51 research outputs found
ANIMAL NUTRITION: NEW STRATEGIES FOR NUTRITIONAL OPTIMIZATION
No full textThis dissertation focuses on the impact of nutrition to modulate and optimize milk production, blood metabolites and liver metabolism. Specifically, the main aim was to elucidate the effects of rumen protected choline (RPC) supplementation to lactating dairy cows on production, metabolic health and hepatic gene expression, for which two different studies were performed.
The first study, a meta-analysis of the effect of RPC supplementation on milk yield (MY), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) in lactating dairy cows was performed in order to obtain an overall view of the effect of rumen protected choline. Rumen protected choline supplementation has been reported to have a positive effect on milk yield and metabolic health in lactating dairy cows. In light of this, a meta-analysis has been performed in order to elucidate the effect of choline chloride supplemented as RPC on both milk yield and selected blood metabolites. For this purpose, 21 peer-reviewed articles published from 1985 to 2016 were selected. This systematic review was carried out to evaluate the effects of RPC supplementation on MY, NEFA, and BHBA. Results obtained showed positive effects of RPC supplementation on MY in lactating dairy cows. The studies selected for this meta- analysis supplemented choline chloride in a range from 6.25 to 50g/d and milk production increase averaged 2.14±1.86 kg/d. Meta-regression on the dose- response relationship between dietary RPC and MY was significant. When NEFA and BHBA were evaluated, no overall effect was detected. Moderator analysis revealed that all outcomes, MY, NEFA and BHBA, were not significantly affected by the mode of choline supplementation (blended vs. topdressed).
In the second study, the mechanism beyond the metabolic changes due to RPC was investigated, with emphasis on hepatic gluconeogenesis, lipid oxidation and transport that occur during the transition period; particularly, the interaction of RPC and dietary energy concentration was tested and the expression of selected hepatic genes was analyzed. Hepatic gluconeogenic and oxidation genes were studied during the transition from late pregnancy to early lactation dependent upon RPC supplementation during the periparturient period, and prepartum energy intake. Controlling prepartum energy intake or supplementing RPC during the periparturient period, are two strategies to optimize hepatic metabolic function. At -48 days relative to calving (DRTC), multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to either a controlled (1.40 Mcal of NEL/kg DM; CE) or high (1.63 Mcal NEL/kg DM; HE) energy prepartum diet with or without RPC (top-dressed daily from -21 to +21 DRTC). Postpartum diets only differed in addition vs absence of RPC. Liver tissue biopsy samples were collected at -14, +7, +14, and +21 DRTC for RNA isolation and cDNA generation (n=16/treatment). Six genes involved in gluconeogenesis, lipid oxidation and lipid transportation were selected. Results obtained indicate that an increase in the expression of pyruvate carboxylase mRNA was reduced in cows receiving RPC after calving, which suggests that RPC had improved energy status and carbohydrate metabolism in the liver and reduced the need for pyruvate carboxylase. RPC supplementation decreased PCK1 in HE+RPC probably due to higher oxidation of increased circulating NEFA that translated to increased oxidative capacity of the TCA cycle. Moreover, this change can help to maintain the oxaloacetate pool. No effect of RPC supplementation was observed with regard to CPT1A, which is involved in fatty acid transportation. On the other hand, PPARA and MTTP were affected by RPC treatment, indicating that RPC supplementation may have modulated FA transport and oxidation.
In light of the two studies performed, RPC can improve milk production through lactation. Additionally, RPC supplementation may support and increase hepatic oxidative capacity
Innovations for Reducing Methane Emissions in Livestock toward a Sustainable System: Analysis of Feed Additive Patents in Ruminants
No full textSimple Summary The mitigation of the environmental impact of animal production is a global objective, and innovation can provide new strategies and technologies to support the transition toward a more sustainable livestock system. Using patent data analysis to identify innovation dynamics, we explored the sector of feed additives to reduce methane emissions in ruminants. We found that this innovation sector is recent and rapidly expanding, with the European Union representing the center of innovation. The most promising inventions are related to the use of beneficial microorganisms (probiotics) and plant-based extracts. An important challenge for livestock systems is the mitigation of environmental impacts while ensuring food security, and feed additives are considered as one of the most promising mitigation strategies. This study analyzed the innovation landscape of feed additives to reduce methane emissions in ruminants. The analysis is based on patent data to evaluate the development, scientific importance, and market-level impact of the innovations in this field. The results reveal that the EU is on the innovation frontier, with substantial and quality patent production. The innovation field is dominated by private players, characterized by high specificity in the R&D pipeline. Additives derived from plant or botanical extracts, together with 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), represent the emerging innovations, indicating a clear orientation toward more sustainable livestock systems. Despite the regulatory and semantic limitations related to the use of patent databases, data reveal a growing innovation activity at global level, which could lead to macroeconomic benefits for the entire livestock sector
Ex alimenti : innovazione e sostenibilità nel settore agroalimentare
No full textThe global population growth and the high pressures on natural resources is expected to increase in the coming decades, due to a growing demand and production of food and, consequently, of feed. To meet this global demand, feed researchers and producers are currently focus on securing sustainable energy and protein supply for feeding animals. In this respect, the valorisation of Former Food Products (FFP) into high quality animal feed represents an active and promising area of feed research. The use of FFPs in animal feed provides feed industries with alternative ingredients to cereals, making an important contribution in term of resource efficiency
Former food products safety: stereomicroscopy and computer vision for evaluation of packaging remnants contamination
No full textValorisation of former foodstuffs products (FFP) as feed ingredients is part of a long-term strategy for sustainability. Processing methods to convert FFP in to feed ingredients do not usually include packaging materials pre-removal. Feed processors routinely remove the packaging from surplus food mechanically. Although, the treatment in the plant removes most of the packaging, small amounts of wrapping materials can remain in the resulting feed. In this respect, the aim of this study was to investigate the safety features of selected FFP intended for animal nutrition produced from different confectionery products.In six FFP samples, both mash and pelleted, the presence of undesired ingredients which can be identified as remnants of packaging materials has been evaluated by two different methods. The first analysis has been done by stereomicroscopy, according to published methods, based on separation of every particle that is not native to the matrix by bare eye examination. In the second one, stereomicroscopy coupled with a computer vision system (IRIS Visual Analyzer VA400), has been tested in order to evaluate the presence/absence of packaging remnants in feed materials. Results obtained have been presented as percentage of packaging material in feed, expressed as w/w in the case of the stereomicroscopic method and as a colour spectrum representing the proportion of each colour on the FFP surface, within a fixed scale of 4096 colours, in the case of computer vision system (CVS). The visual pattern recorded for each sample with CVS was processed using Statistical Quality Control (SQC) model. The stereomicroscopy approach revealed that the contamination level was below to 0.08% (w/w), within the tolerance level established by BMELV. Of note, the packaging remnants were observed mainly from the 1-millimeter sieve mesh fractions. Computer vision system, through the SQC model, revealed the possibility to rapidly detect the presence of packaging remnants in FFPs when combined with stereo-microscope. Concluding, even though the validated method (RIKILT) remain the most assured for detection and quantification of packaging materials in FFPs, it results laborious and ineffective regarding the smallest packaging remnants. In comparison, the use of CVS coupled with stereomicroscopy has shown a big potential in a rapid qualitative analysis also in low contaminated ex-food and could be considered effective in defining further analysis or investigations in FFP
Physical characteristics of feed collected from Italy and Serbia
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the physical quality of a selected lot of twenty animal feed samples collected in Italy and Serbia. Granulation of cattle and pig feed was finer in Italian than in Serbian samples. Flowability of samples from both countries in mash form were rated from fair to good (angle of repose >30°) while granulated samples (pellets and extrudates) had improved flowability (angle of repose 10 kg) than pelleted products (<8 kg). Durability of most of the extruded and pelleted products was higher than 95%. Generally, it was observed that most of the physical characteristics of the samples responded to recommendations, which showed that the similar practices are in use in both countries
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