Carcass characteristics, physicochemical changes and oxidative stress indicators of meat from sheep fed diets with coffee pulp / Características de carcaça, alterações físico-químicas e indicadores de estresse oxidativo de carne de ovinos alimentados com dietas com polpa de café

The purpose of this study was to determine how feeding sheep coffee pulp affects carcass characteristics and what changes occur in physicochemical, antioxidant capacity and oxidation of the meat during refrigerated storage. The experiment was carried out in 15 Blackbelly lambs weighing an average 22.86±0.76kg. The animals were assigned to three treatments: T0=control diet, T1=diet with 8% coffee pulp, and T2=diet with 16% coffee pulp. After fattening for 56 days, the sheep were slaughtered and the carcasses assessed. The inclusion of 16% coffee pulp in the diet increased carcass dressing from 48.19 to 50.83% and decreased the amount of fat in rumen and intestines from 3.43 to 2.53% (P<0.05). The inclusion of coffee pulp in the diet did not alter the amount of crude protein or fat in meat or its oxidation and antioxidant capacity during refrigerated storage. However, the inclusion of coffee pulp in the diet decreased fat in the rumen and intestines, and thus increased the amount of usable meat.

Objetivou-se determinar características de carcaça, alterações físico-químicas, capacidade antioxidante e de oxidação da carne de ovinos alimentados com polpa de café, durante o período de armazenamento refrigerado. O experimento foi realizado com 15 cordeiros Blackbelly com um peso médio de 22,86 ± 0,76kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em três tratamentos: T0=dieta controle, T1=dieta com 8% de polpa de café e T2=dieta com polpa de café de 16%. Depois de 56 dias de engorda, cordeiros foram abatidos, e a carcaça avaliada. Inclusão de polpa de café de 16% na dieta aumentou o rendimento de carcaça de 48.19 para 50.83% e diminuiu a quantidade de gordura no rúmen e nos intestinos de 3.43 para 2.53% (P<0,05). A inclusão de polpa de café na dieta não alterou a proteína ou a gordura na carne nem a oxidação e a capacidade antioxidante durante o armazenamento refrigerado. A inclusão de polpa de café na dieta de cordeiros diminui a gordura no rúmen e nos intestinos e aumenta a quantidade de carne na carcaça.

Carcass characteristics, physicochemical changes and oxidative stress indicators of meat from sheep fed diets with coffee pulp / Características de carcaça, alterações físico-químicas e indicadores de estresse oxidativo de carne de ovinos alimentados com dietas com polpa de café

The purpose of this study was to determine how feeding sheep coffee pulp affects carcass characteristics and what changes occur in physicochemical, antioxidant capacity and oxidation of the meat during refrigerated storage. The experiment was carried out in 15 Blackbelly lambs weighing an average 22.86±0.76kg. The animals were assigned to three treatments: T0=control diet, T1=diet with 8% coffee pulp, and T2=diet with 16% coffee pulp. After fattening for 56 days, the sheep were slaughtered and the carcasses assessed. The inclusion of 16% coffee pulp in the diet increased carcass dressing from 48.19 to 50.83% and decreased the amount of fat in rumen and intestines from 3.43 to 2.53% (P<0.05). The inclusion of coffee pulp in the diet did not alter the amount of crude protein or fat in meat or its oxidation and antioxidant capacity during refrigerated storage. However, the inclusion of coffee pulp in the diet decreased fat in the rumen and intestines, and thus increased the amount of usable meat...

Objetivou-se determinar características de carcaça, alterações físico-químicas, capacidade antioxidante e de oxidação da carne de ovinos alimentados com polpa de café, durante o período de armazenamento refrigerado. O experimento foi realizado com 15 cordeiros Blackbelly com um peso médio de 22,86 ± 0,76kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em três tratamentos: T0=dieta controle, T1=dieta com 8% de polpa de café e T2=dieta com polpa de café de 16%. Depois de 56 dias de engorda, cordeiros foram abatidos, e a carcaça avaliada. Inclusão de polpa de café de 16% na dieta aumentou o rendimento de carcaça de 48.19 para 50.83% e diminuiu a quantidade de gordura no rúmen e nos intestinos de 3.43 para 2.53% (P<0,05). A inclusão de polpa de café na dieta não alterou a proteína ou a gordura na carne nem a oxidação e a capacidade antioxidante durante o armazenamento refrigerado. A inclusão de polpa de café na dieta de cordeiros diminui a gordura no rúmen e nos intestinos e aumenta a quantidade de carne na carcaça...

Reproductive Response of Ewes Fed with Taiwan Grass Hay (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) Supplemented with Duckweed (Lemna sp. and Spirodela sp.).

The effect of duckweed (DW) supplementation was evaluated on dry matter intake (DMI), presence and duration of estrus, percentage of ewes repeating estrus and pregnancy rate, as well as the concentration of progesterone (P4) in multiparous crossbred ewes from Pelibuey, Dorper, and Katahdin breeds, fed with Taiwan grass hay (TWH). Eighteen ewes with 39.7±4 kg mean body weight, kept in individual pens, were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: T1: TWH, T2: TWH plus 200 g DW, T3: TWH plus 300 g DW. The ewes were synchronized with 40 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) and 400 UI equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the GLM procedure. DW supplementation had no effect on dry matter intake (p>0.05); however, a slight decrease of TWH intake was observed as DW supplementation increased. No differences (p>0.05) were found in the beginning of estrus, percentage of ewes presenting it, its duration, or pregnancy rate. There were no differences (p>0.05) on P4 concentration among treatments, or treatmentxperiod interaction (p>0.05). However the period was significant (p<0.01), since the P4 levels increased as time increased after the removal of the FGA device and eCG application.

[Chemical composition of earthworm (Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus rubellus) silages]. / Composición química de ensilados de lombrices terrestres (Eisenia fetida y Lumbricus rubellus).

Earthworms (Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus rubellus) were ensiled with ground sorghum and molasses in the following proportions: 1) 60% earthworms, 40% sorghum; 2) 60% earthworms, 40% sorghum, adjusting pH to 4.0 with HCl; 3) 60% earthworms, 20% sorghum, 20% molasses; 4) 60% earthworms, 20% sorghum, 20% molasses, adjusting pH to 4.0 with HCl. These mixtures were allowed to ferment for 15 days at 18 degrees C. pH, proximate chemical analyses, digestible protein, true protein, ammonia nitrogen, acetic, propionic and butyric acid, lactic acid and gross energy were analyzed in the ensiled mixtures. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and orthogonal contrasts. No differences (P > 0.0001) were found in the percentage of moisture, ether extract, crude fiber and crude protein (52.22, 2.96, 1.15, 22.00, 51.76, 3.48, 1.28, 20.17; 53.89, 3.23, 0.95, 20.63; 54.87, 2.99, 1.03, 21.14, for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). Neither there was any difference (P > 0.0001) for true protein and gross energy (7.57, 4.37; 6.92, 4.41; 5.45, 4.37; 6.38, 4.30, for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). Ash content (P < 0.0001) and nitrogen free extract (p < 0.02) were different between treatments with sorghum and treatments with sorghum and molasses (3.80, 70.09; 3.60, 71.47; 6.08, 69.11; 6.63, 68.21, for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). Digestible protein was also different (P < 0.01) for treatment 1 (96.78) than 2 (94.34). pH values were lower (P < 0.03) for treatment 2 (3.80) and 4 (3.76), where HCl was added than for 1 (4.06) and 3 (4.16). Ammonia nitrogen values were very low for all treatments. Lactic:acetic acid ratio was large for all treatments (7.55, 14.83, 8.30, 7.63 for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). It is concluded that it is possible to preserve the earthworms E. fetida and L. rubellus by ensiling, adding a source of carbohydrates, such as sorghum or molasses. Not being necessary the addition of acids to have an adequate fermentation.

[Chemical changes in colostrum fermented with sorghum]. / Cambios químicos en el calostro fermentado con sorgo.

Colostrum from Holstein cows was collected during the first three days post partum. Ground sorghum (7.5%) was added to it. Untreated colostrum used as control, and sorghum treated colostrum samples were allowed to ferment for 0, 8 or 21 days at 18-20 degrees C in glass containers; pH, moisture, crude protein, digestible protein, ammonia, lactic acid and total energy were analyzed in untreated and treated samples. Crude protein was not significantly different (P > 0.01) in control colostrum (7.12, 5.76, 5.70%) and treated colostrum (6.66, 5.71, 5.98%) at 0, 8 and 21 days of fermentation respectively. Digestible protein was higher (P < 0.01) in the untreated (90.0, 93.0%) than in the treated colostrum (89.0, 81.0, 86.0%). Ammonia content was also higher (P < 0.01) in the control (0.25, 1.31, 1.37%) than in the treated one (0.23, 0.97, 1.20%). Lactic acid was lower (P < 0.01) in the untreated colostrum (0.82 g/100 ml) than in the treated colostrum (1.24 g/100 ml) after 21 days of fermentation. Total energy values were lower (P < 0.01) at 8 and 21 days of fermentation in the untreated (0.91, 0.84 Kcal/g) than in the treated colostrum (1.16, 0.97 Kcal/g). The addition of sorghum to colostrum reduced the crude, protein degradation and the ammonia content after 8 and 21 days of fermentation, increasing total energy and lactic acid content after 21 days of fermentation.

[Effect of various energy sources on the fermentation process of bovine colostrum]. / Efecto de diversos recursos energéticos sobre el proceso de fermentación del calostro bovino.

The present work consisted in evaluating the feasibility of utilizing different energy sources--corn, nixtamalized corn, sorghum and corn starch--in colostrum fermentation, by incorporating them in two different percentages, with and without the addition of acetic acid. The crude and true protein, ammonia, and dry matter content, as well as pH, total sugars, lactic acid, starches, dry matter digestibility, bacteriological count and gross energy, were studied. Results revealed that up to 10 days of fermentation, the most viable energy source was nixtamalized corn, and that the addition of acetic acid was not useful in colostrum preservation. The incorporation level of nixtamalized corn added to colostrum which rendered the best results, was that of 6.33%.

[Use of earthworms as a protein supplement in diets for rabbits]. / Uso de la lombriz de tierra como suplemento proteínico en dietas para conejos.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the nutritive value of earthworms as protein feed in rabbit rations. Earthworm meal was obtained from Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus rubellus. Its proximate chemical composition, amino acid composition and protein digestibility in vitro were determined. In addition, growing rabbits were fed a diet containing 30% of the total protein as earthworm meal, diet which was compared with a control diet containing soybean meal as protein feed. Both diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion and apparent digestibility were measured. Results showed high protein (50.86%) and fat (10.16%) contents, and low fiber percentage (2.67%). Amino acids content including the essential, and in vitro protein digestibility percentage were similar to fish and meat meals and higher than soybean meal. There were no differences in feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion. Apparent digestibility was 5.09% higher (P less than 0.05) with the diet containing earthworm meal than with the control diet. It was concluded that it is possible to substitute 30% of the protein in the diet of growing rabbits, with earthworm meal, without any adverse physiological effects. Similar results to those achieved when conventional protein supplements are used for rabbit rations, were obtained.

[Effect of the inoculation of the comestible fungus Pleurotus ostreatus on the chemical composition and digestibility of barley straw]. / Efecto de la inoculación del hongo comestible Pleurotus ostreatus en la composición química y digestibilidad de la paja de cebada.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether incubation of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus in barley straw for 45 or 60 days, proved to be a means of increasing the nutritive value and digestibility of the straw for ruminant animals. In this respect, the following determinations were performed in untreated barley straw (control), and in incubated barley straw with the mushroom strain mentioned previously, for 45 or 60 days: pH, moisture, crude protein, ash, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, gross energy and in vitro digestibility of the dry matter. Results showed that crude protein percentage remained constant (p less than or equal to 0.05) in all treatments (means 2.67%), increasing the ash content of the straw incubated for 60 days. The hemicellulose and cellulose percentages diminished significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05) in the straw incubated for 45 or 60 days (16.74, 32.24, 17.43, 32.41% respectively) than in the control straw (24.54, 40.15%). The lignin percentages increased, although not significantly in the straw incubated for 45 or 60 days with respect to the control straw (8.36; 9.10, 9.06%, respectively). Energy values were lower for the straw incubated 45 or 60 days (2.70; 2.74 Kcal/g) than for the control straw (2.80 Kcal/g), without difference in the in vitro dry matter digestibility by incubating the straw for 45 or 60 days with Pleurotus ostreatus and the control (56.04; 52.65; 53.06% respectively). It is concluded that the Pleurotus ostreatus strain used in this study was unable to delignify the straw, because of its lack of fenoloxidases, enzymes which are necessary for lignin biodegradation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)