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BACKGROUND: Appropriate combinations of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains should be selected to optimize the ensiling process, and the additives should be adjusted to the ensiled forage crops. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of inoculation with three Lactobacillus species on the chemical parameters and microbiological quality (beneficial and harmful microbiota) of grass silage. RESULTS: Three species: L. paracasei (LPa), L. brevis (LB) and L. plantarum (LPl), isolated from sugar beet silage and characterized based on 16S rDNA sequences and biochemical parameters, were analyzed in the study. Single strains and their combinations were used as silage inoculants. The basic chemical and microbiological (qPCR) parameters of silages were determined. Based on the results of agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) and principal component analysis (PCA) it was determined that silages inoculated with single LAB strains and LPa + LB and commercial additive (0+) were the best quality ones, particularly with regard to microbiological parameters and they effectively lowered the pH value. A consortium of three Lactobacillus species had no influence on silage quality, whereas LPa + LB and LPl + LB combinations as well as a commercial additive exerted positive effects. Inoculation inhibited the growth of toxin‐producing fungi. CONCLUSION: Only the appropriate LAB composition can improve the quality of the ensiled material (antagonistic relationship). Only the LPa + LB combination was able to improve the value of low dry silage; nevertheless, almost all combinations were able to reduced concentrations of toxin‐producing fungi. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Losses of crude protein during ensiling of herbages, in contrast to carbohydrates, do not affect the reduction of its content; their form is changed into greater solubility non-protein compounds and also highly degraded forms, which lower the efficiency of the microbial protein synthesis in the rumen. These processes are accompanied by a change of amino acid composition of herbage protein and decrease in intestinal digestibility of protein from feeds as a result of the formation of indigestible complexes with carbohydrates (ADIN). Reduction of protein degradation in silages is achieved by accelerated acidity through addition of acids or dominance of homofermentative bacteria. The positive effects of fermentation inhibitors or sorbents use, as well as the wilting of raw material on the level and rate of protein degradation were demonstrated by many researchers. A greater contribution of protein nitrogen and reduction of deamination in silages can also be obtained by using bacteria inoculants. Increasing the proportion of protein nitrogen is accompanied by the improved efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methane fermentation is a versatile and established technology that should be optimized at all stages, starting from biomass storage and ending at digestate management. A commonly used method of biomass storage is ensiling, and the methane production of the biomass is determined by the products of the ensiling fermentation. Therefore, this study determined the effect of fermentation stimulants, fermentation inhibitors and osmotic condition improvers on the methane production of Sida hermaphrodita silages. Methane production was highest (334.6 ± 8.1 L/kg VS added) with silage prepared with molasses, which increased its content of carbohydrates and lowered its ammonium nitrogen content. Production of methane was also high with untreated plant (304.0 ± 10.1 L/kg VS added). Methane production correlated with Methanosarcinaceae abundance in the sludge. Principal component analysis revealed that first principal component was strongly correlated with indicators related with ensiling performance. Ensiling had no effect on the hemicellulose content and lowered the pH of silage independent of the additive used. • Methane potential of nine Sida hermaphrodita silages was determined. • Silage prepared with molasses revealed highest methane potential. • Molasses addition decreased content of ammonium nitrogen in silage. • Methane production is correlated with abundance of Methanosarcinaceae in sludge. • Content of cellulose and ammonium nitrogen in silage affected methane production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a polyphenol product (PP) (Proviox) and vitamin E on the antioxidant status and meat quality of broiler chickens fed diets contaminated with ochratoxin A (OTA). One hundred and twenty ROSS 308 broiler chickens were randomly divided into six groups (10 replications, 2 birds per replication). Group I received an uncontaminated and unsupplemented diet, diets of groups II to VI were contaminated with OTA at 172 µg and 200 µg/kg for the starter and grower period, respectively. Furthermore, diets of groups III, IV and V were supplemented with vitamin E at 100, 200 and 100 mg, respectively, and to diets of groups V and VI additionally 100 and 2200 mg PP was added, respectively. Supplementation with PP and vitamin E had no significant effects on the growth performance, dressing percentage or carcass trait parameters of broiler chickens. In chickens exposed to stress, dietary supplementation with vitamin E and/or PP improved the total antioxidant status (p ≤ 0.05), enhanced the blood activity of antioxidant enzymes (p ≤ 0.01) and increased the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants (p ≤ 0.01) in the liver and breast muscles. Regardless of the administered antioxidants, chickens fed diets contaminated with OTA were characterised by lower dressing percentage (p ≤ 0.01), a higher proportion of the liver in the carcass (p ≤ 0.01), lower carcass fat content (p ≤ 0.01), and longer small intestines (p ≤ 0.01) and caeca (p ≤ 0.01). Dietary supplementation with PP improved the water-holding capacity of meat (p ≤ 0.01). The breast muscles of chickens fed diets supplemented with PP and vitamin E were characterised by higher (p ≤ 0.05) concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5). It was concluded that PP can be an insufficient component of diets for broiler chickens to improve growth performance and mitigate the negative effects of high dose of OTA in diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine changes in the quality of lamb meat (Longissimus thoracis et lumborum), which was vacuum‐packaged and freezer‐stored (−26°C) for 6 and 12 months. The experiment was performed on 12 male lambs of the Kamieniec Longwool breed, raised to 106 days of age. In comparison with fresh meat, thawed meat was characterized by lower ash content, higher pH, greater natural drip loss and cooking loss, and lower scores for taste intensity. Vacuum packaging and low‐temperature storage protected lamb meat against oxidative changes, and alleviated the adverse effects of oxidation on the color, aroma and taste of meat. It can be concluded that freezer storage (−26°C) of vacuum‐packaged meat can help meet consumer demand for lamb meat products in periods when fresh meat is unavailable. However, it should be noted that long‐term frozen storage induces undesirable changes in meat quality, including a decrease in water‐holding capacity and taste intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current work was to evaluate mycotoxins and biogenic amines contents and their changes during storage in maize silages produced in Lithuania after 3 and 8 months of ensilage. Maize silages samples were collected from 20 conventional dairy farms in Lithuania. Mycotoxins were quantified by direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The highest ZON, DON and OTA contents, respectively 880.04±60.62, 2600.0±260.0 and 29.15±5.6 µg/kg were found in silage samples after 3 months of storage. T-2/HT-2 (T-2 and HT-2 toxins) and aflatoxin total (AFL (total)) respectively 147.25±20.80, 20.05±5.33 μg/kg - after 8 months of storage. The amount of biogenic amines (BA) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The highest biogenic amines content in maize silage samples were found in samples after 3 months of storage. The present study indicates that maize silage is an important source of mycotoxins and biogenic amines in the diet of cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the quality of lamb meat has been regarded with attention to the content of intramuscular fat, and its fatty acid profile. These indicators are determined by the feed administered to the animals. Apparently, the type of silage used in animal nutrition may be important. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding lambs with silages produced from different plant species on selected meat quality traits. The experiment was conducted on 24 ram lambs, divided into 3 equal groups fed with red clover silage, alfalfa silage, and grass silage, respectively. After 60 days of fattening, the lambs were slaughtered. Samples collected from musculus longissimus lumborum were assayed for: contents of intramuscular fat, cholesterol, the vitamins retinol and α-tocopherol, and the fatty acid profile of intramuscular fat. The meat of lambs fed red clover silage was characterized by a higher content of fat compared to lambs receiving grass silage (P ≤ 0.05). The concentration of vitamin E in the group fed grass silage was the highest and differed significantly (P ≤ 0.01) compared to the group fed alfalfa silage. Intramuscular fat of lambs fed red clover silage contained more polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 and was characterized by a lower ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids n-6:n-3 compared to the lambs fed grass silage. The concentration of conjugated linoleic acid was higher in lambs fed grass silage compared to fat of lambs from the other groups (P ≤ 0.05). Feeding lambs with silages produced from various plant species had a positive effect on traits characterizing the health quality of meat. Until now, only a few studies have been conducted in this species; this is the first such comprehensive study in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Alfalfa silage, owing to its chemical composition, complements maize silage in many rations for dairy cows. The disadvantages of alfalfa are the high soil requirements, agrotechnical treatments and sensitivity to cold and flooding. Many dairy farms are unable to grow alfalfa because of poor quality of the soils, and grass crops are unreliable due to increasing drought. For this reason, alternative plants are being sought out to produce feeds for dairy cows. So far, Virginia fanpetals has been used as an energy source, but thanks to its high levels of protein (17–25%), the possibility of using it in cattle feed has been recognized. Virginia fanpetals grows well in poor quality soils, in difficult climatic conditions (frost, drought), with no need for annual treatments, and the harvest is carried out with maize harvesting equipment. To date, no studies have been carried out on the possibility of replacing alfalfa with Virginia fanpetals in the diets of dairy cows. Based on our results, it was concluded that Virginia fanpetals is a good source of protein and can be a substitute or supplement to alfalfa silage. The best production results were obtained with half-substitution of alfalfa silage by Virginia fanpetals silage in diets based on maize silage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of partial or complete substitution of alfalfa silage with Virginia fanpetals silage in rations based on maize silage on feed intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and milk yield and physicochemical characteristics. Nine Polish Holstein Friesian cows in the second half of lactation were fed three experimental diets in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design as follows: maize silage + alfalfa silage, maize silage + alfalfa silage and Virginia fanpetals silage in a 50:50 ratio, maize silage + Virginia fanpetals silage. Complete substitution caused an increase in dry matter intake (DMI), total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetic acid to propionic acid (A/P) ratio, N-NH3 in the rumen contents and milk urea and a decrease in the feed conversion ratio. The partial and complete substitution changed the profile of milk fatty acids, resulting in a slight increase in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and a decrease in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) as well as in all functional fatty acids except vaccenic acid. The most promising production effects were achieved through partial substitution of alfalfa silage with the Virginia fanpetals silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Alfalfa is an important forage crop in rabbit nutrition. Despite the numerous advantages of alfalfa, efforts have been made to find its potential substitutes. Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita), is yet another potential substitute for alfalfa in animal diets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dehydrated Virginia fanpetals meal as a substitute for dehydrated alfalfa meal in rabbit diets. The results of this study indicated that Virginia fanpetals meal can be included in rabbit diets at up to 20% as a substitute for alfalfa without compromising the production performance of animals, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, carcass quality, or meat quality parameters. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an important forage crop in rabbit nutrition. Despite the numerous advantages of alfalfa, efforts have been made to find its potential substitutes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Sida hermaphrodita meal as a substitute for alfalfa meal in rabbit diets. The experiment was performed on 90 New Zealand White rabbits divided into three groups. DA group was fed a diet containing 20% dehydrated alfalfa. In the DA/DS group, rabbits received a diet containing 10% dehydrated alfalfa and 10% dehydrated Sida. The diet administered to the DS group contained 20% dehydrated Sida. The results of this study indicate that the dietary supplementation with Sida contributed to an increase in the final body weight of rabbits and improved the feed-conversion ratio. Experimental diets had no influence on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, and selected carcass characteristics of rabbits, except for the proportion of the hind part. The content of dry matter, total protein, and monounsaturated fatty acids in the hind leg muscles of rabbits was higher in the DA group than in the experimental groups. The concentrations of saturated fatty acids were higher in the tissues of animals fed diets supplemented with Sida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]