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Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest challenges in animal husbandry and producers are attempting to reduce the use of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs). In 2006, the use of AGP in food animals was banned in Europe and since then, more attention has been given to inflammation and how antiinflammatory compounds can be used to improve growth performance while reducing the need for AGPs. Inflammation is a protective and usually temporary response of the innate immune system to pathogens or injuries. However, excessive inflammation redirects nutrients and energy to the immune system limiting their availability for growth performance. Plant extracts with known antiinflammatory properties are extensively investigated in animal nutrition. Among other phytogenic substances, isoquinoline alkaloids have shown to have a strong antiinflammatory effect, inhibiting key steps along the inflammation cascade and influencing the local and the systemic effects of inflammation. Consequently, they can be used as an alternative to improve gut health and performance in mono- and polygastrics.

Validated procedures play an important role to obtain accurate information about individual amino acid requirement data. The aim of the present study was to assess lysine (Lys) requirement of growing chicken both by classical supplementation technique and principles of diet dilution technique as applied with “Goettingen approach”. During the starter period (1 - 21 d), a growth study with male meat type chicken (Ross 308) was conducted making use of five graded dietary Lys-levels (3 repetition boxes with 3 birds/box). L-Lys×HCl was gradually added to a diet based on wheat, soybean protein concentrate, wheat gluten and fishmeal to yield 80%, 87.5%, 95%, 102.5% and 110% of the expected requirement level (13 g Lys/kg as fed). Diets were iso-energetic (12.8 MJME/kg) and iso-nitrogenous (21.65% crude protein). Birds were fed on free choice level also to assess the feed intake (FI) effects as important factor on traditional response criteria. Analyzed body composition at start and end of the growth study yielded N deposition (ND) data for further data assessment using exponential approximations depending on dietary Lys content or observed Lys intake. The results indicated significant differences (p (BWG, ND) taking also into account the expected real feed intake to formulate the needed in-feed concentration.

Nitrogen (N) balance studies were conducted with male growing broiler chickens to reevaluate the lysine (Lys) requirement of a modern broiler strain (Ross 308), making use of eight diets with graded crude protein (CP) supply (6% - 34% CP as-fed). Wheat, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, fishmeal and crystalline amino acids (AAs) were the protein sources in the experimental diets with Lys as limiting AA. Following an adaptation period of five days, two consecutive excreta collection periods (2 × 5 d) were conducted: 10 - 20 d of age (starter period) and 25 - 35 d of age (grower period). Statistical evaluation of N balance data utilized an exponential modelling approach. Based on different dietary Lys efficiency, Lys requirement data were derived by modelling depending on average body weight (BW) during starter and grower period and targeted body protein deposition (PD), respectively. In addition, the influence of graded feed intake was taken into account. For the starter period at 600 g BW and assumed 10 g daily body PD, Lys requirement data between 741 mg and 823 mg per day were observed. The corresponding Lys in-feed concentration was 1.06% and 1.18%, dependent on supposed Lys efficiency at 70 g daily feed intake. For the grower period (average BW 1800 g), 1272 mg to 1473 mg Lys per day was needed to yield 16.5 g daily PD. The corresponding required Lys in-feed concentration was between 0.85% and 0.94% Lys for 150 g daily feed intake.

Based on a nonlinear N utilization model, 2 N balance experiments with growing broiler chickens were conducted, investigating the ideal amino acid (AA) ratio (IAAR) of the branched-chain AA (BCAA) Leu, Ile, and Val related to Lys. In both of the experiments, the starter (I: 10–20 d of age) and grower periods (II: 25–35 d of age) utilized 36 male Ross 308 chickens each (n = 144). Nitrogen balance periods were divided into an adaptation period (5 d) and 2 consecutive collection periods (2 × 5 d). Diets of experiment 1 were based on a consistent mixture of wheat, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, fish meal, and crystalline AA, subsequently diluted by wheat starch to provide 8 graded CP levels (6–34% CP). Results of nonlinear regression between N intake and N deposition yielded the theoretical maximum for N deposition (NDmax T; I: 4,593 mg of N/BWkg0.67/d; II: 4,302 mg of N/BWkg0.67/d). Furthermore, the daily N maintenance requirement (NMR) was derived (I: 113 mg of N/BWkg0.67; II: 215 mg of N/BWkg0.67/d). Both the age-dependent data for NMR and NDmax T were applied to calculate the model parameter b (protein quality, independent of N intake) and bc−1 (efficiency of limiting AA), respectively. Five diets based on the same ingredients as in experiment 1 were formulated for experiment 2: an AA balanced basal diet and 4 diets of the same composition but lacking in supply of Lys, Leu, Ile, or Val. All experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. For calculation of the IAAR, observed bc−1 data of each AA diluted diet were utilized. The concluded IAAR of Lys:Leu:Ile:Val for the starter and grower period were 100:94:55:65 and 100:106:56:72, respectively. These results indicated a higher demand for Leu and Val during the grower phase and, generally, a lower IAAR for the BCAA than previously reported in comparable experiments.

summary Background & aims: Plant proteins such as rapeseed have received little attention for human nutrition due to their high level of antinutritive compounds. Today, newer technologies can eliminate such compounds. The present intervention study aimed to evaluate nutritional and physiological properties of two manufactured canola proteins with special focus on their bioavailability in humans. Methods: 28 healthy male subjects (o 25 years) consumed 30.0 g protein (canola protein isolate e CPI, canola protein hydrolyzate e CPH or soy protein isolate e SPI) in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. Blood samples were regularly drawn over the 8-h postprandial period and a 24-h urine sample was collected. Results: True digestibility of the canola proteins determined in a separate rat assay showed 93.3% for CPI and 97.3% for CPH. In humans, consumption of either 30.0 g canola protein or soy protein mixed in a drink led to significant increases in plasma amino acids after 62.3 and 83.6 min, respectively. While the CPH produced an earlier response compared to CPI and SPI, total amino acid response (AUC for 8 h) was comparable between all interventions. The nitrogen balance between the three proteins tested showed no statistical differences. Conclusions: High digestibility of rapeseed protein was found in rats. In humans, this is the first intervention study showing rapeseed protein (both isolate and hydrolyzate) as having a high nutritional quality and can be considered to be as efficient as soy protein for a postprandial amino acid response. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01481584.

Isoleucine (ILE) or valine (VAL) are considered to be potentially limiting the dietary protein quality in protein reduced pig diets supplemented with L-lysine∙HCl, DL-methionine, L-threonine and L-tryptophan. Consequently, validated dietary ratios of both amino acids (AA) are necessary to ensure optimal feed protein utilization in fast growing pigs. Therefore, the present study with growing fattening pigs was conducted to derive AA efficiency data of ILE and VAL as related to lysine (LYS) in low protein diets to conclude ideal amino acid ratios (IAAR) of ILE, VAL and LYS, respectively.