Fermentation Profile, Aerobic Stability, and Chemical and Mineral Composition of Cactus Pear Silages with Different Inclusion Levels of Gliricidia Hay.

Cactus pear is used in large proportions in diets for small ruminants in semiarid regions. However, its exclusive use is not recommended due to the low fiber and crude protein content and the high water and mineral content, leading to metabolic disorders, low dry matter intake, and weight loss. The use of mixed cactus silage associated with protein and fibrous sources seeks to overcome the deficits in dry matter, fiber and crude protein, aiming to improve the nutritional quality of the diets that will be offered to ruminants. Thus, the use of gliricidia hay in cactus pear silages could represent an important alternative to improve the nutritional and fermentative characteristics of the ensiled material. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the fermentation dynamics, nutritional characteristics, and aerobic stability of mixed silages of cactus pear combined with different levels of gliricidia hay. This was a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and five repetitions. The treatments consisted of different levels of inclusion of gliricidia hay (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% on a dry matter basis) in the composition of mixed cactus pear silages. The inclusion of gliricidia hay in the composition of mixed silages of cactus pear resulted in a quadratic effect for dry matter recovery, pH, NH3-N, buffering capacity, aerobic stability, ether extract, P, K, Na, and Zn (p < 0.05). There was a reduction in density, effluent losses, maximum pH, mineral matter, non-fiber carbohydrates, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn (p < 0.05), and an increase in the time to reach maximum pH as well as an upward trend in pH, dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and B (p < 0.05). Under experimental conditions, the inclusion of gliricidia hay between 20 and 30% in cactus pear-based silage provided an improvement to the chemical composition and fermentation parameters of the silages.

Quality and sensory milk traits of goats grazing Caatinga or confined receiving either corn or spineless cactus-based diets in the Brazilian semiarid environment.

This study aimed to evaluate the yield, physical-chemical properties, fatty acid (FA) profile, and sensory traits of goat milk under different nutritional strategies in a Brazilian semiarid environment. Eighteen lactating crossbred dairy goats were distributed in a completely randomized design with three nutritional strategies: Caatinga strategy (1.5% of body weight with a concentrate supplementation), Corn-based confined strategy, and Spineless Cactus confined strategy. Daily milk yield was recorded, and milk samples were collected from all animals. Goats fed the spineless cactus-based diet presented a higher milk yield than goats feed the other strategies. Moreover, milk from goats fed with a spineless Cactus confined strategy presented higher saturated FA (SFA), and a lower proportion of cis- monounsaturated FA, trans-monounsaturated FA, and c9,t11-18:2 than milk from goats feed the other strategies. Milk from goats in the pasture system presented the highest proportions of 18:2n-6, 18:3n-3, and thus of polyunsaturated FA, when compared with milk from confined goats. We assume that milk from goats grazing in Caatinga pastures presents more benefits to human health due to the positive effects of this diet on the milk's fat content and FA profile, and this feeding strategy also results in a better sensory evaluation that may increase the acceptability of goat milk by consumers. All nutritional strategies evaluated herein and adopted in the semiarid region of Brazil are recommended for maintaining the yield, physical-chemical properties, and acceptability of milk goats.

The Effect of Netting Bags on the Postharvest Quality, Bioactive and Nutritional Compounds, and the Spoilage Microorganisms Content of Bell Peppers.

The packaging nets used for bell peppers act as a form of protection. However, the manufacturing is based on polymers that cause serious environmental problems. The effects of nets made of biodegradable materials, such as poly(lactic) acid (PLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and cactus stem residues, were evaluated on four different colors of 'California Wonder' bell peppers stored over a 25-day storage period under controlled and ambient temperature conditions. Compared to commercial polyethylene nets, the bell peppers kept in the biodegradable nets did not show notable differences with respect to color, weight loss, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. However, there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in terms of phenol content, carotenoids (orange bell peppers), anthocyanins, and vitamin C, with an overall tendency to show a higher content in those kept in PLA 60%/PBTA 40%/cactus stem flour 3% compared to commercial packaging. In addition, the same net notably reduced the development of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts during the storage of red, orange, and yellow bell peppers. As postharvest packaging for bell peppers, this net could be considered a viable option for the storage of this product.

Different supplements associated to spineless cactus in diets for sheep: intake, apparent digestibility and ruminal parameters / Diferentes suplementos associados à palma forrageira em dietas para ovinos: consumo, digestibilidade aparente e parâmetros ruminais

The study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the intake, apparent digestibility of the nutrients and of ruminal fermentation characteristics of sheep fed diets based on spineless cactus, sugar cane bagasse and urea associated to diferents supplements. Five non-castrated male sheep were allotted to a 5 x 5 Latin square design, with five animals (lines) and five periods (columns). Each experimental period last 13 day. The ration without supplement was composed of 67.6% of spineless cactus, 27.7% of sugar cane bagasse, 2.7% of urea:ammonium sulphate mixture (9:1) and 2.0% of mineral mixture, in dry matter (DM) basis. The other treatments consisted of the addition of a supplement to the ration (0,4% of body weight), being: wheat meal, soybean meal, cottonseed meal or whole cottonseed. Were not observed effects of supplement association on the evaluated parameters, being: 3.29%, 60.61%, 76.37%, 6.51 and 11.85mg/100mL the means value for intake of DM (% of body weight), digestibility of DM and CP, pH and ruminal ammonium, respectively. The choice of supplement should be associated with the availability and cost.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar o consumo, a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e os parâmetros ruminais de ovinos alimentados com dietas à base de palma forrageira, bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e ureia associados a diferentes suplementos. Foram utilizados cinco ovinos sem padrão racial definido, machos, não-castrados, fistulados no rúmen. Os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em quadrado latino 5 x 5, com cinco animais (linhas) e cinco períodos (colunas). Cada período teve duração de 13 dias. A ração sem suplemento foi composta de 67,6% de palma forrageira, 27,7% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar in natura, 2,7% de mistura ureia:sulfato de amônio (9:1) e 2,0% de mistura mineral, em base da matéria seca (MS). Os demais tratamentos consistiram na adição de um suplemento à ração ao nível de 0,4% do peso corporal, composta por: farelo de trigo, farelo de soja, farelo de algodão ou caroço de algodão. Não foram observados efeitos da associação dos suplementos sobre os parâmetros avaliados, sendo: 3,29%, 60,61%, 76,37%, 6,51 e 11,85mg/100mL os valores médios observados para o consumo de MS em função do peso corporal, digestibilidades da MS e da PB, pH e amônia ruminal, respectivamente. A escolha do suplemento deve estar associada à disponibilidade e ao custo.(AU)

Different supplements associated to spineless cactus in diets for sheep: intake, apparent digestibility and ruminal parameters / Diferentes suplementos associados à palma forrageira em dietas para ovinos: consumo, digestibilidade aparente e parâmetros ruminais

The study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the intake, apparent digestibility of the nutrients and of ruminal fermentation characteristics of sheep fed diets based on spineless cactus, sugar cane bagasse and urea associated to diferents supplements. Five non-castrated male sheep were allotted to a 5 x 5 Latin square design, with five animals (lines) and five periods (columns). Each experimental period last 13 day. The ration without supplement was composed of 67.6% of spineless cactus, 27.7% of sugar cane bagasse, 2.7% of urea:ammonium sulphate mixture (9:1) and 2.0% of mineral mixture, in dry matter (DM) basis. The other treatments consisted of the addition of a supplement to the ration (0,4% of body weight), being: wheat meal, soybean meal, cottonseed meal or whole cottonseed. Were not observed effects of supplement association on the evaluated parameters, being: 3.29%, 60.61%, 76.37%, 6.51 and 11.85mg/100mL the means value for intake of DM (% of body weight), digestibility of DM and CP, pH and ruminal ammonium, respectively. The choice of supplement should be associated with the availability and cost.

Objetivou-se avaliar o consumo, a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e os parâmetros ruminais de ovinos alimentados com dietas à base de palma forrageira, bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e ureia associados a diferentes suplementos. Foram utilizados cinco ovinos sem padrão racial definido, machos, não-castrados, fistulados no rúmen. Os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em quadrado latino 5 x 5, com cinco animais (linhas) e cinco períodos (colunas). Cada período teve duração de 13 dias. A ração sem suplemento foi composta de 67,6% de palma forrageira, 27,7% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar in natura, 2,7% de mistura ureia:sulfato de amônio (9:1) e 2,0% de mistura mineral, em base da matéria seca (MS). Os demais tratamentos consistiram na adição de um suplemento à ração ao nível de 0,4% do peso corporal, composta por: farelo de trigo, farelo de soja, farelo de algodão ou caroço de algodão. Não foram observados efeitos da associação dos suplementos sobre os parâmetros avaliados, sendo: 3,29%, 60,61%, 76,37%, 6,51 e 11,85mg/100mL os valores médios observados para o consumo de MS em função do peso corporal, digestibilidades da MS e da PB, pH e amônia ruminal, respectivamente. A escolha do suplemento deve estar associada à disponibilidade e ao custo.

Enriquecimento protéico da palma forrageira com Saccharomyces cerevisiae para alimentação de ruminantes / Protein enrichment of cactus pear with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for ruminants feeding

Avaliou-se o processo de enriquecimento protéico da palma forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) com levedura Sacharomyces cerevisiae em cultivo semi-sólido, visando melhorar o valor nutritivo da palma para ser utilizada na alimentação de ruminantes. A levedura foi utilizada nas concentrações de 1, 2 e 3 por cento em base úmida no substrato formado pela palma forrageira, incubada em biorreatores durante 6, 12, 24 e 36 horas de fermentação. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições. O conteúdo de proteína bruta quando se utilizou concentração de 3 por cento de inóculo, no período de seis horas, aumentou de 4,4 por cento na forma in natura para 10,4 por cento após o processamento. Os teores protéicos na concentração de 1 por cento do inóculo foram de 6,1, 8,1, 8,1 e 9,2 por cento; na concentração de 2 por cento, 9,6, 9,7, 9,8 e 9,8 por cento e na concentração de 3 por cento, 10,4, 10,4 7,9 e 7,9 por cento, nos períodos de 6, 12, 24 e 36 horas de fermentação, respectivamente. Uma fonte alternativa para arraçoamento de ruminantes, pode ser obtida pela bioconversão da palma forrageira.(AU)

The process of protein enrichment of the forage palm (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in a semi-solid culture to improve the nutritional value of forage palm for ruminants feeding was evaluated. The yeast concentrations of 1, 2 and 3 percent (wet basis) in the forage palm substrate were used. The periods of incubation were of 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours. A complete randomized experimental design in a split plot arrangement with four replicates was used. The crude protein content increased from 4.4 percent (in natura) to 10.4 percent when 3 percent of inoculums were used and the processing period was of 6 hours. The observed protein contents for 1 percent of the inoculum, used for the fermentation periods of 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours were 6.1, 8.1, 8.1, and 9.2 percent, respectively. These values were 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, and 9.8 percent for 2 percent of the inoculum, and 10.4, 10.4, 7.9, and 7.9 percent for 3 percent of the inoculum, respectively. An alternative for ruminant feeding can be obtained by bioconversion of forage palm.(AU)

Enriquecimento protéico da palma forrageira com Saccharomyces cerevisiae para alimentação de ruminantes / Protein enrichment of cactus pear with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for ruminants feeding

Avaliou-se o processo de enriquecimento protéico da palma forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) com levedura Sacharomyces cerevisiae em cultivo semi-sólido, visando melhorar o valor nutritivo da palma para ser utilizada na alimentação de ruminantes. A levedura foi utilizada nas concentrações de 1, 2 e 3 por cento em base úmida no substrato formado pela palma forrageira, incubada em biorreatores durante 6, 12, 24 e 36 horas de fermentação. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições. O conteúdo de proteína bruta quando se utilizou concentração de 3 por cento de inóculo, no período de seis horas, aumentou de 4,4 por cento na forma in natura para 10,4 por cento após o processamento. Os teores protéicos na concentração de 1 por cento do inóculo foram de 6,1, 8,1, 8,1 e 9,2 por cento; na concentração de 2 por cento, 9,6, 9,7, 9,8 e 9,8 por cento e na concentração de 3 por cento, 10,4, 10,4 7,9 e 7,9 por cento, nos períodos de 6, 12, 24 e 36 horas de fermentação, respectivamente. Uma fonte alternativa para arraçoamento de ruminantes, pode ser obtida pela bioconversão da palma forrageira.

The process of protein enrichment of the forage palm (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in a semi-solid culture to improve the nutritional value of forage palm for ruminants feeding was evaluated. The yeast concentrations of 1, 2 and 3 percent (wet basis) in the forage palm substrate were used. The periods of incubation were of 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours. A complete randomized experimental design in a split plot arrangement with four replicates was used. The crude protein content increased from 4.4 percent (in natura) to 10.4 percent when 3 percent of inoculums were used and the processing period was of 6 hours. The observed protein contents for 1 percent of the inoculum, used for the fermentation periods of 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours were 6.1, 8.1, 8.1, and 9.2 percent, respectively. These values were 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, and 9.8 percent for 2 percent of the inoculum, and 10.4, 10.4, 7.9, and 7.9 percent for 3 percent of the inoculum, respectively. An alternative for ruminant feeding can be obtained by bioconversion of forage palm.