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PloS One 2024In this investigation, we explore the harnessing of bamboo shoot residues (BSR) as a viable source for ruminant feed through fungal treatment, with the overarching...
In this investigation, we explore the harnessing of bamboo shoot residues (BSR) as a viable source for ruminant feed through fungal treatment, with the overarching objective of elevating feed quality and optimizing bamboo shoot utilization. The white-rot fungi (Wr.fungi), Aspergillus niger (A.niger), and its co-cultures (A.niger&Wr.fungi) were employed to ferment BSR. And the impact of different fermentation methods and culture time on the chemical composition (Crude protein Ash, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibers), enzyme activity (Cellulase, Laccase, Filter paperase and Lignin peroxidase activities), and rumen digestibility in vitro were assessed. The findings reveal a nota ble 30.39% increase in crude protein in fermented BSR, accompanied by respective decreases of 13.02% and 17.31% in acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fibre content. Enzyme activities experienced augmentation post-fermentation with A.niger&Wr.fungi. Specifically, the peak Cellulase, Laccase, and Lignin peroxidase activities for BSR with Wr.fungi treatment reached 748.4 U/g, 156.92 U/g, and 291.61 U/g, respectively, on the sixth day of fermentation. Concurrently, NH3-N concentration exhibited an upward trend with prolonged fermentation time. Total volatile fatty acids registered a decline, and the Acetate/Propionate ratio reached its nadir after 6 days of fermentation under the A.niger&Wr.fungi treatment. These outcomes furnish a theoretical foundation for the development of ruminant feeds treated via fungal co-culture.
Topics: Animals; Animal Feed; Fermentation; Ruminants; Aspergillus niger; Plant Shoots; Rumen; Fungi
PubMed: 38805421
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302185 -
Methods and Protocols May 2024DNA impurities can impact the safety of genetically engineered pharmaceuticals; thus, a specific limit value must be set for them during marketing authorisation. This...
DNA impurities can impact the safety of genetically engineered pharmaceuticals; thus, a specific limit value must be set for them during marketing authorisation. This particularly applies to mRNA vaccines, as large quantities of DNA templates are used for their production. Furthermore, when quantifying the total DNA content in the final product, we must observe that, in addition to the mRNA active ingredient, DNA impurities are also encased in lipid nanoparticles and are therefore difficult to quantify. In fact, the manufacturer of the mRNA vaccine Comirnaty (BioNTech/Pfizer) only measures DNA impurities in the active substance by means of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), whose DNA target sequence is less than just 1% of the originally added DNA template. This means that no direct DNA quantification takes place, and compliance with the limit value for DNA contamination is only estimated from the qPCR data using mathematical extrapolation methods. However, it is also possible to dissolve the lipid nanoparticles with a detergent to directly measure DNA contamination in the final product by using fluorescence spectroscopic methods. Experimental testing of this approach confirms that reliable values can be obtained in this way.
PubMed: 38804335
DOI: 10.3390/mps7030041 -
Animal Nutrition (Zhongguo Xu Mu Shou... Jun 2024For the agroecosystems of the dairy cow industry, dietary carbohydrate (starch, neutral detergent fiber [NDF]) and fat could directly affect rumen methane emissions and...
For the agroecosystems of the dairy cow industry, dietary carbohydrate (starch, neutral detergent fiber [NDF]) and fat could directly affect rumen methane emissions and host energy utilization. However, the relationships among diet, lactation performance, and methane emissions need to be further determined to assist dairy farms to adjust diet formulations and feeding strategies for environmental and production management. A meta-analysis was conducted in the current study to explore quantitative patterns of dietary fat and carbohydrate at different levels in balancing lactation performance and environment sustainability of dairy cows, and to establish a methane emission prediction model using the artificial neural network (ANN) model. The results showed that the regression relationship between dietary fat, carbohydrate and methane emissions could be shown by the following models: methane = 106.78 + (14.86 × DMI), = 0.80; methane = 443.17 - (46.41 × starch/NDF), = 0.76; and methane = 388.91 + (31.40 × fat) - (5.42 × fat), = 0.80. The regression relationships between dietary fat, carbohydrate and lactation performance could be shown by the following models: milk fat yield = 1.08 + (0.43 × starch/NDF) - [0.34 × (starch/NDF)], = 0.79; milk protein yield = 0.68 + (0.15 × fat) - (0.016 × fat), = 0.82. In the structural equation model, we found that when formulating dietary carbohydrates and fats, it was necessary to balance the relationship between methane emissions and lactation performance. Specifically, dietary starch/NDF was lower than 0.63 (extremum point) and dietary fat was between 2.89% and 4.69% (extremum point), it could ensure that the aim of methane emission reduction (methane emissions decrease with increasing dietary starch/NDF and fat) was achieved without losing lactation performance of dairy cows (lactation performance increase with increasing dietary starch/NDF and fat). Finally, we established the ANN model to predict methane emissions (training set: = 0.62; validation set: = 0.61).
PubMed: 38800741
DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2024.02.004 -
Animal Nutrition (Zhongguo Xu Mu Shou... Jun 2024Thirty-two primiparous and 31 multiparous Alpine goats were used to determine influences of diets varying in level and source of forage on performance in early to...
Effects of the level and source of dietary physically effective fiber on feed intake, nutrient utilization, heat energy, ruminal fermentation, and milk production by Alpine goats.
Thirty-two primiparous and 31 multiparous Alpine goats were used to determine influences of diets varying in level and source of forage on performance in early to mid-lactation for 16 wk. Diets consisted of 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% forage (designated as 40F, 50F, 60F, and 70F, respectively) with 60F and 70F containing coarsely ground grass hay (primarily orchardgrass) and 40F and 50F containing cottonseed hulls, alfalfa pellets, and coarsely ground wheat hay. Diets contained 15.9% to 16.3% crude protein and 37.8%, 42.1%, 53.5%, and 55.4% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) with 10.0%, 15.8%, 50.1%, and 55.5% particle retention on a 19-mm sieve, and 26.1%, 29.6%, 38.3%, and 40.0% physically effective NDF (peNDF) for 40F, 50F, 60F, and 70F, respectively. Dry matter intake (2.71, 2.75, 1.96, and 1.95 kg/d) and milk yield (2.82, 2.71, 2.23, and 2.10 kg/d for 40F, 50F, 60F, and 70F, respectively) were lower ( < 0.05) for the two diets highest in forage. Digestion of organic matter was similar among diets ( 0.05), but digestibility of NDF was greater ( < 0.05) for 60F and 70F (57.5%, 58.4%, 68.9%, and 72.2% for 40F, 50F, 60F, and 70F, respectively). Diet affected ( < 0.05) milk fat (3.16%, 3.37%, 2.93%, and 2.97%) and protein concentrations (2.62%, 2.69%, 2.58%, and 2.52% for 40F, 50F, 60F, and 70F, respectively). Milk energy yield was greater ( < 0.05) for the two diets lowest in forage (7.51, 7.45, 5.68, and 5.34 MJ/d), although yield relative to dry matter intake was not affected ( > 0.05) by diet and was lower ( < 0.05) for primiparous vs. multiparous goats (2.71 and 3.09 MJ/kg). Ruminal pH and acetate proportion were greater for 60F and 70F than for the other diets and the proportion of butyrate was lower for the two diets highest in fiber. The mean lengths of time spent ruminating, eating, standing, and lying were not affected ( > 0.05) by diet or parity, but many interactions involving diet, period, hour, and parity were significant ( < 0.05). In conclusion, lactational performance of Alpine goats in early to mid-lactation will be constrained with diets high in forage of moderate quality, peNDF content, and large particle size, which appeared related to limited feed intake.
PubMed: 38800737
DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2024.02.002 -
Translational Animal Science 2024Two separate cross-over experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of incorporating wheat middlings into wet corn distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) on...
Effect of wheat middling incorporation into wet corn distillers grains with solubles on apparent diet digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics in growing and finishing diets.
Two separate cross-over experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of incorporating wheat middlings into wet corn distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) on apparent diet digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics in growing and finishing diets. In experiment 1, four ruminally cannulated heifers (313 ± 42.9 kg) were limit fed a high-energy growing diet that included WDGS (CON) or WDGS + wheat middlings (CON + WM) at 40% of diet dry matter (DM). The diet also contained (DM basis) 39.5% dry-rolled corn, 7.5% supplement, and 13% warm-season grass hay. In experiment 2, four ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (321 ± 17.4 kg) were fed a finishing diet that included WDGS (CON) or WDGS + wheat middlings (CON + WM) at 30% of diet DM. The diet also contained (DM basis) 60.3% dry-rolled corn, 2.7% supplement, and 7.0% warm-season grass hay. Experiments consisted of two 15-d periods that were conducted concurrently. Each period included 10 d of diet adaptation, 4 d of fecal collection, and 1 d of ruminal fluid collection. Fecal samples were collected on days 11 to 14 of each period and composite samples were analyzed for chromium to estimate apparent diet digestibility. On day 15, ruminal fluid samples were collected prior to feeding and again at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24-h post-feeding. In experiment 1, DM, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake did not differ ( ≥ 0.11) between diets; however, starch intake was greater ( = 0.03) for heifers fed CON + WM compared with CON. Apparent DM, OM, NDF, and starch digestibilities were similar between diets ( ≥ 0.13), but feeding CON + WM tended to lead to lesser ( = 0.06) apparent ADF digestibility. Ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations did not differ between diets ( ≥ 0.16); however, ruminal ammonia concentrations tended to be less ( = 0.09) for CON + WM compared with CON. In experiment 2, DM intake did not differ ( = 0.65) between diets. Apparent DM digestibility was greater ( = 0.01) for CON + WM compared with CON but the difference was small. Intake and apparent digestibility of OM, NDF, ADF, and starch did not differ ( ≥ 0.25) between diets. Ruminal ammonia concentrations were lesser ( = 0.03) while ruminal pH was greater ( = 0.02) for CON + WM compared with CON. Overall, incorporation of wheat middlings into WDGS had minimal impacts on feed intake, apparent diet digestibility, and ruminal fermentation characteristics when fed to growing and finishing cattle.
PubMed: 38800104
DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae083 -
MethodsX Jun 2024Surfactants are indispensable in industrial applications today due to their wetting, emulsifying, dispersing, cleansing, and detergent properties. The use of surfactants...
Surfactants are indispensable in industrial applications today due to their wetting, emulsifying, dispersing, cleansing, and detergent properties. The use of surfactants extends from the cosmetic industry to the petroleum industry and beyond. Their characteristics and effectiveness can be assessed through various standardized tests, and based on these methods, their applications can be determined. However, there is a lack of a universally applicable testing method for one crucial and complex property: the detergent effect. The detergent effect refers to the removal of unwanted contaminants from a solid surface. However, cleaning is not solely attributed to the surfactant but to the appropriate combination of various factors, whose synergistic effect reduces surface contamination. The most significant factors influencing detergent effect include the characteristics and nature of the contaminants, properties of the cleaning solution (surfactant concentration and composition, water hardness, enzymes, etc.), temperature, washing time, and hydrodynamic conditions. Additionally, the presence of electrolytes, pH of the cleaning solution, and detergent foaming properties may also play important roles. Our goal was to develop a detergent effect testing methodology that is not specific to any particular application domain but offers a straightforward and easy-to-implement solution for comparing the detergent effect of various types of surfactants.•The study presents a method for determining detergent effect of surfactants.•The method is universal and suitable for the evaluation of any type of surfactant.•The method is low-cost and easy to perform.
PubMed: 38799038
DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102755 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Every year, new compounds contained in consumer products, such as detergents, paints, products for personal hygiene, and drugs for human and veterinary use, are...
Every year, new compounds contained in consumer products, such as detergents, paints, products for personal hygiene, and drugs for human and veterinary use, are identified in wastewater and are added to the list of molecules that need monitoring. These compounds are indicated with the term emerging contaminants (or Contaminants of Emerging Concern, CECs) since they are potentially dangerous for the environment and human health. To date, among the most widely used methodologies for the removal of CECs from the aquatic environment, adsorption processes play a role of primary importance, as they have proven to be characterized by high removal efficiency, low operating and management costs, and an absence of undesirable by-products. In this paper, the adsorption of ibuprofen (IBU), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely used for treating inflammation or pain, was performed for the first time using two different types of geopolymer-based materials, i.e., a metakaolin-based (GMK) and an organic-inorganic hybrid (GMK-S) geopolymer. The proposed adsorbing matrices are characterized by a low environmental footprint and have been easily obtained as powders or as highly porous filters by direct foaming operated directly into the adsorption column. Preliminary results demonstrated that these materials can be effectively used for the removal of ibuprofen from contaminated water (showing a concentration decrease of IBU up to about 29% in batch, while an IBU removal percentage of about 90% has been reached in continuous), thus suggesting their potential practical application.
Topics: Ibuprofen; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Adsorption; Water Purification; Polymers; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Wastewater; Kaolin
PubMed: 38792071
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102210 -
Journal of Dairy Science May 2024The fatty acid (FA) and phospholipid composition of dietary lecithin may influence FA digestibility and milk production in cattle. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (99.4...
The fatty acid (FA) and phospholipid composition of dietary lecithin may influence FA digestibility and milk production in cattle. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (99.4 ± 9.2 d in milk [DIM]; 48.9 ± 3.8 kg milk/d) were enrolled in a 3 × 3 incomplete Latin square design with 3 treatments provided as continuous abomasal infusates spanning 14-d experimental periods: water (CON), soybean phospholipids (SOY; 74.5 g of deoiled soy lecithin), or sunflower phospholipids (SUN; 133.5 g of hydrolyzed sunflower lecithin). Cows were fed the same diet, which contained (% dry matter) 27.0% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 15.6% crude protein (CP), 26.2% starch, and 5.87% FA. Treatments did not modify body weight, milk fat, protein, or lactose contents, or the efficiency of producing energy-corrected milk. Cows infused with SUN had greater milk yields than those receiving SOY or CON treatments. Cows infused with SUN had higher total solids, protein, and lactose yields than cows receiving the SOY or CON treatments. Sunflower phospholipids enhanced feed efficiency (milk yield/dry matter intake) relative to SOY or CON. Treatment did not affect intakes or apparent total-tract digestibilities for NDF, CP, starch, or 16-carbon (16C) FA. Cows receiving SUN had greater total FA and 18-carbon (18C) FA intakes than SOY or CON, but treatments did not impact their digestibility. Milk FA composition was modified by treatment. Cows receiving SUN had a greater concentration of polyunsaturated FA and lower concentrations of saturated FA and monounsaturated FA in milk relative to SOY or CON. In conclusion, the abomasal infusion of SUN improved milk production and milk FA composition, indicating potential benefits for dairy cow nutrition and milk quality.
PubMed: 38788840
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24369 -
PloS One 2024Nutritive value of five Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) genotypes (IG96-50, IG96-96, IG96-358, IG96-401 and IG96-403) weredetermined. Their sugar contents (>70 mg/g of...
Nutritive value of five Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) genotypes (IG96-50, IG96-96, IG96-358, IG96-401 and IG96-403) weredetermined. Their sugar contents (>70 mg/g of dry matter) and ensiling potential were evaluated using in vitro batch culture and in vivo studies. Research indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in the dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and lignin contents of the C. ciliaris genotypes tested. Genotypes also differed (P < 0.05) in total carbohydrates, structural carbohydrates, non-structural carbohydrates and protein fractions. Genotype IG96-96 had the lowest total digestible nutrients, digestible energy and metabolizable energy contents (377.2 g/kg, 6.95 and 5.71 MJ/kg of dry matter, respectively), and net energy values for lactation, maintenance and growth. After 45 days of ensiling, C. ciliaris silages differed (P < 0.05) in dry matter, pH, and lactic acid contents, and their values ranged between 255-339, 4.06-5.17 g/kg of dry matter and 10.8-28.0 g/kg of dry matter, respectively. Maize silage had higher (P < 0.05) Organic Matter (919.5g/kg of dry matter), ether extract (20.4g/kg of dry matter) and hemi-cellulose (272.3 g/kg of dry matter) than IG96-401 and IG96-96 silages. The total carbohydrates and non-structural carbohydrates of maize silage were higher (P < 0.05), while structural carbohydrates were comparable (P < 0.05) with C. ciliaris silages. Sheep on maize silage had (P < 0.05) higher metabolizable energy, lower crude protein, and digestible crude protein intake (g/kg of dry matter) than those on C. ciliaris silage diets. Nitrogen intake and urinary-N excretion were higher (P < 0.05) on genotype IG96-96 silage diet. Overall, this study suggested that certain C. ciliaris genotypes, notably IG96-401 and IG96-96, exhibited nutritive values comparable to maize silage in sheep studies, offering a promising avenue for future exploration as potential alternatives in diversified and sustainable livestock nutrition programs.
Topics: Animals; Silage; Zea mays; Genotype; Sheep; Nutritive Value; Cenchrus; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Female; Animal Feed; Digestion
PubMed: 38787825
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304328 -
Journal of the American Chemical Society Jun 2024High-resolution structural NMR analyses of membrane proteins are challenging due to their large size, resulting in broad resonances and strong signal overlap. Among the...
High-resolution structural NMR analyses of membrane proteins are challenging due to their large size, resulting in broad resonances and strong signal overlap. Among the isotope labeling methods that can remedy this situation, segmental isotope labeling is a suitable strategy to simplify NMR spectra and retain high-resolution structural information. However, protein ligation within integral membrane proteins is complicated since the hydrophobic protein fragments are insoluble, and the removal of ligation side-products is elaborate. Here, we show that a stabilized split-intein system can be used for rapid and high-yield protein trans-splicing of integral membrane proteins under denaturing conditions. This setup enables segmental isotope labeling experiments within folded protein domains for NMR studies. We show that high-quality NMR spectra of markedly reduced complexity can be obtained in detergent micelles and lipid nanodiscs. Of note, the nanodisc insertion step specifically selects for the ligated and correctly folded membrane protein and simultaneously removes ligation byproducts. Using this tailored workflow, we show that high-resolution NMR structure determination is strongly facilitated with just two segmentally isotope-labeled membrane protein samples. The presented method will be broadly applicable to structural and dynamical investigations of (membrane-) proteins and their complexes by solution and solid-state NMR but also other structural methods where segmental labeling is beneficial.
Topics: Membrane Proteins; Isotope Labeling; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
PubMed: 38787792
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03294