Submitted by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2016-02-01T15:58:00Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Eduardo Rodolfo da Costa - 2015.pdf: 928757 bytes, checksum: 00509c031fbbc19cebf0b06a7ea65979 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-02-02T06:52:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Eduardo Rodolfo da Costa - 2015.pdf: 928757 bytes, checksum: 00509c031fbbc19cebf0b06a7ea65979 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-02T06:52:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Eduardo Rodolfo da Costa - 2015.pdf: 928757 bytes, checksum: 00509c031fbbc19cebf0b06a7ea65979 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-10-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The nutritional value and fermentative characteristics of the silage grass mombaça with sunflower meal inclusion were evaluated. The treatments consisted of four levels of inclusion: 0%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The levels of dry matter determined in silage grass mombaça, differed depending on the sunflower meal inclusion levels, ranging from 24.69 % to 28.50%. The CP content ranged from 11.63 % to 21.651 % and significant differences were observed between the inclusion levels (P<0.05). The highest level of sunflower meal inclusion - 20% - resulted in smaller losses by effluent. The pH values found varied between 4.89 and 5.57. The average levels of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) remained between 1.33 and 6.42. The average levels of residual soluble carbohydrates ranged between 4.63 and 8.38, with significant similarity only between the levels of 15% and 20 % of sunflower meal (P> 0.05). The contents of lactic acid, acetic, propionic and butyric ranged from the 1,245 to 3,898; the 2.428 to 8.670; the 0.248 to 0.135 and the 0.016 to 0.027 respectively, and differed significantly (P<0.05) between the sunflower meal levels. The degradability of the dry matter of silage varied as a function of sunflower meal inclusion levels , having the potential degradability (PD) between 71.46 % and 81.96 %, being to 27.86 % to 32.83 % variation to the fraction "a" and between 39.01 % and 52.07 % for the "b" fraction . Regarding the CP, PD ranged from 83.09 % to 92.57 %, and the contents of the fraction "a", fractions "b" and part "c", were significantly influenced by the addition levels sunflower meal (P < 0.05) showing variation of 24.79 % to 61.50 %, 28.68 % to 59.73 %, and 0.0194 % to 0.0411 %, respectively. / Avaliou-se o valor nutricional e as características fermentativas da silagem de capim-mombaça com inclusão de farelo de girassol. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por quatro níveis de inclusão: 0%, 10%, 15% e 20%. Os teores médios de matéria seca determinados nas silagens de capim-mombaça diferiram em função dos níveis de inclusão do farelo de girassol, com variação de 24,69% a 28,50%. Os teores PB variaram de 11,63% a 21,651% e foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os níveis de inclusão (P<0,05). O maior nível de inclusão de farelo de girassol - 20% - resultou nas menores perdas por efluentes. Os valores de pH encontrados variaram de 4,89 a 5,57. Os teores médios de nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH3) se mantiveram entre 1,33 e 6,42. Os teores médios de carboidratos solúveis residuais variaram entre 4,63 e 8,38, não havendo diferença significativa, apenas entre os níveis de 15% e 20% de farelo de girassol (P>0,05). Os teores de ácido lático, acético, propiônico e butírico variaram de 1,245 a 3,898; de 2,428 a 8,670; de 0,135 a 0,248 e de 0,016 a 0,027 respectivamente, e diferiram significativamente (P<0,05) entre os níveis de farelo de girassol. A degradabilidade da matéria seca da silagem variou em função dos níveis de inclusão de farelo de girassol, tendo a degradabilidade potencial (DP) entre 71,46% e 81,96%, sendo de 27,86% a 32,83% a variação para a fração “a”, entre 39,01% e 52,07% para a fração “b”. Em relação à proteína bruta, a DP variou entre 83,09% e 92,57%, sendo que os teores da fração “a”, frações “b” e fração “c”, foram significativamente influenciados pelos níveis de adição de farelo de girassol (P<0,05), apresentando variação de 24,79% a 61,50%, 28,68% a 59,73% e 0,0194% a 0,0411%, respectivamente.

A imunidade passiva surge como uma alternativa para a manipulação da fermentação ruminal e anticorpos de origem aviária contra bactérias específicas começam a ser pesquisados. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar um preparado de anticorpos policlonais contra Streptococus bovis, Fusobacterium necrophorum e algumas cepas de bactérias proteolíticas (Peptostreptococcus anacrobius, Clostridium aminophilum e Clostridium sticklandii) sobre a diversidade microbiana ruminal e degradabilidade in situ de alguns alimentos. Foram utilizadas nove vacas mestiças portadoras de cânula ruminal. O delineamento experimental foi o quadrado latino 3 x 3 replicado 3 vezes, com arranjo fatorial de tratamentos 3 x 3 referente a 2 modificadores ruminais representados pela monensina (MON) e pelo preparado de anticorpos policlonais (PAP) mais o grupo controle e 3 fontes energéticas suplementadas na dieta, representadas pelo milho seco moído (MSM), silagem de grão úmido de milho (SGUM) e polpa cítrica (PC). Cada subperíodo experimental foi composto de 21 dias, sendo 16 dias para adaptação aos tratamentos e 5 para coleta de dados. A degradabilidade in situ dos alimentos testados foi mensurada através da técnica de saco de náilon. A coleta de amostras para a análise quantitativa de protozoários ocorreu no 21° dia de cada período, às 0 e 4 horas pós-alimentação, sendo estas coletadas por varredura do assoalho ruminal. O conteúdo ruminal foi coletado no 21° dia de cada período, às 4 h pós-alimentação, para análise da diversidade microbiana através de técnica de eletroforese em gel com gradiente de desnaturação. Observou-se que dietas contendo PC apresentaram aumento de 80,6%; 75,4% e 66,8% da degradabilidade efetiva da FDN da cana-de-açúcar para as taxas de passagem de 2, 5, 8%/h, respectivamente, em relação ao grupo tratado com SGUM, mas não em relação ao grupo com MSM. O tratamento com PAP demonstrou efeito sobre a fração solúvel (a) do amido do MSM, diminuindo esta em 45,26% e 45,37% em relação ao grupo CON e grupo MON, respectivamente. Observou-se que o tratamento com MON diminuiu em 16,14% o valor da fração potencialmente degradável (b) da MS da SGUM em relação ao grupo CON, mas não em relação ao grupo tratado com PAP. Já sobre a taxa de degradação (c), a MON aumentou o valor desta em 63,18% e 60,65% em relação ao grupo CON e PAP, respectivamente. Também a MON diminuiu a degradabilidade potencial (Dp) da MS da SGUM em 3,40% em relação ao grupo CON, mas não em relação ao grupo tratado com PAP. Observou-se que o PAP aumentou em 93,65% a contagem relativa de Isotricha em relação ao grupo CON, mas não em relação ao grupo MON. Já a PC aumentou em 334,42% (0h) e 399,75% (4h) a contagem relativa de protozoários do gênero Isotricha em relação às dietas de MSM e SGUM. Observou-se que o tratamento com PC aumentou em 52% a contagem do número de bandas em DGGE para a comunidade Archaea, em relação ao grupo MSM, sem diferir do grupo SGUM. Em linhas gerais, no presente experimento, não foi possível atribuir um padrão na estrutura de amplificação das comunidades Bacteria ou Archaea do conteúdo ruminal de animais tratados com dois diferentes modificadores ruminais ou 3 fontes energéticas distintas. / Passive immunity arises as an alternative for ruminal fermentation manipulation and aviary antibodies against specific bacteria starts to be studied. The objective of the present study was to evaluate a polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP) against Streptococus bovis, Fusobacterium necrophorum and some proteolytic bacteria (Peptostreptococcus anacrobius, Clostridium aminophilum and Clostridium sticklandii) on ruminal microbial community diversity and in situ degradability of some feedstuffs. Nine ruminally fistulated cows were used in a latin square 3 x 3 replicated 3 times with factorial arrangement of treatments 3 x 3 regarding to two rumen modifiers [monensin (MON) and (PAP) plus a control group (CON)] and three energetic sources supplemented in the diet represented by the dry-grounded corn grain (CG), high moisture corn silage (HMCS) and citrus pulp (CiPu). Each trial lasted 21 days where 16 days were for treatments adaptation and 5 for data collection. In situ degradability of the experimental diets was measured by nylon bag in situ technique. The collection of samples for quantitative protozoa analysis occurred on day 21 of each trial at 0 and 4 h after feeding by scanning the ruminal floor. The ruminal content was collected in the day 21 of each trial at 0 and 4 h after feeding for the analysis of microbial ruminal diversity by the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Diets with CiPu presented an increase of 80.6%; 75.4% and 66.8% in effective degradability of NDF of sugar cane for outflow rates of 0.02, 0.05, 0.08/h, respectively, in relation to group treated with HMCS but not to the group CG. The group treated with PAP showed effect on soluble fraction (a) of starch of CG decreasing it in 45.26% and 45.37% in relation to CON and MON group respectively. It was observed that the treatment with MON decreased in 16.14% the value of potentially soluble fraction (b) of DM from HMCS in relation to CON group but not in relation to PAP. For the degradation rate (c) the MON increased it values in 63.18% and 60.65% in relation to CON and PAP group respectively. Also, MON treatment decreased potential degradability (Pd) of DM of HMCS in 3.40% in relation to CON group but not to PAP. It was observed that PAP treatment increased in 93.65% the relative counting of Isotricha in relation to CON group but not in relation to MON group. It was observed that CiPu diet increased in 334.42% (0h) and 399.75% (4h) the relative counting of Isotricha in relation to CG and HMCS. It was observed that CiPu increased in 52% the counting of the numbers of bands in DGGE for Archaea community in relation to CG without difference to HMCS group. In general lines, in the present experiment, it was not possible to assign that there was a pattern in the structures of amplification by Bacteria and Archaea communities of the ruminal content of animals treated with two different rumen modifiers or three distinct energetic sources.

D’après l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS), les maladies cardiovasculaires (CVDs) sont la cause majeure de morbidité et de mortalité dans le monde. Dans un contexte où les thérapies non chirurgicales impliquent une administration de molécules actives à hautes doses, limiter les effets secondaires et augmenter l’efficacité thérapeutique est un enjeu majeur. Une possible réponse à cette problématique est l’utilisation de nanoparticules polymères encapsulant des molécules actives. Pour des applications de délivrance de principe actif et/ou de génie tissulaire, les polymères utilisés doivent suivre certains critères : (i) la biodégradabilité ; (ii) la biocompatibilité ; (iii) l’uniformité des chaînes polymères et (iv) une fonctionnalisation aisée par les molécules d’intérêt. Dans ce contexte, des copolymères dégradables obtenus par polymérisation radicalaire par ouverture de cycle (rROP) entre les acétals de cétène cyclique (CKAs) et des monomères vinyliques semblent satisfaire à ces critères. En effet, les CKAs sont des monomères cycliques qui s’ouvrent par voie radicalaire et permettent la formation de fonctions esters dans le squelette polymère au cours de la polymérisation. Hormis les CKAs bien connus (e.g., 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO), et 2-methylene-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane (MPDL)), un besoin de nouveaux CKAs plus hydrophiles et/ou avec de nouvelles fonctionnalités est récemment apparu. Par conséquent la synthèse de nouveaux CKAs a été étudiée.Par ailleurs, les calculs par la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité (DFT) ont démontré que la copolymérisation radicalaire du MDO avec des dérivés d’éther de vinyle (VE) était quasi idéale, ce qui fut par la suite confirmé expérimentalement. Ainsi, ce système a permis l’obtention via un mécanisme radicalaire de copolymères similaires à des polyesters, en particulier à la polycaprolactone (PCL), hautement fonctionnels via l’utilisation de divers VE. La dégradation hydrolytique des P(MDO-co-VE) ainsi obtenus a été étudiée en conditions accélérées et physiologiques. Les copolymères ont montré une vitesse de dégradation dépendant du taux de MDO et de la nature du VE. L’hydrolyse en conditions physiologiques des P(MDO-co-VE) a donné des taux de dégradation comparables à ceux obtenus pour l’acide polylactique (PLA) et la PCL, tous deux approuvés par l’agence américaine des produits alimentaires et médicamenteux (FDA). La dégradation enzymatique assistée par les lipases Candida antartica a également été étudiée, donnant une dégradation quasi complète des copolymères en 48 h. En plus d’être biodégradables, l’avantage des P(MDO-co-VE) est que les fonctions portées par les VE ont permis une fonctionnalisation aisée des copolymères via le greffage de petites molécules ou des macromolécules telles que des chaînes de poly(éthylène glycol) (PEG) ; soit après polymérisation (approche “grafting to”) soit avant polymérisation (approche “grafting through”). Les propriétés physico-chimiques ont pu être finement ajustées, permettant ainsi la formulation de nanoparticules stables convenant à des applications de délivrance de principes actifs. / According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. In a context where non-surgical therapy involves active molecules administration at high doses, circumventing possible toxic side effects and increasing the therapeutic effect is a major challenge. Thus, the use of drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles may represent a potential solution to this problem. For drug delivery and/or tissue engineering applications, polymers should follow some criteria: (i) biodegradability; (ii) biocompatibility; (iii) uniformity of the polymer chain and (iv) possibility of functionalization with molecules of interest. As such, degradable copolymers were obtained by radical ring-opening copolymerization (rROP) between cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) and vinylic monomers and fulfilled all those criteria. Indeed, CKAs are cyclic monomers which open through a radical mechanism and give degradable ester functions in the polymer backbone upon polymerization. Besides well-known CKAs (e.g., 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO), and 2-methylene-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane (MPDL)), a crucial need for new CKAs that would be more hydrophilic and/or with new functionalities has recently emerged. Therefore, synthesis of new CKAs was investigated.In addition, the rROP of MDO and vinyl ether (VE) derivatives was predicted to be quasi-ideal by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and subsequently confirmed experimentally. Thus, this system gave the opportunity to obtain polyester-like copolymers, especially polycaprolactone-like polymers, highly functional from the use of functional VE derivatives. Hydrolytic degradation of the resulting P(MDO-co-VE) was investigated under accelerated and physiological conditions. Copolymers showed tunable degradation rate as a function of the MDO content and of the nature of the VE. Hydrolysis in physiological conditions of P(MDO-co-VE) copolymers led to a degradation rate comprised between those obtained for polylactide (PLA) and PCL, both approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Enzymatic degradation by lipases Candida antartica was also studied, leading to nearly complete degradation in 48 h. In addition to be hydrolytically and enzymatically degradable, a strong advantage of P(MDO-co-VE) copolymers rely in their easiness of functionalization via the use of various VE moieties, leading to efficient grafting by small molecules or macromolecules such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains; either after polymerization (“grafting to” approach) or before polymerization (“grafting through” approach). Physicochemical properties were finely tuned enabling the formulation of stable nanoparticles suitable for drug delivery purpose.

PhD (AGR) (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science / Horticultural by-products such as seed and nut oil residues have the potential to replace conventional protein and energy sources in diets for ruminants. The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritive value of Macadamia oil cake and Baobab seed cake as nutrient supplements for feedlot animals. Several experiments were carried-out to evaluate the nutritive value of Macadamia oil cake and Baobab seed cake as feed for ruminants. The nutrient composition of the cakes were determined using both proximate and modern methods of analysis of feeds and a t-test was used to compare the means of Macadamia oil cake and Baobab seed cake. The in sacco technique was used to determine the rumen degradability parameters of dry matter, crude protein and Amino acids of the cakes. This experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design. A three step-in vitro technique was used to conduct a post ruminal digestibility trial and the study was arranged in a completely randomized design. An apparent digestibility trial was conducted using metabolism cages and fecal bags to avoid the mixing of urine and faeces and the experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial. A growth trial was conducted using a completely randomized block design arranged in a 2x2 factorial with two protein supplements and two inclusion levels as factors and blocked by sex of the lambs. The two cakes had similar (P>0.05) dry matter, fat, hemicellulose and gross energy contents. Baobab seed cake had significantly (P<0.05) higher ash, crude protein, acid detergent lignin and nitrogen free extract than macadamia oil cake. Macadamia oil cake had significantly (P<0.05) higher crude fiber, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and cellulose concentrations. Baobab seed cake had significantly (P<0.05) higher calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus (macroelements), zinc, and copper than macadamia oil cake. Macadamia oil cake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in manganese and iron contents than Baobab seed cake. Sodium content was not significantly (P>0.05) different between the two cakes. Baobab seed cake had more (Tryptophan, Cysteine, Arginine, Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Valine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine, Leucine) Amino acids which were significantly (P<0.05) higher in quantity than macadamia oil cake with the two cakes having similar (P>0.05) remaining Amino acids contents. Generally Macadamia oil cake had more (P<0.05) saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids than Baobab seed cake whereas Baobab seed cake had more (P<0.05) poly-unsaturated fatty acids. v The in sacco rumen degradability characteristics of baobab seed cake and macadamia oil cake were estimated for dry matter and crude protein of the cakes. Macadamia oil cake had significantly (P<0.01) higher a value for dry matter than boabab seed cake. Baoaba seed cake had significantly (P<0.01) higher a value for crude protein than macadamia oil cake. the b, c, and a+b values for dry matter of both Baobab seed cake and Macadamia oil cake were not significantly (P>0.05) different form each other. However, the potential degradability (a+b) value for crude protein of baobab seed cake was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of macadamia oil cake. The b and c constants of the two cakes for crude protein were not significantly (P>0.05) different from each other. The ED (Effective degradability) values calculated at three outflow rates (0.02, 0.05, 0.08) were estimated for dry matter and crude protein of Baobab seed cake and macadamia oil cake. The ED of the two cakes calculated at 0.02 outflow rate did not significantly (P>0.05) differ from each other. However, baobab seed cake had significantly (P<0.05) higher ED value at outflow rate of 0.05 whereas macadamia oil cake had significantly (P<0.05) higher ED value calculated at outflow rate of 0.08. The ED values of baobab seed cake for crude protein calculated at the three outflow rate were significantly (P<0.01) higher than those of macadamia oil cake. The two cakes did not significantly (P>0.05) differ in dry matter ruminal degradability but baobab seed cake had significantly (P<0.05) higher ruminal crude protein disappearance from 16 to 72 hours of incubation than macadamia oil cake. The in situ Amino acid degradation was determined on 0, 12, 16, 24, and 48 hour of ruminal incubation of the cakes’ samples and generally they were significant (P<0.05) differences for both cakes according to different incubation periods. The 3-step in vitro digestibility trial revealed that baobab seed cake had significantly (P<0.05) higher dry matter, crude protein and Amino acids digestibility values than macadamia oil cake. Apparent digestibility study revealed that nutrient intake, faecal and urine outputs, and digestibility of nutrients were not significantly (P>0.05) different between baobab seed cake and macadamia oil cake. However, lambs on 10% macadamia cake having retained significantly (P<0.05) more nitrogen than the lambs on 15% macadamia oil cake, 10% and 15% baobab seed cakes diets. However, the inclusion of either baobab seed cake or macadamia oil cake at 10% or 15% in the diets of lambs did not significantly (P>0.05) affect the DOMR, microbial protein yield and purine derivates output. For the growth trial the lambs were offered four diets formulated to contain 10% MOC (control), 15% MOC, 10 BSC and 15% BSC. The inclusion of 15% MOC and 10% BSC in the diets of lambs did not significantly (P>0.05) affect their final body weight, total weight gain, average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain, warm and cold carcass masses between these two vi groups. The inclusion of 10% MOC and 15% BSC in the diets of lambs did not significantly affect average daily feed intake and animal performance between these two groups. However, lambs on 10% MOC and 15% BSC had significantly (P<0.05) higher average daily feed intake and animal performance compared to lambs on 15% MOC diet. The feed conversion efficiency and of the lambs in the four diets were not significantly (P>0.05) different. The dressing percentage, carcass length, neck weight, fat thickness, body weight thickness and rib eye area of the carcasses of lambs in this trial did not differ significantly (P>0.05) except for spleen and skin with lambs on 10% BSC diets having the least skin weight and lambs on 10% MOC diet having heaver spleens. Generally BSC had higher (P<0.05) nutrient content than MOC. BSC and MOC were highly degradable in the rumen whereas BSC was higly digestible post-ruminally compared to MOC. The diets of fattening lambs formulated to include 10% or 15% of BSC or MOC as protein supplements did not affect the apparent digestibility of the diets. Macadamia oil cake can be incomporated in the diet of finishing lambs as a protein supplement at 10% inclusion level without compromising the growth and carcass characteristics of the lambs. Baobab seed cake as a protein supplement can be included in the diet of finishing lambs at up to 15% inclusion level without deleteriously compromising on the growth and carcass characteristics of the animals. ______________________________________ / NRF

A ensilagem de grãos de milho reidratados é uma estratégia de armazenamento vantajosa, economicamente viável e que melhora a digestibilidade do amido. Este estudo foi dividido em dois experimentos - Experimento 1: Utilização de aditivos químicos e microbianos sobre aspectos fermentativos e estabilidade aeróbia de silagens de milho reidratado. Os tratamentos consistiram em silagens de milho tratadas com Lactobacillus buchneri (LB - 5×105 ufc/g da matéria natural); Bactérias homoláticas (Homo - 5×105 ufc/g MN); Lactobacillus buchneri + homoláticas (Combo - 1×106 ufc/g MN); Lactobacillus buchneri + nitrito de sódio (LB - 5×105 ufc/g MN + 1,5 g/kg MN de nitrito) e benzoato de sódio (Benz - 2,0 g/kg MN). Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições. Experimento 2: Utilização de silagem de grãos de milho reidratados com ou sem a adição de benzoato de sódio sobre a digestibilidade e desempenho de vacas leiteiras. Foram utilizadas 18 vacas Holandês, alocadas em três quadrados latinos para avaliação dos tratamentos: Controle (silagem de milho reidratado); Benz (silagem de milho reidratado + benzoato de sódio - 2,0 g/kg MN) e MiS (milho seco moído). Em todas as dietas o nível de inclusão do milho foi de 17,3%. No primeiro experimento, a composição química das silagens foi adequada e as perdas fermentativas foram baixas (<1,6%) para todos os tratamentos. A presença de aditivos microbianos resultou em silagens bem fermentadas, enquanto silagens Benz preservaram carboidratos solúveis e resultaram em menor concentração de produtos de fermentação. A estabilidade aeróbia foi máxima para LB, Combo e Benz (240h) e intermediária para LBNit (151h). A silagem inoculada com bactérias homoláticas foi menos efetiva em promover estabilidade aeróbia (74,7h), comparada à controle (53,5h). Os melhores parâmetros de degradabilidade ruminal da MS foram obtidos para a silagens LB e Combo. Silagem Benz e Homo foram semelhantes à Controle e o LBNIT piorou a degrabilidade ruminal da MS. No segundo experimento, O CMS foi similar entre os tratamentos, com média de 21,1 kg/dia, ao passo que a digestibilidade do amido e CNF foi maior para os grãos fermentados. O maior aporte energético das silagens gerou tendência de aumento na produção de leite corrigido para 3,5% de gordura. Ao relacionar essa produção com o CMS, os animais alimentados com silagens de grãos reidratados tenderam a uma maior eficiência alimentar. Vacas leiteiras alimentadas com silagens apresentaram menor excreção de nitrogênio ureico no leite (11,9 vs 13 mg/dL), o que sugere um melhor uso de nitrogênio para produção de proteína microbiana. O uso dos aditivos benzoato de sódio, L. buchneri e L. buchneri combinado com bactérias homoláticas é aconselhável para promover a fermentação, estabilidade aeróbia e valor nutritivo de silagens de grãos de milho reidratados. / Rehydrated corn grain silage is an advantageous storage method, economically viable and improves starch digestibility. This study was carried out in two experiments - Experiment 1: Use of chemical and microbial additives on fermentation aspects and aerobic stability of rehydrated corn grain silage. The treatments consisted of rehydrated corn silage with different types of additives: control (no additive); Lactobacillus buchneri (LB - 5 × 105 cfu/g of fresh matter); homolactic bacteria (Homo - 5 × 105 cfu/g FM); Lactobacillus buchneri + homolactic bacteria (Combo LB - 5 × 105 cfu/g + LP - 5 × 105 cfu/g FM); Lactobacillus buchneri + sodium nitrite (LB - 5 × 105 cfu/g FM + nitrite - 1.5 g/kg FM) and sodium benzoate (Benz - 2.0 g/kg FM). The experiment was made in a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications. Experiment 2: Use of rehydrated corn silage with or without sodium benzoate on the digestibility and performance of dairy cows. Eighteen Holstein cows were distributed in a replicated 3×3 latin square design with three periods (22-d) to evaluate the effect of control treatment (rehydrated corn silage); Benz (rehydrated corn silage plus sodium benzoate - 2.0 g/kg FM) and DGC (dry ground corn). In all diets the inclusion of corn was 17.3% in dry matter basis. In the first experiment, the chemical composition of silages was adequate and the fermentative DM losses were low (<1.6%) for all treatments. The presence of microbial additives resulted in well fermented silages, while Benz silages preserved WSC and showed lower concentration of fermentation products. The aerobic stability was highest for LB, Combo and Benz (240h) and intermediate for LBNit (151h). The Homo silages was less effective in promoting aerobic stability (74.7h), compared to the control (53.5h). The best parameters of ruminal DM degradability were obtained for LB and Combo silages. Benz and Homo silages were similar to the control, while LBNIT worsened the ruminal degrability of DM. In the second experiment, dry matter intake was similar across treatments with average of 21.1 kg/day, whereas starch and CNF digestibility was higher for fermented grains. The higher energy of silages tended to increase the production of 3.5 % fat-corrected milk. Therefore, animals fed rehydrated grain silages tended to present increased feed efficiency. Dairy cows fed silages had lower excretion of milk urea nitrogen, suggesting a better use of nitrogen for microbial protein synthesis. The use of additives sodium benzoate, L. buchneri and L. buchneri combined with homolactic bacteria is advisible to improve the fermentation, the aerobic stability and the nutritive value of rehydrated corn grain silages.

The current research was done to evaluate the nutritive values and the ruminal degradation of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) from three non-conventional oil cakes, viz: amarula (Sclerocarya birrea) (AOC), macadamia (Integrifolia) (MOC) and baobab (Adansonia digitate L.) (BOC). The oil cakes were collected from biodiesel producers in Limpopo Province, transported to the ARC-Animal Production campus, where proximate and ruminal nutrient degradation analysis were conducted. Triplicates samples from each oil cake were analyzed for the nutritive values, mineral and amino acids contents. Three rumen cannulated mid-lactating (days in milk; DIM: 180±5) Holstein cows weighing 667±43 kg body weight were allocated to determine the in situ ruminal dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradation. The cows were offered a totally mixed ration (TMR) (60 concentrate: 40 forage ratio) that was compounded according to their daily nutrient requirements, and were milking was done twice per day at 12 hrs intervals. The three oil cake samples were ground using a 2-mm screen after which sub-samples (6.5 g) were put in 10 x 20 cm; 50 μm pore size polyester bags to achieve 15 mg/cm² (ratio of the sample size to surface area). The bags were then fistulated in each cow’s rumen in triplicate for a period of 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, or 48 hrs. After being incubated, the bags were removed from the rumen and washed with cold (4°C) water in 20-L buckets. Following immersing in cold water, the bags were machine washed until clean water was obtained. The bags were then dried at 60 °C in an oven for 48 hrs. The dried bags were individually weighed, and the content of each bag were removed and stored into glass vial until analysis. The remaining two duplicate sets of each sample were rinsed using cold water in order to determine solubility at 0 hrs. The AOC had higher (P<0.05) ether extract (EE) and CP content than both BOC and MOC. Macadamia oilcake (MOC) and BOC had higher (P<0.05) fractions of fibre (NDF, ADF and ADL) compared to the AOC. The AOC had greater (P<0.05) content of essential amino acids than in the BOC and MOC. Additionally, AOC had a high (P<0.05) phosphorus, but low calcium and potassium concentration. While AOC had high effective degradability of DM, it also had high water soluble as well as DM and CP rapidly degradable fractions. Effective degradation of CP was higher in AOC and BOC than in MOC. However, BOC had a high insoluble but degradable fraction of CP. Further work to determine the toxicology of these non-conventional oil cakes and animal feeding experiments is needed / Agriculture and  Animal Health / MSc. Agriculture

L’amido è la maggiore fonte di energia per i ruminanti e la sua efficienza di utilizzazione nel tratto gastro-intestinale è importante per soddisfare i fabbisogni energetici dell’animale. La degradabilità dell’amido è misurata da diversi metodi (i.e., metodi in vivo, in situ, in vitro con inoculo ruminale e/o metodi enzimatici) e appare essere influenzata dal tipo di cereale, dai metodi di lavorazione e conservazione degli alimenti, dalla dimensione delle particelle, dal tipo di endosperma, etc.). La tesi è consistita di 4 esperimenti: Esperimento 1) la degradabilità dell’amido di diversi alimenti è stata valutata con un metodi condotto in situ ed il metodo in vitro proposto da Tilley&Terry: entrambi sono stati capaci di differenziare gli alimenti in base alla diversa degradabilità dell’amido. Esperimento 2) Un approccio enzimatico è stato studiato per determinare la quantità di amido degradato. Esperimento 3) Il metodo enzimatico ed il metodo Tilley&Terry sono stati comparati e sono risultati essere ben correlati, evidenziando la possibilità di utilizzare l’approccio enzimatico per studiare i fattori che influenzano la degradabilità dell’amido. Dato che pochi lavori scientifici hanno confrontato la degradabilità dell’amido di granelle e pastoni di mais, nell’Esperimento 4) sono stati raccolti campioni di mais conservati con diverse modalità (i.e., farina di mais, pastoni di granella e pastoni integrali di mais) per verificare quali le caratteristiche chimiche che influenzano la degradabilità dell’amido. I fattori che maggiormente condizionano la valutazione enzimatica della degradabilità dell’amido sono il contenuto in prolamine e l’umidità dei campioni. In conclusione, il metodo enzimatico può essere routinariamente utilizzato dai laboratori commerciali per la rapida valutazione della degradabilità dell’amido negli alimenti destinati all’uso animale. / Starch is the main energy source for ruminants and its efficient utilization in gastro-intestinal tract is important to meet animal energy requirements. The starch degradability is determined by several methods (i.e., in vivo, in situ, in vitro ruminal and/or enzymatic methods) and is affected by type of grain, processing and conservation methods, particle size, type of endosperm, etc.. Four experiments were conducted: Experiment 1) starch degradability of different feeds was evaluated with in-situ and in-vitro Tilley&Terry methods: both are able to differentiate starch degradability among feeds. Experiment 2) An in-vitro enzymatic approach was studied to determine the amount of starch degradation. Experiment 3) Enzymatic and Tilley-Terry methods were compared, resulting well correlated and highlighting the possible application of enzymatic method to investigate the factors affecting starch degradability. Because few works compared the starch degradability of dry-ground and high-moisture corns, in Experiment 4) a data set of different conserved corn samples (i.e., dry, high-moisture and high-moisture-ear corns) was produced and chemical factors affecting starch degradability were studied. The most important factors influencing the enzymatic starch degradability were prolamin and moisture. Concluding, the enzymatic method could be used by commercial laboratories as a routine method for rapid determination of feed starch degradability.

A ensilagem de grãos de milho reidratados é uma estratégia de armazenamento vantajosa, economicamente viável e que melhora a digestibilidade do amido. Este estudo foi dividido em dois experimentos - Experimento 1: Utilização de aditivos químicos e microbianos sobre aspectos fermentativos e estabilidade aeróbia de silagens de milho reidratado. Os tratamentos consistiram em silagens de milho tratadas com Lactobacillus buchneri (LB - 5×105 ufc/g da matéria natural); Bactérias homoláticas (Homo - 5×105 ufc/g MN); Lactobacillus buchneri + homoláticas (Combo - 1×106 ufc/g MN); Lactobacillus buchneri + nitrito de sódio (LB - 5×105 ufc/g MN + 1,5 g/kg MN de nitrito) e benzoato de sódio (Benz - 2,0 g/kg MN). Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições. Experimento 2: Utilização de silagem de grãos de milho reidratados com ou sem a adição de benzoato de sódio sobre a digestibilidade e desempenho de vacas leiteiras. Foram utilizadas 18 vacas Holandês, alocadas em três quadrados latinos para avaliação dos tratamentos: Controle (silagem de milho reidratado); Benz (silagem de milho reidratado + benzoato de sódio - 2,0 g/kg MN) e MiS (milho seco moído). Em todas as dietas o nível de inclusão do milho foi de 17,3%. No primeiro experimento, a composição química das silagens foi adequada e as perdas fermentativas foram baixas (<1,6%) para todos os tratamentos. A presença de aditivos microbianos resultou em silagens bem fermentadas, enquanto silagens Benz preservaram carboidratos solúveis e resultaram em menor concentração de produtos de fermentação. A estabilidade aeróbia foi máxima para LB, Combo e Benz (240h) e intermediária para LBNit (151h). A silagem inoculada com bactérias homoláticas foi menos efetiva em promover estabilidade aeróbia (74,7h), comparada à controle (53,5h). Os melhores parâmetros de degradabilidade ruminal da MS foram obtidos para a silagens LB e Combo. Silagem Benz e Homo foram semelhantes à Controle e o LBNIT piorou a degrabilidade ruminal da MS. No segundo experimento, O CMS foi similar entre os tratamentos, com média de 21,1 kg/dia, ao passo que a digestibilidade do amido e CNF foi maior para os grãos fermentados. O maior aporte energético das silagens gerou tendência de aumento na produção de leite corrigido para 3,5% de gordura. Ao relacionar essa produção com o CMS, os animais alimentados com silagens de grãos reidratados tenderam a uma maior eficiência alimentar. Vacas leiteiras alimentadas com silagens apresentaram menor excreção de nitrogênio ureico no leite (11,9 vs 13 mg/dL), o que sugere um melhor uso de nitrogênio para produção de proteína microbiana. O uso dos aditivos benzoato de sódio, L. buchneri e L. buchneri combinado com bactérias homoláticas é aconselhável para promover a fermentação, estabilidade aeróbia e valor nutritivo de silagens de grãos de milho reidratados. / Rehydrated corn grain silage is an advantageous storage method, economically viable and improves starch digestibility. This study was carried out in two experiments - Experiment 1: Use of chemical and microbial additives on fermentation aspects and aerobic stability of rehydrated corn grain silage. The treatments consisted of rehydrated corn silage with different types of additives: control (no additive); Lactobacillus buchneri (LB - 5 × 105 cfu/g of fresh matter); homolactic bacteria (Homo - 5 × 105 cfu/g FM); Lactobacillus buchneri + homolactic bacteria (Combo LB - 5 × 105 cfu/g + LP - 5 × 105 cfu/g FM); Lactobacillus buchneri + sodium nitrite (LB - 5 × 105 cfu/g FM + nitrite - 1.5 g/kg FM) and sodium benzoate (Benz - 2.0 g/kg FM). The experiment was made in a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications. Experiment 2: Use of rehydrated corn silage with or without sodium benzoate on the digestibility and performance of dairy cows. Eighteen Holstein cows were distributed in a replicated 3×3 latin square design with three periods (22-d) to evaluate the effect of control treatment (rehydrated corn silage); Benz (rehydrated corn silage plus sodium benzoate - 2.0 g/kg FM) and DGC (dry ground corn). In all diets the inclusion of corn was 17.3% in dry matter basis. In the first experiment, the chemical composition of silages was adequate and the fermentative DM losses were low (<1.6%) for all treatments. The presence of microbial additives resulted in well fermented silages, while Benz silages preserved WSC and showed lower concentration of fermentation products. The aerobic stability was highest for LB, Combo and Benz (240h) and intermediate for LBNit (151h). The Homo silages was less effective in promoting aerobic stability (74.7h), compared to the control (53.5h). The best parameters of ruminal DM degradability were obtained for LB and Combo silages. Benz and Homo silages were similar to the control, while LBNIT worsened the ruminal degrability of DM. In the second experiment, dry matter intake was similar across treatments with average of 21.1 kg/day, whereas starch and CNF digestibility was higher for fermented grains. The higher energy of silages tended to increase the production of 3.5 % fat-corrected milk. Therefore, animals fed rehydrated grain silages tended to present increased feed efficiency. Dairy cows fed silages had lower excretion of milk urea nitrogen, suggesting a better use of nitrogen for microbial protein synthesis. The use of additives sodium benzoate, L. buchneri and L. buchneri combined with homolactic bacteria is advisible to improve the fermentation, the aerobic stability and the nutritive value of rehydrated corn grain silages.

Department of Animal Science / PhD (Agric)

MSCAGR (Animal Science) / See the attached abstract below