Elisa Cristina Modesto

Effect of harvest period on the quality of storage roots and protein content of the leaves in five cassava cultivars (Manihot esculenta, Crantz)

The effect of harvest period on the quality of storage roots and leaves of cassava cultivars was determined in an experiment carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications in a split plot scheme, with five cultivars in the plots and ten harvest times in the subplots. The IAC 13 cultivar had the highest rate of dry matter accumulation in the storage roots and the Mico cultivar the lowest. The period of least dry matter content in the storage roots occurred later for the Fecula Branca, Mico and IAC 14 cultivars, and the minimum starch content in the storage roots occurred later for the Fecula Branca and Mico cultivars. In general, the IAC 13, IAC 14 and Fecula Branca cultivars had higher dry matter content in the storage roots, while higher starch content in the dry and fresh matter were obtained in the Fecula Branca cultivar. The crude protein content in the leaves decreased as the plant aged.

Parâmetros séricos de bezerros submetidos a diferentes tipos dietas líquidas

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of the liquid diet on the blood metabolites profile related to the protein and energy status of calves receiving different liquid diets. Twenty-four calves of Holstein x Gir breed were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replications: Whole milk (Control); 50% whole milk + 50% of whey of cheese in natura; 50% whole milk + 50% of cheese whey in natura + one egg in natura; 50% whole milk + 50% of cheese whey in natura + one egg in natura + of biotin. The adaptation of the animals to the experimental diets occurred ten days before the beginning of the treatments. The animals received concentrate, Tifton-85 (Cynodon sp.) hay and water ad libitum from the birth to wean. Samples of blood were weekly collected in the morning, before the supply of the liquid diet and two hours after the ingestion. The concentrations of glucose, urea, creatinin, total proteins and albumin found in the serum of the calves, between liquid diets tested, were within normal limits when compared to reference levels in the literature. Only the values of urea differ significantly between treatments, but without harming the performance of the animals, soon it can be used the cheese whey in substitution to the whole milk, in the proportion of 50%, without egg or biotin addition, for a redution on the production cost.

Extrato metanólico de Urochloa humidicola na fermentação ruminal in vitro

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the addition of the methanolic extract of Urochloa humidicola at four different concentrations (0, 75, 150, and 250 g L-1) on the in vitro rumen fermentation of Urochloa brizantha. The following variables were evaluated by the in vitro gas production technique: kinetic parameters; rumen degradation of dry matter; and production and concentration of the methane and carbon dioxide gases and of the acetate, propionate, and butyrate short-chain fatty acids. The addition of the methanolic extract reduces the production of gases generated from the degradation of nonfibrous carbohydrates (fraction A) in 9.55, 6.67, and 13.33%, respectively, at the concentrations of 75, 150, and 250 g L-1, compared with the control group, but it negatively affects the degradation of the dry matter of U. brizantha at the concentrations of 150 and 250 g L-1. The extract shows negative quadratic effect on gas production during 12 and 24 hours of U. brizantha incubation. The extract of U. humidicola reduces methane production and increases short-chain fatty acid production at the concentrations of 75, 150, and 250 g L-1.

Characterization of a Urochloa humidicola methanol extract as a phytogenic additive for ruminants

This survey aimed to characterize a Urochloa humidicola methanol extract regarding the presence of secondary metabolites classes and to determine its bromatological composition. U. humidicola samples were dried under shade, milled on a 2-mm sieve by a Willey mill. The solution obtained was filtered using filter paper and concentrated in a rotary evaporator under reduced pressure; the concentrated residue was then placed in an open vessel to complete solvent removal using continuous air flow dryers. Phytochemical prospection tests and bromatological composition analyses were performed on the dry methanol extract, and the results were compared to in natura U. humidicola. The methanol extract had 10.2% CP and 35% EE and in natura U. humidicola had 5.17% CP and 1.57% EE, with a difference (P < 0.05) of 5% by Fisher’s test. In natura U. humidicola had 75.59% NDF, 40.77% ADF, 38.82% HEM, 29.93% CEL, and 7.19% LIG. Methanol extraction by cold maceration reduced the LIG (0.17%) and CEL (0.21%) contents as only soluble constituents were extracted. A phytochemical assay was positive for the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, non-protein amino acids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, steroids, tripernoids, catechins, and saccharides and was negative for the presence of flavonoids and purines. The U. humidicola methanol extract possesses traits that allow its use as a phytogenic and natural additive.

Comportamento ingestivo diurno de vacas Girolandas, sob diferentes taxas de lotação

Objetivou-se verificar o comportamento de vacas em diferentes taxas de lotacao (2, 4 e 6 UA), em pastejo rotacionado. O delineamento experi- mental utilizado foi blocos ao acaso em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas com medidas repetidas no tempo, com tres repeticoes. As observacoes do comportamento ingestivo dos animais foram rea- lizadas de 10 em 10 minutos durante o periodo diurno. O tempo de pastejo, ruminacao, ocio e de outras atividades dos animais foi afetado pelo periodo de avaliacao, dia de pastejo e taxa de lotacao. Verificou-se a presenca de correlacao negativa entre o tempo de pastejo e tempo de ruminacao, de ocio, outras atividades, indice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) e indice de tempera- tura globo e umidade (ITGU). Durante os periodos em que ocorreu precipitacao pluviometrica os animais apresentaram comportamento de pastejo semelhante (tempo de pastejo medio de 434 minu- tos), o que permitiu o uso de ambas as lotacoes, sem maiores danos ao comportamento dos animais, no periodo chuvoso do ano.