Effects of replacing fish meal with cottonseed protein concentrate on the growth, immune responses, digestive ability and intestinal microbial flora in Litopenaeus vannamei.

The effects of cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) in place of fishmeal on the growth performance, immune response, digestive ability and intestinal microbiota of Litopenaeus vannamei were investigated in this study. L. vannamei (initial body weight: 0.42 ± 0.01g) was fed for 8 weeks by four isonitrogenous and isolipid feeds with CPC replacing fishmeal (FM) at 0% (control), 15% (CPC15), 30% (CPC30) and 45% (CPC45), respectively. At the end of the study, the final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of L. vannamei in CPC15 and CPC30 groups were significantly increased, while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of L. vannamei in the CPC30 group was significantly reduced when compared with the FM group (P < 0.05). After Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection, the cumulative mortality of L. vannamei in CPC15 within 24 hpi was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). When compared with the control group, the activities and expression of the immunity-related enzymes in the hepatopancreas had almost the same obvious change trend in the CPC-containing groups, which indicated that the replacement for fishmeal by CPC led to significant immune response in L. vannamei. Besides, significant up-regulation of the digestive enzyme activities were observed in the CPC-containing groups. Analysis of intestinal microbiota showed that significant difference in alpha diversity existed between the CPC-containing groups and the control group. The relative abundances of several top 10 dominated species at the phylum and genus levels were significantly changed in the CPC-containing groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Functional prediction of the microbiota indicated that the pathway of protein digestion and absorption was significantly more abundant while the pathways of nitrotoluene degradation, aminobenzoate degradation, atrazine degradation, dioxin degradation and xylene degradation were significantly less abundant in the CPC-containing groups than the FM group (P < 0.05). In summary, optimal dietary CPC replacement of FM could improve the growth, immunity, digestive capacity and the diversities of the intestinal microbial flora of L. vannamei. However, parts of the functions of the intestinal microbial flora were decline.

Effects of hydrolyzed cottonseed protein supplementation on performance, blood metabolites, gastrointestinal development, and intestinal microbial colonization in neonatal calves.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an enzymatically hydrolyzed cottonseed protein (HCSP) as a peptide source on performance, blood metabolites, gastrointestinal development, and intestinal microbes. Forty-eight newborn Holstein calves were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments including 0, 2, 4, and 6% of HCSP (dry matter basis). All calves received the same amount of pasteurized whole milk, weaned on d 56 of the experiment, and the study was concluded on d 70. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) as a randomized complete block design with linear and quadratic contrasts. Results showed that increased amount of HCSP linearly decreased the starter intake during the postweaning (d 57 to 70) and overall period (d 1 to 70). In addition, when dietary HCSP increased during the overall period, average daily gain tended to linearly decrease. All skeletal growth variables also linearly decreased as dietary HCSP increased at the end of the study, except for body length, which did not differ among the treatments. Serum cortisol concentration was higher in calves supplemented with 6% of HCSP at weaning and at the end of the study. This indicates that these calves may have experienced a stressful condition compared with calves in other treatments. Total antioxidant capacity was quadratically affected by HCSP supplementation; calves fed 2 and 4% of HCSP diets had the highest total antioxidant capacity, whereas calves fed 0 and 6% HCSP diets had lower total antioxidant capacity at weaning and at end of the study. Calves supplemented with 6% HCSP had lower empty reticulo-rumen and omasum weights and rumen wall thickness compared with calves in other treatments at the end of the study. In conclusion, supplementation of HCSP at the rate of 2% of starter diet enhanced antioxidant status without any detrimental effects on the performance and metabolic status of calves, whereas greater inclusion rates impaired starter intake and growth of calves, and exposed them to a stressful status.

Effect of enzymatic hydrolysate of cottonseed protein supplementation on growth performance and intestinal health of nursery pigs in Thailand.

This study investigated the effects of enzymatic hydrolysate of cottonseed protein (EHCP) supplementation on the growth performance and intestinal health of nursery pigs in Thailand. A total of 180 newly weaned piglets were randomly allocated to 3 groups with 6 replicates in each group and 10 piglets per replicate. Nursery pigs were fed three diets containing 0, 1%, and 1.5% EHCP for 28-63 days of age. The results indicated that 1% EHCP supplementation increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed conversion rate (FCR) in the numerical, suggesting that appropriate EHCP supplementation could numerically improve growth performance of nursery pigs in Thailand. Moreover, 1% EHCP supplementation significantly decreased intestinal crypt depth and diarrhea incidence and increased intestinal villus height to crypt depth ratio and fecal consistency, suggesting that optimum EHCP supplementation could improve intestinal morphology and decreased diarrhea incidence of nursery pigs in Thailand. Furthermore, 1% EHCP supplementation significantly improved intestinal glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and indicated that optimal EHCP supplementation could improve intestinal antioxidant capacity of nursery pigs in Thailand. Optimum EHCP supplementation numerically increased growth, significantly decreased diarrhea incidence, significantly improved intestinal morphology and antioxidant capacity of nursery pig in Thailand.

Cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) suppresses immune function in different intestinal segments of hybrid grouper ♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus×♂Epinephelus lanceolatu via TLR-2/MyD88 signaling pathways.

Cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) has similar amino acid composition compared with fish meal, and has the characteristics of low gossypol and low toxicity. The present study was conducted to investigate the growth performance, antioxidant capacity and different intestinal segments immune responses of hybrid grouper to replacement dietary fish meal ofCPC. Six iso-nitrogenous (50% crude protein) and iso-lipidic (10% crude lipid) diets were formulated: a reference diet (FM) containing 60% fishmeal and five experimental diets (12%, 24%, 36%, 48 and 60%) in which fishmeal protein was substituted at different levels by CPC to feed fish (initial body weight: 11 ±â€¯0.23 g) for 8 weeks. Thena challenge test with injection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus was conducted for 7 days until the fish stabilized. The results showed that specific growth rate (SGR) was the highest with 24% replacement level and feed conversion ratio (FCR)was significantly increased when the replacement level reached 48% (P < 0.05). The content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in the serum was significantly increased when the replacement level reached 36% (P < 0.05). The plica height in the proximal, mid and distal intestine were significantly decreased with the replacement level up to 48% (P < 0.05). Hepatic fat deposition wasaggravatedwhen the replacement level reached 36% (P < 0.05). The expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1ß mRNAs were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). The hepcidin mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05). In proximal intestine (PI) and mid intestine (MI), IFN-γ mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the CPC decreased hybrid grouper growth performance and inflammation function, and different inflammation function responses in PI,MI, and distal intestine (DI) were mediated partly by the TLR-2/MyD88 signaling pathway. According to the analysis of specific growth rate, the dietary optimum replacement level and maximum replacement level were estimated to be 17% and 34%, respectively.

Formation of heat-induced cottonseed congossypin(7S) fibrils at pH 2.0.

BACKGROUND: Heat-induced protein aggregation is important for the texture of various food products. Many types of food proteins have been found to assemble into fibrillar structures under certain conditions. We studied fibril formation of cottonseed 7S storage protein upon heating (for 0-720 min) at 90°C and pH 2.0, investigated the conversion rate, and determined the extent of thermal aggregation. RESULTS: Thioflavin-T fluorescence and Congo-red analysis indicated the formation of amyloid-like fibrils upon heating. Centrifugal filtration indicated that the conversion was very low (<10%) until congossypin concentration up to 2 mg mL(-1), and the conversion increases with increasing heating time, but levels off after longer heating times. Dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy showed that the extent of thermal aggregation at pH 2.0, or contour length of the worm-like and fine-stranded aggregates, progressively increased with increasing heating time. Furthermore, reducing electrophoresis analyses indicated that progressive polypeptide hydrolysis occurred upon heating. Experiments indicate that congossypin can form heat-induced amyloid-like aggregates and the conversion of congossypin monomers into fibrils increased with heating time and protein concentration. CONCLUSION: The results would be of vital importance for the utilisation of cottonseed proteins to produce thermally induced fibrillar gels with excellent properties.

Sulfonated cottonseed hydrolysates with adjustable amphiphilicity as environmental -Stress stable emulsifiers.

Cottonseed protein isolate (CPI) is a valuable agro-industrial waste with potential biotechnological applications. However, inadequate stability in water due to its characteristic hinders its widespread use. Therefore, a new sulfonation modification approach was developed to improve the amphiphilicity and structural flexibility of CPI. Structural characterizations confirmed the successful incorporation of sulfonate groups with structural and conformational changes. This significantly unfolded molecular-chain, and improved amphiphilicity, flexibility, and surface-hydrophobicity while reducing pI (5.1-1.7), and molecular-weight (5745-2089 g/mol). The modified samples exhibited improved emulsification with higher amounts of absorbed proteins on the droplet interface, smaller droplet size, and a higher zeta-potential. Additionally, they possessed good emulsification ability under acidic conditions. The nano-emulsions exhibited long-term stability (≥70 days) under different environmental conditions, with excellent fluidity. This study contributes to understanding sulfonation as a viable approach for improving protein properties, thus, opening up new possibilities for their application and maximizing their economic benefits.

Replacement of fish meal with cottonseed protein concentrate in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis): Nutrient digestibility, growth performance, free amino acid profile, and expression of genes related to nutrient metabolism.

This study aimed to investigate the application of cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) in Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis). First, the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of CPC, fish meal and soybean meal were compared in crabs (21.72 ± 0.33 g). The protein ADC of CPC was 90.42%, which was significantly higher than that of soybean meal (83.16%) (P < 0.05). The ADC of Phe, Cys and Glu of CPC were significantly higher than those of fish meal, while the ADC of Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Thr and Ala of CPC were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Second, we investigated the effects of fish meal substitution by CPC on growth performance, free amino acid profile, and expression of genes related to nutrient metabolism in crabs. Six diets were formulated by replacing 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 75% fish meal with CPC, namely FM, CPC15, CPC30, CPC45, CPC60, and CPC75. A total of 630 crabs (1.68 ± 0.00 g) were randomly divided into 18 tanks (3 tanks per group) and fed 3 times daily for 9 weeks. Results showed that CPC75 group significantly reduced growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, and free Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, and Thr contents in muscle (P < 0.05). The contents of free amino acids (Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Val, Ala, Cys, Glu, Gly, Ser and Tyr) in hepatopancreas decreased linearly with the increase of dietary CPC level (P < 0.05). The substitution of more than 45% fish meal with CPC significantly decreased the concentration of delicious amino acids (Ala, Glu and Gly) in hepatopancreas (P < 0.05), which might adversely affect crab flavor. The expression of genes related to antioxidant capacity, protein transport, TOR pathway and lipid metabolism was significantly downregulated by increasing dietary CPC level (P < 0.05). In conclusion, based on the quadratic regression analysis of FCR and PER, the optimal replacement levels of fish meal with CPC in crab diet containing 35% fish meal were 32.36% and 35.38%, respectively. It is recommended that Ile, Leu and Thr be supplemented in addition to Met and Lys in the application of CPC.

Blends of Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Cottonseed Protein as Biodegradable Films.

With the increasing awareness of plastic pollution in the environment and the accumulation of microplastics in water, a significant amount of research and development is ongoing to replace the synthetic plastics in packaging and coatings. In this work, we explored the blends of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and washed cottonseed meal (CSM, consisting mostly of cottonseed protein) as agro-based, biodegradable, and sustainable alternatives to plastics. Glycerol was found to be a suitable plasticizer for these blends. The blends of CMC/CSM were produced as single-layer films from 50 to 90 µm in thickness, consisting of different proportions of the components and plasticizer. The evaluated properties included opacity, water vapor permeability, mechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis, moisture sorption analysis, and water swelling test. Higher percentages of CSM in the blend resulted in higher opacity and lower water vapor permeation rates. The mechanical strength waned with lower levels of CMC. Possible applications for these blends include their use as water-soluble food packaging and coatings and as dissolvable bags and pouches for detergents and agrochemicals.

Suitable Cottonseed Protein Concentrate Supplementation in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Serves as an Effective Strategy for Fish Meal Sparing Based on Improvement in Intestinal Antioxidant Capacity, Barrier and Microbiota Composition.

The application of cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) is an effective strategy to moderate the shortage of fish meal (FM) for the aquafeed industry. However, little attention has been paid to the effects of replacing fishmeal with CPC on cyprinid fish. This study used common carp (Cyprinus carpio) as the biological model and assessed the potential of applying CPC as a substitute for fishmeal in the diet of common carp. The proportion of fish meal substituted with CPC in the six diets was 0% (CPC0), 25% (CPC25), 50% (CPC50), 75% (CPC75), and 100% (CPC100). Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of common carp (4.17 ± 0.02 g) for 56 days. Results revealed that the CPC50 group significantly increased the growth indexes via up-regulating the genes of the GH/IGF axis and the TOR pathway. The intestinal digestive ability was also elevated in the CPC50 group via markedly increasing intestinal villus height, protease and lipase activities in the whole intestine, and the amylase activity of the foregut and midgut. The CPC50 group captured significantly higher activities and gene expressions of antioxidant enzymes and lower malonaldehyde contents via evoking the Nrf2/Keap1 signal pathway. The CPC50 group enhance the intestinal mechanical barrier via up-regulating the gene expressions of tight junction proteins and heighten the intestinal biological barrier by increasing the probiotics (Lactococcus) and decreasing the harmful bacteria (Enterococcus). But excessive substitution levels (75% and 100%) would compromise growth performance, intestinal antioxidant capacity, and immune function. The optimum substitution level was estimated to be 46.47%, 47.72%, and 46.43% using broken-line regression analyses based on mass gain rate, protein efficiency ratio, and feed conversion rate. Overall, the fishmeal in common carp feed could be substituted up to 50% by CPC without negative influence on growth, feed utilization, and or intestinal health.

Improvement of amphipathic properties with molecular structure unfolding and activation of cottonseed protein as ultra stable and safe emulsifier by deamidation.

By-product cottonseed proteins are excellent options for numerous applications due to their superior properties and lower cost. However, its complex folded structure and large molecular weight lead to lower reactivity and insufficient amphiphilicity. Cottonseed protein isolate (CPI) is less-soluble in water. Therefore, we improved the amphiphilicity of CPI with associated hydrolysis, molecular structure unfolding, and activation by alkaline-induced deamidation (at 24, 36, and 72 h) and produced three cottonseed protein hydrolysates CPH 24, 36, and 72. FTIR/UV-CD measurements confirmed the conformational changes and conversion of the structural content. Particle size decreased 2503.4-771.8 nm, while surface hydrophobicity (133.5-326.7), carboxyl content (1.13 × 10Ö¾3-2.09 × 10Ö¾3), and flexibility increased, signifying hydrolysis, unfolding, and amphiphilicity improvement. Longer deamidation (CPH 72) exhibited the best properties, its prepared emulsions were long-term stable under all the environmental stresses without visible phase separation after at least 40 days of storage except at pH 4. Compared to CPI, it had smaller droplets (939.3-264.9 nm) and larger absolute ζ-potential (-26.5 to -58.0 mV). From the in-vitro cytotoxicity test, deamidated CPI is extremely safer than commonly used synthetic surfactants. This research provides a new method for producing multifunctional emulsifiers from CPI, which could be utilized in the development of functional foods/non-foods.

Comparative study of apparent metabolizable energy and net energy values of dephenolized cottonseed proteins for laying hens.

Optimizing the energy utilization of nutrients and ensuring maximum benefits are continuous goals for livestock producers. The net energy (NE) value of feed reflects its nutritional value in the precision feeding system. An experiment was conducted to determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and NE values of 3 types of dephenolized cottonseed protein (DCP) for Hy Line Brown hens aged 42 to 45 weeks using the reference diet substitution method. A reference diet based on corn soybean meal was used to meet the nutritional needs of Hy Line Brown laying hens. To render the crude protein and energy values of the 3 test diets similar, 10.5%, 12%, and 16% of the gross energy yielding ingredients from the reference diet were replaced with DCP 1, DCP 2, and DCP 3, respectively. The birds were fed 4 diets during a 7-d adaptation period. After the dietary adaptation period, 2 birds per replicate from each treatment group were placed in an individual open circuit respiratory calorimetry chamber for a 3-d experimental period. Daily O2 consumption and CO2 production were recorded, and excreta samples were collected. The AME values of DCP 1, DCP 2, and DCP 3 were 3,049.05, 2,820.13, and 2,982.31 kcal/kg of dry matter (DM), respectively. The NE values of DCP 1, DCP 2, DCP 3 were 1,475.77, 1,910.31, and 1,905.37 kcal/kg of DM, respectively, and the NE:AME ratios were 48.40%, 67.74%, and 63.89%, respectively. Our data show that the AME value of DCP does not reflect the nutritional value of the feed. The NE value of DCP with a high ME value was not necessarily high.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Immunoregulation of Replacing Fishmeal with Cottonseed Protein Concentrates on Litopenaeus vannamei.

Cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) is a new non-food protein source with high crude protein, low price, and abundant resources, making it an ideal substitute for fishmeal. In this study, we investigated the effects of CPC re placing fishmeal on the immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei using transcriptome sequencing. L. vannamei (initial body weight: 0.42 ± 0.01 g) were fed four isonitrogenous and isolipid feeds for eight weeks, with CPC replacing fishmeal at 0% (control, FM), 15% (CPC15), 30% (CPC30), and 45% (CPC45), respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, the changes of the activities and expression of immune-related enzymes were consistent in L. vannamei in the CPC-containing group when compared with the FM group. Among them, the activities of ACP, PO, and LZM in the group whose diet was CPC30 were significantly higher than those in the FM group. Moreover, the activities of AKP, SOD, and CAT were significantly higher in the group containing CPC than in the FM group. Furthermore, all CPC groups had considerably lower MDA levels than the FM group. This suggests that the substitution of fishmeal with CPC leads to a significant immune response in L. vannamei. Compared with the FM group, transcriptome analysis identified 805 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (484 down and 321 up), 694 (266 down and 383 up), and 902 (434 down and 468 up) in CPC15, CPC30, and CPC45, respectively. Among all DEGs, 121 DEGs were shared among different CPC-containing groups compared with the FM group. Most of these differential genes are involved in immune-related signaling pathways. The top 20 signaling pathways enriched for differential genes contained toxoplasmosis, pathogenic Escherichia coli infection, insulin resistance, and Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) pathways, in which NF-kappa-B inhibitor Cactus were involved. In addition, trend analysis comparison of the DEGs shared by the group with CPC in the diet and the FM group showed that Cactus genes were significantly down-regulated in the group with CPC in the diet and were lowest in the CPC30 group. Consistently, the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes was significantly higher in both diet-containing CPC groups than in the FM group. In conclusion, the moderate amount of CPC substituted for fishmeal may improve the immunity of L. vannamei by suppressing the expression of Cactus genes, thereby increasing the expression of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes.

Bilayer Films of Poly(lactic acid) and Cottonseed Protein for Packaging Applications.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a common biobased film-former made from renewable biomass, such as polysaccharides from sugarcane, corn, or cassava. It has good physical properties but is relatively expensive when compared to the plastics used for food packaging. In this work, bilayer films were designed, incorporating a PLA layer and a layer of washed cottonseed meal (CSM), an inexpensive agro-based raw material from cotton manufacturing, where the main component is cottonseed protein. These bilayer films were made through the solvent casting method. The combined thickness of the PLA/CSM bilayer film was between 47 and 83 µm. The thickness of the PLA layer in this film was 10%, 30%, or 50% of the total bilayer film's thickness. Mechanical properties of the films, opacity, water vapor permeation, and thermal properties were evaluated. Since PLA and CSM are both agro-based, sustainable, and biodegradable, the bilayer film may be used as an eco-friendlier food packaging material, which helps reduce the environmental problems of plastic waste and microplastics. Moreover, the utilization of cottonseed meal may add value to this cotton byproduct and provide a potential economic benefit to cotton farmers.

Evaluation of the Application Value of Cottonseed Protein Concentrate as a Feed Protein Source in Broiler Chickens.

Cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) has the function of replacing soybean meal to maintain normal animal growth and development. This study involved 180 Arbor Acres (AA) broilers, which were randomly assigned to three different treatments. Each treatment had six replicates, with each replicate consisting of 10 chicks. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the CPC-1 and CPC-2 groups used CPC to replace 25% and 50% of the soybean meal in the basal diet, respectively. The study showed that replacing soybean meal with 25% CPC in broilers' diets can maintain normal growth, while substituting 50% of soybean meal with CPC negatively affects the growth and development of broiler chickens. Furthermore, the CPC-1 group showed a significant increase in serum total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, and immunoglobulin content, along with a decrease in malondialdehyde content. Based on the research results mentioned above, it was speculated that CPC has the potential to replace around 25% of soybean meal in broiler feed without causing any negative impact on growth performance. This suggests that CPC could be a viable alternative to soybean meal in broiler diet.

Effects of paraprobiotics on bile acid metabolism and liver health in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fed a cottonseed protein concentrate-based diet.

Cottonseed protein concentrate is a sustainable fishmeal alternative in aquafeed. A 10-week experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a cottonseed protein concentrate-based diet with and without multi-strain yeast fractions (MsYF) on growth, bile acid metabolism, and health in largemouth bass. Four hundred fish (54.0 ± 0.0 g) were casually distributed into 16 tanks (4 replicates/diet). Fish were fed with 4 iso-nitrogen and iso-energetic diets 3 times daily, including a fishmeal diet (FM), a soy protein concentrate-based diet (SPC; replacing 81% fishmeal protein), a cottonseed protein concentrate-based diet (CPC; replacing 81% fishmeal protein), and a CPC diet supplemented with 800 mg/kg MsYF (CPCY). Results showed that the survival of SPC was the lowest, i.e., 48%, with no apparent diet effect among other treatments; we omitted the SPC in additional analyses. Fish fed cottonseed protein concentrate-based diets showed lower growth than FM (P < 0.05). Fish fed CPC showed the highest nuclear dense hepatic phenotypes ratio (50%), followed by CPCY (33%) and FM (17%). Further, dietary CPC increased hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride levels with concurrently increased cholesterol synthesis but decreased triglyceride synthesis-associated transcription levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary CPC increased bile acid synthesis but decreased bile acid transport-associated transcription levels (P < 0.05), and then induced an increment of plasma cholic acid and hepatic chenodeoxycholic acid content and the decrement of genus Romboustia (P < 0.05). Regarding the effect of MsYF, fish fed CPCY reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and total plasma bile acid content (P < 0.05) compared to CPC, suggesting an improvement in liver health. Also, dietary MsYF could reverse the microbiota community structure showing a similar gut microbial composition to FM. In conclusion, 81% of fishmeal protein replaced by cottonseed protein concentrate suppressed growth and liver health, while dietary MsYF might mitigate the negative impact of a high cottonseed protein concentrate level diet on liver functions via gut microbiota regulation.

Effects of Replacing Fishmeal with the Mixture of Cottonseed Protein Concentrate and Clostridium autoethanogenum Protein on the Growth, Nutrient Utilization, Serum Biochemical Indices, Intestinal and Hepatopancreas Histology of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The purpose of this study was to develop the potential of cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) and Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) in the diet of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by evaluating the effects of substituting fishmeal with a CPC and CAP mixture on growth performance, nutrient utilization, serum biochemical indices, intestinal and hepatopancreas histology. In a basal diet containing 200 g/kg fishmeal (Con), the mixture of CPC and CAP (1:1) was used to reduce dietary fishmeal to 150, 100, 50 and 0 g/kg, to form five diets with the same crude protein and crude lipid contents (CON, FM-15, FM-10, FM-5 and FM-0). Then, the five diets were fed to rainbow trout (35.00 ± 0.05 g) for 8 weeks. The weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the five groups were 258.72%, 258.82%, 249.90%, 242.89%, 236.57%, and 1.19, 1.20, 1.24, 1.28, 1.31, respectively. FM-5 and FM-0 groups showed significantly lower WG and higher FCR than the CON group (p < 0.05). In terms of whole-body composition, such as moisture, crude ash, and crude protein, no significant difference was observed among all the groups (p > 0.05), except that significantly higher crude lipid content was detected in the FM-0 group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). In the FM-5 and FM-0 groups, protein efficiency, protein retention, intestinal protease activity and amylase activity were significantly lower than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Compared to the CON group, the serum contents of glucose and total cholesterol in the FM-0 group as well as MDA in the FM-5 and FM-0 groups were significantly increased, and catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity were decreased (p < 0.05). In intestine and hepatopancreas histology, the intestinal villus height in the FM-5 and FM-0 groups and villus width in the FM-0 group were decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while no significant difference in hepatopancreas morphology was observed among all the groups except that some vacuolization was observed in the FM-0 group (p > 0.05). In summary, the mixture of CPC and CAP can effectively replace 100 g/kg fishmeal in a diet containing 200 g/kg fishmeal without adverse effects on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, serum biochemical, or intestinal and hepatopancreas histology of rainbow trout.

Effects of Replacing Fishmeal and Soybean Protein Concentrate with Degossypolized Cottonseed Protein in Diets on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Intestinal Morphology, Cecum Microbiome and Fermentation of Weaned Piglets.

The inclusion of high-quality proteins is commonly used in swine production, especially in weaned pigs. Our research investigated the effects of replacing fishmeal (FM) and soybean protein concentrate (SPC) with degossypolized cottonseed protein (DCP) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, cecum microbiota and fermentation in weaned pigs. A total of 90 pigs were used in a 4-week trial. Pigs were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (initial BW 8.06 ± 0.26 kg; six pigs per pen; five pens per treatment), including a basal diet group (CON) with a 6% SPC and 6% FM; two experimental diets group (SPCr and FMr) were formulated by replacing SPC or FM with 6% DCP, respectively. There were no differences in growth performance and diarrhea rate among three treatments except for the ADFI during day 14 to day 28. Using the DCP to replace FM would weaken the jejunum morphology and decrease the nutrient digestibility of pigs during day 0 to day 14. However, replacing FM with DCP can improve the community structure of cecum microbiota, and may relieve these negative effects. In conclusion, DCP can be used as a cost-effective alternative protein supplement.

Application of Lignin-Containing Cellulose Nanofibers and Cottonseed Protein Isolate for Improved Performance of Paper.

There is current interest in replacing petroleum-based additives in consumer paper products with abundantly available, renewable and sustainable biopolymers such as lignin-containing cellulose nanofibers (LCNFs) and cottonseed protein. This research characterized the performance of cottonseed protein isolate with/without LCNFs to increase the dry strength of filter paper. The application of 10% protein solution with 2% LCNFs as an additive improved the elongation at break, tensile strength and modulus of treated paper products compared to the improved performance of cottonseed protein alone. Improvements in tensile modulus and tensile strength were greatest for samples containing larger amounts of lignin and a greater degree of polymerization than for those with less lignin from the same biomass sources.

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exhibited better growth potential after adaptation to dietary cottonseed protein concentrate inclusion but experienced higher inflammatory risk during bacterial infection.

Cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) has been proven to partially replace fishmeal without adverse effects on fish growth performance, while little information is known about the effects on liver health during bacterial infection. In the present study, 15% CPC was included into the diet of juvenile largemouth bass (32.12 ± 0.09g) to replace fishmeal for 8 weeks, with fish growth potential and hepatic inflammatory responses during Nocardia seriolae (N. seriolae) infection systemically evaluated. After adaptation to dietary CPC inclusion, largemouth bass even exhibited better growth potential with higher SGR and WGR during the last three weeks of whole feeding trial, which was accompanied with higher phosphorylation level of TOR signaling and higher mRNA expression level of myogenin (myog). At the end of 8-weeks feeding trial, the histological structure of largemouth bass liver was not significantly affected by dietary CPC inclusion, accompanied with the similar expression level of genes involved in innate and adaptive immunity and comparable abundance of T cells in bass liver. N.seriolae infection induced the pathological changes of bass liver, while such hepatic changes were more serious in CPC group than that in FM group. Additionally, RT-qPCR results also suggested that largemouth bass fed with CPC experienced much higher inflammatory potential both in liver and gill during N. seriolae infection, which was accompanied with higher expression level of genes involved in pyroptosis. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the application of CPC in largemouth bass diet should be careful, which may induce higher inflammatory potential during N. seriolae infection.

Effects of replacing fishmeal with cottonseed protein concentrate on growth performance, blood metabolites, and the intestinal health of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) is a potential non-food protein source for fishmeal replacement in fish feed. However, a high inclusion level of CPC in diets may have adverse effects on the metabolism and health of carnivorous fish. This study aimed to investigate CPC as a fishmeal alternative in the diet of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss based on growth performance, blood metabolites, and intestinal health. Five isonitrogenous (46% crude protein) and isolipidic (16% crude lipid) diets were formulated: a control diet (30% fishmeal) and four experimental diets with substitution of fishmeal by CPC at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. A total of 600 fish (mean body weight 11.24g) were hand-fed the five formulated diets to apparent satiation for eight weeks. The results showed no adverse effects on growth performance when 75% dietary fishmeal was replaced by CPC. However, reduced growth and feed intake were observed in rainbow trout fed a fishmeal-free diet based on CPC (CPC100%). Changes in serum metabolites were also observed in CPC100% compared with the control group, including an increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alterations in free amino acids, and reductions in cholesterol metabolism. In addition, the CPC-based diet resulted in reduced intestinal trypsin, decreased villus height and width in the distal intestine, upregulated mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in the intestine, and impaired gut microbiota with reduced bacterial diversity and decreased abundance of Bacillaceae compared with the control group. The findings suggest that the optimum substitution rate of dietary fishmeal by CPC for rainbow trout should be less than 75%.