ABSTRACT Two studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of levels of soybean meal produced from damaged soybean grains replacing normal soybean meal on in vitro and in situ digestibility of ruminant diets as well as on intake, digestibility, and animal performance of growing/finishing lambs. In trial 1, we evaluated the in vitro digestibility of each soybean meals (normal and damaged), as well as diets containing levels of the damaged replacing the normal (0, 333, 667 and 1,000 g.kg−1) soybean meal on kinetic parameters of in vitro cumulative gas production, in vitro dry matter and crude protein digestibility, in situ rumen-degradable protein, rumen-undegradable protein, and in vitro intestinal digestibility of rumen-undegradable protein. In trial 2, we used 48 growing/finishing lambs to evaluate the effects of damaged soybean meal levels (0, 333, 667, and 1,000 g.kg−1) replacing normal soybean meal in feedlot diets (20:80 roughage:concentrate ratio) on intake and digestibility of nutrients and on animal performance. The damaged soybean meal presented lower values for total gas production and in vitro dry matter digestibility than normal soybean meal. Higher rumen-undegradable protein was estimated for damaged soybean meal than for the normal and consequently lower rumen-degradable protein for damaged compared to normal. Because of the lower rumen-degradable protein, damaged soybean meal promoted lower in vitro ammonium nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations than the normal in feedlot diets. In the in vivo trial, there were no effects of damaged soybean meal levels in the diets on intake and digestibility of nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and fiber) as well as on total weight gain, average daily gain, carcass yield, or feeding efficiency. Thus, damaged soybean meal can fully replace the normal one in lamb feedlot diets (in up to of 1,000 g.kg−1 of the normal soybean meal) without causing adverse effects on intake and digestibility of nutrients and on animal performance.

RESUMO Apesar da tecnologia disponível à agricultura, as perdas qualitativas e quantitativas, originadas durante a pós-colheita, ainda não são controladas, e os grãos armazenados podem sofrer alterações em sua composição, em razão da condição de estocagem. Objetivou-se verificar a sensibilidade do teste de teor de acidez alcoólico e pH, em grãos de soja (cultivar GB 874RR) com diferentes padrões de qualidade obtidos durante o armazenamento. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 6 x 5 (3 condições de armazenamento x 6 tempos de armazenamento x 5 métodos). Observou-se correlação entre o pH, teor de acidez total (r = 0,888) e parâmetros de qualidade dos grãos. Identificou-se processo deteriorativo a partir do teor de acidez total, apresentando alta correlação com incidência fúngica (r = 0,864), extrato etéreo (r = -0,781) e condutividade elétrica (r = 0,923). A utilização de fenolftaleína como indicador é mais sensível que a do pH 8,8. Dentre os métodos de determinação de pH, o da AOAC demonstrou ser mais adequado para avaliação da perda de qualidade ao longo do armazenamento.

ABSTRACT Despite the technology available to agriculture, qualitative and quantitative losses occurring during post-harvest are still not controlled, and stored grains may undergo changes in their composition, due to storage conditions. This study aimed at determining the sensitivity of the alcoholic acidity and pH tests in soybean (GB 874RR cultivar) grains with different quality standards obtained during storage. A completely randomized design, in a 3 x 6 x 5 (3 storage conditions x 6 storage times x 5 methods) factorial scheme, was used. A correlation was observed among pH, total acidity content (r = 0.888) and grain quality parameters. Deterioration was identified based on the total acidity content, showing a high correlation with fungal incidence (r = 0.864), ether extract (r = -0.781) and electrical conductivity (r = 0.923). The use of phenolphthalein as indicator is more sensitive than pH 8.8. Among the pH determination methods, AOAC was the most suitable for assessing the quality loss during storage.

This experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of Sitophilus zeamais on physical, physiological and sanitary quality of stored corn. Samples of 500 g of the hybrid OC-705, in three replicates, were conditioned in glasses covered with a screened lid, and kept in chamber at 25±2ºC, 70±5% RH and 12 h of photophase, for 150 days. The infestation levels were 0, 5, 15 and 50 adults/replicate, for the storage periods of 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days. The moisture content, classification, weight loss, germination and internal infestation were evaluated monthly. Significant inverse correlations were verified between the number of insects and both the germination and the weight loss; also between the internal infestation and the germination and the standard type. The presence of S. zeamais showed a positive correlation with the weight loss, what means that the internal and external infestations contribute to the reduction of physiological and physical quality of corn seeds. The mean dry matter loss was 0,36%/day, corresponding to a consumption of 0,0001%/insect/month. As the result of those damages, the product suffered reduction of the commercial grade in 30 days, with significant loss in all quality factors.