and characterization of AgNPs using the ethanolic extract of Piper cubeba fruit as a reducing and stabilizing agent and its potential as an enzyme inhibitory agent. Urease inhibitors are helpful against many severe diseases, including gastric ulcers induced by Helicobacter pylori. Method: The fruits of the Piper cubeba plant were taken and ground to a fine powder. Plant material was added to 500 ml ethanol, and the mixture was filtered. The solvent of the filtrate was evaporated, and a thick, gummy extract was obtained and stored at 4°C in the refrigerator. AgNPs were green synthesized from solutions of AgNO3 using the P. cubeba extract, which was indicated by a change in the color from light brown to deep brown. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized via Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results and Discussion: Analysis showed the reduction of Ag+ to Ag0 at room temperature (25°C), and the average particle size of AgNPs was in the range of 40-80 nm. Consequently, the synthesized AgNPs were evaluated for their anti-urease activity. The maximum urease inhibition of the Piper cubeba ethanolic extract was 88.5% at 5 mg conc., and of derived nanoparticles was 78.6% at 0.05 mg conc. The results were nearly similar to the control drug, i.e., thiourea (0.5 and 0.6 mM conc., respectively). Conclusion: The study concluded that the P. cubeba extract, as well as its green-derived AgNPs, might prove to be a better and safer substitute for their enzyme inhibitory potential in emerging medicine and novel drug delivery techniques to improve and maintain human health.

Antioxidant effect of Moringa olifera leaves extract in extender improves post-thaw quality, kinematics, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity and fertility of water buffalo bull semen.

Our objectives were to determine the antioxidant effect of Moringa olifera leave extract (MLE) in tris extender on post-thaw quality, kinematics, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity and field fertility of water buffalo bull semen. Semen was collected on a weekly basis for 5 weeks (n = 5 bulls & n = 25). After collection, every sample was diluted individually with extender (tris egg yolk) containing MLE concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) at 37°C. After dilution, semen was filled in 0.54 mL straws and frozen in automatic freezer. After thawing, sperm motility (%) (progressive & total), path velocity (µm/s), straight velocity (µm/s), curvilinear velocity (%), beat cross frequency (Hz), linearity (%), straightness (%), length of average path (µm), length of straight-line path (µm), length of curvilinear path (µm), plasma membrane integrity (%), acrosome membrane integrity (%), DNA integrity (%) and morphology (%) were higher (p < 0.05) in spermatozoa preserved in extender containing 15% MLE as compared to control. The fertility rate (60%, vs. 45%) was higher (p < 0.05) with semen doses frozen with 15% MLE in extender than the control. In conclusion, 15% MLE improves semen quality, kinematics and field fertility in water buffaloes.

Improving the nutritional value and digestibility of wheat straw, rice straw, and corn cob through solid state fermentation using different Pleurotus species.

BACKGROUND: The growing food-feed-fuel competition, declining availability of traditional feeds, higher prices, and the urgent need to provide long-term sustainability for animal production have all triggered global research into the optimum extraction of energy and nutrients from lignin-rich plant biomass. Recent studies have shown that the Pleurotus species of white rot fungus can selectively degrade lignin in lignin-rich plant biomass; however, its effectiveness in selectively degrading lignin depends on the type of substrate and species of fungus. This study was therefore designed to treat wheat straw, rice straw, and corn cob, with Pleurotus eryngii, P. ostreatus, and P. florida for 30 days under solid-state fermentation, to identify a promising fungus-substrate combination for the selective degradation of lignin and optimal improvement in the nutritional value and digestibility of each substrate. RESULTS: The type of fungus strongly influenced (P < 0.01) selectivity in lignin degradation, and the level of improvement in crude protein (CP), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and in vitro gas production (IVGP), in wheat straw, rice straw, and corn cob. Fungus-substrate interaction data revealed that P. ostreatus caused maximum (P < 0.05) degradation of lignin, and greater (P < 0.05) improvement in CP, IVDMD, and IVGP in wheat straw and rice straw. The lowest (P < 0.05) degradation of lignin and improvement in CP, IVDMD, and IVGP was caused by P. eryngii in corn cob. Among the fungi, the maximum (P < 0.05) degradation of lignin, and greater (P < 0.05) improvement in CP, IVDMD, and IVGP were caused by P. florida as compared with those of P. ostreatus and P. eryngii. CONCLUSION: The results highlight significant influence of fungus-substrate combination for selective lignin degradability and the consequent improvement in the nutritional value of the substrates. Maximum selective lignin degradability and improvement in nutritional value and digestibility was caused by P. ostreatus in wheat straw and in rice straw, and by P. florida in corn cob. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.