The effect of straw meal on the crude protein and amino acid metabolism and the digestibility of crude nutrients in broiler breeding hens. 3. Digestibility of amino acids

In two experiments with colostomized broiler hens the influence of a straw meal supplement on the apparent digestibility of the amino acids of the ration and the 15N labelled basic amino acids in wheat was studied. In experiment 1 the animals received 120 g mixed feed plus 0, 20, 30 and 40 g straw meal per animal and day. The digestibility of the amino acids decreased on average from 86% to 83%, 80% and 79% with the growing straw intake. In contrast to the control variant, 20 g straw meal intake resulted in a significant decrease of digestibility for lysine, histidine, glycine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, cystine and methionine. 30 and 40 g straw meal reduced significantly the digestibility of all amino acids with the exception of arginine. The amino acid composition of the crude protein in faeces changed only very slightly due to the straw supplement. In experiment 2 15N labelled wheat was a component of the ration. Of the 15N labelled amino acids lysine, histidine and arginine, 88, 90 and 95% were apparently digested. The adaptation of the animals to straw meal intake did not change the digestibility of the amino acids.     

Studies on the use of wheat rich in crude protein in the feeding of broilers. 1. Experimental procedure, weight gains, food consumption and food efficiency]

A fattening trial was carried out with 8 groups of broilers each comprising 1225 birds. Within this trial tests were made to replace the protein feeds of newly hatched chicks over a period of up to 56 days of age, by wheat rich in crude protein. If wheat with a high crude protein content is fed supplementation with lysine and methionine will be necessary depending on the kind of protein feed used. No supplementation with amino acids is required if rations of fish meal + extracted soya bean meal are used despite their reduced content of these amino acids. The broilers consumed larger quantities of the wheat + extracted soya bean meal+fish meal ration than of the mixtures containing no fish meal. Food requirements per unit of weight gain were the same for the mixtures containing high-protein wheat and for the standard maize ration. The lowest food consumption per unit of weight gain was computed for the wheat + extracted soya bean meal diet supplemented with amino acids. The same quantities of lysine, thioamino acids and threonine were necessary for broilers receiving the wheat rations as for birds of the standard group. Protein feed may be saved by using high-protein wheat in the fattening of broilers. The rates of weight gain obtained with these rations are the same or even better than those achieved with rations of maize + fish meal+soya bean meal.     

Evaluation of apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in Chinese corn by-products for growing-finishing pigs.

Twelve crossbred barrows (BW 47 +/- 2.81 kg) were fitted with a T-cannula in the terminal ileum and fed one of ten diets containing corn gluten meal, dried distillers grain or dried distillers grain with solubles as the sole protein source, according to a 6 x 6 Latin Square design. Lysine, tryptophan and methionine were, the first, second and third limiting amino acids in these by-products. The ileal apparent digestibility of methionine, tyrosine, leucine and phenylalanine in corn gluten meal was high. The ileal apparent digestibility of tryptophan, tyrosine and leucine differed significantly in corn gluten meal. The ileal apparent digestibility of amino acids was higher in dried distillers grain with solubles than in dried distillers grain. To predict the ileal apparent digestibility of tryptophan, methionine and threonine linear regression equations were derived. The results suggested that processing technique can influence the ileal apparent digestibility ofamino acids in corn by-products. It was concluded that the direct technique cannot accurately determine the ileal apparent digestibility of tryptophan in dried distillers grain with solubles and dried distillers grain, due to its low content. The content of an amino acid in a feedstuff used as the sole source of protein must meet the minimum requirement of pigs when the ileal apparent digestibility of constituent amino acids is determined using the direct technique.     

Apparent digestibility of amino acids in raw and heated conventional and low-trypsin-inhibitor soybeans for pigs.

An experiment was conducted with ileally cannulated pigs to determine the apparent digestibility of amino acids and N in raw or heated conventional or low-trypsin-inhibitor soybeans. Six littermate barrows initially averaging 24 kg were fed cornstarch-based diets (10.5% CP, .68% lysine, 3,558 kcal of ME/kg) supplemented with raw (unheated), conventional soybeans; raw, low-trypsin-inhibitor soybeans; heated, conventional soybeans; heated, low-trypsin-inhibitor soybeans; or solvent-extracted soybean meal. Heating was achieved by autoclaving soybeans (after grinding) for 20 min at 110 degrees C. The urease activities of the two raw soybean sources were similar, but the trypsin inhibitor activity of the raw, low-trypsin-inhibitor soybeans was about one-half that of the raw, conventional soybeans. The lower trypsin inhibitor activity of the raw, low-trypsin-inhibitor soybeans was associated with an improvement in the apparent digestibility of amino acids and N compared with the raw, conventional soybeans (P less than .05). Heating reduced the urease and trypsin inhibitor activities and improved (P less than .05) the apparent digestibility of amino acids and N in both types of soybeans. However, the heated, conventional soybeans contained more trypsin inhibitor activity than the heated, low-trypsin-inhibitor soybeans and the digestibilities of the amino acids were lower (P less than .05). Although the urease and trypsin inhibitor activities of the two heated soybean sources were similar to or less than those of soybean meal, the digestibilities of amino acids were not as great (P less than .05) in the heated soybeans as in soybean meal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Apparent digestibility of nitrogen and amino acids in protein feedstuffs by growing pigs

Eight digestion trials were conducted with pigs fitted with ileal T-cannulas to determine the apparent digestibilities of N and amino acids in common protein feedstuffs. Trial-to-trial variation was minimal as determined by the variation in digestibilities for soybean meal, which was evaluated in each trial. Apparent digestibilities varied widely; ileal N digestibility ranged from 88 to 63%, and ileal lysine digestibility ranged from 93 to 40%. In general, ring-dried blood meal, corn gluten meal, Menhaden fish meal, poultry-by-product meal and extruded whole soybeans were the most digestible, followed by canola meal, sunflower meal, peanut meal and meat and bone meal. Cottonseed meal and feather meal were the least digestible. Mean values for each feedstuff agree well with published data. Variation in digestibilities among samples of the same feedstuff was greater for the meat and bone meals. Regression of ileal essential amino acid digestibilities on ileal and fecal N digestibility indicated that amino acid digestibilities can be predicted more precisely from ileal N digestibility than from fecal N digestibility. However, neither ileal nor fecal N digestibility could be used with a high degree of certainty to predict ileal amino acid digestibilities.     

The substitution of protein feed by lysine supplemented high protein wheat during the rearing and laying period in hens. 9. True amino acid digestibility of rations with varying lysine levels in hens who had a colostomy]

24 experimental birds were fed the same basal ration containing 74% high-protein wheat, 4% extracted soya bean meal, 7% extracted groundnut meal, 2% feed yeast, 1.75% dried green meal, 1.25% mixed vitamins and 10% of a mineral mixture. The birds were placed in 4 groups each comprising 6 hens. The first two groups received an optimum of lysine (0.68%) added to the ration. The rations for the two other groups contained 0.55% lysine. 6 birds of each group receiving either the lysinesupplemented or the unsupplemented rations were colostomated to investigate in which way the hydrolysed urine would affect the true amino acid digestibility. 8.3% of urinary N from the total amount of faecal N were precipitated as uranyl acetate in the faeces of hens fed the lysine-supplemented ration as compared with 7.3% urinary N in birds receiving the unsupplemented ration. The corresponding figures for non-precipitable faecal N were 8.9% and 8.2%. A comparison was made between the levels of amino acids excreted by colostomated and non-colostomated hens showing that 12.4% +/- 3% and 11.7% +/- 3% more amino acids (figures for the supplemented and unsupplemented rations) were excreted in the presence of urine. On the basis of these results the authors recommend that only colostomated hens should be used in digestibility and total metabolism trials.     

Ileal amino acid digestibility assay for the growing meat chicken--comparison of ileal and excreta amino acid digestibility in the chicken

1. The apparent and true amino acid digestibilities in sorghum, wheat, soyabean meal, meat-and-bone meal, fish meal and blood meal for growing meat chickens were determined using an assay based on the collection of digesta from the terminal ileum and comparison was made with digestibility values determined using an excreta-based assay. 2. Five-week-old meat chickens were given maize-soyabean meal basal diet or mixtures of the basal diet and test diets containing the 6 ingredients as the sole source of dietary protein (50:50 on weight basis). Apparent amino acid digestibility values of assay diets at ileal and excreta levels were calculated using chromic oxide as the indigestible marker. True digestibility values were calculated using endogenous outputs determined by feeding a protein-free diet. Amino acid digestibilities of the ingredients were calculated by difference. 3. The site of measurement had no influence on endogenous amino acid output, the exceptions being aspartic acid and glutamic acid. The output of these two amino acids was higher in the excreta. 4. Significant differences were found between ileal and excreta-based digestibility of certain amino acids in some ingredients, with excreta values being usually higher than the ileal values, indicating a net catabolism of amino acids in the large intestine. The degree of net amino acid disappearance was found to be variable among amino acids and ingredients. In general, threonine had the lowest digestibility at the ileal level and, compared with other amino acids, the highest degredation during passage through the hindgut. 5. The results showed that digestibility determination based on excreta collection will overestimate the uptake for some amino acids in some feeds. The degree of overestimation was often considerable, ranging from 8.9% (apparent digestibility of threonine in soyabean meal) to 56% (apparent digestibility of aspartic acid in wheat). It is concluded that digestibility values measured at the terminal ileum provide a more reliable measure of amino acid availability than those measured in the excreta.     

The effects of dietary concentrations of minerals, source of protein, amino acids and antibiotics on the growth of and digestibility of amino acids by broiler chickens

1. The effects of dietary calcium, available phosphorus, amino acid and antibiotic supplements on the digestibilities of amino acids and growth of broiler chickens were investigated in two experiments. 2. The performance of chickens fed on diets containing high concentrations of calcium and available phosphorus was poorer with meat meal-based diets than with soyabean-based diets. Methionine supplementation improved the performance of chickens fed meat meal-based diets. 3. A high dietary content of calcium (25.9 vs 11.8 g/kg) reduced chick performance and the digestibility of glutamic acid, leucine and phenylalanine but increased the digestibility of lysine and histidine. 4. High dietary contents of calcium and available phosphorus (24.3 and 13.0 vs 11.8 and 4.0 g/kg) reduced chick performance and the digestibilities of most amino acids. 5. Antibiotic supplementation did not improve the performance of chickens, but increased the digestibilities of most amino acids in chickens fed on diets with a high calcium or high calcium and available phosphorus contents. 6. It was concluded that excess dietary calcium alone, or calcium and phosphorus together, reduced chick performance and the digestibilities of most amino acids. Growing chickens tolerated excess dietary calcium and available phosphorus better in well-balanced amino acid diets, such as soyabean meal or methionine-supplemented meat meal diets, than in poorly balanced amino acid diets, such as unsupplemented meat meal diets.     

Degradability of amino acids in selected legume forages using the in situ nylon-bag technique

This study was conducted to determine the amino acid profiles and rumen degradability of amino acids of three cultivated forage legumes – velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and silverleaf desmodium (Desmodium uncinatum) – using the in situ nylon-bag technique. Two Friesian cows fitted with 10-cm-diameter rumen cannulae on a complete dairy feed ration (19% crude-protein dairy meal and maize silage) were used. Silverleaf desmodium had significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentration of amino acids compared with cowpea and velvet bean. Aspartic acid showed the highest (p < 0.05) concentration in all legumes and cysteine showed the lowest concentration. Legume forage of cowpea showed the highest (p < 0.05) level of degradability of amino acid followed by silverleaf desmodium and then velvet bean. Readily and slowly degradable components in all amino acids were highest (p < 0.05) in cowpea followed by silverleaf desmodium and then velvet bean. Moreover, silverleaf and cowpea showed higher (p < 0.05) levels of effective degradability of amino acids (at outflow rates p = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 h^?1) than velvet bean. Total amino acid disappearance was the least in velvet bean, which suggests that it can be used to supply bypass protein to the duodenum of the ruminant animal.     

Ileal digestibility of nutrients and amino acids in unfermented,fermented soybean meal and canola meal for weaning pigs

Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of energy, dry matter, nitrogen and amino acids and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of nitrogen and amino acids were evaluated in six weanling pigs ((Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc)) fed unfermented soybean meal (SM), yeast fermented soybean meal (SMY), bacillus fermented soybean meal (SMB), yeast and bacillus fermented soybean meal (SMYB), canola meal (CM) and nitrogen‐free diet. Pigs having body weights 17.00 ± 0.3 kg were surgically equipped with T‐cannulas of approximately 15 cm prior to the ileo‐cecal junction and randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments and a nitrogen‐free diet in 6 × 6 Latin squares. AID and SID of nitrogen (N) was greater (P < 0.05) in SMYB and SMB compared with SM and CM. AID and SID of amino acids such as, Lys (lysine) and Phe (phenylalanine) as well as total essential amino acids were greater (P < 0.05) in SMB and tended to be low in CM compared with SM. AID and SID of aspartic acid (Asp) and glycine (Gly) tended to be higher in SMB compared with SM and other diets except CM. In conclusion, fermentation of soybean meal by Bacillus showed better digestibility of amino acid and nutrients.     

A comparison of ileal digesta and excreta analysis for the determination of amino acid digestibility in food ingredients for poultry.

1. The apparent ileal and excreta digestibilities of amino acids in 15 samples representing 12 food ingredients were determined using 5-week-old male broiler chickens. The ingredients included 3 samples of cereals (wheat, maize and sorghum), 6 samples of plant protein meals (soyabean meal, cottonseed meal, canola meal and sunflower meal) and 6 samples of animal protein meals (meat meal, meat-and-bone meal, feather meal and fish meal). 2. The test ingredients were incorporated as the sole source of dietary protein in assay diets. Each diet was offered ad libitum to 3 pens (4 birds/pen) from d 35 to d 42 post-hatching. Total collection of excreta was carried out during the last 4 d. All birds were killed on d 42 and the contents of the lower half of the ileum were collected. Apparent ileal and excreta amino acid digestibilities were calculated using acid-insoluble ash as the indigestible marker. 3. The influence of site of measurement was found to vary among food ingredients, among samples within an ingredient and among different amino acids within an ingredient. Ileal amino acid digestibility values were similar in some ingredients, but significantly lower or higher in others than the corresponding excreta values. 4. Average ileal and excreta amino acid digestibilities in sorghum and maize were similar, but significant differences were observed for individual amino acids. In contrast, ileal amino acid digestibility values were higher than the corresponding excreta digestibility values in wheat. 5. The average ileal and excreta digestibilites of amino acids in the 3 soyabean meal samples were similar although small, but significant differences were noted for individual amino acids. Site of measurement had no effect on the digestibility of amino acids in canola meal. Digestibilities of valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, histidine, glutamic acid, alanine and tyrosine in sunflower meal and those of valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, glutamic acid and alanine in cottonseed meal were lower by excreta analysis. 6. Digestibilities in animal protein meals, with the exception of blood meal and fish meal, were consistently higher by excreta analysis. Ileal-excreta differences in individual amino acid digestibilities were more evident in feather meal, meat meal and meat-and-bone meal. 7. Threonine and valine were the indispensable amino acids that were more frequently influenced by the site of measurement. Of the dispensable amino acids, aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid and alanine were the most affected. 8. Differences determined between ileal and excreta digestibilities in the present study clearly demonstrate that amino acid metabolism by hindgut microflora in chickens may be substantial and that digestibilities measured in the terminal ileum are more accurate measures of amino acid availability than those measured in the excreta.     

Endogenous nitrogen metabolism processes in 15N-labeled swine. 2. Fecal excretion of amino acids and 15N-labeled amino acids with diets differing in crude fiber content

Four pigs were labelled with 15N-ammonium salt over a period of 10 days in the feeding of a fishmeal diet, a fishmeal diet + partly hydrolysed straw meal, a field bean diet and a field bean diet + partly hydrolysed straw meal. The 14N-amino acids and the 15N-amino acids excreted in faeces showed highly significant correlation coefficients with the increasing content of crude fibre in the diets, which amounted to 3.0, 5.3, 10.0 and 12.1% in the DM. The following sequence was established for the growth angle (tan alpha) of the essential 14N-amino acids: Leu, Lys, Arg, Thr, Phe, Ile, Val, His and of the 15N-amino acids: Lys, Arg, Val, Leu, Ile, Thr, Phe and His. As Lys, His and Thr cannot incorporate 15N in transamination reactions in the intermediate metabolism, their level of labelling was considerable in case of diet 4. Nevertheless, tan alpha is highest for 15N-Lys and lowest for 15N-His. This means that His in contrast to Lys, parallel to increased synthesis, is also increasingly decomposed in the large intestine. In contrast to this, proline was not labelled with 15N even with the highest content of crude fibre in the diet. Despite this, 14N-proline excretion, next to glutamic acid, increased most with the growing content of crude fibre in the diet. Due to the hydrophilic character of glutamic acid and the increased water influx in the large intestine and the increased content of crude fibre in the diet, a growing proline transport parallel to the increased influx of crude fibre and water must be assumed. If the growth angle tan alpha for the excretion of 14N-amino acids is ascertained regressively for a crude fibre content of diet of 10%, one can prove from the proportion of the amino acids and a comparison from literature for faecal bacteria and ileum digesta that the amino acid composition for this measuring point largely corresponds to that of bacteria protein.     

The effect of different levels of soybean extract meal on the apparent digestibility of crude nutrients and amino acids in colostomized laying hens

Four colostomized laying hens per group were given a ration of barley and soya bean oil meal (SBM) with 12.5, 25.0 and 37.5% SBM resp. The crude protein intakes were 14.0, 17.7 and 21.4 g per animal and day. The lysine intake raised from 681 mg (group 1) to 1275 mg (group 3) per animal and day. The digestibility of dry matter and of the N-free extracts of the ration decreased with the rising SBM portion in the ration. The digestibility of crude protein remained constant. The investigated amino acids (Lys, His, Arg, Cys, Met) were higher digested in the 37.5% SBM ration than in the 12.5% SBM ration. The following digestibility values for SBM were found by means of the difference method: Dry matter 52.5%, crude protein 83.1%, crude fat 51.7%, crude fibre 5.5%, N-free extracts 50.6%. The level of the SBM did not influence the digestibility of the crude nutrients. The apparent digestibility of lysine from SBM depended on the level of intake and was found to be 82.3, 83.4 and 89.0%, resp. There were no differences in the digestibility of other amino acids.     

Protein utilization of mixed feed rations in lactating pigs with reference to the essential amino acid content of the feed proteins. 2. Report. Utilization of the feed proteins in the use of soy bean extraction residue, waste liquor yeast, horse bean meal fish meal and maize gluten for a basic ration]

Nitrogen trials were performed on lactating pigs to investigate the utilization of protein from some feeding rations. The basal ration fed to the sows consisted of ground barley+oats+flaked potatoes or ground barley+sugar beet chips. The basal ration was supplemented with a protein source. The protein feeds used were extracted soya bean meal, horse bean meal, fish meal, maize gluten and waste liquor yeast. Data for the average biological value of the dietary proteins were as follows (in the given order of protein feeds): 61%, 59%, 54%, 58% and 37%. PPV data were: 44%, 43%, 39%, 44% and 28%. The proteins of nearly all rations were deficient in lysine when compared with the range of amino acids present in the proteins of sow milk.     

Influence of native crude fibers on the true digestibility of nitrogen and the amino acids]

In several test series with rats, the influence of native crude fibres (straw meal and pea hulls) on the amount of metabolic fecal nitrogen (MFN) was tested. It could be ascertained that native crude fibres increase MFN. The influence of the increased MFN on the true digestibility of nitrogen and the amino acids was investigated in test series with casein diets. The casein diets were supplemented with native crude fibres. Generalising, we can state that native crude fibres--due to their structure (lignin)--fix amino acids and thus withhold them from absorption. They do not, however, increase the MFN by mechanical action (increase of the scraping off of intestinal epithelium).     

Isobutylene diurea as a new source of NPN for ruminants. 1. Nitrogen balance and plasma amino acid composition after feeding of isobutylene diurea to sheep]

The paper first presents a survey of the existing literature where studies on the effects of isobutylidene diurea (IBDH) as NPN source for ruminants are discussed. Following this the authors discuss their own experiments on IBDH turnover. IBDH showed no toxi cation when tested in toxicity studies with rats which were carried out under standardized conditions. Within the framework of metabolism trial 4 growing male sheep (average liveweight: 30 kg) were fed a semisynthetic diet containing IBDH as sole N source. Each animal received 60 g IBDH per day. The average value for the apparent N digestibility was found to be 77.6%, the percentage for the average N ballance was 27.6%. The blood of the sheep was investigated, on a comparative basis, for the behaviour of free amino acids after the administration of an experimental semisynthetic diet containing IBDH or extracted soya bean meal as sole N source. The use of IBDH produced a higher concentration of free amino acids and a five-fold increase if urea concentrations in the blood plasma but reduced the Asp, Cys and Tyr levels when compared with the feeding of extracted soya bean meal. Similarly, IBDH supplementation increased the relative proportions of Gly, Lys, and His in blood plasma but reduced those of Asp, Val and Tyr. A positive relationship between the rate of IBDH hydrolysis and the decrease in pH was found in experiments studying the hydrolysis behaviour of IBDH at pH values from 1-7.     

Influence of age on the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of feed ingredients for broiler chickens

The apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in 8 feed ingredients was determined using 14-, 28- and 42-d-old male broiler chickens. The ingredients included three cereals (wheat, sorghum and maize), one cereal by-product (mill run), three oilseed meals (canola, cottonseed and soybean meals) and one animal protein meal (meat and bone meal). Dietary crude protein in the assay diets was supplied solely by the test ingredient. All diets contained 20 g/kg acid-insoluble ash as an indigestible marker, and each diet was offered ad libitum in mash form to 5 replicate pens from 11 to 14 d, 25 to 28 d and 39 to 42 d post-hatching. There were 12, 6 and 6 birds per pen for the 14, 28 and 42 d samplings, respectively. The results suggest that the age of broilers significantly influenced the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids. The effects, however, varied among amino acids and ingredients. In wheat, the digestibility of most amino acids was higher in 14- than in 28- and 42-d-old broilers. In maize, the digestibility coefficients of amino acids were higher at 28 and 42 d than at 14 d. The digestibility coefficients in maize and wheat at 28 and 42 d were similar. The digestibility of amino acids in sorghum at 42 d was higher than those at 28 d, but similar to those at 14 d except for histidine, lysine, serine and glycine, which were significantly higher at 42 d. Digestibility of amino acids in sorghum was similar between 14 and 28 d except for isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid and alanine. The digestibility of amino acids in mill run at 42 d was significantly higher than those at 14 and 28 d. There were no differences in digestibility between 14 and 28 d. In general, the digestibility of amino acids in canola meal, soybean meal and, meat and bone meal was higher at 28 and 42 d compared to those at 14 d, and similar between 28 and 42 d of age. In cottonseed meal, age had no effect on the digestibility coefficient of amino acids, except for lysine and arginine, which increased with age. Analysis of the combined results for the 8 feed ingredients showed that, in general, the digestibility coefficients of amino acids increased with advancing age of broiler chickens.     

Effect of soybean meal particle size on amino acid and energy digestibility in grower-finisher swine

A study was conducted using the ileal digestibility technique with grower-finisher pigs to evaluate the effects of particle size reduction of soybean meal (SBM) on amino acid and energy digestibility. Soybean meal was processed through a hammer mill to achieve average particle sizes of 900, 600, 300, and 150 microm. The treatments included the use of two soybean meal sources and soy protein concentrate. One source of SBM was ground to four different particle sizes (i.e., 949, 600, 389, 185); a second source was a common SBM source used in other trials (i.e., 800 microm). The soy protein concentrate had an average particle size of 385 microm. A low-protein (5% casein) diet was fed to determine endogenous amino acid losses. This experiment was conducted in a 7 x 7 Latin Square design in two replicates using 14 crossbred barrows ([Landrace x Yorkshire] x Duroc) that averaged 28 kg BW and 60 d of age. Animals were surgically fitted with a T-cannula at the distal ileum. Treatment diets were fed in meal form, initially at 0.09 kg BW(0.75) and at graded increases at each subsequent period. Pigs within replicate were fed a constant quantity of their treatment diet for a 5-d adjustment period followed by a 2-d collection of ileal digesta samples. Apparent and true digestibility of amino acids was calculated by use of chromic oxide (0.5%) as an indigestible marker. Apparent digestibility of isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, and valine increased linearly (P < 0.05) as particle size decreased. True digestibility of isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, and valine increased linearly (P < 0.05) as particle size decreased. When the essential amino acids were averaged, apparent digestibility increased (P < 0.10) from 83.5% to 84.9% as particle size decreased, whereas, nonessential amino acid digestibility increased only slightly (P > 0.15). Essential amino acid true digestibility increased numerically from 91.0% to 92.4% as particle size decreased. Energy digestibility was not affected by particle size (P > 0.15). These results suggest that a reduction in particle size of soybean meal resulted in a small increase in the digestibility of its amino acids with the essential amino acids being affected more than the nonessential amino acids. The largest improvement in digestibility, however, was obtained when the particle size was reduced to 600 microm.     

Standardized ileal protein and amino acid digestibility by growing pigs and sows

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of the physiological condition of swine on standardized ileal digestibility coefficients (SID). The apparent ileal digestibility coefficients were determined for crude protein and amino acids in six feed ingredients (corn, barley, wheat, soybean meal, canola meal, and meat and bone meal) in growing pigs and in gestating and lactating sows. Growing pigs and lactating sows were given free access to their diets, whereas gestating sows were allowed to consume only 2 kg of feed daily. The nonspecific (basal) endogenous losses of protein and amino acids were determined under similar feeding regimens after feeding a protein-free diet. The SID for crude protein and amino acids were calculated by correcting the apparent ileal digestibility coefficients for the nonspecific endogenous losses of protein and amino acids. With a few exceptions, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in the SID for crude protein and amino acids between growing pigs and lactating sows. Overall, gestating sows had higher (P < 0.05) SID for crude protein and all amino acids, except for tryptophan and aspartate, compared with growing pigs. Likewise, the SID of most amino acids obtained by gestating sows were higher (P < 0.05) than those obtained by lactating sows. Interactions (P < 0.05) between animals and diets were observed for gestating sows compared with growing pigs as well as gestating sows compared with lactating sows. As a consequence, it is not possible to extrapolate data from one feed ingredient to another. On most occasions, the lowest SID among the indispensable amino acids was calculated for threonine, valine, and lysine. It is concluded that gestating sows fed 2 kg of feed per day have higher standardized digestibility coefficients than do growing pigs and lactating sows given free access to their diets. This difference may be due to differences in daily feed intake rather than to the physiological status of the animals.     

The effect of microbial phytase on ileal phosphorus and amino acid digestibility in the broiler chicken

1. The study aimed to assess the effect of a commercially available microbial phytase on phytate phosphorus and total phosphorus content at the terminal ileum as well as true ileal amino acid digestibility. 2. Five diets, each containing a different plant-based feedstuff, were supplemented with microbial phytase and fed, along with a non-supplemented corresponding diet, to 28-d-old broiler chickens, Chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. Ileal contents were collected and analysed, along with the diets, for total phosphorus, phytate phosphorus and amino acids. 3. Endogenous phosphorus determined at the terminal ileum was 272 +/- 108 mg/kg food dry matter (mean +/- SE). Endogenous ileal amino acid flows ranged from 58 +/- 10 mg/kg food dry matter for methionine to 568 +/- 47 mg/kg food dry matter for glutamic acid. 4. Supplementation with microbial phytase resulted in a significantly greater phytate P disappearance from the terminal ileum for rice bran (17% units), but not for soyabean meal, maize, wheat or rapeseed meal. Similarly total phosphorus digestibility was significantly (P < 0.05) higher when microbial phytase was added to the rice-bran-based diet but not for any of the other feedstuffs. 5. Amino acid digestibility was significantly greater in the presence of microbial phytase for all the amino acids examined in wheat, for several of the amino acids each in maize and rapeseed meal and for one amino acid in rice bran and soyabean meal. The average increase in amino acid digestibility for those amino acids affected, was 13, 6, 10, 7 and 12% units for wheat, maize, rapeseed meal, rice bran and soyabean meal, respectively. 6. It appears that microbial phytase improves phosphorus digestibility and amino acid digestibility for certain plant-based feedstuffs.