Animal Feed Science and Technology最新文献

{"title":"The tropical marine yeast Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3589 as a feed for Artemia salina: evaluation of nutritional and immunostimulatory properties","authors":"Sayali Haldule ,&nbsp;Akanksha Kashikar ,&nbsp;Smita Zinjarde","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116587","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116587","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aquaculture is a rapidly developing food-producing industry that often faces threats from pathogenic agents. Since persistent use of antibiotics is associated with several drawbacks, nutritional supplements, probiotic preparations, and immunostimulants are being used to improve health conditions of aquaculture species. Generally regarded as safe (GRAS) microorganisms capable of growing on low-cost substrates with high protein contents and desirable fatty acid profiles are significant in this regard. In the current investigation, a tropical marine strain of <em>Yarrowia lipolytica</em> (NCIM 3589) capable of growing on waste substrates [waste cooking oil (WCO), whey, and raw glycerol] was evaluated for applications in aquaculture as feed. When the concentrations of the three substrates were varied, the maximum biomass of <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 was obtained with 0.7 % WCO, 50 % whey, or 1 % glycerol. Effects of the harvested biomass on the crustacean model species (<em>Artemia salina</em>) with respect to growth, survival, resistance towards aquaculture pathogens, and immune responses were monitored. Biomass of <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em> and <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 grown on glucose was considered as control samples (C1 and C2, respectively). On the other hand, <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 cultivated on WCO (T1), whey (T2), and glycerol (T3) were the test samples used as feed for <em>A. salina</em>. Specimens fed with T3 samples were larger and displayed well-developed appendages. Moreover, <em>A. salina</em> groups fed with T3 and T1 samples showed better survival (100.00 ± 0.00 and 95.55 ± 7.70 %, respectively); resistance towards <em>Vibrio harveyi</em> MTCC 7771 (95.55 ± 3.85 and 71.10 ± 3.85 % respectively) and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> MTCC 2295 (93.33 ± 6.67 and 46.67 ± 11.55 %, respectively) compared to those fed with other diets. Total protein content, a greater variety of fatty acids, presence of specific types of fatty acids were some features that probably contributed to better growth and pathogen resistance. There was upregulation of <em>hsp70</em>, <em>tgase</em>, and <em>proPO</em> genes in groups of larvae fed with <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 diets (C2, T1, T2, and T3) compared to those fed with <em>S. cerevisiae</em> (C1) diets, indicative of increased immunity in the former sets. This study demonstrates the potential of the marine yeast capable of growing on low-cost substrates in improving survival, overall health, and immune responses in aquaculture organisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116587"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary supplementation of seaweed reduces methanogenesis from rumen microbial fermentation in vitro via changing keystone microbiota","authors":"Jian Sun ,&nbsp;Yingyi Xu ,&nbsp;Jieyi Zhang ,&nbsp;Guangyong Zhao ,&nbsp;Delin Duan ,&nbsp;Ning Wu ,&nbsp;Meng M. Li","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116596","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ruminants are major contributors to global methane (CH₄) emissions, thus mitigating CH₄ production in the rumen can reduce their carbon footprint and improve the sustainability of livestock production. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of seaweed species and dosages on ruminal fermentation, CH₄ production, and microbial communities associated with methanogenesis <em>in vitro</em>. Five seaweed species, including <em>Enteromorpha prolifera</em> (<em>E. prolifera</em>), <em>Sargassum horneri</em> (<em>S. horneri</em>), <em>Sargassum serratum</em> (<em>S. serratum</em>), <em>Laurencia tristicha</em> (<em>L. tristicha</em>), and <em>Asparagopsis taxiformis</em> (<em>A. taxiformis</em>), were analyzed at 2 supplementation dosages (2.5 % and 5.0 % of DM) to evaluate their impact on CH₄ mitigation. All seaweed additions significantly decreased CH₄ production, except for <em>E. prolifera</em> at the 2.5 % dosage. Notably, a 5.0 % of <em>A. taxiformis</em> supplementation reduced CH₄ production by 24 % relative to the control (CON) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). Adding 2.5 % of <em>A. taxiformis</em> decreased 48 h DM degradability compared to CON (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Additionally, total and individual volatile fatty acids (VFA) were lower in all seaweed supplementation treatments than CON (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), except for propionate in the 2.5 % <em>S. horneri</em> and <em>A. taxiformis</em> treatments. The inclusion of <em>A. taxiformis</em> shifted the composition of microbial taxa at the genus level according to the principal-coordinate analysis. Adding <em>E. prolifera</em>, <em>S. horneri</em>, and <em>A. taxiformis</em> enhanced positive correlations within Bacteroidota, suggesting seaweed could modulate the stability of Bacteroidota. Co-occurrence network analysis identified keystone taxa with distinct structural roles. <em>Succinivibrio</em> and <em>Lachnospiraceae_UCG-008</em> served as module hubs regulating VFA production, while <em>Papillibacter</em> acted as connectors stabilizing interactions among modules. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis indicated that <em>UCG_004</em>, <em>Butyrivibrio</em>, <em>UCG_002</em>, <em>Ruminobacter</em>, <em>Anaerovibrio</em>, and <em>Family_XIII_AD3011</em> could serve as biomarkers for <em>E. prolifera</em>, <em>S. horneri</em>, and <em>A. taxiformis</em> supplementation to reduce ruminal methanogenesis. <em>Anaerobibrio</em> was positively correlated with CH₄ production, while <em>Mogibacterium</em> was negatively correlated with CH₄ production (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, seaweed supplementation can effectively reduce CH₄ emissions from ruminants by altering the rumen microbiota and potentially stabilizing the microbiota involved in fermentation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116596"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional native herbage (Capparis spinosa L.) modulates rumen fermentation and antioxidant capacity in grazing sheep by optimizing rumen microbial composition","authors":"Xuan Wang ,&nbsp;Lijuan Ran ,&nbsp;Fujiang Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116589","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116589","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Regulating supplementation levels can convert toxic weeds (functional native herbage, FNH) into edible forage resources, thereby alleviating forage shortages for grazing livestock and promoting sustainable grazing. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with different levels of whole-plant <em>Capparis spinosa</em> L. (CS) on serum biochemical indices, rumen fermentation parameters, and microbial (bacteria and fungi) communities of grazing sheep. 24 healthy 6-month-old small-tailed Han sheep♀ × Hu sheep♂ hybrid generation rams (24.4 ± 0.59 kg) were selected to graze on pastures of <em>Medicago sativa</em> and <em>Festuca arundinacea Schreb</em> (1:1) supplemented with 0, 0.83, 1.67, and 3.33 g/kg BW of CS, respectively. Results showed that compared with the 0 supplementation level, the 1.67 g/kg BW supplementation level showed increases in β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), superoxide dismutase (SOD, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), and n-valerate molar proportion (<em>P</em> = 0.010) by 16.7 %, 14.2 %, 5.02 %, and 27.2 % respectively, while malondialdehyde (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and acetate molar proportion (<em>P</em> = 0.046) decreased by 10.1 % and 6.5 %. The β-HB, SOD, GSH-Px, and n-valerate molar proportion increased linearly (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.001) and quadratically (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.041) with increasing levels of supplementation, suggesting that CS has a dose-dependent effect. Microbiological analyses revealed that <em>Christensenellaceae_R-7_group</em> and <em>Butyrivibrio_2</em> affected serum urea nitrogen and total protein content by regulating iso-valerate production and protein metabolism. Fungal genera (<em>Verticillium</em>, <em>Sarocladium</em>) modulated antioxidant capacity in sheep by altering the composition of volatile fatty acids (VFA). At the 1.67 g/kg BW supplementation level, network complexity increased in both bacterial and fungal communities, alongside upregulated bacterial metabolic pathways and enhanced fungal functions. In conclusion, the supplementation level of 1.67 g/kg BW of CS established a foundation for the application of natural additives in the healthy breeding of grazing sheep by optimizing the rumen microbial composition, regulating the composition of VFA, and improving the antioxidant capacity of sheep, and providing theoretical support for the development and utilization of FNH in ruminant production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116589"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation improves growth, immunity, and gut microbiota composition in the fish Amphiprion ocellaris","authors":"Sun Qi ,&nbsp;Sarfraz Hussain ,&nbsp;Wang Boyu ,&nbsp;Yang Xuewei ,&nbsp;Jing Jiaojiao ,&nbsp;Li Shuangfei ,&nbsp;Naveed Ahmed","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116573","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116573","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential to human and animal physiology, and are commonly found in dietary supplements. However, the effects of PUFAs on the development, immunity, and gut microbiota of <em>Amphiprion ocellaris</em> are unclear. This study investigated the effects of PUFAs from the microalga <em>Schizochytrium sp</em>. on the growth, immunity, and gut microbial community composition of <em>A. ocellaris</em>. PUFAs promoted fish development, with the 7 % PUFAs group showing higher weight gain (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) (107.63 % day⁻¹ and 0.73 % day⁻¹, respectively). A lower amount (5 %) of PUFAs had higher feed conversion ratios (FCRs) than the higher amount of PUFAs (7 %) and no addition of PUFAs. Metagenomic results showed notable fluctuations in the microbial composition, particularly a reduction in the viral community in the PUFA-treated groups. Immunological parameters showed that PUFA supplementation increased liver lysozyme, IgM, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, suggesting a better response to oxidative stress. Microbial diversity was negatively associated with immunological response, particularly blood IgM levels. These results indicate that PUFA supplementation may improve fish development and immunity, but excessive PUFA consumption may harm gut microbial diversity and immunity. This work contributes to producing alternative food supplements that can effectively promote growth and improve fish immunity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116573"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145546863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamics of seasonal variations and growth stages on forage quality and mimosine content management in Himalayan Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala)","authors":"Rajan Katoch ,&nbsp;Kiran ,&nbsp;Bunty Kumar ,&nbsp;Sunil Kumar Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116578","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116578","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the Himalayan region, climatic diversity arises from topographic, altitude, and seasonal variations. Green fodder scarcity during lean periods leads to economic losses for farmers and lower livestock productivity. To address this issue, the provision of quality feed is essential to unlock the full genetic potential of livestock. Fodder trees such as <em>Leucaena</em> have been identified as promising solution to alleviate feed shortages, especially during dry periods when other green fodder resources are depleted. <em>Leucaena</em> offers high-protein foliage, drought tolerance, and soil improvement, but contains mimosine, a harmful compound. To determine season driven changes in nutritional quality of <em>Leucaena</em> foliage was sampled at monthly intervals, grouped in four seasons, at different growth stages. Protein and total carbohydrate content in <em>Leucaena</em> foliage revealed significant variation across all seasons and was inversely related to leaf growth stage. Acid detergent lignin, Neutral detergent fiber and Acid detergent fiber content were lowest in tender leaves and highest in mature leaves, respectively. Total phenols showed no significant difference with tissue growth stage while simple phenol in summer season was lowest at tender growth stage. This study spanning two years aimed to identify the best harvesting period for nutritious <em>Leucaena</em> foliage led to conclusion that summer season and pre-mature leaf growth stages are the best combination for collection of <em>Leucaena</em> leaves with best balance among nutrients and antinutrients, for livestock feeding under mid-Himalayan conditions. However, the exploration for best treatment to reduce the mimosine content in <em>Leucaena</em> leaves revealed CaCl₂ (2 %) treatment as an efficient treatment on summer season collected tender and pre-mature leaves. Understanding these changes helps meet livestock nutritional needs in different seasons, contributing to sustainable livestock feeding practices in the Himalayas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116578"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) oil in a concentrate-base diet for lamb fattening: Effect on in vitro ruminal biohydrogenation and fermentation","authors":"Clàudia Baila ,&nbsp;Mohamed Hassanien ,&nbsp;Pablo G. Toral ,&nbsp;Esther Barrio ,&nbsp;Pilar Frutos ,&nbsp;Gonzalo Hervás","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116594","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116594","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is a global need for the search for alternative energy sources for livestock, with insect oils being a promising option. The use of <em>Tenebrio molitor</em> oil (TMO) in ruminant feeding has barely been investigated. However, its inclusion in fattening lamb diets could be of interest not only as an energy source, but also as a potential modulator of ruminal biohydrogenation (BH). This study was conducted to assess the effects of replacing soybean oil (SBO) and palm distillate fatty acids (PFA) by TMO on <em>in vitro</em> ruminal BH and fermentation. A 10:90 forage:concentrate substrate, mimicking a diet typically used for lamb fattening, was supplemented with 2 % DM of TMO, SBO or PFA and incubated for 8 h using batch cultures of rumen microorganisms. A comprehensive analysis of the TMO allowed the identification of several minor FA that are rarely reported (e.g., <em>iso</em> 15:0, <em>anteiso</em> 15:0, <em>cis</em>-9 <em>trans</em>-11 18:2, 10-oxo-18:0). Effects on the digesta fatty acid (FA) composition were mainly related to the contribution to the rumen digesta of the major FA provided by the lipid supplements (e.g., 16:0 with PFA, <em>cis</em>-9 18:1 and 14:0 with TMO, and <em>cis</em>-9 <em>cis</em>-12 18:2 with SBO) or to the BH of dietary unsaturated FA (e.g., <em>trans</em>-11 18:1 and other <em>trans</em>-MUFA with SBO and TMO, and <em>cis</em>-MUFA with TMO). Results of ruminal fermentation suggest no significant negative effects of TMO compared to PFA and SBO. Overall, the use of 2 % DM of TMO could be a suitable alternative energy source to replace PFA and SBO in diets for fattening lambs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116594"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Methane emissions and ruminal fermentation in 22-month-old dairy-beef heifers, previously weaned at different ages, grazing ryegrass or chicory herbage in summer","authors":"Maria M. Della Rosa,&nbsp;Arjan Jonker,&nbsp;Alicia Barnett,&nbsp;Peter H. Janssen,&nbsp;Juan F. Uribe-Gomez,&nbsp;Paul Maclean,&nbsp;Ignacio Lizarraga,&nbsp;M. Ajmal Khan","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116572","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116572","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early-life management can influence methane (CH₄) production in ruminants after weaning, and the type of forage fed to animals can interact with the early-life interventions. However, the persistence of the effect of early life interventions has been little studied in cattle. The study aim was to evaluate the interaction effect between weaning age (10 vs. 20 weeks) and diet on CH₄ production and ruminal fermentation from dairy-beef heifers when they were 22-months old. Hereford × Friesian female calves were weaned from milk at 10 weeks of age (n = 36) or at 20 weeks of age (n = 36). When the heifers were 22-months old and weighed 523 ± 33 kg (mean ± standard deviation), they grazed <em>ad libitum</em> mature ryegrass-based herbage (<em>Lolium perenne</em>; RG) or <em>ad libitum</em> chicory (<em>Cichorium intybus</em>; CHI) in a crossover design with two 21-day periods. Methane and carbon dioxide (CO₂) production were measured using GreenFeed units. There was no effect of weaning age or of weaning age × diet interaction on CH₄ (g/d) and CO₂ (kg/d) production, residual CH₄ and acetate plus butyrate to propionate plus valerate (AB:PV) ratio. Methane production was 6 % less (165 ± 25 vs 168 ± 26 g/d) and CO₂ production was 12 % greater (8.1 ± 0.6 vs 7.2 ± 0.5 kg/d) and AB:PV was 6 % greater in heifers grazing CHI compared to those grazing RG. Methane production was therefore lower from heifers grazing CHI than from heifers grazing RG, but the weaning age intervention resulted in a similar CH₄ production in 22-month-old cattle.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116572"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145546862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of chromium propionate on growth performance and immune response in weaned beef calves","authors":"Reshma Gurung ,&nbsp;Frank W. Abrahamsen ,&nbsp;Kim Mullenix ,&nbsp;Woubit Abebe ,&nbsp;Arthur L. Goetsch ,&nbsp;Khim B. Ale ,&nbsp;Nar K. Gurung","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116577","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116577","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Weaning is a stressful period for beef calves, and these stresses might affect the immune system and increase infection risks. This study investigated the effects of Chromium Propionate (CrP) supplementation on growth performance and immune responses of weaned beef calves. A total of 12 pens (n = 12; 6 pens/group, 10 calves/pen), were assigned to two treatment groups (Control: 0 ppm; Treated: 0.5 ppm on a dry matter basis from KemTRACE® Cr propionate, 0.4 %) in a completely randomized design with subsampling, with six pens allocated to each treatment group. Calves were fed free-choice bermudagrass hay, water, mineral blocks, and a 50:50 mix of soybean hulls and corn gluten meal for 60 days. Calves’ body weights were measured on days 0, 30, and 60. Blood was sampled from calves from a subset of four pens (n = 4; 2 pens/group) to perform complete blood counts, serum biochemistry analysis, cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-alpha), and serum IgG antibody titers measurements. Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and humoral immune response was assessed by chicken ovalbumin (cOVA) injections. Average daily gain from day 30–60 was significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05) by Cr supplementation. Cytokine concentration of IL-2 was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the Cr-treated beef calves, indicating immune modulation and a shift towards a Th1-type immune response. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an indirect indicator of cortisol, was significantly reduced (P &lt; 0.05), supporting that Cr supplementation may lower physiological stress and improve immune homeostasis. Moreover, IL-4 and TNF-alpha tended to be lower (P &lt; 0.1), suggesting a potential for regulated inflammatory immune response. These findings suggest that Cr supplementation in beef calves’ feed may improve their growth performance and immune function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116577"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Kernel processing and storage length: Effect on the fermentation, nutritional, and physical characteristics of flint corn silage with low DM","authors":"Marina Elizabeth Barbosa Andrade ,&nbsp;Juliana Duarte Messana ,&nbsp;Marcelo Gindri ,&nbsp;Jéssica Rocha Sousa Gervásio ,&nbsp;Matheus Mello Silva ,&nbsp;Carlos Henrique Silveira Rabêlo ,&nbsp;Ricardo Andrade Reis","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Corn silage (<em>Zea mays L.)</em> is a key forage in dairy and beef production due to its high starch content, which is a major energy source for ruminants. In flint-type hybrids, commonly used in Brazil, starch digestibility is limited by the dense protein matrix (prolamin) surrounding starch granules. This study evaluated the effects of mechanical grain processing during harvest and varying storage lengths on fermentation profile, chemical composition, physical characteristics, and <em>in situ</em> degradability (ISD) of dry matter (DM) and starch in corn silage harvested with less than 30 % DM. A flint corn hybrid was harvested using two forage harvesters: one equipped with kernel processing rolls (P-corn) and one without (UP-corn). Forages were chopped to 10 mm and ensiled in minisilos for 90, 150, 240, or 360 days. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with repeated measures over time. Kernel processing increased kernel processing score (KPS; +78.2 %) and starch ISD (12 h; +12 %), while reducing concentrations of starch (−16 %), prolamin (−18 %), and non-protein nitrogen (−33.8 %) (P &lt; 0.05). P-corn also had higher values of aNDFom, ADFom, lignin, WSC, and lactic acid, but lower pH, DM losses, effluent, and propionic acid compared to UP-corn (P &lt; 0.05). Storage time affected fermentation dynamics: 1,2-propanediol and acetic acid concentrations increased over time, whereas lactic and propionic acid decreased from 90 to 360 days (P &lt; 0.05). Ammonia-N was higher in P-corn at 240 days but lower than UP-corn at 360 days. Although storage length did not influence starch ISD (12 or 24 h), the aerobic stability was improved after 150 days. In summary, kernel processing enhanced starch availability and fermentation quality, while prolonged storage improved silage stability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116599"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of supplementation of Lactobacillus brevis postbiotics on nutrient digestibility, growth and intestinal health in growing mink","authors":"Jian Chen,&nbsp;Ziyi Jiang,&nbsp;Lingpeng Kong,&nbsp;Huanle Zhang,&nbsp;Lihua Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics on growth performance and intestinal health in growing male mink. A total of 88 male white mink was selected and randomly allocated into four treatments, each with 11 replicates of 2 mink. The mink in the four treatments received a basal diet supplemented with 0 % (control), 0.05 %, 0.1 %, and 0.15 % <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics, respectively. Compared to the control group, 0.1 % <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics decreased feed to weight ratio during the 0–8 weeks period (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and increased average daily gain during 0–4 and 0–8 weeks of the experiment (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), resulting in greater body weight (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Compared to the control, all <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics treatments had greater the ether extract apparent digestibility, secretory immunoglobulin A, and less interleukin 6 (all <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The 0.05 % and 0.1 % <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics treatments exhibited higher apparent digestibility of crude protein and glutathione peroxidase capacity (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The 0.1 % and 0.15 % <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics treatments had greater interleukin 10 levels and trypsin activity (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The 0.05 % <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics treatment had less interleukin 1 beta levels (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05<em>)</em>. Compared to the control group, dietary supplementation with 0.1 % <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics significantly enhanced duodenal villus height, the villus height to crypt depth ratio, and jejunum villus height (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), decreased crypt depth. Compared to the control group, the abundance of <em>Lactococcus</em> increased and <em>Paraclostridium</em> declined in all <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics supplementation treatments, and 0.1 % <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics treatment increased the abundance of <em>Sphingomonas</em> (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Based on these results, dietary supplementation with 0.1 % <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics is recommended for growing male mink. Quadratic regression analysis of growth performance and immune responses in relation to <em>Lactobacillus brevis</em> postbiotics inclusion levels indicate an optimal range of 0.091–0.114 %.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116601"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}