ABSTRACT. Water and salt stress conditions affect germination and seedling emergence. It is known that physiological priming can not only trigger different mechanisms to increase the speed and uniformity of germination, but also influence the antioxidant defence system of the seeds, especially in adverse conditions. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological seed quality and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in seeds of Petroselinum crispum induced to tolerate saline stress through osmo-priming. Seeds were placed in polyethylene glycol solutions with three osmotic potentials (-0.5, -1.0 or -1.5 MPa) for 2, 4 or 6 days. Subsequently, they were placed on substrates moistened with sodium chloride solution (NaCl), in concentrations that generated osmotic potentials of -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8 or -1.0 MPa, to germinate. The germination percentage, germination speed index, seedling length, fresh weight, dry weight and activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were evaluated. Germination and germination speed index decreased linearly with the increase in NaCl concentrations, indicating the species sensitivity. As for length, fresh weight and dry weight of seedlings, this effect was more expressive from the potential of -0.4 MPa. The vigour and activity of SOD, POD, and CAT enzymes were reduced in unprimed seeds, emphasising the effectiveness of the technique. The induction of tolerance to saline stress can be related to the activity of the antioxidant system observed in seeds.

ABSTRACT The effects of dietary digestible protein (DP) levels (22, 26, 29, 32, and 34%) and different stressors (cold-induced stress, CIS; heat/dissolved oxygen-induced stress, HDOIS; transport-induced stress, TIS; and size-sorting-induced stress, SSIS) on hemato-biochemical parameters were evaluated. Four hundred and forty Nile tilapia fingerlings were distributed into 40-250 L aquaria and fed experimental diets for 110 days, and fed each of the five experimental diets, that were randomly distributed to eight replicates per treatment. Then, different groups of fish were subjected to one type of stress. Groups of 40 fish were used on CIS (17 °C), HDOIS (32 °C), and TIS (4 h), and a group of 140 fish on SSIS (15 min air exposure and 60 s handling). There was no effect on hemato-biochemical profile when DP levels were compared, neither before nor after stress; however, there was a significant stress effect. Digestible protein did not mitigate stress response under SSIS and CIS; lymphopenia and neutrophilia were the main cell-mediated immune response; dietary 22 and 26% DP impaired oxygenation on SSIS and TIS; fish under HDOIS and SSIS demanded more energy using triglycerides as an energy source; the diet formulated to contain 22% DP was not adequate to keep homeostasis under temperature stress. Cluster analysis showed that, for DP levels below the requirement for growth, SSIS and CIS were considered the most stressful conditions. At 34% DP level, HDOIS response was comparable to that of non-stressing conditions.

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to verify whether the inclusion of other ingredients in the diet of laying hens could interfere with the traceability of bovine meat and bone meal (BMBM) in eggs through stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. Two hundred and fifty-six white laying hens were used and randomly distributed into eight treatments composed of: CONTROL: control diet; GLUTEN: control diet + corn gluten; YEAST: control diet + yeast; GLUTEN + YEAST: control diet + corn gluten + yeast; BMBM: control diet + 4.5 % BMBM; BMBM + GLUTEN: control diet + corn gluten + 4.5 % BMBM; BMBM + YEAST: control diet + yeast + 4.5 % BMBM; BMBM + GLUTEN + YEAST: control diet + corn gluten + yeast + 4.5 % BMBM. The isotopic results were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and LDA multivariate linear discriminant analysis. At 28 days, the eggs of the birds given diets without the addition of BMBM differed from the CONTROL group. The yolks showed that all treatments were significantly different from the CONTROL, and at 56 days, all eggs and egg yolks were different from the CONTROL. At 28 days, albumen was significantly different for all CONTROL experimental treatments; however, at 56 days, the YEAST treatment showed no difference from the control. Thus, it was concluded that even with the addition of other ingredients, the isotope technique is still able to detect the BMBM in eggs.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of carbon incorporation and turnover in hoof and ribs of pigs at different periods of development in the search for tissues that reflect longer the former diet. We used 132 commercial hybrids (barrows and females), weaned at an average age of 21 days, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments on different days of substitution of corn (C4 cycle plant grain) diets with broken rice (C3 cycle plant grain) at 21, 42, 63 and 110 days of age to change the carbon-13 isotope signal. By means of isotopic dilution curves, we observed that animals whose C4 diet was replaced with C3 diet at 21, 42, 63 and 110 days of age, for hoof and rib, reached a new level of isotope equilibrium. Bone samples are better choices to reflect the former diet, due to conservation of the isotopic signal for longer.

ABSTRACT Castor bean is a very important crop, however, in Brazil it still has relatively low productivity, 0.47 Mg ha-1 as a mean. Besides that the Country has significant castor oil demand and depends on international commerce to complement its production. The solution of these problems goes through the development of genotypes highly productive and adapted to the producing regions. So, the objective of this research was to evaluate the productive potential and selection of castor progenies of the cultivar FCA-PB, resulting from three types of pollination, in two crops and in two localities of the State of São Paulo. Grain productivity was evaluated, and some genetic parameters were estimated. In relation to the 2005/2006 crop, the progeny 49 cultivated in the locality of São Manuel produced 4170.66 kg ha-1 of grains. The highest heritability coefficients were observed in the 2005/2006 crop in the locality of Araçatuba. Progenies 1, 5, 6, 8, 15, 18, 19, 21, 27, 31, 35, 36, 38, 45, 49, 55, 56 and 58 were selected. Genotype interaction with the location indicated productive materials and adapted to the state of São Paulo.

RESUMO Chaves interativas são ferramentas que auxiliam a pesquisa e trabalhos técnicos, de forma que a identificação de organismos tem se tornado cada vez mais presente no meio científico e acadêmico. Foi desenvolvida uma chave interativa através do software Lucid v. 3.3 para a identificação de onze espécies fúngicas associadas às sementes de cebola, cenoura, pimentão e tomate. Esta foi baseada em uma matriz composta por seis caracteres: cultura, conídio, conidióforo, coloração do conidióforo longo, coloração do micélio e presença de setas, e 21 estados de caráter. Além disso, descrições, ilustrações e fotografias de alta resolução dos caracteres e estados foram disponibilizados para auxiliar na correta identificação das espécies fúngicas. A validação da chave interativa foi realizada por grupos distintos de voluntários: (i) acadêmicos de pós-graduação com conhecimento prévio e utilizando a chave interativa; (ii) alunos de graduação com pouco conhecimento prévio utilizando a chave interativa; e (iii) alunos de graduação com pouco conhecimento prévio e utilizando sistema convencional de identificação como os manuais impressos utilizados em laboratórios de patologia de sementes. Analisou-se o tempo despendido por cada voluntário para avaliar 25 sementes infectadas com as espécies fúngicas da chave e a porcentagem de acerto e o grau de dificuldade de cada participante. A elevada porcentagem de acertos na diagnose com o uso da chave interativa e a facilidade de uso pelos usuários confirmaram sua eficiência, pois houve um aumento da acurácia de identificação quando comparado ao sistema convencional. Além disso, a porcentagem de acertos e o grau de dificuldade apresentaram baixa variabilidade dentro dos grupos (i) e (ii). Estes resultados são consequência da interação do usuário com características inerentes ao material desenvolvido, como fotografias de alta resolução, que reproduzem fielmente as características fúngicas observadas nas sementes por meio do estereoscópio. Portanto, a chave interativa desenvolvida pode auxiliar no ensino, pesquisa institucional e comercial, fiscalização e certificação de sementes, tornando as diagnoses mais seguras e precisas. A chave encontra-se disponível gratuitamente no endereço https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/seed_fungi/.

ABSTRACT Interactive keys are tools that aid research and technical work since identification of organisms has become increasingly present in the scientific and academic context. An interactive key was developed with the software Lucid v. 3.3 for the identification of eleven fungal species associated with onion, carrot, pepper and tomato seeds. It was based on a matrix composed of six features: crop, conidium, conidiophore, color of long conidiophore, color of mycelium and presence of setae, besides 21 character states. In addition, descriptions, illustrations and high-resolution photographs of the morphological characters and states were made available to aid in the correct identification of fungal species. Validation of the interactive key was performed by distinct groups of volunteers: (i) graduate students with prior knowledge and using the interactive key; (ii) undergraduate students with little prior knowledge and using the interactive key, and (iii) undergraduate students with little prior knowledge and using the conventional identification system such as the printed manuals used in seed pathology laboratories. We analyzed the time spent by each volunteer to evaluate 25 seeds infected with the fungal species in the key, as well as the percentage of success and the difficulty level for each participant. The high percentage of correct answers with the use of the interactive key and the ease of use by the volunteers confirmed its efficiency because there was an increase in the identification accuracy when compared to the conventional system. Furthermore, the rate of success and the difficulty level presented low variability within groups (i) and (ii). These results are a consequence of the interaction of the user with characteristics of the developed tool, such as high-resolution photographs, which faithfully reproduce the fungal characteristics observed in the seeds under a stereomicroscope. Thus, the interactive key presented here can aid in teaching, institutional and commercial research, inspection and certification of seeds, making diagnosis safer and more accurate. The key is available for free at https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/seed_fungi/.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi detectar a inclusão de farinha de origem animal em dietas de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica), ao analisar os ovos e suas frações (albúmen e gema) por meio da técnica de isótopos estáveis de carbono (13C/ 12C) e nitrogênio (15N/14N). Quatrocentas e trinta e duas codornas japonesas, fêmeas com 45 dias de idade, foram distribuídas em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em oito tratamentos: T1, dieta estritamente vegetal, com farinha de milho (Zea mays) e soja (Glycine max) (VEG); T2, farinha de carne e ossos bovinos (BM); T3, farinha de vísceras de aves (OM); T4, farinha de penas (FM); T5, BM+OM; T6, BM+FM; T7, OM+FM; e T8, BM+OM+FM. Foram colhidos aleatoriamente 16 ovos de cada tratamento - oito para análise de ovo inteiro e oito para análise separada de gema e albúmen. Para determinar a taxa de “turnover”, utilizou-se o modelo exponencial de diluição isotópica. A aplicação de isótopos estáveis de C e N permite identificar o uso de farinha de origem animal em dietas codificadas, por meio da análise dos ovos inteiros e de suas frações, o que sugere que esta técnica é uma ferramenta promissora para a rastreabilidade e a certificação de produtos de origem animal.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to detect the inclusion of animal meal in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diets, by analyzing eggs and their fractions (albumen and yolk) through the technique of carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) stable isotopes. Four hundred and thirty-two Japanese quails, 45-day-old females, were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, in eight treatments: T1, strictly vegetable diet (VEG), with corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) meal; T2, bovine meat and bone meal (BM); T3, poultry viscera meal (OM); T4, feather meal (FM); T5, BM+OM; T6, BM+FM; T7, OM+FM; and T8, BM+OM+FM. Sixteen eggs were randomly collected from each treatment - eight for whole egg analysis and eight for separate yolk and albumen analyses. To determine the turnover rate, the exponential isotope dilution model was used. The application of C and N stable isotopes allows identifying the use of animal meal in coded diets through the analysis of whole eggs and their fractions, which suggests that this technique is a promising tool for the traceability and certification of products of animal origin.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial da técnica de isótopos estáveis para caracterizar sistemas de produção de carne bovina em condições tropicais. Para tanto, foram identificados isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio em músculos de bovinos não desengordurados e desengordurados. Avaliaram-se 45 bovinos criados em três sistemas de produção: a pasto, confinamento convencional e confinamento de novilhos superprecoces (n= 15 por sistema). Amostras dos músculos Trapezius cervicis, Longissimus dorsi e Semitendinosus foram coletadas para determinar a composição isotópica de δ13C e δ15N. Os dados isotópicos de δ13C e δ15N em músculos não desengordurados e desengordurados foram submetidos à análise de componentes principais (ACP) e à análise discriminante (AD). A ACP permitiu a separação dos três sistemas de produção com base nos resultados obtidos para os músculos não desengordurados e desengordurados. Obtiveram-se uma taxa de classificação correta geral de 100% e uma taxa de validação cruzada de 100% com a AD. A razão isotópica de carbono e nitrogênio em músculos não desengordurados e desengordurados permite identificar com precisão os sistemas de produção de bovinos de corte em condições tropicais.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of the stable isotope technique to characterize beef cattle production systems in tropical conditions. For this, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were identified in non-defatted and defatted bovine muscles. A total of 45 cattle were evaluated in three production systems: pasture, conventional feedlot, and young beef bull feedlot (n = 15 per system). Samples from the Trapezius cervicis, Longissimus dorsi, and Semitendinosus muscles were collected to determine the isotopic composition of δ13C and δ15N. The isotopic data of the δ13C and δ15N of non-defatted and defatted muscles were subjected to the principal component analysis (PCA) and to the discriminant analysis (DA). The PCA allowed separating the three production systems based on the results obtained for the non-defatted and defatted muscles. A correct global classification rate of 100% and a cross-validation rate of 100% were obtained with the DA. The carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratio of non-defatted and defatted muscles allows for the precise identification of beef cattle production systems in tropical conditions.

ABSTRACT: Industrialized coconut water may have been adulterated by adding sugar above the limit permitted by law. According to Brazilian law, industrialized coconut water can receive the maximum addition of 1 g of sugar per 100 mL of the drink. This work aimed to detect adulteration in industrialized coconut water produced in Brazil and measure the relative isotopic enrichment in fresh coconut water, using the techniques of stable isotopes of carbon. Fresh coconut water samples from 13 locations, industrialized coconut water samples of 17 different brands and cane sugar were analyzed by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer coupled to an elemental analyzer. The relative isotopic enrichment found for fresh coconut water samples ranged from −26.40 to −23.76. From 17 brands of coconut water analyzed, 11 were adulterated by excess sugar and two were already adulterated by presenting soluble solids content higher above the threshold permitted by law. In 65 % of Brazilian industrialized coconut water, the amount of exogenous sugar is higher than the limit permitted by law. Most Brazilian companies do not respect the legal limit of adding cane sugar established by law.

RESUMO A mamoneira (Ricinus communis L.) é uma oleaginosa encontrada em várias regiões do mundo, devido à sua fácil propagação e adaptação. O cultivo de genótipos mais produtivos, resistentes a doenças e que permitem o uso de mecanização traz maior retorno econômico para os produtores. Objetivou-se realizar a caracterização morfológica e seleção de acessos de mamoneira promissores para o cultivo mecanizado, sobretudo como fonte de variabilidade para programas de melhoramento com este propósito. Cinquenta acessos foram avaliados. Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância, análise de agrupamento pelo método UPGMA e análise de componentes principais. A análise de dissimilaridade baseada na distância de Gower para variáveis qualitativas e quantitativas revelou três grupos de acessos e a análise de componentes principais possibilitou a seleção daqueles com características desejáveis. Os acessos BOC1, PRAT1 e SM2 exibiram características morfoagronômicas de interesse para o cultivo mecanizado, tais como altura de planta, diâmetro, peso de sementes e teor de óleo ideais. Tais genótipos mostram potencial para uso como genitores em programas de melhoramento genético de mamoneira.

ABSTRACT Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an oilseed found in different regions worldwide, due to its easy propagation and adaptability. Cropping more productive disease-resistant genotypes that enable a mechanized production ensures greater economic returns for farmers. This study aimed to morphologically characterize and select promising castor bean accessions for mechanized cropping, mainly as a source of genetic variability for breeding programs with this purpose. Fifty accessions were assessed. Analysis of variance, dissimilarity clustering via the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) and principal component analysis were used to analyze the collected data. The dissimilarity analysis based on the Gower distance for qualitative and quantitative variables revealed three groups of accessions and the principal component analysis enabled the selection of those with desirable traits. The accessions BOC1, PRAT1 and SM2 exhibited morpho-agronomic characteristics of interest to the mechanized production, such as ideal plant height, diameter, seed weight and oil content. Such genotypes show a potential for use as genitors in genetic breeding programs of castor bean.

Abstract Background: Ruminant feed containing animal byproduct proteins (ABPs) is prohibited in many countries due to its risk of transmitting prion diseases (PD). In most cases the entire herd is sacrificed, which causes great harm to the producer countries by preventing their exportation of ruminant derived-products. Methods: We used stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) of carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) to trace the animal protein in the blood of 15 buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) divided into three experimental groups: 1 - received only vegetable protein (VP) during 117 days; 2 - received animal and vegetable protein (AVP); and 3 - received animal and vegetable protein with animal protein subsequently removed (AVPR). Groups 2 and 3 received diets containing 13.7% bovine meat and bone meal (MBM) added to a vegetable diet (from days 21-117 in the AVP group and until day 47 in the AVPR group, when MBM was removed). Results: On the 36th day, differences were detectable in the feeding profile (p <0.01) among the three experimental groups, which remained for a further 49 days (85th day). The AVPR group showed isotopic rate reversibility on the 110th day by presenting values similar to those in the control group (VP) (p> 0.05), indicating that it took 63 days to eliminate MBM in this group. Total atoms exchange (> 95%) of 13C and 15N was observed through incorporation of the diet into the AVP and AVPR groups. Conclusions: IRMS is an accurate and sensitive technique for tracing the feeding profile of ruminants through blood analysis, thus enabling investigation of ABP use.

Resumo: A sobrevivência durante o armazenamento ou longevidade é pré-requisito para evitar a deterioração, que leva à perda de vigor. A longevidade é rotineiramente avaliada pela habilidade da semente em germinar depois do armazenamento, que aumenta progressivamente durante a maturação depois da aquisição da tolerância à dessecação. No entanto, a germinação representa somente uma parte do processo de estabelecimento da planta. Foi avaliado como a maturação afeta a resistência de várias características, como vigor, relacionadas ao estabelecimento das plântulas em sementes de soja da variedade BRS 284. Três novos estádios entre 7.1 e 7.2 (7.1.1, 7.1.2 e 7.1.3) foram introduzidos para capturar o rápido aumento na longevidade das sementes. O armazenamento induziu uma queda na velocidade de germinação a partir de 7-14 dias de armazenamento, dependendo do estádio, e essa queda diminuiu com a maturação, a partir do estádio 7.1.3. O tempo para perda de 50% na capacidade de alongamento de ambos os órgãos foi similar àquele observado para capacidade de germinação. Além disso, esse tempo aumentou de forma constante durante o período de maturação, demonstrando a importância das fases finais de maturação da semente na construção do vigor.

Abstract: Long-term survival during dry storage or longevity is a pre-requisite to avoid deterioration, leading to loss of vigor. Longevity is routinely evaluated by the ability to germinate after storage. It increases progressively during seed maturation, after the acquisition of desiccation tolerance. However, the capacity to germinate represents only a part of the success of crop establishment. How seed maturation affects the resistance of several traits, as vigor, associated with seedling establishment, against deterioration was evaluated during seed filling and post-abscission phase of soybean BRS 284 seeds. Three new phenological stages between 7.1 and 7.2 (7.1.1, 7.1.2 and 7.1.3) were introduced to capture the rapid increase in seed longevity. Germination speed started to be affected at 7-14 days after storage depending on the stages. The delay on germination increased with maturation from 7.1.3 to dry mature seeds. The time to 50% loss of elongation capacity of both organs during storage was similar to that of loss of germination. Also, it increased steadily during seed maturation after mass maturity and harvest maturity stages, highlighting the importance of the late phase of seed maturation for building seed vigor.

RESUMO Objetivo Esta pesquisa buscou verificar a interferência da subnotificação do consumo energético na determinação do padrão alimentar e consumo de nutrientes, relatados por mulheres obesas na fila de espera para cirurgia bariátrica. Métodos Participaram do estudo 412 mulheres com idade entre 20 e 45 anos e índice de massa corporal entre 35 e 60 kg/m2, que aguardavam na fila de espera de cirurgia bariátrica. Foram utilizadas informações de três registros do consumo alimentar, da atividade física de 24 horas e do peso corporal e altura, para estimativa da Ingestão Energética Relatada, Nível de Atividade Física e Gasto Energético de Repouso das participantes e subsequente verificação da plausibilidade biológica do consumo energético. As mulheres foram agrupadas em notificadoras plausíveis e subnotificadoras. A análise fatorial exploratória foi utilizada para classificar os padrões alimentares. Os valores relatados de energia e nutrientes entre os grupos de notificadoras plausíveis e subnotificadoras foram avaliados por meio do teste de Mann-Whitney. O Teste de hipótese Z avaliou as variáveis das notificadoras plausíveis ou subnotificadoras em relação a todas as participantes do estudo. Resultados Seis padrões alimentares foram determinados para todas as participantes do estudo. Após excluir as informações das mulheres subnotificadoras, apenas dois padrões alimentares mantiveram-se similares aos de todas as participantes, ao passo que outros três padrões alimentares apresentaram diferentes conformações de subgrupos alimentares para as notificadoras plausíveis. A ingestão energética relatada não apresentou diferença para os subgrupos das frutas, hortaliças e legumes. Porém, o valor energético relatado para os demais subgrupos alimentares foi maior para as notificadoras plausíveis. Conclusão A subnotificação do consumo energético influenciou a determinação de padrões alimentares de mulheres obesas na lista de espera para cirurgia bariátrica.

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the interference of the energy intake under-reporting in the determination of the dietary patterns and nutrient intakes reported by obese women in the waiting list for bariatric surgery. Methods The study included 412 women aged 20 to 45 years with a body mass index ranging from 35 to 60kg/m2 who were on waiting list for bariatric surgery. Data from three reported food intake and physical activity, body weight, and height were used for estimating the reported energy intake, physical activity level, and resting energy expenditure. Subsequently, it was checked the biological plausibility of the reported energy intakes, classifying all participants as plausible reporters or under-reporters. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the participants’ dietary patterns. The Mann-Whitney test assessed the reported energy and nutrient intakes between plausible reporters and under-reporters groups. The Z-test assessed the variables of plausible reporters or under-reporters in relation to all participants of the study. Results Six dietary patterns were determined for all participants of study. After excluding information from under-reporting women, only two dietary patterns remained similar to those of all participants, while three other dietary patterns presented different conformations from food subgroups to plausible reporters. The reported energy intake did not present difference for the subgroups of fruits, leaf vegetables and vegetables. However, the energetic value reported for the other food subgroups was higher for the plausible reporters. Conclusion The under-reporting of energy intake influenced the determination of dietary patterns of obese women waiting for bariatric surgery.

ABSTRACT The use of alternative feeds aims to maintain productivity and reduce animal production costs. This objective of this study was to determine the nutritional value of peanut meal (PNM), as well as replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by PNM in diets for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. To determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of nutrients from the PNM, 40 fish (100 ± 4.3 g) were randomly distributed in four 250 L tanks and fed reference and test diets (50% PNM) plus 0.1% chromic oxide. Feces were collected by modified Guelph system. For the growth performance trial, 180 fish (13.4 ± 0.2 g) were randomly distributed in 30 200 L tanks and fed during 90 days with isoproteic (26.8% digestible protein) and isoenergetic (17.6 kJ g-1 digestible energy) diets containing replacement levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of SBM digestible protein by PNM digestible protein. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and six replicates. The ADC for protein from PNM was 90.9% whereas the ADCs for essential amino acids ranged from 88.7% for lysine to 97.6% for arginine. The feed conversion ratio was significantly affected when the SBM was totally replaced by PNM. The protein efficiency ratio, protein retention and whole-body protein content significantly decreased in fish fed diets containing PNM levels above 25% of PNM. Therefore, PNM can replace up to 25% of SBM without impairing juvenile Nile tilapia growth performance, feed efficiency, and body composition.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os componentes da dieta - fibra bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, hemicelulose, celulose e lignina - como indicadores internos na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, da energia bruta e dos nutrientes - proteína bruta, fósforo e aminoácidos - em tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Grupos de dez juvenis (80,3±1 g) foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em seis tanques de 250 L e alimentados com duas dietas práticas, ou com ingredientes de origem vegetal ou de origem vegetal e animal. Ambas as dietas foram suplementadas com 0,1% de óxido de cromo-III (Cr2O3). As fezes foram coletadas pelo sistema Guelph modificado. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente foram determinados pela diferença de teor dos indicadores internos, presentes nas dietas e nas fezes, e comparados, pelo teste de Dunnett, aos obtidos pelo uso de Cr2O3. A celulose foi efetiva na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, da energia e dos nutrientes de ambas as dietas; e a fibra em detergente ácido foi efetiva apenas para a dieta que continha exclusivamente ingredientes de origem vegetal. A utilização de fibra bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, hemicelulose e lignina, como indicadores de digestibilidade, mostrou-se ineficiente quanto aos nutrientes analisados de ambas as dietas. Assim, a celulose é o indicador mais apropriado para a avaliação de digestibilidade em tilápia-do-nilo.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the diet components - crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin - as internal indicators in the determination of the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, gross energy, and of the nutrients - crude protein, phosphorus, and amino acids - in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Groups of ten juveniles (80.3±1 g) were randomly distributed in six tanks of 250 L and fed two practical diets, either of a plant-origin diet or of a plant- and animal-origin diet. Both diets were supplemented with 0.1% chromium (III) oxide (Cr2O3). Faeces were collected by the modified Guelph system. The apparent digestibility coefficients were determined by the content difference of the internal indicators, present in the diets and faeces, and compared by Dunnett’s test to those obtained by the use of Cr2O3. Cellulose was effective in the determination of the apparent digestibility of dry matter, energy, and nutrients of both experimental diets; and the acid detergent fiber was effective only for the diet composed exclusively of plant-origin ingredients. The use of crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose, and lignin as digestibility indicators was inefficient for the analyzed nutrients of both diets. Therefore, cellulose is the most suitable indicator for digestibility evaluation in Nile tilapia.