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-Four rumen-cannulated primiparous lactating cows were studied in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to evaluate the effects of propolis-based products (PBP) with different concentrations of propolis and alcohol levels on total digestibility, (TD), ruminal digestibility (RD), intestinal digestibility (ID), pH, ruminal ammonia-nitrogen production (NH 3 -N), rumen microbial synthesis, and blood parameters. The feed consisted of 591.9 g/kg corn silage and 408.1 g/kg concentrate (dry matter [DM] basis), and treatments differed with regard to the inclusion (via ruminal cannula) or exclusion of PBP as follows: control (without the PBP), PBP B1 (3.81 mg of phenolic compounds/kg of ingested DM), PBP C1 (3.27 mg of phenolic compounds/kg of ingested DM), and PBP C3 (1.93 mg of phenolic compounds/kg of ingested DM). Inclusion of PBP reduced the RD of dietary crude protein (CP). Treatment PBP C1 reduced ruminal NH 3 -N production, while PBP B1 increased the ID of CP relative to that in the control. These findings indicate that propolis had a positive effect on rumen nitrogen metabolism. Rumen pH, efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, and blood parameters were not affected by addition of PBP, but there were significant effects on the other parameters when the treatments containing propolis were contrasted.

The antimicrobial activity of three Brazilian propolis extracts was evaluated on bacterial strains representing major rumen functional groups. The extracts were prepared using different concentrations of propolis and alcohol, resulting in different phenolic compositions. The propolis extracts inhibited the growth of Fibrobacter succinogenes S85, Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1, Ruminococcus albus 7, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens D1, Prevotella albensis M384, Peptostreptococcus sp. D1, Clostridium aminophilum F and Streptococcus bovis Pearl11, while R. albus 20, Prevotella bryantii B₁4 and Ruminobacter amylophilus H18 were resistant to all the extracts. The inhibited strains showed also different sensitivity to propolis; the hyper-ammonia-producing bacteria (C. aminophilum F and Peptostreptococcus sp. D1) being the most sensitive. Inhibition of hyper-ammonia-producing bacteria by propolis would be beneficial to the animal. The extract containing the lowest amount of phenolic compounds (LLOS C3) showed the lowest antimicrobial activity against all the bacteria. The major phenolic compounds identified in the propolis extracts (naringenin, chrysin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and Artepillin C) were also evaluated on four sensitive strains. Only naringenin showed inhibitory effect against all strains, suggesting that naringenin is one of the components participating to the antibacterial activity of propolis.

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% slow release urea (SRU) in sheep feed on the intake and total digestibility coefficient (DC) of nutrients and ruminal parameters of sheep living in tropical regions. Four sheep with a body weight (BW) average of 30.8 ± 1.7 kg were assigned to a Latin square design. The animals were placed in metabolic cages and received two meals a day. Intake data and DC of nutrients of the sheep were subjected to analysis of variance and differences were tested using a regression equation to 5% probability. The inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% SRU in sheep feed did not change (p > 0.05) the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral or acid detergent fiber (NDF, ADF), total carbohydrates (TC), and non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) expressed in g animal -1 day -1 , g (kg 0.75 ) -1 , and % BW. The mean values of 3.04%, 2.82%, 0.41%, 0.07%, 1.36%, 0.87%, 2.31%, and 1.00% of BW were obtained for the intake of DM, OM, CP, EE, ANF, ADF, TC, and NFC, respectively. The inclusion of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% of SRU in sheep rations had a quadratic manner (p<0.05) the DC of DM and CP, with maximum values of 69.67% and 63.59%, respectively, for 0.51% and 0.66% levels of SRU inclusion in the experimental diets. The pH of the rumen fluid did not vary (p > 0.05) for different levels of inclusion of SRU in the feed. However, the pH of the rumen fluid did differ (p<0.05) in relation to time (T) after feeding for all experimental diets. The inclusion levels of SRU in sheep feed did not affect (p>0.05) the concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N) of the rumen fluid, but there was a quadratic effect (p < 0.05) with relation to T for all experimental diets. Thus, we conclude that the inclusion of 0.66% SRU provides the best digestibility value of CP and is the appropriate value for the digestion of DM. The inclusion of up to 1.2% of SRU in sheep rations did not change the intake of nutrients and ruminal parameters. ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar a inclusão de 0,0%; 0,4%; 0,8% e 1,2% de ureia de liberação lenta (ULL) na alimentação de ovinos em região tropical sobre o consumo e o coeficiente de digestibilidade total (CD) dos nutrientes e parâmetros ruminais. Foram utilizados quatro ovinos com peso corporal (PC) médio de 30,8 ± 1,7 kg, distribuídos em um delineamento em quadrado latino. Os ovinos foram alocados em gaiolas de metabolismo e receberam duas refeições por dia. Os dados de consumo e CD dos nutrientes dos ovinos foram submetidos à análise de variância e as diferenças observadas foram testadas com utilização de equação de regressão a 5% de probabilidade. A inclusão 0,0%; 0,4%; 0,8% e 1,2% de ULL na alimentação de ovinos não alterou (p>0,05) o consumo de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e ácido (FDA), carboidratos totais (CHT) e carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) expressos em g animal -1 dia -1 , g (kg 0,75 ) -1 e %PC. Os va...

<p>This study measured the ruminal parameters, feed intake, fecal and urinary N production, and N balance (NB) in sheep fed increasing levels of residue from the extraction of tamarind pulp (RETP) on a 0.0%, 5.0%, 10.0%, and 15.0% dry matter (DM) basis. Four mixed-breed male sheep weighing 40.38 ± 2.10 kg of body weight were distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The animals were allocated to metabolism cages and fed twice a day. Each experimental period lasted 20 days. The pH and concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in ruminal fluid were measured. Nitrogen intake (NI), fecal N (FN), urinary N (UN), absorbed N (AN), and NB were expressed in g·day-1, percentage of consumed nitrogen (CN), and g·kg-1 of metabolic weight (g·(kg0.75)-1. Statistical analysis of these variables was performed by evaluating the variance and regression at 5% probability. The levels of RETP did not alter (p&gt;0.05) the pH level or NH3-N concentration in the rumen fluid, but a quadratic behavior for the same values after feeding (p&lt;0.05) was observed. The inclusion of RETP in the diet did not change (p&gt;0.05) NI, UN, the AN in g·day-1 and g·(kg0.75)-1, NB in g·day-1 and g·(kg0.75)-1, or the percentage of CN. However, the AN as a percentage of CN showed a linear effect (p&lt;0.05) with the inclusion of RETP in experimental diets. For FN in g·day-1 and g·(kg0.75) -1, no difference was observed (p&gt;0.05) with the inclusion of RETP, but for FN expressed as a percentage of CN, a linear increase (p&lt;0.05) was observed with the inclusion of RETP. Thus, we concluded that diets with up to 15.0% RETP do not alter the pH and NH3-N in ruminal fluid, NI, UN, or NB. In addition, the inclusion of 15.0% RETP has a laxative affect. </p>

We evaluated the fractions of protein and carbohydrates in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn grain (CG), soybean meal (SM), and corn silage (CS), as well as the in vitro digestibility (IVD) of DDGS, CG, SM, CS, rations containing 0.0, 8.0, 16.0, and 24.0% DDGS, and in vitro fermentation parameters after 24 h of incubation. DDGS were obtained following microbial fermentation for ethanol production from a sugar and alcohol distillery located in the state of Mato Grosso -Brazil. The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) was used to determine the protein and carbohydrate fractions of experimental diets. For the in vitro nutrient digestion assay using the experimental foods and experimental diets, two sheep with an average body weight of 26 kg were used as inoculum donors. The in vitro digestibility of food and feed was assayed in three replicates. Fraction A of DDGS CP was 88, 71, and 37% lower in relation to fraction A of SM, CG, and CS, respectively. Fraction B2 of DDGS protein contained 21% CP, which represents 78.84% of DDGS protein in fraction B2, and is higher than the SM, which was 70.44%. The B3 fraction of CP, which is partly released during ruminal fermentation, was 18% lower for SM compared to DDGS, and is expressed in %CP. For carbohydrate fractionation, the DDGS presented 8.64% for the A + B1 fraction on a DM basis, which was 62, 86, and 74% lower compared to those obtained for SM, CG. and CS, respectively. The hemicellulose and cellulose contents of DDGS were higher than those of SM, as verified in fraction B2, with a value of 46.92%, expressed in DM. The in vitro digestibility coefficients (IVDC) of the DDGS nutrients did not differ (p > 0.05) in relation to those of the other experimental foods. The inclusion of DDGS in rations formulated for sheep did not change (p > 0.05) the IVDC of DM, OM, CP. NDF, or ADF, with mean values of 70.93, 70.64, 59.58, 52.83, and 43.40%, respectively. Therefore, DDGS comprise a proteinrich food containing more than 70% CP in fraction B2, with a large amount of carbohydrates bound to the cell wall. In addition, DDGS possess a similar digestibility coefficient to corn grain and soybean meal; however, up to 24% can be included in feed formulations for ruminants without changing the in vitro digestibility coefficient of nutrients. ResumoForam avaliadas as frações da proteína e dos carboidratos de grãos secos de destilaria com solúveis (GSDS), grão de milho (GM), farelo de soja (FS), e silagem de milho (SM), e a digestibilidade in vitro (CDIV) do GSDS, GM, FS, SM e de rações contendo a inclusão de 0,0%; 8,0%; 16,0% e 24,0% de GSDS, bem como os parâmetros de fermentação in vitro após 24 horas de incubação. O GSDS foi obtido após processo de fermentação microbiana para a produção do etanol, de uma destilaria de flex de açúcar e álcool localizada no estado de Mato Grosso -Brasil. Para determinação das frações proteicas e de carboidratos dos alimentos experimentais foi utilizado Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System -CNCPS. Para o ...

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ABSTRACT. The objective was to evaluate the effect of propolis-based products (PBP) on performance, digestibility, microbial production and carcass characteristics of feedlot young bulls. Twenty-seven crossbred young bulls were used, with 353 ± 28 kg of body weight in a completely randomized experimental design, divided in three treatments: two diets with PBP with different dosages (PBP1= 0.018 mg g -1 and PBP2= 0.036 mg g -1 of total flavonoids in chrysin) and control diet (CON). To determine total digestibility, the indigestible dry matter was used as an internal marker, while microbial production was estimated from purine derivatives in urine, collected by the spot method. The evaluated carcass characteristics were: hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, conformation, Longissimus muscle area, fat thickness, colour, texture, marbling, pH, cushion thickness and percentages of muscle, bone and fat. The studied variables were subjected to analysis of variance with 5% probability. The addition of propolis had no effect on DM and nutrients digestibility (except the ADF, which was higher) or efficiency of microbial synthesis. Carcass characteristics were not affected by the experimental treatments. The PBP in the used dosages should be reviewed and higher dosages should be tested.Keywords: additive, flavonoids, meat quality, microbial efficiency, ruminant.Desempenho, digestibilidade, produção microbiana e características de carcaça de bovinos confinados que receberam dietas contendo própolis RESUMO. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de produtos à base de própolis (PBP) sobre o desempenho, digestibilidade, produção microbiana e características de carcaça de bovinos confinados. Foram utilizados 27 bovinos com 353 ± 28 kg de peso corporal em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado dividido em três tratamentos: duas dietas contendo PBP em diferentes dosagens (PBP1 = 0.018 mg g -1 e PBP2 = 0.036 mg g -1 de flavonoides totais em crisina) e dieta controle (CON) sem adição de própolis. Para a determinação da digestibilidade total, a matéria seca indigestível foi usada como marcador interno, enquanto a produção microbiana foi estimada pelos derivados de purina na urina, coletadas pelo método spot. As características de carcaça avaliadas foram: peso de carcaça quente, rendimento de carcaça quente, conformação, área de olho de lombo, espessura de gordura, coloração, textura, marmoreio, pH, espessura de coxão e percentagens de músculo, osso e gordura. As variáveis estudadas foram submetidas à análise de variância com 5% de probabilidade. A adição da própolis não teve efeito sobre a digestibilidade da MS e nutrientes (exceto para FDA, que foi maior) e eficiência de síntese microbiana. As características de carcaça não foram afetadas pelos tratamentos experimentais. As dosagens utilizadas nos PBP devem ser revistas e dosagens mais elevadas devem ser testadas.Palavras-chave: aditivo, flavonoides, qualidade de carne, eficiência de síntese microbiana, ruminante.