Evaluation of corn cob mix in organic finishing pig nutrition

Two consecutive experiments were performed to evaluate corn cob mix (CCM) inclusion in an organic diet. The experiments were performed in an organic barn on nine pens of four pigs (two barrows and two sows) of commercial breeds from 45 kg to slaughter. In the first experiment, an organic concentrate was mixed with organic CCM‐silage to obtain three concentrate:CCM ratios of 1:0, 4:1 and 3:2 (w:w). In the second experiment, three concentrates were produced to obtain diets with equal nutrient levels on a dry matter basis after 0, 200 and 400 g kg^?1 CCM inclusion respectively. In all groups of both experiments, meat and carcass traits were comparable with common practice and differences between treatment groups were not seen. Feed conversion ratio on an as‐fed basis was worse with higher CCM levels in the diet, most likely due to the dilution effect by the lower dry matter content of CCM. In the first experiment, pigs on a higher concentrate:CCM ratio showed a higher feed intake, indicating a compensation for the lower energy density of these diets. In the second experiment, the 400 g kg^?1 CCM group showed a lower daily dry matter intake (p = 0.048) leading to slower growth (p = 0.015). This indicated a bulk effect of the CCM in this case. In conclusion, lean carcasses with good meat quality can be obtained even in situations where up to 400 g kg^?1 organic CCM‐silage is included in a balanced organic pig fattening diet. Moreover, a bulk effect of CCM‐silage can be used in some cases to limit the typically high dry matter intake in outdoor pig fattening, thereby preventing excessive fat accretion. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant activity of fresh and processed edible seaweeds

The antioxidant activity of aqueous/organic extracts of processed and raw edible seaweeds was determined using three methods, namely (a) free radical (DPPH·) scavenging, (b) ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and (c) inhibition of copper‐catalysed in vitro human low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Scavenging activity correlated well (r = 0.73) with the corresponding total polyphenolic content measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu procedure and expressed as phloroglucinol equivalents (PGE). Of the seaweeds tested, Fucus showed the highest antioxidant activity in two of the test methods used (1 g (dry matter) had a DPPH· activity and a FRAP value equivalent to those 0.18 and 0.07 mmol of Trolox respectively) and the highest total polyphenolic content (41.4 gPGEkg^?1 dry matter). The antioxidant activity and the content of phenolic compounds decreased with processing and storage in the seaweeds tested. In addition, Fucus showed good efficiency in the in vitro inhibition of LDL oxidation. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Octenylsuccinylation on Rheological Properties of Corn Starch Pastes

Rheological properties of corn starch octenylsuccinate (OSA starch) pastes (5%, w/w), at different 1‐octenylsuccinic anhydride (OSA) contents (0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%, w/w) were evaluated in steady and dynamic shear. The OSA starch pastes had high shear‐thinning behaviors and their flow behaviors were described by power law, Casson, and Herschel‐Bulkley models. Magnitudes of consistency index (K, K_h) and yield stress (σ_oc, σ_h) increased with the increase in OSA content and the decrease in temperature. Over the temperature range of 10–50°C, the effect of temperature on apparent viscosity (η_a,100) was described by the Arrhenius equation. The activation energy values (E_a = 10.7–13.9 kJ/mol) of OSA starches were lower than that (E_a = 15.9 kJ/mol) of native starch. Dynamic frequency sweep test showed that both storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G′′) of OSA starch pastes increased with the increase in OSA content. Dynamic (η^*) and steady shear (η_a) viscosities of OSA starch pastes at various OSA contents did not follow the Cox‐Merz superposition rule.     

Chemical composition,nutritive value and voluntary intake of tropical tree foliage and cocoyam in pigs

The composition of the leaves of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and of two trees (Trichanthera gigantea and mulberry, Morus alba), their nutritive value in pigs and voluntary intake by pigs were determined. The average protein content ranged from 170 to 240 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM) and that of neutral detergent fibres from 218 to 398 g kg^?1 DM. The leaves are interesting sources of calcium (up to 69 g kg^?1 DM), potassium, iron and manganese. The proteins are well balanced in essential amino acids, with lysine ranging from 43 to 57 g kg^?1 proteins. The apparent faecal digestibility was determined by difference in 35 kg pigs fed a diet containing 35% leaf meal. The digestibility coefficients of DM, N and energy were, respectively, 47–57, 33–36 and 51–53%. The digestible energy value ranged from 1.674 to 2.037 kcal kg^?1 DM. The voluntary intake of Trichanthera and Xanthosoma was measured in sows weighing 100 kg on average. The intake reached 3.4 kg fresh leaves day^?1 (0.51 kg DM) and 1.0–1.1 kg dry leaf meal/day. It is concluded that low energy density is the main limiting factor of tree foliage for pig nutrition but that they are good sources of minerals and well‐balanced proteins. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of using urban compost as manure on soil contents of some nutrients and heavy metals

The effect of adding annual doses of 14 000 kg ha^?1 of urban compost to a soil is compared with the addition of 500 kg ha^?1 of a 15–15–15 compound NPK fertiliser. Two rotation cycles of sorghum/wheat were carried out during the experiment, and the crop yields were not significantly affected by treatments. It is observed that compost added in the proportion used does not cause any statistically significant change in the initial level of available phosphorus in the soil, but causes an increase of the potassium potential. Soil total contents of copper and zinc as well as available levels of both metals show noticeable increases, but other metals are scarcely affected by the addition of compost. The results suggest that larger doses could be an important cause of pollution of the soil with heavy metals.     

Use of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to reduce phytotoxicity and promote humification of pre‐composted olive oil mill wastewater

BACKGROUND: Olive mill wastewaters (OMWW) contain a high recalcitrant organic load and an associated toxicity that make their treatment necessary before environmental application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of promoting the valorization and reducing the phytotoxicity of OMWW through a pre‐composting process together with straw‐chip bulking materials followed by the application of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) in the presence of oat seedlings (Avena sativa L.) seedlings. RESULTS: After 3 months, the pre‐composted material showed properties similar to a partially digested compost with some significant amelioration of chemical–physical and biochemical properties. The application of earthworms permitted a significant decrease in chemical (total organic carbon, water‐extractable organic carbon, total nitrogen) and biological parameters (dehydrogenase enzyme activity), and an increase in humic substances and available nitrogen forms. In the presence of plants a higher C/N ratio and a lower content of nitrates were observed. In addition, the reduction in phenolic compounds observed in treatments with earthworms caused a decrease in phytotoxicity by about 50% with respect to the pre‐composted material, which results in an increase in germination index. CONCLUSION: The utilization of earthworms, in particular in the presence of plants, may be an ecologically sound and economically feasible technology to obtain a non‐toxic, high‐value product useful for agricultural purposes. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

The apparent digestibility of alkali-treated willow (Salix aquatica var. gigantia) when fed to sheep

Dried, ground willow (Salix aquatica) treated with 33 g sodium hydroxide kg^?1 (7.5M solution) was fed to sheep in pelleted diets containing 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 g treated willow kg^?1. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dietary dry matter, organic matter and energy declined linearly with increasing content of treated willow. Extrapolation of these relationships gave estimated apparent digestibility values for treated willow of 0.42 and 0.40 for dry matter (DM) and gross energy respectively. The apparent digestibility of acid-detergent fibre was shown to be 0.36. The metabolisable energy content of the treated willow was calculated to be 5.7 MJ kg^?1 DM. The high copper content (579 mg kg^?1) of the treated willow did not appear to have any deleterious effects on the animals during this short-term experiment as shown by the normal liver copper concentrations in the sheep at the end of the experiment.     

Characteristics of the leaf parts of some traditional Korean salad plants used for food

BACKGROUND: Total phenolics content, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts from leaf parts of 13 Korean traditional salad plants were investigated in order to determine their properties. RESULTS: The highest phenolics content (mg ferulic acid equivalents kg^?1 dry weight (d.w.), omit one) was found in methanol extracts from Polygonum aviculare, at 293.7 ± 6.0, followed by Euonymus alatus, at 250.7 ± 3.3, Saxifraga stolonifera, at 125.0 ± 8.1 and Ligularia fischeri, at 122.5 ± 5.9. The methanol plant extracts dose‐dependently increased free radical scavenging activity. Methanol extracts of Polygonum aviculare, Euonymus alatus and Saxifraga stolonifera, at 31 mg kg^?1, exhibited the highest 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (%) by 90.8 ± 4.2, 85.7 ± 3.9 and 64.1 ± 3.2, respectively. According to 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the methanol extracts from Portulaca oleracea (IC₅₀ < 25.0 µg mL^?1) showed the highest cytotoxicity against Calu‐6, followed by Plantago asiatica (49.2 µg mL^?1) and Osmunda japonica (89.6 µg mL^?1). CONCLUSION: Total phenolics content of the tested plant extracts was correlated with the DPPH radical scavenging activity, suggesting the phenolics compounds are contributing to the antioxidant properties of Korean salad plants. The leaf parts of the 13 Korean traditional salad plants described here that are currently used as foods may also provide some benefit to human health, and research into their potential benefits as preventative and/or therapeutic agents is warranted. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of grape dietary fibre on the storage stability of innovative functional seafood products made from farmed meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

Two groups of farmed meagre (Argyrosomus regius) sausages were studied regarding quality changes and antioxidant capacity during a 98‐day storage experiment at 2 ± 2 °C. Control sausages contained 3.9% (w/w) of inner pea dietary fibre (IPDF) and the other group contained 0.9% (w/w) IPDF plus 3.0% (w/w) of antioxidant grape dietary fibre (AGDF). The control and AGDF meagre sausages presented a high nutritional value, given their low caloric content, fatty acid profile, amino acid composition and high DF content. Both products were remarkably stable over storage time. The AGDF had an effective antioxidant capacity, proven not only by the radical scavenging activity (90.0–91.0% vs. 82.1–85.4%) and reducing power (8.13–9.10 mg ascorbic acid equivalent g^‐1 vs. 4.16–4.24 mg ascorbic acid equivalent g^?1) measurements, but also by the lower thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) values (0.78–1.10 vs. 1.50–2.08 mg malonaldehyde kg^?1) over storage time. AGDF seemed to present antimicrobial effect, since on the 63rd day (beginning of significant microbial growth), the control sausages had more than 3 log CFU g^?1 and AGDF sausages much <3 log CFU g^?1. The sensory assessment pointed to some loss of textural quality, more accentuated in the AGDF sausages.     

Vodka production from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) using three Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates

The efficacy of three strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the production of vodka from potato hydrolysate was evaluated. For each isolate, two treatments were performed: one containing potato hydrolysate (11% w/w of soluble solids) and the other containing potato hydrolysate supplemented with sucrose (17% w/w) in the fermentation medium. The best results were obtained using a baker's yeast in the second treatment, which showed higher substrate‐to‐product conversion (0.47 g ethanol g^?1 total reducing sugars), higher fermentation yield (91.4%) and a higher ethanol content (6.05% v/v). Following fermentation, the medium was clarified using centrifugation, and two successive distillations and filtrations were conducted. The results were examined by referring to the standards for vodka, as established by Brazilian legislation. The ethanol concentration (39.7% v/v) fell within the legally stipulated range, and the levels of copper and furfural remained undetectable. However, the methanol (35.04 mg 100 mL^?1 of anhydrous alcohol) content and the levels of some secondary compounds (148.33 mg 100 mL^?1) were both higher than the guidelines (20 and ≤50 mg 100 mL^?1, respectively). Copyright © 2016 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Effects of potassium alum addition on physicochemical,pasting, thermal and gel texture properties of potato starch

The study investigated the effects of the addition of different concentrations of potassium alum (PA, 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 g 100 g^?1; w/w, on a starch weight basis) on the pasting, thermal, gel texture and other physicochemical properties of potato starch. The addition of PA resulted in a significant increase in solubility and a decrease in swelling power and light transmittance of stored pastes. Differential scanning calorimeter analysis demonstrated an increase in gelatinisation temperatures and gelatinisation enthalpy and a decrease in phase transition temperature range (ΔT_r) with increasing PA concentration. Results of rapid visco‐analysis indicated that addition of PA decreased the peak, trough, breakdown, final and setback viscosities, but increased in peak time. Textural tests showed that the addition of PA retarded gel strength development during refrigerated storage. The high ionic strength and water‐binding capacities of Al³⁺, K⁺ and SO₄^2? point to being the key factors for these observed changes.     

Proximate,mineral, amino acid,fatty acid,vitamin E,phytate phosphate and fibre composition of Mimusops zeyheri (Red Milkwood) seed

Mimusops zeyheri, an indigenous tree widely distributed in sub‐Saharan Africa, provides edible fruit. Research on the tree has focused on fruit pulp composition and uses. This study evaluated the nutritional potential of M. zeyheri seed by determining the proximate, fibre and phytate‐phosphate content, the amino acid and fatty acid profiles and vitamin E content of the seed. Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and ash constituted 91.1%, 88.3%, 9.3%, 25.6% and 2.8% of the seed mass respectively. Glutamic acid (1.29 g per 100 g) was the most abundant amino acid. Lysine and phenylalanine were low. Calcium (587.4 mg per 100 g) was the most concentrated macro‐mineral assayed. Gross energy value was 24.34 MJ kg^?1. Lipid yield was 21.3%. Oleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid. Vitamin E concentration was about 2 μg g^?1. Phytate‐phosphate content was 0.03%. Neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre constituted 33.2% and 15.3% respectively. M. zeyheri seed could be exploited as a dietary energy supplement and an oil source rich in oleic acid.     

Antioxidant,toxicity, and iridoid tests of processed Cornelian cherry fruits

The antioxidant activity, potential toxicity, and iridoid content of processed Cornelian cherry products were assessed. Cornus officinalis L. juice and Cornus mas L. fruit puree possessed antioxidant activity in the 2,2‐diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, reducing power and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays. Both products were non‐genotoxic in reverse mutation tests in Salmonella typhimurium. Both C. officinalis juice and C. mas puree were non‐toxic in acute oral toxicity tests, with respective LD₅₀ values >5100 mg kg^?1 body weight (b.w.) and >5200 mg kg^?1 b.w. The major iridoid identified in C. mas puree was loganic acid, while the major iridoid in C. officinalis juice was found to be morroniside. The presence of iridoids in C. mas is reported for the first time.     

Nutritional value of animal feed grade wheat as replacement for maize in lamb feeding for mutton production

The utilization of abundantly available animal feed grade wheat (AFW) as a replacement for conventional and costly cereal supplement in lamb feeding to lower the cost of mutton production was explored. Thirty‐five growing lambs divided into five equal groups and were fed diets containing 0, 118, 235, 353 or 470 g kg^?1 AFW replacing equal quantity of maize. The diets were fed in the form of composite feed mixture, which had a roughage (Prosopis cineraria leaves) to concentrate ratio of 25:75. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not different in these groups, ranging from 35 to 42 g kg^?1 body weight, while AFW inclusion linearly (P < 0.05) reduced DMI. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and cellulose were not affected by AFW addition, whereas neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre digestibility coefficients were reduced (P < 0.05). The digestible CP content (142.7–162.7 g kg^?1 diet) increased (P < 0.01) linearly with increased AFW inclusion levels. However, AFW additions did not affect metabolizable energy (ME) value of diet (10.2–10.5 MJ kg^?1 diet DM). Digestible CP intake was similar but digestible DM and OM intake tended to decrease (P < 0.05) linearly when expressed in terms of g kg^?1 W^0.75. ME intake (MJ d^?1) was not different among the diets but showed linear (P = 0.041) reducing trends with increasing AFW levels in diet. The efficiency of ME and N utilization for unit gain was also not affected by AFW incorporation. N retained as g d^?1, percentage of intake and percentage of absorbed ranged from 15.4 to 19.5 g, 49.7% to 60.3% and 62.6% to 74.6%, respectively. Intake and utilization of dietary N was not affected but urinary N excretion reduced (P < 0.05) linearly by AFW. Daily microbial N (MN) flow estimated by urinary purine derivative excretion was significantly (P < 0.01) higher for lambs fed a diet with AFW 235 g kg^?1 (3.05 g MN) and 353 g kg^?1 (2.51 g MN) compared to without AFW diet (1.31 g MN). MN when expressed as g kg^?1digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) and microbial protein g kg^?1 digestible organic matter apparently fermented in rumen (DOMR) followed a similar trend. During the growth trial, lambs fed diets containing AFW (353 g kg^?1), which replaced 75% maize had higher total gain (14 kg, P < 0.05) and average daily gain (ADG 154 g, P < 0.05). However, feed efficiency (feed consumed kg^?1 live weight gain) was not different. Rumen pH and microbial enzyme activities studied 4 h post feeding revealed that AFW did not affect rumen pH, which ranged from 5.95 to 6.30. Similarly, carboxymethyl cellulase and β‐xylosidase enzyme activities were not different among treatments, but AFW inclusion linearly (P = 003) increased carboxymethyl cellulase enzyme activities. The α‐amylase enzyme activity differed significantly (P < 0.05) and was highest (22.6 IU) in groups where AFW replaced maize completely. It was concluded that, in lambs reared under intensive system for mutton production on high concentrate diets, conventional and costly energy supplements like maize can be replaced up to 75% with a low‐cost animal feed grade wheat to economize on cost of production. However, more studies are required to confirm these inclusion levels for greater economic returns. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Original article: Characterisation of water species revealed in the drying operation of Todarodes pacificus Steenstrup using water proton NMR analysis

For the discrimination of water molecules during the squid‐drying process, the water distribution was characterised by water proton NMR and moisture diffusivity (De) analysis methods as a function of the water content (W₀). The proton NMR spectrum showed three peaks indicating three different species (species‐A, ‐B, and ‐C) distributed in the squid muscle, each of which had a characteristic behaviour of the relaxation time (T₂) as a function of the W₀. The 1/T₂ of species‐A was drastically varied at W₀ = 120%‐d.b., indicating two further categories, i.e., species‐A₁ and ‐A₂. Species‐A₁ is available at W₀ > 120%‐d.b. and was characterised as having De = 5.1 × 10^?10 m² s^?1, activation energy of moisture diffusivity (E_D) = 17 kJ mol^?1, and relaxation rate 1/T₂ = 74 s^?1, as evaluated by the proton NMR spectrum without depending on W₀. Species‐A₂ is available at W₀ < 120%‐d.b., indicating a distribution of De = 4.8 × 10^?10–1.7 × 10^?10 m² s^?1, E_D = 25–35 kJ mol^?1 and 1/T₂ = 1.8 × 10³–1.5 × 10² s^?1 with increasing W₀. Species‐A₁ and ‐A₂ were assigned as weakly restricted water and strongly restricted water, respectively.     

Effects of different inorganic salts and organic nutrient components on the growth of Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) mycelium on solid medium

The influence of 11 inorganic salts and various organic nutrients on the mycelial growth of Lentinula edodes (Berk) Pegler (Shiitake) on solid medium was studied. All of these inorganic salts exerted concentration‐dependent inhibitory effects. Nitrite caused the strongest inhibition: 8 mM nitrite inhibited the growth completely. The inhibitory effect of nitrite could be reduced by the addition of ascorbic acid or a black tea extract. The effects of the addition of the different organic nutrients were investigated in order to optimize the composition of the culture medium. The medium containing malt extract (15 g l^?1), starch (3 g l^?1) and oak wood chips (20 g l^?1) proved best for mycelial growth. Growth was not promoted by components with a high organic nitrogen content. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of supplementing compost with grapeseed meal on Agaricus bisporus production

BACKGROUND: This work assesses the agronomic performance of grapeseed meal, before and after oil extraction, in nutritional compost supplement when growing the mushroom species Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. The effect of formaldehyde treatment before using this compost is also considered. Materials were applied at different doses at spawning. Along with non‐supplemented compost, three commercial nutritional supplements were used as controls. RESULTS: In general terms, grapeseed meal performance was similar to that of commercial delayed‐release nutrients, but improved the non‐supplemented compost response. We highlight that grapeseed enhances performance as larger yields of harvested mushrooms were obtained with greater dry weight content; however, their protein content was lower. The best performance was displayed by fresh formaldehyde‐treated grapeseed (6000 ppm) when applied to the 10 g kg^?1 compost dose. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that grapeseed meal offers a great potential to be applied on a commercial scale. The addition of grapeseed resulted in an enhanced performance as shown by the higher number of harvested mushrooms. The use of grapeseed meal (extracted or non‐extracted), a low‐cost ingredient with high levels of carbohydrates, may suppose an economic profit on the basis of the positive effect of adding carbon in the mushroom cultivation. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical and functional properties of ten cultivars of seem (Lablab purpureus L.), an underexploited bean in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: Increasing global protein consumption has led to the demand for new sources of food protein, particularly plant sources. Many inexpensive but protein‐rich bean cultivars have not been well evaluated and are thus underutilised. In this study the physicochemical and functional properties of seeds of ten seem cultivars were assessed. RESULTS: In agreement with their sizes, seeds of Airet had the highest 1000‐seed weight and volume, while those of Bari had the lowest. In terms of proximate composition (g kg^?1), protein content ranged from 240.08 (Ashina) to 292.63 (Puti), fat content from 31.47 (Goalgadda) to 38.40 (Puti), ash content from 32.80 (Puli) to 45.53 (Goalgadda) and fibre content from 21.90 (Tatulia) to 28.90 (Noldog). Hydration (g kg^?1) and swelling (mL L^?1) capacities ranged from 1688.60 and 1850.43 (Goalgadda) to 1999.40 and 2208.66 (Rupbhan) respectively. Similarly, cooking time (min) varied from 114 (Rupbhan) to 179 (Goalgadda). Lowest gelation concentration was in the range 80–100 g kg^?1. Water and fat absorption capacities (g kg^?1) ranged from 941.00 and 644.44 (Ashina) to 1043.33 and 749.26 (Puti) respectively. Foaming capacity and stability (mL L^?1) ranged from 443 (Puli) to 635 (Puti) and from 314 (Ashina) to 643 (Rupbhan) respectively. CONCLUSION: Seeds of seem cultivars appear to be a promising food in terms of their protein content and functionality. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Feeding value,in vitro digestibility and in vitro gas production of different by‐products for ruminant nutrition

Nine by‐products used in animal nutrition were examined for their nutritive value by determining the chemical composition (crude protein, crude fat (ether extract), neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, lignin), in vitro organic matter digestibility and rumen fermentation kinetics (from gas production curves measured in vitro). The by‐products studied were giant pumpkin, red pepper, stem broccoli, brewer's grain, fresh artichoke, scalded artichoke, lemon peel, orange peel and melon. The nutritive value was very variable, depending on the by‐product and on the process applied to the material during industrial processing. In vitro gas production was measured for 500 mg dry matter in quadruplicate at 39 °C after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h of incubation and fitted to single‐pool exponential equations. The fermentation kinetics indicated that brewer's grain was the only by‐product which fitted well with the p = a + b(1 ? e^?ct) equation model; all other by‐products had a very fast degradation rate and their gas production fitted the equation p = b(1 ? e^?c(t?L)), because in the other exponential model a was negative. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potential nutritive value and tannin bioassay of selected Acacia species from Kenya

Six Acacia forage species–A. brevispica, A. elatior, A. mellifera, A. nilotica, A. senegal and A. seyal—were analysed for their chemical composition, including phenolics and rumen fermentation characteristics. In vitro gas production technique was used to study the rumen fermentation characteristics and the effect of tannins present in the browse forages on in vitro fermentation by including polyethylene glycol (PEG‐6000) in the incubation. The forages had high crude protein content (145.7–270.1 g kg^?1 DM) and low to moderate content of neutral detergent fibre (220.2–442.8 g kg^?1 DM). The forages had variable content of total extractable phenolics ranging from 18.4 to 384.2 g kg^?1 DM and total extractable tannins ranging from 7.1 to 364.8 g kg^?1 DM (tannic acid equivalent). Fractionation of the condensed tannin flavonoids showed that the delphinidin/cyanidin ratio ranged from not detected:100 to 71:29. The gas production potential ranged from 28.4 to 40.8 mL gas 0.2 g^?1 DM. The rate of gas production was highest in A. elatior and lowest in A. nilotica. Addition of PEG‐6000 increased gas production significantly (P < 0.05) in all species except A. mellifera. PEG‐6000 addition did not have any significant effect on in vitro true dry matter and organic matter degradability but decreased the partitioning factor in all the species. Gas production and degradability parameters correlated positively with the CP content and negatively with the fibre and phenolics contents. Based on chemical composition, gas production and degradability, the forages have high potential nutritive value, especially as supplements to low‐quality feeds in the tropics and particularly during the dry season. However, the presence of tannins in terms of high levels and biological antinutritive activity may limit the nutritive potential of some of the forages, such as A. seyal and A. nilotica. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry