Chemical composition, fermentative losses, and microbial counts of total mixed ration silages inoculated with different Lactobacillus species.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus inoculants on fermentation, losses, and aerobic stability of a total mixed ration (TMR) silage. A TMR, formulated to meet the requirements of dairy cows producing 25 kg of milk/d, was applied with the following treatments prior to ensiling: 1) Control (CON), 2) Lactobacillus buchneri (105 cfu/g of fresh forage; LB), and 3) Lactobacillus plantarum (105 cfu/g of fresh forage; LP). TMR silages were ensiled for 15 and 60 d in silos equipped with an apparatus for determination of gravimetric DM, gas, and effluent losses. The experiment was performed in a complete randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of the treatments, with 5 replicates per treatment. Chemical changes, microbial counts, fermentation profile, and aerobic stability were measured after opening the silos. Data were submitted to ANOVA, and means were compared by Tukey and T-test and statistical significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. After 15 d of ensiling, the inclusion of inoculant decreased NDF (P < 0.05) and butyric acid concentrations (P < 0.05) in TMR. LP had the lowest aerobic stability (P < 0.05) and the greatest loss of DM (P < 0.03). Ensiling for 60 d increased ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), aerobic stability, and concentrations of lactic and acetic acid (P < 0.01) and lowered (P < 0.02) total fermentation losses compared to 15 d across all treatments. After 60 d of ensiling, LP lowered pH to the greatest extent. Treatment had no effect on concentrations of DM, CP, ADF, ash, and EE, as well as in vitro DM digestibility. In conclusion, inoculants containing LP or LB did not improve fermentation profile, did not prolong the aerobic stability, nor reduced losses. Furthermore, the 15-d ensiling period was insufficient for adequate bacterial activity.

Effects of holes in plastic film on the storage losses in total mixed ration silage in round bales.

The ensilage of total mixed ration (TMR) is a technology designed to help farmers with limitations to provide a balanced diet for their herds. Our aim was to evaluate the conservation of TMR ensiled in round bales with or without holes in the wrapping plastic film. Eight round bales of a corn silage-based TMR of 1,000 kg (370 kg DM/m3) were prepared. Ten days (d) after ensiling, four bales were randomly punctured with two holes of 25 cm2 each in opposite sides of the bale. The temperature in the center of the bales was recorded during the storage using dataloggers. After 60 d of storage, bales were weighted to assess dry matter (DM) recovery. Silages were sampled for measuring DM content, chemical composition, pH, lactic acid, and microbial counts. The temperature of the sliced bale face was assessed by infrared thermography. The holes in the plastic affected the DM content, DM recovery, and pH, whereas lactic acid, microbial counts, and temperature were not affected by treatments. The holes in the sealing plastic film should be avoided. However, holes of 25 cm2 each were not capable of causing expressive losses in TMR silage stored in 1,000 kg bales.

Functionality of cow milk naturally enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols in diets for diabetic rats.

The increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus is becoming a serious threat to human health in various parts of the world. Studies with dairy products have shown a potential beneficial effect against diabetes. This experiment evaluated the supplementation of milk naturally enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and polyphenols in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Forty male 28-day-old Wistar rats were distributed in four experimental treatments of diabetic animals (streptozotocin induction) and a normal group (non-induced). Experimental treatments were: control (water), whole common milk (COM-M), milk enriched with PUFA (PUFA-M), milk enriched with PUFA and polyphenols (PUFA/P-M) through a special diet offered to dairy cows. Milk supplementation at a dose 5 mL/kg body weight was performed for 77 days, 42 days before and 35 days after diabetes induction. The COM-M supplementation increased brown fat deposits, reduced post-induction glucose levels, reduced blood fructosamine levels, and improved glucose tolerance. Milk enriched with PUFA reduced final fasting glucose, LDL levels, and improved blood antioxidant capacity. Milk enriched with PUFA and polyphenols promoted an increase in gastrocnemius muscle mass, and a reduction in mesenteric fat and LDL levels. Milk intake, with an emphasis on milk enriched with PUFA and polyphenols, attenuated the metabolic disorders of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

Supplementation of cow milk naturally enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols to growing rats.

This study investigated whether intake of cow milk, naturally enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, omega-3) and polyphenols (from propolis extract and vitamin E), from manipulation of cow's diet, would result in positive metabolic effects in rats from weaning until adulthood. Male Wistar rats were fed a standard chow diet or a hypercaloric diet (metabolically disturbed rats, obese) which was supplemented with either whole common milk, milk enriched with PUFA (PUFA-M) or milk enriched with PUFA and polyphenols (PUFA/P-M), at 5mL/kg body weight,having water as control. Whole milk supplementation increased initial weight gain and reduced gain in the adulthood of rats. Intake of common milk reduced cholesterol levels in non-obese rats and reduced insulin resistance in obese rats. PUFA-milk showed a decreasing effect on plasma triacylglycerol and VLDL concentrations, increasing plasma HDL concentration and reducing adipocyte size of non-obese rats, but no effect was observed in obese rats. PUFA/P-milk in obese rats resulted in greater deposition of muscle mass and mesenteric fat, with a tendency to lower LDL levels, and resulted a visceral fat accumulation in non-obese rats. Thus, whole common milk and PUFA-rich milk have shown to be beneficial in a normal metabolic condition, whereas common milk and milk enriched with PUFA and polyphenols improve metabolic effects of obesity.