ABSTRACT: A reliable determination of endogenous phosphorus (P) excretion is required to measure P utilization in chickens accurately. The objective of this study was to investigate phosphorus (P) retention in broilers fed diets formulated with different feed ingredients. Sixty-four 15-d old broiler chicks were fed diets in which part of the dietary P was provided from dicalcium phosphate, maize, barley or soybean. Level of supplementation of each ingredient was calculated to provide two levels of total P (4.5 or 5.0 g kg−1 feed). Birds received a single injection of 3 MBq of 32P to determine endogenous P excretion using the isotope dilution technique. Four days after injection, blood and excreta were collected for analysis of inorganic and radioactive P. There were no differences among diets in total (p = 0.37) or endogenous (p = 0.65) P excretion or in P retention (p = 0.37) regardless of the supplemental feed material used in each diet. Daily P retention was increased (p = 0.004) as P intake increased, but the proportion of P ingested that was retained was not affected (p = 0.23) by the level of dietary P. The use of an isotopic tracer allows for accurate estimation of endogenous P in excreta, ranging from 0.24 to 0.42 mg P g−1 dry matter intake. The retention of P in growing chickens was not changed when 10-20 % of total P was provided by maize, barley or soybean.

Five hundred and four 1-day-old Cobb broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 18 treatments and fed a semi-purified basal diet (4 g/kg total phosphorus) supplemented with 2 levels of supplemental P (0.5 or 1 g/kg) during 21 days to evaluate performance and bone mineralization; to assess the relative bioavailability of P (RBP) in wheat meal (WM) and roasted (RS) or extruded soybean meal (ES), with or without phytase (0 or 750 ftu/kg diet), using dicalcium phosphate (DC) as standard; and to estimate phosphorus excretion. Weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed to gain ratio (FG), and tibia ash weigh (AW) were assessed. For each source, the RBP was calculated by the slope ratio method, when tibia ash weight was regressed on P ingested. Ingested and fecal P was determined to calculate P intake, and P excretion and excretion rate. Phytase addition increased overall FI, WG, and FG ratio by 3.3, 2.6 and 0.8%, respectively, but differences were not significant. Overall AW was increased by 10.8% after the enzyme inclusion in the diets. The relative bioavailability of phosphorus values of tested WM, RS, and ES were increased by 6.32, 64.32, 76.99%, respectively, in response to supplementation of phytase in diets containing WM, RS, and ES, respectively. Phytase reduced P excretion by 12.7% and the excretion rate by 15.0%, regardless of the phosphorus source or level.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, fermentation patterns and aerobic stability of sugarcane silages with addition of amino acid production (monosodium glutamate) by-product (APB) and microbial inoculants. Mature sugarcane was chopped and ensiled in laboratory silos (n = 4/treatment) without additives (control) and with APB (10 g/kg), Pioneer 1174® (PIO, 1.0 mg/kg, Lactobacillus plantarum + Streptoccoccus faecium, Pioneer), Lalsil Cana (2.0 mg/kg, Lactobacillus buchineri, Lallemand) or Mercosil Maís 11C33® (1.0 mg/kg, Lactobacillus buchineri + Lactobacillus plantarum + Streptoccoccus faecium, Timac Agro). Fresh silage and silage liquor samples were obtained to assess pH, chemical composition and organic acid concentrations. Silage temperature was recorded throughout seven days to evaluate aerobic stability. The addition of APB decreased lactic acid levels, increased pH and N-NH3 and did not alter ethanol, acetic and butyric acids concentrations or dry matter (DM) losses. Microbial inoculants enhanced acetic acid levels, although only Pioneer 1174® and Mercosil Maís 11C33® lowered ethanol, butyric acid and DM losses. The addition of APB increased CP content and did not modify DM, soluble carbohydrates contents or in vitro dry matter digestibility. Additives did not alter silage maximum temperature or temperature increasing rate; however, Pioneer 1174® and Mercosil Maís 11C33® increased the time elapsed to reach maximum temperature. Monosodium glutamate production by-product does not alter fermentation patterns or aerobic stability of sugarcane silages, whereas homofermentative bacteria can provide silages of good quality.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding alkalis on the fermentative pattern, aerobic stability and nutritive value of the sugarcane silage. A completely randomized design with 6 additives in two concentrations (1 or 2%), plus a control group, totalizing 13 treatments [(6×2)+1] with four replications, was used. The additives were sodium hydroxide (NaOH), limestone (CaCO3), urea (CO(NH2)2), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), quicklime (CaO) and hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2). The material was ensiled in 52 laboratory silos using plastic buckets with 12 L of capacity. Silos were opened 60 days after ensiling, when organic acids concentration, aerobic stability and chemical composition were determined. The Relative Biological Efficiency (RBE) was calculated by the slope ratio method, using the data obtained from ratio between desirable and undesirable silage products, according to the equation: D/U ratio = [lactic/(ethanol + acetic + butyric)]. All additives affected dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber contents and buffering capacity. Except for urea and quicklime, all additives increased the in vitro dry matter digestibility. In general, these additives altered the fermentative pattern of sugarcane silage, inhibiting alcoholic fermentation and improving lactic acid production. The additive that showed the best RBE in relation to sodium hydroxide (100%) was limestone (89.4%). The RBE values of urea, sodium bicarbonate and hydrated lime were 49.2%, 47.7% and 34.3%, respectively.

Quatrocentos e vinte pintos de corte Cobb 500, machos de 1 dia de idade, foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 15 tratamentos com 4 repetições, em teste utilizando baterias (7 aves/gaiola), com duração de 21 dias, para determinar a biodisponibilidade relativa de fósforo (BRP) em três ingredientes, com duas características genéticas (baixo fósforo fítico ou convencional). Utilizou-se uma dieta basal semipurificada, à base de milho e farelo de soja, adicionada de cevada convencional, cevada com baixo fósforo fítico, milho convencional, milho com baixo fósforo fítico, farelo de soja convencional, farelo de soja com baixo fósforo fítico e de fosfato bicálcico em substituição ao amido de milho, de modo a fornecer 0,05 ou 0,10% de fósforo suplementar, totalizando 15 dietas [(3 × 2 × 2) + 3]. Semanalmente foram avaliados o peso vivo, o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração e a conversão alimentar por parcela experimental. Ao final do experimento, aos 21 dias de idade, foram abatidas 3 aves por unidade experimental para remoção das tíbias esquerdas para análise do conteúdo de cinzas ósseas. A biodisponibilidade de fósforo do milho, da cevada e do farelo de soja convencionais foram de 18,5; 50,9 e 34,4% respectivamente, enquanto, para a do milho, da cevada e do farelo de soja com baixo fósforo fítico foram de 93,5; 132,9 e 90,9% respectivamente. O consumo de ração, o ganho de peso e a mineralização óssea das aves alimentadas com as dietas com baixo fósforo fítico foram superiores aos daquelas alimentadas com as dietas convencionais.

Four hundred and twenty one day-old broilers, Cobb 500, were randomly allotted to 15 treatments with four replications (7 chicks/pen) in a 21-day battery trial to assess the relative availability of phosphorus (RBP) from three feeds with two different genetic characteristics (low phytic phosphorus or conventional). One semi-purified basal diet based on corn starch and soybean meal with the addition of conventional barley, barley with low phytate phosphorus, conventional corn, corn with low phytate phosphorus, conventional soybean meal, soybean meal with low phytate phosphorus and dicalcium phosphate in substitution for the corn starch to supply 0.05 or 0.10% supplementary phosphorus, totaling 15 diets [(3 × 2 × 2) + 3]. Live weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed to gain ratio were determined weekly for each experimental unit. At the end of the experimental period (21 days), three broilers per pen were slaughtered to remove the left tibias to determine the bone ash content. The phosphorus bioavailability of the conventional corn, barley and soybean were 18.5, 50.9, and 34.4%, respectively whereas for low phytate phosphorus corn, barley and soybean meal values were observed of 93.5, 132.9, and 90.9%, respectively. Feed intake, weight gain and bone mineralization of broilers fed low phytate phosphorus diets were higher than the observed for conventional ingredient diets.

No presente estudo, objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do tempo de aeração sobre as características nutricionais e fermentativas da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos e quatro repetições. A cana-de-açúcar recém-picada foi exposta à aeração por 0, 4 ou 8 horas, sendo ensilada somente após cada tempo de espera. Após a exposição, o material foi ensilado em 12 silos experimentais confeccionados de baldes plásticos. A abertura dos silos ocorreu 85 dias após a ensilagem. Foram determinados os teores dos ácidos orgânicos e a composição químico-bromatológica das silagens. Foi observado desvio da linearidade (p < 0,05) do tempo de aeração sobre os teores de matéria seca e efeito linear crescente (p < 0,05) sobre os teores de FDA, FDN e carboidratos solúveis, mas decrescente para a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca. Para os teores de ácidos orgânicos, observou-se desvio da linearidade sobre o ácido acético e comportamento linear (p < 0,05) decrescente para o ácido lático e butírico, bem como para os valores de ph. não foram observados efeitos sobre os valores de etanol, que se apresentou bastante alto (22% da ms) independentemente do tempo de aeração. a estabilidade aeróbia da silagem piorou com o aumento do tempo de aeração.

This trial aimed at evaluating the deleterious effects of aeration time on nutritive value and other fermentative characteristics of sugarcane silage. A completely randomized design was used with three treatments and four repetitions per treatment. Fresh chopped sugarcane was exposed to aeration for 0, 4 or 8 hours, and ensiled soon after. After exposure, the material was ensiled in 12 laboratory silos (plastic buckets). Silos were opened 85 days after ensiling, when organic acids contents and chemical composition of silages were determined. Deviation of linearity (p < 0.05) was observed for aeration time on dry matter. a positive linear effect was observed (p < 0.05) on ADF, NDF and soluble carbohydrates content, but negative for ammoniacal nitrogen content and in vitro digestibility of dry matter. For organic acids content, deviation of linearity was observed on acetic acid, with the lowest content (1.5% of DM) observed after 8 hours of aeration, and a negative linear effect was observed for lactic and butyric acids, as well as for pH values. There were no effects on ethanol concentration, which remained very high (22% of DM), regardless of aeration time. Aerobic stability of silage worsened with the increase in aeration time.

Objetivou-se quantificar na cana-de-açúcar o teor de carboidratos solúveis (CHOs) que anula a produção de etanol e avaliar os efeitos desses carboidratos sobre o valor nutritivo e outras características fermentativas da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos, cada um com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram da retirada total do caldo da cana-de-açúcar, por meio de prensagem, e de sua reconstituição (0, 50 ou 100%) à cana. No nível de 50% de reconstituição, o caldo foi adicionado à cana juntamente com 50% de água e, no nível 0%, adicionou-se 100% de água à cana. A restituição resultou em concentrações de 41,6; 34,0 e 23,0% de carboidratos solúveis na matéria seca (MS). O material foi ensilado em 12 silos experimentais confeccionados a partir de baldes plásticos. A abertura dos silos foi realizada 85 dias após a ensilagem, quando foram determinados os teores dos ácidos orgânicos e a composição química das silagens. A retirada de carboidratos solúveis da cana-de-açúcar teve efeito linear decrescente sobre os teores de matéria seca, o teor de carboidratos solúveis e a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) das silagens, no entanto, ocasionou aumento dos teores de fibra detergente ácido (FDA), fibra detergente neutro (FDN) e lignina. Observou-se efeito linear decrescente da retirada dos carboidratos solúveis sobre os teores de etanol e ácidos lático e butírico e as perdas de matéria seca das silagens. Não se observaram efeitos de tratamentos sobre os dados de estabilidade aeróbia. A produção de etanol seria nula se a cana-de-açúcar contivesse apenas 12,4% de CHOs com base na matéria seca (MS).

The objectives of this trial were to quantify the water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) concentration present in sugarcane that nullifies ethanol production, and to evaluate the effects of WSC content on nutritive value and other fermentative characteristics of sugarcane silage. A completely randomized design was used with three treatments and four repetitions per treatment. Sugarcane was squeezed in order to remove juice. In the first treatment, juice was totally added back to sugarcane (100%). In the second treatment, only 50% of the juice was added back to sugarcane, along with 50% of water. In the third, 100% of water was added, with no addition of juice. Treatments resulted in WSC concentrations of 41.6, 34.0, and 23.0% on dry matter basis. The material was ensiled in 12 laboratory silos (plastic buckets). Silos were opened 85 days after ensiling, when organic acids concentration and chemical composition of silages were determined. Withdrawal of sugarcane WSC resulted in negative linear effects on dry matter, WSC concentration, and in vitro digestibility of dry matter, but with linear increase for acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and lignin concentration. Considering the fermentation data, there was linear decrease for dry matter losses, lactic and butyric acids, and ethanol concentration. No treatment effect on aerobic stability data was observed. Ethanol production would be null if sugarcane had only 12.4% of water-soluble carbohydrates on dry matter basis.

Foram estudados os efeitos da adição de polpa cítrica sobre a qualidade fermentativa e o valor nutritivo da silagem de capim-elefante. O capim-elefante, apresentando 90 dias de crescimento, foi ensilado com níveis crescentes de polpa cítrica peletizada: 0; 2,5; 5; 7,5; 10; 12,5 e 15%, com base na matéria fresca. As silagens foram produzidas em 28 silos experimentais (quatro repetições/tratamento), confeccionados a partir de baldes plásticos com válvulas do tipo Bunsen. A abertura dos silos ocorreu 106 dias após a ensilagem, quando foram determinados os teores dos ácidos orgânicos e a composição químico-bromatológica das silagens. Foi observado efeito linear crescente da adição de polpa cítrica sobre os teores de matéria seca, o mesmo ocorrendo para carboidratos solúveis e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca, mas com redução nos teores de nitrogênio amoniacal e fibra em detergente neutro. Para os teores de ácidos orgânicos (acético, lático e butírico) e etanol, observou-se comportamento quadrático para as curvas obtidas, com pontos de máxima para o ácido lático igual a 5,8% e de mínima para os ácidos acético, butírico e o etanol, iguais a 7,8; 7,2; e -3,7% de polpa, respectivamente. Não foram observados efeitos sobre os valores de pH, assim como para os teores de lignina e de ácido propiônico. Inclusões de 4,7 a 7,6% de polpa cítrica peletizada, com base na matéria fresca, são suficientes para melhorar a qualidade e o valor nutritivo da silagem de capim-elefante.

The effects of increasing levels of citrus pulp on fermentation pattern and nutritive value of elephantgrass silage was evaluated. Elephantgrass harvested at 90 days was ensiled with increasing levels of dried citrus pulp: 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15% (fresh matter basis). Silages were produced in 28 plastic experimental silos (4 replicates/treatment) bearing Bunsen valves. Silos were opened 106 days after ensiling, when samples were taken for the analysis of silages organic acids and chemical components. Silage dry matter concentration increased linearly with level of citrus pulp. The same effect was observed for the water soluble carbohydrate concentration and the "in vitro" dry matter digestibility. However, ammoniacal nitrogen and neutral detergent fiber levels decreased linearly with citrus pulp addition. The response was quadratic for organic acids (acetic, lactic and butyric) and ethanol. The maximum point for lactic acid was observed with 5.8% and the minimal point for acetic, butyric and ethanol was observed with 7.8%, 7.2% and - 3.7% of citrus pulp inclusion, respectively. Citrus pulp did influence neither pH, nor lignin and propionic acid levels. Inclusions of 4.7 to 7.6% of citrus pulp (fresh matter basis) are enough to improve the elephantgrass silage quality.

Objetivou-se, no presente estudo, avaliar os efeitos da inoculação microbiana da silagem de girassol sobre a digestibilidade total em carneiros. Oito ovinos machos e castrados foram distribuídos em delineamento em reversão simples com seqüência balanceada, com dois períodos sucessivos, totalizando oito animais por tratamento, constituído de silagem de girassol (média de 17,3% de MS e 13,8% de PB) controle ou inoculada com S. faecium mais L. plantarum (produto Pioneer 1174). O subperíodo experimental teve duração de 21 dias cada, sendo os cinco últimos destinados à coleta de fezes e urina. A inoculação reduziu a digestibilidade da FDA (45,9% vs 50,2%), mas não alterou a digestibilidade total de MS (57,0% vs 57,8%), PB (54,6% vs 55,1%), EE (63,6% vs 65,3%), CNF (81,79% vs 81,33%), FDN (43,7% vs 44,3%) e amido (78,7% vs 74,1%), NDT (52,5% vs 53,0%), a retenção nitrogenada (-0,93 vs -0,65 g de N/animal/dia) ou o consumo de MS (2,49 vs 2,54% do PV).

The objective of the study was to evaluate effects of microbially inoculated sunflower silage on total digestibility in ovines. Eight animals were assigned to a cross-over design, with two sub-periods (8 animals/treatment). Treatments were composed of sunflower silage (17.3% DM and 13.8% CP, on average) control or microbially inoculated with S. faecium plus L. plantarum (Pioneer 1174 product). Each experimental sub-period lasted for twenty-one days, where the last five were used for feces and urine collection. The inoculation decreased the digestibility of ADF (45.9% vs 50.2%), but it did not influence total digestibility of DM (57.0% vs 57.8%), CP (54.6% vs 55.1%), EE (63.6% vs 65.3%), NFC (81.79% vs 81.33%), NDF (43.7% vs 44.3%), starch (78.7% vs 74.1%), TDN (52.5% vs 53.0%), N retention (-0.93 vs -0.65 g of N/animal/day) or DM intake (2.49 vs 2.54% of BW).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de formas de processamento de milho na degradabilidade da matéria seca, amido e proteína em rúmen de bovinos. Foram utilizadas 12 fêmeas bovinas mestiças, não gestantes e não lactantes, portadoras de cânulas ruminais e com peso médio de 647 kg. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos: quebra (1,6 mm), moagem fina (0,8 mm) e floculação (8,25 mm; 270 g/L) dos grãos de milho, com 4 repetições por tratamento. Os sacos de náilon contendo milho nos diferentes processamentos foram incubados nos animais durante 0, 1,5, 3, 6, 12, 24 e 48 horas. Foi observado aumento na degradabilidade efetiva da matéria seca e do amido do milho pela floculação, em relação à moagem fina e à quebra. Contudo, a degradabilidade efetiva da proteína do milho foi diminuída pela floculação, em relação à moagem fina.

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of different forms of processing corn on ruminal degradability of dry matter, starch and crude protein. Twelve non-lactant and non-pregnant canulated cows (647 kg) were used. Experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments: cracked (1.6 mm), grinding (0.8 mm) and steam-flaked (8.25 mm; 270 g/L) corn, with 4 experimental units/treatment. Bags containing corn in different processing forms were incubated in animals for 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours. An improvement on effective dry matter and starch degradability by the steam-flaked compared to grinding and cracked corn was observed. However, a decrease in crude protein degradability for steam-flaked compared to grinding corn was also observed.