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Clinoptilolite is a zeolite and an aluminosilicate that can be fed to swine in order to reduce nutrients being excreted because of their molecular sieving properties, high cation exchange capacities, and a high affinity for the ammonium ion (NH4+). Preliminary research has been carried out on utilizing zeolite's unique characteristics for dietary supplementation for livestock, however much of this research is limited and is still in its infancy. / The results from this study show that the zeolite with a particle size distribution either >250 mum or mixed (50% particles greater and smaller than 250 mum) adsorbed the most NH4+. Macro mineral and heavy metal release was similar among all particle size distributions tested, but varied between sources of zeolite. Handling properties of zeolite were not affected by moisture content or particle size. The feed trial indicated that zeolite supplementation, combined with a low crude protein and energy diet and at an inclusion level of 4%, showed potential as a feed additive in swine diets for the purposes of nutrient reduction. Nevertheless, zeolite seemed to have a greater impact on energy ingestion, as compared to crude protein. Even at 6% zeolite inclusion in the feed, hog muscle, kidney and liver tissues showed no significant increase in heavy metal contents, as compared to those fed any zeolite.

The rapid growth of Canadian pork industry has been challenged by its negative impact on the environment. To find an economical and promising solution to the environmental problems, 4% zeolite (90%+ clinoptilolite) were supplemented to a regular (100% crude protein (CP) and energy) or low CP and energy (90% CP and 90% energy or 90% CP and 85% energy) grower pig diets. Twenty male and twenty-four female grower pigs were used in two feeding experiments respectively, followed by a metabolic test with three batches of animals repeated to determine the metabolic effects of zeolite supplementation. Pig performance (body weight gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio), and metabolic parameters (manure mass, feed intake, protein and energy conversion, as well as dry feed and organic matter retention) were evaluated. Zeolite supplementation at 4% to a regular diet for grower pigs had a positive but not significant (P > 0.05) effect on all pig performance and metabolic parameters, compared to the regular diet without zeolite. Among 4 rations, pigs on a regular diet with 4% zeolite performed consistently best throughout the entire trail, with decreased average daily consumption and reduced amount of feces, increased feed and organic matter retention in the gastrointestinal tract, improved feed as well as protein and energy conversion, and enhanced body weight gain. Moreover, zeolite supplementation at 4%, with 90% CP and 90% energy in grower pig diets, improved feed and protein and energy conversion rate, and increased body weight gain, when compared to those of pigs fed a regular diet without zeolite. However, a diet of 90% of CP and 85% of energy with 4% zeolite significantly (P < 0.05) increased feed consumption and the amount of feces produced, and decreased feed and organic matter retention in the gastrointestinal tract, thus reducing feed conversion rate. Therefore, 4% zeolite supplementation to the regular or low CP and energy (90% C / Key words. Clinoptilolite, Pig, Pig Performance, Metabolic Parameter.

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Present within the biodiverse hypersaline environment are a wide variety of halotolerant filamentous fungi. Many of these phytopathogens are capable of hydrolysing plant cell wall polysaccharides such as hemicellulose which are comprised of mannans and heteromannans which are polymers of the mannose sugars. Endoacting hydrolytic enzymes such as endo-β-1,4-mannanases are secreted into the extracellular environment and are involved in the catalysis of the random hydrolysis of β-1,4-mannosidic linkages within the backbone of mannan, galactomannan, glucomannan, and galactoglucomannan. Poultry are monogastric animals that are unable to efficiently digest high-fibre and mannan rich feeds such as soybean meals and this results in decreased or depressed animal performance. The use of feeds supplemented with β-mannanases has been shown to enhance the feeding value of mannan-based meals. In the current study, the degradation of β-mannan polysaccharides present in poultry feed by halotolerant Scopulariopsis candida LMK008 β-mannanase was investigated. SDS-PAGE, Native-PAGE in conjunction with zymogram analysis was used to assess the molecular weight of the endomannanases. At least three isozymes were detected: two of 56 kDa (pI 3.5 and 6.7) and one of 28 kDa. Anion exchange chromatography was used to purify the 28 kDa isozyme. Three mannan-based substrates, viz., locust bean gum, guar gum and soybean flour, were used to evaluate the hydrolysis capability of the crude as well as the purified β-mannanase via the release of reducing sugars and was detected using the DNS assay. The β-mannanase exhibited low activity with pure guar gum but high activity with locust bean gum galactomannan and soybean flour mannan. The hydrolysis activities of the crude and purified enzyme were then tested further on mannan-based soybean meals. In general it was found that more reducing sugars were released from the grower feed than the starter and layer feeds. Another common hydrolysis pattern observed in all feed types was that after prolonged incubation of 24 h there was a decrease in the amount of reducing sugars released which could be attributed to the presence of naturally-occurring microorganisms in the feed sample which metabolised the simple sugars resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of the mannan components in the feed samples. This was confirmed by standard plate count assays. The results obtained are encouraging and the purified β-mannanase could be applied as an industrial feed additive within the animal feed industry, however, further testing of the enzyme in situ is needed in order to prove its applicability. The cloning of the endomannanase has to date proven unsuccessful despite numerous techniques being employed and further research is also needed to accomplish this task. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

Both intermittent oral gavage tube placement(0G) and indwelling nasogastric tube placement (NG) are acceptable methods for feeding preterm infants. A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted to examine the impact of OG versus NG placement on premature infant feeding transition. Twenty healthy premature infants were enrolled and thirteen completed the study. The results were not statistically significant. Age at last tube feed averaged 35 weeks gestational age (GA) for the intermittent group and 35+4 weeks GA for the indwelling group (p=0.181). Infants in both groups were discharged at an average of 36 weeks GA (p=.836) and averaged suckled volumes at 35 weeks GA was 134.4cc/kg/day for the intermittent group versus 111.8cc/kg/day for the indwelling group (p=0.240). Infant feeding patterns were analyzed descriptively and found to be consistently variable. The lack of consistency in feeding development has implications for feeding plan development and feeding transition care.