Effect of the inclusion of dry pasta by-products at different levels in the diet of typical Italian finishing heavy pigs: Performance, carcass characteristics, and ham quality.

The effect of pasta inclusion in finishing pig diets was evaluated on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and ham quality. Pigs (144) were assigned to 4 diets with different pasta levels: 0 (control, corn-based diet), 30, 60, or 80%. Pigs fed pasta had greater (linear, P<0.01) feed intakes than controls. Pasta increased (quadratic, P<0.01) carcass weight and dressing percentage reaching the highest values at 30% inclusion level, and reduced (linear, P<0.01) the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum thickness. Pasta decreased (linear, P<0.01) linoleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in subcutaneous (fresh and seasoned hams) and intramuscular (seasoned hams) fat, and enhanced saturated fatty acid content in subcutaneous fat (fresh hams: quadratic, P<0.01; seasoned hams: linear, P=0.03). Proteolysis index, colour, weight losses, and sensory properties (excepted extraneous taste) of the hams were unaffected by the pasta. Pasta could be considered as an ingredient in the diet for typical Italian finishing heavy pigs.

Characterization of protected designation of origin Italian meat products obtained from heavy pigs fed barley-based diets.

A study was conducted to evaluate the quality and sensory properties of protected designation of origin (PDO) Parma ham and Piacentina neck obtained from heavy pigs (Italian Duroc × Italian Large White) fed barley-based diets. Four diets were tested: 1) a corn-based diet (control), 2) the control diet with 80% of a normal-amylose hulled barley variety (Cometa), 3) the control diet with 80% of a normal-amylose hulless barley variety (Astartis), and 4) the control diet with 80% of a low-amylose hulless barley variety (Alamo). All the meat products were analyzed for physicochemical and color parameters. The dry-cured hams and necks were also evaluated for sensory properties. The data of physicochemical, color, and sensory parameters were separately analyzed by multivariate factor analysis, and interpretation of each extracted factor was based on specific original variables loading on each one. The meat products obtained from pigs fed the barley-based diets differed from those obtained from the control pigs on the PUFA factors characterized by C18:2-6 and omega-3:omega-6 ratio. In particular, the meat products obtained from pigs fed the barley-based diets had a lower content of C18:2-6 and a higher omega-3:omega-6 ratio ( < 0.05) than the control. In fresh hams, iodine number and SFA (C16:0 and C18:0) in addition to PUFA and omega-3:omega-6 ratio loaded on the PUFA/SFA factor. The fresh hams produced from pigs fed the barley-based diets had subcutaneous fat (SC) with a lower iodine number and a higher SFA level compared with those produced from the control pigs ( < 0.05). A sex effect was measured for PUFA/SFA and oleic acid factors. In particular, the barrow SC had a lower SFA content, higher PUFA and C18:1-9 levels, and a higher iodine number ( < 0.05) than the gilt SC. There were no appreciable differences in the color and sensory properties of meat products obtained from pigs fed the different diets. The hams from barrows differed from those obtained from gilts on the lean properties factor describing properties related to aspect and odor of dry-cured hams. Indeed, the hams from barrows were depreciated compared with the hams from gilts for minor intensity, brightness, and uniformity of the lean, pinkish intermuscular fat and cured odor. In conclusion, barley could be used as a replacement for corn in heavy pig diets for the production of PDO Italian products without negative effects on the physicochemical, color, or sensory characteristics of meat products.

Effect of replacing corn with hulled and hulless or low-amylose hulless barley varieties on growth performance and carcass quality of Italian growing-finishing pig.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets based on hulled or hulless (normal- and low-amylose) barley varieties on growth performance and carcass characteristics in heavy growing-finishing pigs for the production of protected designation of origin (PDO) Italian products. The study was performed with 40 gilts and 40 barrows (Italian Duroc × Italian Large White). Four diets were formulated: 1) corn-based diet (control), 2) control diet with 80% of a normal-amylose hulled barley variety named Cometa (Cometa), 3) control diet with 80% of a normal-amylose hulless barley variety named Astartis (Astartis), and 4) control diet with 80% of a low-amylose hulless barley variety named Alamo (Alamo). The diets were formulated according to 3 growth phases (P1, 40 to 80 kg BW; P2, 80 to 120 kg BW; and P3, 120 to 170 kg BW), with the same Lys:DE ratio (2.60, 2.20, and 1.80, respectively in P1, P2, and P3) according to the NRC requirements for P1 and P2 and according to requirements for high-performing pigs for P3. The diets were analyzed for their in vitro starch digestion potentials (predicted glycemic index, pGI) and for their resistant starch (RS) contents. In P1, P2, and P3, the Alamo diet had the numerically lowest RS contents and greatest pGI values, whereas the control diet had the numerically greatest RS contents and the lowest pGI values. Throughout the study, the pigs fed Cometa and Alamo diets grew faster (P < 0.01) than those fed the control diet, whereas pigs receiving Astartis diet grew in a similar manner to those receiving all the other diets. Pigs fed Cometa and Alamo achieved greater final BW (P < 0.01) compared with those fed the control diet. The pigs receiving the Astartis diet had a mean final BW similar to that of the pigs fed other diets. Throughout the study, the control group had a lower grams per megacalorie DE (P < 0.01) compared with the pigs fed diets with barley, whereas the gain per megacalorie of DE (G/Mcal DE) was greater (P < 0.01) for the pigs fed hulled barley compared with the pig fed hulless barleys. No difference in carcass characteristics was found among treatments (P > 0.05). This study showed that diets based both on hulled and hulless barley might be suitable for the heavy pig breeding intended to the production of Italian PDO products. In addition, hulled or low-amylose hulless barley could be valuable to support maximum pig growth performance without affecting carcass composition.

Addition of nonstarch polysaccharides degrading enzymes to two hulless barley varieties fed in diets for weaned pigs.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 2 hulless barley varieties, with or without the addition of a nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) enzyme complex (ß-glucanase and xylanase), on growth performance of weaned piglets in a 42-d feeding study. The study was conducted with 140 piglets (PIC × Duroc). Pigs were allocated to pens (4 castrated males or 4 females per pen) based on BW and sex, and pens were assigned to 5 experimental diets with 4 pens of castrated males and 3 pens of females per treatment. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were compared: 1) control corn-based diet (CTR), 2) diet with corn and wheat bran replaced by the Astartis hulless barley variety (AS), 3) diet with corn and wheat bran replaced by the AS supplemented with the NSP enzyme complex (ASE), 4) diet with corn and wheat bran replaced by the Alamo hulless barley variety (AL), and 5) diet with corn and wheat bran replaced by the AL supplemented with the NSP enzyme complex (ALE). The diets were formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements and offered in 2 phases: d 0 to 14 and d 14 to 42. At the end of the study, pigs fed AS and AL had equal weights as pigs fed CTR. Pigs fed the hulless barley diets had greater (P < 0.05) ADG during the second phase (P2) and overall phase, BW at d 42, and G:F during the P2 than those fed the CTR. Pigs fed the ASE and ALE had greater (P < 0.05) ADFI during the P2 and overall ADG than those fed the AS and AL. The increases in ADG during the P2 and final BW obtained with NSP enzyme supplementation were greater in pigs fed the AS than those fed the AL (barley × enzyme, P < 0.05). On the other hand, the NSP enzyme complex increased G:F in pigs fed the AS during the P2 and overall phase, but it had no effect on those fed the AL (barley × enzyme, P < 0.05). In conclusion, hulless barley with or without the NSP enzyme complex can be a replacement ingredient for corn and wheat bran in weaned pig diets. Addition of the NSP enzyme complex to AS variety, but not AL variety, improved growth performance of weanling pigs.

Microencapsulated lysine and low-protein diets: effects on performance, carcass characteristics and nitrogen excretion in heavy growing-finishing pigs.

Two studies were conducted to assess the effects of dietary protein and Lys reduction on growth performance, carcass quality, N excretion, and plasma N profile in growing-finishing pigs from 35 to 180 kg. The growing trial was conducted with 72 gilts and 72 barrows with 6 pens per treatment and 6 gilts or 6 barrows per pen. Four diets with the same DE and NE were compared: 1) control diet, 2) diet with protein content reduced by 3% units compared with the control diet and supplemented with Lys HCl to match the requirements according to the 2012 NRC (FLys), 3) diet similar to FLys for protein level but supplemented with only 50% of the Lys HCl provided with FLys (-50% FLys), and 4) diet similar to FLys and -50% Flys for protein level with microencapsulated Lys added to supply 20% of the Lys provided by FLys (-80% MLys). Pigs fed the FLys diet performed in a similar manner and showed similar carcass characteristics to the control pigs. Pigs fed the -50% FLys diet had the lightest BW (P < 0.01) as well as the lightest carcass (P = 0.02) and trimmed thigh (P = 0.04) weights. Pigs fed the -80% MLys diet showed growth performance and carcass characteristics similar to the control pigs. The N balance study was conducted with 8 barrows arranged in a double replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The control pigs had greater (P < 0.01) N intake and urinary and total N excretion compared with pigs fed the low-protein diets. The reduction of the dietary protein concentration by 3% units decreased total N excretion by an average of 24.5% and the greatest reduction of total N excretion was obtained by the -80% MLys diet (26.12%) compared with the control diet throughout the trial. No effect of dietary treatment was observed on the plasma concentrations of ammonia, urea, and total AA in the 80-kg pigs. Decreased plasma ammonia (P < 0.01) and urea (P = 0.03) concentrations were detected in the 120-kg pigs fed the low-protein diets. The 160-kg pigs fed the -80% MLys pigs had less total AA, indispensable AA in particular (P < 0.01), than pigs fed the other diets and decreased ammonia (P < 0.01) and urea (P = 0.05) concentrations than the control pigs. The results showed that the use of microencapsulated Lys, compared with both Lys HCl and dietary protein-bound Lys, can save CP and synthetic AA in diet formulation and can reduce N excretion in manure without adversely affecting the growth performance and carcass quality of heavy growing-finishing pigs.

On the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products.

Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites found in foods and feeds. When ruminants eat AFB(1)-feedstuffs, they metabolise the toxin and excrete AFM(1) in milk. To control AFM(1) in foods it is necessary to reduce AFB(1) contamination of feeds for dairy cattle by preventing fungal growth and AFB(1) formation in agricultural commodities intended for animal use. Corn and corn-based products are one of the most contaminated feedstuffs; therefore risk factor analysis of AFB(1) contamination in corn is necessary to evaluate risk of AFM(1) contamination in milk and milk products. During the corn silage production, the aflatoxins production is mostly influenced by: harvest time; fertilization; irrigation; pest control; silage moisture; and storage practices. Due to the lower moisture at harvest and to the conservation methods, the corn grain is mostly exposed to the contamination by Aspergillus species. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the probability of this contaminant through choice of: hybrids; seeding time and density; suitable ploughing and fertirrigation; and chemical or biological control. Grains harvested with the lowest possible moisture and conservation moisture close to or less than 14% are necessary to reduce contamination risks, as is maintaining mass to homogeneous moisture. Kernel mechanical damage, grain cleaning practices and conservation temperature are also factors which need to be carefully controlled.

Review of predictive models for Fusarium head blight and related mycotoxin contamination in wheat.

Mould growth and mycotoxin production are related to plant stress caused by environmental factors such as: extreme weather; insect damage; inadequate storage conditions and incorrect fertilization; these predispose plants to mycotoxin contamination in the field. Fusarium species infect wheat during the flowering period. In addition to losses of yield, these fungi can also synthesize toxic components (mycotoxins) in suitable environmental conditions, thus threatening animal and human health. Given the severe consequences and the fact that mycotoxins affect production throughout the world, the ability to predict Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) and other mycotoxin contamination is important to reduce the year-to-year risk for producers. Owing to these dangerous consequences in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Italy, the United States and in Europe, computer models, based on weather variables (temperature, rainfall and moisture level), have been developed to predict the occurrence of FHB and DON contamination in wheat.