Urea is a compound widely used as a feed additive for ruminants; however, when used profusely, it can lead animals to intoxication. Another factor that affects the effectiveness of urea is the lack of synchronization between the nitrogen and the availability of carbohydrates, necessary for better development of the ruminal microbiota. In order to circumvent these problems and improve the efficiency in urea use, the present study developed two new nutritional additives (F16 and F17) with different carbohydrate sources. One of the products developed (F16) used sugarcane molasses as a carbohydrate source, while the other (F17) used cassava starch. In addition to the carbohydrate source, both products contained the same amounts of urea, sulfur, calcium carbonate and were coated with carnauba wax. The supplements developed and two other commercial products based on extruded urea (UE) and polymer-coated urea (UP) were tested for solubility and cumulative gas production. The wax used in the coating process of the developed products (F16 and F17) proved to be efficient in reducing the solubility of the ingredients used. During chemical composition analysis it was verified that both supplements developed contained protein equivalent above 150% of crude protein. The cumulative gas production showed a higher production related to the product F17 (p < 0.05). Through thermogravimetric analysis, it was found the chemical integrity of the ingredients that make up the supplements developed. Therefore, is possible to reduce the solubility of urea using carnauba wax as a coating material. The formula with cassava starch associated with urea (F17) had a better synchronization during the degradation of its ingredients.
Our hypothesis was that extrusion of urea associated with corn may reduce N solubilization and increase the nutritional quality of this food for ruminants. We aimed to physically and chemically characterize a corn and urea mixture before and after the extrusion process. It was evaluated morphological differences by scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen solubilization, and compound mass loss by thermogravimetry. In scanning electron microscopy, extruded urea showed agglomerated and defined structures, with changes in the morphology of starch granules and urea crystals, differing from the arrangement of the corn and urea mixture. The extruded urea maintained a constant nitrogen release pattern for up to 360 min. In thermogravimetry, extruded urea presented a higher temperature to initiate mass loss, that is, the disappearance of the material with increasing temperature, but the mass loss was lower when compared to the first event of the corn and urea mixture. In conclusion the process of extrusion of urea with corn modifies the original structures of these ingredients and controls the release of nitrogen from the urea, maintaining in its formation an energy source optimizing the use of nitrogen by ruminal bacteria, because the more synchronized the release of starch (energy) and nitrogen, the better the use by ruminal microorganisms.
Whey protein supplements (WPS) intake has been increasing worldwide as they are mainly used to improve overall athletic performance. Adding other bioactives such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may be an alternative to help fulfill nutritional needs. Microencapsulation is able to protect PUFA-rich oils from oxidation, but important aspects of particle production and their influence on food properties must be evaluated. This study aimed to develop WPS with microencapsulated green coffee and walnut oils using stearic acid as a wall material. Oxidative stability (differential scanning calorimetry) of the oils increased (from 82 � 4 to 110 � 10 kJ mol À 1 for green coffee oil and from 90 � 5 to 149 � 1 kJ mol À 1 for walnut oil) after encapsulation and WPS rheological properties were not affected by the microcapsules (p < 0.05). Sensory analysis of the supplement containing microencapsulated green coffee oil showed a lower sensory preference than the blank sample, but no difference was found with the blank sample in the case of walnut oil (p < 0.05). The encapsulation strategy used to produce an enriched WPS was efficient in protecting the oils from oxidative degradation.
Dry season reduces the quantity and quality of forage available for cattle. To guarantee the quantity, deferred grazing is a good alternative, however supplementation is necessary to complement the nutritional quality of the diet. Therefore, this work evaluated the inclusion of nutritional additives (virginiamycin and salinomycin) in supplements provide to Nellore steers during growth phase on deferred pasture during the dry season. One hundred and twenty castrated steers with averaging weight 280.40 (±19.59) kg were distributed into groups with 20 animals each in six paddocks with 20 hectares each of Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG4 deferred by 60 days. The total experimental period was 120 days, with rotating groups in paddocks each 15 days. The treatments consisted in a protein-energy-mineral supplement, with 30% crude protein (CP), 40% total digestible nutrient (TDN) containing three different non-protein nitrogen (NPN) sources and with or without nutritional additive. The treatment containing virginiamycin showed better performance (P <0.05) than the treatments with salinomycin and without additive (negative control). The revenue from treatment with virginiamycin (US$ 97.28) was 7.6% and 9.8% higher than of the treatments without additive (US$ 90.41) and with salinomycin (US$ 88.63) respectively. Virginiamycin used in nitrogen supplements during the growing phase of Nellore steers on deferred pasture maintains performance in dry season and increases net margin per animal.
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