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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 62200

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Prof. Dr. Riccardo Fortina

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Interests: animal nutrition; feed analysis; in vitro digestibility
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Dr. Sonia Tassone

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DISAFA, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, TO, Italy
Interests: animal nutrition; alternative feeds; in vitro degradability; microplastics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, global livestock production has increased consistently; the demand for animal products will continue to grow and play a critical role in global food security and nutrition. However, these increases in the number of animals have not always been accompanied by an improved availability of livestock feed resources. Today, the question of sustainability of animal nutrition has become a popular topic. Protein and energy feeds, such as oilseeds and cereal grains, are fundamental factors limiting the size of animal production, but many of these resources could potentially be eaten by humans. The gains made by recycling safe yet otherwise valueless by-products and wastes from human food and fiber production, or by using the so-called “green feeds”, such as raw materials and plants that are not edible to humans, may lessen the competition between humans and animals for crops that can equally be used for feed of food, and decrease the environmental impact of food production.

This Special Issue is interested in both reviews and research papers on the potential of “green feeds” and by-products in ruminant and monogastric nutrition. Particularly welcome are results of feeding trials showing the effects of the full substitution of a common feed or concentrate mixture with “green feeds” or by-product mixtures on milk or meat quality and production.

Prof. Riccardo Fortina
Guest Editor

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Keywords

by-products
wastes recycling
green feeds
ruminant nutrition
monogastric nutrition

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Orange Pulp Conservation Methods (Dehydrated or Ensiled Sun-Dried) on the Nutritional Value for Finishing Pigs and Implications on Potential Gaseous Emissions from Slurry

by Pablo Ferrer, Paloma García-Rebollar, Salvador Calvet, Carlos de Blas, Olga Piquer, Carlos A. Rodríguez and Alba Cerisuelo

Animals 2021, 11(2), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020387 - 3 Feb 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2504

Abstract

The inclusion of orange pulp (OP) in pig diets may promote the circular economy, but drying procedures might influence its nutritional value and environmental impact. The purpose of this study was to determine the energy value and nutrient digestibility of dehydrated (DOP) and ensiled sun dried (ESDOP) orange pulp. The potential ammonia (NH₃) and methane (CH₄) emissions derived from slurry were also measured. Digestible energies of 14.2 and 13.2 MJ/kg DM for DOP and ESDOP, respectively, were estimated by difference after a 500 g/kg substitution of a basal diet with OPs. A high fiber digestion efficiency was observed for both OPs. Pigs fed the basal diet showed a higher intake and a greater excretion of urine N than pigs fed with OP, but fecal N excretion did not differ among diets. A higher benzoic and hippuric acid content in urine was observed in OP than in basal diet. Altogether, these findings explained a lower pH in slurry of OP diets and a reduction of potential NH₃ emissions. The biochemical CH₄ potential also decreased, especially with ESDOP. Overall, both OP are relevant sources of energy for pig diets. Their inclusion in feeds generate favorable changes of slurry characteristics that reduce potential NH₃ and CH₄ emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Feeds and Byproducts)

17 pages, 1005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fermentation Characteristics and In Vitro Digestibility of Fibers and Fiber-Rich Byproducts Used for the Feeding of Pigs

by Martin Bachmann, Sebastian Michel, Jörg Michael Greef and Annette Zeyner

Animals 2021, 11(2), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020341 - 29 Jan 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3016

Abstract

Dietary fibers may have positive impact on health and wellbeing of pigs. The study examined physicochemical properties of two lignocelluloses (including and excluding bark), powdered cellulose, Aspergillus niger mycelium, lucerne chaff, soybean shells, wheat bran, and sugar beet pulp in relation to fermentability and digestibility using in vitro batch-culture incubation. Maize starch and a purified cellulose were used as standardized substrates for classification of the test substrates. The substrates covered a wide range regarding their physicochemical properties. Swelling capacity (SC) was 9–411%, water binding capacity (WBC) was 4.4–14.3 g/g dry matter (DM), and water holding capacity (WHC) was 4.1–10.6 g/g DM. Gas production and other fermentation parameters—namely post-incubation pH, CH₄, NH₃, and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentrations—revealed a significant fermentation of sugar beet pulp, soybean shells, lucerne chaff, wheat bran, A. niger mycelium, and powdered cellulose, whereas the lignocelluloses were not fermented. Significant correlations were found between the physicochemical properties and the fermentation parameters (p < 0.05). Enzymatic pre-digestion mostly reduced gas, NH₃, and SCFA production. In vitro digestibility of DM (IVDMD) and organic matter (IVOMD) was mostly negligible after enzymatic pre-digestion. Fermentation alone led to only 0.10–0.15 IVDMD and 0.14–0.15 IVOMD in lignocelluloses and powdered cellulose, respectively, but 0.44–0.37 IVDMD and 0.46–0.38 IVOMD in the remainder of substrates (p < 0.05). In vitro digestibility was again correlated with the physicochemical properties of the substrates and the fermentation parameters (p < 0.05). The fiber preparations and fiber-rich byproducts were fermented to a relevant extent. In contrast, lignocelluloses were not fermented and can be used rather as bulk material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Feeds and Byproducts)

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12 pages, 257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pilot Study of the Effects of Polyphenols from Chestnut Involucre on Methane Production, Volatile Fatty Acids, and Ammonia Concentration during In Vitro Rumen Fermentation

by Yichong Wang, Sijiong Yu, Yang Li, Shuang Zhang, Xiaolong Qi, Kaijun Guo, Yong Guo and Riccardo Fortina

Animals 2021, 11(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010108 - 7 Jan 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2706

Abstract

Nutritional strategies can be employed to mitigate greenhouse emissions from ruminants. This article investigates the effects of polyphenols extracted from the involucres of Castanea mollissima Blume (PICB) on in vitro rumen fermentation. Three healthy Angus bulls (350 ± 50 kg), with permanent rumen fistula, were used as the donors of rumen fluids. A basic diet was supplemented with five doses of PICB (0%–0.5% dry matter (DM)), replicated thrice for each dose. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonia nitrogen concentration (NH₃-N), and methane (CH₄) yield were measured after 24 h of in vitro fermentation, and gas production was monitored for 96 h. The trial was carried out over three runs. The results showed that the addition of PICB significantly reduced NH₃-N (p < 0.05) compared to control. The 0.1%–0.4% PICB significantly decreased acetic acid content (p < 0.05). Addition of 0.2% and 0.3% PICB significantly increased the propionic acid content (p < 0.05) and reduced the acetic acid/propionic acid ratio, CH₄ content, and yield (p < 0.05). A highly significant quadratic response was shown, with increasing PICB levels for all the parameters abovementioned (p < 0.01). The increases in PICB concentration resulted in a highly significant linear and quadratic response by 96-h dynamic fermentation parameters (p < 0.01). Our results indicate that 0.2% PICB had the best effect on in-vitro rumen fermentation efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Feeds and Byproducts)

22 pages, 370 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Suitability of Hazelnut Skin as a Feed Ingredient in the Diet of Dairy Cows

by Manuela Renna, Carola Lussiana, Vanda Malfatto, Mathieu Gerbelle, Germano Turille, Claudio Medana, Daniela Ghirardello, Antonio Mimosi and Paolo Cornale

Animals 2020, 10(9), 1653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091653 - 14 Sep 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3642

Abstract

Hazelnut skin (HS) was evaluated as a source of nutrients for dairy cows. In total, 26 Aosta Red Pied cows were divided into two balanced groups. All cows were fed hay ad libitum. The control group was also given 6 kg of concentrate, while the hazelnut skin group (HAZ) was given 1 kg of the same concentrate that was substituted by 1 kg of HS. The dry matter intake of the cows was reduced by the dietary inclusion of HS (p ≤ 0.001). The milk yield and main constituents were unaffected by treatment. Milk from HAZ cows showed decreased concentrations of de novo saturated fatty acids (FAs), odd- and branched-chain FA, α-linolenic acid, and long-chain n-3 FAs, as well as increased concentrations of stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, total monounsaturated FAs, trans biohydrogenation intermediates, and α–tocopherol. Replacing the concentrate with HS increased the human-inedible feed quota in the diet and improved the sustainability of milk production in terms of the food-feed competition. Our results suggest that it is possible to add economic value to organic waste from the hazelnut industry using HS as a feed ingredient for dairy cows, enhancing the feed efficiency and milk antioxidant activity and having expected impacts on the nutraceutical quality of milk fat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Feeds and Byproducts)

14 pages, 607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Class IIa Bacteriocin-Producing Lactobacillus Species on Fermentation Quality and Aerobic Stability of Alfalfa Silage

by Fuhou Li, Zitong Ding, Adegbola T. Adesogan, Wencan Ke, Yun Jiang, Jie Bai, Shah Mudassar, Yixin Zhang, Wenkang Huang and Xusheng Guo

Animals 2020, 10(9), 1575; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091575 - 3 Sep 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2857

Abstract

The effects of two strains of class IIa bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus delbrueckii F17 and Lactobacillus plantarum (BNCC 336943), or a non-bacteriocin Lactobacillus plantarum MTD/1 (NCIMB 40027), on fermentation quality, microbial counts, and aerobic stability of alfalfa silage were investigated. Alfalfa was harvested at the initial flowering stage, wilted to a dry matter concentration of approximately 32%, and chopped to 1 to 2 cm length. Chopped samples were treated with nothing (control, CON), Lactobacillus delbrueckii F17 (F17), Lactobacillus plantarum (BNCC 336943) (LPB), or Lactobacillus plantarum MTD/1 (NCIMB 40027) (LPN), each at an application rate of 1 × 10⁶ colony-forming units/g of fresh weight. Each treatment was ensiled in quadruplicate in vacuum-sealed polyethylene bags packed with 500 g of fresh alfalfa per bag and ensiled at ambient temperature (25 ± 2 °C) for 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days. The samples were then subjected to an aerobic stability test after 60 days of ensiling. Compared with the CON silage, the inoculants reduced the pH after 14 days of ensiling. After 60 days, pH was lowest in the LPB-treated silage, followed by the F17 and LPN-treated silages. Inoculation of F17 increased concentrations of lactic acid in silages fermented for 7, 14, 30, and 60 days relative to other treatments, except for the LPN-treated silages ensiled for 30 and 60 days, in which the lactic acid concentrations were similar to that of F17 silage. Application of F17 and LPB decreased the number of yeast and mold relative to CON and LPN-treated silages. Compared with the CON silage, inoculant-treated silages had greater aerobic stability, water-soluble carbohydrate, and crude protein concentrations, and lower neutral detergent fiber, amino acid nitrogen, and ammonia nitrogen concentrations. The LPB-treated silage had the greatest aerobic stability followed by the F17-treated silage. Both class IIa bacteriocin producing inoculants improved alfalfa silage fermentation quality, reduced the growth of yeasts and molds, and improved the aerobic stability of the ensiled forage to a greater extent than the proven LPN inoculant. However, higher crude protein concentration and lower ammonia nitrogen concentration were observed in LPN-treated silage relative to other treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Feeds and Byproducts)

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10 pages, 250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prickly Pear By-Product in the Feeding of Livestock Ruminants: Preliminary Investigation

by Massimo Todaro, Marco Alabiso, Antonino Di Grigoli, Maria Luisa Scatassa, Cinzia Cardamone, Isabella Mancuso, Francesca Mazza and Adriana Bonanno

Animals 2020, 10(6), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10060949 - 30 May 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3176

Abstract

In Sicily, the current increasing cultivation of Opuntia ficus-indica corresponds to an availability of prickly pear by-product (PPB) that results from fruit processing for juice extraction. This investigation aims to evaluate the nutritional traits of PPB for ruminant feeding and its stability during a 21-day outdoor storage, using potassium metabisulfite (PMB) as a preservative agent, added to the PPB mass at different doses (0, 50, 100, and 150 g/kg). The fractioning of PPB showed that it included 28% of peel and pulp and 72% of seeds on a dry matter (DM) basis. On the whole, this by-product was low in crude protein (5.32% DM), high in fiber content (51.38%, 41.15% and 14.64% DM for NDFom, ADFom and ADL respectively), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC, 29.68% DM), and soluble sugars (13.3% DM), with a moderate level of net energy for lactation (4.59 MJ/kg DM). Storage was the main factor of alteration of PPB chemical composition with the exception of ether extract. A decline of NFC and soluble sugars, due to microbial fermentation, was observed with all PMB treatments, especially during the first week of storage, probably due to evolution of both coccus (M17) and rod LAB (MRS), which increased their loads at the seventh day of storage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Feeds and Byproducts)

20 pages, 323 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality of Eggs, Concentration of Lysozyme in Albumen, and Fatty Acids in Yolk in Relation to Blue Lupin-Rich Diet and Production Cycle

by Emilia Kowalska, Joanna Kucharska-Gaca, Joanna Kuźniacka, Lidia Lewko, Ewa Gornowicz, Jakub Biesek and Marek Adamski

Animals 2020, 10(4), 735; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040735 - 23 Apr 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3114

Abstract

In recent years, the interest in lupin seeds as a source of protein in poultry nutrition has increased. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of table eggs produced by hens that were fed diets containing pea seeds and various levels of narrow-leafed lupin as a substitute for soybean meal. The share of lupin seeds in the treatment groups was 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. Egg morphology, the fatty acid profile in egg yolk and the amount and activity of lysozyme in egg white were analysed. Results show that using 10–20% lupin seeds in feed in the diet of laying hens in intensive farming does not result in a change in weight or egg structure, their physical properties or their morphological composition. Increasing the share of lupin seeds in feed for laying hens increases the saturation of the colour of egg yolks, which is a desirable feature among consumers. The use of lupin seeds in feed for laying hens does not adversely affect the chemical properties of egg proteins, as expressed by the amount and activity of lysozyme. In feed for laying hens, replacing soybean meal with lupin seeds has a positive effect on the fatty acid profile in egg yolk (omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated acids and hypocholesterolemic acids). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Feeds and Byproducts)

11 pages, 1982 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Dietary Quebracho Tannin on Performance Traits and Parasite Load in an Italian Slow-Growing Chicken (White Livorno Breed)

by Margherita Marzoni, Annelisse Castillo, Alessandro Franzoni, Joana Nery, Riccardo Fortina, Isabella Romboli and Achille Schiavone

Animals 2020, 10(4), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040684 - 14 Apr 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3178

Abstract

Tannins have shown numerous biological activities and are very appreciated in food animal production, especially for their antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antivirus effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two levels of dietary Quebracho tannin (QT) on growth and performance traits, and possible effects on intestinal parasite load in Italian White Livorno pullets. A 140-day trial was carried out on 180 35-day-old females, fed on two levels of dietary QT inclusion: 0%, 1% and 2%. Birds were reared under free-range conditions. Dietary Quebracho tannin may be used up to 1% in growing female White Livorno chickens without any adverse effects. The results observed in this study on the use of dietary QT at 2% might have not reflected the real effect on performance traits due to the initial inclusion of dietary QT at 3%. Nevertheless, by reducing QT to 2%, a progressive normalization of body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio was observed, resulting in compensatory growth. QT was demonstrated to drastically reduce fecal outputs of Nematodes eggs (Ascaridia spp. and Heterakis spp.) and Coccidia oocytes (Eimeria spp.). The inclusion of 2% produced highly dry droppings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Feeds and Byproducts)

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Review

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15 pages, 328 KiB

Open AccessReview

Is Palm Kernel Cake a Suitable Alternative Feed Ingredient for Poultry?

by Mohammad Naeem Azizi, Teck Chwen Loh, Hooi Ling Foo and Eric Lim Teik Chung

Animals 2021, 11(2), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020338 - 29 Jan 2021

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 22755

Abstract

Palm kernel cake (PKC), a by-product of oil extracted from palm nuts through expeller press or solvent extraction procedures is one of the highest quantities of locally available and potentially inexpensive agricultural product. PKC provides approximately 14–18% of crude protein (CP), 12–20% crude fiber (CF), 3–9% ether extract (EE), and different amounts of various minerals that feasible to be used as a partial substitute of soybean meal (SBM) and corn in poultry nutrition. Poultry’s digestibility is reported to be compromised due to the indigestion of the high fiber content, making PKC potentially low for poultry feeding. Nevertheless, solid-state fermentation (SSF) can be applied to improve the nutritional quality of PKC by improving the CP and reducing CF content. PKC also contains β-mannan polysaccharide, which works as a prebiotic. However, there is a wide variation for the inclusion level of PKC in the broiler diet. These variations may be due to the quality of PKC, its sources, processing methods and value-added treatment. It has been documented that 10–15% of treated PKC could be included in the broiler’s diets. The inclusion levels will not contribute to a negative impact on the growth performances and carcass yield. Furthermore, it will not compromise intestinal microflora, morphology, nutrient digestibility, and immune system. PKC with a proper SSF process (FPKC) can be offered up to 10–15% in the diets without affecting broilers’ production performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Feeds and Byproducts)

17 pages, 302 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review Regarding the Use of Molasses in Animal Nutrition

by Attilio Luigi Mordenti, Elisa Giaretta, Luca Campidonico, Paola Parazza and Andrea Formigoni

Animals 2021, 11(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010115 - 7 Jan 2021

Cited by 71 | Viewed by 13923

Abstract

In the past fifty years, agriculture, and particularly livestock production, has become more resource-intensive, with negative implications regarding world environmental status. Currently, the circular economy 3R principles (to reduce, reuse and recycle materials) can offer many opportunities for the agri-food industry to become more resource-efficient. The closed-loop agri-food supply chain has the great potential of reducing environmental and economic costs, which result from food waste disposal. To meet these principles, the use of crop byproducts, such as molasses, in animal nutrition improves the nutritive value of coarse and poorly desired feedstuff, which could present a real opportunity. The aims of this study were to summarize the possible applications of molasses for animal nutrition, to improve hay and silage quality for beef and dairy cattle, to enhance industrial byproduct values using liquid feed in swine production, and to improve extensive livestock production with feed blocks. The study focused on both feed characteristics, based on molasses, and on ruminal fermentation of its carbohydrates; the techniques of the production, conservation and administration of molasses to animals have been widely described as being capable of positively influencing animal performance, milk and meat quality. Full article

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