Fumiko Yano

Formaldehyde treatment suppresses ruminal degradation of phytate in soyabean meal and rapeseed meal

Most of the P in oilseed meal is in the form of phytate P, and phytate forms complexes with protein. Phytate P has been considered to be absorbed easily in ruminants because of phytate degradation in the rumen. Treatment of oilseed meals with formaldehyde improves the nutritional value of protein through suppressing its ruminal degradation. The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of formaldehyde treatment on phytate degradation in the rumen. The ruminal degradation of phytate in formaldehyde-treated soyabean meal or rapeseed meal was determined by a nylon-bag technique in sheep. Soyabean meal and rapeseed meal were treated with formaldehyde at levels of 3, 5 or 10 g/kg. Treatment with formaldehyde suppressed phytate and protein degradation in both the oilseed meals. Compared with the regular soyabean meal, the regular rapeseed meal showed lower degradability of phytate in the rumen. These results suggest that treatment with formaldehyde suppresses ruminal degradation of phytate in oilseed meal. Thus, the absorption of P from oilseed meal is probably decreased by this treatment in ruminants.

Phenolics Profile of Mume, Japanese Apricot(Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.)fruit

The fruit of mume, Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.), was evaluated for its phenolics content, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile and antioxidative activities. The phenolics content of mume fruit was relatively high, the flesh of fully matured fruit containing up to 1% of phenolics on a dry weight basis. Reflecting such a high content of phenolics, the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value for mume fruit flesh showed high values, ranging from 150 to 320 µmol/g Trolox equivalent, depending upon the stage of maturation. 5-O-Caffeoylqunic acid (chlorogenic acid), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid and tetra-O-acylated sucrose-related compounds were isolated from the flesh of mume fruit, although many unknown peaks were also apparent in the HPLC chromatogram. An alkali hydrolysate comprised four main phenolic acids, caffeic acid, cis/trans-p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid. No flavonoids were observed in the analysis. These results suggest that the majority of phenolics in mume fruit were hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives.

Fermentation of soya-bean meal with Aspergillus usami improves phosphorus availability in chicks

Abstract The present study examined the effect of the fermentation of soya-bean meal with Aspergillus usami on phosphorus availability in chicks. Thirty 1-week-old male Leghorn-type chicks were divided into three groups and fed following each diet for 4 weeks: 1) a diet containing soya-bean meal (SBM diet; total phosphorus, 5.5 g kg−1 dry matter; nonphytate-phosphorus, 2.0 g kg−1 dry matter), 2) a diet containing soya-bean meal supplying inorganic phosphorus (SBM + P diet; total phosphorus, 7.7 g kg−1 dry matter; nonphytate-phosphorus 4.2 g kg−1 dry matter), or 3) a diet containing the fermented soya-bean meal (FSBM diet; total phosphorus, 5.6 g kg−1 dry matter; nonphytate-phosphorus, 3.6 g kg−1 dry matter). Body weight gain was significantly higher in the chicks fed the FSBM diet and the SBM + P diet than in those fed the SBM diet during the 4-week feeding trial. The 5-week-old chicks were killed and the left femur was collected at the end of the feeding period. Body weight gain, femoral dry weight, ash, calcium and phosphorus contents, as well as ash density, were significantly greater in the chicks fed the FSBM and SBM + P diets than in those fed the SBM diet. Body weight gain and femoral parameters did not differ between the chicks fed the FSBM diet and those fed the SBM + P diet. It was concluded that fermentation improved phosphorus availability of soya-bean meal in chicks and that dietary supplementation of inorganic phosphorus was not necessary for chicks fed FSBM.

A Study on Spontaneously Obese Rat (Minko Rat) with Abnormal Lipid Metabolism, Strength and Mineral Concentrations in Bone

Objectives: In view of the prevalence of osteoporosis in Japan, which surveys have shown has almost doubled over the last ten years, contributory factors, additional to the mineral status, that affect bone stiffness have been explored in spontaneously obese (Minko) rats. Methods: Bone stiffness and strength as well as content of Mg, Ca, P, Na, K, and trace minerals in femurs were compared in male and female Minko rats, which have abnormal lipid metabolism. Results: Mechanical study of femurs indicated that bone stiffness of male rats was significantly higher than that of female rats, but that Mg, Ca, P, Na, Zn, Sr and Fe concentrations in male rats were significantly lower than that of female rats, while S and K concentrations in male rats were significantly higher than that of female rats. Conclusions: These results suggest that bone strength isn’t determined only by mineral concentrations such as Mg, Ca and P. We reported that the bone strength of “Minko Rats” was significantly higher than bone strength of control rats, but there was no significant difference of Ca and P concentrations between the two groups of rats.

Effects of Low Dietary Phosphorus on Salivary Flow, Ruminal Water Balance and Plasma Metabolites Concentrations in Sheep

めん羊を用いて高P飼料から低P飼料への切り換えと低P飼料の継続給与がめん羊の唾液流量,第一胃水分バランス及び血液成分に及ぼす影響を検討した.第一胃および十二指腸フィストラを装着した去勢雄めん羊(平均体重50kg)6頭に,チモシー乾草98%(6.0cm切断)とばん砕大麦2%からなるP含量が維持量程度に低い飼料(低P:1.8g/d)とそれにNa2HPO4•12H2Oを添加した高P飼料(高P:4.0g/d)を1日2回給与した.高P飼料で12日間の予備飼育の後,3日間血液,第一胃内容物および十二指腸内容物を採取した.この後低P飼料へ切り換えて7日間の予備飼育の後,続く3日間のサンプリング期を4期もうけ,合計40日低P飼料での飼育を行なった.なお非吸収マーカーとしてPEG4000を第一胃内に注入した.血漿P濃度は低P飼料に切り換えてもすぐには変化せず,有意に低い値となったのは低P飼料給与後約1ヵ月であり,しかも血漿P濃度はその後再び増加する傾向が見られた.なおBUN濃度が血漿P濃度とは逆の動きを示し,唾液分泌量の減少との関係が推察された.第一胃内溶液P濃度は高P飼料から低P飼料への切り換え直後から有意な減少を示した.第一胃液流出速度は11.3%/h(高P)から8.8,8.6と7.1%h(低P)にまで低下したが第一胃液量に変化は認められなかった(高P:8.21;低P:7.8,8.5,9.31).第一胃内容液量および流出速度から算出した唾液流量は変動は大きいが低P飼料給与により減少する傾向が見られた.めん羊では低P飼料給与時の初期の段階では体内からのPの損失を防ぐために唾液流量を抑え,第一胃水分バランスに影響を及ぼしているようであった.またこの時期には血液よりも第一胃内容液中P濃度の方がめん羊のP代謝の目安としては適切であると考えられた.