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The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different wet grain preservation methods on the concentrations of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-tocopherol (a-T), b-tocopherol (b-T), g-tocopherol (g-T) and d-tocopherol (d-T). Wet oat, triticale, barley and maize grain was dried at temp. of 60°C or 110°C and ensiled without additives or with 0.5% addition of propionic acid (+PA) or formic acid (+FA). Dried and ensiled maize grain had a higher content of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-T, b-T, g-T, d-T, total tocopherols and vitamin E equivalent (Vit. EEq) than dried and ensiled oat, triticale and barley grain (P=0.01). In dried cereal grain, the average losses of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-T, b-T, g-T, d-T, total tocopherols and Vit. EEq were 57, 35, 84, 65, 67, 52, 74 and 81%, respectively, compared with their concentrations in wet grain ("0"). The content of xanthophyll, total tocopherols and Vit. EEq in grain decreased with an increase in drying temperature (P=0.01). In ensiled cereal grain, the average losses of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-T, b-T, g-T, d-T, total tocopherols and Vit. EEq were 52, 30, 83 50, 78, 63, 75 and 79%, respectively. Additives +PA and +FA affected only the b-T content (P=0.01) of cereal silage. Grain drying resulted in greater losses of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-T, b-T and Vit. EEq, whereas ensiling led to greater losses of g-T, d-T and total tocopherols. Dried triticale grain was characterized by greater losses of b-carotene, a-T, d-T and total tocopherols, and ensiled oat grain was characterized by greater losses of a-T, g-T, total tocopherol and Vit. EEq relative to the corresponding samples of dried and ensiled grain of the remaining cereal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their health-promoting values, products obtained from sheep are the center of attention among consumers. The chemical composition of sheep's milk is largely conditioned by seasonal dietary variables, which contribute to its pro-health qualities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a production season on parameters of milk and rennet cheese produced from milk obtained from Frisian sheep during winter and summer feeding. Milk from the winter season contained more lactose, less vitamin A and less than half the vitamin E content than milk obtained in summer. Cheese from the winter season was characterized by a higher content of dry matter, proteins and minerals but less than half vitamin A content than cheese from the summer period. In cheese from the winter season, the concentration of tyramine was over fourfold higher while the concentration of histamine, while putrescine, and cadaverine were over twice as low as in cheese of the summer feeding period. The content of total biogenic amines did not vary seasonally. Milk fat from milk obtained in winter contained more medium-chained saturated fatty acids (SFA), but less long-chained SFA and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in comparison with the summer period. Fat from cheese produced in winter had a higher content of medium-chained SFA, whereas cheese from the summer feeding season contained more long-chained SFA, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and PUFA. Milk and cheese from the summer feeding period had higher ratios of PUFA to SFA and n-6 to n-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared selected parameters of milk and rennet cheese produced from milk obtained from alpine goats during winter and summer feeding under climatic conditions of the Warmia and Mazury region. Milk from the winter season contained more protein, less vitamin A and over seven times less vitamin E than milk obtained in summer. In cheese from the winter season, the content of dry matter, fat, protein and vitamin A was lower when compared with cheese from the summer period. The content of total biogenic amines in cheese was almost twice as high in winter than in summer (1056.4 vs 567.6 mg/kg). Winter cheese contained more cadaverines and histamine than summer cheese. The content of tyramine and putrescine was comparable in cheese from both seasons and was higher than the level of histamine. Milk fat from milk obtained in winter contained more long-chained SFA and MUFA in comparison with the summer period. Fat from cheese produced in summer had a higher content of SFA, CLA and ALA, whereas cheese from the period of winter feeding contained more C16:0izo and C18:1. The content of hyper-and hypocholesterolemnic acids was comparable in milk and in cheese with a slightly smaller proportion of hyper-acids and a slightly higher proportion of hypocholesterolemnic acids during summer feeding of goats. In conclusion, it was found that the feeding season had a minor impact on the chemical composition of milk, although it significantly differentiated the chemical composition of rennet cheese produced from that milk and the health quality parameters of both products. Milk from winter feeding had a higher content of protein, whereas the chemical composition of cheese was more beneficial in winter as the content of dry matter, fat and protein was higher. The health properties of both products were more beneficial in summer, which was determined by the profile of fatty acids and the content of vitamin A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present review summarizes the results of 37 experiments in which different types and levels (from 0.5 to 29.7%) of fibrous supplements were used in the formulation of diets for weaned piglets. Diets were supplemented with different sources of insoluble dietary fiber (iDF), soluble dietary fiber (sDF), or mixed DF sources. Most of the applied DF sources decreased the ileal and fecal organic matter digestibility, and they often lowered crude protein digestibility. A moderate addition (1.5-8%) of iDF sources increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and, frequently, average daily gains (ADG). Sources of sDF as well as high inclusion levels of fiber-rich feeds tended to decrease ADFI and ADG. Improved fecal consistency, decreased diarrhea incidence and antibiotic interventions were confirmed in piglets fed diets with added lignocellulose, cooked or raw oat hulls and wheat bran. The dietary inclusion of iDF rather than sDF sources improved gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, enzyme activity and gut morphology. An increase in the counts of beneficial gut microbiota and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids was stimulated by diets with addition iDF or sDF sources. Such diets also slowed down proteolytic fermentation which negatively affects the colonic mucosa. Some research findings indicate that iDF sources improve intestinal barrier function. The analyzed experimental data suggest that the addition of 1.5-2% of a lignocellulose preparation, 2% of oat hulls, 4-8% of coarse wheat bran to diets for weaned piglets may be recommended to promote GIT development and health, and to improve growth performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 30-day growth experiment was performed on 44 growing pigs (initial BW 19.3 kg) to determine the effects of diets with a different level of naked oat, and β-glucanase supplementation of a diet with a high oat content, on growth performance. The pigs were fed individually the following diets: a control barley-wheat diet (group BW), a diet containing 23.5% naked oat (BOW), a diet containing 47% naked oat (OB), and a diet containing 47% oat supplemented with 1000 CU/kg β-glucanase (OBG). Nitrogen balance and nutrients digestibility of diets containing 97% wheat or naked oat, with or without 1000 CU/kg β-glucanase, were determined on 20 barrows (initial BW 40.9 kg). Diet BOW containing 23.5% naked oat as a substitute for wheat had no effect on daily gains and feed efficiency, whereas diet OB with 47% oat improved daily gains from 668 to 713 g (P<0.05) and feed efficiency from 2.31 to 2.17 kg/kg (P<0.05), compared with the control barley-wheat diet. Nutrients digestibility was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the case of oat than wheat, except crude protein digestibility, where this difference was non-significant. Naked oat contained more digestible energy than wheat, i.e. 16.14 vs. 14.36 MJ/kg (P<0.01). It has also a higher biological value, compared with wheat (62.4% vs. 54.8%). In the growth experiment β-glucanase supplementation of a diet containing 47% naked oat had no effect on daily gains and feed efficiency, and in the balance experiment it allowed to increase oat gross energy digestibility (P<0.05). [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]

The aim of the present experiment was to compare production effects and the content of fatty acids in milk and metabolites in blood of cows in the first 100 days of lactation when cows were fed rations with high-moisture corn (HMC) or corn cob mix (CCM), both with 20% content of DM in TMR. The research was conducted on 36 HF multiparous cows divided into two feeding groups (HMC, CCM). Two periods of lactation were distinguished: to the 30th day and 31-100th days of lactation. DMI in both groups was similar and amounted to 23.85 kg. In the preliminary lactation phase (to the 30th day), a higher milk production (by 5.65 kg) with lower protein content in milk (p≤0.01), lower SFA content (particularly C12, C14, C16) and higher MUFA content, including oleic acid (p≤0.01) was observed in cows fed CCM. Moreover, for HMC diet the contents of urea in milk and BUN were lower (p≤0.01) while the use of ration nitrogen and glucose concentration in blood were higher (p≤0.05 and 0.01 respectively) in comparison to the CCM diet. The lactation phase determined the FA profile in milk, TG level and total cholesterol in blood. There was no interaction observed between the diet type or lactation phase and ECM efficiency, fat content in milk, daily efficiency of fat and protein as well as the content of total protein in blood serum or the activity of AST and ALT enzymes. The use of simplified corn harvest technology in the form of corn cobs (CCM) may be the alternative to traditional harvest with a harvester which lowers the feeding costs of high-yielding dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]