This study evaluated the in vitro digestibility of nutrients from different diets added with chitosan (Q), technic cashew nut shell liquid (LCC) and the association of Q and LCC. The treatments used consisted of 4 diets (forage: concentrate ratio of 100: 0, 50:50, 40:60 and 20:80) associated with 4 additives (control, chitosan, LCC and the association of Q + LCC), totaling 16 treatments, in a 4x4 factorial randomized block design. The dosages used were: Control (without additives), LCC (600mg/kg DM), Chitosan (900mg/kg DM), and LCCQ (600mg/kg LCC DM + 900mg/kg Chitosan DM). In the laboratory, samples were analyzed for IVDMD, IVNDFD, IVCPD, pH and RAN (ruminal ammonia nitrogen). For pH and RAN analyses, samples were taken at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after incubation. The results showed higher digestibility of DM, NDF and CP for diets with chitosan and technic cashew nut shell liquid alone and higher pH and RAN values in the diets containing the two additives. The association of additives brings better results for animal nutrition and increases ruminant productivity.

This study evaluated the fatty acid composition and qualitative characteristics of meat from lambs feed in feedlot with increasing levels of canola grain. Meat obtained from 27 lambs fed 0, 8 and 16% inclusion of canola grain were analyzed. There was a reduction in the content of saturated fatty acids (SFA): lauric, heptadecanoic, and stearic; and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA): palmitoleic, oleic, and eicosatrienoic, with the increasing levels of canola grain. There was a linear reduction for the ω3 acid and the ω3: ω6 ratio, while the ω6: ω3 ratio increased. But the values observed for this ratio (ω6: ω3) were lower than 4, which is considered a satisfactory value. There was a slight increase (~2%) for the thrombogenicity index and atherogenicity index with the inclusion of canola grain. There was a reduction in the hypocholesterolemic: hypercholesterolemic ratio, with mean values of 2.09 for the diet with 0% inclusion, and 2.06 for 8 and 16% inclusion of canola. Although the inclusion of canola grain for lambs decreased the content of some UFA, reflecting alterations in the correlated nutritional properties, there is a reduction of SFA. The results for instrumental analysis, proximate composition, and sensory acceptance of the lamb meat were similar among the treatments.

This study was carried out to evaluate by-product of the biodiesel industry as canola, safflower, forage turnip, and soybean crushed on the chemical composition, in situ degradability, and colonization time. Canola (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), forage turnip (Raphanus stivus L. var. oleiferus Metzg), and soybean (Glycine max) grains went through the oil extraction process by means of a cold pressing, resulting in the oilseeds-crushed. The treatments identification included: CAN – Canola crushed; SAF – Safflower crushed; TUR – Forage turnip crushed; and SOY – Soybean crushed. The oilseed-crushed treatments were quantified about mineral (calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, phosphorus and potassium), chemical composition (dry matter, ash, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrient contents), In situ degradability, and colonization time. Magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc showed the greater values for TUR treatment 3.46, 27.4, 39.8, respectively, when compared to the other oilseed-crushed treatments. The TUR treatment had the lowest organic matter, whereas had the greater (p≤0.05; TUR and SOY treatments) for the non-fibrous carbohydrates. Ether extract was not affected (p>0.05) with the different oilseed-crushed treatments. Neutral detergent fiber was affected (p≤0.05) for CAN and SAF treatments with the greater values, 344 and 500 g/kg of dry matter, respectively. Soluble and potentially degradable fractions for SAF treatment showed similar results. Whereas the constant rate of degradation, presented the lowest value when compared to the other treatments. Effective degradability of crude protein was greater for CAN 63.2% than SOY 65.9% treatment, which had the lowest value. Potential degradability of crude protein did not differ between treatments. Colonization time for dry matter and crude protein were similar between TUR and SOY treatments. In conclusion, oilseeds-crushed from the biodiesel production can be targeted/used, as feed with great protein and energetic potential in the ruminant’s production, considering the need of correct formulation and ingredients knowledge.

Oilseed grains are used as a protein and energy source, increasing the energy density of the feed. The goal of the present study was to determine the nutritional profile of canola, crambe and soybean grains recovered from feces, and to evaluate the intake and digestibility of nutrients, rumen fermentation parameters of beef cattle receiving whole grains of oilseeds. Three steers, 350 ± 23.5 kg body weight were distributed in a not contemporary, 3 × 3 double Latin square, and fed oilseed grains. Inclusion of crambe grain reduced dry matter intake by 21.02%, with a higher digestibility coefficient for EE and NDF. The crude protein content of canola and crambe grains recovered were similar, but the EE content was higher for the crambe grain (26.46%). Soybean showed the lowest values of chemical composition for grains recovered from feces. The highest dry matter intake (7.86 kg/day), and the lowest NDF digestibility (0.203g/kg), were found for animals fed soybean. The inclusion of crambe grains reduced the rumen ammonia content (10.97 mg/dL); however, the ruminal pH was not altered by the inclusion of grains in the diet. Canola and soybean grains can be included in the cattle diet without altering dry matter intake; while the inclusion of crambe grains reduces the dry matter intake and the ruminal ammonia content of the animals. Crambe grain showed the highest recovery of dry matter and ether extract from feces.

It was proposed to verify the effect of the total substitution of soy by canola and crambe grains in the diet of crossbred lambs, in order to evaluate the chemical, instrumental and sensory characteristics of the meat of the animals fed under these grains. Twenty-three samples of the Longissimus lumborum muscle were used, from SRD lambs (mixed breed), non-castrated males, with an average age of 70 days, average initial body weight of 20.0 ± 4.0 kg. Of the 23 animals used, seven were destined for soybean diet, eight with canola grain and eight with crambe grain. The design was completely randomized with the factor evaluated as the total replacement (100%) of the ground soybeans considered control (GSO) by ground canola beans (GCA) and ground crambe beans (GCR). The sensory analysis data were submitted to Principal Component Analysis and the centesimal and instrumental analyzes were tested in orthogonal contrasts in relation to the different grains. The ration provided was in the form of a complete diet, with 75% concentrate and 25% roughage (Brachiaria brizantha cv Piatã hay). The results showed a higher moisture content in the meat of animals fed with canola, as well as in the instrumental characteristics (loss of cooking and intensity of red). For the other characteristics, there was no effect. The sensory analysis showed that the tasters preferred the meat of animals fed with soy and canola grains, pointing to the market potential. Canola and crambe grains can replace soy in the diet of lambs finished in feedlot, without affecting the centesimal, instrumental and mainly sensory characteristics of the meat, contributing as a new grain alternative in animal production.