Juan Rogelio Aguirre-Rivera

Quantitative characterization of nonstructural carbohydrates of mezcal Agave (Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dick).

Fructans are the reserve carbohydrates in Agave spp. plants. In mezcal factories, fructans undergoes thermal hydrolysis to release fructose and glucose, which are the basis to produce this spirit. Carbohydrate content determines the yield of the final product, which depends on plant organ, ripeness stage, and thermal hydrolysis. Thus, a qualitative and quantitative characterization of nonstructural carbohydrates was conducted in raw and hydrolyzed juices extracted from Agave salmiana stems and leaves under three ripeness stages. By high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), fructose, glucose, sucrose, xylose, and maltose were identified in agave juice. Only the plant fraction with hydrolysis interaction was found to be significant in the glucose concentration plant. Interactions of the fraction with hydrolysis and ripeness with hydrolysis were statistically significant in fructose concentration. Fructose concentration rose considerably with hydrolysis, but only in juice extracted from ripe agave stems (early mature and castrated). This increase was statistically significant only with acid hydrolysis.

Chemical and Digestibility Characteristics of Some Woody Species Browsed by Goats in Central Mexico

Abstract Pinos-Rodriguez, J.M., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R., Mellado, M., García-López, J.C., Álvarez-Fuentes, G., Méndez-Villazana, J.C. 2007. Chemical and digestibility characteristics of some woody species browsed by goats in Central Mexico. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 149–153. A study was conducted during fall in Central Mexico to determine the chemical composition, the in situ disappearance and rate of in situ fermentation of ten common woody species used by goats in a semi-humid landscape. Leaves of Parkinsonia aculeata, Pithecellobium dulce, Ceratonia siliqua, Leucaena glauca, Crataegus pubescens, Calliandra eriophylla, Dalea bicolor, Eysenhardtia texana, Atriplex canescens and Amelanchier denticulata were analyzed. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ash content of fodder tree leaves ranged between 29.3 and 63.9, 8.5 and 28.2 and 3 and 18.9, respectively. Both acid detergent fiber (21–47%) and neutral detergent fiber (56.4–81.2%) contents were high. DM disappearance of shrubs and trees was in the range 48–85%, with the highest (P<0.05) disappearance rate at all incubation time for Atriplex canescens, Pithecellobium dulce and Leucaena glauca. These data reaffirm the considerable potential of Atriplex canescens, Leucaena glauca and Pithecellobium dulce as high quality forages for ruminants.

Effect of Species and Age on Nutrient Content and in vitro Digestibility of Opuntia spp.

Abstract Pinos-Rodríguez, J.M., Duque-Briones, R., Reyes-Agüero, J.A., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R., García-López, J.C. and González-Muñoz, S. 2006. Effect of species and age on nutrient content and digestibility of Opuntia spp. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 13–17. Proximal and cell wall analysis, as well as in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of Opuntia robusta, O. ficus-indica and O. rastrera (one, two and three years old cladodes) were performed in order to evaluate the effect of species and age on nutrients contents and dry matter digestibility. The Cp was higher (P<0.05) for O. ficus-indica and O. robusta than for O. rastrera, which showed the highest levels of ash. There were no differences (P>0.05) for NDF and ADF among the three species of cactus pear; besides, the age of the cladodes did not affect (P>0.05) the DM, Cp, ADF and ash content. IVDMD for O. ficus-indica and O. robusta was generally higher than that for O. rastrera. The one year old cladodes showed a higher (P<0.05) IVDMD up to 12 h of incubation. O. ficus-indica and O. robusta showed a higher (P<0.05) nutrients content than O. rastrera.

Chemical Composition and Ruminal in vitro Degradation of Fresh or Silage of Agave salmiana Otto ex. Salm-Dick

Abstract Pinos-Rodríguez, J.M., Gonzalez-Muñoz, S., Badillo, B., García-López, J.C, Aguirre-Rivera, J.R. and Infante, S. 2008. Chemical composition and ruminal in vitro degradation of fresh or silage of Agave salmiana Otto ex. Salm-Dick. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 33: 45–48. Chemical composition and in vitro DM ruminal degradation of whole plant or leaves of Agave salmiana immature, mature or castrated, fresh or silage were estimated. Results suggest that silage process affected pH, DM, NDF, ADF, ash and in vitro DM ruminal degradation, but did not reduce saponin concentration. DM, OM, CP, ADF, ash and DM degradation rate was modified by maturity. Moreover, segment plant impacted OM, CP, ash, saponin and DM degradation rate. Fermentative compounds were found in normal concentrations in the A. salmiana silages.

Analysis of a goat milk cheese industry in a desert rangeland of Mexico

The study aimed to identify the goat milk value chain for the benefit of producers in a desert rangeland of Mexico. Using retrospective analysis, we characterized goat milk and cheese production and commercialization and profitability at the community and regional levels. What should be done for a cooperative with all stakeholders, using strategic management methodologies is determined. Goat husbandry had an explosive growth in the second third of last century, but disorganized growth deteriorated the rangelands and the activity is declining. Milk productivity has declined up to seven times in some regions compared with the 1960s. It is still the main source of earned income in the region but disorganization persists in all aspects from production to commercialization, and the common use of the rangelands. Producers are depleting their natural resources due to low incomes. Milking and cheese production are unhygienic, uncomfortable and too time consuming, while commercialization is informal. The vision and mission show a group that wants to succeed through profitable and sustainable commercialization. Milk production potential should be increased through better use of natural resources and optimization of the herd’s general management. Organization for the use of the rangelands, standardized small-scale processing, commercialization and technology transfer is the hope for sustainable rural development in this region. The high fat content of the goat milk in the region should increase its price.

Evaluation of Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as Forage in a High Concentrate Total Mixed Ration on Finishing Lambs

Abstract Pinos-Rodríguez, J.M., Velásquez-Bianco, J.C., González-Muñoz, S.S., García-López, J.C., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R. and Bárcena, R. 2007. Evaluation of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as forage in a high concentrate total mixed ration on finishing lambs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 161–164. A study was conducted to compare two total mixed rations with similar level of NDF using cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) or alfalfa as forages, in a high level concentrate rations on (i) growth performance in finishing lambs, (ii) nutrients in vivo digestibility and N and energy balance and (iii) ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA). The high moisture level of cactus pear limited its incorporation in the ration, which was less than 2% of DM, compared to 12% of alfalfa hay. Average daily gain, dry matter intake, N, energy balance and ruminal pH in lambs fed on a ration containing cactus pear were lower than those fed on alfalfa hay as forage. The inclusion of 1.6% (DM basis) of cactus pear in the ration was not an appropriate level to consider the cactus pear as sole forage source for lambs.

Hydroponic Cactus Pear Production, Productivity and Quality of Nopalito and Fodder

The use of cactus pear for producing young cladodes (nopalitos) and fodder represent an attractive option to intensify plant production in arid and semi-arid regions. Nopalitos are considered functional food (Saenz et al., 2004) and are used in Mexico since pre-Columbian times (Anaya, 2001). The adjective functional is due to additionally to the nutrient supplies, it provides health benefits and contributes to the prevention of some diseases (Saenz et al., 2004) as is evidenced by results of investigations on the control of cholesterol and the prevention of some diseases like diabetes and obesity (Paiz et al., 2010; Saenz, 2000). Nopalitos are served with meals, similar to green beans (Stintzing, 2005). Nopalitos of Opuntia are produced and consumed in temperate and dry regions while nopalitos of Nopalea genera are used in warm regions of Mexico (Sanchez-Venegas, 1995). Alternatively, fodder of cactus pear is significant in some regions of the world, mostly during the dry season of the year (Flores & Aguirre, 1979; Gonzaga and Cordeiro, 2005). Fodder nutrient quality studies on Opuntia and Nopalea cladodes show variations among species, variants, growth stage of the sprouts and agronomic handling (Lopez-Garcia et al., 2001; Nefzaoui & Ben Salem, 2001; Pinos-Rodriguez et al., 2006) and it has been stated that they have high carbohydrate and water content but have low nutrient and fiber content (Lopez-Garcia et al., 2001). Furthermore, nutritional potential of cactus pear to mitigate feed and water shortages in dry areas were demonstrated by Tegegnea et al. (2007).

Effects of urea-prickly pear-molasses block supplementation on growth and milk production of crossbred goats on arid rangelands

This paper discusses the potential use of feed blocks as supplements for grazing goats under a harsh arid zone of northern Mexico. The study was carried out during fall and winter. A flock of 64 goats was randomly allotted into two groups (equal number of animals and categories of goats) both groups were fed a total mixed ration containing 50% ground corn stover, 40% spineless cladodes of Opuntia spp. and 10% corn grain. Additionally, at night, one group had access to a urea-prickly pear-molasses block supplementation, whereas the other group was not supplemented (Control). The block supplementation increased (P<0.05) litter size (1.3 vs. 1.5), litter weight (4.8 vs. 5.2) and daily milk yield in twin bearing does. Results indicate that providing a block supplementation could ameliorate the depressing effect of scarce forage, with a marked improvement in litter size and weight, as well as an increased milk yield in those goats raising twins.

Description of the Fruit of Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck Sold in the Traditional Market of Rioverde, San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Abstract: There are nine species of Nopalea and the most widely distributed is N. cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck. This species and its wild congeners inhabit dry and subhumid tropical and subtropical regions in western and eastern Mexico down to Panama. In Mexico, its tender, young cladodes (known locally as nopalitos) and flower buds (tunitas) are eaten as vegetables, its developed cladodes are used as forage in different parts of the world, and the plants are used as living fences and also as ornamentals. The fruits of N. cochenillifera have received little attention in the specialized literature; therefore, the purpose of this note is to describe a set of fruits that was bought in a traditional market in San Luis Potosí, México. The fruits of N. cochenillifera were, on average, two centimeters shorter than those reported in the literature; by weight, the pulp accounted for 45.70 % on average, the peel 48.07 % and the seeds 6.23 %. Mean sweetness was 10.62 oBrix, somewhat lower than that of Opuntia cultivars, which is 12.95. Due to the lack of abortive seeds, we infer that the fruit of Nopalea have been of little interest to humans.