The Facilitators and Barriers of Adopting Amylase-Rich Flour to Enhance Complementary Foods in the Kersa District Community of Eastern Ethiopia.

Achieving the optimal transition to a family diet over the first two years of life has remained a challenge in Ethiopia. The use of amylase-rich flour (ARF) can improve complementary foods. However, utilisation requires an effective delivery strategy for upskilling the community to use ARF. The aim of this study was to explore facilitators and barriers of cascading ARF skills to improve complementary foods. The study was conducted in Gale Mirga kebele of Kersa district in Eastern Ethiopia in 2016. The study utilised exploratory qualitative research that used participatory action. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with the Health Development Army (HDA) leaders, religious leaders, and observation of participatory complementary food demonstrations. Cultural acceptability and the presence of HDA structure that supports skill development were identified as key facilitators to ARF use. On the other hand, the potential barriers to expanding ARF skill were lack of sustainability of external skill support for HDA leaders, perceived time constraints, unsuitable demonstration settings, cooking method, and large group size. The indigenous community's knowledge of germination has not been used to improve complementary foods. The universal use of ARF requires integration into the Health Extension Programme (HEP) with support and supervision for HDA leaders.

Uso do gérmen de milho desengordurado, com e sem adição de um complexo enzimático, em dietas para cães / [Use of defatted corngerm with and without the addition of an enzyme complex in dog diets]

Objetivou-se avaliar o coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) dos nutrientes, a palatabilidade das dietas e as características fecais de cães alimentados com uma dieta controle e uma dieta contendo 20% de gérmen desengordurado (GD), com e sem adição de complexo enzimático (amilase, xilanase, betaglucanase e mananase). Para o experimento de digestibidade e das características fecais, foram utilizados 12 cães adultos, distribuídos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (dieta x enzima). O segundo experimento avaliou a palatabilidade, por meio da primeira escolha e da razão de ingestão (RI) da dieta DC vs. 20% de GD, utilizando-se 16 cães. O teste de palatabilidade contou com três dias consecutivos, totalizando 48 repetições. A dieta com inclusão de 20% de GD teve os menores valores de CDA da MS, da EB e da EM (P<0,05). A inclusão do complexo enzimático melhorou o CDA da MS, da EB e da EM (P<0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças nas características fecais (P>0,05). Em relação à palatabilidade, os cães preferiram a dieta 20% de GD, tanto na primeira escolha como na RI (P<0,05). A inclusão de enzimas às dietas melhora a digestibilidade dos nutrientes e da EM, sendo um aditivo com potencial uso na alimentação de cães.(AU)

The objective was to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of nutrients, diet palatability and fecal characteristics of dogs fed diets containing degreased germ (DG), and a control diet (DC) - both with and without the addition of enzyme complex (amylase, xylanase, betaglucanase and mananase). For the digestibility and fecal characteristics experiment 12 adult dogs were used, distributed in a randomized block design, in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme (diet x enzyme). The second experiment evaluated palatability using the first choice and ingestion ratio (IR) of DC diet vs. 20%gD, using 16 dogs. The palatability test had three consecutive days, totaling 48 repetitions. The diet with inclusion of 20% DG had the lowest ADC values of DM, GE and ME (P <0.05). Inclusion of the enzyme complex improved ADC of DM, GE and ME (P <0.05). No differences in fecal characteristics were observed (P >0.05). Regarding palatability, dogs preferred the 20% DG diet in both first choice and IR (P <0.05). Inclusion of enzymes in diets improves nutrient digestibility and ME, being an additive with potential use in dog food.(AU)

Amylase-Dependent Regulation of Glucose Metabolism and Insulin/Glucagon Secretion in the Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Pig Model and in a Rat Pancreatic Beta-Cell Line, BRIN-BD11.

The current study was aimed at highlighting the role of blood pancreatic amylase in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in a porcine model of streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetes and in a rat pancreatic beta-cell line, BRIN-BD11. Blood glucose, plasma insulin, and glucagon levels were measured following a duodenal glucose tolerance test (IDGTT), in four pigs with STZ-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D pigs) and in four pigs with STZ-induced type 1 diabetes (T1D pigs). Four intact pigs were used as the control group. The effect of amylase supplementation on both acute and chronic insulin secretion was determined in a BRIN-BD11 cell line. The amylase infusion had no effect on the glucose utilization curve or glucagon levels in the healthy pigs. However, a significant lowering of insulin release was observed in healthy pigs treated with amylase. In the T2D pigs, the glucose utilization curve was significantly lowered in the presence of amylase, while the insulin response curve remained unchanged. Amylase also significantly increased glucagon release during the IDGTT in the T2D and T1D pigs, by between 2- and 4-fold. Amylase did not affect the glucose utilization curve in the T1D pigs. Amylase supplementation significantly decreased both acute and chronic insulin secretion in the BRIN-BD11 cells. These data confirm our previous observations and demonstrate the participation of pancreatic amylase in glucose absorption/utilization. Moreover, the present study clearly highlights the direct impact of pancreatic blood amylase on insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells and its interactions with insulin and glucagon secretion in a porcine model.

Effects of high-amylase corn on performance and carcass quality of finishing beef heifers.

Developed initially for use in fuel ethanol production, Enogen Feed Corn (EFC; Syngenta Crop Protection) is genetically modified to express high concentrations of α-amylase in the corn kernel. Experiments were conducted to evaluate processing characteristics of EFC, in vitro digestion, and effects on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and liver abscess incidence. Experiment 1 used a randomized complete block design (3 × 3 × 5 factorial) to evaluate starch availability, in situ dry matter disappearance (ISDMD), in vitro gas production (IVGP), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles of in vitro cultures. Grains (EFC or mill-run control [CON]) were flaked to a density of 360 g/L, and mixtures with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% EFC were prepared. Grains were tempered with added moisture (0%, 3%, or 6%) prior to steam conditioning for 15, 30, or 45 min. No two- or three-way interactions were observed. Adding moisture improved starch availability (linear; P < 0.01), and tended to improve ISDMD (linear, P = 0.06). Steam conditioning for 30 min improved starch availability, IVGP, and production of acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, and total VFA (P < 0.01) compared with conditioning for 15 or 45 min. Starch availability, ISDMD, IVGP, acetate, propionate, valerate, and total VFA production increased with an increasing proportion of EFC (linear, P < 0.01). Experiment 2 used 700 beef heifers (394 ± 8.5 kg initial body weight [BW]) fed finishing diets with steam-flaked corn as CON or EFC for 136 d. Targeting similar starch availabilities, grains were processed to 360 g/L (CON) and 390 g/L for CON and EFC, respectively. Heifers were blocked by BW, stratified, and then randomly assigned to 28 dirt-surfaced pens (25 animals per pen). Dry matter intakes were similar between treatments (P = 0.78), but cattle fed EFC had greater average daily gain (P < 0.01), improving feed efficiency by 5% (P < 0.01). Hot carcass weight was 6 kg greater for EFC cattle (P <0.01) than CON. No differences were observed for longissimus muscle area (P = 0.89), 12th-rib fat thickness (P = 0.21), or USDA yield grade (P = 0.13). Cattle fed CON had greater marbling scores than EFC (P = 0.04), but this did not affect the USDA quality grade (P > 0.33). Cattle fed EFC had 23% fewer abscessed livers than CON (P = 0.03). High-amylase corn may be used to improve microbial digestion, mill-throughput, and cattle performance, and it may mitigate liver abscesses.

Effects of abomasally infused amylase and increasing amounts of corn starch on fecal excretion of starch, total and microbial nitrogen, and volatile fatty acids in heifers1.

The aim of the present study was to study the effect of exogenous amylase on postruminal disappearance of increasing amounts of corn starch being infused into the abomasum of heifers, and to detect a possible limitation of starch digestion in the small intestine. Four rumen-fistulated heifers (2 German Black Pied and 2 Jersey × German Black Pied) with an initial BW of 565 ± 6 kg were fed 5.6 kg DM/d of a diet targeted to contain only a negligible amount of starch. Animals were assigned randomly to a crossover trial with 2 experimental periods lasting 35 d each with 10 d of diet adaption followed by 25 d of sample collection. During the sampling period, each animal was abomasally infused with native corn starch at 5 levels (953, 1,213, 1,425, 1,733, and 1,993 g DM/d) each for a 5-d period with and without exogenous amylase, respectively. At days 6 to 10 the heifers received an abomasal infusion of starch in amounts of 724 g/d. Feces were sampled 4 times a day during the collection periods. Titanium dioxide was ruminally administered (10 g/d) to estimate fecal excretion. Purine bases in feces were determined and used as a marker for microbial N excretion. Fecal excretion of microbial N increased linearly with increasing level of starch infusion (P < 0.001), indicating a constant proportion of the infused starch being fermented in the hindgut. In contrast, the apparent digestibility of starch from the total postruminal tract decreased linearly from 90% to 80% (P < 0.001) when the intestinal starch supply increased from 1 to 2 kg/d. There is strong evidence based on the increasing starch excretion with feces and the indication of a constant proportion of infused starch being fermented in the hindgut for a decreasing efficiency of starch digestion in the small intestine with increasing intestinal supply. Amylase administration increased fecal excretion of butyrate (P = 0.04) and tended to increase isovalerate excretion (P = 0.06). However, amylase did not affect fecal excretion of microbial N or starch, suggesting that pancreatic amylase activity may not be the primarily limiting factor of postruminal starch digestion in heifers when corn starch is abomasally infused in amounts up to 2 kg/d.

Effects of a combination of xylanase, amylase and protease, and probiotics on major nutrients including amino acids and non-starch polysaccharides utilization in broilers fed different level of fibers.

This study evaluated the effects of a combination of xylanase, amylase, and protease (XAP), with probiotics (3 Bacillus spp.) supplementation on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients in Cobb 500 broilers from 0 to 21 d. A completely randomized 2 × 4 factorial design (2 levels of fiber; 4 types of supplements) with 8 replicate cages (6 birds/cage) was used. Each low and high-fiber diet contained 500 FTU/kg Buttiauxella sp. phytase and was supplemented with: (a) none (control), (b) XAP (2,000 U xylanase + 200 U amylase + 4,000 U protease/kg diet), (c) probiotics (75,000 CFU/g of Bacillus spp.), or (d) XAP + probiotics. High fiber decreased (P < 0.05) nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), AID of all amino acids (AA), AID and ATTD of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), starch, and gross energy (GE). High fiber increased (P < 0.01) the flow of total non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in both ileum and total tract. The XAP + probiotics increased (P < 0.01) AMEn as well as AID and ATTD of DM, CP, GE, starch, while alone, XAP yielded similar improvement except for DM compared with control. The supplemental XAP alone improved (P < 0.01) the digestibility of most of the AAs compared with control. Moreover, XAP + probiotics increased (P < 0.05) AID of all AA except arginine and serine compared with control. A fiber × supplements interaction (P < 0.05) was found for AID of histidine and threonine, and their digestibility in high-fiber diet was improved to a level comparable to low-fiber diet by XAP + probiotics. The flow of NSP in XAP group was 5 to 6% lower than in control while NSP flow in XAP + probiotic group was further 4% lower than that of XAP group (P < 0.01). The results infer that the combination of XAP and probiotics can effectively optimize the nutrient digestibility in broilers fed both low and high-fiber diets.

Enhancing nutrient utilization of broiler chickens through supplemental enzymes.

The objective was to determine effects of adding phytase, amylase, and a cocktail of non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes (NSPase) individually or in combinations to corn-soybean meal-based diet for broilers on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients and dietary AMEn value. Four hundred and eighty male broiler chicks were divided into 80 groups and fed 8 diets in a completely randomized design (10 groups/diet) from day 15 to 21 of age. The diets were basal diet unsupplemented or supplemented with phytase (1,500 FTU/kg; Ronozyme HiPhos), amylase (80 KNU/kg, Ronozyme HiStarch), and NSPase (75 g/metric ton, Ronozyme Multigrain) individually or in all possible combinations. The basal diet contained the phytase at 1,000 FTU/kg, and was formulated to meet the NRC (1994) recommended nutrient requirements for broiler chickens except for ME, Ca, and non-phytate P, which were reduced by 150 kcal/kg, 0.18%, and 0.15%, respectively. Addition of phytase to the basal diet increased (P < 0.05) AID of P from 40.4 to 59.3%. Addition of amylase, NSPase or a combination of amylase and NSPase to the phytase-supplemented basal diet further increased (P < 0.05) AID of P to 63.4, 69.9, and 67.3%, respectively. Addition of phytase, amylase or a combination of amylase and NSPase to the basal diet did not affect dietary AMEn value. However, addition of NSPase alone or a combination of phytase and amylase or of phytase and NSPase to the basal diet improved (P < 0.05) dietary AMEn value from 3,203 to 3,339, 3,309 or 3,289 kcal/kg, respectively. In conclusion, it is more beneficial (with regard to AID of P and dietary AMEn) to add amylase and NSPase to phytase-supplemented diets for broilers. Because the basal diet contained phytase at 1,000 FTU/kg, the increase in AID of P due to supplemental phytase (1,500 FTU/kg) indicates that supplemental phytase at 2,500 FTU/kg is more beneficial with regard to improving AID of P than supplemental phytase at 1,000 FTU/kg.

Amylase increases energy and nutrient density of Super Cereal Plus porridge as prepared and accepted by Rwandan caregivers.

Adding amylase to Super Cereal Plus (SC+A) improves energy and nutrient intake as porridge energy density reaches 1.0 kcal/g, meeting the recommended ≥0.8 kcal/g for prepared foods for young children. Caregiver response to SC+A in terms of adjusting porridge preparation using printed pictogram instructions was not yet investigated. The study assessed (a) porridge preparation by caregivers; (b) porridge energy density; (c) sensory porridge acceptability; and (d) understanding of preparation instructions. An 8-day follow-up intervention study was conducted amongst caregivers of children aged 6-23 months (n = 238) in Rwanda. Caregivers prepared porridge using SC+A whilst referring to printed pictogram instructions at the study site on Days 1 and 8 and received flour for preparation at home on Days 2-7. At the site, data were collected on porridge preparation procedures, energy density, consistency, acceptability, and interviews (n = 12), and focus group discussions (n = 6) were conducted. Mean porridge dry matter (DM) increased from 21.3 ± 4.4% (Day 1) to 25.1 ± 4.8% (Day 8; p < 0.0005). Flour and water were mixed before cooking by 95% of the participants, as per printed instructions. Sensory porridge acceptability was high, and the printed instructions enabled caregivers to prepare an accepted and energy dense porridge. The preferred water/flour volume ratio was 2.5 instead of 3. In conclusion, Rwandan caregivers prepared well-accepted SC+A porridges with a preferred consistency and mean DM content of 25.1% (1.0 kcal/g), after 1 week practicing at home. This supports introducing SC+A with the tested instructions at scale.

Application of a commercial digestive supplement formulated with enzymes and probiotics in lactase non-persistence management.

Strategies to avoid lactose malabsorption, which affects 70% of the world's population, are focused on the restriction of milk and dairy products or the use of non-human ß-galactosidases or probiotics endowed with ß-galactosidase activity added at mealtime. Our evaluation of a commercial blend of probiotics and enzymes (protease, lactase, lipase and amylase) and its potential application in lactase non-persistence management is described in this work. Recommended amounts (460-1000 mg) of the commercial probiotics-enzyme blend were shown to be adequate for performing in vitro lactose hydrolysis in standard solutions (0.25-5%) and commercial dairy products, namely milks (5% lactose) and yogurts (3% lactose), reaching hydrolysis values between 44 and 96%. According to these percentages, the use of the enzymatic preparation would guarantee the intake of less than 12 g, the recommendation of the EFSA for lactose intolerance. Furthermore, formation of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides was also detected, increasing the potential benefits of the enzymatic preparation in the gastrointestinal system.

The inverse relationship between blood amylase and insulin levels in pigs during development, bariatric surgery, and intravenous infusion of amylase.

The purpose of this research is to explore the link between plasma amylase and insulin levels in growing pigs. Blood was obtained from piglets ranging in age from preterm (8 days to full gestation period), up to postnatal day 90 (2 months post-weaning) that underwent either duodenal-jejunal bariatric interposition surgery or a sham-operation. Plasma amylase activities in preterm and full-term neonates ranged between 500-600 U/L and were decreased by 50% two months post-weaning. Preprandial insulin and C-peptide levels in neonate piglets were not detectable, however they rose gradually after weaning. An increase in plasma amylase activity was observed in the young pigs that underwent duodenal-jejunum bypass (metabolic) surgery. The increase in blood pancreatic amylase activity after an intravenous amylase infusion lowered the subsequent glucose-stimulated insulin/C-peptide release. We suggest a role for blood amylase in the regulation of glucose homeostasis after observing high blood amylase levels in neonate pigs, in pigs that underwent metabolic surgery, and as a result of the reduced glucose-stimulated insulin response following intravenous amylase administration. Blood amylase level is a dynamic physiological parameter, which is not merely a consequence of exocrine pancreatic digestive enzyme production, but rather a regulated factor involved in glucose assimilation and prandial insulin regulation.

Postruminal digestion of starch infused into the abomasum of heifers with or without exogenous amylase administration.

The effect of an exogenous amylase on postruminal digestion of starch infused into the abomasum of cattle was studied. Four rumen-cannulated heifers were fed 5.5 kg DM/d of a diet without starch, and assigned randomly to a crossover design. The experiment consisted of 2 periods lasting 23 d each with 10 d for adaptation to the diet followed by 13 d of abomasal infusion and sample collection. During the first 3 d of each infusion phase, isotonic saline solution was infused (1 liter/h) for measurement of baseline values in feces, followed by daily infusions of 880 g DM corn starch (1 kg/10 liters of water) without or with the addition of 2% of amylase. Titanium dioxide (10 g/d) was ruminally administered for estimation of fecal excretion. Digestion of starch in small intestine was calculated as the difference between the amounts of infused starch, disappeared from hindgut and fecal excretion. The apparent disappearance of starch from the hindgut was estimated based on the increment of microbial nitrogen (N) excretion due to starch infusion (1 g microbial N/100 g fermented starch) compared to baseline values. The concentration of purine bases in feces was used to estimate excretion of microbial N. Microbial N excretion increased with starch infusion (P < 0.05) but was not influenced by amylase (P = 0.81). Starch disappearance from the small intestine was not improved by amylase (P = 0.78) and averaged 85%. Amylase affected neither blood concentration of glucose (P = 0.80) nor of insulin (P = 0.26), but glucagon was lower without (P < 0.0001) than with amylase. The infusion of starch increased fecal excretion of total VFA (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) by 53% (P < 0.05), which indicates increased carbohydrate fermentation in the hindgut and incomplete digestion of starch in the small intestine. However, the excretion of total VFA was not affected by amylase (P = 0.66). Lactate excretion was higher at the second day of starch infusion (P < 0.05) without than with amylase, which suggests lower flow of starch from the small intestine to the hindgut due to a possible effect of amylase addition in animals not adapted to starch digestion. However, lactate excretion returned near to baseline values within 2 d, which was probably due to increase of lactate-utilizing bacteria and the adaptation of the microbial population in the hindgut. Further studies with higher starch levels and addition of amylase are recommended.

Energy and nutrient intake increased by 47-67% when amylase was added to fortified blended foods-a study among 12- to 35-month-old Burkinabe children.

Adding amylase to fortified blended foods can improve energy density, and increase child's energy and nutrient intake. The efficacy of this strategy is unknown for the World Food Programme's Super Cereal Plus (SC+) and Super Cereal (SC) blends. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the increased energy intake from amylase-containing SC+ and SC compared to control porridges in Burkinabe children. Secondly, energy intake from amylase-containing porridges compared to CERELAC® , Vitazom, and eeZeeBAR™ was studied. Thirdly, caregivers' (n = 100) porridge acceptability was investigated. The design was a randomized double-blind controlled cross-over trial studying the effect of amylase addition to SC+ and SC flours on porridge energy and nutrient intake in healthy Burkinabe children aged 12-23 (n = 80) and 24-35 months (n = 40). Amylase added to porridges increased energy density from 0.68 to 1.16 kcal/g for SC+ and from 0.66 to 1.03 kcal/g for SC porridges. Among children aged 12-23 months, mean energy intake from all porridges with amylase (135-164 kcal/meal) was significantly higher compared to control SC+ porridges (84-98 kcal/meal; model-based average). Among children aged 24-35 months, mean energy intakes were also significantly higher from all porridges with amylase added (245-288 kcal/meal) compared to control SC porridges (175-183 kcal/meal). Acceptability of the porridges among caregivers was rated neutral to good, both for amylase-added and non-amylase-containing porridges. These findings suggest that, among 12-35-month-old, adding amylase to fortified blended foods significantly increased energy and consequently nutrient intake per meal by 67% for SC+ and 47% for SC. Moreover, amylase-containing porridges were well accepted by the caregivers.

Effects of direct-fed microorganisms and enzyme blend co-administration on intestinal bacteria in broilers fed diets with or without antibiotics.

Direct-fed microorganisms (DFM) and exogenous enzymes have been demonstrated to improve growth performance in poultry and are potentially important alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). We investigated the administration of a feed additive composed of a DFM product containing spores of 3 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains and an enzyme blend of endo-xylanase, α-amylase, and serine-protease in diets with or without sub-therapeutic antibiotics in broiler chickens over a 42-d growth period. Evaluation of growth performance determined feed efficiency of broiler chickens which were administered the feed additive was comparable to those fed a diet containing AGPs. Characterization of the gastrointestinal microbiota using culture-dependent methods determined administration of the feed additive increased counts of total Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) relative to a negative control and reduced Clostridium perfringens to levels similar to antibiotic administration. Additionally, greater counts of total LAB were observed to be significantly associated with reduced feed conversion ratio, whereas greater counts of C. perfringens were observed to be significantly associated with increased feed conversion ratio. Our results suggest the co-administration of DFMs and exogenous enzymes may be an important component of antibiotic free poultry production programs and LAB and C. perfringens may be important targets in the development of alternatives to AGPs in poultry production.

The impact of direct-fed microbials and enzymes on the health and performance of dairy cows with emphasis on colostrum quality and serum immunoglobulin concentrations in calves.

Thirty-six cows were blocked by calving date and randomly assigned to one of three treatments. Cows were on treatments 3 weeks prepartum through 8 weeks post-partum. Treatments were as follows: (i) no direct-fed microbial (DFM) or cellulase and amylase enzymes (C), (ii) 45.4 g/day of DFM (D) or (iii) 45.4 g/day of DFM and 18.2 g/day of enzyme (DE). Total mixed ration fed and refused were measured daily to determine dry matter intake (DMI). Blood samples were taken three times weekly and analysed for ß-hydroxybutyrate, glucose and non-esterified fatty acids. Body weight (BW) was measured weekly. Colostrum was weighed and analysed for IgA and IgG concentration. Calves were fed 4 L of colostrum within 2 hr of birth. Calf blood samples were taken at 0 and 24 hr for analysis of IgA and IgG concentrations and apparent efficiency of absorption. Milk yield was measured daily and samples collected weekly. Initial BW was different among treatments with D being lesser than C or DE treatments. Body weight, weight gain, efficiency of gain, DMI and blood parameters were unaffected. Treatment did not affect colostrum yield. Ash percentage of colostrum tended to increase with D and DE, while IgA and total solids yield decreased with D. Colostrum fat yield was decreased in D and DE. Treatments did not impact BW, serum IgA and IgG concentrations or apparent efficiency of absorption of calves. Post-partum BW, DMI, blood parameters, milk production and composition were unaffected by treatment. However, cows on D gained more BW and tended to have greater efficiency of gain compared to those on DE, but were similar to C. Somatic cell scores were greatest for D. Results indicate that DFM and enzyme supplementation did not improve health and performance of dairy cattle during the pre- and post-partum periods under conditions of this study.

Animal performance and carcass characteristics from confined lambs fed on concentrate feed and additives.

The number of sheep flocks in Brazil is increasing. It is known that lambs must be slaughtered when young for producing quality meat. The current study evaluated the inclusion of protected methionine, protected lysine, lysophospholipid and amylolytic enzymes in a diet to lambs and their effects on weight gain and quantitative carcass traits at slaughtering. Eighty non-castrated male crossbred Dorper x Santa Inês lambs, 20.57 ± 4.33 kg live weight, were used. The feedlot lasted 64 days and 60 animals were slaughtered. There were no differences for live weight, daily feed intake, feed conversion and average daily weight gain at the first 28 days of feedlot. From the 28th day lysophospholipid treatment presented the highest live weight. Lysophospholipid and amylolytic enzyme presented the best performance in average daily gain, followed by protected methionine, control and protected lysine. Lysophospholipid treatment presented higher daily feed intake rates than protected lysine and protected methionine. Feed conversion was lower for amylolytic enzyme and higher for control. No changing in carcass traits was reported due to additives. Better performance may be achieved with feedlot lambs fed on diets with the addition of amylolytic enzyme and lysophospholipid at the finishing phase.

Facile synthesis of multilayered polysaccharidic vesicles.

In this study, we developed facile synthesis method of multilayered polysaccharidic vesicles (hereafter termed 'mPSVs') using polysaccharides such as starch, hyaluronate (HA), and glycol chitosan (GC) via simple chemistry and using enzymatic reactions among polysaccharides. The enzymatic degradation of the HA shell by hyaluronidase (HYAL) enzyme contributed to accelerate the release of protein/peptide from the mPSVs. The mPSVs containing folate ligand and apoptotic cell death-inducing D-(KLAKLAK)2 peptide were effectively accumulated in in vivo KB tumor cells, primarily owing to passive tumor penetration via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and active targeting via specific binding to folate receptors expressed on KB tumor cells. These mPSVs resulted in a significant increase in the in vivo tumor inhibition. This vesicle system is expected to exhibit great potential as an advanced platform technology for biomedical applications involving small molecular drugs with protein/gene targets.

Effects of dietary amylase and sucrose on productivity of cows fed low-starch diets.

Recent studies have observed positive effects of both sucrose and exogenous amylase on the productivity of dairy cattle. Our objective was to evaluate direct effects and interactions of amylase and sucrose on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and milk components. Forty-eight multiparous Holstein cows between 70 and 130 d in milk were randomly assigned to each of 4 pens (12 cows/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to treatment sequence in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, balanced for carryover effects. Treatment periods were 28 d, with 24 d for diet adaptation and 4d for sample and data collection. The treatments were a control diet (36% NDF and 21% starch), the control diet with amylase [0.5 g/kg of DM; Ronozyme RumiStar 600 (CT); DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Basel, Switzerland], a diet with sucrose replacing corn grain at 2% of DM, and the sucrose diet with amylase (0.5 g/kg of DM). All data were analyzed with mixed models, including the fixed effects of sugar, amylase, and their interaction, and the random effects of period and pen. Milk data included the random effects of cow nested within pen and pen × period to provide the error term for the pen-level analysis. Dry matter intake was not affected by treatments. Milk yield and milk composition were not altered by the inclusion of sucrose or amylase; however, a tendency for an amylase × sucrose interaction was observed for milk protein content, reflecting slightly lower milk protein concentrations for amylase and sucrose treatments (3.00 and 2.99 ± 0.03%) compared with the control and amylase + sucrose treatments (3.02 and 3.03 ± 0.03%). Solids-corrected and fat-corrected milk yields were not significantly altered by treatment, although the direct effect of amylase approached significance for both variables, suggesting possible small increases with amylase supplementation (~0.5 kg/d). Feed efficiency (energy-corrected milk divided by dry matter intake) numerically increased with either amylase (1.57 ± 0.12) or sucrose (1.60 ± 0.12) treatment, but the combination of the 2 resulted in feed efficiency similar to the control treatment (both 1.50 ± 0.12). The inclusion of amylase or sucrose did not affect DMI, productivity, or feed efficiency in mid-lactation cows fed low-starch, high-fiber diets.

The effect of oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation on the course and outcome of acute pancreatitis: a randomized, double-blind parallel-group study.

CONTEXT: Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is a significant problem after acute pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation improves the recovery of pancreatic exocrine function and to explore the efficacy, safety and tolerability of pancreatic enzyme supplementation in patients during the refeeding period after acute pancreatitis. DESIGN: Prospective double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study. PATIENTS: The sudy included 56 patients with acute pancreatitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary efficacy variable was recovery from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Secondary objectives were body weight, abdominal pain, course of APACHE II score, patient's symptoms and quality of life. RESULTS: Twenty of the 56 patients showed low fecal elastase values indicating pancreatic exocrine insufficiency after acute pancreatitis. Median time to recovery from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was 14 days in the enzyme supplementation group and 23 days in the placebo group but overall differences for primary and all but one secondary endpoint did not reach statistical significance. However, a positive tendency in favour of enzyme supplementation was found for quality of life parameters (FACT-Pa) in all subscores. There were no relevant differences between placebo and oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation detected with respect to safety and tolerability. CONCLUSION: Enzyme supplementation positively effects the course of acute pancreatitis if administered during the early refeeding phase after acute pancreatitis. There is evidence that oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation has a positive impact on the course of the disease and the global health status (less weight loss, less flatulence, improved quality of life). Oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation was safely administered and can be added to the treatment regimen of patients in a refeeding status after severe acute pancreatitis.

Effects of fungal pancreatic enzymes on the function of islet cells in Syrian golden hamsters.

CONTEXT: Our previous studies showed that porcine pancreatic enzymes in Syrian golden hamsters with peripheral insulin resistance normalizes the plasma insulin level, reduces the size of enlarged islets and inhibits the increased DNA synthesis in the beta-cell of islets. OBJECTIVE: In order to exclude the possibility that these effects was attributed to some contaminants of this crude material, we tested the effect of purified fungal pancreatic enzyme (FPE) that contains primarily amylase and lipase without (FPE) and with addition of chymotrypsin (FPE+chy). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a pilot study we tested the effect of different doses of FPE given in drinking water on insulin level, islet size and DNA synthesis of islet cells in hamsters with induced peripheral insulin resistance by a high fat diet. The most effective dose of FPE on these parameters was used in a long-term experiment with FPE and FPE+chy in hamsters fed a high-fat diet for 36 or 40 weeks. RESULTS: In the pilot study a dose of 2 g/kg body weight was found to be optimal for controlling the body weight, normalizing plasma insulin level, the size of islets, the DNA synthesis and the number of insulin cells in the islets. These data were produced in the long-term study, where steatorrhea was also inhibited. Addition of chymotrypsin had no effects on these parameters. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic lipase and amylase appear to be responsible for the observed effects and offer a safe and effective natural product for the treatment of pancreatic diseases, including acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatic, cystic fibrosis and any conditions associated with peripheral insulin resistance, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. The possible mechanism of the action is discussed.

A six-month intervention with two different types of micronutrient-fortified complementary foods had distinct short- and long-term effects on linear and ponderal growth of Vietnamese infants.

Traditional complementary foods (CF) with a low nutrient density have been implicated in growth faltering, stunting, and other adverse outcomes in children. The efficacy of 2 types of locally produced, micronutrient-fortified CF to prevent stunting of infants living in rural Vietnam was evaluated. In a village-randomized controlled study, 426 infants, 5 mo of age, received for 6 mo a fortified CF, either as an instant flour (FF) or a food complement (FC) in village canteens, or traditional CF at home (C). After 6 mo of intervention, weight, length, length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) and weight-for-age Z-score were greater in the 2 intervention groups compared with the C group, with an estimated effect of +0.22 LAZ for the FF group and +0.21 LAZ for the FC group. At the last follow-up, 18 mo after the intervention, there was no significant difference in height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) between the groups, even though the HAZ in the FF group was 0.17 greater than that in the C group (P = 0.18). In contrast, the weight-for-height Z-score and BMI Z-score, indices of ponderal growth, were greater in the FF group (-0.49 and -0.26, respectively) than in the FC group (-0.73 and -0.49, respectively), with Z-scores in the C group intermediate and not significantly different from the others. This study shows that regular provision of locally produced CF fortified with micronutrients partly stopped growth faltering in Vietnamese infants, with differential effects on long-term length and ponderal growth. Providing only micronutrients instead of a complete array of nutrients might result in only short-term length growth benefits.