Use of Melatonin as a Feed Additive

Melatonin is a molecule that plays an active role in reducing many stress factors in plants and has important functions in the growth, development and reproduction of plants. It has many physiological functions that directly affect feed consumption, feed efficiency, energy metabolism and immune system in animal organisms. In addition, its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and antiapoptotic effects are also known. While melatonin has an antioxidative effect at low doses, it can exert a prooxidant effect at high doses. It has been suggested that when melatonin is used as a silage additive, it increases the total acid content of the silage and significantly improves the silage fermentation quality by lowering the pH level and butyric acid. Although it has positive effects on mammary gland involution and general health in ruminants, its effects on yield parameters have not been proven. Broilers and layers are expected high productivity and performance, in this regard, they are faced with stress factors such as intensive feeding and housing conditions. Considering its positive effects on stress factors, health and productivity, melatonin is a promising feed additive. Effects of melatonin additive or supplements on animal productivity and health should be revealed in further studies

Evaluation of correlations between nutrients, fatty acids, heavy metals, and deoxynivalenol in corn (Zea mays L.)

This study was conducted to develop linear regression equations to estimate nutrients, fatty acids, heavy metals, color characteristics (L,* a,* b*), and deoxynivalenol (DON) level of corn grains (n = 54) collected from different feed mills in Turkey. Procc corr and reg procedures were used to analyze the data. Among the nutrients, asit detergent lignin, Ca, and P had the highest variability. The heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were lower than certain limits posted by regulation agencies for animals. Occurrence of DON was 53%, with the highest level of 0.725 ppm. Total of 32 highly significant (P < 0.01) correlations among nutrients, fatty acids, heavy metals, and color characteristics were determined in the current study. Correlations for estimating the range of parameters measured in corn from color characteristics lacked the practical importance. The correlations between C18:2 C18:1, ADF-NDF, Zn-Ca, Pb-Cu, and Pb-Cd produced the highest R (0.64 to 0.87) and R2 (0.41 to 0.74) values that would be of practical importance. The research showed that there are significant correlations among different components in corn grains that could provide necessary information to both plant breeders and feed manufacturers in the field

Classification of commonly used feed ingredients based on flow properties

The objective of this report was to classify ingredients based on their flowability. Twenty-six different feed ingredients (52 samples) were used including cereal grains, cereal by-products, oilseeds, oilseed meals, and animal-origin products. As an indication of flowability, the angle of repose was determined using a funnel test. In general, high protein oilseed meals had the lowest angle of repose, and therefore they had the highest flow ability with the exception of cottonseed meal. Corn gluten feed and wheat middlings had the highest angle of repose values (39 and 34??, respectively), and therefore they had the lowest flowability. Ingredients with a range of angle of repose values between 22 and 25??, between 27 and 30??, and more than 30??, were categorized as having an easy flow, a moderate flow, and cohesive, respectively. The greater the protein content, the smaller the compressibility value (r = ???0.38) and the lower the angle of repose (r = ???0.42). An increase in the ether extract content of the ingredients resulted in a subsequent increase in angle of repose (r = 0.31) and therefore a decrease in flowability (p<0.05). The angle of repose was positively correlated with compressibility and the Hausner ratio. In conclusion, oilseed meals were classified as ???easy flow???, most by-products as ???moderate flow???, and cereal grains as ???cohesive???

Impact of chemical and physical properties on flowability characteristics of corn distillers dried grains with solubles

The influence of the physical and chemical composition of corn distillers dried grains with solubles on its flowability was evaluated in the current study. The samples were evaluated for angle of repose, compressibility, Hausner ratio, tapped density, bulk density, mean bulk density, colour and nutrient content. PROC CORR and REG procedures were used to determine correlations. The ether extract was negatively correlated with crude protein and redness (a*), while crude protein was negatively correlated with yellowness (b*). Acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre were negatively correlated with a* and positively correlated with lightness (L*), respectively. Compressibility showed a negative correlation with bulk density. Bulk density, tapped density and mean bulk density did not impact the angle of repose. The angle of repose was positively correlated with the compressibility and Hausner ratio. Apart from the correlation between acid detergent fibre and tapped density, the angle of repose and other physical parameters were not affected by the nutrient composition of the distillers dried grains with solubles samples. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that nutrient composition has little influence over the flowability of distillers dried grains with solubles but compressibility and the Hausner ratio can be used to predict the potential flow characteristics of corn distillers dried grains with solubles