Resumen En los países tropicales la alimentación del ganado se basa, principalmente, en el consumo de plantas arbóreas y gramíneas no mejoradas, generalmente con bajo contenido nutricional. Por esta razón, no cesa la búsqueda de alternativas alimenticias de buena calidad que nutran eficientemente a los animales, aprovechando la diversidad genética de especies vegetales disponibles en el trópico; es posible que este propósito se logre con la inclusión de especies poco explotadas en la alimentación animal. La Boehmeria nívea (L.) Gaud., es una planta herbácea disponible en el trópico con potencial forrajero y nutricional para los animales, conocida con el nombre vulgar de “ramio”, cultivada ancestralmente en China y Japón, especialmente, como insumo para la industria textil. Objetivo. Describir la importancia forrajera del ramio con sus características nutricionales y morfoagronómicas. Metodología. Se realizó una investigación de tipo documental consultando las principales bases de datos de revistas científicas relacionadas con el tema en cuestión. Conclusión. La Boehmeria nívea (L.) posee alta calidad nutricional, se adapta con facilidad a las condiciones climáticas del trópico y su establecimiento no demanda prácticas difíciles para el agricultor. Estas características la convierten en una fuente potencial de alimento tanto para rumiantes como para monogástricos.

Abstract Livestock feeding in tropical countries is mainly based on the consumption of unimproved arboreal plants and grasses usually with low nutritional content. For this reason, the search for good quality food alternatives that efficiently feed the animals does not stop. Taking advantage of the genetic diversity of plant species available in the tropics, it is possible to achieve this goal with the inclusion of little exploited species in animal feeding. The Boehmeria nívea (L.) Gaud, is an herbaceous plant available in the tropics with forage and nutritional potential for animals, which is known under the common name of "ramie" and has been cultivated an-ciently in China and Japan, mainly as an input for the textile industry. Objective. To describe the forage importance of ramie with its nutritional and morpho-agronomic characteristics. Methodology. A documentary research was carried out, consulting the main databases of scientific journals related to the subject of study. Conclusion. Boehmeria nívea (L.) has high nutritional quality. It adapts easily to the tropics weather conditions and its establishment does not require difficult practices for the farmers. These characteristics make it a potential feeding source for both ruminants and monogastric animals.

RESUMO Estudou-se neste trabalho as propriedades de concretos com adição de fibras vegetais (sisal e rami) e de polipropileno para uso em paredes estruturais. Realizou-se uma comparação do desempenho do concreto com a adição de fibras vegetais e de fibra de polipropileno, a fim de se verificar a possível substituição. Foram avaliadas a retração por secagem restringida, pelo ensaio do anel, além das propriedades mecânicas (resistência à compressão, tração por compressão diametral e módulo de elasticidade) e físicas (massa específica, índice de vazios, absorção por imersão e por capilaridade). Os teores utilizados foram de 0,25 % e 0,5 % para as fibras vegetais e para a fibra de polipropileno o teor de 0,25 %. Em relação à retração restringida foi observado que a adição de 0,25 % de fibras não resultou em incremento do desempenho comparado ao concreto sem adição de fibras. Porém a adição de 0,5 % de fibras vegetais demonstrou resultados satisfatórios, sendo superiores ao concreto de referência. Foi constatado que as propriedades mecânicas dos concretos com adição de fibras, em geral inferiores ao concreto de referência, não sofreram grandes alterações, exceto para o concreto com o maior teor de rami, que não apresentou dispersão adequada das fibras. O concreto com 0,25 % de rami apresentou a maior absorção e índice de vazios, dentre todos os concretos estudados. Em relação à absorção por capilaridade, os concretos com adição das fibras vegetais demonstraram melhor desempenho, ou seja, redução da absorção por capilaridade. Concluiu-se que é plausível a substituição da fibra de polipropileno pelas fibras vegetais, principalmente de sisal.

ABSTRACT The properties with addition of vegetal fibers (sisal and ramie) and of polypropylene for use in structural walls was studied in this research. An evaluation of the performance of the concrete with an addition of vegetable fibers and of polypropylene fiber was carried out, to verify the possible displacement. Were evaluated, the shrinkage under restrained conditions by ring test, as well the mechanical properties (compressive strength, splitting tension and static modulus of elasticity) and physical properties (specific mass, voids, immersion and capillary absorption). The contents used were 0.25 % and 0.5 % for the vegetable fibers and for the polypropylene fiber or 0.25 % content. In relation to the shrinkage under restrained conditions, it was observed that the addition of 0.25 % of fibers did not result in an increase in performance compared to concrete without fiber addition, but the addition of 0.5 % of vegetal fibers showed satisfactory results, being superior to the reference concrete. The mechanical properties of the concrete with fiber addition, generally lower than the reference concrete, did not undergo major changes, except for concrete with the highest ramie content, which did not present adequate fibers dispersion. The concrete with 0.25 % ramie presented the highest absorption and voids, among all the concretes studied. In relation to the absorption by capillarity, the concretes with addition of the vegetal fibers demonstrated better performance, that is, reduction of the absorption by capillarity. It was concluded that the substitution of polypropylene fiber by vegetal fibers, especially sisal, is plausible.

ABSTRACT: Biological degumming is an eco-friendly, efficient, high-quality and low-cost method that has become the leading bast fiber degumming technology. However, bacterial strains with short degumming cycles, high gum removal rates and small fiber damage are few. To screen high quality microbial resources with bast-fiber biological degumming function, soil samples were collected from a continuously cultivated banana plantation and then used to be enriched by ramie and kenaf materials in turn. A selective pectin-degrading medium was used to screen for excellent bacteria. A dominant bacterial strain was identified by phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, and its biological degumming effects on ramie and kenaf were verified by a comprehensive evaluation system. Results showed that seven bacterial strains secreting pectinase were obtained and the largest hydrolysis circle with a diameter ratio H/C of 2.4 was produced by the bacterial strain hn1-1, which was preliminarily identified as the Bacillus cereus by colony morphological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence (GenBank accession number: KX013542) cluster analysis. The fiber production of ramie and kenaf degummed by B. cereus hn1-1 for 10 h were 72 % and 76 %, the residual gum rates were 4 % and 5 %, respectively. These values satisfied the textile industry requirement of < 6 % residual gum rate. Therefore, an effective biological degumming bacterium, B. cereus, was identified using a pectin-hydrolysis selective medium through a simple, economical, and time-saving method. Furthermore, the biological degumming technology by B. cereus for ramie and kenaf had a short cycle, ideal removal gum rate, and high-quality and productive fiber output.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of the drying method (under sunlight and shade) of the foliage of Morus alba (mulberry), Boehmeria nivea (ramie) and Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower), on the dehydration dynamics and meal quality. The water loss, under sunlight and shade, of the edible biomass of each species, was determined. The yield and bromatological quality were quantified in the dehydrated foliage. A completely randomized design was used, with two treatments and seven replicas each. The foliage dehydration was reached after five days with both drying methods, in the three species. The yield in meal was higher in mulberry, than in ramie and Mexican sunflower (186,4; 131,5 and 81,2 g /kg GM, respectively); however, in each species it had a similar value with both drying forms. In mulberry and ramie, although the dehydration method did not affect the CP content of the meal, under shade the highest values of DM (88,2 %), ADF (33,8 %) and cellulose (26,8 %) were detected in the former, as well as the value of ADF (39,8 %), cellulose (25,8 %) and lignin (9,2 %) in the latter. In Mexican sunflower, the drying under sunlight produced a higher CP content (27,1 %); while DM (89,6 %), ADF (34,1 %) and cellulose (25,7 %) were higher with drying under shade. It is concluded that both drying types constitute an alternative to dehydrate the edible biomass of the three species, with little affectation of the bromatological indicators.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la influencia del método de secado (al sol y a la sombra) del follaje de Morus alba (morera), Boehmeria nivea (ramié) y Tithonia diversifolia (titonia), sobre la dinámica de deshidratación y la calidad de la harina. Se determinó la pérdida de agua, al sol y a la sombra, de la biomasa comestible de cada especie. Al follaje deshidratado se le cuantificó el rendimiento y la calidad bromatológica de la harina. Se empleó un diseño completamente aleatorizado, con dos tratamientos y siete réplicas en cada uno. La deshidratación del follaje se alcanzó a los cinco días con ambos métodos de secado, en las tres especies. El rendimiento en harina fue mayor en morera, que en ramié y titonia (186,4; 131,5 y 81,2 g /kg MV, respectivamente); sin embargo, en cada especie tuvo un valor similar con ambas formas de secado. En morera y ramié, aunque la forma de deshidratación no afectó el contenido de PC de la harina, a la sombra se detectaron los valores más altos de MS (88,2 %), FDA (33,8 %) y celulosa (26,8%) en la primera; así como en los de FDA (39,8 %), celulosa (25,8 %) y lignina (9,2 %) en la segunda. En titonia, el secado al sol produjo mayor contenido de PC (27,1 %); mientras que la MS (89,6 %), la FDA (34,1 %) y la celulosa (25,7 %) fueron superiores con el secado a la sombra. Se concluye que ambos tipos de secado constituyen una alternativa para deshidratar la biomasa comestible de las tres especies, con poca afectación de los indicadores bromatológicos.

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) fiber is one of several lignocellulosic fibers with superior strength, but the least investigated, particularly as reinforcement in strong, tough polymeric composites. This paper presents mechanical properties for polyester reinforced with aligned ramie fibers up to 30% by volume. It was found that adding 30 vol% of ramie fibers increases the flexural strength of polyester about three times (212 ± 12 MPa vs. 63 ± 7 MPa) and tensile strength by a factor of two (89 ± 9 MPa vs. 53 ± 3 MPa). Polyester-ramie fiber composites also displayed a significant improvement in toughness. The impact energy values, as measured by Charpy and Izod impact tests, increased nearly two orders of magnitude for 30 vol% ramie fiber composite as compared to neat polyester. Additionally, fractographic studies revealed reasonable wetting of fibers by the polyester resin, and FTIR analysis confirmed a hydrophilic nature of ramie fibers. In spite of weak adhesion between hydrophilic fibers and hydrophobic matrix, composites of improved strength and toughness were demonstrated in this study. Limited fiber-matrix adhesion was reflected in preferential longitudinal propagation of cracks along the fiber/polyester interfaces, indicating also that most of the fracture area is associated with the fiber surface.

RESUMO Neste trabalho foram produzidos e caracterizados mecanicamente compósitos de resina de poliéster reforçada com tecido bidirecional de fios de rami, com diferentes teores de reforço. Estes compósitos foram testados experimentalmente e numericamente como faces de painéis sanduíches formados com núcleos de bucha vegetal impregnada com resina de poliéster e poliestireno expandido - EPS. A caracterização mecânica dos materiais em estudo foi realizada em laboratório a partir de ensaios de tração e flexão, e simulação numérica pelo Método de Elementos Finitos (MEF). A microestrutura do compósito foi analisada por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). A partir das propriedades mecânicas obtidas para os compósitos reforçados com tecido bidirecional de fios de rami e núcleos de EPS e bucha vegetal, observou-se viável a confecção de painéis sanduíches para aplicação na Construção Civil. Os compósitos com 50% de volume de fios de rami apresentaram as melhores propriedades mecânicas e foram usados como faces nos protótipos dos painéis. Os núcleos em estudo apresentaram bons resultados, com destaque para a bucha vegetal impregnada de resina poliéster, que apresentou maior rigidez e opções de confecção de painéis com maiores dimensões e mais delgados. O presente trabalho evidenciou o potencial das fibras vegetais para uso como constituintes dos compósitos poliméricos e núcleo dos painéis sanduíches e, portanto, revela uma nova alternativa de aproveitamento dessas fibras para aplicação no setor da construção.

ABSTRACT In this work, composites of polyester resin reinforced with ramie fiber bidirectional woven cloth in different content by volume have been produced and characterized. These composites were tested experimentally and numerically as faces of sandwiches panels with cores of sponge gourd impregnated with polyester resin and expanded polystyrene-EPS. Mechanical characterization of these materials was conducted in the laboratory from tensile and bending tests, and numerical simulation using Finite Element Method (FEM). The composite was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties obtained for the composites and cores showed viable making sandwich panels for application in construction. The composites with 50% volume fibers presented the best mechanical properties and have been used as faces in prototypes of the panels. The cores in study showed good results, with emphasis on the sponge gourd impregnated with polyester resin, which showed the highest stiffness and making options with larger and thinner panels. The present study showed the potential of natural fibers for use as reinforcing of polymeric composites and sandwich panels cores and so a new alternative use of these fibers for applications in the construction.

En la Granja Experimental Bengala de la Universidad del Quindío, ubicada en el municipio de Filandia, Quindío, se evaluó el valor nutricional de diferentes ensilajes para alimentar conejos, (pasto imperial Axonopus scoparius (Flüggé) Kuhlm.) mezclado con botón de oro (Ranunculus acris L.), ramio (Boehmeria nívea L.) y morera (Morus alba L.). Se valoraron cinco grupos de conejos conformados por cinco animales cada uno. El grupo de conejos alimentado con ensilaje de pasto imperial y botón de oro, fueron los que obtuvieron la mayor ganancia de peso 141g/semanal, mientras que los conejos alimentados con solo forrajes frescos, obtuvieron un peso promedio de 109g/semanal. Las fuentes nutricionales que mejor responden en la alimentación de conejos en su orden fueron: ensilaje de botón de oro, ensilaje de morera y ensilaje de ramio.

On the Quindío’s University experimental farm “Bengala”, located in the municipality of Filandia, Quindío, was carried out an assessment regarding to the weight increase of rabbits for meat, fed on fodder, (imperial grass (Axonopus scoparius (Flüggé) Kuhlm) mixed with meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris L.), ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) and morus/mulberry (Morus alba L.). A completely randomized design with five probing groups of rabbits consisting of five rabbits each was used. The group fed on imperial grass and meadow buttercup ensilage, had the highest increase of weight (141g/weekly). Whereas the group fed on simply fresh fodder had the lower mean weight (109g/weekly). Thereafter, the nutritional food sources which better response for rabbits were silages based on meadow buttercup, morus/mulberry and ramie.

RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito do enriquecimento ambiental no tempo despendido na expressão de comportamentos anormais, autolimpeza e inatividade por coelhas mantidas em gaiolas convencionais. O estudo foi realizado no setor de cunicultura da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV-UNESP), campus Jaboticabal-SP. Dezessete fêmeas multíparas da raça Nova Zelândia foram observadas antes e após o oferecimento do enriquecimento. Três espécies de forrageiras foram utilizadas como enriquecimento ambiental: cana de açúcar ( Saccharum officinarum sp.), amora ( Morus alba ) e rami ( Boehmeria nivea ). As observações foram realizadas de forma direta com registro instantâneo (com intervalos amostrais de 2 minutos) e amostragem por animal focal, sendo conduzidas em duas etapas (antes e depois da introdução do enriquecimento), com quatro períodos de observação para cada etapa, dois pela manhã (06h00min às 09h30min) e dois pela tarde (15h00min às 18h00min). As seguintes categorias comportamentais foram observadas: inatividade (I), autolimpeza (AL), comportamentos anormais (CA), consumo de ração (CR), consumo de forragem (CF) e outras atividades (OA), sendo registrado o tempo médio despendido pelos animais em cada uma dessas categorias, antes e após a oferta do enriquecimento ambiental. O teste de Wilcoxon foi usado para realizar as comparações do tempo médio antes e após o enriquecimento. Os animais utilizaram o enriquecimento ambiental em ambos os períodos do dia, sendo que a oferta de forragem reduziu significativamente (P<0,05) o tempo médio despendido de CA e AL no período da manhã e de I (P<0,05) no período da tarde. Concluiu-se que o oferecimento de forragem como enriquecimento ambiental melhora o bem-estar decoelhos mantidos em gaiolas, como caracterizado pela redução do tempo despendido na expressão de comportamentos anormais, de autolimpeza e em inatividade.

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of environmental enrichment with forage (as extra food) on the time spent in inactivity and expressing self-cleaning and abnormal behaviors by rabbits kept in cages. The study was conducted in 17 New Zealand multiparous females at the rabbit facilities in Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV-UNESP). Three species of forages were offered simultaneously as environmental enrichment, sugar cane ( Saccharum officinarum sp.), mulberry ( Morus alba ) and ramie ( Boehmeria nivea ). Behavioral observations were carried out before and after enriching the environment; this was done in four observational periods for each condition, two in the morning (from 06h00min to 09h30min) and two in the afternoon (from 15h00min to 18h00min). Rabbits' behaviors where recorded by direct observation with instantaneous records (with 2min sampling interval) and using animal focal sampling. The time spent in six behavioral categories (I = inactivity, SC = self-cleaning, AB = abnormal behaviors, CI = concentrate and FI = forage ingestion, and OA = other activities) were recorded before and after adding the environmental enrichment. Data were compared using Wilcoxon test. Animals used the environmental enrichment in both periods of the day, and it reduced significantly (P<0.05) the time spent in AB and SC in the morning and I in the afternoon. We concluded that offering forage as environmental enrichment improves the welfare of rabbits kept in cages, as shown by the reduction in the time spent by them showing self-cleaning, abnormal and inactive behaviors.

Biohydrogen production was studied from the vermicelli processing wastewater using synthetic and biological materials as immobilizing substrate employing a mixed culture in a batch reactor operated at the initial pH 6.0 and thermophilic condition (55 ± 1ºC). Maximum cumulative hydrogen production (1,210 mL H2/L wastewater) was observed at 5% (v/v) addition of ring-shaped synthetic material, which was the ring-shaped hydrophobic acrylic. Regarding 5% (v/v) addition of synthetic and biological materials, the maximum cumulative hydrogen production using immobilizing synthetic material of ball-shaped hydrophobic polyethylene (HBPE) (1,256.5 mL H2/L wastewater) was a two-fold increase of cumulative hydrogen production when compared to its production using immobilizing biological material of rope-shaped hydrophilic ramie (609.8 mL H2/L wastewater). SEM observation of immobilized biofilm on a ball-shaped HBPE or a rope-shaped hydrophilic ramie was the rod shape and gathered into group.

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud.), native species to Eastern Asia, produces the most ancient textile fiber cultivated in China or Japan. The Egyptians already imported it from the East, in the predynastic period (5 000 to 3 000 B.C.). The high protein content of its leaves led researchers from tropical and subtropical countries (Guatemala, Brazil and Southern United States) to study its forage capacity and to consider it a plant with high feeding potential, because of the production and quality of its forage. In different experiences with cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and poultry, this species proved to be feasible of being used as nutritional resource in the form of green forage and/or meal. In this review its uses, as well as a brief history and the agronomy of this crop, are commented.

El ramio o ramié (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud.), especie nativa del Asia Oriental, produce la fibra textil más antigua que se cultiva en China y Japón. Los egipcios ya la importaban desde Oriente, en el período predinástico (5 000 a 3 000 a. C.). El elevado contenido proteínico de sus hojas determinó que investigadores de países tropicales y subtropicales (Guatemala, Brasil, sur de Estados Unidos) estudiaran su aptitud forrajera y la considerasen una planta de alto potencial alimenticio, debido a la producción y la calidad de su forraje. En distintas experiencias con bovinos, ovinos, porcinos, equinos y aves, esta especie mostró que es factible de ser utilizada como recurso nutricional en forma de forraje verde y/o harina. En la presente reseña se comentan sus usos, así como una breve historia y la agronomía de este cultivo.

A trial was conducted for 100 days, in order to determine the nutritional potential of mulberry (Morus alba Linn.), ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud), tree marigold (Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) Gray) and perennial soybean (Neonotonia wightii (Wight & Arn.) J.A.Lackey) forages for feeding does under production conditions during the rainy season. Sixteen clinically healthy crossbred does were used, with a parity between cero and two parturitions, an initial age of 8-14 months and an average weight of 2,6 kg (± 0,26). The design was completely randomized, with four treatments and four repetitions, respectively. The treatments consisted in supplying 1 kg of fresh forage from mulberry (T1), ramie (T2), tree marigold (T3) or perennial soybean (T4), with an age of 45-50 days, while perennial soybean was cut with a frequency of 75 days. The does were weighed weekly, and the offspring, at birth. The number of live young rabbits per parturition was controlled. The highest DM content was found in mulberry (26,4%) and perennial soybean (24,7%). The CP was higher in tree marigold (19,4%) and showed moderate values in mulberry and ramie (17,1 and 17,7%, respectively); the lowest value was found in perennial soybean (14,1%). The DMD was 77% for mulberry, higher than 70% in tree marigold and ramie, and 61% in perennial soybean. The highest weight increase corresponded to the does fed with perennial soybean forage (0,16 kg/animal), only treatment in which the does produced live offspring (4,9 live young rabbits/parturition). In addition, they had an average of 1,75 parturitions per doe during the evaluation. The results indicated that, from the four evaluated forages, only perennial soybean may be used as unique diet for does.

Se realizó un experimento de 100 días de duración, con el objetivo de determinar el potencial nutricional del forraje de morera (Morus alba Linn.), ramié (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud), titonia (Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) Gray) y glycine (Neonotonia wightii (Wight & Arn.) J.A. Lackey) para la alimentación de reproductoras cunículas en producción, durante el periodo lluvioso. Se utilizaron 16 conejas mestizas, clínicamente sanas, con una paridad entre cero y dos partos, una edad inicial de 8 a 14 meses y un peso promedio de 2,6 kg (± 0,26). El diseño fue completamente aleatorizado, con cuatro tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones, respectivamente. Los tratamientos consistieron en la oferta de 1 kg de forraje fresco de morera (T1), ramié(T2), titonia (T3) o glycine (T4). Las leñosas forrajeras se ofrecieron con una edad de 45-50 días, mientras que la glycine se cortó con una frecuencia de 75 días. Las reproductoras se pesaron semanalmente, y las crías, al nacer. Se controló las crías nacidas vivas por parto. El mayor contenido de MS se encontró en la morera (26,4%) y la glycine (24,7%). La PB fue superior en la titonia (19,4%) y presentó valores intermedios en la morera y el ramié (17,1 y 17,7%, respectivamente); el menor valor fue en la glycine (14,1%). La DMS fue de 77% para la morera, superior al 70% en la titonia y el ramié, y en la glycine fue de 61%. El mayor incremento en peso correspondió a las hembras alimentadas con forraje de glycine (0,16 kg/animal), único tratamiento en el que las reproductoras lograron crías vivas (4,9 gazapos vivos/parto). Además, tuvieron un promedio de 1,75 partos por reproductora durante la evaluación. Los resultados indicaron que, de los cuatro forrajes evaluados, solo la glycine se puede utilizar como dieta única para reproductoras cunículas.

The use of ramie fibers as reinforcement in hybrid composites is justified considering their satisfactory mechanical properties if compared with other natural fibers. This study aims to verify changes in chemical composition and thermal stability of the ramie fibers after washing with distilled water. One additional goal is to study glass fiber and washed ramie fiber composites focusing on the effect of varying both the fiber length (25, 35, 45 and 55 mm) and the fiber composition. The overall fiber loading was maintained constant (21 vol.%). Based on the results obtained, the washed ramie fiber may be considered as an alternative for the production of these composites. The higher flexural strength presented being observed for 45 mm fiber length composite, although this difference is not significant for lower glass fiber volume fractions: (0:100) and (25:75). Also, by increasing the relative volume fraction of glass fiber until an upper limit of 75%, higher flexural and impact properties were obtained.

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea and Boehmeria tenacissima) is a widely used fiber crop. Traditional water retting or chemical boiling method performed in order to extract ramie fiber seriously pollute the environment and severely damage the fiber, so biological method is the general trend of the fiber-extracting industry. Some strains (687), involving 26 genera and 43 species, were collected from the three samples, which produce hydrolyzed circles in the selective culture medium in order to detect the degumming effect and to compare the enzyme activity. Among these strains, 13 of them did not produce cellulase and had a ramie decreasing weight rate above 25 %, which were regarded as efficient ramie-degumming strains named from R1 to R13. R1 to R13 belonged to Amycolata autotrobutylicun, Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium acetobutylicum, Bacillus subtilis, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Bacteroides finegoldii, Streptomyces lividans, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Clostridium acetobutylicum, Pseudomonas brassicacearum, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus licheniformis, Pectobacterium wasabiae respectively. Bacteroides sp., Rhizobium sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were firstly reported to be used in ramie-degumming. At the same time, the pectinase was the key enzyme in the ramie-degumming process.

The objective of this research was to determine the chemical composition and ruminal degradation of the crude protein (CP), total and individual amino acids of leaves from tropical forages: perennial soybean (Neonotonia wightii), cassava (Manihot esculenta), leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and ramie (Boehmeria nivea), and to estimate the intestinal digestibility of the rumen undegradable protein (RUDP) and individual amino acids of leaves from the tropical forages above cited, but including pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). Three nonlactating Holstein cows were used to determine the in situ ruminal degradability of protein and amino acids from leaves (6, 18 and 48 hours of ruminal incubation). For determination of the intestinal digestibility of RUDP, the residue from ruminal incubation of the materials was used for 18 hours. A larger concentration of total amino acids for ramie and smaller for perennial soybean were observed; however, they were very similar in leucaena and cassava. Leucine was the essential amino acid of greater concentration, with the exception of cassava, which exhibited a leucine concentration 40.45% smaller. Ramie showed 14.35 and 22.31% more lysine and methionine, respectively. The intestinal digestibility of RUDP varied from 23.56; 47.87; 23.48; 25.69 and 10.86% for leucaena, perennial soybean, cassava, ramie and pigeon pea, respectively. The individual amino acids of tropical forage disappeared in different extensions in the rumen. For the correct evaluation of those forages, one should consider their composition of amino acids, degradations and intestinal digestibility, once the amino acid composition of the forage does not reflect the amino acid profiles that arrived in the small intestine. Differences between the degradation curves of CP and amino acids indicate that degradation of amino acids cannot be estimated through the degradation curve of CP, and that amino acids are not degraded in a similar degradation profile.

El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar la calidad nutricional de nueve recursos forrajeros: Consuelda (Symphytum peregrinum), Morera (Morus alba), San Joaquín (Malvaviscus penduliflorus), Nacedero (Trichanthera gigantea), Botón de oro (Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. Gray), Ramio (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud, Arboloco (Montanoa quadrangularis Bipontinus Schultz), Chachafruto (Erythrina edulis Triana ex Michelle) y Aliso (Alnus acuminata Kunth), con potencial para su inclusión en los programas de suplementación estratégica en el trópico de altura en Colombia. Los forrajes que mostraron los mayores niveles de Proteína Cruda (PC) fueron Confrey (28,42), Chachafruto (26,52%), Arboloco (26,35%) y lo que mostraron los más bajos fueron San Joaquín (15,92%) y Aliso (16,88%). Los contenidos más bajos de Fibra en Detergente Neutro (FDN) los presentaron Morera (33,55%) y Aliso (35,79%), mientras que los más altas se observaron para Chachafruto (49,64%) y Ramio (48,54%). Los contenidos de nutrientes de los forrajes evaluados pueden incluirse en planes de suplementación ya que mejoran la densidad energética de la dieta y podrían incrementar el consumo de materia seca.

The aim of this study was to characterize the nutritional quality of nine forage resources: Comfrey (Symphytum peregrinum), White Mulberry (Morus alba), Sleeping Hibiscus (Malvaviscus penduliflorus), Nacedero (Trichanthera gigantea), tree marigold (Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl) Gray, Ramie (Boehmeria niveah.) Gaud, Arboloco (Montanoa quadrangularis Bipontinus Schultz), Chachafruto (Erythrina edulis Triana ex Michelle) and Andean Alder (Alnus acuminata Kunth), with potential for inclusion in strategic supplementation programs in the highland tropics of Colombia. The forages that showed the highest levéis of PC were Comfrey (28,42%), Chachafruto (26,52%), Arboloco (26,35%) and those that showed the lowest were the Sleeping Hibiscus (15,92%) and Andean Alder (16,88%). The lowest NDF contents were presented by White Mulberry (33,55%) and Andean Alder (35,79%) while the highest were observed for Chachafruto (49,64%) and Ramie (48,54%). The nutrient content of forages evaluated can be included in supplementation programs, due to they can enhance the energy density of the diet and may increase dry matter intake.

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a qualidade nutricional de nove recursos forrageiros: Confrei (Symphytum peregrinum), amoreira (Morus alba), San Joaquín (Malvaviscus penduliflorus), Nacedero (Trichanthera gigantea), Botón de oro (Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. Gray), rami (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud), Arboloco (Montanoa quadrangularis Bipontinus Schultz), chachafruto (Erythrina edulis Triana ex Michelle) e Amieiros (Alnus acuminata Kunth), com potencial para sua inclusão em programas de suplementação estratégica nas regiões tropicais de altitude da Colômbia. As forrageiras que apresentaram os maiores níveis de PC foram Confrei (28,42%), Chachafruto (26,52%), Arboloco (26,35%) e as que mostraram os menores níveis foram a San Joaquín (15,92%) e Amieiros (16,88%). Os menores teores de FDN estavam na Amoreira (33,55%) e Amieiros (35,79%), enquanto os mais altos foram observados para Chachafruto (49,64%) e Rami (48,54%). Os conteúdos de nutrientes das forrageiras avaliadas foram incluídos nos planos de suplementação já que aumentam a densidade energética da dieta e podem aumentar a ingestão de matéria seca.