ABSTRACT: Canola provides oil for human consumption and a by-product from the extraction of its oil canola meal (CM), is used as a good quality protein and lipid supplement for ruminants. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and fermentation profile associated with the potential for methane production of three types of CM: solvent-extracted CM of Brassica napus (CMBN), B. juncea (CMBJ) and cold press-extracted CM from B. napus (CPCM) used to feed ruminants. The protein content of canola meal ranged from 36 to 41 %. The acid and neutral detergent insoluble in nitrogen ranged from 1 to 2 % and 4 to 5 %, respectively. The lipid content of canola meal samples ranged from 2 % (CMBN, CMBJ) to 14 % (CPCM). In vitro, dry matter disappearance of CMBJ was higher than that of other types of CM at 4 h, 24 h and 48 h. Gas production from CMBJ was greater than that of CPCM and CMBN at 24 h and 48 h of incubation. CPCM produced lower methane than CMBJ at 48 h of incubation. CPCM produced a higher (p < 0.05) molar proportion of propionate from 12 h to 48 h of incubation. In conclusion, this study found that CPCM could be a good source of protein (mainly PB2) and lipids in the feed of ruminants; it will decrease methane production and enhance propionate production. There was correlation between less methane production, and the content of lipids and PB2 in the three types of CM studied.

Ferulic acid esterases are capable of releasing phenolic compounds of the plant cell wall, increasing access to polysaccharides. In vitro determinations were performed in order to estimate the potential for ferulic acid esterase (Fae1A) isolated from rumen fungus Mucronatus Anaeromyces. This esterase was obtained from a previous study conducted in the Lethbridge Research Center, Alberta Canada, through cloning processes and hetero-expression of Fae1A gene in a strain of E. coli BL21. Three levels (0, 9 and 18 mg) of protein contained in the enzyme were combined with rumen fluid and incubated in 2 different fiber sources (alfalfa hay and wheat straw) using 15 replicates per treatment. The inclusion of the enzyme increased (P <0.05) the disappearance of dry matter in alfalfa hay, releasing more quantity (P <0.01) of reducing sugars (AR) at 4 and 12 h. Fae1A released more phenolic compounds vs. alfalfa hay wheat straw. Total and individual phenolic compounds released from alfalfa were increased according to the level of enzyme added. In the wheat straw, ferulic acid was double compared to the p-coumaric acid. In conclusion, the addition of Fae1A improved the amount of reduced sugars and phenolic compounds were released into the alfalfa hay and wheat straw, indicating its potential for use as a fibrinolytic enzyme and improve the digestibility of the fiber in the ruminant.

Las esterasas de ácido ferúlico son capaces de liberar compuestos fenólicos de la pared celular vegetal, aumentando el acceso a los polisacáridos. Se realizaron determinaciones In vitro con la finalidad de determinar el potencial de una esterasa de ácido ferúlico (Fae1A) aislada del hongo del rumen Anaeromyces mucronatus. Esta estearasa se obtuvo de un trabajo previo realizado en el Centro de Investigación de Lethbridge, Alberta Canadá, a través de procesos de clonación y hetero-expresión del gen Fae1aA en una cepa de E. coli BL21. Tres niveles (0, 9 y 18 mg) de proteína contenida en la enzima se combinaron con liquido ruminal e incubaron en 2 diferentes fuentes de fibra (heno de alfalfa y paja de trigo) utilizando 15 repeticiones por tratamiento. La inclusión de la enzima incrementó (P <0.05) la desaparición de la materia seca en el heno de alfalfa, liberándose más cantidad (P <0.01) de azúcares reducidos (AR) a las 4 y 12 h. Fae1A liberó más compuestos fenólicos del heno de alfalfa vs. la paja de trigo. Los compuestos fenólicos totales e individuales liberados de la alfalfa se incrementaron con el nivel de enzima añadida. En la paja de trigo, el ácido ferúlico se duplicó en comparación con el ácido p-cumárico. En conclusión, la adición de la Fae1A mejoró la cantidad de azucares reducidos y se liberaron compuestos fenólicos en el heno de alfalfa y la paja de trigo, lo que indica su potencial para ser usada como enzima fibrolítica y mejorar la digestibilidad de la fibra en los rumiantes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the voluntary intake and digestibility of three sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, L. Moench) hybrid silages in sheep. The hybrids used were H1 -BRS 655 (CMSXS 222 A × CMSXS 235 R), with tannin; H2 -(ATF54 A × CMSXS 235 R), without tannin; and H3 -BRS 610 (CMSXS 232 A × CMSXS 234 R), without tannin. The intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude protein (CP) were measured. Eighteen crossbred sheep weighing 59.4 kg (±8.3) were used in the trial. A completely randomized design with three treatments (hybrids) and six repetitions (sheep) was used. There were no differences in the DM intake or apparent digestibility among the hybrids. Silage of hybrid BRS 610 displayed higher digestibility coefficients for CP, NDF, ADF, and GE compared with the other silages, which did not differ from each other. The neutral detergent fiber, ADF and digestible energy (DE) intakes were similar among the hybrids silages. All of the hybrids resulted in a positive N balance in sheep. The levels of DE were superior in hybrid silage BRS 610 in comparison with the other hybrids. Sorghum hybrid BRS 610 silage exhibited superior nutritional value compared with the other hybrids, which is most likely in part due to the absence of tannins. Sorghum silage made with hybrid BRS 610 (CMSXS 232 A × CMSXS 234 R) presents superior gross energy, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility coefficients, as well as greater digestible energy levels than BRS 655 (CMSXS 222 A × CMSXS 235 R) and (ATF54 A × CMSXS 235 R).