M. Dahouda

Nutrient digestibility of Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis) bean in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris, L): Effects of heat treatment and levels of incorporation in diets

1. Mucuna pruriens var. utilis is a legume, the seeds of which are scarcely used in animal diets owing to their high content of 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-Dopa). 2. Experiments were conducted on guinea fowl to assess the effects of two types of heat processing (cooking and toasting) on chemical composition and nutrient digestibility of Mucuna seeds offered alone or incorporated at three concentrations (40, 120 or 200 g/kg) in complete diets. 3. Diets containing 200 g/kg seeds had more crude fibre and less ether extract. L-Dopa content increased with the amount of Mucuna inclusion. Cooking reduced markedly L-Dopa content while toasting had no effect. When fed alone, Mucuna seeds dramatically decreased feed intake. 4. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were not influenced by the complete diets. Cooking significantly increased crude fibre digestibility. 5. It is suggested that cracked and cooked Mucuna bean can be incorporated at a safe level of 120 g/kg in complete diets for guinea fowl production.

Seasonal variations in the crop contents of scavenging Helmeted Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris, L.) in Parakou (Benin).

1. An experiment was carried out with 120 helmeted guinea fowls during one year in Parakou (Benin). Feed intake, ingredient and chemical composition, along with the nutritional adequacy of scavenging diets were measured during the rainy season (November–February) and dry season (March–October) in order to propose supplementation strategies. Ingredients found in crops were identified and allocated into 6 main categories (supplemental feed, seeds, green forages, animal materials, mineral matter and unidentified materials). 2. Mean dry weights of crop contents were significantly higher in the rainy than in the dry season. Amounts and proportions of supplemental feed and seeds were not significantly different between seasons, whereas those of green forage, animal materials and mineral matter were higher in rainy season. Supplemental feed, especially maize and sorghum, was the largest component of the crop content in both seasons. The most represented grass seeds were Panicum maximum (rainy season) and Rottboellia cochinchinensis (dry season). 3. Dietary concentrations of organic matter, non-nitrogen extract and metabolisable energy were higher in the dry season, while mineral concentrations were higher in the rainy season. There were no significant differences between the two seasons in dry matter, crude protein or crude fibre. 4. Scavenging provided insufficient nutrients and energy to allow guinea fowls to be productive. Therefore, more nutritionally balanced supplementary feed would be required during both seasons.

Ingestions Alimentaires Et Performances De Production Et De Reproduction Des Lapines (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) Gestantes Nourries Avec Des Aliments Contenant Des Feuilles De Neem (Azadirachta Indica)

The purpose of this article is to examine the effects of internal and external knowledge on innovation and also how innovation influences the profitability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The research is focused on a sample of 412 companies from the industrial and services sectors of the southern region of the State of Sonora, Mexico. Data collection was carried out from June to October 2014, with the support of a selfdirected survey of company managers. For the analysis of the model and validation of the structured relationships, the structural equation method (SEM) based on the variance has been used through the use of the PLS technique (Partial Least Square) with support of the software SmartPLS version 3.2.6 Professional. The results show that both internal and external knowledge have a positive and significant influence on the innovation in products and processes that is developed in SMEs. In addition, product innovation has a significant and positive impact on the profitability of companies. In contrast, a significant but negative relationship was found between process innovation and the profitability of SMEs. It is important that owners and managers continue to capture and use knowledge in order to improve innovation. In addition, it is advisable to implement plans and actions to improve product and process innovation to raise the level of profitability. This work contributes mainly to the development of the literature on absorption capacity (CA) and the theory of resources and capabilities (R&C).