Effects of distillers' dried grains with solubles and soybean oil on dietary lipid, fiber, and amino acid digestibility in corn-based diets fed to growing pigs.

The use of corn coproducts increases the concentration of fiber and, often, the use of supplemental lipids in swine diets, which may affect energy and nutrient digestibility. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of reduced-oil distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and soybean oil (SBO) on dietary AA, acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE), and NDF digestibility in corn-based diets fed to growing pigs. Eighteen growing pigs (33.8 ± 2.2 kg BW) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allocated to 1 of 6 dietary treatment groups in a 3-period incomplete Latin square design, with 9 observations per treatment. Six dietary treatments were obtained by adding 0, 20, and 40% DDGS to corn-casein diets formulated with 2 and 6% SBO. Ileal digesta and fecal samples were collected and the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of AEE and NDF and the AID of AA were determined. Apparent values were corrected for endogenous losses of lipids, and true ileal (TID) and true total tract digestibility (TTTD) values of lipids were calculated. Results showed that the AID of Lys decreased ( < 0.001) with the inclusion of DDGS but was not affected ( = 0.63) by the inclusion of SBO. An interaction between DDGS and SBO on the AID ( = 0.002) and ATTD ( = 0.009) of NDF was observed, where the AID and ATTD of NDF decreased with DDGS at 6% SBO but no effect was observed at 2% SBO. The AID of NDF increased with SBO at 0% DDGS, but no effect was observed at 20 or 40% DDGS. An interaction between DDGS and SBO on the AID ( = 0.011) and ATTD ( = 0.008) of AEE was observed, where the AID and ATTD of AEE increased with SBO. The AID and ATTD of AEE increased with DDGS at 2% SBO, but no effect was observed at 6% SBO. Correction by ileal and fecal endogenous loss of AEE (9.5 and 13.6 g/kg of DMI, respectively) showed that increasing dietary AEE had no effect on the TID and TTD of AEE ( > 0.05). In conclusion, the AID of Lys decreased with DDGS and was not affected by lipids from SBO. The greatest AID and ATTD of NDF was observed in diets with a high AEE and low NDF content. Low values of apparent digestibility of AEE in lower-lipid diets are possibly the result of endogenous losses of lipids, because the true digestibility of AEE was not affected by the dietary increase of AEE.

Quantitative relationships between standardized total tract digestible phosphorus and total calcium intakes and their retention and excretion in growing pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets.

An experiment was conducted to determine the quantitative relationships between standardized total tract digestible P (STTD P) and total Ca intakes with their retention and excretion by growing pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets. Forty-eight crossbred barrows (BW = 22.7 ± 2.9 kg) were allotted to 1 of 8 diets, housed individually in pens for 3 wk, and then moved to metabolism crates and allowed 4 d for adaptation and 5 d for collection of urine and fecal samples. Eight corn-soybean meal diets were formulated for similar NE, fat, and AA concentrations but to increase the STTD P from 0.16 to 0.62% using monocalcium phosphate. Dietary treatments were formulated for a constant Ca:STTD P ratio (2.2:1). The STTD P intake increased (P < 0.001) from 64 to 242% of the daily requirement (4.59 g/d of STTD P). Fecal and total excretion of P and Ca were linearly associated with mineral intake (P < 0.001). Constant urinary P excretion of 0.03 g/d P was observed, but at 4.96 g/d of STTD P intake, the urinary P excretion increased (P < 0.001). In contrast, Ca excretion in urine decreased (P < 0.001) with Ca intake, but constant excretion of 0.40 g/d Ca was reached at 17.97 g/d of Ca intake. The daily intakes of STTD P and Ca moderately explained the variation in urinary excretion of P (R2= 0.41) and Ca (R2= 0.64). The absorption and retention of P increased linearly (P< 0.001) with dietary P intake, whereas absorption and retention of Ca showed a quadratic response (P < 0.001). Absorption and retention of P and Ca were highly predictable from the STTD P and Ca intakes, with of 0.87 and 0.90, respectively. The femur mineral content (FMC) increased by 2.71 g with STTD P intake (P < 0.001) but reached a plateau (29.54 g of FMC) at 8.84 g/d of STTD P intake. The FMC was highly predictable from the STTD P intake (R2 = 0.89). The FMC affected the urinary P excretion ( P< 0.01), but moderately (R2= 0.19) explained the variation in urinary P. In conclusion, constant excretion of P in urine was observed but excretion increased linearly at STTD P intake levels above the requirement for maximum growth of growing pigs. The FMC increased with STTD P intake, but a plateau was reached at a STTD P intake level above the requirement. Dietary STTD P was used for growth and accumulated in bones until a plateau was reached and excess was excreted in urine. The predictability of P and Ca excretion in urine from the dietary STTD P and Ca intakes was moderate.

Effects of in utero heat stress on postnatal body composition in pigs: I. Growing phase.

Environmentally induced heat stress (HS) negatively influences production variables in agriculturally important species. However, the extent to which HS experienced in utero affects nutrient partitioning during the rapid lean tissue accretion phase of postnatal growth is unknown. Study objectives were to compare future whole-body tissue accretion rates in pigs exposed to differing in utero and postnatal thermal environments when lean tissue deposition is likely maximized. Pregnant sows were exposed to thermoneutral (TN; cyclical 15°C nighttime and 22°C daytime; n = 9) or HS (cyclical 27°C nighttime and 37°C daytime; n = 12) conditions during their entire gestation. Twenty-four offspring from in utero TN (IUTN; n = 6 gilts and 6 barrows; 30.8 ± 0.2 kg BW) and in utero HS (IUHS; n = 6 gilts and 6 barrows; 30.3 ± 0.2 kg BW) were euthanized as an initial slaughter group (ISG). Following the ISG, 48 pigs from IUTN (n = 12 gilts and 12 barrows; 34.1 ± 0.5 kg BW) and IUHS (n = 12 gilts and 12 barrows; 33.3 ± 0.3 kg BW) were exposed to constant HS (34.1 ± 2.4°C) or TN (21.5 ± 2.0°C) conditions until they reached 61.5 ± 0.8 kg BW, at which point they were sacrificed and their whole-body composition was determined. Homogenized carcasses were analyzed for N, crude fat, ash, water, and GE content. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.3. Rectal temperature and respiration rate increased (P < 0.01) during postnatal HS compared to TN (39.4 vs. 39.0°C and 94 vs. 49 breaths per minute, respectively). Regardless of in utero environment, postnatal HS reduced (P < 0.01) feed intake (2.06 vs. 2.37 kg/d) and ADG (0.86 vs. 0.98 kg/d) compared to TN conditions. Postnatal HS did not alter water, protein, and ash accretion rates but reduced lipid accretion rates (198 vs. 232 g/d; P < 0.04) compared to TN-reared pigs. In utero environment had no effect on future tissue deposition rates; however, IUHS pigs from the ISG had reduced liver weight (P < 0.04; 17.9%) compared to IUTN controls. In summary, postnatal HS reduced adipose tissue accretion rates, but IUHS did not appear to impact either lean or adipose tissue accretion during this specific growth phase.

Relationships among dietary fiber components and the digestibility of energy, dietary fiber, and amino acids and energy content of nine corn coproducts fed to growing pigs.

An experiment was conducted to determine a best fitting dietary fiber (DF) component to estimate the effect of DF concentration on the digestibility of energy, DF, and AA and energy value of 9 corn coproducts: corn bran (37.0% total nonstarch polysaccharides [NSP]); corn bran with solubles (17.1% NSP); cooked corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS; 20.4% NSP); reduced oil DDGS (25.0% NSP); uncooked DDGS (22.0% NSP); high protein distillers dried grains (21.9% NSP); dehulled, degermed corn (1.1% NSP); corn germ meal (44.4% NSP); and corn gluten meal (4.9% NSP). A total of 20 growing pigs (initial BW: 25.9 ± 2.5 kg) were fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to 10 dietary treatment groups in a 4-period incomplete block design with 8 observations per treatment. Treatments included a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet and 9 diets obtained by mixing 70% of the basal diet with 30% of the test ingredient. In tested ingredients, 11 DF components were determined: 1) ADF, 2) NDF, 3) total dietary fiber, 4) hemicellulose, 5) total NSP, 6) NSP arabinose, 7) NSP xylose, 8) NSP mannose, 9) NSP glucose, 10) NSP galactose, and 11) arabinoxylan. The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE, DM, and NDF and the AID of AA of ingredients were measured. A single best fitting DF component was assessed and ranked for each trait, showing that arabinoxylan concentration best explained variance in AID of GE (R(2) = 0.65; cubic, P < 0.01) and DM (R(2) = 0.67; cubic, P < 0.01). The NSP xylose residue best explained variance in ATTD of GE (R(2) = 0.80; cubic, P < 0.01), DM (R(2) = 0.78; cubic, P < 0.01), and NDF (R(2) = 0.63; cubic, P < 0.01); AID of Met (R(2) = 0.40; cubic, P = 0.02), Met + Cys (R(2) = 0.44; cubic, P = 0.04), and Trp (R(2) = 0.11; cubic, P = 0.04); and DE (R(2) = 0.66; linear, P = 0.02) and ME (R(2) = 0.71; cubic, P = 0.01) values. The AID of Lys was not predictable (P > 0.05) from the DF concentration. In conclusion, the arabinoxylan and NSP xylose residue were the DF components that best explained variation due to DF concentration and, with the exception of AID of Lys, can be used to predict the digestibility of energy and DF and the DE and ME values in corn coproducts.

Effect of insoluble-low fermentable fiber from corn-ethanol distillation origin on energy, fiber, and amino acid digestibility, hindgut degradability of fiber, and growth performance of pigs.

Extensive use of corn coproducts in swine diets increases the concentration of dietary fiber, raising concerns on energy and nutrient digestibility and, ultimately, pig performance. A digestion trial was conducted to determine the effect of increasing levels of insoluble-low fermentable fiber from corn in the diet, using corn bran with solubles (CBS) from the corn-ethanol distillation industry, on digestibility of energy, fiber, and AA, and hindgut fermentation of fiber in diets fed to growing pigs. Fifteen growing pigs (BW=28.7 kg) arranged in a 3-period incomplete block design and fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum were provided 5 diets (n=9) containing either a corn-casein basal or the basal diet with 10, 20, 30, or 40% CBS. Fecal and ileal digesta samples were collected. Two subsequent 28-d growth trials determined the effects of increasing dietary fiber from CBS in 2 sets of 7 diets formulated either with declining (growing phase: 2,387 to 2,133 kcal NE/kg; finishing phase: 2,499 to 2,209 kcal NE/kg) or constant dietary NE (growing phase≈2,390 kcal NE/kg; finishing phase≈2,500 kcal NE/kg) on growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy in 70 growing (BW=48.9 kg; n=10 per diet) and 70 finishing (BW=102.0 kg; n=10) pigs. Results indicated that increasing fiber from corn lowered (P<0.01) the apparent ileal digestibility of all indispensable amino acids except Arg, GE, DM, and CP but not NDF or total dietary fiber (TDF). Increased fiber from corn also reduced ATTD of GE, DM, CP, NDF, and TDF (P<0.01). Increasing fiber with declining diet NE lowered BW, ADG, and G:F (P<0.05) in growing and in finishing pigs. When NE was held constant, as fiber increased, BW and ADG were unaffected in growing and finishing pigs, and G:F was unaffected in finishing pigs but improved in growing pigs (P<0.05) with increasing dietary fiber. In both growing and finishing pigs, ADFI was unaffected by the increased fiber from corn, regardless of the NE content of diets. In conclusion, the dietary level of insoluble-low fermentable dietary fiber from corn origin decreased the digestibility of dietary AA, and the ability of the growing pig to ferment corn dietary fiber. In spite of the reduction in digestibility of energy and nutrients with insoluble-low fermentable fiber level from corn, growth performance was not impaired when the energy supply is adequately balanced in the diet using the NE system.

Functional properties of some New Zealand fruit extracts towards selected probiotic and pathogenic bacteria.

The functional properties of aqueous extracts of four fruits commonly consumed in New Zealand, namely blueberry, strawberry, green kiwifruit and feijoa, towards the growth of probiotic and pathogenic bacteria were investigated in this study. A concentration range of 0.1-30.0 g/l was evaluated in a high-throughput assay to determine their effects. In general, the four fruit extracts exerted growth-stimulating effects on the probiotic bacteria, except with Bifidobacterium longum, whereas they were found to inhibit all pathogens tested. Feijoa extract inhibited Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus even at the lowest concentrations tested. Selected combinations of extracts (blueberry/feijoa and strawberry/kiwifruit) exerted effects that were less than additive compared to the individual extracts. These results are relevant for potential application of fruit extracts not only as functional ingredients in food but also for controlling growth of pathogens and for propagation of probiotic bacteria during food production and storage.

Covered stents are better than uncovered stents for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an accepted interventional technique to treat refractory ascites in cirrhotic patients with severe portal hypertension. The expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) covered stent-graft (cs-TIPS) gives a better shunt patency rate than uncovered stents (ncs-TIPS). Our aim was to retrospectively evaluate whether cs-TIPS indeed improves refractory ascites and overall survival in a more effective way than ncs-TIPS in patients with cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 2006, 222 cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites underwent a TIPS-procedure. In 126 patients a ncs-TIPS was inserted, in the remaining 96 patients a csTIPS was inserted. Liver transplantation and/or death were the end points of the follow-up. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of both groups were similar: age (55 +/- 11 years, ncs-TIPS/56 +/- 10 years, cs-TIPS), alcoholic cirrhosis (73% ncs-TIPS/80% cs-TIPS), Child-Pugh (9 +/- 2.0 ncs-TIPS/9.2 +/- 1.3 cs-TIPS) and MELD (15 +/- 6 ncs-TIPS/15 +/- 4.9 cs-TIPS), except that the bilirubin level was higher in the cs-TIPS group (2.5 +/- 2.7 mg/dL in cs-TIPS vs. 1.5 +/- 3.6 mg/dL in ncs-TIPS). One year shunt dysfunction occurred in 49% (n=63) of the ncs-TIPS vs. 19% (n = 18) of the cs-TIPS (P < 0.0001) and post TIPS encephalopathy in 56% (n=70) of the ncs-TIPS vs. 22% (n = 22) in the cs-TIPS group. Ascites control and overall survival were better in the cs-TIPS (P = 0.0071). The gain in survival in the cs-TIPS patients occurred especially in patients with a baseline MELD score <16 (P < 0.0001). Post TIPS encephalopathy and ncs-TIPS were independently related with poor survival (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0150; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites cs-TIPS offers better symptomatic control of the ascites at one year follow-up and a better overall survival, especially in patients with a MELD score of <16 at baseline.

The cause of "acid-crash" and "acidogenic fermentations" during the batch acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE-) fermentation process.

Experiments were performed to determine the cause of "acid crash", a phenomenon which occasionally occurs in pH-uncontrolled batch fermentations resulting in premature cessation of ABE (acetone butanol) production. The results indicate that "acid crash" occurs when the concentration of undissociated acids in the broth exceeds 57 - 60 mmol/l. Prevention can be achieved by introducing some limited pH control to minimize the concentration of undissociated acids or by slowing the metabolic rate, and thus the rate of acid production, by, for example, lowering the fermentation temperature. "Acidogenic fermentations", which occur when batch fermentations are performed at pH values close to neutrality, are due to rapid production of acids followed by inhibition of solventogenesis when the total acid concentration reaches 240 - 250 mmol/l. Solventogenesis can be achieved at these pH values by lowering the glucose uptake rate / acid production rate by use of e.g. elevated glucose or lowered yeast extract concentrations in the growth medium.

Biotechnological developments in New Zealand.

Biotechnology has a long history in New Zealand, and there have been some innovations that are unique to the country. This article describes some developments that illustrate this point and gives some examples of current research projects that typify the strengths and interests of the biotechnology community. Examples are taken from the food industry, agriculture, forestry, production of industrial chemicals, and the treatment of hazardous chemicals.

Role of Chemotaxis in Solvent Production by Clostridium acetobutylicum.

The motility of Clostridium acetobutylicum has been investigated during a typical batch fermentation process for solvent production. The motility is characterized by "runs" during the early phase of sugar utilization and acid production, but this changes to "tumbles" during the onset of solventogenesis. Sugars and undissociated acetic and butyric acids have been shown to be attractants for the bacterium, while acetone, butanol, ethanol, and dissociated acetate and butyrate are repellents. It is suggested that chemotactic responses explain why highly motile cells are strongly solventogenic.