Glycerin as alternative energy source in finishing beef cattle diets

Abstract

The present work was developed based on three studies. The objective of the firs study was to evaluate the effects of partially replacing dry ground corn with glycerin on ruminal fermentation using a dual-flow continuous culture system. Six fermenters (1,223 i 21 ml) were used in a replicated 3x3 Latin square arrangement with three periods of 10 d each, with 7 d for diet adaptation and 3 d for sample collections. All diets contained 75% concentrate and three dietary glycerin levels (0, 15, and 30% on dry matter basis), totaling six replicates per treatment. Glycerin levels did not affect apparent digestibility of DM (PLin. = 0.13; PQuad, 0.40), OM (Pm, = 0.72; PQuad, = 0.15), NDF (PLin. = 0.38; PQuad. = 0.50) and ADF (PLin- 0.91; PQuad. = 0.18). Also, glycerin inclusion did not affect true digestibility of DM (PLin. 0.35; PQuad_ = 0.48), and OM (Pm. = 0.08; PQuad_ = 0.19). Concentrations of propionate (P 0.01) and total volatile fatty acids (P < 0.01) increased linearly and concentrations of acetate (P < 0.01), butyrate (P = 0.01), iso-valerate (P < 0.01), and total branched-chain volatile fatty acids, as well as the acetate: propionate ratio (P < 0.01) decreased with glycerin inclusion. Linear increases on NH3-N concentration in digesta effluent (P < 0.01) and on NH3-N flow (P < 0.01) were observed due to glycerin inclusion in the diets. Crude protein digestibility (P 0.04) and microbial N flow (P = 0.04) were greater in the control treatment compared with the other treatments and responded quadratically with glycerin inclusion. Furthermore, the inclusion of glycerin linearly decreased (P = 0.02) non- ammonia N flow. Glycerin levels did not affect the flows of total N (PLin. = 0.79; PQuad. = 0.35), and dietary N (PLin, = 0.99; PQuad 0.07), as well as microbial efficiency (Put, = 0.09; PQuad. = 0.07). These results suggest that partially replacing dry ground corn with glycerin may change ruminal fermentation, by increasing total volatile fatty acids, and propionate concentration without affecting microbial efficiency, which may improve glucogenic potential of beef cattle diets. The second study was developed aiming to evaluate the effects of replacing dry ground corn with crude glycerin on intake, apparent digestibility, performance, and carcass characteristics of finishing beef bulls. A completely randomized block design experiment with 25 d for adaptation and 100 d for data collection was conducted, in which 3,640 Nellore bulls (367 ± 36.8 kg; 18 ± 3 mo) were blocked by body weight and assigned to 20 pens. Bulls were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 0, 5, 10, and 15% (dry matter basis) of crude glycerin in the diet. Intake of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with crude glycerin inclusion. However, crude glycerin levels did not affect (P > 0.05) intakes of crude protein, non-fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients increased quadratically (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of crude glycerin in the diet. Crude glycerin inclusion did not change the intake of digestible dry matter, average daily gain, final body weight, carcass gain, carcass dressing, gain-to-feed ratio, Longissimus thoracis muscle area, and back and rump fat thicknesses (P > 0.05). These results suggest that crude glycerin may be included in finishing beef diets at levels up to 15% without impairing performance and carcass characteristics. For the third study, five in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the metabolizable energy and changes on ruminal fermentation, total gas production and greenhouse gases concentration of glycerin compared to corn and starch, as well as when glycerin was added in finishing beef diets. For Exp. 1, a 24 bottles system (AnkomRF Gas Production System, Ankom technology, NY, USA) was used in 4 consecutive runs of 48 h. The treatments were three different feedstuffs: corn, glycerin, and starch. The 24 h total gas production, acetate concentration, and acetate: propionate ratio decreased (P < 0.01) only with feeding glycerin. The 48 h total gas production was highest (P < 0.01) for corn, and similar between glycerin and starch. The starch treatment presented the lowest (P = 0.01) total VFA concentration. Corn presented the lowest propionate concentration (P < 0.01). The metabolizable energy was highest (P < 0.01) for corn, and similar between glycerin and starch. For Exp. 2, the same system of Exp. 1 was used in 4 consecutive runs of 48h. The treatments were: inclusion of 0, 100, 200, and 30og/kg DM of glycerin replacing corn in finishing beef diets. Glycerin levels did not affect (P > 0.05) 24 h and 48 h total gas production, final pH, NHg-N, total VFA, propionate, and butyrate concentrations. The inclusion of glycerin linearly decreased acetate concentration (P 0.03) and acetate: propionate ratio (P = 0.04). For Exp. 3, a total of 20-serum bottles (155 mL) were used in 4 consecutive runs of 48h. The treatments were the same of Exp. 1. The CH4 concentration increased (P < 0.01) only with feeding glycerin. The Co2 in ml/g was higher (P < 0.01) for corn, but similar for glycerin and starch. The pH decreased (P < 0.01) only with feeding starch. Different feedstuffs had no effect (P > 0.05) on total VFA, and propionate concentration. Compared with glycerin treatment, acetate concentration (P 0.01) and acetate: propionate ratio (P = 0.01) were higher for corn and starch, whereas butyrate and valerate concentrations were higher (P = 0.01) for glycerin. For Exp. 4, a total of 25-serum bottles (155 mL) were used in 4 consecutive runs of 48h. The treatments were the same of Exp. 2. The glycerin inclusion did not affect (P > 0.05) the concentrations of CH4, Co2, final pH, and total VFA, propionate, butyrate, and acetate: propionate ratio. A linear decrease of acetate concentration (P = 0.04) was observed due to inclusion of glycerin in the diets. For Exp. 5, two systems of four 4-L digestion vessels (Daisyll system, Ankom technology, NY, USA) were used in two consecutive runs of 48 h. The treatments were: orchard hay (0.4 g/bag), corn (0.4 g/bag), orchard hay (0.4 g/bag) + glycerin (0.2 g/bag) and corn (0.4 g/bag) + glycerin (0.2 g/bag). Orchard hay with glycerin inclusion presented lowest (P < 0.01) in vitro dry matter digestibility followed by orchard hay without glycerin, and corn treatments. There was a lack of effects for in vitro dry matter digestibility (P > 0.05) between corn with or without glycerin. We concluded that, under these experimental conditions, glycerin contributed more to the enhancement of methanogenesis than carbohydrates, but effectively replaced dietary corn as energy source at up to 30og/kg of the diet.

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido baseado em trés estudos. 0 obj etivo do primeiro estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da substituioao parcial do milho por glicerina sobre a fermentaoao ruminal utilizando urn sistema de cultura continua de fluxo duplo. Seis fermentadores (1,223 i 21 ml) foram utilizados em urn delineamento em quadrado latino 3X3 replicado, corn trés periodos de 10 d cada, 7 d para adaptaoao a dieta e 3 d para coletas de amostras. Todas as dietas continham 75% de concentrado e trés niveis de glicerina na dieta (0, 15, e 30% com base na matéria seca), totalizando seis repetiooes por tratamento. Os niveis de glicerina nao afetaram a digestibilidade aparente da MS (PLm = 0,13; PQuad, = 0,40), MO (PLin. = 0,72; PQuad_ = 0,15), FDN (PLin, = 0,38; PQuad, = 0,50) e FDA (PUD, = 0,91; Pouad. = 0,18). Além disso, a inclusao de glicerina nao afetou a digestibilidade verdadeira da MS (PLin, = 0,35; PQuad_ = 0,48), e MO (Pm, = 0,08; PQuad, = 0,19). As concentraooes de propionato de (P 0,01) e acidos graxos volateis totais (P < 0,01) aumentaram de forma linear. .121 as concentraeoes de acetato (P < 0,01), butirato (P = 0,01), iso-valerato (P < 0,01), e acidos graxos volateis de cadeia ramificada, assim como a relaoao acetato: propionato (P < 0,01) diminuiram com a inclusao de glicerina. Foi observado aumento linear na concentraoao de N- NH3 dos efluentes (P < 0,01) e no fluxo de N-NH3 (P < 0,01), deVido a inclusao de glicerina nas dietas. A digestibilidade da proteina bruta (P = 0,04) e o fluxo de N microbiano (P 0,04) foram maiores no tratamento controle em comparaoao com os outros tratamentos e responderam de forma quadratica com a inclusao de glicerina. Além disso, a inclusao de glicerina diminuiu linearmente (P = 0,02) 0 fluxo de N nao amoniacal. Os niveis de glicerina nao afetaram os fluxos de N total (Pm, = 0,79; PQuad, = 0,35), e N dietético (PLin, = 0,99; PQuad, = 0,07), assim como a eficiéncia microbiana (PL;n = 0,09; PQuad. = 0,07). Estes resultados sugerem que substituioao ao milho seco por glicerina pode mudar a fermentaoao ruminal, aumentando a concentraoao de acidos graxos volateis totais e propionato, sem afetar a eficiéncia microbiana, o que pode melhorar o potencial gliconeogénico em dietas para bovinos de corte. 0 obj etivo do segundo estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da substituioao do milho seco por glicerina bruto sobre o consumo, digestibilidade aparente, desempenho e caracteristicas de carcaca de novilhos em terminacao. O experimento foi delineado em blocos casualizados, com com 25 d para adaptacao e 100 d para a coleta de dados, onde 3.640 touros da raca Nelore (367 i 36,8 kg; 18 i 3 meses) foram blocados por peso corporal e alocados em 20 baias. Os animais receberam, aleatoriamente, um dos quatro tratamentos: 0, 5, 10, e 15% (com base na matéria seca) de inclusao de glicerina bruto na dieta. Os consumos de matéria seca, matéria organica e fibra em detergente neutro diminuiram linearmente (P 0,05) com a inclusao de glicerina bruto. No entanto, os niveis de glicerina bruto nao afetaram (P > 0,05) 0 consumo de proteina bruta, carboidratos nao fibrosos e nutrientes digestiveis totais. As digestibilidades da matéria seca, matéria organica, fibra em detergente neutro e nutrientes digestiveis totais aumentaram de forma quadratica (P < 0,05) com a inclusao de glicerina bruto na dieta. Inclusao de glicerina bruto nao alterou o consumo de matéria seca digestivel, ganho médio diario, peso corporal final, ganho de carcaca, rendimento de carcaca, eficiéncia alimentar, area muscular do Longissimus thoracis, espessuras de gordura subcutanea e espessuras de gordura subcutanea da garupa (P > 0,05). Estes resultados sugerem que o glicerina bruto pode ser incluido em dietas de acabamento de bovinos de corte em niveis de até 15%, sem prejudicar o desempenho e as caracteristicas de carcaca. Para 0 terceiro estudo, cinco experimentos in vitro foram conduzidos para avaliar a energia metabolizavel e as mudancas na fermentacao ruminal, producao total de gases e concentracao de gases do efeito estufa da glicerina, comparada ao milho e ao amido, bem como sua inclusao em dietas de terminacao para gado de corte. Para 0 Exp. 1, um sistema de 24 garrafas (AnkomRF Gas Production System, Ankom technology, NY, USA) foi usado em 4 corridas consecutivas de 48 h. Os tratamentos foram trés diferentes alimentos: milho, glicerina e amido. A producao total de gases as 24 h, a concentracao de acetato e a relacao acetato: propionato diminuiu (P < 0,01) somente para glicerina. A producao total de gases as 48 h foi maior (P < 0,01) para o milho e semelhante entre glicerina e amido. O tratamento com amido teve a menor (P < 0,01) concentracao total de AGV. O milho apresentou a menor concentracao de propionato (P < 0,01). A energia metabolizavel foi maior (P < 0,01) para o milho e semelhante entre glicerina e amido. Para 0 Exp. 2, um total de 20 garrafas (155ml) foram usadas em 4 corridas consecutivas de 48 h. Os tratamentos foram os mesmos do Exp. 1. A concentracao de CH4 aumentou (P < 0,01) somente para a glicerina. A producao de Co2 em ml/g foi maior (P < 0,01) para o milho e semelhante para glicerina e amido. Comparado com a glicerina, a concentracao de acetato (P < 0,01) e a relacao acetato: propionato (P < 0,01) foram maiores para amido e milho, enquanto a as concentracoes de butirato e valerato foram maiores (P < 0,01) para a glicerina. Para 0 Exp. 3, o mesmo sistema do Exp. 1 foi usado em 4 corridas consecutivas de 48 h. Os tratamentos foram: inclusao de 0, 100, 200 e 30og/kg de MS de glicerina substituindo o milho em dietas de terminacao de bovinos de corte. A inclusao de glicerina nao afetou (P > 0,05) as producoes de gases as 24 e 48 h, 0 pH final, N-NH3, AGV total, e as concentracoes de propionato e butirato. A inclusao de glicerina diminuiu linearmente a concentracao de acetato (P = 0,03) e a relacao acetato: propionato (P = 0,04). Para 0 Exp. 4, um total de 25 garrafas (155ml) foram usadas em 4 corridas consecutivas de 48 h. Os tratamentos foram os mesmos do Exp. 3. A inclusao de glicerina nao afetou (P > 0,05) as concentracoes de CH4, Co2, AGV totais, propionato, butirato, relacao acetato: propionato e pH final. Foi observada diminuicao linear (P = 0,04) na concentracao de acetato deVido a inclusao de glicerina nas dietas. Para 0 Exp. 5, dois sistemas de quatro vasos de digestao de 4 L (Daisyll system, Ankom technology, NY, USA) foram usados em duas corridas consecutivas de 48 h. Os tratamentos foram: feno de orchard (0,4 g/saco), milho (0,4 g/saco), feno de orchard (0,4 g/saco) + glicerina (0,2 g/saco) e milho (0,4 g/saco) + glicerina (0,2 g/saco). O feno de orchard com glicerina apresentou a menor (P 0,01) digestibilidade in Vitro da MS, seguido pelo feno de orchard sem adicao de glicerina e pelos tratamentos com milho. A digestibilidade in Vitro da MS nao diferiu (P > 0,05) entre os tratamentos com milho sem on com adicao de glicerina. Como conclusao, sob essas condicoes experimentais, a glicerina contribuiu mais para o aumento da metanogenese do que carboidratos, mas efetivamente substituiu parcialmente o milho como fonte de energia em dietas para bovinos de corte.