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Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed

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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 (15 June 2023) | Viewed by 26534

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Dr. Nassim Moula

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Department of Animal Production, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege University, B-4000 Liege, Belgium
Interests: sustainable farming; animal production; insects in feed and food; animal nutrition; poultry production; animal welfare
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Dear Colleagues,

Food systems today are at the crossroads of major and highly interdependent health, ecological, and economic issues. At a time when we need to feed a population that is expected to reach 9 to 10 billion people by 2050, it is becoming increasingly clear that the intensive food systems that are widely used around the world today are not sustainable in terms of consumption of natural resources, impacts on the climate and biodiversity, or even on health. Indeed, the high level of productivity made possible by the intensification of agriculture has been achieved at the cost of damage to biodiversity and soil quality, which is slowly but surely eroding agricultural productive capital, thus compromising our future capacity to produce.

These intensive production systems have been accompanied, since the 1950s, by an increasing, sometimes excessive, use of antibiotics in animals. Unfortunately, the massive and sometimes abusive use of such drugs has contributed to the emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Given the interconnections between human health, animal health, and the environment, the “One Health” approach is essential to effectively combat antibiotic resistance.

Livestock feed must also be sustainable and based on nutritional elements, from sustainable raw materials constituting all or part of the ration, in order to cover the needs of maintenance, growth, production and reproduction, health, as well as specific behaviors of animals, while falling within the framework of sustainable development. Today, the link between zoonoses, the food system, and the deforestation resulting from industrial livestock farming is more and more evident and is the subject of more and more research.

In the face of objections raised about the sustainability of intensive agricultural systems, a multiperforming model that is both competitive and sustainable must be promoted.

For this Special Issue, we encourage leading scientists working on sustainable animal production to submit original research and/or review articles.

Dr. Nassim Moula
Guest Editor

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Keywords

animal nutrition
feed security
healthy animal feeds
natural feed additives
sustainable
insects in feed
nutrient supply
natural extracts
prebiotics
probiotics
essential oil
aquaculture
phytoadditives
herbal extracts
agroindustry residues
byproducts
native crops
aquaculture
alternative feed ingredients
organic feed
alternative protein sources
fish
pig
poultry
rabbit
ruminants

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16 pages, 3123 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alginate Nanoencapsulated Synbiotic Composite of Pomegranate Peel Phytogenics and Multi-Probiotic Species as a Potential Feed Additive: Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities

by Nesrein M. Hashem, Nourhan S. Hosny, Nagwa El-Desoky, Yosra A. Soltan, Ahmed A. Elolimy, Sobhy M. A. Sallam and El-Sayed M. Abu-Tor

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2432; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152432 - 27 Jul 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2527

Abstract

A synbiotic composed of alginate nanoencapsulated prebiotic (pomegranate peel phytogenics) and multi-species probiotics (Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been developed as a potential eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics. The physicochemical properties of the encapsulated synbiotic were evaluated, and its gastric and storage tolerance, as well as its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, were tested and compared to that of the non-encapsulated synbiotic (free synbiotic). The results showed that the prebiotic pomegranate peel ethanolic extract contained seven phenolic compounds, with cinnamic being the most abundant (13.26 µL/mL). Sodium alginate-CaCl₂ nanocapsules were effective in encapsulating 84.06 ± 1.5% of the prebiotic’s phenolic compounds and 98.85 ± 0.57% of the probiotics. The particle size of the alginate-CaCl₂ nanoencapsulated synbiotic was 544.5 nm, and the polydispersity index and zeta potential values were 0.593 and −12.3 mV, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the alginate-CaCl₂ nanoencapsulated synbiotic had high thermal stability at high temperatures, with only 2.31% of its weight being lost within the temperature range of 70–100 °C. The count of viable probiotics in the nanoencapsulated synbiotic was significantly higher than that in the free synbiotic after exposure to gastric acidity and storage for six months at room temperature. The percent inhibition values of the nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid (as a standard antioxidant) were comparable and significantly greater than those of the free synbiotic. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid were significantly lower than those of the free synbiotic (3.96 ± 0.42 µg/mL and 4.08 ± 0.79 µg/mL for nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid, respectively, vs. 65.75 ± 2.14 µg/mL for free synbiotic). The nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed the highest significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). Both the nanoencapsulated and free synbiotics showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), similar to that of gentamicin, although the nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed significantly higher inhibition activity compared to the free synbiotic. The nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed antimicrobial activity comparable to gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 90274), whereas the free synbiotic showed the least antimicrobial activity (p < 0.05). Both synbiotics showed significantly higher antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi (ATCC 6539) than gentamicin. Both synbiotics showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, with a stronger effect observed for the nanoencapsulated synbiotic. However, the activity of both synbiotics was significantly lower than that of fluconazole (an antifungal drug). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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18 pages, 4243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unraveling the Potential of Orange Pulp for Improving Laying Rate, Egg Quality, Oxidative Stability, Fatty Acids Composition, and Reproductive Tract Morphology of Laying Hens

by Eman Hussein, Rashed A. Alhotan, Alia Ebrahim and Shaimaa Selim

Animals 2023, 13(13), 2199; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132199 - 5 Jul 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1930

Abstract

The current study aimed to demonstrate the effects of dietary dried orange pulp (DOP) on the laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant status, yolk fatty acid composition, serum biochemistry, and reproductive tract morphology of laying hens. A total of 200 Lohman Brown Lite laying hens were randomly allotted into 4 dietary treatments with 10 replicates each. The experimental treatment groups were the control group, a basal diet containing 50 g DOP/kg feed (DOP_5%), a basal diet containing 70 g DOP/kg feed (DOP_7%), and a basal diet containing 100 g DOP/kg feed (DOP_10%). Data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA following a completely randomized design, and the incremental levels of dietary DOP were tested by orthogonal polynomial contrasts. The body weight gain, feed intake, egg production%, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio of laying hens fed the DOP_7% and DOP_10% diets were greater (p < 0.01) than those fed the control diet. Eggs obtained from the DOP_7% and DOP_10% groups had a heavier shell weight% and shell thickness, as well as a greater yolk color score (p < 0.01; linear, p < 0.01). Dietary DOP improved the egg yolk concentrations of PUFA, n-3 PUFA, and n-6 PUFA (linear, p < 0.001; quadratic, p < 0.05), whereas the content of SFA was reduced (p < 0.001; linear, p < 0.001). The egg yolk cholesterol and triglyceride levels were linearly decreased (p < 0.001) with the inclusion of DOP in the diets of hens. After storage for 40 days, the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the egg yolk were reduced, whereas the glutathione peroxidase content was increased (p < 0.01) due to dietary DOP. The DOP_7% and DOP_10% hens had an obvious reduction in the levels of serum total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and MDA, whereas high-density lipoprotein and GPx levels were increased (p < 0.01) compared with those fed the control diet. The relative weights of the ovary, oviduct, uterus, and follicle of hens receiving diets containing 7% and 10% DOP were heavier (p < 0.01) than those of the control hens. Moreover, the number of large yellow follicles was increased (p < 0.001; linear, p < 0.001) in the hens-fed diets containing 7% and 10% DOP. In conclusion, dietary DOP at up to 100 g/kg of feed improves laying performance, health status, antioxidant capacity, egg nutritive value, and egg shelf life in laying hens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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18 pages, 3417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sensory Evaluation of Rabbit Meat from Individuals Fed Functional and More Sustainable Diets Enriched with Freshwater Cladophora glomerata Macroalgal Biomass

by Monika Nutautaitė, Asta Racevičiūtė-Stupelienė, Alius Pockevičius and Vilma Vilienė

Animals 2023, 13(13), 2179; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132179 - 3 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2024

Abstract

Maintaining meat quality is essential to sustainable livestock management. Therefore, identifying alternative feed materials while considering consumer acceptance is crucial. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of C. glomerata-biomass-supplemented feeds on rabbit muscles’ physical properties, sensory profiles, and evaluators’ emotional responses to them. A total of thirty 52-day-old weaned Californian breed rabbits were randomly allocated to one of three dietary treatments: standard compound diet (SCD), SCD supplemented with 4% C. glomerata (CG4), or SCD supplemented with 8% C. glomerata (CG8). After the 122-day-old rabbits were slaughtered, post-mortem dissection of the rabbit Longissimus dorsi (LD) and hind leg (HL) muscles was conducted. The physical and histomorphometric features, sensory analyses, and emotional responses to the rabbit’s muscles were determined. Study results revealed CG4 and CG8 treatments significantly increased rabbit muscle moisture, while CG8 increased cooking losses in HL muscles (p < 0.05). Moreover, both CG treatments reduced the darkness and redness of fresh and cooked rabbit muscles compared to SCD (p < 0.05). CG8 treatment compared to SCD resulted in longer LD muscle fibers (p < 0.05). Evaluators discovered that the average scores for each sensory description of rabbit meat are acceptable and that consuming CG8-HL muscles can increase happiness based on emotional responses. Consequently, replacing traditional feed materials in rabbit feed with C. glomerata can lead to not only more sustainable production but also more consumer-acceptable rabbit meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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12 pages, 1117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of In Ovo Administration of Rosemary Essential Oil on Hatchability, Relative Hatching Weight, and Embryo Mortality Rate in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

by Assia Aberbour, Leghel Touazi, Amine Benberkane, Sofiane Aissanou, Anjum Sherasiya, Mokrane Iguer-Ouada, Jean Luc Hornick and Nassim Moula

Animals 2023, 13(7), 1217; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13071217 - 31 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2630

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of air sac injection of rosemary essential oil at different concentrations in ovo in quail eggs on hatching rate, relative chick weight at hatching, and embryonic mortality rate. A total of 1060 Japanese quail eggs were divided into four groups: negative control (non-injected), positive control (30 µL sterile distilled water/egg), and two treated groups with 1 and 3 µL oil/egg, respectively. The concentration of 3 µL/egg showed a toxic effect on embryonic development, as revealed by the significantly (p = 0.015) higher post-injection mortality rate (18.21%) compared to 1 µL/egg with 8.3%. Furthermore, hatchability was significantly increased (p = 0.0001) with 1 µL/egg compared to 3 µL/egg with 69.1% and 44.48%, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the concentration of 1 µL/egg and the control groups (p = 0.822). Both l and 3 µL essential oil/egg significantly enhanced (p = 0.0001) relative chick weight at hatching by 67.14% and 70.32%, respectively, compared to the control groups. In conclusion, injecting eggs with 1 µL oil/egg showed positive effects both on hatching and relative chick weight. The concentration of 3 µL/egg was revealed to be toxic, with dramatic effects on embryonic survival. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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19 pages, 736 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Biotechnologically Produced Lactobionic Acid in the Diet of Lactating Dairy Cows on Their Performance and Quality Traits of Milk

by Diana Ruska, Vitalijs Radenkovs, Karina Juhnevica-Radenkova, Daina Rubene, Inga Ciprovica and Jelena Zagorska

Animals 2023, 13(5), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050815 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1924

Abstract

Dairy processing is one of the most polluting sectors of the food industry as it causes water pollution. Given considerable whey quantities obtained via traditional cheese and curd production methods, manufacturers worldwide are encountering challenges for its rational use. However, with the advancement in biotechnology, the sustainability of whey management can be fostered by applying microbial cultures for the bioconversion of whey components such as lactose to functional molecules. The present work was undertaken to demonstrate the potential utilization of whey for producing a fraction rich in lactobionic acid (Lba), which was further used in the dietary treatment of lactating dairy cows. The analysis utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index (HPLC-RID) detection confirmed the abundance of Lba in biotechnologically processed whey, corresponding to 11.3 g L⁻¹. The basic diet of two dairy cow groups involving nine animals, Holstein Black and White or Red breeds in each, was supplemented either with 1.0 kg sugar beet molasses (Group A) or 5.0 kg of the liquid fraction containing 56.5 g Lba (Group B). Overall, the use of Lba in the diet of dairy cows during the lactation period equal to molasses affected cows’ performances and quality traits, especially fat composition. The observed values of urea content revealed that animals of Group B and, to a lesser extent, Group A received a sufficient amount of proteins, as the amount of urea in the milk decreased by 21.7% and 35.1%, respectively. After six months of the feeding trial, a significantly higher concentration of essential amino acids (AAs), i.e., isoleucine and valine, was observed in Group B. The percentage increase corresponded to 5.8% and 3.3%, respectively. A similar trend of increase was found for branched-chain AAs, indicating an increase of 2.4% compared with the initial value. Overall, the content of fatty acids (FAs) in milk samples was affected by feeding. Without reference to the decrease in individual FAs, the higher values of monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) were achieved via the supplementation of lactating cows’ diets with molasses. In contrast, the dietary inclusion of Lba in the diet promoted an increase in saturated FA (SFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) content in the milk after six months of the feeding trial. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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10 pages, 571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fibre Composition and Maturity of Forage-Based Diets Affects the Fluid Balance, Faecal Water-Holding Capacity and Microbial Ecosystem in French Trotters

by Sara Muhonen and Véronique Julliand

Animals 2023, 13(3), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030328 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1646

Abstract

Racing events challenge the fluid balance of athletic horses. The equine large intestine functions as a fluid reservoir, since the properties of dietary forage fibre affect the digesta water content and the milieu of this ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate the effect of grass maturity and legume forage on the faecal water-holding capacity (WHC) and microbial ecosystem, and the fluid balance and body weight (BW) of French trotters in race training. Six geldings were offered three diets with different fibre compositions: concentrate and late-harvested mature grass haylage (35:65 energy ratio) (CMGH); early-harvested grass haylage and mature grass haylage (80:20) (EGH); and lucerne and mature grass haylage (80:20) (LH), for 24 days in a Latin square design. Body weights were lower and faecal WHC higher when the horses were fed EGH compared to CMGH and LH (485 vs. 492 and 492 kg, p < 0.001; 12.6 vs. 11.1 and 11.4 g H₂O/g dry faeces, p = 0.014, respectively). Total water intake and output did not differ between diets, but water excretion via faeces was lower and via urine was greater on EGH compared to CMGH and LH (13.1 vs. 18.8 and 17.6 kg, p = 0.001; 10.5 vs. 7.6 and 7.9 kg, p = 0.032, respectively). Total bacteria concentrations were higher on EGH than CMGH and LH (5.4 × 10¹¹ vs. 2.8 × 10¹¹ and 2.8 × 10¹¹ CFU/mL, p = 0.018, respectively). Concentrations of butyrate were greater, and pH was lower when fed EGH compared to CMGH and LH (3.0 vs. 2.0 and 1.6 mmol/L, p = 0.034; 6.5 vs. 6.9 and 7.2, p = 0.005, respectively). In conclusion, forage harvested at an early stage of maturity could benefit athletic horses’ fluid balance by providing a more available large intestine fluid reservoir without increasing BW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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12 pages, 286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of the Dietary Inclusion of Allium mongolicum Regel Extract on Serum Index and Meat Quality in Small-Tailed Han Sheep

by Yabo Zhao, Yanmei Zhang, Chen Bai, Changjin Ao, Saruli Qi, Qina Cao and Khas Erdene

Animals 2023, 13(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010110 - 27 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1819

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Allium mongolicum Regel ethanol extract (AME) on the serum index and meat quality of lambs. A total of 30 male Small-tailed Han sheep (3 months old) with an average weight of 33.60 ± 1.23 kg were divided randomly into one of two groups: the control group (CON) was offered a basal diet, and the AME group was offered a basal diet with supplementation 2.8 g·lamb⁻¹·day⁻¹ AME. The trial lasted for 75 days. AME supplementation significantly decreased the concentration of triglyceride and total cholesterol (p < 0.05), and tended to lower the concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (0.05 < p < 0.1), but significantly increased the concentration of high-density lipoprotein, leptin, and insulin (p < 0.05) in the serum of lambs. AME also decreased cooking losses and shear force and increased the content of intramuscular fat in the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle of lambs (p < 0.05). In addition, there was no difference in the composition of hydrolyzed protein amino acids in the LD muscle among treatments (p > 0.05). However, AME changed the composition of free amino acids and promoted MUFA and PUFA deposition in the LD muscle of the lambs. These findings indicate that a diet supplemented with AME may improve the lipid metabolic capacity and meat quality of lambs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

17 pages, 2309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Addition of Organic Acids and Lactobacillus acidophilus to the Leguminous Forage Chamaecrista rotundifolia Improved the Quality and Decreased Harmful Bacteria of the Silage

by Qixian Feng, Wenjiao Shi, Siqi Chen, Abraham Allan Degen, Yue Qi, Fulin Yang and Jing Zhou

Animals 2022, 12(17), 2260; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12172260 - 31 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2190

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of citric acid, malic acid, and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L) on fermentation parameters and the microbial community of leguminous Chamaecrista rotundifolia silage. Fresh C. rotundifolia was treated without any additive (CK), or with L (10⁶ CFU/g fresh weight), different levels (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 1% fresh weight) of organic acid (malic or citric acid), and the combinations of L and the different levels of organic acids for 30, 45, and 60 days of ensiling. The effects of malic acid and citric acid were similar during the ensiling process. Treatment with either citric or malic acid and also when combined with L inhibited crude protein degradation, lowered pH and ammonia nitrogen, and increased lactic acid concentration and dry matter content (p < 0.05). The neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased initially and then decreased with fermentation time in all treatments (p < 0.05). Increasing the level of organic acid positively affected the chemical composition of C. rotundifolia silage. In addition, the addition of 1% organic acid increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, while the relative abundances of Clostridium and Enterobacter decreased at 60 days (p < 0.05). Moreover, both organic acids and combined additives increased (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of Cyanobacteria at 60 days of fermentation. We concluded that adding malic acid, citric acid, and L combined with an organic acid could improve the quality of C. rotundifolia silage and increase the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria. The addition of organic acid at a level of 1% was the most effective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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20 pages, 2721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Chinese Herbs on Serum Biochemical Parameters, Immunity Indices, Antioxidant Capacity and Metabolomics in Early Weaned Yak Calves

by Cuixia Jiang, Quanmin Dong, Xiaoping Xin, Abraham Allan Degen and Luming Ding

Animals 2022, 12(17), 2228; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12172228 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2332

Abstract

Chinese traditional herbs are used widely as feed supplements to improve the immune response and antioxidant capacity of livestock. Twenty early-weaned 4-month-old yak calves (72.3 ± 3.65 kg) were divided randomly into four groups (n = 5 per group); three groups were provided with supplementary 80 mL/kg DMI of the root water extracts of either Angelica sinensis, Codonopsis pilosula or Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and one group (control) was not provided with a supplement. Compared to control calves, calves consuming the three herbal extracts increased serum concentrations of albumin (ALB) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), but decreased serum concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05). Calves consuming A. sinensis decreased (p < 0.05) serum concentration of total cholesterol (TC), and increased (p < 0.05) serum concentration of total proteins (TP). Serum FFA concentrations increased (p = 0.004) linearly with time in the control group, but not in the groups consuming herbs. Serum metabolomic data demonstrated that A. sinensis and C. pilosula regulate mainly amino acid metabolism, while G. uralensis regulates mainly carbon and amino acid metabolism. It was concluded that the three herbal root extracts, as dietary supplements, improved energy and nitrogen metabolism, and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of yak calves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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19 pages, 2469 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Taxifolin Modulates Transcriptomic Response to Heat Stress in Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

by Irina V. Sukhovskaya, Nadezhda P. Kantserova, Liudmila A. Lysenko and Alexey A. Morozov

Animals 2022, 12(10), 1321; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12101321 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2441

Abstract

Taxifolin is a natural flavonoid known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects on animals. In this work, we have studied the effect of this compound on rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, a major object of aquaculture, under slowly increasing ambient temperature and Gyrodactylus flatworm infection. Transcriptomic profiling of liver samples performed by using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing platform shows that a combined taxifolin/heat treatment, unlike heat treatment alone, downregulates the production of isopentenyl diphosphate, likely affecting the production of cholesterol and other sterols. Taxifolin treatment also modulates multiple apoptosis regulators and affects the expression of HSPs in response to increasing temperature. On the other hand, the expression of antioxidant enzymes in response to heat is not significantly affected by taxifolin. As for the Gyrodactylus infection, the parasite load is not affected by taxifolin treatment, although it was lower in the high-temperature group. Parasite load also did not induce a statistically significant transcriptomic response within the no heat/no taxifolin group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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13 pages, 500 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fermentation Quality, In Vitro Digestibility, and Aerobic Stability of Total Mixed Ration Silage in Response to Varying Proportion Alfalfa Silage

by Yixiao Xie, Lei Wang, Wenqi Li, Shengyang Xu, Jinze Bao, Jiajie Deng, Zhe Wu and Zhu Yu

Animals 2022, 12(8), 1039; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12081039 - 16 Apr 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3283

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different proportions of alfalfa silage on the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility, and aerobic stability of total mixed ration (TMR) silage. Three TMRs were prepared with different silage contents on a fresh matter basis: (1) 60% alfalfa silage (AS60), (2) 40% alfalfa silage (AS40), and (3) 20% alfalfa silage (AS20). The lactic acid in AS60 did not increase after 30 days of ensiling (p > 0.05). Butyric acid was detected in the AS20 group after 14 days of ensiling. The AS60 group showed significantly higher in vitro dry matter digestibility than the AS20 group (p < 0.05). The aerobic stability of TMR silage gradually increased with a decreasing percentage of alfalfa silage (p < 0.05). Unlike AS60, which directly gained an acidic environment from the alfalfa silage, AS40 developed a stable acidic environment during ensiling and further improved aerobic stability. However, when the percentage of alfalfa silage was reduced to 20%, a risk of clostridial spoilage occurred in the TMR silage. Therefore, the addition of 40% alfalfa silage to TMR is optimal and could achieve both good fermentation quality and considerable resistance to aerobic deterioration in TMR silage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Supplement in Sustainable Farming—Potential of Functional Feed)

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