Nutritional quality of Pilosocereus gounellei using different spine removal and plant storage methods

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality of Pilosocereus gounellei using different methods of spine removal and plant storage. A total of 600 P. gounellei cacti were randomly selected in 10 hectares of Caatinga. The experimental design was completely randomised using a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement and three replicates. The variables evaluated were the storage conditions (under trees; and ventilated storage facilities) and four types of spine removal techniques assessed 31 days after storage (fresh plants with spines [control]; use of flamethrowers before storage; slash-and-burn [“coivara”] before storage; and use of flamethrowers after storage). The P. gounellei subjected to slash-and-burn during the cladode harvest (cutting) process deteriorated rapidly and exhibited a smooth consistency; dark colour. The burning process resulted in increased in situ degradability of dry matter compared with the control treatment. The results of treatment 4 were similar to those of the control treatment regarding the preservation of the nutritional properties of P. gounellei. Therefore, P. gounellei can be harvested and stored fresh for 31 days without losing their nutritional properties, and spines should be removed using flamethrowers after the storage period, i.e., when using the plants as livestock feed.

DEMODICIOSE GENERALIZADA EM Canis lupus familiares Linnaeus, 1758: RELATO DE CASO..

“…A composição química das cactáceas pode variar com fatores climáticos, idade da planta, época do ano, irrigação e técnicas utilizadas para remoção de espinhos (Silva, Lima, & Rêgo, 2013;Magalhães et al, 2018). Normalmente, recomenda-se que a cactácea seja associada a alimentos ricos em fibras e proteínas quando utilizada na alimentação de ruminantes, devido ao seu alto teor de água e carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) em sua composição (BEN SALEM, 2010;RAMOS et al, 2013;CATUNDA et al, 2016).…”

Physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds of the Xique-xique (Pilosocereus gounellei) cactus from Caatinga Brazilian: are they nutritive and functional?

“…These plants are found in regions with high temperatures and are resistant to drought. Because they have physiological mechanisms specialized in water storage, cactaceae become reserves of water and food, providing essential resources in times of drought [5]. Due to their morphological and physiological adaptations to low rainfall, cacti are prominent in the Caatinga [6].…”

Native and introduced forage cacti in Saanen dairy goat diets

“…The chemical composition of cacti can vary with climatic factors, plant age, time of year, irrigation, and techniques used for thorn removal (Silva, Lima, & Rêgo, 2013;Magalhães et al, 2018). Generally, cacti are recommended to be associated with foods rich in fiber and protein when used in ruminant feed, due to its high-water content and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) in its composition (Ben Salem, 2010;Ramos et al, 2013;Catunda et al, 2016).…”