Improvement in the nutritive quality of soyabean meal by co-ensiling with under-utilized fish discards

Improvement in the nutritive value of soybean meal was investigated by Co-ensiling it with underutilized trash fish discards (gizzard shad)at different proportions. The following proportions of gizzard shad to soybean meal were used; (a) 100% gizzard shad + acid combination (b)80% gizzard shad +20% soybean meal & 10% WB (c) 60% gizzard shad + 40% soybean meal & 10% WB (d) 100% gizzard shad without acid combination. Co-ensiling was achieved by adding sufficient acid to produce a paste. Products were neutralized by addition of 2% (by weight) calcium hydroxide and drying was affected by freeze-drying.The dried silage products were stored at low temperatures. Products were analysed for proximate composition and amino acid composition.The amino acid composition and ration of essential amino acid. Non essential amino acid (EAA/NEAA) was used as index of nutritive quality. Also essential amino acid profile of the co-ensiled products were compared with essential amino acid requirement of some warmwater fish species to estimate their nutritive usefulness for these species

An investigation of the effect of replacing fish meal with soyabean meal, groundnut cake and blood meal at varied proportion on growth and food utilization of the Clarias anguillaris fingerlings fed in outdoor hapas

Fingerlings of Clarias anguillaris obtained from a homogenous source through induce breeding and each with a mean weight of 2.8g were stocked in ten hapas each measuring 1.0x1.0m in outdoor concrete tank and were fed for eight (8) weeks. Results shows that the best growth rate was recorded among fingerlings fed fish meal as the only protein source (TD5) while DT2 containing soya bean, groundnut cake (40%), blood meal as the protein sources came next. The growth rate of fingerlings fed DT2 (40 % groundnut cake, 10% soyabean meal and 10% blood meal) was higher than those fed DT4 containing 10% fish meal but lower than those fed DT5 which has fish meal as its sole source of protein (53.0%). Analysis of various growth parameters like SGR, FCR and PER. shows that DT5 was the overall best diet but there was no significant statistical difference in weight gained by fish fed the five diets (P <0.05)

The effect of replacement of soyabean meal with blood meal on the growth of mudfish Clarias anguillaris (L) fingerlings

Blood meal and full fat soyabean meal were mixed in different proportions to give 0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90% and 100% meal in the protein fraction of the diet and fed to Claria anguillaris fingerlings in floating hapas. The growth performance of the fingerlings were monitored for 84 days. At the end of the experiment the mean weight of the fingerlings increased in the level of blood meal up to 50% blood meal in the diet after which there was a decline in the mean weight of the fish. This same level of blood meal gave the best specific growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio. Thus the nutritive value of blood meal was enhanced by the addition of an equal level of full fat soyabean meal in the diet

Metabolism of the soyabean isoflavone glycoside genistin in vitro by human gut bacteria and the effect of prebiotics

The isoflavone genistein is found predominantly in soyabeans and is thought to possess various potent biological properties, including anticarcinogenic effects. Studies have shown that genistein is extensively degraded by the human gut microflora, presumably with a loss of its anti-carcinogenic action. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of a prebiotic to divert bacterial metabolism away from genistein breakdown: this may be of benefit to the host. Faecal samples were obtained from healthy volunteers and fermented in the presence of a source of soyabean isoflavones (Novasoy(TM) (10 g/l); ADM Neutraceuticals, Erith, Kent, UK). Bacterial genera of the human gut were enumerated using selective agars and genistein was quantified by HPLC. The experiment was repeated with the addition of glucose (10 g/l) or fructo-oligosaccharide (10 g/l; FOS) to the fermentation medium. The results showed most notably that counts of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. were significantly increased (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively) under steady-state conditions in the presence of FOS. Counts of Bacteroides spp. and Clostridium spp. were, however, both significantly reduced (P<0.05) during the fermentation. A decline in genistein concentration by about 52 and 56% over the 120h culture period was observed with the addition of glucose or FOS to the basal medium (P<0.01), compared with about 91% loss of genistein in the vessels containing Novasoy(TM) (ADM Neutraceuticals) only. Similar trends were obtained using a three-stage chemostat (gut model), in which once again the degradation of genistein was about 22% in vessel one, about 24% in vessel two and about 26% in vessel three in the presence of FOS, compared with a degradation of genistein of about 67% in vessel one, about 95% in vessel two and about 93% in vessel three in the gut model containing Novasoy(TM) (ADM Neutraceuticals) only. The present study has shown that the addition of excess substrate appeared to preserve genistein in vitro. In particular, the use of FOS not only augmented this effect, but also conferred an additional benefit in selectively increasing numbers of purportedly beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.

Critical review of health effects of soyabean phyto-oestrogens in post-menopausal women

A consensus view of soyabean phyto-oestrogens in clinical interventions in post-menopausal women is presented that is based on data from the EU-funded project Phytohealth. The phyto-oestrogens, primarily genistein and daidzein, were given as soyabean-protein isolates, whole-soyabean foods or extracts, supplements or pure compounds. A comprehensive literature search was conducted with well-defined inclusion or exclusion criteria. For areas for which substantial research exists only placebo-controlled double-blind randomised controlled trials (RCT) conducted on healthy post-menopausal women were included. For emerging areas all available human studies in post-menopausal women were reviewed. In order to make cross comparisons between studies the doses of isoflavones were calculated as aglycone equivalents. There is a suggestion, but no conclusive evidence, that isoflavones from the sources studied so far have a beneficial effect on bone health. The consumption of whole-soyabean foods and soyabean-protein isolates has some beneficial effects on lipid markers of cardiovascular risk. The consumption of isolated isoflavones does not affect blood lipid levels or blood pressure, although it may improve endothelial function. For menopausal symptoms there is currently limited evidence that soyabean-protein isolates, soyabean foods or red-clover (Trifolium pratense L.) extract are effective but soyabean isoflavone extracts may be effective in reducing hot flushes. There are too few RCT studies to reach conclusions on the effects of isoflavones on breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes or cognitive function. The health benefits of soyabean phyto-oestrogens in healthy post-menopausal women are subtle and even some well-designed studies do not show protective effects. Future studies should focus on high-risk post-menopausal women, especially in the areas of diabetes, CVD, breast cancer and bone health.

The effect of feeding modified soyabean oil enriched with C18 : 4 n-3 to broilers on the deposition of n-3 fatty acids in chicken meat

Supplementing broiler diets with conventional vegetable oils has little effect on the long-chain n-3 PUFA (LC n-3 PUFA) content of the meat. The present study investigated the effect on fatty acid composition and sensory characteristics of chicken meat when broilers were fed oil extracted from soyabeans (SDASOY) that had been genetically engineered to produce C18 : 4n-3 (stearidonic acid (SDA), 240 mg/g oil). Three diets were fed to 120 birds (eight replicate pens of five birds) from 15 d to slaughter (41–50 d). Diets were identical apart from the oil added to them (45 and 50 g/kg as fed in the grower and finisher phases, respectively), which was either SDASOY, near-isogenic soya (CON) or fish oil (FISH). The LC n-3 PUFA content of the meat increased in the order CON, SDASOY and FISH. In breast meat with skin, the SDA concentration was 522, 13 and 37 (sem 14·4) mg/100 g meat for SDASOY, CON and FISH, respectively. Equivalent values for C20 : 5n-3 (EPA) were 53, 13 and 140 (sem 8·4); for C22 : 5n-3 (docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)) 65, 15 and 101 (sem 3·5); for C22 : 6n-3 (DHA) 19, 9 and 181 (sem 4·4). Leg meat (with skin) values for SDA were 861, 23 and 68 (sem 30·1); for EPA 87, 9 and 258 (sem 7·5); for DPA 95, 20 and 165 (sem 5·0); for DHA 29, 10 and 278 (sem 8·4). Aroma, taste and aftertaste of freshly cooked breast meat were not affected. Fishy aromas, tastes and aftertastes were associated with LC n-3 PUFA content of the meat, being most noticeable in the FISH leg meat (both freshly cooked and reheated) and in the reheated SDASOY leg meat.

Feeding and waste management strategies in the culture of Clarias gariepinus

Nutrient digestibility and amino acid availability were assessed in sharp-toothed catfish, Clarias gariepinus, fingerlings fed diets containing soyabean flour (SF) - Poultry meat meal (PMM) blends (25:75. 50:50, and 75:25) and 0.5 of 1.0%, Cr sub(2)0 sub(3). There was agreement between the pattern of overall protein digestibility and average amino acid availability despite the variability in individual amino acid availability the best dry matter, lipid and protein digestibility coefficients, and amino acid availability values were obtained with diets containing 0.5% Cr sub(2)0 sub(3). Chromic Oxide inclusion level appeared to affect nutrient availability. Increased marker level resulted into decreased nutrient digestibility coefficients. Similarly, these diets generated lower fecal crude protein than those with 1.0% Cr sub(2)0 sub(3). However, the latter group recorded higher protein retention efficiency. Dry mailer and lipid of diets containing more soyabean flour seemed to be more digestible than those of poultry meat meal. Similar trend was observed for the apparent availability of the amino acids. This investigation has indicated that low level of marker was better in digestibility study. Utilization of more SF than PMM in the diets of this catfish was more beneficial and should be encouraged in the feed industries producing catfish diets towards a better feed and waste management strategies in this aquaculture operation

Lipase from marine Aspergillus awamori BTMFW032: Production, partial purification and application in oil effluent treatment

Marine fungus BTMFW032, isolated from seawater and identified as Aspergillus awamori, was observed to produce an extracellular lipase, which could reduce 92% fat and oil content in the effluent laden with oil. In this study, medium for lipase production under submerged fermentation was optimized statistically employing response surface method toward maximal enzyme production. Medium with soyabean meal- 0.77% (w/v); (NH4)2SO4-0.1 M; KH2PO4-0.05 M; rice bran oil-2% (v/v); CaCl2-0.05 M; PEG 6000-0.05% (w/v); NaCl-1% (w/v); inoculum-1% (v/v); pH 3.0; incubation temperature 35 8C and incubation period-five days were identified as optimal conditions for maximal lipase production. The time course experiment under optimized condition, after statistical modeling, indicated that enzyme production commenced after 36 hours of incubation and reached a maximum after 96 hours (495.0 U/ml), whereas maximal specific activity of enzyme was recorded at 108 hours (1164.63 U/mg protein). After optimization an overall 4.6- fold increase in lipase production was achieved. Partial purification by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and ion exchange chromatography resulted in 33.7% final yield. The lipase was noted to have a molecular mass of 90 kDa and optimal activity at pH 7 and 40 8C. Results indicated the scope for potential application of this marine fungal lipase in bioremediation.

Acid-base reactions between an acidic soil and plant residues

The elemental composition of residues of maize (Zea mays), sorghum (S. bicolor), groundnuts (Arachis hypogea), soya beans (Glycine max), leucaena (L. leucocephala), gliricidia (G. sepium), and sesbania (S. sesban) was determined as a basis for examining their alkalinity when incorporated into an acidic Zambian Ferralsol. Potential (ash) alkalinity, available alkalinity by titration to pH 4 and soluble alkalinity (16 It water extract titrated to pH 4) were measured. Potential alkalinity ranged from 3 73 (maize) to 1336 (groundnuts) mmol kg(-1) and was equivalent to the excess of their cation charge over inorganic anion charge. Available alkalinity was about half the potential alkalinity. Cations associated with organic anions are the source of alkalinity. About two thirds of the available alkalinity is soluble. Residue buffer curves were determined by titration with H2SO4 to pH 4. Soil buffer capacity measured by addition of NaOH was 12.9 mmol kg(-1) pH(-1). Soil and residue (10 g:0.25 g) were shaken in solution for 24 h and suspension pH values measured. Soil pH increased from 4.3 to between 4.6 (maize) and 5.2 (soyabean) and the amounts of acidity neutralized (calculated from the rise in pH and the soil buffer capacity) were between 3.9 and 11.5 mmol kg(-1), respectively. The apparent base contributions by the residues (calculated from the buffer curves and the fall in pH) ranged between 105 and 350 mmol kg(-1) of residue, equivalent to 2.6 and 8.8 mmol kg(-1) of soil, respectively. Therefore, in contact with soil acidity, more alkalinity becomes available than when in contact with H2SO4 solution. Available alkalinity (to pH 4) would be more than adequate to supply that which reacts with soil but soluble alkalinity would not. It was concluded that soil Al is able to displace cations associated with organic anions in the residues which are not displaced by H+, or that residue decomposition may have begun in the soil suspension releasing some of the non-available alkalinity. Soil and four of the residues were incubated for 100 days and changes in pH, NH4+ and NO3- concentrations measured. An acidity budget equated neutralized soil acidity with residue alkalinity and base or acid produced by N transformations. Most of the potential alkalinity of soyabean and leucaena had reacted after 14 days, but this only occurred after 100 days for gliricidia, and for maize only the available alkalinity reacted. For gliricidia and leucaena, residue alkalinity was primarily used to react with acidity produced by nitrification. Thus, the ability of residues to ameliorate acidity depends not only on their available and potential alkalinity but also on their potential to release mineral N. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Long-chain n−3 PUFA: plant v. marine sources

Increasing recognition of the importance of the long-chain n-3 PUFA, EPA and DHA, to cardiovascular health, and in the case of DHA to normal neurological development in the fetus and the newborn, has focused greater attention on the dietary supply of these fatty acids. The reason for low intakes of EPA and DHA in most developed countries (0 center dot 1-0 center dot 5hairspg/d) is the low consumption of oily fish, the richest dietary source of these fatty acids. An important question is whether dietary intake of the precursor n-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (alpha LNA), can provide sufficient amounts of tissue EPA and DHA by conversion through the n-3 PUFA elongation-desaturation pathway. alpha LNA is present in marked amounts in plant sources, including green leafy vegetables and commonly-consumed oils such as rape-seed and soyabean oils, so that increased intake of this fatty acid would be easier to achieve than via increased fish consumption. However, alpha LNA-feeding studies and stable-isotope studies using alpha LNA, which have addressed the question of bioconversion of alpha LNA to EPA and DHA, have concluded that in adult men conversion to EPA is limited (approximately 8%) and conversion to DHA is extremely low (< 0 center dot 1%). In women fractional conversion to DHA appears to be greater (9%), which may partly be a result of a lower rate of utilisation of alpha LNA for beta-oxidation in women. However, up-regulation of the conversion of EPA to DHA has also been suggested, as a result of the actions of oestrogen on Delta 6-desaturase, and may be of particular importance in maintaining adequate provision of DHA in pregnancy. The effect of oestrogen on DHA concentration in pregnant and lactating women awaits confirmation.

The effect of incremental replacement of wheat with soya hulls in diets for Jersey cows on lactational performance, diet digestibility and feeding behaviour

Eight Jersey cows were used in two balanced 4 x 4 Latin Squares to investigate the effects of replacement of dietary starch with non-forage fibre on productivity, diet digestibility and feeding behaviour. Total-mixed rations consisted of maize silage, grass silage and a soyabean meal-based concentrate mixture, each at 250g/kg DM, with the remaining 250g consisting of cracked wheat/soya hulls (SH) in the ratios of 250:0, 167:83; 83:167 and 0:250 g, respectively, for treatments SH0, SH83, SH167 and SH250. Starch concentrations were 302, 248, 193 and 140g/kg DM, and NDF concentrations were 316, 355, 394 and 434g/kg DM, for treatments SHO, SH83, SH167 and SH250, respectively. Total eating time increased (p < 0.05) as SH inclusion increased, but total rumination time was unaffected. Digestibility of DM, organic matter and starch declined (p < 0.01) as SH inclusion increased, whilst digestibility of NDF and ADF increased (p < 0.01). Dry-matter intake tended to decline with increasing SH, whilst bodyweight, milk yield and fat and lactose concentrations were unaffected by treatment. Milk protein concentration decreased (p < 0.01) as SH level increased. Feed conversion efficiency improved (p < 0.05) as SH inclusion rose, but it was not possible to determine whether this was due to the increased fibre levels alone, or the favourable effect on rumen fermentation of decreasing starch levels. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A safety evaluation of genetically modified feedstuffs for livestock production; the fate of transgenic DNA and proteins

dTwo genetic constructs used to confer improved agronomic characteristics, namely herbicide tolerance (HT) in maize and soyabean and insect resistance (Bt) in maize, are considered in respect of feeding to farm livestock, animal performance and the nutritional value and safety of animal products. A review of nucleic acid (DNA) and protein digestion in farm livestock concludes that the frequency of intact transgenic DNA and proteins of GM and non-GM crops being absorbed is minimal/non existent, although there is some evidence of the presence of short fragments of rubisco DNA of non-GM soya in animal tissues. It has been established that feed processing (especially heat) prior to feeding causes significant disruption of plant DNA. Studies with ruminant and non-ruminant farm livestock offered GM feeds demonstrated that animal performance and product composition are unaffected and that there is no evidence of transgenic DNA or proteins of current GM in the products of animals consuming such feeds. On this evidence, current HT and Bt constructs represent no threat to the health of animals, or humans consuming the products of such animals. However as new GM constructs become available it will be necessary to subject these to rigorous evaluation.

Inter-laboratory variation of in vitro cumulative gas production profiles of feeds using manual and automated methods

A study was conducted to estimate variation among laboratories and between manual and automated techniques of measuring pressure on the resulting gas production profiles (GPP). Eight feeds (molassed sugarbeet feed, grass silage, maize silage, soyabean hulls, maize gluten feed, whole crop wheat silage, wheat, glucose) were milled to pass a I mm screen and sent to three laboratories (ADAS Nutritional Sciences Research Unit, UK; Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER), UK; Wageningen University, The Netherlands). Each laboratory measured GPP over 144 h using standardised procedures with manual pressure transducers (MPT) and automated pressure systems (APS). The APS at ADAS used a pressure transducer and bottles in a shaking water bath, while the APS at Wageningen and IGER used a pressure sensor and bottles held in a stationary rack. Apparent dry matter degradability (ADDM) was estimated at the end of the incubation. GPP were fitted to a modified Michaelis-Menten model assuming a single phase of gas production, and GPP were described in terms of the asymptotic volume of gas produced (A), the time to half A (B), the time of maximum gas production rate (t(RM) (gas)) and maximum gas production rate (R-M (gas)). There were effects (P<0.001) of substrate on all parameters. However, MPT produced more (P<0.001) gas, but with longer (P<0.001) B and t(RM gas) (P<0.05) and lower (P<0.001) R-M gas compared to APS. There was no difference between apparatus in ADDM estimates. Interactions occurred between substrate and apparatus, substrate and laboratory, and laboratory and apparatus. However, when mean values for MPT were regressed from the individual laboratories, relationships were good (i.e., adjusted R-2 = 0.827 or higher). Good relationships were also observed with APS, although they were weaker than for MPT (i.e., adjusted R-2 = 0.723 or higher). The relationships between mean MPT and mean APS data were also good (i.e., adjusted R 2 = 0. 844 or higher). Data suggest that, although laboratory and method of measuring pressure are sources of variation in GPP estimation, it should be possible using appropriate mathematical models to standardise data among laboratories so that data from one laboratory could be extrapolated to others. This would allow development of a database of GPP data from many diverse feeds. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Importance of mycotoxins in food and feed in India

Various food and feed samples including groundnut seed, maize, sorghum, soyabean cake, groundnut cake, cotton cake, poultry feed, buffalo milk, cow milk and milk powders were collected from farmers' fields, farmer's stores, oil millers storage, traders' storage, retail shops and supermarkets. More than 2000 samples were analysed by ELISA and most of the commodities, with the exception of sorghum seed, contained high levels of aflatoxin. Groundnut cake was one of the major cattle feed ingredients in the peri-urban area of Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh, India) and >75% of the samples contained >100 µg/kg aflatoxin, leading to a high level of aflatoxin M1, in milk samples. Strategies to reduce aflatoxin levels (especially in groundnut) by management interventions at preharvest, harvest and storage, are discussed.