Digestible tryptophan:lysine ratio for laying hens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the requirement of digestible tryptophan for white laying hens in the production stage fed diets of different digestible tryptophan: digestible lysine ratios, as well as animal performance and histological alterations in their reproductive and digestive systems. A total of 280 white laying hens at 29 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and seven replications with eight birds in each. The treatments consisted of a base feed, formulated with corn, soybean meal and corn gluten meal, and supplemented with the synthetic amino acids L-lysine, DL-methionine, L-threonine, L-isoleucine, L-arginine, and L-valine, so as to meet the nutritional requirements for laying hens, except for digestible tryptophan. The basal diet was supplemented with 0.00; 0.017; 0.035; 0.052; and 0.069 g/kg of L-tryptophan in substitution for corn starch with the objective of reaching the levels of 0.151; 0.167; 0.183; 0.199; and 0.215 g/kg of digestible tryptophan in the feed. For the ratio between digestible amino acids and lysine, the recommendation of Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine was followed, except for the digestible tryptophan: digestible lysine ratios, which were 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 for each treatment. The variation in the digestible tryptophan: digestible lysine ratio promoted changes in performance and in the histological characteristics, improving the results. The digestible tryptophan: digestible lysine ratio of 24.5% in the feed of white laying hens in production stage promotes better animal performance and histological results.

Glycerine derived from biodiesel production as a feedstuff for broiler diets

The performance, carcass traits, and litter humidity of broilers fed increasing levels of glycerine derived from biodiesel production were evaluated. In this experiment, 1,575 broilers were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design into five treatments with seven replicates of 45 birds each. Treatments consisted of a control diet and four diets containing 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, or 10% glycerine. The experimental diets contained equal nutritional levels and were based on corn, soybean meal and soybean oil. The glycerine included in the diets contained 83.4% glycerol, 1.18% sodium, and 208 ppm methanol, and a calculated energy value of 3,422 kcal AMEn/kg. Performance parameters (weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, live weight, and livability) were monitored when broilers were 7, 21, and 42 days of age. On day 43, litter humidity was determined in each pen, and 14 birds/treatment were sacrificed for the evaluation of carcass traits. During the period of 1 to 7 days, there was a positive linear effect of the treatments on weight gain, feed intake, and live weight gain. Livability linearly decreased during the period of 1 to 21 days. During the entire experimental period, no significant effects were observed on performance parameters or carcass traits, but there was a linear increase in litter humidity. Therefore, the inclusion of up to 5% glycerine in the diet did not affect broiler performance during the total rearing period.

Desenvolvimento de modelo matemático de otimização logística para o transporte multimodal de safras agrícolas pelo corredor centro-oeste

Este artigo apresenta um modelo matemático de otimização logística para o transporte multimodal de safras agrícolas pelo corredor Centro-Oeste. Tal ferramenta foi desenvolvida no contexto de três amplos projetos de pesquisa financiados pela FINEP e executados por um grupo de universidades. O modelo, conhecido genericamente como Modelo de fluxo de Custo Mínimo Multiproduto, considera a otimização de fluxos em rede, para os produtos açúcar, álcool, milho, soja, óleo de soja, farelo de soja e trigo. O modelo proposto para estimativa dos fluxos inter-regionais mostrou-se uma ferramenta factível para fins de avaliação do potencial de utilização da multimodalidade. A análise destes resultados gera importantes subsídios para a seleção dos locais com potencial para instalação de mecanismos e equipamentos de transferência de cargas, além de auxiliar no dimensionamento dessas infraestruturas. Também é um resultado importante do ferramental desenvolvido a identificação das zonas de cargas que apresentam potencial captável pelas ferrovias, hidrovias e dutovias, ou seja, possibilita a identificação das regiões que revelam potencial para uso da multimodalidade.

Potenciación de la respuesta productiva en rumiantes mediante el empleo de proteínas protegidas

El principal objetivo de esta tesis fue incrementar la eficiencia proteica en las dietas de rumiantes mediante el uso de proteínas protegidas (harina de girasol y guisante de primavera), así como mejorar la predicción de los aportes de proteína microbiana. Una partida de harinas comerciales de girasol (HG) y de guisante de primavera (GP) fueron tratadas con soluciones 4 N de ácido málico (268,2 g/L) o ácido ortofosfórico (130,6 g/L). Para cada harina, ácido y día de tratamiento, dos fracciones de 12,5 kg fueron pulverizadas sucesivamente en una hormigonera con la solución de ácido correspondiente mediante un pulverizador de campo. Las dos fracciones fueron mezcladas posteriormente y se dejaron reposar durante 1 h a temperatura ambiente. La mezcla fue luego secada en una estufa de aire forzado a 120 ºC durante 1 h. La estufa fue apagada inmediatamente después y el material tratado se mantuvo dentro de ésta hasta la mañana siguiente. El material fue removido durante el proceso de secado cada 30 min durante las primeras 2 h y cada 60 min durante las 5 h posteriores. Este proceso se repitió hasta conseguir las cantidades de harinas tratadas necesarias en los distintos ensayos. En el primer experimento (capitulo 3) se llevaron a cabo estudios de digestión ruminal e intestinal para evaluar los efectos de la aplicación de las soluciones ácidas indicadas y calor a fin de proteger las proteínas de HG y GP contra la degradación ruminal. Estos estudios se realizaron con tres corderos canulados en el rumen y en el duodeno. El estudio de digestión ruminal fue realizado en tres periodos experimentales en los que los corderos fueron alimentados sucesivamente con tres dietas isoproteicas que incluían HG y GP, sin tratar o tratadas con ácidos málico u ortofosfórico. Cada periodo experimental de 21 días incluyó sucesivamente: 10 días de adaptación a las dietas, un estudio del tránsito ruminal de las partículas de HG y GP (días 11 a 14), y la incubación de las muestras de ambos alimentos en bolsas de nailon (días 15–21). Las harinas incubadas en cada periodo experimental correspondieron a las que fueron incluidas en las dietas. Las bacterias ruminales fueron marcadas desde el día 11 hasta el día 21 del periodo experimental mediante infusión intra-ruminal continua con una fuente de 15N. Tras finalizar las incubaciones in situ el día 21 el rumen fue vaciado en cada periodo para aislar las bacterias asociadas a la fase sólida y liquida del rumen. El estudio de digestión intestinal fue realizado veinte días después del final del estudio ruminal a fin de eliminar el enriquecimiento en 15N de la digesta. En este estudio se incubaron muestras compuestas obtenidas mediante la combinación de los diferentes residuos no degradados en el rumen de forma que fuesen representativas de la composición química de la fracción no degradada en el rumen (RU). En esta fase los corderos fueron alimentados con la dieta sin tratar para determinar la digestibilidad de las harinas tanto tratadas como sin tratar mediante la técnica de las bolsas móviles. Además, las proteínas contenidas en las harinas tratadas y sin tratar, así como en las muestras correspondientes a los residuos a 0 h, las muestras compuestas anteriormente indicadas y las muestras no digeridas intestinalmente fueron extraídas y sometidas a electroforesis para determinar el sitio de digestión de las diferentes fracciones proteicas. Las estimaciones de la RU y la digestibilidad intestinal de la materia seca, la materia orgánica (solamente para RU), la proteína bruta (PB) y el almidón (solamente en GP) fueron obtenidos considerando la contaminación microbiana y las tasas de conminución y salida de partículas. Las estimaciones de RU y de la digestibilidad intestinal disminuyeron en todas las fracciones evaluadas de ambos alimentos al corregir por la contaminación microbiana acaecida en el rumen. Todas las estimaciones de RU aumentaron con los tratamientos de protección, incrementándose también la digestibilidad intestinal de la materia seca en la HG. Los bajos valores de la digestibilidad de la proteína de GP tratado y sin tratar sugieren la presencia de algún factor antitripsico no termolábil es esta harina. Los tratamientos de protección incrementaron consistentemente la fracción de materia seca y PB digerida intestinalmente en los dos alimentos, mientras que la fracción de almidón en la muestra de GP solamente aumentó numéricamente (60,5% de media). Sin embargo, los tratamientos también redujeron la fermentación de la materia orgánica, lo cual podría disminuir la síntesis de proteína microbiana. Los estudios de electroforesis muestran la práctica desaparición de la albumina por la degradación ruminal en ambos alimentos, así como que los cambios en otras proteínas de la muestra RU fueron más pronunciados en GP que en HG. La composición de las bacterias asociadas con las fases de digesta ruminal sólida (BAS) y líquida (BAL) fue estudiada para revisar la precisión de un sistema de predicción previo que determinaba la infravaloración del aporte de nutrientes correspondiente a las BAS cuando de usa 15N como marcador y las BAL como referencia microbiana (capitulo 4). Al comparar con BAS, BAL mostraron menores contenidos en materia orgánica, polisacáridos de glucosa y lípidos totales y un mayor contenido en PB, así como un mayor enriquecimiento en 15N. Los datos obtenidos en el estudio actual se ajustan bien a la ecuación previa que predice el enriquecimiento en 15N de las BAS a partir del mismo valor en BAL. Esta nueva ecuación permite establecer que se produce una infravaloración de un 22% en el aporte de PB al animal a partir de las BAS sintetizadas si las BAL son usadas como muestras de referencia. Una segunda relación calculada utilizando los valores medios por dieta expuestos en numerosos trabajos encontrados en la literatura confirma la magnitud de este error. Esta infravaloración asociada al uso de BAL como referencia fue mayor para el aporte de glucosa (43,1%) y todavía mayor para el aporte de lípidos (59,9%), como consecuencia de los menores contenidos de ambas fracciones en BAL frente a SAB. Estos errores deberían ser considerados para obtener mayor precisión en la estimación del aporte de nutrientes microbianos y mejorar la nutrición de los rumiantes. En el experimento 2 se realizó un estudio de producción (capitulo 5) para evaluar los efectos del tratamiento de las harinas HG y GP con soluciones de ácido málico o ácido ortofosfórico sobre el crecimiento, el consumo de concentrado y el rendimiento y engrasamiento de las canales de corderos de engorde. Noventa corderos machos de cruce entrefino procedentes de tres granjas comerciales (peso inicial medio = 14,6, 15,3 y 13,3 kg, respectivamente) fueron asignados aleatoriamente a cinco dietas con diferentes niveles de proteína y diferentes tratamientos con ácidos y engordados hasta un peso medio al sacrificio de 25 kg. Las fuentes de proteína en el pienso control (C; PB=18,0%) fueron harina de soja, HG y GP sin tratar. En tres de los piensos experimentales, las harinas tratadas con ácido ortofosfórico sustituyeron a las de HG y GP sin tratar (Control Ortofosfórico, PC; PB=18,0% sobre materia seca), sustituyéndose, además, la harina de soja parcialmente (Sustitución Media Ortofosfórico, MSP; PB=16,7%) o totalmente (Sustitución Total Ortofosfórico, TSP; PB=15,6%). Finalmente, en uno de los piensos el ácido ortofosfórico fue reemplazo por acido málico para proteger ambas harinas (Sustitución Media Málico, MSM; PB= 16,7%). La paja de trigo (fuente de forraje) y el concentrado fueron ofrecidos ad libitum. Dieciocho corderos fueron distribuidos en seis cubículos con tres animales para cada dieta. Los datos fueron analizados según un análisis factorial considerando el peso inicial como covariable y la granja de procedencia como bloque. Los datos de consumo de concentrado y eficiencia de conversión fueron analizados usando el cubículo como unidad experimental, mientras que los datos sobre ganancia media diaria, rendimiento a la canal, grasa dorsal y grasa pélvico renal fueron analizados usando el cordero como unidad experimental. No se encontró ningún efecto asociado con el nivel de PB sobre ninguna variable estudiada. Esto sugiere que usando proteínas protegidas es posible utilizar concentrados con 15,6% de PB (sobre materia seca) disminuyendo así la cantidad de concentrados de proteína vegetal a incluir en los piensos y la calidad de los concentrados proteicos. Los corderos alimentados con la dieta MSM tuvieron mayores ganancias medias diarias (15,2%; P= 0,042), y mejores rendimiento a la canal en caliente (1,3 unidades porcentuales; P= 0,037) que los corderos alimentados con el concentrado MSP. Esto podría ser explicado por los efectos benéficos ruminales del malato o por el mayor efecto de protección conseguido con el ácido málico. ABSTRACT The main objective of this thesis project was to increase the protein efficiency in ruminant diets by using protected protein (sunflower meal and spring pea), and improving the prediction of microbial protein supply. Commercial sunflower meal (SFM) and spring pea (SP) were treated with 4 N solutions (200 mL/kg) of malic acid (268.2 g/L) or orthophosphoric acid (130.6 g/L). Daily, two fractions of 12.5 kg of one of these meals were successively sprayed with the tested acid solution in a concrete mixer using a sprayer. Both fractions were then mixed and allowed to rest for 1 h at room temperature. The blend was then dried in a forced air oven at 120 ºC for 1 h. Then the oven was turned off and the treated material was left in the oven overnight. During the drying process, the material was stirred every 30 min during the first 2 h and then every 60 min for the subsequent 5 h. This process was repeated until the amounts of treated flour needed for the different trials performed. In the first experiment (chapter 3), ruminal and intestinal digestion trials were conducted to study the effects of the application of these acid solutions and heat to protect proteins of SFM and SP against ruminal degradation using three wethers fitted with rumen and duodenum cannulae. The ruminal digestion study was carried out in three experimental periods in which the wethers were successively fed three isoproteic diets including SFM and SP, untreated or treated with malic or orthophosphoric acids. The experimental periods of 21 days included successively: 10 days of diet adaptation, SFM and SP particle ruminal transit study (days 11–14) and ruminal nylon-bag incubations (days 15–21). The meals incubated in each experimental period were those corresponding to the associated diet. Rumen bacteria were labelled from days 11 to 21 by continuous intra-ruminal infusion of a 15N source and the rumen was emptied at the end of in situ incubations in each period to isolate solid adherent bacteria and liquid associate bacteria. The intestinal digestion trial was conducted twenty days after the end of the ruminal studies to eliminate the 15N enrichment in the digesta. The tested samples were composite samples obtained pooling the different ruminally undegraded residues to be representative of the chemical composition of the ruminally undegraded fraction (RU). Wethers were fed the untreated diet to determine the intestinal digestibility of untreated and treated meals using the mobile nylon bag technique. In addition, protein in untreated and treated meals and their 0 h, composite and intestinally undigested samples were extracted and subjected to electrophoresis to determine the digestion site of the different protein fractions. Estimates of the RU and its intestinal digestibility of dry matter, organic matter (only for RU), crude protein (CP) and starch (only in SP) were obtained considering ruminal microbial contamination and particle comminution and outflow rates. When corrected for the microbial contamination taking place in the rumen, estimates of RU and intestinal digestibility decreased in all tested fractions for both feeds. All RU estimates increased with the protective treatments, whereas intestinal digestibility-dry matter also increased in SFM. Low intestinal digestibility-CP values in untreated and treated samples suggested the presence of non-heat labile antitrypsin factors in SP. Protective treatments of both feeds led to consistent increases in the intestinal digested fraction of dry matter and CP, being only numerically different for SP-starch (60.5% as average). However, treatments also reduced the organic matter fermentation, which may decrease ruminal microbial protein synthesis. Electrophoretic studies showed albumin disappearance in both SFM and SP, whereas changes in other RU proteins were more pronounced in SP than SFM. The chemical composition of bacteria associated with solid (SAB) and liquid (LAB) rumen-digesta phases was studied to examine the accuracy of a previous regression system determining the underevaluation of SAB-nutrient supply using 15N as marker and LAB as microbial reference (chapter 4). Compared with SAB, LAB showed lower contents of organic matter, polysaccharide-glucose and total lipids and the opposite for the CP content and the 15N enrichment. Present data fitted well to the previous relationship predicting the 15N enrichment of SAB from the same value in LAB. This new equation allows establishing an underevaluation in the supply of CP from the synthesized SAB in 22.0% if LAB is used as reference. Another relationship calculated using mean diet values from the literature confirmed the magnitude of this error. This underevaluation was higher for the supply of glucose (43.1%) and still higher for the lipid supply (59.9%) as a consequence of the lower contents of these both fractions in LAB than in SAB. These errors should be considered to obtain more accurate estimates of the microbial nutrient supply and to improve ruminant nutrition. A production study was performed in experiment 2 (chapter 5) to examine the effects of treating SFM and SP meals with orthophosphoric or malic acid solutions on growth performance, concentrate intake, and carcass yield and fatness of growing-fattening lambs. Ninety "Entrefino" cross male lambs from three commercial farms (average initial body weights (BW) = 14.6, 15.3 and 13.3 kg) were randomly assigned to five diets with different acid treatment and protein levels, and fattened to an average slaughter weight of 25 kg. Protein sources in the control concentrate (C; CP=18%) were soybean meal and untreated SFM and SP. In three of the experimental concentrates, orthophosphoric acid-treated meals substituted untreated SFM and SP (Orthophosphoric Control, PC; CP=18% dry matter basis), and soybean meal was partially (Medium Substitution Orthophosphoric, MSP; CP=16.7%) or totally removed (Total Substitution Orthophosphoric, TSP; CP=15.6%). In addition, in one concentrate orthophosphoric acid was replaced by malic acid to protect these meals (Medium Substitution Malic, MSM; CP= 16.7%). Wheat straw (roughage source) and concentrate were offered ad libitum. Eighteen lambs were allocated to six pens of three animals on each diet. Data were analyzed using a factorial analysis with initial body weight BW as covariate and farm of origin as block. Data on concentrate intake and feed conversion efficiency were analyzed using pen as experimental unit, while data on average daily gain, carcass yield, dorsal fat, and kidney-pelvic-fat were analyzed with lamb as experimental unit. No effect associated with the CP level was observed on any parameter. This suggests that with protected proteins it is possible to feed concentrates with 15.6% CP (dry matter basis) reducing the quantity of vegetable protein meals to include in the concentrate as well as the quality of the protein concentrates. Lambs feed MSM had higher average daily gains (15.2%; P= 0.042), and better hot carcass yields (1.3 percentage points; P= 0.037) than lambs feed MSP. This probably can be explained by ruminal malate actions and by greater protection effects obtained with malic acid.

Evaluating Spirulina as a protein source in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) grow-out diets

Aquaculture growth has intensified the need for a diversification of nutritionally appropriate aquafeed ingredients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Spirulina, a blue-green microalgae, and soybean meal as the sole protein sources in grow-out Tilapia diets. We constructed 3 experimental diets with soybean meal and 0,15, 30, and 45% Spirulina (SBM, SP15, SP30, and SP45 respectively) as their main protein sources. We compared these diets to a commercial Tilapia diet (CC). Additionally, to evaluate the benefit of fishmeal inclusion, fishmeal was added (2 and 10%) to the most successful Spirulina containing diet (FM2, FM10). We evaluated these experimental diets based on their physical properties, palatability, growth potential, waste production, and overall cost. No significant differences in growth performance were found between any of the diets. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and total phosphorus (TP) levels in each tank were significantly affected by diet (p<0.05). CC had significantly higher TP than the experimental diets and SP15 had significantly higher TAN than the other diets. Only CC was found to be significantly more palatable than the experimental diets, and Spirulina inclusion was inversely correlated to pellet stability. Lastly, SP15 was the most profitable experimental diet. We recommend eliminating fishmeal from grow-out Tilapia diets in favour of soybean meal and Spirulina. Spirulina should, however, be limited to 15% to avoid the negative effects it has on stability and profitability, and its possible effect on feed intake.

Evaluating Spirulina as a protein source in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) grow-out diets

Aquaculture growth has intensified the need for a diversification of nutritionally appropriate aquafeed ingredients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Spirulina, a blue-green microalgae, and soybean meal as the sole protein sources in grow-out Tilapia diets. We constructed 3 experimental diets with soybean meal and 0,15, 30, and 45% Spirulina (SBM, SP15, SP30, and SP45 respectively) as their main protein sources. We compared these diets to a commercial Tilapia diet (CC). Additionally, to evaluate the benefit of fishmeal inclusion, fishmeal was added (2 and 10%) to the most successful Spirulina containing diet (FM2, FM10). We evaluated these experimental diets based on their physical properties, palatability, growth potential, waste production, and overall cost. No significant differences in growth performance were found between any of the diets. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and total phosphorus (TP) levels in each tank were significantly affected by diet (p<0.05). CC had significantly higher TP than the experimental diets and SP15 had significantly higher TAN than the other diets. Only CC was found to be significantly more palatable than the experimental diets, and Spirulina inclusion was inversely correlated to pellet stability. Lastly, SP15 was the most profitable experimental diet. We recommend eliminating fishmeal from grow-out Tilapia diets in favour of soybean meal and Spirulina. Spirulina should, however, be limited to 15% to avoid the negative effects it has on stability and profitability, and its possible effect on feed intake.

Produção de biodiesel de blendas dos óleos de mamona e arroz em escala piloto

A utilização do óleo de mamona como matéria-prima para produção de biodiesel mostra-se inviável na combustão interna do motor devido sua natureza química incomum que lhe confere especificações acima do permitido nas especificações técnicas da legislação nacional brasileira. Desta forma, a blenda com óleo de arroz refinado (OM:OA) qualifica o biodiesel atendendo a legislação nacional, além de corrigir a elevada acidez do óleo bruto de mamona prejudicial ao processo de transesterificação homogênea básica. No presente estudo realizou-se a produção de biodiesel etílico em escala piloto a partir de blendas de óleo bruto de mamona e óleo refinado de arroz em dois processos: o primeiro processo adotando a mistura direta dos dois óleos e o segundo processo pela esterificação antecipada do óleo bruto de mamona. Ambos os processos foram aplicados visando tanto definir os critérios de processo (acidez inicial) quanto o cumprimento das especificações técnicas (viscosidade e densidade). A produção em escala piloto (200 litros/batelada) foi realizada na Usina Demonstrativa para Produção de Biodiesel – BIOSUL (Edital FINEP, 2005) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG utilizando em ambos os processos transesterificação, com hidróxido de sódio, e esterificação com ácido sulfúrico. Os processos apresentaram resultados satisfatórios, sendo o processo de mistura direta (Processo A) o que obteve melhores rendimentos (94,04%, blenda 20:80) enquanto que o processo de pré- esterificação (Processo B) foi aquele que proporcionou a maior fração de óleo de mamona na blenda (80,36%, 33:67). Os resultados para o Processo A de glicerol livre, monoacilgliceróis, diacilgliceróis, triacilgliceróis e de glicerol total foram, respectivamente, de 1,322 %, 6,092 %, 1,000 %, 0,884 e 3,152%. Neste estudo foi comprovada a viabilidade do processamento, em batelada, de blendas dos óleos de mamona e arroz. O óleo de mamona bruto pode ser utilizado em até 30% produzindo biodiesel dentro da legislação, verificando-se assim a viabilidade do uso da mamona na produção de biocombustíveis.

Utilização de diferentes fontes de carbono no cultivo do camarão litopenaeus vannamei em sistemas com bioflocos

A tecnologia do sistema de cultivo com bioflocos (BFT) permite a intensificação da densidade de estocagem, bem como o aumento da produtividade no qual exige esforços no manejo para a manutenção de qualidade de água. No entanto, um dos problemas é a liberação de nitrogênio através de alimento não consumidos, juntamente com as excretas dos organismos cultivados, principalmente na forma de amônia total. A adição de fontes de carbono orgânico é uma alternativa na redução de amônia tornando possível a conversão deste composto em proteína bacteriana, sendo disponível como alimento suplementar no ambiente de cultivo. Portanto foram testadas fontes de carbono como o melaço de cana-de-açúcar, dextrose e farelo de arroz no cultivo do camarão L. vannamei em sistemas BFT, avaliando a redução da concentração do nitrogênio amoniacal total em experimentos nas fases de berçário e engorda, bem como a análise de desempenho zootécnico dos animais. Os experimentos foram realizados utilizando caixas com volume útil de 800 L. O experimento berçário teve a duração de 35 dias, com densidade de estocagem de 1200 camarões m- ² e peso médio de 0,024±0,01 g. As fontes de carbono melaço de cana-de-açúcar (M) e farelo de arroz (F) foram combinadas em diferentes percentuais. No experimento engorda foi utilizada densidade de estocagem de 300 camarões m- ², peso médio de 4,09±0,51 g, durante 70 dias. Os tratamentos foram distinguidos pelas fontes de carbono dextrose e farelo de arroz. No experimento berçário a concentração da amônia foi significativamente menor (p<0,05) com o uso do melaço. O nitrito acumulou até o final do experimento, mas devido ao curto período experimental não interferiu nos índices de desempenho zootécnico, nos quais não apresentaram diferenças pelo uso das fontes de carbono. No experimento engorda, com o uso da dextrose, a concentração de amônia foi significativamente menor (p<0,05). Apesar de elevadas concentrações de nitrito, as sobrevivências foram similares e acima de 80%. Dados zootécnicos como peso final, ganho de peso semanal, conversão alimentar aparente e produtividade foram significativamente melhores (p<0,05) no tratamento farelo de arroz. Em ambos os experimentos as fontes de carbono de degradação rápida, como o melaço e a dextrose foram mais eficientes na redução de amônia. A degradação rápida destas fontes podem ter disponibilizado maiores teores de carbono como substrato para as bactérias heterotróficas metabolizarem a amônia, melhorando a qualidade da água.

Desempenho e eficiência biológica de bubalinos de três grupos genéticos terminados em confinamento e abatidos em diferentes estádios de maturidade

Neste trabalho objetivou-se estudar o desempenho e a eficiência biológica de 48 bubalinos (16 Murrah - MUR, 16 Jafarabadi - JAF e 16 Mediterrâneo - MED) com média de 18 meses de idade e de peso vivo inicial de 330 kg terminados em confinamento. Quatro animais de cada grupo genético foram designados por sorteio para o abate inicial e serviram de referência para o estudo dos pesos iniciais de corpo vazio e de carcaça. Os 12 animais restantes de cada grupo genético foram divididos aleatoriamente em três subgrupos de quatro animais e submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: Maturidade 1 (400 kg PV ao abate); Maturidade 2 (450 kg PV ao abate); Maturidade 3 (500 kg PV ao abate). Foi fornecida uma ração única, ad libitum, para todos os animais, composta por 50% de feno de coastcross na MS e 50% de concentrado à base de fubá de milho, uréia e farelo de soja, devidamente suplementado com minerais. Após os abates pré-fixados, determinou-se o peso corporal vazio (PCVZ) dos animais, por meio do somatório das partes integrantes do corpo. Os consumos médios diários de MS e MO não diferiram entre grupos genéticos, embora animais JAF tenham apresentado os maiores valores numéricos. Animais MUR, JAF e MED não diferiram quanto aos ganhos de peso corporal vazio e de carcaça. Não houve diferenças quanto à eficiência biológica (ganho de peso corporal vazio e ganho de carcaça por unidade de energia metabolizável ingerida) entre os grupos genéticos, embora animais Murrah tenham apresentado os maiores valores. Bubalinos abatidos aos 400 e 450 kg apresentaram melhor eficiência de ganho de peso corporal vazio e ganho de carcaça que os abatidos aos 500 kg.

Qualidade da carne de ovinos puros e cruzados criados no Semiárido Nordestino brasileiro.

Resumo: A procura por carne de qualidade tem proporcionado ao setor de ovinocultura a adoção por técnicas de produção que possam contribuir para disponibilizar ao mercado produtos que atendam as necessidades dos consumidores, que se tornam cada vez mais exigentes quanto à aquisição de produtos que possam trazer benefícios a saúde. Assim, objetivou-se determinar a qualidade da carne de ovinos puros e cruzados criados no semiárido Nordestino. Utilizaram-se 30 cordeiros machos e fêmeas, oriundos dos cruzamentos Morada Nova x Morada Nova, Rabo Largo x Morada Nova e Santa Inês x Morada Nova, alojados em baias e alimentados com dieta a base de capim Canarana, milho farelo de soja e calcário. Os animais foram abatidos com peso médio de 24 kg de peso vivo e as carcaças mantidas em câmara frigorífica a 4?C, por 24 horas. Após esse período, foi seccionado o músculo Longissimus dorsi que foi embalado, identificado e armazenado a 20?C. Foram determinados os atributos físicos de capacidade de retenção de água, perda de peso por cocção e força de cisalhamento; os atributos químicos como umidade, proteína, cinza, lipídios e colesterol; avaliações subjetivas da carcaça como cor, marmoreio, textura da carne, distribuição da gordura, espessura da gordura e área de olho de lombo; os sensoriais de dureza, suculência, sabor, aroma e aceitação global e o perfil de ácidos graxos. O delineamento utilizado foi em esquema fatorial 3x2 (três grupos genéticos e dois sexos) e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Duncan a 5%. Não houve diferença (p>0,05) entre os genótipos para a composição química da carne, exceto para a variável lipídio (p<0,05). Para as características subjetivas da carcaça o genótipo influenciou (p<0,05) nas variáveis cor, marmoreio e textura da carne. O genótipo promoveu efeito (p<0,05) para as características físicas de capacidade de retenção de água e perda de peso por cocção. Os atributos sensoriais não sofreram efeitos (p>0,05) dos genótipos avaliados. Os genótipos influenciaram (p<0,05) as concentrações dos ácidos graxos saturados, monoinsaturados e poli-insaturados assim como, nas relações ?3:?6 e AGM:AGS. O fator sexo influenciou (p<0,05) nas variáveis umidade, força de cisalhamento, dureza, ácidos graxos desejáveis e relação ?3:?6. O cruzamento entre raças nativas mostrou-se com potencial para a produção de carne de qualidade, a raça Morada Nova melhorou os atributos físico-químicos da carne e em seu perfil lipídico e, o fator sexo melhorou o atributo maciez dando destaque a carne das fêmeas. Abstract: The demand for quality meat products has given the sheep industry sector productions techniques that can contribute providing the market with products that supply the needs of consumers require, who are becoming more demanding as the acquisition of differentiated and bring health benefits. The objective was to evaluate the quality of the pure sheep meat and cross bred in the semiarid Northeast of Brazil. It was used 30 male lambs and female, that came from crosses Morada Nova x Morada Nova, Rabo Largo x Morada Nova and Santa Ines x Morada Nova, housed in pens and fed a diet of grass Canarana, corn soybean meal and limestone. The animals were slaughtered at average weight of 24 kg, live weight, and carcasses kept in refrigeration chamber at 4 ° C for 24 hours. After this period the Longissimus dorsi muscle was selected, packaged, labeled and stored at 20˚C. The physical attributes were determined such as water holding capacity, cooking weight loss and shear force; the chemical attributes such as moisture, protein, ash, lipids and cholesterol; Subjective evaluations such as color, marbling, meat texture, fat distribution, fat thickness and loin eye area; the hardness sensory, juiciness, flavor, aroma and global acceptance and fatty acid profile. The design was a 3x2 factorial arrangement (three genetic groups and two genders) and the measures compared by Duncan test at 5%. There was no difference (p> 0.05) between genotypes for the chemical composition of meat, except for the lipid variable (p <0.05). To the subjective characteristics of the carcass, the genotype influenced (p <0.05) in the variables color, marbling and meat texture. The genotype promoted significant effect (p <0.05) for the physical characteristics, water retention capacity and weight loss on cooking. The sensory attributes did not suffer significant effects (p> 0.05) of the evaluated genotypes. The genotypes influenced (p <0.05) in the concentrations of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated as well as in the relations ω3: ω6 and AGM:AGS. The gender factor influenced (P <0.05) in the variables moisture, shear strength, hardness, desirable fatty acids and relation ω3: ω6. The cross between native breeds showed up with potential for quality meat production, the Morada Nova improved the physical and chemical attributes of the flesh and in their lipid profiles and sex factor improved softness attribute highlighting the meat of females.

Comportamento ingestivo de ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo sementes de urucum.

Resumo: Avaliaram-se os efeitos da inclusão dietética das sementes de urucum substituindo alimentos concentrados (milho e farelo de soja) e volumoso (feno de pasto nativo da caatinga) sobre o comportamento ingestivo de ovinos. Foram utilizados vinte ovinos machos, castrados, sem padrão racial definido (SPRD) distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos representados pelos níveis de inclusão das sementes de urucum (0%; 10%; 23%; 35% na matéria seca), com cinco animais por tratamento. Os animais foram submetidos à observação visual para avaliação do comportamento ingestivo, foram observados a cada cinco minutos, durante 24 horas, para determinação do tempo despendido em alimentação, ruminação e ócio. Avaliaram-se os eventos comportamentais dos ovinos: tempo de alimentação (TAL), ruminação (TRUM) e ócio (TÓCIO). Determinou-se também a mastigação merícica dos ovinos, estimando-se o número de mastigações e a quantidade de bolos ruminados por unidade de tempo, além do número médio de defecação e micção, e frequência de ingestão de água. Os dados foram analisados pelo software SAS®, tendo sido realizada a comparação das médias pelo teste Tuckey, análise dos contrastes polinomiais e ortogonais para os dados que apresentaram significância. A inclusão de sementes de urucum não influenciou os parâmetros de comportamento ingestivo e nem os padrões nictmerais (P<0,05). A substituição da fibra proveniente do feno de pasto nativo pela fibra das sementes de urucum trouxe vantagens especialmente pela melhoria das eficiências de alimentação e de ruminação. [Ingestive behavior of sheeps fed with diets containing anatto seeds]. Abstract: Evaluated the effect of dietary inclusion of annatto seeds replacing concentrate feed (corn and soybean meal) and roughage (hay of native pasture from Caatinga) on feeding behavior of sheep. Twenty male undefined breed sheep and castrated were distributed in a completely randomized design into four treatments (five animals per treatment), with the inclusion of annatto seeds in the diets at levels of 0%, 10%, 23% and 35%, in dry matter basis. The animals were submitted to visual observation in order to acess their ingestive behavior, were observed every five minutes, during 24 hours, to determine time spent on feeding, rumination and idleness. The behavioral events of the sheeps evaluated were time for feeding (TAL), time for rumination (TRUM) and time of idleness (TOCIO). The ruminating chews of the sheeps was determined, thus estimating the number of chews and quantity of ruminated boli per unit of time, the average number of defecation and urination, and frequency of water intake were also determined Data were analyzed using SAS® software and the Tukey test to comparison of means. Polynomial and orthogonal contrasts were made for data that showed significance. The inclusion of annatto seeds did not influence the parameters of feeding behavior and neither nictemerals patterns. The replacement of fiber

Optimization of extrusion variables for the production of snacks from by-products of rice and soybean

This study aimed to define the process conditions to obtain snacks from the by-products of rice and soybean with physical characteristics suitable for marketing. Therefore, the effects of moisture and extrusion temperature on the expansion and color of the products obtained experimentally obtained were evaluated, and the proximate composition of the by-products and that of the snack with greater desirability were determined. Response surface methodology and rotational central composite design were used, and desirability test based on the regression models adjusted was applied. The most desirable snack, with the highest expansion index (3.39), specific volume (13.5 mL.g-1), and the chromaticity coordinate a* (2.79), was obtained under 12 g.100 g-1 moisture and 85ºC of temperature in the third zone of the extruder. The snack produced under these conditions attained content of protein and lipid content 41 and 64% higher than that of the traditional corn snack. It can be concluded that producing extruded snack made form a mixture of broken grains, rice bran, and soybean okara (81:9:10) is technologically feasible, enabling the development of a new product with good nutritional value that can improve the diet of children, the main consumers of this type of food.

Heavy metal toxicity in rice and soybean plants cultivated in contaminated soil

Heavy metals can accumulate in soil and cause phytotoxicity in plants with some specific symptoms. The present study evaluated the specific symptoms on rice and soybeans plants caused by excess of heavy metals in soil. Rice and soybean were grown in pots containing soil with different levels of heavy metals. A completely randomized design was used, with four replications, using two crop species and seven sample soils with different contamination levels. Rice and soybean exhibited different responses to the high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil. Rice plants accumulated higher Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn concentrations and were more sensitive to high concentrations of these elements in the soil, absorbing them more easily compared to the soybean plants. However, high available Zn concentrations in the soil caused phytotoxicity symptoms in rice and soybean, mainly chlorosis and inhibited plant growth. Further, high Zn concentrations in the soil reduced the Fe concentration in the shoots of soybean and rice plants to levels considered deficient.

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in fermented rice (Oryza sativa) bran

This study investigated the content of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in fermented rice bran in order to evaluate the effect of solid state fermentation on these properties. The process was performed with the fungus Rhizopus oryzae CTT 1217 in tray reactors at 30 °C for 120 hours. Samples of fermented rice bran were collected every 24 hours. Antioxidant property was evaluated by the diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method and through the inhibition of enzymatic oxidation and lipid peroxidation of olive oil. The methanol extract of the biomass obtained at 96 hours of fermentation inactivated 50% of free radical in 15 minutes. The same extract reduced the peroxide value in the olive oil by 57% after 30 days of storage. The aqueous extract of the biomass obtained at 120 hours was the most efficient inhibitor of the darkening reaction catalyzed by peroxidase.

Liquid-liquid equilibria for systems composed of refined soybean oil, free fatty acids, ethanol, and water at different temperatures

Soybean oil can be deacidified by liquid-liquid extraction with ethanol. In the present paper, the liquid-liquid equilibria of systems composed of refined soybean oil, commercial linoleic acid, ethanol and water were investigated at 298.2 K. The experimental data set obtained from the present study (at 298.2 K) and the results of Mohsen-Nia et al. [1] (at 303.2 K) and Rodrigues et al. [2] (at 323.2 K) were correlated by applying the non-random two liquid (NRTL) model. The results of the present study indicated that the mutual solubility of the compounds decreased with an increase in the water content of the solvent and a decrease in the temperature of the solution. Among variables, the water content of the solvent had the strongest effect on the solubility of the components. The maximum deviation and average variance between the experimental and calculated compositions were 1.60% and 0.89%, indicating that the model could accurately predict the behavior of the compounds at different temperatures and degrees of hydration. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.