Shin Ja Lee

Effects of bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar as antibiotic alternatives on growth performance, immune responses and fecal microflora population in fattening pigs

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar as alternatives of antibiotics in the diet of fattening pigs and their influence on growth performance, immune responses and fecal microflora populations. Crossed pigs (n = 144, 79 kg body weight) were divided into 12 heads per pen, four diets and three replications. The basal diet (negative control: NC) was supplemented with 0.3% antibiotics (positive control: PC), 0.3% bamboo charcoal (BC) and 0.3% bamboo vinegar (BV). Average daily weight gain and feed efficiency were higher (P < 0.05) in PC, BC and BV. The concentration of lactate dehydrogenase and cortisol were lower (P < 0.05), but the concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA were higher (P < 0.05) in PC, BC and BV. Counts of coliform bacteria and Salmonella spp. were lower (P < 0.05), while the counts of fecal anaerobic total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria were higher (P < 0.05) in PC, BC and BV. A reasonable inclusion of bamboo charcoal or bamboo vinegar as antibiotics in the diet of fattening pigs leads to a better growth performance, immune responses and fecal microflora populations. The results of the present study suggest that bamboo charcoal or bamboo vinegar could be a potential additives in animal production as an alternative to antibiotics.

Efficacy of probiotics from anaerobic microflora with prebiotics on growth performance and noxious gas emission in growing pigs

We investigated the effect of probiotics from anaerobic microflora with prebiotics (synbiotics) on growth performance, noxious gas emission and fecal pathogenic bacteria populations in growing pigs. The basal diet, which contained approximately 25% corn, 24% whey, 12% wheat and 12% soybean meal, was supplemented alternatively with 0.15% antibiotics (US diet), prebiotics and 0.2% probiotics from anaerobic bacteria (BS diet), yeast (YS diet), mold (MS diet) or compounds (CS diet). One hundred and fifty pigs were fed an experimental diet for 15 days. Although the growth performance was not affected by supplemental synbiotics, the BS group showed higher dry matter and crude protein digestibility. The BS group decreased fecal ammonia and amine gas emissions, and increased fecal acetate gas emission compared with the US group. All synbiotics groups decreased in fecal propionate gas emission. Fecal Escherichia coli population was lower in the synbiotics groups than in the US group. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that synbiotics exert similar effects with antibiotics on the nutrient digestibility and fecal microflora composition in growing pigs. Moreover, synbiotics can also decrease the fecal noxious gas emission in growing pigs.

A comparative study on the rumen microbial populations, hydrolytic enzyme activities and dry matter degradability between different species of ruminant

A comparative study among Korean native cow (Hanwoo), Holstein dairy cow, Korean native goat and crossbred sheep on the population and marker concentration of ruminal microbes, the activities of carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), xylanase and amylase, and in situ dry matter (DM) degradability were conducted. Twelve ruminally cannulated animals, three of each species, were used. Animals were fed the same diet containing 40% formula feed and 60% rice straw at the level of 2.5% of body weight. Total viable microbial populations in the rumen fluid were significantly (P < 0.01) greater for bacteria and fungi in goat than those of Holstein. The protozoan population among ruminant species was the reverse from that of bacteria. The concentrations of 2,6-diaminopimelic acid and chitin as markers for bacteria and fungi in the rumen fluid, respectively, were highest in goat, which is in accordance with the above population data. The concentration of aminoethylphosphonic acid as marker of protozoa was highest in Hanwoo and lowest in sheep (P < 0.01). Goat had the highest (P < 0.01) activities of all the enzymes investigated among ruminants. In situ effective degradation of the DM of rice straw was approximately 19% higher in the rumen of goat compared with other animals.

Effects of bamboo charcoal on the growth performance, blood characteristics and noxious gas emission in fattening pigs

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of bamboo charcoal on the growth performance, immune responses of blood, faecal gas emission and faecal microflora in fattening pigs. Crossed pigs (n =1 08) were fed basal diet (C) and supplemented with 0.3% (T1) and 0.6% (T2) of bamboo charcoal for 42 days (12 heads per pen×3 diets×3 replications). The average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency were higher (P < 0.05) in T1 and T2 than in C. The concentration of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglyceride and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) as well as faecal gas emission, such as ammonia, methane, amine and hydrogen sulphide were lower (P < 0.05) in T2, while the concentration of cortisol and counts of faecal enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were lower (P<0.05) in T1 and T2 compared with the C. Concentration of IgG and count of faecal Lactobacillus spp. were higher (P<0.05) in treatments. Based on these results, bamboo charcoal increased the growth performance, feed efficiency and faecal beneficial microflora composition, but decreased the faecal noxious gas emission in fattening pigs.

The effect of anaerobic fungal inoculation on the fermentation characteristics of rice straw silages

To identify whether the supplement of anaerobic fungi isolates with cellulolytic activities accelerates the silage fermentation.

Effect of Medicinal Plant By-products Supplementation to Total Mixed Ration on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Economic Efficacy in the Late Fattening Period of Hanwoo Steers.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of medicinal plant by-products (MPB) supplementation to a total mixed ration (TMR) on growth, carcass characteristics and economic efficacy in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers. Twenty seven steers (body weight [BW], 573±57 kg) were assigned to 3 treatment groups so that each treatment based on BW contained 9 animals. All groups received ad libitum TMR throughout the feeding trial until slaughter (from 24 to 30 months of age) and treatments were as follows: control, 1,000 g/kg TMR; treatment 1 (T1), 970 g/kg TMR and 30 g/kg MPB; treatment 2 (T2), 950 g/kg TMR and 50 g/kg MPB. Initial and final BW were not different among treatments. Resultant data were analyzed using general linear models of SAS. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were higher (p<0.05) for T1 than control, but there was no difference between control and T2. Plasma albumin showed low-, intermediate- and high-level (p<0.05) for control, T1 and T2, whereas non-esterified fatty acid was high-, intermediate- and high-level (p<0.05) for control, T1 and T2, respectively. Carcass weight, carcass rate, backfat thickness and rib eye muscle area were not affected by MPB supplementation, whereas quality and yield grades were highest (p<0.05) for T1 and T2, respectively. Daily feed costs were decreased by 0.5% and 0.8% and carcass prices were increased by 18.1% and 7.6% for T1 and T2 compared to control, resulting from substituting TMR with 30 and 50 g/kg MPB, respectively. In conclusion, the substituting TMR by 30 g/kg MPB may be a potential feed supplement approach to improve economic efficacy in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers.

Effects of Organic Acids on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics and Methane Emission

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of organic acids on methane emission and ruminal fermentation characteristics. We expected our methodology to result in a decrease of methanogens attached to the surface of rumen ciliate protozoa by addition of organic acids and in particular a decrease in methane emission. A fistulated Holstein cow of 650 kg body weight was used as a donor of rumen fluid. Organic acids (aspartic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, and succinic acid) known to be propionate enhancers were added to an in vitro fermentation system and incubated with rumen fluid. The microbial population, including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, were enumerated, and gas production, including methane and fermentation characteristics, were observed in vitro. Organic acids appeared to affect the rumen protozoan community. The rumen protozoal popuation decreased with the addition of aspartic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, and malic acid. In particular, the methane emission was reduced by addition of lactic acid. The concentration of propionate with all organic acids that were added appeared to be higher than that of the control at 12 h incubation. Addition of organic acids significantly affected rumen bacteria and microbial growth. The bacteria in added fumaric acid and malic acid was significantly higher (p<0.05) and protozoa was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control. Microbial growth with the addition of organic acids was greater than the control after 48 h incubation.

Effects of Medicinal Herb Extracts on In vitro Ruminal Methanogenesis, Microbe Diversity and Fermentation System

This study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of medicinal herb extracts (MHEs) on ruminal fermentation characteristics and the inhibition of protozoa to reduce methane production in the rumen. A fistulated Hanwoo was used as a donor of rumen fluid. The MHEs (T1, Veratrum patulum; T2, Iris ensata var. spontanea; T3, Arisaema ringens; T4, Carduus crispus; T5, Pueraria thunbergiana) were added to the in vitro fermentation bottles containing the rumen fluid and medium. Total volatile fatty acid (tVFA), total gas production, gas profiles, and the ruminal microbe communities were measured. The tVFA concentration was increased or decreased as compared to the control, and there was a significant (p<0.05) difference after 24 h incubation. pH and ruminal disappearance of dry matter did not show significant difference. As the in vitro ruminal fermentation progressed, total gas production in added MHEs was increased, while the methane production was decreased compared to the control. In particular, Arisaema ringens extract led to decrease methane production by more than 43%. In addition, the result of real-time polymerase chain reaction indicted that the protozoa population in all added MHEs decreased more than that of the control. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that MHEs could have properties that decrease ruminal methanogenesis by inhibiting protozoa species and might be promising feed additives for ruminants.

Effects of Halogenated Compounds on in vitro Fermentation Characteristics in the Rumen and Methane Emissions

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of halogenated compounds on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and methane emissions. A fistulated Holstein cow of 650 kg body weight was used as a donor of rumen fluid. Five kinds of halogenated compounds (bromochloromethane (BCM), 2-bromoethane sulfonic acid (BES), 3-bromopropanesulfonic acid (BPS), chloroform (CLF), and pyromellitic diimide (PMDI) known to inhibit methyl-coenzyme M reductase activity were added to an in vitro fermentation incubated with rumen fluid. The microbial population including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi were enumerated, and gas production including methane and fermentation characteristics were observed in vitro. The pH values ranged from 6.25 to 6.72 in all the treatments, and these showed a similar level at 48 hr. The total gas production in the treatments showed a similar pattern with C at 48 hr, whereas methane production in the treatments was lower (p methane emissions by inhibiting methanogens in the rumen. Further studies on safety are needed.

Effect of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate supplementation on lactation performance, blood-biochemical profile, and economic efficacy of mid-lactation Holstein cows

Objective This study was done to evaluate the effect of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) supplementation in a total mixed ration (TMR) on the lactation performance, blood parameters, and economic efficacy of mid-lactation Holstein cows. Methods Twenty-four cows (body weight 647±11.7 kg) were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, with six cows per group. The dietary treatments were as follows: basal diet (CON); CON+17.5 g of top dressed SSL (treatment [TRT] 0.05); CON+35 g of SSL (TRT 0.1); and CON+70 g of SSL (TRT 0.2) per 35 kg TMR. Results The highest level of SSL supplementation (TRT 0.2) significantly improved milk yield during the second period compared to the TRT 0.05 group (5 to 8 wks; 33.28 vs 31.09 kg/d), during the third period compared to both the CON and TRT 0.05 groups (p<0.05) (9 to 13 wks; 32.59 vs 30.64 and 30.01 kg/d) and during the overall experimental period compared to both the CON and TRT 0.05 groups (p<0.05) (1 to 13 wks; 33.43 vs 32.06 and 31.40 kg/d), respectively. No negative effects on hematological or biochemical parameters were observed due to SSL supplementation. Considering both the milk fat and protein content, the total milk price was set at 1,073.60 (TRT 0.05), 1,085.60 (TRT 0.1), 1,086.10 (TRT 0.2), and 1,064.20 (CON) won/L, with consequent total milk profits of −1.7%, 5.4%, and 3.5% for the TRT 0.05, TRT 0.1, and TRT 0.2 diet, respectively, compared to those in the CON diet. Conclusion The milk sales revenue related to SSL supplementation of the TRT 0.1 diet was increased by up to 5.4% compared to the milk sales revenue of the CON diet. Therefore, 0.1% SSL supplementation might be effective and profitable during the mid-lactation period of cows, without producing adverse effects.