Rumen Parameters, Nutrients Digestibility and Milk Production of Lactating Boer Goats Fed Diets Containing Clay Minerals.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The inclusion of clay minerals in dairy nutrition is getting attention owing to their proven beneficial effects. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of three different clay minerals (bentonite, zeolite and humic acid) on the performance of lactating Boer goats. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Twenty lactating Boer goats (having an average body weight ~42.7 kg) were divided into four groups (5 animals each) by using a completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was fed with one of four dietary treatments: Control group with basal ration R1: Consisting of concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and clover hay (50:50%, C:R) on a dry matter (DM) basis, R2: Basal ration plus 1% bentonite, R3: Basal ration plus 1.25% zeolite and R4: Basal ration plus 0.5% humic acid. <b>Results:</b> The results revealed that bentonite and humic acid increased (p<0.05) the nutrient digestibility and nutritive values compared to zeolite and control groups. Ruminal ammonia and total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) contents increased (p<0.05) with supplementation of bentonite. No effect of clays supplementation was observed on plasma total protein, urea and creatinine, however, it increased (p<0.05) the albumin concentration and albumin/globulin ratios compared to the control while decreasing the plasma globulin contents. Supplementation of humic acid increased (p<0.05) the AST concentrations. Bentonite supplementation recorded the highest milk yield (p<0.05) and composition, while the zeolite group had the lowest values. <b>Conclusion:</b> The present study indicated that the inclusion of clay minerals particularly bentonite (at 1%) can positively affect the performance of lactating Boer goats.

Effect of Diet Supplementation with the Mycotoxin Binder Montmorillonite on the Bioavailability of Vitamins in Dairy Cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the mycotoxin binder montmorillonite (MMT) supplemented in the diet of dairy cows on the bioavailability of vitamins A, D, E, B1 and B6. Six multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were used in a crossover design with two periods. Treatments were a control diet with or without MMT. Vitamins were infused individually into the abomasum through the ruminal cannula. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 h after the administration of each vitamin. Results showed that vitamin A reached maximal concentration (Tmax) at 5.3 h after dosing, the maximal concentration (Cmax) was 1.2 times higher than the basal concentration (Cbasal), and the area under the curve (AUC) was 739 arbitrary units. Vitamin B6 reached the Tmax at 13 h after dosing, the Cmax was 1.4 times higher than the Cbasal, and the AUC was 222 arbitrary units. No differences were observed in Cbasal, Tmax, Cmax and AUC of vitamin A and B6 between control vs. MMT-supplemented cows. Plasma concentrations of vitamins D, E and B1 had no concentration peaks, and were not affected by MMT addition. The lack of a response suggests that their plasma concentration may be tightly regulated. Results of this study do not show evidence that MMT affects the bioavailability of vitamins A and B6 in vivo.

Role of clay in detoxification of aflatoxin B1 in growing Japanese quail with reference to gender.

The present study investigated the influence of the quail diet polluted with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and its detoxification by using clay as a feed additive on the growth performance and some blood biochemical components of growing Japanese quail with reference to sex. A total number of 120 Japanese quail chicks (1 week old), was randomly divided into 10 groups (24 chicks/ group). A 5 × 2 factorial arrangement experiment was performed and included five levels of AFB1 (0 ppm, 1 mg/kg AFB1, 1 mg/kg AFB1 + 1% clay, 2 mg/kg AFB1 and 2 mg/kg AFB1 + 1% clay) and two sexes. Birds fed with aflatoxin free diet had significantly (P ≤ 0.05 and 0.01) higher final live body weight, weight gain and lower mortality rate than the other groups. Addition of 1% clay significantly (P ≤ 0.05 and 0.01) improved the growth performance traits and diminished aflatoxin effect when compared to groups without the addition of clay. Obtained results indicated significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences between the two sexes in their response to aflatoxicosis in the final live body weight and weight gain. Our results showed significant (P ≤ 0.01) changes in all blood biochemicals (total protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid) and activities of serum enzymes studied due to the toxicity of AFB1. Conclusively, the consumption of polluted diets with AFB1 caused deleterious effects on the growth performance and blood biochemicals components of Japanese quail, while dietary addition of natural clay to the diet of growing Japanese quail caused beneficial effects.

Calcination Improves the In Vivo Efficacy of a Montmorillonite Clay to Bind Aflatoxin G1 in Broiler Chickens: A Toxicokinetic Approach.

The goal of this study was to investigate the toxicokinetic characteristics of aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) in broiler chickens and the effect of calcination of a Tunisian montmorillonite clay on the in vivo absorption of AFG1. In this study, broiler chickens were randomly distributed into four groups of 10 animals. Group 1 was administered AFG1 (2 mg/kg body weight (BW)) by single intravenous injection (IV), group 2 received an intra-crop bolus (PO) of AFG1 without any clay, group 3 was dosed AFG1 PO together with an oral bolus of purified clay (CP), and group 4 received AFG1 PO with an oral bolus of calcined clay. A significant difference in the area under the curve (AUC0-t) was observed for group 4 (6.78 ± 4.24 h*ng/mL) in comparison with group 2 (12.83 ± 4.19 h*ng/mL). A significant reduction of the oral bioavailability of AFG1 was observed for group 4 (7.61 ± 4.76%) compared with group 2 (14.40 ± 4.70%), while no significant effect was observed of CP. In this experiment, no phase I nor phase II metabolites of AFG1 were observed. These findings confirm that calcination of the purified montmorillonite clay enhances the adsorption of AFG1 in the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration, thereby reducing its bioavailability, thus reducing its toxic effects.

The Nature of the Increased Efficiency of Sorption-Stimulating Preparations Containing Non-Ionic Surfactants for Pre-Sowing Seed Treatment.

The effect of the introduction of a non-ionogenic surfactant Polysorbate 20 into a sorption preparation (CB-H-BYA) on the structure of sorbent layers formed on the surface of spring wheat seeds during their pre-sowing treatment has been studied using electron microscopy. According to the results, an increase in the efficiency of sorption preparations containing Polysorbate 20 is based on an intensification of the bentonite aggregate disintegration into individual montmorillonite particles and a formation of more dense protective sorption layer providing a better protection of seeds against allelotoxins on the seed surface. The introduction of non-ionogenic surfactants into the preparation increases a sorption capacity of a bentonite-humus complex that results in a decreased gibberellin activity in a solution. Therefore, to achieve the maximum physiological activity of gibberellin in a preparation solution, it is necessary to increase its concentration from 100 to 300 mg/L. As a result, the stimulating effect increases from 36 to 55%.

Dietary montmorillonite as growth promoter and immunomodulator in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

A 98-day research was conducted to assess the influence of dietary montmorillonite (MMT) on growth and immune competence in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish fry (mean weight: 500 ± 35 mg) were fed with four experimental diets contained MMT at levels of 0 (as control group), 1, 2 and 4%. At the end of the experiment, the survival rate and growth parameters and serum total protein and albumin levels in MMT experimental groups was higher than the control group. Regarding humoral immune responses, fish being fed with 2 and 4% MMT diets showed the greatest and the lowest serum C3, C4 and lysozyme levels, respectively. Serum alternative complement pathway activity (ACH50) in groups fed with 1 and 2% MMT supplemented diets was higher than the other groups. At the end of the challenge test with VHSV, the mortality rate reached to 28 and 20% in the control group and 4% MMT supplemented groups, respectively, whereas fish fed with 1 and 2% MMT supplemented diets showed the lowest mortality rate (2.5%) Fish fed with 1 and 2% MMT supplemented groups showed higher head kidney IL-1ß and TNF-α genes expression compared to the other treatment groups. In addition, fish fed with 2% MMT-supplemented diet had the highest head kidney Lyz-2 gene expression. In summary, the results of this research suggests that supplementing diet with MMT at 1 or 2% improve growth and non-specific humoral immune responses and induce head kidney immune relate genes expression and disease resistance against VHS in O. mykiss.

The effects and combinational effects of Bacillus subtilis and montmorillonite on the intestinal health status in laying hens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects and combinational effects of Bacillus subtilis (BS) and montmorillonite (MMT) on laying performance, gut mucosal oxidation status, and intestinal immunological and physical barrier functions of laying hens. Three hundred sixty laying hens (29-week-old) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (n = 6) for 10 wk as follows: (1) basal diet; (2) the basal diet plus 5 × 108 cfu BS/kg; (3) the basal diet plus 0.5 g MMT/kg; and (4) the basal diet plus 5 × 108 cfu BS/kg and 0.5 g MMT/kg. Dietary supplementation with BS increased egg production and egg mass, the activities of catalase (CAT) and total superoxide dismutase in the intestinal mucosa, and villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio of the jejunum (P < 0.05) but downregulated the mRNA expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) in the duodenum and jejunum, interleukin 1 beta in the duodenum, and nuclear factor kappa B P65 (NF-κB P65) and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with MMT increased egg production and egg mass, the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A in the duodenum, and the occludin mRNA expression level in the jejunum (P < 0.05) but reduced feed conversion ratio, malondialdehyde concentration in the duodenum and jejunum, and the mRNA expression level of MyD88 in the jejunum (P < 0.05). In addition, there was an interaction effect between BS and MMT supplementation on the CAT activity and the MyD88 mRNA expression level in the duodenum and the mRNA expression level of occludin in the jejunum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary BS and MMT and their combination may improve the intestinal health status of laying hens, which may contribute to the increase in hens' laying performance.

Sulfur bentonite-organic-based fertilizers as tool for improving bio-compounds with antioxidant activities in red onion.

BACKGROUND: Red onion is popular in cuisines worldwide and is valued for its potential medicinal properties. Red onion is an important source of several phytonutrients such as flavonoids, thiosulfinates and other sulfur compounds, recognized as important elements of the diet. Nowadays, there is the need of producing food enriched in health benefit compounds. In this study, pads of sulfur bentonite (SB) with the addition of orange residue (OR) or olive pomace (OP) were used to improve the quality of red onion. The experiment was conducted for 3 months in the field to evaluate the phytochemicals of differently amended red onion. RESULTS: Treated plants were better in quality than controls. Antioxidant activity, detected as DPPH, ORAC and ABTS, was highest in plants grown in the presence of SB enriched with agricultural wastes, particularly SB-OR. Polyphenols increased in all treated plants. The volatile fraction was clearly dominated by sulfur compounds that are strictly related to the concentration of the aroma precursors S-alkenyl cysteine sulfoxides. The greater amount of thiosulfinates in treated compared with untreated onion evidenced that SB pelletized with agricultural wastes can represent a new formulation of organic fertilizer able to improve the beneficial properties of onion. The results highlighted that the best red onion quality was obtained using SB-OR pads. CONCLUSION: The use of SB bound with agricultural wastes represents a novel strategy to increase bio-compounds with beneficial effects on human health, to enhance the medical and economic values of sulfur-loving crops, with important consequences on the bio and green economy. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of adding clay with or without a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on the health and performance of lactating dairy cows challenged with dietary aflatoxin B1.

The study was conducted to examine the effect of supplementing bentonite clay with or without a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP; 19 g of NutriTek + 16 g of MetaShield, both from Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA) on the performance and health of dairy cows challenged with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows (64 ± 11 d in milk) were stratified by parity and milk production and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment sequences. The experiment had a balanced 4 × 4 Latin square design with 6 replicate squares, four 33-d periods, and a 5-d washout interval between periods. Cows were fed a total mixed ration containing 36.1% corn silage, 8.3% alfalfa hay, and 55.6% concentrate (dry matter basis). Treatments were (1) control (no additives), (2) toxin (T; 1,725 µg of AFB1/head per day), (3) T + clay (CL; 200 g/head per day; top-dressed), and (4) CL+SCFP (CL+SCFP; 35 g/head per day; top-dressed). Cows were adapted to diets from d 1 to 25 (predosing period) and then orally dosed with AFB1 from d 26 to 30 (dosing period), and AFB1 was withdrawn from d 31 to 33 (withdrawal period). Milk samples were collected twice daily from d 21 to 33, and plasma was sampled on d 25 and 30 before the morning feeding. Transfer of ingested AFB1 into milk aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was greater in T than in CL or CL+SCFP (1.65 vs. 1.01 and 0.94%, respectively) from d 26 to 30. The CL and CL+SCFP treatments reduced milk AFM1 concentration compared with T (0.45 and 0.40 vs. 0.75 µg/kg, respectively), and, unlike T, both CL and CL+SCFP lowered AFM1 concentrations below the US Food and Drug Administration action level (0.5 µg/kg). Milk yield tended to be greater during the dosing period in cows fed CL+SCFP compared with T (39.7 vs. 37.7 kg/d). Compared with that for T, plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase concentration, indicative of aflatoxicosis and liver damage, was reduced by CL (85.9 vs. 95.2 U/L) and numerically reduced by CL+SCFP (87.9 vs. 95.2 U/L). Dietary CL and CL+SCFP reduced transfer of dietary AFB1 to milk and milk AFM1 concentration. Only CL prevented the increase in glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase concentration, and only CL+SCFP prevented the decrease in milk yield caused by AFB1 ingestion.

Bentonite clay supplemented diet on immunity in stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis against Aeromonas hydrophila.

The effect of Sodium Bentonite (SB) enriched diet on growth performance, innate immune response, and disease resistance in stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis against Aeromonas hydrophila is reported. The infected fish fed with 5% SB had the maximum weight gain diet (PWG %) and specific growth rate (SGR %) were 26% and 29% when compared to 14% and 17% with 10% diet. Similarly the phagocytic activity increased significantly when infected fish were fed with 5% or 10% SB diets during the experimental period; the complement, respiratory burst and lysozyme activities were also significantly enhanced on weeks 2 and 4. The lower cumulative mortality (10% and 15%) was observed when the infected fish were fed with 5% and 10% SB diets for 30 days. The results suggest that the infected H. fossilis after administration of 5% and 10% SB enriched diets for 30 days had significantly improved growth performance, innate immunity, and disease resistance against A. hydrophilla. Hence, sodium bentonite can be used as a feed additive to stimulate immunity and for disease resistance in the effective production of economically valuable freshwater catfish, H. fossilis.

Impacts of bentonite supplementation on growth, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, and histopathology of certain organs of rabbits fed diet naturally contaminated with aflatoxin.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of graded levels of dietary bentonite supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, and histopathology of certain organs in rabbits fed a diet naturally contaminated with aflatoxin. In total, 125 weanling New Zealand White male rabbits were randomly assigned to five treatment groups each of five replicates. Treatments were as follows: T1, basal diet with no aflatoxin and no additives (positive control diet, PCD); T2, basal diet naturally contaminated with 150 ppb aflatoxin and no additives (negative control diet, NCD); T3, NCD plus 0.5% Egyptian bentonite; T4, NCD plus 1% Egyptian bentonite; and T5, NCD plus 1% Egyptian bentonite. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Results showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the body weight and the body weight gain in the NCD, while they were improved (P < 0.05) in groups fed diets supplemented with different levels of bentonite. The relative weight of the liver and kidneys were higher in the NCD, while the liver weight was relatively high in the group fed NCD supplemented with 0.5% bentonite, and it was not significant in other bentonite-supplemented groups. Bentonite supplementation improved the digestibility coefficients of various nutrients. Bentonite addition decreased the histopathological lesions in liver, kidney, and intestine caused by aflatoxin-infected diets. In conclusion, bentonite supplementation overcame the negative effect of aflatoxin, enhanced growth performance traits, decreased the relative weights of the liver and the kidney which are usually increased by aflatoxin, caused significant improvement in nutrients' digestibility, and decreased the histopathological lesions caused by aflatoxin-infected diets. The level of 2% bentonite is recommended for ameliorating the aflatoxin effects.

Copper/zinc-loaded montmorillonite influences intestinal integrity, the expression of genes associated with inflammation, TLR4-MyD88 and TGF-ß1 signaling pathways in weaned pigs after LPS challenge.

This study was aimed at investigating whether dietary copper/zinc-loaded montmorillonite (Cu/Zn-Mt) could alleviate Escherichia coli LPS-induced intestinal injury through pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways (TLRs, NLRs and TGF-ß1) in weaned piglets. Eighteen 21-d-old pigs were randomly divided into three groups (control, LPS and LPS + Cu/Zn-Mt). After 21 d of feeding, pigs in the LPS group and LPS + Cu/Zn-Mt group received i.p. administration of LPS, whereas pigs in the control group received saline. At 4 h post-injection, jejunum samples were collected for analysis. The results indicated that, compared with the LPS group, supplemental Cu/Zn-Mt increased transepithelial electrical resistance, the expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-ß1) in mRNA and protein levels, and decreased FD4 and the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1ß). The pro-inflammatory signaling pathways results demonstrated that Cu/Zn-Mt supplementation decreased the mRNA levels of TLR4 and its downstream signals (MyD88, IRAK1, TRAF6) but had no effect on NOD1 and NOD2 signals. Cu/Zn-Mt supplementation did not affect NF-κB p65 mRNA abundance, but down-regulated its protein expression. The anti-inflammatory signaling pathways results showed supplemental Cu/Zn-Mt also increased TßRII, Smad4 and Smad7 mRNA expressions. These findings suggested dietary Cu/Zn-Mt attenuated LPS-induced intestinal injury by alleviating intestinal inflammation, influencing TLR4-MyD88 and TGF-ß1 signaling pathways in weaned pig.

Efficacy of adsorbents (bentonite and diatomaceous earth) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) in alleviating the toxic effects of aflatoxin in chicks.

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of bentonite clay (BC), diatomaceous earth (DE) and turmeric powder (TUM) in alleviating the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). A total of 250 Ross-308 d-old male broiler chicks were assigned to 10 dietary treatments (5 replicates of 5 chicks) from hatch to d 21. Dietary treatments were: basal diet; basal diet plus AFB1 (2 mg) or BC (0.75%), or DE (0.75%), or TUM (200 mg/kg curcuminoids) and different combinations of AFB1, BC, DE and TUM. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed gain (FG) of the birds fed on BC or DE separately were not different from control birds. Birds fed on TUM only had similar FI and FG but lower BWG than control chicks. Aflatoxin B1 reduced FI, BWG and serum concentrations of glucose, albumin, total protein calcium, but increased FG and relative liver and kidney weights. Chicks fed on the combination of AFB1 and BC had similar FI and FG to control chicks. Chicks fed on the combination of DE and AFB1 had lower FI (23.1%) and BWG (28.6%) compared with control chicks. Chicks fed on the combination of TUM and AFB1 also had decreased FI (26.2 %) and BWG (31%) compared with control chicks. Chicks fed on the combination of AFB1, BC and TUM consumed significantly higher amounts of feed compared with chicks fed on only AF, but gained less when compared with control diet chicks. Chicks fed on the combination of AFB1, DE and TUM diet had poorer growth performance than those fed on AFB1 alone. None of the combination diets reduced the severity of liver lesions.

Improved early performance of turkey poults given an Aloe ferox leaf extract with bentonite.

AT-402 (20 g/kg), a proprietary blend of Aloe ferox leaf extract and calcium bentonite, had no adverse effect on poult body weights at 3 weeks of age. Lower body weights and lower feed consumption were observed in 4-week-old poults given 10 and 20 g/kg of AT-402 compared to poults given 0 or 5 g/kg. Floor-reared poults, given either 5 or 10 g/kg AT-402 to 4 weeks of age, were significantly heavier than controls (0 g/kg AT-402), and feed conversion ratios for AT-402 given poults were improved. Xylose uptake in 5 g/kg AT-402-fed poults was significantly greater than in poults given AT-402 at 0 and 10 g/kg, reflecting increased body weights of 5 g/kg AT-402-fed poults. Delayed access by poults to the AT-402 until 10 d of age also improved 4-week body weights, suggesting that the AT-402 might improve performance as soon as it is given. AT-402 at 5 g/kg was most efficacious as demonstrated by improved body weights and feed conversions.

Effects of graded levels of bentonite on serum clinical profiles, metabolic hormones, and serum swainsonine concentrations in lambs fed locoweed (Oxytropis sericea).

To determine which clay minerals have the potential to bind swainsonine, an in vitro screening procedure was conducted. Twenty compounds were screened in one replicated in vitro trial. A commercially available bentonite bound approximately 10% swainsonine and was chosen for use in a subsequent lamb feeding trial. Twenty fine-wool lambs (30.5 +/- .7 kg) were assigned to one of five treatments (four lambs/treatment). Treatments included 1) positive control, 100% sorghum sudangrass hay, 2) 85% sorghum sudangrass:15% locoweed (Oxytropis sericea, 430 ppm [DM basis] of swainsonine) +0 g of bentonite, 3) Treatment 2 + 14 g of bentonite, 4) Treatment 2 + 28 g of bentonite, and 5) Treatment 2 + 42 g of bentonite. Lambs were fed the experimental diets for 35 d and were then fed the positive control diet for an additional 21 d. Lambs were weighted and blood was collected via jugular venipuncture weekly from d 0 through 56. On d 35, additional blood samples were collected 1, 2, 4, and 8 h after feeding. Weekly blood samples were analyzed for serum clinical chemistry profiles, and additional blood samples collected on d 35 were analyzed for serum metabolic hormones and serum swainsonine concentrations. Within 1 wk, serum alkaline phosphatase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activities increased markedly (P < .05) in lambs fed locoweed. Serum insulin, growth hormone, and prolactin concentrations were not affected by feeding locoweed, but serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations were decreased by approximately 50% (P < .05) in lambs fed locoweed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of minerals in the thermal alteration of organic matter--III. Generation of bitumen in laboratory experiments.

A series of pyrolysis experiments, utilizing two different immature kerogens (from the Monterey and Green River Formations) mixed with common sedimentary minerals (calcite, illite, or Na-montmorillonite), was conducted to study the impact of the mineral matrix on the bitumen that was generated. Calcite has no significant influence on the thermal evolution of bitumen and also shows virtually no adsorption capacity for any of the pyrolysate. In contrast, montmorillonite and illite, to a lesser extent, alter bitumen during dry pyrolysis. Montmorillonite and illite also display strong adsorption capacities for the polar constituents of bitumen. By this process, hydrocarbons are substantially concentrated within the pyrolysate that is not strongly adsorbed on the clay matrices. The effects of the clay minerals are significantly reduced during hydrous pyrolysis. The strong adsorption capacities of montmorillonite and illite, as well as their thermocatalytic properties, may in part explain why light oils and gases are generated from certain argillaceous source-rock assemblages, whereas heavy immature oils are often derived from carbonate source rocks.