Addition of fermented and unfermented grape skin in broilers' diets: effect on digestion, growth performance, intestinal microbiota and oxidative stability of meat.

Grape skin is a source of polyphenols with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Little information is available regarding its application in animal feeding. The present study investigated the effect of inclusion of fermented (FS) and unfermented (UFS) grape skin at two different doses (30 g/kg, FS30 and UFS30, and 60 g/kg, FS60 and UFS60) and 200 mg/kg vitamin E (α-tocopheryl acetate) in a corn-soybean diet on growth performance, ileal protein digestibility, ileal and excreta total extractable polyphenols content and digestibility, intestinal microbiota and thigh meat oxidation in broiler chickens. Growth performance was depressed in chickens fed UFS and FS diets. A reduction in ileal protein digestibility was also observed in birds fed UFS, being this effect more pronounced in those fed 60 g/kg. The dietary inclusion of grape skin increased both ileal and excreta polyphenols contents, being higher in birds fed UFS than in those fed FS. Excreta moisture content increased in birds fed UFS and FS diets. No effect of dietary inclusion of grape skin was observed on ileal counts of lactic-acid bacteria and Clostridium, but UFS inclusion in the diet reduced ileal count of Escherichia coli as compared with FS dietary inclusion. After 7 days of refrigerated storage, values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were lower in chicken meat when grape skin was added in the diet at 60 g/kg instead of 30 g/kg, and meat from birds fed 60 g/kg of grape skin reached TBARS values similar to those of birds supplemented with vitamin E. In conclusion, high doses of grape skin polyphenols depressed growth performance and protein digestibility, and increased excreta moisture content. Unfermented grape skin contained more polyphenols than FS, and its inclusion in the diet led to higher ileal and excreta polyphenols contents and to a lower ileal count of E. coli. Furthermore, the antioxidant potential of the polyphenols present in grape skin was observed after 7 days of meat storage, with the dose of 60 g/kg of grape skin being as effective as vitamin E supplementation in maintaining oxidative stability of meat.

Addition of exogenous enzymes to diets containing grape pomace: Effects on intestinal utilization of catechins and antioxidant status of chickens.

Grape pomace (GP) is a rich source of polyphenols with antioxidant capacity. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of GP phenolic compounds included at 5 and 10%, and the addition (individually or combined) of hydrolyzing enzymes (carbohydrase enzyme complex and tannase at 500ppm) on intestinal utilization of catechins and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. A diet supplemented with 200ppm of α-tocopheryl acetate was also used. Our findings demonstrate the capacity of chickens to digest the monomeric (catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, and epicatechin-O-gallate) and dimeric (procyanidin B1 and procyanidin B2) catechins present in grape pomace. The addition of enzymes (mainly tannase) hydrolyzed the polymeric structures into smaller catechins, but also promoted a lower digestibility of the monomeric and dimeric catechins suggesting that polymeric structures might favour the intestinal utilization of these catechins. The intestinal accumulation of phenolic compounds generated with tannase and with 10% GP reversed the antimicrobial effect against Clostridium perfringens observed with 5% of GP. Grape pomace improved the antioxidant status of the bird, increasing the α-tocopherol and reducing the iron content on plasma, not affecting the plasma gluthatione. Enzymes modified the intestinal utilization of catechins but not additional protective effect was detected on any of the parameters analyzed to evaluate the antioxidant status.

Contribution of gall microscopic structure to taxonomy of gallicolous aphids on Pistacia.

Aphids inducing galls on Pistacia plants belong to the tribe Fordini. According to the Heie & Wegierek classification, the genera are grouped into three subtribes. Previous microscopic studies showed that this taxonomy is not consistent with the histological characteristics of the galls. In this paper, galls induced by Aplonerura lentisci, Asiphonella cynodonti, Forda riccobonii, Slavun wertheimae and Smynthurodes betae were analyzed for the first time, as well as nine other galls previously described. Based on histological features three groups of galls can be establish: the first group comprises closed galls, induced by Baizongia pistaciae, Geoica utricularia, Rectinasus buxtoni and Slavun wertheimae; the second group includes two species of Geopemphigus (G. blackmani and G. torsus), and the third one is divided into two subgroups, the first comprises Aplonerura lentisci, Asiphonella cynodonti and Geopemphigus morral, and the second that includes Forda formicaria, F. marginata, F. riccobonii, Paracletus cimiciformis and Smynthurodes betae. An identification key of species based on microscopic features of galls is presented.

Skull stab wound from a metal railroad nail perforating the right frontal lobe.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and review of literature. OBJECTIVE: To present the rare case of a 70-year-old man with a punctured cranial lesion, who was treated with surgery and had a positive recovery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cerebral trauma as the serious consequence of urban aggressiveness. METHOD: Clinical and imagery review of a cranial puncture trauma caused by a metal railroad nail, which penetrated the cranium, dura mater, frontal cerebral parenchyma and deep structures, lodging itself next to the midline, without damaging the superior sagittal sinus. RESULTS: The patient underwent a frontal craniotomy to remove the metal nail. He was hospitalized 2 weeks post-surgery and discharged. During external consultations, he manifested no neurologic deficit. A post-surgical CT ruled-out a brain abscess or other complications. CONCLUSIONS: Skull and brain stab wound lesions are highly infrequent, but evaluating the mechanism of injury and the successful medical and surgical treatment employed is illustrative of how post-traumatic recovery of this severe head injury can be achieved. The site of the injury and the position of the object were decisive for establishing an adequate diagnosis and prognosis. The patient reported an exemplary recovery without any secondary complications.

Effects of dietary grape seed extract on growth performance, amino acid digestibility and plasma lipids and mineral content in broiler chicks.

Polyphenols are chemically and biologically active compounds. Grape seed extracts (GSEs) have been widely used as a human food supplement for health promotion and disease prevention. However, there is little information regarding its application in animal feeds. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of inclusion of GSE at 0.025, 0.25, 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg in a wheat soya bean control diet on growth performance, protein and amino acid (AA) digestibility and plasma lipid and mineral concentrations in broiler chickens at 21 days of age. Performance was not affected by dietary treatment except in the case of birds fed the diet with the highest GSE concentration, which showed a worsening of weight gain and feed conversion. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of protein was significantly reduced in the birds fed the highest concentration of GSE, which also had a reduction on the AID of arginine, histidine, phenylalanine, cystine, glutamic acid and proline compared with those fed control diet. The inclusion of graded concentration of GSE in the chicken diets caused a significant linear decrease in the concentrations of plasma copper, iron and zinc. Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins (high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and very-low-density lipoprotein) concentrations were not affected by dietary GSE. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that incorporation of GSE in chicken diets up to 2.5 g/kg had no adverse effect on growth performance or protein and AA digestibility. Feed conversion was reduced and growth rate was retarded, when chickens were fed 5 g/kg of GSE. This study also indicated that grape polyphenols reduce the free plasma minerals.

Changes in polyphenol and polysaccharide content of grape seed extract and grape pomace after enzymatic treatment.

Grape seed extract and grape pomace are rich sources of polyphenols. The aim of this study was to evaluate the release of polyphenols, the solubilisation of carbohydrate, and the antioxidant capacity of these grape by-products after enzymatic reaction with carbohydrases (cellulolytic and pectinolytic activities) and tannase for 24h. The use of tannase in these by-products, and pectinase in grape pomace changed the galloylated form of catechin to its free form, releasing gallic acid and increasing the antioxidant activity. In grape pomace, cellulase treatment was not efficient for phenolic release and antioxidant activity improvement. The addition of carbohydrases to grape pomace, either alone or in combination, degraded the cell wall polysaccharides, increasing the content of monosaccharides. These results provide relevant data about the potential of pectinase, tannase and combinations of enzymes on the release of polyphenols and monosaccharides from grape by-products, improving the antioxidant capacity and the nutritional value.

Effects of dietary polyphenol-rich grape products on intestinal microflora and gut morphology in broiler chicks.

Grapes have high amounts of phenolic compounds, which can modulate the gut activity as well as modify the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract. The microbiological activity of avoparcin, grape pomace concentrate, and grape seed extract was evaluated in an in vitro study. An in vivo experiment was also conducted to study the effect of the inclusion of grape pomace concentrate and grape seed extract in the diet of broiler chicks on performance, intestinal microflora (by cultured and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology), and gut morphology at 21 d of age. Dietary treatments included an antibiotic-free diet (CON), a positive control (AVP; 50 mg/kg of avoparcin), and antibiotic-free diets containing grape pomace concentrate (GPC; 60 g/kg) or grape seed extract (GSE; 7.2 g/kg). Performance was not affected by dietary treatment except in the case of birds fed the GSE diet, which showed decreased weight gain. In the ileal content, birds fed CON and GSE diets had the highest populations of Lactobacillus. Compared with the CON diet, the AVP, GPC, and GSE diets increased the populations of Enterococcus and decreased the counts of Clostridium in the ileal content. In the cecal digesta, birds fed GPC and GSE diets had higher populations of Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Clostridium than birds in any other treatment group. Animals fed GPC and GSE diets showed a higher biodiversity degree than those fed control diets. The frequency of detection of several potential phenol-degrading bacteria as well as unidentified and uncultured organisms was increased in animals fed GPC and GSE diets. Birds fed the CON diet had longer villi and deeper crypt depth than birds in any other treatment group. The highest villi height:crypt depth ratio corresponded to birds fed GPC and AVP diets and the lowest to those fed CON and GSE diets. In conclusion, dietary polyphenol-rich grape products modify the gut morphology and intestinal microflora and increase the biodiversity degree of intestinal bacteria in broiler chicks.

Interaction of dietary high-oleic-acid sunflower hulls and different fat sources in broiler chickens.

The effect of dietary fat sources (high-oleic-acid sunflower seeds, HOASS; palm oil, PO; and high-oleic-acid sunflower oil, HOASO) and high-oleic-acid sunflower hulls (HOAS hulls; 40 g/kg of diet) on performance, digestive organ size, fat digestibility, and fatty acid profile in abdominal fat and blood serum parameters was evaluated in chickens (from 1 to 21 d of age). Bird performance and digestive organ size were not affected by either dietary fat source or sunflower hull supplementation. Fat digestibility in birds fed diets enriched (HOASS and HOASO) in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) was increased compared with those fed the PO diet. The addition of sunflower hulls did not modify fat digestibility. The fatty acids pattern of abdominal fat reflected the dietary fat profile. The greatest concentrations of C16:0 and C18:0 were found in birds fed PO diets. The C18:1n-9 content was increased in birds that received HOASS and HOASO diets compared with those fed PO diets. The greatest content of C18:2n-6 was observed in birds fed HOASS diets. The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) to MUFA was significantly increased in birds fed PO diets compared with those fed HOASS or HOASO diets. The addition of sunflower hulls to the diets resulted in a decrease of C18:2n-6 and PUFA concentrations and PUFA:MUFA ratio in abdominal fat. Dietary fat sources and sunflower hulls modify blood triglycerides and serum lipoproteins. A decrease in triglyceride concentrations was observed in birds fed HOASS diets compared with those fed PO and HOASO diets. The greatest concentrations of serum high density, very low density (VLDL), and low density lipoproteins were found in birds receiving HOASO, PO, and HOASS diets, respectively. The addition of sunflower hulls to the diets caused an increase of serum triglycerides and VLDL concentrations. The MUFA-enriched diets had lower triglyceride and VLDL concentrations than did diets rich in saturated fatty acids. However, the sunflower hull addition had the opposite effect.

Antioxidative effect of dietary grape pomace concentrate on lipid oxidation of chilled and long-term frozen stored chicken patties.

Grape pomace concentrate (GPC) is a natural source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity. The effect of a diet containing GPC on lipid peroxidation levels (TBARS) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS method) of raw and cooked chicken breast meat patties stored in chilled conditions (4°C) for 0, 3, 6, 13 and 20days, and long-term frozen storage (6months) was investigated. Chickens were fed GPC at levels of 0, 30 and 60mg/kg from 3 to 6weeks of age. Dietary GPC did not affect chicken performance. Lipid oxidation (TBARS value) was significantly increased by the storage time (0-20days and 6months of storage, respectively) in raw and cooked samples. Dietary GPC significantly caused an inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation of raw and cooked breast chicken patties compared with samples obtained from birds fed the control diet at 20days and long-term frozen storage (6months). Radical scavenging capacity was significantly increased at 20days in cooked samples and significantly reduced at 6months of storage in raw and cooked samples. The higher concentration of dietary GPC increased the ABTS values only in the raw samples. These results indicated that dietary grape pomace concentrate could be effective in inhibiting lipid oxidation of chilled and long-term frozen stored chicken patties.

Effect of enzyme addition on the nutritive value of high oleic acid sunflower seeds in chicken diets.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of enzyme addition in chicken diets containing high oleic acid sunflower seeds (HOASS). In the first experiment (4 to 21 d of age), enzyme addition (lipase, phospholipase, and a combination of these) was used at the inclusion level of 1 g/kg in diets containing HOASS (250 g/kg) compared with a control corn-soybean diet. Weight gain, feed consumption, relative liver weight, fat digestibility, and amylase, lipase, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities were reduced, and feed conversion, relative duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and ceca lengths, plasma uric acid, cholesterol, and glucose concentrations were increased in the unsupplemented HOASS diet compared with the control diet. The addition of enzymes to the HOASS diet increased weight gain, feed consumption, relative pancreas and liver weights, fat digestibility, amylase and lipase activities, plasma uric acid, calcium, serum LDH and CPK, and total protein concentration and reduced feed conversion, relative spleen weight, relative duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and ceca lengths, plasma cholesterol, and glucose compared with the unsupplemented HOASS diet. In the second experiment (0 to 21 d of age), the same enzymes (0.5 g/kg each) were included in diets containing 150 g/kg of HOASS compared with a conventional sunflower meal diet (150 g/kg). The HOASS diet did not affect performance but reduced relative pancreas and abdominal fat weights and relative duodenum and ceca lengths, and increased crude fat, CP, and essential and nonessential amino acid digestibilities (except Ser, which was reduced) compared with the control diet. The addition of enzymes in the HOASS diet increased weight gain, feed consumption, and relative pancreas weight and reduced feed conversion, CP, and essential and nonessential amino acid digestibilities compared with the unsupplemented HOASS diet. In conclusion, the addition of 250 g of HOASS/kg in the diets caused a negative effect on performance, digestive organ sizes, fat and protein digestibilities, and pancreatic enzymes and modified blood parameters. However, the inclusion of HOASS at 150 g/kg improved some of these parameters and amino acid digestibilities. The enzyme addition counteracted some of these effects.

Effect of grape pomace concentrate and vitamin E on digestibility of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in chickens.

Grape pomace provides a rich source of polyphenols that have the capacity to act as powerful antioxidants. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of inclusion of grape pomace concentrate (GPC) at levels of 15, 30, and 60 g/kg and alpha-tocopheryl acetate (200 mg/kg) in broiler chicks (21 to 42 d of age) on performance; digestive organ sizes; protein; fat; hydrolyzable polyphenol and condensed tannin digestibilities; the anti-oxidant activity of diet, serum, ileal content, and excreta; and the susceptibility to oxidation of breast meat during refrigerated storage. The inclusion of GPC did not affect the performance; the apparent ileal digestibility of CP; the relative abdominal fat, liver, pancreas, and spleen weight; and the relative intestinal length. Fat digestibility was reduced in birds fed control and GPC diets compared with birds fed vitamin E. Ileal and fecal digestibility of hydrolyzable polyphenols and condensed tannins reached values in a range of 56 to 73% and 14 to 47%, respectively. The GPC diets reduced ileal and fecal digestibility of hydrolyzable polyphenols. Antioxidant activity in GPC diet, ileal content, and excreta [2, 2-azinobis (3-ethilenzotiazolin)-6-sulfonate method] and GPC diet (ferric antioxidant power method) exhibited higher scavenging free radical capacity than control and vitamin E diets. The lipid oxidation in breast meat was lower in the birds fed the supplemented vitamin E diet than the control diet after 1, 4, and 7 d of refrigerated storage. Oxidative stability in breast meat at 1, 4, and 7 d of storage was equivalent in GPC diets compared with the vitamin E diet. In conclusion, the inclusion of GPC (up to 60 g/kg) did not impair chicken growth performance, digestive organ sizes, and protein digestibility. Hydrolyzable polyphenols were more bioavailable than condensed tannins. Antioxidant activity in diet, excreta, ileal content, and breast muscle were increased in GPC diets. The GPC supplementation was equally as effective in antioxidant potential as vitamin E. On the basis of these observations, we concluded that GPC could be a new source of antioxidant in animal nutrition.

Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary lupin (Lupinus albus var multolupa) in chicken diets.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different concentrations of lupin seeds (0, 200, and 400 g/kg), with and without cholesterol added (10 g/kg), in chicken diets on performance, relative liver weight, liver fat, intestinal pH and viscosity, and different blood serum parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total biliary salts, amylase, total protein and albumin, and globulin fractions). Increasing the lupin content in the diet reduced weight gain and feed consumption and increased feed-to-gain ratio. A decrease in liver fat, cecal pH, serum glucose, cholesterol, total biliary salts, and total protein and an increase in jejunum viscosity were observed with increasing concentration of lupins. Serum albumin, beta-globulin, gamma-globulin, and albumin:globulin ratio were reduced by the addition of lupin in the diet. Cholesterol supplementation of diets had no effect on the performance, cecal pH, and serum triglycerides. Relative liver weight, liver fat, jejunum viscosity, serum cholesterol, total biliary salts, and total protein were increased, and serum glucose was reduced by addition of cholesterol. Cholesterol increased serum albumin, alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin, and beta-globulin and reduced albumin:globulin ratio and amylase. These results indicate that inclusion of lupin seed in chicken diets causes a growth depression and a reduction of serum cholesterol and glucose and modifies other physiological parameters.

Effects of citric acid and microbial phytase on amino acid digestibility in broiler chickens.

1. Two experiments with growing chickens were carried out to study the effects of the inclusion of a microbial phytase (Natuphos 5000) and citric acid (CA) in maize-soybean-based diets on the performance and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA). In both experiments the diets were formulated to contain the same amounts of energy and protein. 2. In the first experiment, data were analysed as a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with two concentrations of available phosphorus (AP) from one day to 3 weeks of age (3.5 and 2.2 g/kg) and for 3 to 6 weeks (2.7 and 1.4 g/kg), and two inclusions of commercial phytase (0 and 500 FTU/kg) in each period. The AID of CP and dispensable and indispensable AA were not modified by the AP content of the diet. Addition of phytase improved the AID of CP and dispensable and indispensable AA only at low AP levels. 3. In the second experiment, data were analysed as a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement with three concentrations of citric acid (0, 20 and 50 g/kg) and two inclusions of commercial phytase (0 and 750 FTU/kg). Diets were formulated with deficient contents of AP (2.5 g/kg). Performance was not affected by commercial phytase addition. The addition of CA reduced the weight gain but did not modify the feed intake and gain:feed. In general, the AID of CP and dispensable and indispensable AA were not affected by CA addition. Commercial phytase increased the apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein but had no effect on AID of dispensable and indispensable AA. 4. In conclusion, the present work showed that microbial phytase enhanced AA digestibility in maize-soy-based diet only at very low AP concentrations, and that CA had no affect on the AID of CP and dispensable and indispensable AA. No synergism between CA and microbial phytase was detected.

Effect of dietary grape pomace and vitamin E on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and susceptibility to meat lipid oxidation in chickens.

Grape pomace (GP) is a source of polyphenols with powerful antioxidant capacity. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of inclusion of GP at levels of 5, 15, and 30 g/kg and alpha-tocopheryl acetate (200 mg/kg) in a corn-soybean basal diet on growth performance, protein and amino acid digestibilities; antioxidant activity of diet, serum and excreta, lipid oxidation of breast and thigh meats during refrigerated storage, and liver vitamin E concentration. Growth performance and protein and amino acid digestibilities were not affected among the different treatments. Total intake and digestibility of extractable polyphenols in the birds fed the GP diet were increased compared with birds fed supplemented and unsupplemented vitamin E diets. Antioxidant activity in vitamin E and GP diets and excreta exhibited higher scavenging free radical capacity than the control diet using 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid and ferric reducing antioxidant power methods. Lipid oxidation (malondialdehyde concentration) in breast and thigh meats was lower in the birds fed the supplemented vitamin E diet than the control diet after 1, 4, and 7 d of refrigerated storage. Results showed a linear reduction of lipid oxidation in breast and thigh meats at 4 and 7 d with increasing content of GP in the diet. Oxidative stability in breast and thigh meats at 1, 4, and 7 d of storage was equivalent or less effective in GP diets compared with the vitamin E diet. A linear increase was observed in liver alpha-tocopherol concentration with increasing content of GP in the diet, but it was inferior to the supplemented vitamin E diet. In conclusion, the results showed that a dietary inclusion rate up to 30 g/kg of GP did not impair chickens growth performance and protein and amino acids digestibilities and increased antioxidant activity in diet and excreta. Grape pomace and vitamin E diets reduced the lipid oxidation of meat during refrigerated storage and increased liver alpha-tocopherol concentration, although these effects were greater, in some cases, by adding vitamin E to the diet.

Effect of dietary high-oleic acid sunflower seed, palm oil and vitamin E supplementation on broiler performance, fatty acid composition and oxidation susceptibility of meat.

1. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion of two fat sources: high-oleic acid sunflower seed (HOASS; 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg diet) and palm oil (PO), and dietary supplementation of vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl acetate, 200 mg/kg diet) on performance, fatty acid composition and susceptibility to oxidation of white and dark chicken meat during refrigerated storage. Female chicks (3 to 6 weeks) were given one of 5 diets containing 90 g/kg of added fat with increasing monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content, adjusted by progressively replacing PO by HOASS. 2. Body weight gain and gain:food ratio of birds were depressed in diets containing the highest proportions of HOASS (150 and 200 g/kg). Relative abdominal fat was reduced in birds fed diets including HOASS, except in the diet containing 100 g HOASS/kg. The inclusion of alpha-tocopheryl acetate improved body weight gain and gain:food ratio. 3. According to the fatty acid profile of the diets, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid (SFA and PUFA, respectively) contents were significantly reduced and MUFA content was significantly increased in white and dark chicken meats when the saturated oil, PO, was replaced progressively by HOASS in the diet. The inclusion of alpha-tocopheryl acetate increased PUFA content in both meats. 4. After 4 and 7 d of refrigerated storage, white and dark meat samples obtained from birds fed on diets containing HOASS had significantly lower thiobarbituric acid reacting substance (TBARS) values than those derived from the PO diet. The addition of alpha-tocopheryl acetate significantly reduced the lipid oxidation in white and dark meat. 5. Overall, the results showed that increasing MUFA content of chicken meat by replacing dietary PO with HOASS (up to 100 g/kg) did not adversely affect broiler performance and reduced the susceptibility of meat to oxidation during refrigerated storage. Dietary alpha-tocopherol supplementation improved chicken performance and was effective in protecting lipid meat from oxidation.

Nutritional evaluation of raw and extruded kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. pinto) in chicken diets.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of inclusion of different concentrations (0, 100, 200, and 300 g/kg) of raw kidney bean and extruded kidney bean in broiler chick (0 to 21 d of age) diets on performance, digestive organ sizes, protein and amino acid digestibilities, intestinal viscosity, cecal pH, and blood parameters. Data were analyzed as a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement with 3 levels of kidney bean with and without extrusion. Positive control without kidney bean was used. Increasing the kidney bean content in the diet reduced weight gain and consumption, and increased the feed-to-gain ratio. Relative pancreas, liver, and jejunum weights, and intestinal viscosity were increased in response to increasing kidney bean concentration in the diet. The inclusion of different concentrations of kidney bean did not affect the apparent ileal digestibility of essential and nonessential amino acids, except for Met, Phe, and Cys, which were increased. Increasing kidney bean in the diet did not affect blood parameters, except for total protein, which was increased, and for androstenedione and testosterone, which were reduced. Extrusion significantly improved weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion. Relative pancreas, liver, and jejunum weights were reduced and spleen weight, cecal and intestinal viscosity were increased by extrusion. Apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein and all essential and nonessential amino acids were improved by extrusion. Like-wise, extrusion increased significantly the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and testosterone. We concluded that the inclusion of kidney bean in chicken diets cause a negative effect on performance and CP and amino acid digestibilities, and modified digestive organ sizes, intestinal viscosity, cecal pH, and some blood parameters. These effects were counteracted by the extrusion of kidney bean. However, the inclusion of extruded kidney bean in a chick diet resulted in poorer performance compared with that obtained with a corn-soybean diet.

Effect of enzyme addition on the digestibilities of cell wall polysaccharides and oligosaccharides from whole, dehulled, and ethanol-extracted white lupins in chickens.

Three experiments were conducted to examine the effects of a commercial enzyme preparation on chicks performance and digestibilities of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP), raffinose (R), stachyose (S), and total oligosaccharides (O) in diets containing whole and dehulled lupin and ethanol-extracted dehulled lupin meal. Ethanol extract was also used to produce a rich oligosaccharide fraction. In the first experiment, the dehulling treatment and the addition of enzyme to the diet improved (P < 0.05) weight gain (24 and 15%), feed-to-gain ratio (13 and 9%), dry matter retention (32 and 8%), apparent protein digestibility (6 and 3%) and ileal digestibilities of raffinose (19 and 119%), stachyose (85 and 204%), and total oligosaccharides (68 and 178%), respectively. In addition, enzyme treatment improved (P < 0.05) excreta digestibility values for NSP (from -1.7 to 5.5%), R (from 64.6 to 92.6%), S (from 48.8 to 82.4%), and O (from 55.8 to 83.5%). In the second experiment, extraction of the ethanol soluble components from dehulled lupin decreased (P < 0.0001) weight gain (51%), and increased (P < 0.0001) feed consumption (34%), feed-to-gain ratio (32%), relative gizzard weight (14%), and the relative ceca length (20%). The addition of the isolated fraction of oligosacharides to the corn-extracted lupin diet (7.5 and 15%) yielded performance values similar to those obtained with the unextracted dehulled lupin. The addition of enzymes to the diets significantly improved the weight gain (11%) and feed to gain ratio (6%), and decreased relative gizzard weight (12%) and relative ceca length (7%). Ileal digestibilities of R, S, and O were considerably lower than corresponding excreta digestibilities. The excreta digestibility of NSP and excreta and ileal digestibilities of R, S, and O were lower (P < 0.05) in chicks fed the lupin diet containing the high concentration of extract compared with those fed the same diet containing the lower concentration of extract. Enzymes, when added to the diets, increased (P < 0.05) the digestibilities of R, S, and O with the relative effects being much greater for ileal than excreta samples. In the third experiment, the ethanol extract (7.5 and 15%) added to a corn-soybean diet improved weight gain, feed consumption, and feed-to-gain ratio by 19, 13, and 6%, respectively. Ileal digestibilities of R, S, and O were low (< 45%), especially in chicks fed the diets containing the high amount of added oligosaccharide fraction. There was no effect of enzyme addition on the performance parameters. However, supplemental dietary enzymes improved (P < 0.05) ileal and excreta digestibilities of oligosaccharides from 15.6 and 68.6% to 52.3 and 84.8%, respectively. In summary, dehulling greatly improved the nutritional value of lupin, while removal of the ethanol soluble materials, including raffinose and stachyose considerably decreased its value. The oligosaccharide fraction does not seem to have an antinutritive effect and the addition of enzymes increased the digestibilities of NSP, raffinose, and stachyose but did not significantly improve chick performance.

Effects of microbial phytase supplementation on mineral utilization and serum enzyme activities in broiler chicks fed different levels of phosphorus.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of microbial phytase (Natuphos 500) supplementation in chicks (0 to 6 wk of age) fed different levels of nonphytate phosphorus (nPP) on performance, mineral retention, bone and plasma minerals and serum enzyme activities. Data were analyzed as a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of nPP for age periods of 1-d-old to 3 wk (0.35 and 0.22%) and 3 to 6 wk (0.27 and 0.14%) and two levels of phytase (0 and 500 U/kg) in each period. A positive control, adequate in nPP and Ca without phytase, was used. The low-nPP diets caused a negative effect on the performance (P < 0.05) compared to the normalnPP diet. Phytase had a favorable effect on weight gain at 3 wk (P < 0.004) and 6 wk (P < 0.0475) of age and on feed consumption only at 3 wk (P < 0.0106). Feed efficiency was not affected at any stage by addition of phytase. Performances of chicks fed with 0.35 and 0.27% nPP and phytase were comparable to those obtained with the normal-nPP diets. Decreasing nPP content in the diet increased (P < 0.0001) P retention at 3 and 6 wk of age, increased Mg retention at 6 wk, and decreased (P < 0.0001) Ca and Zn retentions at 3 and 6 wk, respectively. Phytase supplementation increased (P < 0.0001) Ca, P, Mg, and Zn retention at 3 and 6 wk of age. Likewise, the decrease in nPP content in the diet caused a significant reduction of tibia ash (P < 0.0023) and Mg content (P < 0.0001) in tibia ash and reduced liver (P < 0.0240), spleen (P < 0.0176), and tibia (P < 0.0001) weights. Similarly, Ca (P < 0.0369) and Zn (P < 0.0181) contents in tibia ash were increased in response to decreasing nPP levels in the diet. Phytase supplementation increased tibia weight (P < 0.0019), tibia ash (P < 0.0021), and Mg (P < 0.0339) and Zn (P < 0.0353) concentrations and reduced (P < 0.0161) the relative liver weight. By decreasing nPP levels in the diet, plasma Ca (P < 0.0001), Mg (P < 0.0001) and Zn (P < 0.0048) concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (P < 0.0299) increased, and plasma P content (P < 0.0001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity (P < 0.0001), and total protein (TP) content (P < 0.0050) were reduced. Phytase supplementation increased plasma P level (P < 0.0001) and serum AST activity (P < 0.0049), reduced plasma Ca (P < 0.0001) and Mg (P < 0.0050) contents, and reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P < 0.0048), ALP (P < 0.0001) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P < 0.0192) activities. Plasma Zn was not affected by phytase supplementation. These results demonstrated that microbial phytase supplementation to low-P diets improved performance; P, Ca, Mg, and Zn use; and tibia weight and relative liver weight in broiler chickens. Likewise, serum AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH activities, as well as TP concentration, were also affected by phytase supplementation.

Effect of enzyme addition on the performance and gastrointestinal tract size of chicks fed lupin seed and their fractions.

Three experiments were conducted to study the effects of adding a crude enzyme preparation to diets containing whole, dehulled lupins and lupin hulls on performance, dry matter retention (DMR), AME, apparent protein digestibility (APD), and size of gastrointestinal tract of Leghorn and broiler chicks. In the first experiment, Leghorn chicks fed diets containing up to 70% whole lupins showed a depression in the performance. Progressive decreases in DMR (up to 30.2%), AME (up to 6.5%), and APD (up to 6.5%) and an increase in the relative gizzard weight (18.8%) were observed with increasing concentration of lupins (23.1, 46.9, and 70%) in the diet. Enzyme supplementation of diets containing lupins significantly improved the performance of the chicks. DMR and AME were improved by 4.2 and 3.1, respectively, and gizzard size was reduced (7.1%) by addition of the enzymes. In the second experiment, addition of 11.2 and 22.4% of lupin hulls to a dehulled lupin diet resulted in a dramatic depression in chick performance, with values ranging from 6.3% for feed consumption to 60.5% for fed to gain ratio, and an increase in the relative organ weight (up to 29.9%) and length (35.6%). These effects were partially counteracted by the action of enzymes. In the third experiment, increasing concentration of whole lupins (15, 35, and 45%) in broiler chicken diets caused a depression in the performance of birds fed 35 and 45% whole lupins as compared to those fed the wheat-soy diet. In contrast, 15% lupins improved weight gains compared to that obtained with the nonlupin diets. The lower content of lupins in the diet also had no or little effect on other performance values compared to the control group, whereas 35 and 45% dietary lupins tended to have negative effects. Likewise, increasing lupin content in the diet produced an enlargement in the relative size of several sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Enzyme supplementation of lupin diets improved weight gain (5.5%) and feed consumption (3.8%) with the values being similar to those obtained with the wheat-soy diet. Moreover, the enzymes also reduced the relative size of digestive organs from 5.3% for pancreas to 22.2% for crop. In summary, lupins appear to contain fibrous components that reduce the performance of the birds and increase the size of the gastrointestinal tract. The addition of enzymes counteracted these negative effects in birds fed whole, dehulled lupins and lupin hull diets.

Effect of several germination conditions on total P, phytate P, phytase, and acid phosphatase activities and inositol phosphate esters in rye and barley.

Two assays were conducted to study the evolution of rye and barley phosphatases (phytase and acid phosphatase) and the degradation of its substrates (inositol phosphate esters) during seed germination. In this manner we could obtain a low-phytate, endogenous phosphatase rich ingredient to be used in animal nutrition. In the first assay, the seeds were soaked for 1 and 14 h and germinated for 3 and 5 days with and without the addition of gibberellic acid (GA3). In the second assay, the seeds were soaked for 1 h and germinated for 1, 3, and 5 days with GA3. Phytase (up to 5739 and 3151 U x kg(-1)) and acid phosphatase (up to 18288 and 3151 U x g(-1)) activities, and IP6 (6.09 and 6.01 mg x g(-1)), IP5 (0.48 and 0.48 mg x g(-1)), and IP4 (0.13 and 0.06 mg x g(-1)) were detected in ungerminated rye and barley, respectively. The germination process caused a significant increase of Phy and AcPh activities in rye (up to 112 and 213%) and barley (up to 212 and 634%) and a reduction in the phytate phosphorus content (up to 84 and 58%, respectively). Phytate phosphorus content was affected only by soaking time in the case of rye. Finally, during the course of germination, IP6 and IP5 were rapidly degraded in rye (88 and 79%) and barley (67 and 52%), and IP4 was only a short-living intermediate, which was increased during hydrolysis and degraded to IP3. In conclusion, a marked increase of Phy and AcPh activities in rye and barley with a concomitant decrease in phytate phosphorus content and an increase in the content of lower inositol phosphates were observed during the rye and barley germination.