Evaluation of the nutritional value of faba beans with high and low tannin content for use as feed for ruminants.

BACKGROUND: Faba bean varieties with low or zero tannin content have been developed in Canada to overcome the negative effects of condensed tannins on the utilization by ruminants of crude protein (CP) and starch. However, their nutritional value has not been evaluated for incorporation in dairy rations. The objectives of this study were to investigate (i) the chemical profile; (ii) the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) protein and carbohydrate subfractions; (iii) the energy values; (iv) the ruminal, intestinal, and total digestibility of CP; (v) the metabolizable protein (MP) supply to dairy cows; and (vi) the protein-inherent molecular spectral characteristics of brown-seeded (var. Fatima) faba beans with high tannin content and yellow-seeded (var. Snowbird) faba beans with low tannin content. RESULTS: The results revealed that Fatima beans had higher (P < 0.001) CP content than Snowbird (324 versus 295 g kg-1 dry matter (DM)), and lower (P < 0.01) starch content than Snowbird (411 g kg-1 DM versus 444 g kg-1 DM). Fatima had a lower (P = 0.001) soluble subfraction (201 g kg-1 DM versus 220 g kg-1 DM) and higher (P < 0.05) slowly degradable fiber-bounded (24.9 g kg-1 DM versus 14.7 g kg-1 DM) and non-degradable (3.24 g kg-1 DM versus 0 g kg-1 DM) CNCPS CP subfractions than Snowbird. Fatima had higher (P = 0.03) MP content (117 g kg-1 DM versus 111 g kg-1 DM) and metabolizable energy content (ME) 3.12 Mcal kg-1 versus 3.10 Mcal kg-1 ) than Snowbird. Molecular spectral intensities of amide I and II proteins (height and area) of Fatima were higher (P < 0.05) than those of Snowbird, reflecting their higher CP content. The ratio of protein spectral intensities, the amide I : amide II height ratio, and the α-helix : ß-sheet height ratio differed (P < 0.05) between the two types of bean, highlighting differences in their inherent protein molecular structures. CONCLUSION: The (Fatima) faba beans with high condensed tannin content had higher MP and ME content. On average, both Faba beans had higher ME and MP content than barley grains, highlighting their promising nutritional value for dairy rations. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization of fecal branched-chain fatty acid profiles and their associations with fecal microbiota in diarrheic and healthy dairy calves.

Branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) have recently been reported to play a role in human gut health during early life. However, little information is available on the fecal BCFA profiles in young ruminants and whether they are associated with the development of neonatal calf diarrhea. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize BCFA profiles in feces collected from young calves, (2) compare the fecal BCFA composition between diarrheic and nondiarrheic dairy calves, and (3) explore the potential relationships between BCFA and microbiota in the feces. A total of 32 male Holstein dairy calves (13 ± 3 d old) with the same diet management were grouped as diarrheic (n = 16) or healthy (n = 16) based on fecal score (determined by liquid fecal consistency with some solid particles); diarrhea cases were defined as fecal score ≥2 for at least 2 d. Fecal samples were collected on the seventh day after calf arrival, and the fecal BCFA and microbial profiles were assessed using gas chromatograph and amplicon sequencing, respectively. In total, 7 BCFA were detected in the feces of all dairy calves; however, the concentrations of fecal BCFA differed between diarrheic and nondiarrheic calves. Specifically, the concentrations of iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0, anteiso-C17:0, and total even-chain BCFA were significantly higher in the feces of diarrheic calves. When the associations between BCFA and bacteria were studied, the relative abundance of Eggerthella was positively correlated with the concentrations of iso-C16:0 (ρ = 0.67), iso-17:0 (ρ = 0.77), anteiso-C17:0 (ρ = 0.73), and iso-C18:0 (ρ = 0.65), whereas the relative abundance of Subdoligranulum was positively correlated with the concentrations of iso-C14:0 (ρ = 0.62), iso-C15:0 (ρ = 0.78), and anteiso-C15:0 (ρ = 0.63). Use of random forest algorithm showed that BCFA such as anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0, iso-C18:0, and total even-chain BCFA could be used as biomarkers to differentiate diarrheic calves from healthy ones. Our findings generated fundamental knowledge on the potential roles of BCFA in neonatal calf gut health. Follow-up studies with larger animal populations are warranted to validate the feasibility of using BCFA as indicators of health status in neonatal calves.

Short communication: Odd-chain and branched-chain fatty acid concentrations in bovine colostrum and transition milk and their stability under heating and freezing treatments.

Although odd-chain fatty acids (OCFA) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) are found in bovine milk and have some positive influences on human and animal health, their concentrations in bovine colostrum and transition milk have not been reported. In this study, we reported the OCFA and BCFA concentrations in colostrum and transition milk and their stability after heating or freezing treatments (or both), which are processes commonly applied in dairy calf management. Milk samples were collected from 12 Holstein dairy cows (6 primiparous and 6 multiparous) at the first milking (colostrum), fifth milking (transition milk), and ninth milking (mature milk) after calving, respectively, and were used for fatty acid analysis using gas chromatography. The sum concentration of OCFA and BCFA (termed OBCFA) was 134 mg/100 g of milk in the colostrum, which was 24% and 35% lower than that in the transition milk and mature milk, respectively. Among these fatty acids detected, C15:0 and C17:0 were the top 2 abundant fatty acids in all milk types, accounting for 20 to 25% and 21 to 24% of the total concentration of OBCFA, respectively. Additionally, anteiso-C17:0 was the most abundant BCFA, followed by iso-C17:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C15:0, iso-C18:0, and iso-C14:0 in 3 types of milk. Significant interactions between milk type and cow parity were observed for all OCFA and BCFA concentrations. The milk samples were also treated with heating (at 65°C for 60 min), freezing (at -20°C for 30 d), and heating and freezing (at 65°C for 60 min and then at -20°C for 30 d), and milk OCFA and BCFA concentrations were similar between these treatments. In conclusion, the OBCFA concentration was lower in colostrum, compared with transition and mature milks, and it remained stable after heating and freezing treatments.

The relationship between odd- and branched-chain fatty acids and microbial nucleic acid bases in rumen.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the relationship between odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFAs) and microbial nucleic acid bases in the rumen, and to establish a model to accurately predict microbial protein flow by using OBCFA. METHODS: To develop the regression equations, data on the rumen contents of individual cows were obtained from 2 feeding experiments. In the first experiment, 3 rumen-fistulated dry dairy cows arranged in a 3×3 Latin square were fed diets of differing forage to concentration ratios (F:C). The second experiment consisted of 9 lactating Holstein dairy cows of similar body weights at the same stage of pregnancy. For each lactation stage, 3 cows with similar milk production were selected. The rumen contents were sampled at 4 time points of every two hours after morning feeding 6 h, and then to analyse the concentrations of OBCFA and microbial nucleic acid bases in the rumen samples. RESULTS: The ruminal bacteria nucleic acid bases were significantly influenced by feeding diets of differing forge to concentration ratios and lactation stages of dairy cows (p<0.05). The concentrations of OBCFAs, especially odd-chain fatty acids and C15:0 isomers, strongly correlated with the microbial nucleic acid bases in the rumen (p<0.05). The equations of ruminal microbial nucleic acid bases established by ruminal OBCFAs contents showed a good predictive capacity, as indicated by reasonably low standard errors and high R-squared values. CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that the rumen OBCFA composition could be used as an internal marker of rumen microbial matter.

Univariate and multi-variate comparisons of protein and carbohydrate molecular structural conformations and their associations with nutritive factors in typical by-products.

BACKGROUND: Little attention has been paid on the inherent molecular structural effects among agricultural by-products. In this study, soybean meal (SM), wheat bran (WB), corn distillers dried grains with soluble (DDGS), dry brewer's grain (DBG), wet brewer's grain (WBG), and apple pomace (AP), which are widely used in the animal industry were selected to explore protein and carbohydrate molecular structural conformations. RESULTS: All the protein peak heights (including α-helix and ß-sheet) and areas were exhibited highest values in SM and lowest in AP. The SM had the highest peak area intensity of cellulosic compounds (CELC), while the remaining varieties showed the lowest absorbance level. The TSCHO (sum of structural carbohydrate (SCHO) and CELC area exhibited variations among the samples. Multivariate comparisons showed AP had no molecular structural association with other by-products within the protein amide region. Protein amides I, II and (I+II) areas, α-helix, ß-sheet and area ratio of protein amide and (TSCHO + TCHO) had strong relationships with CP, NDF, ADF, ADL, SCP, starch, PC, CA, CC and TDN contents. CONCLUSION: Inherent molecular structures varied among the selected by-product types and they might be used as potential predictors of nutritive factors, especially for protein structural information. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Measurement of the Intestinal Digestibility of Rumen Undegraded Protein Using Different Methods and Correlation Analysis.

Four methods were adopted, including the mobile nylon bag (MNB) method, modified three-step in vitro (MTS) method, original three-step in vitro (OTS) method, and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) estimating method, to evaluate the intestinal digestibility of rumen undegradable protein (DRUP) of 10 types of concentrates and 7 types of roughages. After correlation analysis to determine the DRUP values using the MNB, MTS, OTS, and ADIN methods, the study aimed to find out appropriate methods to replace the MNB method due to its disadvantages such as high price, long time period, and use of a duodenal T-fistula. Three dairy cows with a permanent ruminal fistula and duodenal T-fistula were used in a single-factor experimental design. The results showed that the determined DRUP values using the MNB method for soybean meal, cottonseed meal, rapeseed meal, sunflower meal, corn germ meal, corn, rice bran, barley, wheat bran, corn fiber feed, Alfalfa (Zhao dong), Alfalfa (Long mu 801), Alfalfa (Long mu 803), grass (North), Grass (Inner Mongolia), corn silage and corn straw were 98.13%, 87.37%, 88.47%, 82.60%, 75.40%, 93.23%, 69.27%, 91.27%, 72.37%, 79.03%, 66.72%, 68.64%, 73.57%, 50.47%, 51.52%, 54.05%, and 43.84%, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R (2) = 0.964) of the results between the MTS method and the MNB method was higher than that (R (2) = 0.942) between the OTS method and the MNB method. The coefficient of determination of the DRUP values of the concentrates among the in vitro method (including the MTS and OTS methods) and the MNB method was higher than that of the roughage. There was a weak correlation between the determined DRUP values in concentrates obtained from the ADIN method and those from the MNB method, and there was a significant correlation (p<0.01) between the determined DRUP values of the roughage obtained from the MNB method and those obtained from ADIN method. The DRUP values were significantly correlated with the nutritional ingredients of the feeds. The regression equation was DRUP =100.5566+0.4169CP - 0.4344SP - 0.7102NDF - 0.7950EE (R (2) = 0.8668, p<0.01; CP, crude protein; SP, soluble protein; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; EE, ether extract). It was concluded that both the MTS method and the OTS may suitable to replace the MNB method for determining the DRUP values and the former method was more effective. Only the ADIN method could be used to predict the values of the roughages but conventional nutritional ingredients were available for all of the samples' DRUP.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum and rumen protected fat on meat quality, oxidative stability, and chemical composition of finishing goats.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium butyricum (CB) is a probiotic that can regulate intestinal microbial composition and improve meat quality. Rumen protected fat (RPF) has been shown to increase the dietary energy density and provide essential fatty acids. However, it is still unknown whether dietary supplementation with CB and RPF exerts beneficial effects on growth performance and nutritional value of goat meat. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary CB and RPF supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, oxidative stability, and meat nutritional value of finishing goats. Thirty-two goats (initial body weight, 20.5 ± 0.82 kg) were used in a completely randomized block design with a 2 RPF supplementation (0 vs. 30 g/d) × 2 CB supplementation (0 vs. 1.0 g/d) factorial treatment arrangement. The experiment included a 14-d adaptation and 70-d data and sample collection period. The goats were fed a diet consisted of 400 g/kg peanut seedling and 600 g/kg corn-based concentrate (dry matter basis). RESULT: Interaction between CB and RPF was rarely observed on the variables measured, except that shear force was reduced (P < 0.05) by adding CB or RPF alone or their combination; the increased intramuscular fat (IMF) content with adding RPF was more pronounced (P < 0.05) with CB than without CB addition. The pH24h (P = 0.009), a* values (P = 0.007), total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.050), glutathione peroxidase activities (P = 0.006), concentrations of 18:3 (P < 0.001), 20:5 (P = 0.003) and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (P = 0.048) were increased, whereas the L* values (P < 0.001), shear force (P = 0.050) and malondialdehyde content (P = 0.044) were decreased by adding CB. Furthermore, CB supplementation increased essential amino acid (P = 0.027), flavor amino acid (P = 0.010) and total amino acid contents (P = 0.024) as well as upregulated the expression of lipoprotein lipase (P = 0.034) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) (P = 0.012), and downregulated the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) (P = 0.034). The RPF supplementation increased dry matter intake (P = 0.005), averaged daily gain (trend, P = 0.058), hot carcass weight (P = 0.046), backfat thickness (P = 0.006), concentrations of 16:0 (P < 0.001) and c9-18:1 (P = 0.002), and decreased the shear force (P < 0.001), isoleucine (P = 0.049) and lysine content (P = 0.003) of meat. In addition, the expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (P = 0.003), fatty acid synthase (P = 0.038), SCD (P < 0.001) and PPARγ (P = 0.022) were upregulated due to RPF supplementation, resulting in higher (P < 0.001) content of IMF. CONCLUSIONS: CB and RPF could be fed to goats for improving the growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality, and promote fat deposition by upregulating the expression of lipogenic genes of Longissimus thoracis muscle.

Effect of growing regions on morphological characteristics, protein subfractions, rumen degradation and molecular structures of various whole-plant silage corn cultivars.

Little information exists on the variation in morphological characteristics, nutritional value, ruminal degradability, and molecular structural makeup of diverse whole-plant silage corn (WPSC) cultivars among different growing regions. This study investigated the between-regions (Beijing, Urumchi, Cangzhou, Liaoyuan, Tianjin) discrepancies in five widely used WPSC cultivars in China (FKBN, YQ889, YQ23, DK301 and ZD958), in terms of 1) morphological characteristics; 2) crude protein (CP) chemical profile; 3) Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) CP subfractions; 4) in situ CP degradation kinetics; and 5) CP molecular structures. Our results revealed significant growing region and WPSC cultivar interaction for all estimated morphological characteristics (P < 0.001), CP chemical profile (P < 0.001), CNCPS subfractions (P < 0.001) and CP molecular structural features (P < 0.05). Except ear weight (P = 0.18), all measured morphological characteristics varied among different growing regions (P < 0.001). Besides, WPSC cultivars planted in different areas had remarkably different CP chemical profiles and CNCPS subfractions (P < 0.001). All spectral parameters of protein primary structure of WPSC differed (P < 0.05) due to the growing regions, except amide II area (P = 0.28). Finally, the area ratio of amide I to II was negatively correlated with the contents of soluble CP (δ = -0.66; P = 0.002), CP (δ = -0.61; P = 0.006), non-protein nitrogen (δ = -0.56; P = 0.004) and acid detergent insoluble CP (δ = -0.43; P = 0.008), in conjunction with a positive correlation with moderately degradable CP (PB1; δ = 0.58; P = 0.01). In conclusion, the cultivar of DK301 exhibited high and stable CP content. The WPSC planted in Beijing showed high CP, SCP and NPN. The low rumen degradable protein of WPSC was observed in Urumchi. Meanwhile, above changes in protein profiles and digestibility were strongly connected with the ratio of amide I and amide II.

Using synchrotron radiation-based infrared microspectroscopy to reveal microchemical structure characterization: frost damaged wheat vs. normal wheat.

This study was conducted to compare: (1) protein chemical characteristics, including the amide I and II region, as well as protein secondary structure; and (2) carbohydrate internal structure and functional groups spectral intensities between the frost damaged wheat and normal wheat using synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (SR-FTIRM). Fingerprint regions of specific interest in our study involved protein and carbohydrate functional group band assignments, including protein amide I and II (ca. 1774-1475 cm(-1)), structural carbohydrates (SCHO, ca. 1498-1176 cm(-1)), cellulosic compounds (CELC, ca. 1295-1176 cm(-1)), total carbohydrates (CHO, ca. 1191-906 cm(-1)) and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCHO, ca. 954-809 cm(-1)). The results showed that frost did cause variations in spectral profiles in wheat grains. Compared with healthy wheat grains, frost damaged wheat had significantly lower (p < 0.05) spectral intensities in height and area ratios of amide I to II and almost all the spectral parameters of carbohydrate-related functional groups, including SCHO, CHO and NSCHO. Furthermore, the height ratio of protein amide I to the third peak of CHO and the area ratios of protein amide (amide I + II) to carbohydrate compounds (CHO and SCHO) were also changed (p < 0.05) in damaged wheat grains. It was concluded that the SR-FTIR microspectroscopic technique was able to examine inherent molecular structure features at an ultra-spatial resolution (10 × 10 µm) between different wheat grains samples. The structural characterization of wheat was influenced by climate conditions, such as frost damage, and these structural variations might be a major reason for the decreases in nutritive values, nutrients availability and milling and baking quality in wheat grains.

Clostridium butyricum improves the intestinal health of goats by regulating the intestinal microbial community.

Clostridium butyricum, as a probiotic with a variety of active products, has been widely used to improve the intestinal health of humans and animals. Previous studies had demonstrated that Clostridium butyricum exhibited potential protective and positive effects in human disease research and animal production by producing a variety of beneficial substances, such as intestinal inflammation, the intestinal epithelial barrier, metabolic diseases, and regulation of the gut microbiota. Therefore, we hypothesized that dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation could improve gut health in fattening goats by modulating gut microbiota. However, it is unclear whether Clostridium butyricum can reach the intestine through the rumen, so 15 healthy Albas goats were selected and randomly divided into 3 treatments with 5 replicates in each group. The groups were divided as follows: control group (CON: basal diet), rumen-protected Clostridium butyricum group (RPCB: basal diet plus 1.0 × 109 CFU/kg Clostridium butyricum coated with hydrogenated fat), and Clostridium butyricum group (CB: basal diet plus 1.0 × 109 CFU/kg Clostridium butyricum). The experiment was slaughtered after a 70-day growth test, and the jejunal mucosa and intestinal contents of the goats were collected to determine tight junction proteins related genes expression and 16S rDNA microbial sequencing analysis to evaluate the intestine health. The results showed that dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum significantly increased the expression of the Claudin-4 gene of the jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05) and had a trend toward a significant increase in the Occludin gene (0.05 < P < 0.10). However, Clostridium butyricum had no significant effect on the expression of intestinal inflammatory factors (P > 0.10). In addition, the relative fractionation of Clostridium and Clostridiaceae_unclassified in the gut microbiota at the genus level decreased significantly compared with controls (P < 0.05). The results of the analysis of the level of Clostridium species showed that Clostridium butyricum only existed in the treatment group. And the correlation results showed that Occludin and Claudin-4 genes were positively correlated with Sharppea and Clostridium butyricum, and negatively correlated with Clostridium (P < 0.05). Supplementing Clostridium butyricum in the diet did not significantly affect the intestinal immune function of goats, while regulation of the intestinal microbiota was associated with improving the intestinal epithelial barrier.

Effects of waste milk feeding on rumen fermentation and bacterial community of pre-weaned and post-weaned dairy calves.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of waste milk with antibiotic residue on rumen fermentation and rumen bacterial composition of dairy calves during pre-weaned and post-weaned periods. A total of 24 Holstein male calves (43.4 ± 0.93 kg body weight, mean ± standard error) were allocated into four blocks based on birth date. Dairy calves were supplied 100% milk replacer (MR, n = 8), 50% milk replacer mixed with 50% waste milk (MM, n = 8), or 100% waste milk (WM, n = 8). Ruminal samples were collected at 49 and 63 days of age and then subjected to determinations of pH value, volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results showed that feeding WM had no effect on the pH value, the concentrations of VFA (acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid), and NH3-N in dairy calves compared to feeding MR. However, from 49 to 63 days of age, the pH value (p < 0.001) was significantly increased, while the levels of total VFA (p = 0.004), acetic acid (p = 0.01), propionic acid (p = 0.003) and valeric acid (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased. For rumen microorganisms, there was no differences in bacterial diversity among the treatments. But the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae was significantly lower (p = 0.05) in the calves fed WM than that from MR group at 49 days of age; however, no difference was detected at 63 days of age. Feeding WM to calves tended to reduce family Veillonellaceae and genus Olsenella in the rumen at 49 days of age (p = 0.049). Analysis of temporal changes in rumen bacteria based on alpha-diversity and beta-diversity as well as the microbial relative abundances did not exhibit any difference. In addition, relative abundances of Clostridia_UCG-014, Prevotella, Syntrophococcus, Eubacterium_nodatum_group, Pseudoramibacter and Solobacterium were correlated with rumen pH value and the concentrations of TVFA, propionic acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid and NH3-N. In conclusion, compare to MR, calves supplied with WM had little changes on the rumen pH value, NH3-N or VFAs contents. Additionally, limited effects could be found on rumen microbiota in the calves fed WM. However, further studies needed to explore if there exist any long-term effects of early-life rumen microbiota modulation on dairy cows.

Exploration of biodegradation traits in dairy cows and protein spectroscopic features in microwaved and moist heated tannin and non-tannin Faba bean.

The objective of this study was to explore if microwave irradiation and moist autoclaving treatments could change nutritive values, nutrients availability and protein inherent spectral structural characteristics in tannin (var. Fatima) and non-tannin (var. Snowbird) faba beans. An in situ approach with four cannulated dry Holstein dairy cows was applied in this study. The results showed that beans heated with microwave and autoclaving had increased contents of ether extract and neutral detergent insoluble CP and reduced soluble CP, sugar and tannin concentrations when compared with the raw seeds. Heating reduced degradable nutrients in the rumen and increased intestinally absorbable nutrients, but it failed to improve digestibility in total tract. All the results showed heating with moisture and pressure would be stronger and severer than microwave irradiation. The variety of faba bean interacted with thermal treatment on total truly intestinally absorbed protein value which showed to be highest in the microwaved brown faba bean and lowest in the unheated Snowbird bean. The degraded protein balance (OEB) value was significantly decreased after both kinds of heating process, suggesting that heating treatments could mitigate loss of nitrogen from the rumen to a large extent. We further collected spectral data using mid-IR spectroscopy and found heat processed beans had varied peak height and area ratios compared with raw beans. However, multivariate results implied that heating process failed to completely change the whole molecular conformation in the protein amide region. Correlations were found between ADF/ADL and spectral features, and the OEB value was negatively related to protein secondary structural α-helix. In conclusion, both faba beans were more sensitive to autoclaving treatment than microwave irradiation in terms of nutrient availability in ruminants.

Profiles of Odd- and Branched-Chain Fatty Acids and Their Correlations With Rumen Fermentation Parameters, Microbial Protein Synthesis, and Bacterial Populations Based on Pure Carbohydrate Incubation in vitro.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in profiles of odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFA), including pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), 13-methyltetradecanoic acid (iso-C15:0), 12-methyltetradecanoic acid (anteiso-C15:0), 14-methylpentadecanoic acid (iso-C16:0), heptadecanoic acid (C17:0), 15-methylhexadecanoic acid (iso-C17:0), and 14-methylhexadecanoic acid (anteiso-C17:0) during in vitro fermentation of pure carbohydrates mixtures in the buffer-rumen fluid. The second objective was to correlate the changes in the OBCFA profile to the corresponding changes in ruminal fermentation parameters, microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis, and bacterial populations. Five pure carbohydrates mixtures containing different cellulose: starch (C:S) ratios, i.e., 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0, were incubated for 6, 12, 18, and 24 h in vitro. The results showed that there was significant interaction (P < 0.05) between C:S and incubation time for changes in all OBCFA profiles, except iso-C17:0. The highest concentration of total OBCFA (3.94 mg/g dry matter; DM) was observed in the residues after 24 h of fermentation when the C:S was 0:100, while the lowest concentration of OBCFA (1.65 mg/g DM) was produced after 6 h of incubation when the C:S was 50:50. The correlation analysis revealed that the concentration of iso-C16:0 might be a potential marker for the estimation of total volatile fatty acids (ρ = 0.78) and MCP synthesis (ρ = 0.82) in the rumen. Compared to starch degrading bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria had stronger correlations with OBCFA concentrations, and the strongest correlation was found between the population of Ruminococcus flavefaciens with C15:0 concentration (ρ = 0.70). Notably, this is the first paper reporting relationship between OBCFA with rumen fermentation products and microbial protein synthesis based on fermentation of pure carbohydrates mixtures in vitro, and thus avoid confounding interference from dietary protein and fat presence in the in vivo studies. However, more in-depth experiments are needed to substantiate the current findings.

Metagenomic Analyses of Microbial and Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes in the Rumen of Holstein Cows Fed Different Forage-to-Concentrate Ratios.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of different forage-to-concentrate ratios and sampling times on the genetic diversity of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and the taxonomic profile of rumen microbial communities in dairy cows. Six ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were arbitrarily divided into groups fed high-forage (HF) or low-forage (LF) diets. The results showed that, for glycoside hydrolase (GH) families, there were greater differences based on dietary forage-to-concentrate ratio than sampling time. The HF treatment group at 4 h after feeding (AF4h) had the most microbial diversity. Genes that encode GHs had the highest number of CAZymes, and accounted for 57.33% and 56.48% of all CAZymes in the HF and LF treatments, respectively. The majority of GH family genes encode oligosaccharide-degrading enzymes, and GH2, GH3, and GH43 were synthesized by a variety of different genera. Notably, we found that GH3 was higher in HF than LF diet samples, and mainly produced by Prevotella, Bacteroides, and unclassified reads. Most predicted cellulase enzymes were encoded by GH5 (the BF0h group under HF treatment was highest) and GH95 (the BF0h group under LF treatment was highest), and were primarily derived from Bacteroides, Butyrivibrio, and Fibrobacter. Approximately 67.5% (GH28) and 65.5% (GH53) of the putative hemicellulases in LF and HF treatments, respectively. GH28 under LF treatment was more abundant than under HF treatment, and was mainly produced by Ruminococcus, Prevotella, and Bacteroides. This study revealed that HF-fed cows had increased microbial diversity of CAZyme producers, which encode enzymes that efficiently degrade plant cell wall polysaccharides in the cow rumen.

Relations of Ruminal Fermentation Parameters and Microbial Matters to Odd- and Branched-Chain Fatty Acids in Rumen Fluid of Dairy Cows at Different Milk Stages.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether relationships exist between odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFAs) originating from milk fat and the corresponding data of ruminal fermentation parameters, microbial populations, and base contents that were used to mark microbial protein in rumen. Nine lactating Holstein dairy cows with similar body weights and parity were selected in this study, and the samples of rumen and milk were collected at the early, middle, and late stages, respectively. The rumen and milk samples were collected over three consecutive days from each cow, and the ruminal and milk OBCFA profiles, ruminal fermentation parameters, bacterial populations, and base contents were measured. The results showed that the concentrations of OBCFAs, with the exception of C11:0 and C15:0, were significantly different between milk and rumen (p < 0.05). The concentrations of anteiso-fatty acids in milk were higher than those in rumen, and the contents of linear odd-chain fatty acids were higher than those of branched-chain fatty acids in both milk and rumen. Significant relationships that existed between the concentrations of C11:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, C15:0, and anteiso-C17:0 in rumen and milk (p < 0.05). The total OBCFA content in milk was positively related to the acetate molar proportion but negatively correlated with isoacid contents (p < 0.05). The populations of Ruminococcus albus, R. flavefacients, and Eubacterium ruminantium were significantly related to milk C13:0 contents (p < 0.05). The adenine/N ratio was negatively related to milk OBCFA content (p < 0.05) but positively associated with the iso-C15:0/iso-C17:0 ratio (p < 0.05). Milk OBCFAs were significantly correlated with ruminal fermentation parameters, ruminal bacterial populations, and base contents. Milk OBCFAs had the potential to predict microbial nitrogen flow, and the prediction equations for ruminal microbial nitrogen flow were established for OBCFAs in dairy milk.

Investigation of the Spectroscopic Information on Functional Groups Related to Carbohydrates in Different Morphological Fractions of Corn Stover and Their Relationship to Nutrient Supply and Biodegradation Characteristics.

The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) nutritive values and biodegradation characteristics and (2) mid-IR spectroscopic features within the regions associated with carbohydrate functional groups (including cellulosic component (CELC), structural carbohydrate (STCHO), and total carbohydrate (CHO)) in different morphological fractions of corn stover. Furthermore, correlation and regression analyses were also applied to determine the relationship between nutritional values and spectroscopic parameters. The results showed that different morphological sections of corn stover had different nutrient supplies, in situ biodegradation characteristics, and spectral structural features within carbohydrate regions. The stem rind and ear husk were both high in fibrous content, which led to the lowest effective degradabilities (ED) among these stalk fractions. The ED values of NDF were ranked ear husk > stem pith > leaf blade > leaf sheath > whole plant > stem rind. Intensities of peak height and area within carbohydrate regions were relatively more stable compared with spectral ratio profiles. Significant difference was found only in peak area intensity of CELC, which was at the highest level for stem rind, followed by stem pith, leaf sheath, whole plant, leaf blade, and ear husk. Correlation results showed that changes in some carbohydrate spectral ratios were highly associated with carbohydrate chemical profiles and in situ rumen degradation kinetics. Among the various carbohydrate molecular spectral parameters that were tested in multiple regression analysis, CHO height ratios, and area ratios of CELC:CHO and CELC:STCHO as well as CELC area were mostly sensitive to nutrient supply and biodegradation characteristics in different morphological fractions of corn stover.

Effect of different levels of corn steep liquor addition on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of fresh rice straw silage.

The object of this study was to determine the proper mixing ratio of fresh rice straw to corn steep liquor (CSL) to obtain a high protein content silage feed. The following experimental silages were generated: the control (C1), composed of fresh rice straw without CSL additive, mixed with CSL in the ratios of 4:1 (C4), 3:1 (C3) and 2:1 (C2). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant was applied at the rate of 50 mL/kg (fresh basis) of forage to achieve a final application rate of 1 × 106 cfu/g of fresh matter (FM). Duplicate silos for each treatment were opened after 0, 3, 7, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 d for microbiological and chemical analysis. The results showed that the addition of CSL significantly increased crude protein (CP) contents, and decreased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of treatments after 60 d of ensiling (P < 0.05). The lactic acid contents in C4 and C3 were significantly higher than that in C1 (P < 0.05). In summary, mixing fresh rice straw with CSL at addition levels of 4:1 (C4) and 3:1 (C3) can improve the fermentation quality and nutrient composition of fresh rice straw silage. However, a large proportion of CSL (C3) had a negative impact on the aerobic stability of fresh rice straw.

Magnitude differences in agronomic, chemical, nutritional, and structural features among different varieties of forage corn grown on dry land and irrigated land.

In this study, eight varieties of corn forage grown in semiarid western Canada (including Pioneer P2501, Pioneer P39m26, Pioneer P7443, Hyland HL3085, Hyland HLBaxxos, Hyland HLR219, Hyland HLSR22, and Pickseed Silex BT) were selected to explore the effect of irrigation implementation in comparison with nonirrigation on (1) agronomic characteristics, (2) basic chemical profiles explored by using a near-infrared reflectance (NIR) system, and (3) protein and carbohydrate internal structural parameters revealed by using an attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) system. Also, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on spectroscopic data for clarification of differences in molecular structural makeup among the varieties. The results showed that irrigation treatment significantly increased (P < 0.05) contents of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) but decreased crude protein (CP) of corn forages. Significant interactions of irrigation treatment and corn variety were observed on most agronomic characteristics (DM yield, T/ha, days to tasseling, days to silking) and crude fiber (CF) and ether extract (EE) contents as well as some spectral data such as cellulosic compounds (CELC) peak intensity, peak ratios of CHO third peak to CELC, α-helix to ß-sheet, and CHO third peak to amide I. Additionally, the spectral ratios of chemical functional groups that related to structural and nonstructural carbohydrates and protein polymers in forages did not remain constant over corn varieties cultivated with and without water treatment. Moreover, different cultivars had different growth, structure, and nutrition performances in this study. Although significant differences could be found in peak intensities, PCA results indicated some structural similarities existed between two treated corn forages with the exception of HL3085 and HLBaxxos. In conclusion, irrigation and corn variety had interaction effects on agronomic, chemical, nutritional, and structural features. Further study on the optimum level of irrigation for corn forage cultivation might be helpful in semiarid regions such as western Canada.

Detect changes in lipid-related structure of brown- and yellow-seeded Brassica Carinata seed during rumen fermentation in relation to basic chemical profile using ATR-FT/IR molecular spectroscopy with chemometrics.

In this experiment, brown- and yellow-seeded Brassica carinata were selected to use as a model to investigate whether there were any changes in lipid-related structure make-up (including CH3 and CH2 asymmetric and symmetric stretching bands ca. 3010-2765cm(-1), unsaturated lipid band ca. 3043-2987cm(-1) and carbonyl CO ester band ca. 1789-1701cm(-1)) of oilseed tissue during rumen in situ incubation using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT/IR). Correlations of lipid spectral characteristics with basic chemical profile and multivariate analyses for clarifying structural differences within lipid regions between two carinata seeds were also measured. The results showed that most spectral parameters in both carinata seeds were reduced as incubation time increased. However, the extent of changes in peak intensity of carbonyl CO ester group of brown-seeded carinata was not in fully accordance with that of yellow-seeded carinata. Additionally, these lipid structure features were highly correlated with the concentrations of OM (positively), CP (positively), NDF (negatively) and EE (positively) in carinata seeds after 0, 12, 24 and 48h of incubation. Based on the results from multivariate analyses, neither AHCA nor PCA could produce any distinctions in rumen residues between brown- and yellow-seeded carinata in spectra at lipid regions. It was concluded that besides for original feed samples, spectroscopic technique of ATR-FT/IR could also be used for rumen degradation residues in detecting changes in lipid-related molecular structure make-up. Further studies are needed to explore more details in lipid metabolism during ruminal fermentation with the combined consideration on both metabolic basis and molecular structural basis.

Interactive association between biopolymers and biofunctions in carinata seeds as energy feedstock and their coproducts (carinata meal) from biofuel and bio-oil processing before and after biodegradation: current advanced molecular spectroscopic investigations.

Recent advances in biofuel and bio-oil processing technology require huge supplies of energy feedstocks for processing. Very recently, new carinata seeds have been developed as energy feedstocks for biofuel and bio-oil production. The processing results in a large amount of coproducts, which are carinata meal. To date, there is no systematic study on interactive association between biopolymers and biofunctions in carinata seed as energy feedstocks for biofuel and bioethanol processing and their processing coproducts (carinata meal). Molecular spectroscopy with synchrotron and globar sources is a rapid and noninvasive analytical technique and is able to investigate molecular structure conformation in relation to biopolymer functions and bioavailability. However, to date, these techniques are seldom used in biofuel and bioethanol processing in other research laboratories. This paper aims to provide research progress and updates with molecular spectroscopy on the energy feedstock (carinata seed) and coproducts (carinata meal) from biofuel and bioethanol processing and show how to use these molecular techniques to study the interactive association between biopolymers and biofunctions in the energy feedstocks and their coproducts (carinata meal) from biofuel and bio-oil processing before and after biodegradation.