A.Z.M. Salem

Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation Activities, Serum Parameters and Milk Production and Composition of Lactating Goats Fed Diets Containing Rice Straw Treated with Pleurotus ostreatus

The study evaluated replacement of Egyptian berseem clover (BC, Trifolium alexandrinum) with spent rice straw (SRS) of Pleurotus ostreatus basidiomycete in diets of lactating Baladi goats. Nine lactating homo-parity Baladi goats (average BW 23.8±0.4 kg) at 7 d postpartum were used in a triplicate 3×3 Latin square design with 30 d experimental periods. Goats were fed a basal diet containing 0 (Control), 0.25 (SRS25) and 0.45 (SRS45) (w/w, DM basis) of SRS. The Control diet was berseem clover and concentrate mixture (1:1 DM basis). The SRS45 had lowered total feed intake and forages intake compared to Control. The SRS25 and SRS45 rations had the highest digestibilities of DM (p = 0.0241) and hemicellulose (p = 0.0021) compared to Control which had higher (p<0.01) digestibilities of OM (p = 0.0002) and CP (p = 0.0005) than SRS25 and SRS45. Ruminal pH and microbial protein synthesis were higher (p<0.0001) for SRS25 and SRS45 than Control, which also had the highest (p<0.0001) concentration of TVFA, total proteins, non-protein N, and ammonia-N. All values of serum constituents were within normal ranges. The Control ration had higher serum globulin (p = 0.0148), creatinine (p = 0.0150), glucose (p = 0.0002) and cholesterol (p = 0.0016). Both Control and SRS25 groups had the highest (p<0.05) milk (p = 0.0330) and energy corrected milk (p = 0.0290) yields. Fat content was higher (p = 0.0373) with SRS45 and SRS25 groups compared with Control. Replacement of BC with SRS in goat rations increased milk levels of conjugated linoleic acid and unsaturated fatty acids compared with Control. It was concluded that replacing 50% of Egyptian berseem clover with SRS in goat rations improved their productive performance without marked effects on metabolic indicators health.

Feed intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and ruminal fermentation activities in sheep fed Atriplex halimus ensiled with three developed enzyme cocktails

The effects of feeding Atriplex halimus treated with three developed enzyme cocktails to Barki sheep on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, N utilization, and ruminal fermentation were assessed. A. halimus was ensiled with two developed enzyme cocktails of ZAD1 ® (Z1) and/or ZAD2 ® (Z2) as liquid enzyme preparations (2 l/t) with 5% molasses and ensiled for 30 days. Three Barki rams (45 ± 3.2 kg) were used per treatment in five consecutive digestibility trials, while three ewes fitted with a permanent rumen fistula were used as source of inoculum for in vitro rumen fermentation trials. Barley grain (300 g/animal/day) was fed as energy supplement during the experimental trial for all diets. Five diets were composed as follows: A. halimus (leaves and stems) (D1); untreated A. halimus plus 4 g/animal/day ZADO ® (Z) (enzyme preparation in powder form) (D2); A. halimus ensiled with Z1 and barley plus 4 g/animal/day Z (D3); A. halimus ensiled with Z2 and barley (D3) plus 4 g/animal/day Z (D4); A. halimus ensiled with a combination of Z1 and Z2 (1 : 1) and barley plus 4 g/head/day Z (D5). For all trials, ad libitum A. halimus was offered twice a day at 9:00 and 16:00 h while barley grain was given once a day at 10:00 h. Both D1 and D2 diets increased (P < 0.001) dry matter intake of A. halimus and total dry matter intake. Addition of 4 g/day of Z to Z1 and/or Z2 ensiled diets improved (P < 0.0001) organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities. Diets D1 and D2 increased (P < 0.001) N intake, whereas the direct addition of Z to D3, D4, and D5 decreased (P < 0.001) N balance and N balance/N absorption ratio. Sheep fed on Z in addition to Z2 ensiled A. halimus showed higher improvements for total volatile fatty acids (P < 0.001), ammonia N (P = 0.007), and microbial protein production (P = 0.003). It can be concluded that feeding sheep on A. halimus ensiled with Z1 and Z2 with direct feeding of Z enzyme preparation improved intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and utilization, as well as rumen fermentation.

Antimicrobial activities and phytochemical composition of extracts of Ficus species: An over view

This paper reviews the antimicrobial research undertaken onxa0xa0Ficusxa0species. Antimicrobial methods [disc and well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bacterial concentration (MBC)] were used to evaluate the different extracts. The majority of published articles use MIC assays for antimicrobial determination. An overview is given on the activities; extracts, compounds or oils from the publication. Phytochemical screenings as well as some bioactive compounds are given with empirical data.xa0 Preliminary results of antimicrobial activity supported the traditional use ofxa0Ficusxa0in folk medicine. These findings suggest a new pathway in elucidating a potent antimicrobial agent fromxa0Ficusxa0species. n n xa0 n n Key words:xa0Antimicrobial activities, phytochemical composition, extracts,xa0Ficus.

Influence of Sunflower Whole Seeds or Oil on Ruminal Fermentation, Milk Production, Composition, and Fatty Acid Profile in Lactating Goats

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sunflower seeds, either as whole or as oil, on rumen fermentation, milk production, milk composition and fatty acids profile in dairy goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 5) fed a basal diet of concentrate feed mixture and fresh Trifolium alexandrinum at 50:50 on dry matter basis (Control) in addition to 50 g/head/d sunflower seeds whole (SS) or 20 mL/head/d sunflower seeds oil (SO) in a complete randomized design. Milk was sampled every two weeks during 90 days of experimental period for chemical analysis and rumen was sampled at 30, 60, and 90 days of the experiment for ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids (tVFA), and ammonia-N determination. Addition of SO decreased (p = 0.017) ruminal pH, whereas SO and SS increased tVFA (p<0.001) and acetate (p = 0.034) concentrations. Serum glucose increased (p = 0.013) in SO and SS goats vs Control. The SO and SS treated goats had improved milk yield (p = 0.007) and milk fat content (p = 0.002). Moreover, SO increased milk lactose content (p = 0.048) and feed efficiency (p = 0.046) compared to Control. Both of SS and SO increased (p<0.05) milk unsaturated fatty acids content specially conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) vs Control. Addition of SS and SO increased (p = 0. 021) C18:3N3 fatty acid compared to Control diet. Data suggested that addition of either SS or SO to lactating goats ration had beneficial effects on milk yield and milk composition with enhancing milk content of healthy fatty acids (CLA and omega 3), without detrimental effects on animal performance.

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaves and branches extracts of Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth against nine species of pathogenic bacteria

Tecoma stansxa0of the Bignoniaceae family, is an important medicinal plant. Different extracts of the leaves and branches ofxa0T. stansxa0were evaluated as antibacterial potential against the growth of some human bacterial strains using the disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods as well as the antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylxa0(DPPH)xa0method. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contentsxa0weredetermined. The different extracts ofxa0T. stansxa0werexa0obtained by successive solvent extraction with methanol and its fractions; ethyl acetate (EtOAc), chloroform (CHCl3),xa0n-butanol and aqueous. The methanol, EtOAc and CHCl3xa0extracts ofxa0T. stansxa0showed significant effect against the tested bacteria (Bacillus subtilis,xa0Micrococcus luteus,Sarcinaxa0lutea,xa0Staphylococcus aureus,xa0Escherichia coli,xa0Serratia marcescens,Salmonella typhi,xa0Proteus vulgarisxa0andxa0Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The methanol extract of the leaves exhibited the highest amount of total phenolics (50.3±3 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract) and flavonoids (40.66±5.03 mg catechin equivalents/g extract). The EtOAc fraction of leaves and branches extracts showed the highest total antioxidant activity (%) withxa0 83.4±0.31 and 82.06±0.54%, respectively followed by CHCl3xa0fraction of leaves extracts (79.17±0.20%). These findings provide scientific evidence to support traditional medicinal uses ofxa0T. stansxa0and indicate a promising potential for the development of an antibacterial and antioxidant agent fromxa0T. stansxa0trees. n n xa0 n n Key words:xa0Antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, total phenolics, total flavonoids,Tecoma stans

The effects of three total mixed rations with different concentrate to maize silage ratios and different levels of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on in vitro total gas, methane and carbon dioxide production

The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of adding Chlorella vulgaris algae at different levels on in vitro gas production (GP) of three total mixed rations (TMR) with different concentrate (C): maize silage (S) ratios (25C : 75S, 50C : 50S, 75C : 25S). Chlorella vulgaris was added at 0, 20, 40 and 80 mg/g dry matter (DM) of the TMR and total gas, methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) production were recorded after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24 and 48 h of incubation in three runs. Increasing concentrate portion in the TMR linearly increased the asymptotic GP and decreased the rate of GP without affecting the lag time. Addition of C. vulgaris at 20 mg/g DM to the 25C : 75S TMR increased the asymptotic GP, CH 4 , CO 2 and GP at 48 h. Addition of C. vulgaris to the 50C : 50S TMR decreased the asymptotic GP and GP at 48 h. Higher CH 4 production was observed at 48 h of incubation when C. vulgaris was included at (per g DM): 20 mg for the 25C : 75S ration, 40 mg for the 50C : 50S ration and 80 mg for the 75C : 25S ration. Inclusion of C. vulgaris linearly increased CH 4 production for the 50C : 50S ration and increased CO 2 production at 10 and 12 h of incubation for the 50C : 50S ration, whereas 20 and 40 mg C. vulgaris /g DM of the 75C : 25S TMR decreased CO 2 production. The 25C : 75S TMR had the highest in vitro DM disappearance with C. vulgaris addition. Chlorella vulgaris addition was more effective with rations high in fibre content than those high in concentrates. It can be concluded that the optimal level of C. vulgaris addition was 20 mg/g DM for improved ruminal fermentation of the 25C : 75S TMR.

Rumen degradation and nutritive utilization of wheat straw, corn stalks and sugarcane bagasse ensiled with multienzymes

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anaerobic ensiling of raw agricultural wastes with a fibrolytic enzyme cocktail (EZ) as a cleaner and sustainable biological product for animal feed. Ten 1-kg samples of wheat straw, corn stalks and sugarcane bagasse were chopped at 5u2005cm length and mixed with EZ at three levels of 0, 1 or 3u2005L enzyme/ton of feed, moistened to a relative humidity of approximately 50% and ensiled in plastic bales for 30 days. Additionally, fibrous samples were incubated for 72u2005h with rumen liquor to determine the digestion of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre. Increasing enzyme level lowered ether extract and nitrogen-free extract contents of fibrous feeds and increased the biodegradation of acid detergent lignin of wheat straw. Anaerobic ensiled corn stalks and sugarcane bagasse with EZ improved the biodegradation of DM and fibre fractions. It could be concluded that ensiling fibres of the three wastes with EZ improved and enhanced their ruminal digestion with the biodegradation rate at 3u2005L/ton and subsequently produced a cleaner product for animal feed from agriculture wastes.

Potential impact of prickly pear cactus flour and Salix babylonica extract on cecal fermentation and methane production in horses

The cecal gas (GP)xa0and methane (CH4)xa0production and cecal fermentation kinetics when corn grain (CG) was replaced with prickly cactus (PC) in a horse’s diet at different levels of Salix babylonica (SB) extract was investigated. Three total mixed rations where CG was replaced with PC at three levels (/kg): 0xa0g (Control), 75xa0g (PC75) or 150xa0g (PC150) were prepared and SB extract added at four levels: 0, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8xa0mL/g dry matter (DM) of substrates. No ration typexa0×xa0SB extract dose interaction was observed (Pxa0>xa00.05) for GP kinetics and CH4 production. Increasing the level of PC in the ration quadratically increased (Pxa0<xa00.01) the asymptotic GP and decreased (Pxa0<xa00.01) the rate and lag time of GP. Increasing the level of PC in the ration, increased GP values (Pxa0<xa00.05). Increasing the level of SB extract linearly decreased (Pxa0=xa00.001) the lag time of GP of all diets without affecting the asymptotic GP or the rate of GP. Ration type and SB level had no effect (Pxa0>xa00.05) on CH4 production; however, at 36xa0h of incubation, SB extract decreased CH4 production. The rations PC75 and PC150 increased cecal pH compared with the control ration. The PC150 ration had the highest (Pxa0<xa00.05) DM degradability, short chain fatty acids production, and gas yield after 24xa0h of incubation, with no effect (Pxa0>xa00.05) of SB inclusion on all investigated fermentation kinetic parameters. It is concluded that increasing the level of PC in the diet of horse and replacing CG up to 60%, increased GP and improved cecal fermentation kinetics without affecting CH4 production. Inclusion ofxa0S. babylonicaxa0extract in the tested rations had weak effects on fermentation kinetics although it decreased the lag time of GP.

Effects of natural blends of garlic and eucalypt essential oils on biogas production of four fibrous feeds at short-term of incubation in the ruminal anaerobic biosystem: Garlic and eucalyptus oils affect ruminal fermentation

BACKGROUNDnThe present study explored the effect of garlic and/or eucalypt oils on biogas production during in vitro ruminal fermentation of four agro industry byproducts. For this, 0-180u2009mg oil L-1 incubation medium was added and gas volumes were recorded from 2 to 48u2009h of incubation. Dry matter substrate degradability and neutral as well as acid detergent fibre were determined after 72u2009h.nnnRESULTSnGas production and nutrient degradability was oil type dependent. The oils enhanced (Pxa0<xa00.05) biogas and asymptotic biogas production for corn stalks and oat straw, although no effect was observed on asymptotic biogas production for sorghum straw and sugarcane bagasse. Addition of both oils decreased (Pxa0<xa00.05) fermentation pH for corn stalks, sorghum straw and oat straw and also increased (Pxa0<xa00.05) dry matter degradability for all four byproducts. Neutral detergent fibre degradability for all byproducts was higher (Pxa0<xa00.05) with garlic oil. Eucalypt oil, however, decreased (Pxa0<xa00.05) neutral detergent fibre degradability for sugarcane bagasse and corn stalks, although only weak effects were observed for sorghum and oat straws.nnnCONCLUSIONnWith respect to ruminal biogas production, the addition of garlic oil showed better environmental effects than the addition of eucalypt oil and increasing oil concentrations resulted in enhanced fermentation characteristics.

The effect of exogenous phytase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and phosphorous bioavailability in Rambouillet sheep: The effect of exogenous phytase supplementation

BACKGROUNDnThe effect of phytase supplementation with respect to a high sorghum grain diet on sheep voluntary feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, phosphorus (P) excretion and blood serum P concentration was evaluated.nnnRESULTSnPhytase supplementation significantly decreased fecal P excretion (P = 0.003), resulting in a 26% decrease in relation to the phytase free diet. Dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal butyrate and serum P were not (P > 0.10) affected by the phytase level. Neutral detergent digestibility showed a tendency to increase linearly (P = 0.10) with increasing phytase levels. Ruminal pH was lower for phytase supplemented sheep, with a significant decrease (P = 0.007) at 9 h post feeding, whereas ruminal ammonia-N at 3 h post feeding was lower (P = 0.004) for the phytase treatment groups, resulting in a decreasing linear response (P = 0.001) with an increasing phytase dose. Duodenal pH was significantly reduced at 6 h post feeding. Propionate tended (P = 0.051) to be increased linearly as the phytase supplementation level increased.nnnCONCLUSIONnExogenous phytase supplementation of high sorghum grain diets significantly decreased fecal P excretion in Rambouillet rams. Phytase supplementation appears to affect neutral detergent fiber digestibility, duodenal and ruminal pH, ammonia and propionate.