Nutritional significance of amino acids,vitamins and minerals as nutraceuticals in poultry production and health – a comprehensive review

Nutraceuticals have gained immense importance in poultry science recently considering the nutritional and beneficial health effects of their constituents. Besides providing nutritional requirements to birds, nutraceuticals have beneficial pharmacological effects, for example, they help in establishing normal physiological health status, prevent diseases and thereby improve production performance. Nutraceuticals include amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc. which are important for preventing oxidative stress, regulating the immune response and maintaining normal physiological, biochemical and homeostatic mechanisms. Nutraceuticals help in supplying nutrients in balanced amounts for supporting the optimal growth performance in modern poultry flocks, and as a dietary supplement can reduce the use of antibiotics. The application of antibiotic growth enhancers in poultry leads to the propagation of antibiotic-resistant microbes and drug residues; therefore, they have been restricted in many countries. Thus, there is a demand for natural feed additives that lead to the same growth enhancement without affecting the health. Nutraceuticals substances have an essential role in the development of the animals’ normal physiological functions and in protecting them against infectious diseases. In this review, the uses of amino acids, vitamins and minerals as well as their mode of action in growth promotion and elevation of immune system are discussed.     

不同养殖模式翘嘴鲌肌肉营养品质比较

为评价池塘与大湖不同养殖模式翘嘴鲌(Culter alburnus)肌肉营养品质差异,试验分析了商品翘嘴鲌肌肉常规营养成分、氨基酸、脂肪酸、矿物元素含量等营养指标。结果表明:大湖翘嘴鲌肌肉水分含量显著低于池塘翘嘴鲌(P<0.05),粗蛋白质含量高于池塘翘嘴鲌,差异不显著(P>0.05)。池塘与大湖翘嘴鲌肌肉,除了赖氨酸和组氨酸以外(P<0.05),绝大部分氨基酸含量均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。大湖翘嘴鲌肌肉的总氨基酸、必需氨基酸和鲜味氨基酸含量分别较池塘翘嘴鲌高出2.72%、2.87%和2.50%。根据氨基酸评分(AAS)和化学评分(CS)结果,池塘与大湖翘嘴鲌肌肉中第一限制性氨基酸均为蛋氨酸+胱氨酸,赖氨酸相对含量最高,必需氨基酸指数(EAAI)分别为68.81和69.62。池塘翘嘴鲌的棕榈油酸(C16:1)含量显著高于大湖翘嘴鲌(P<0.05),而大湖翘嘴鲌肌肉的单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFAs)、高不饱和脂肪酸(HUFAs)、必需脂肪酸(EFA)、EPA+DHA含量则高于池塘翘嘴鲌(P>0.05)。试验检测了池塘与大湖翘嘴鲌肌肉11种矿物元素,其中镁有显著差异(P<0.05),重金属元素(铬、镉、铅)含量均在限量范围以内。综上所述,大湖养殖翘嘴鲌营养品质优于池塘养殖。     

Growth and Apparent Absorption of Minerals in Broiler Chicks Fed Diets with Low or High Tannin Contents

Sorghum grains with low (0.28 per cent catechin equivalent (%CE) or high (1.36 %CE)) tannin contents were used to study the effect of tannin on growth and on the apparent absorption of Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe and Co by chickens. High-tannin sorghum caused a highly significant (p0.01) reduction in the weight gain and feed intake of broiler chicks compared to low-tannin sorghum and increased the feed conversion ratio (p0.01). The amount of tannin did not affect mortality. The apparent absorption of Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe and Co was reduced (p0.01) by feeding sorghum grains with a high tannin content.     

Comparative study of the characteristics of the carcass and the meat of the Chato Murciano pig and its cross with Iberian pig, reared indoors

The Chato Murciano pig is a breed catalogued as a Special Protection breed in danger of extinction. At present it is commonly reared in an intensive system. We have studied the mineral composition and other characteristics of its carcass and meat. Samples from the Musculus longissimus lumborum were taken from a total number of 43 animals, divided into two groups, Chato Murciano and Chato Murciano crossed with Iberian, reared in a conventional indoor system. The resulting meat of the Chato Murciano pig and its cross with Iberian was especially rich in iron and copper, rich in phosphorus, and marginally poor in calcium and sodium. The evolution of the pH of the carcass was that of pigs which do not produce PSE (pale, soft and exudative) meat. Some relevant positive correlation coefficients between minerals (P ≤ 0.05) have been found.     

Several micronutrients in the rotifer Brachionus sp. may not fulfil the nutritional requirements of marine fish larvae

The current best practice intensive culture of larval Atlantic cod includes feeding rotifers from onset of exogenous feeding until 25–30 days after hatching. These larvae grow considerably slower and develop higher frequencies of deformities than larvae reared in semi‐extensive systems, using copepods as feed. The present study compares the micronutrient concentrations in rotifers with those of copepods, with the aim of identifying nutrients that may be limiting for normal growth and development of cod larvae. An additional criterion used is the nutrient requirements given for fish in general, by NRC (1993) , as nutrient requirements of cod remains to be determined. Rotifers were fed on four different diets, consisting of baker's yeast with cod liver oil (3.3 : 1 dry weight (DW)/v), baker's yeast with Algamac 2000^TM (3.5 : 1 DW), baker's yeast with live algae Chlorella (4.1 : 1 DW), and Culture Selco 3000^TM (CS). CS was a complete commercial diet for rotifers while the other diets are considered as based on raw ingredients. Compared with copepod nutrient levels, rotifers grown on yeast‐based diets supplemented with either cod liver oil, Algamac 2000 or Chlorella were apparently sufficient for covering the requirements in cod larvae for all the B‐vitamins, except thiamine. Rotifers cultured on the CS diet also had sufficient amounts of thiamine. Of the minerals, only calcium and magnesium were sufficient, using this criterion while iron was on the borderline. However, with reference to the requirements given for larger fish ( NRC 1993 ), only thiamine, vitamin A, manganese, selenium and perhaps copper, appear too low in the rotifers cultured without extra micronutrient supplementation. The other nutrients were present at levels intermediate between copepod and fish requirement levels. This study suggests that it is necessary to develop enrichment techniques to produce rotifers with sufficient amounts of all micronutrients. Such techniques will also be important tools for determining which nutrients are present at levels below the actual requirements in cod larvae.     

持续日变高温对肉鸡矿物质代谢的影响

为研究持续日变高温环境对肉仔鸡矿物质代谢的影响,选用体重接近的20只肉仔鸡,随机分为两组,另选体重接近的4只肉仔鸡,施人工肛门手术。试验组持续日变高温环境设为25～35℃,其中每日35℃持续3h。对照组为20℃恒温。在人工气候舱内适应8d后,每只鸡收集3d尿和总排泄物,并对其中矿物质排出量进行测量,分别对试验前及试验结束时血液中矿物质浓度进行测量。结果表明:持续日变高温使肉仔鸡血清中K浓度显著下降,Zn浓度上升,其它矿物质元素浓度无显著变化,在限饲相同进食量情况下,热应激使K、P、Mg、Na和Co的排出量明显低于对照组,而其它矿物元素排出量与对照组无显著差异,尿中矿物质浓度无显著变化。     

铁氧化物-硅酸盐复合物的形成、性质及其对砷的固定

铁氧化物与硅酸盐矿物是土壤中最重要、最活跃的固相组分,它们之间的交互作用直接影响土壤物理化学特性,可有效地调控土壤(类)重金属的迁移、转化。本文以铁氧化物和硅酸盐矿物胶结过程中的一些表观特征变化为出发点,从宏观、表观到微观综述了二者交互作用的界面特性和机理、交互作用前后对土壤砷的固定与释放机制等内容。本文阐明层状硅酸盐与铁氧化物通过多种化学作用而发生表面复合,其中静电作用是作用力之一,带负电荷的硅酸盐与带正电荷的铁氧化物在静电引力的作用下迅速结合,在胶体表面双电层上形成二元团聚体;形成的二元团聚体可改变土壤矿物的表面积和孔性结构、表面电化学特性和物理性质。同时,铁氧化物-硅酸盐复合物表面的活性基团可以通过内层络合共氧的方式将土壤中AsO_4~(2-)络合,形成单核或双核表面络合物而固定砷。复合物对AsO_4~(2-)的吸附能力介于铁氧化物和硅酸盐矿物之间,并更接近铁氧化物的表面吸附特性。本文旨在为土壤砷的原位固定提供理论支撑。     

Strategies of inorganic and organic trace mineral supplementation in gestating hyperprolific sow diets: effects on the offspring performance and fetal programming

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of trace mineral nutrition on sow performance, mineral content, and intestinal gene expression of neonate piglets when inorganic mineral sources (ITM) were partially replaced by their organic mineral (OTM) counterparts. At 35 d postmating, under commercial conditions, a total of 240 hyperprolific multiparous sows were allocated into three experimental diets: 1) ITM: with Zn, Cu, and Mn at 80, 15, and 60 mg/kg, respectively; 2) partial replacement trace mineral source (Replace): with a 30 % replacement of ITM by OTM, resulting in ITM + OTM supplementation of Zn (56 + 24 mg/kg), Cu (10.5 + 4.5 mg/kg), and Mn (42 + 18 mg/kg); and 3) Reduce and replace mineral source (R&R): reducing a 50% of the ITM source of Zn (40 + 24 mg/kg), Cu (7.5 + 4.5 mg/kg), and Mn (30 + 18 mg/kg). At farrowing, 40 piglets were selected, based on birth weight (light: <800 g, and average: >1,200 g), for sampling. Since the present study aimed to reflect results under commercial conditions, it was difficult to get an equal parity number between the experimental diets. Overall, no differences between experimental diets on sow reproductive performance were observed. Light piglets had a lower mineral content (P < 0.05) and a downregulation of several genes (P < 0.10) involved in physiological functions compared with their average littermates. Neonate piglets born from Replace sows had an upregulation of genes involved in functions like immunity and gut barrier, compared with those born from ITM sows (P < 0.10), particularly in light piglets. In conclusion, the partial replacement of ITM by their OTM counterparts represents an alternative to the totally inorganic supplementation with improvements on neonate piglet gene expression, particularly in the smallest piglets of the litter. The lower trace mineral storage together with the greater downregulation of gut health genes exposed the immaturity and vulnerability of small piglets.     

Influence of animal age on body concentrations of minerals in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Mathematical modelling of the relationships between mineral inputs and outputs would enable the prediction of mineral requirements of poultry under a wide range of conditions. To establish the feasibility of possible modelling of mineral requirements, the current study aimed to describe the individual mineral concentrations of whole bodies of quail over the life cycle from hatching to 70 days of age. Quail were reared indoors without any restrictions that could limit growth. Sampling of birds (n = 6–18) was carried out at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 35, 49 and 70 days after hatching. Freeze‐dried samples of whole bodies (digestive contents removed) were analysed for ash, and macrominerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium) and microminerals (copper, iron, manganese, nickel, selenium, zinc). Ash concentration followed a curvilinear trend, with a maximum of 101.7 g/kg dry matter at 32.77 days. Individual mineral concentrations, expressed as a proportion of ash, were fluctuating over time, with the most prominent changes at 3 days and again at either 14 or 21 days. Dissimilar patterns in individual mineral concentrations resulted that ratios between minerals followed inconsistent patterns over time. Although mineral contents in absolute quantities can be described through modelling over the entire life cycle of the bird, it can be concluded that variable concentrations of individual minerals could complicate further model development.     

Supplementation of potassium, magnesium and sodium chloride in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, reared in low salinity waters

The culture of Litopenaeus vannamei in inland low salinity waters is currently being practiced in various countries around the world. These environments are often deficient in key ions essential for normal physiological function, including potassium (K⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺). Farmers have sometimes been able to counteract ionic deficiencies in the water profile by adding mineral salts containing sources of K⁺ and Mg²⁺. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of correcting deficiencies of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the water profile with dietary supplementation of these minerals. Two separate 7‐week experiments were conducted in 4.0 g⁻¹ artificial low salinity water to evaluate the effects of mineral supplements (K⁺, Mg²⁺ and NaCl) to diets of L. vannamei reared in low salinity waters. In trial 1 seven diets were formulated (10 g NaCl kg⁻¹, 20 g NaCl kg⁻¹, 150 mg kg⁻¹ Mg²⁺, 300 mg kg⁻¹ Mg²⁺, 5 g K⁺ kg⁻¹, 10 g K⁺ kg⁻¹, and a basal diet to serve as a control). Minerals were added in the form of purified potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl₂·6H₂O) and NaCl. Trial 2 evaluated the use of a coating agent for the Mg²⁺ and NaCl treatments, while a K⁺ amino acid complex was utilized in the K⁺ treatments to reduce mineral leaching. Trial 2 was performed using similar treatment levels as trial 1. Shrimp survival and growth were assessed in both experiments. Results from trial 1 indicated no significant differences in survival, growth or percent weight gain. Results from trial 2 revealed no significant differences in survival and growth in the NaCl and Mg²⁺ treatments. However, significant differences in growth (P < 0.05) were observed when using the 10 g K⁺ kg⁻¹ treatment, suggesting that dietary supplementation of a K⁺ amino acid complex may help improve growth of the species in low salinity waters.