Compaction, aeration and addition of mycotoxin contaminated silage alters the fermentation profile, mycotoxin content and aerobic stability of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) silage

This study investigated the effect of compaction, aeration and addition of a naturally mycotoxin contaminated ryegrass silage (MCS) containing 1803 µg/kg DM penicillic acid, on the nutritional value and mycotoxin content after ensiling and subsequent aerobic stability of ryegrass Lolium perenne silage (second-cut, June 2020, UK). Mini silos (30 L) were filled with differential compaction (500 kg FW/m3 and 333 kg FW/m3), aeration by injection of air (1L per 48h for 30d then 1L per 7d) and addition of MCS (1.5 g/kg FW ensiled forage) in a 2×2×2 factorial design. During ensilage, mean CO2% (kg FW) in the aerated silos increased with low compaction. Crude protein (CP) increased and ash decreased with aeration. Mean silage fermentation end products acetic (AA), lactic (LA) and propionic acid (PA) concentrations increased with MCS. PA concentration increased with aeration/low compaction. LA decreased and ethanol increased with low compaction. Mycotoxin profiles differed between the silages on opening and after 14-days incubation in aerobic conditions with disappearance of fusarenon X and penicillic acid and appearance of mycophenolic acid and roquefortine C (318 µg/kg DM and 890 µg/kg DM). Addition of MCS, increased the concentration of penicillic acid on opening with an interaction with aeration (80.6µg/kg DM MCS × aerated, 40.0 µg/kg DM in the MCS × sealed). Aerobic stability was affected by aeration and low compaction with reduced time taken to heat to +5°C and +10°C above ambient temperature, higher rate of increase in pH and higher cumulative temperatures to the first peak temperature. Higher mycotoxin concentration at opening had a similar effect increasing time to heat +5°C and +10°C above ambient temperatures in aerobic conditions. Regression analysis showed predominantly direct relationships between silage fermentation end-product concentrations and aerobic stability. This study revealed interactions between silage bacteria and fungi activity from the concentrations of fermentation end-products and mycotoxins during ensilage and subsequent aerobic spoilage. The results supported current best practice for silage making, promoting conditions for improved preservation and aerobic stability. The addition of MCS had unexpected positive effects. However, factors associated with the MCS benefiting aerobic stability were not determined

Dietary supplemental plant oils reduce methanogenesis from anaerobic microbial fermentation in the rumen

Ruminants contribute to the emissions of greenhouse gases, in particular methane, due to the microbial anaerobic fermentation of feed in the rumen. The rumen simulation technique was used to investigate the effects of the addition of different supplemental plant oils to a high concentrate diet on ruminal fermentation and microbial community composition. The control (CTR) diet was a high-concentrate total mixed ration with no supplemental oil. The other experimental diets were supplemented with olive (OLV), sunflower (SFL) or linseed (LNS) oils at 6%. Rumen digesta was used to inoculate the fermenters, and four fermentation units were used per treatment. Fermentation end-products, extent of feed degradation and composition of the microbial community (qPCR) in digesta were determined. Compared with the CTR diet, the addition of plant oils had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on ruminal pH, substrate degradation, total volatile fatty acids or microbial protein synthesis. Gas production from the fermentation of starch or cellulose were decreased by oil supplementation. Methane production was reduced by 21–28% (P < 0.001), propionate production was increased (P < 0.01), and butyrate and ammonia outputs and the acetate to propionate ratio were decreased (P < 0.001) with oil-supplemented diets. Addition of 6% OLV and LNS reduced (P < 0.05) copy numbers of total bacteria relative to the control. In conclusion, the supplementation of ruminant diets with plant oils, in particular from sunflower or linseed, causes some favorable effects on the fermentation processes. The addition of vegetable oils to ruminant mixed rations will reduce methane production increasing the formation of propionic acid without affecting the digestion of feed in the rumen. Adding vegetable fats to ruminant diets seems to be a suitable approach to decrease methane emissions, a relevant cleaner effect that may contribute to alleviate the environmental impact of ruminant production

Regionally endothermic traits in planktivorous basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus

Few fast-swimming apex fishes are classified as ‘regional endotherms’, having evolved a relatively uncommon suite of traits (e.g. elevated body temperatures, centralised red muscle, and thick-walled hearts) thought to facilitate a fast, predatory lifestyle. Unlike those apex predators, Endangered basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus are massive filter-feeding planktivores assumed to have the anatomy and physiology typical of fully ectothermic fishes. We combined dissections of stranded specimens with biologging of free-swimming individuals and found that basking sharks have red muscle located medially at the trunk, almost 50% compact myo - cardium of the ventricle, and subcutaneous white muscle temperatures consistently 1.0 to 1.5°C above ambient. Collectively, our findings suggest basking sharks are not full ectotherms, instead sharing several traits used to define a regional endotherm, thus deviating from our current understanding of the species and questioning the link between physiology and ecology of regionally endothermic shark species. With successful forecasting of population dynamics and distribution shifts often improved by accurate physiological data, our results may help explain movement patterns of the species, which could ultimately facilitate conservation efforts.http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/esr-home/Anatomy and PhysiologySDG-14:Life below wate

Emission from Electronically Excited C2

Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: N