Effect of alkaline and sonication pretreatments on the rumen degradability of date palm seeds.

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of chemical treatment and sonication (ultrasound) processing on the fiber composition and rumen degradability of date palm seeds (DPS). In the first trial, the effects of incubation or sonication in 4% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on DPS fiber content and ruminal degradability were evaluated. Relative to untreated seeds, the ruminal degradability of DPS neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and organic matter (OM) increased (P < 0.05) for the treated seeds and were highest (P < 0.05) for the sonicated seeds. Relative to untreated seeds, the hemicellulose and lignin content were lower (P < 0.05) for the sonicated seeds, while the cellulose content was higher (P < 0.05) for the incubated seeds. In the second trial, the effects of subjecting DPS to different sonication times (5, 10, 20, and 30 min) were evaluated. The degradability of seeds' NDF and OM were greater (P < 0.05) for the sonicated than unsonicated seeds. The highest NDF degradability was seen after 30 min sonication, whereas the OM degradability was not affected by sonication time (P > 0.05). In the third trial, the effects of subjecting DPS to sonication in different NaOH solutions (1%, 2%, 4% NaOH) were evaluated. Relative to untreated seeds, the rumen degradability of seeds' NDF and OM increased with all NaOH concentrations but was highest (P < 0.05) with the 4% NaOH. In conclusion, our results showed that treating DPS with 4% NaOH increased the seeds' ruminal degradability, and subjecting DPS to sonication further improved their degradability in the rumen.

Effects of Natural Antioxidants on The Stability of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dog Food.

INTRODUCTION: The efficiency of five natural antioxidants (curcumin, cranberry, pomegranate, grape seed extract (GSE), and açai berry) in reducing lipid oxidation in dog food was compared to that of the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In two different experiments content parameters were measured after 12 days of storage at 55°C. In experiment one, the natural antioxidants were added at 0.2% and BHA at 0.02% of the food (DM basis), and samples were analysed for thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). In experiment two, the effects of GSE and curcumin at two admixture proportions (0.1% and 0.2% of food DM) on omega-3 fatty acid (FA) content were evaluated. RESULTS: TBARS values were lower than the control (P < 0.01) for curcumin, cranberry, pomegranate, and GSE but not for the açai berry (P > 0.05). By day 12, although there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the two curcumin treatments, they preserved higher concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (P < 0.05) than the BHA and control treatments. The addition of GSE or BHA to dog food held (P < 0.05) the concentrations of EPA higher than the control. The concentrations of EPA and DHA for the 0.2% GSE treatment were greater (P < 0.05) than the 0.1% GSE treatment. Grape seed extract at 0.2% lost less (P < 0.05) EPA concentration than BHA. CONCLUSION: The present results showed that, except for açai berry, the tested natural antioxidants could be used as a substitute for BHA in dog food.

Effect of substituting fresh-cut perennial ryegrass with fresh-cut white clover on bovine milk fatty acid profile.

BACKGROUND: Including forage legumes in dairy systems can help address increasing environmental/economic concerns about perennial ryegrass monoculture pastures. This work investigated the effect of substituting fresh-cut grass with increasing quantities of fresh-cut white clover (WC) on milk fatty acid (FA) profile and transfer efficiency of dietary linoleic (LA) and α-linolenic (ALNA) acids to milk fat. Three groups of three crossbred dairy cows were used in a 3 × 3 crossover design. Dietary treatments were 0 g kg-1 WC + 600 g kg-1 grass, 200 g kg-1 WC + 400 g kg-1 grass, and 400 g kg-1 WC + 200 g kg-1 grass. All treatments were supplemented with 400 g kg-1 concentrates on a dry matter basis. Cows had a 19-day adaptation period to the experimental diet before a 6-day measurement period in individual tie stalls. RESULTS: Increasing dietary WC did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield or milk concentrations of fat, protein or lactose. Milk polyunsaturated FA concentrations (total n-3, total n-6, LA and ALNA) and transfer efficiency of LA and ALNA were increased with increasing dietary WC supply. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of WC in pastures may increase concentrations of nutritionally beneficial FA, without influencing milk yield and basic composition, but any implications on human health cannot be drawn. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by JohnWiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.