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Archives animal breeding2021; 64(1); 273-282; doi: 10.5194/aab-64-273-2021

Use of palm bran (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck) in partial replacement of concentrate in maintenance equine diets – a pilot study.

Abstract: Forage palm is extremely suitable as animal fodder due to its high tolerance to the climatic rigors of the semiarid region and its ability to withstand the harsh physical-chemical limitations of poor soils. Thus, in this study, the effects of the partial replacement (0 %, 5 %, 10 % and 15 % replacement) of a molasses- or oat-based commercial concentrate with forage palm bran (FPB) on the acceptability, apparent digestibility and glycemic response of horses at maintenance were evaluated. The ratio of concentrate to roughage (Tifton 85 hay) was , and the dry matter (DM) intake was 2 % of body weight (BW). For the preference test, 10 barren Mangalarga Marchador mares were used. The experimental diets were offered simultaneously to determine the consumption preference and the intake ratio. For the digestibility test, four mixed-breed geldings were used and were distributed in a Latin square experimental design ( ). For the glycemic response, blood samples were collected 30 min before and 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min after supplying the feed. The preference test indicated that feed containing 0 % and 5 % FPB was preferred by the animals. Nutrient digestibility coefficients did not differ among the experimental diets. Blood glucose was lower at 180 min in the 7.42 % FPB inclusion diet ( ); this was estimated using the following equation: . It is concluded that the incorporation of up to 15 % of forage palm bran as a substitute for concentrate in the maintenance diet tested did not negatively influence feed intake, nutrient digestibility or glycemic index; however, inclusion values above 5 % reduced diet acceptability.
Publication Date: 2021-06-21 PubMed ID: 34189255PubMed Central: PMC8223016DOI: 10.5194/aab-64-273-2021Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research conducted a pilot study on the effects of partially replacing commercial concentrate with forage palm bran (FPB) in horse diets. These effects included diet acceptability, nutrient digestibility, and glycemic response, and concluded that up to 15% of concentrate replacement with FPB had no negative impacts. Nonetheless, diets including more than 5% FPB were less acceptable to the horses.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The research team evaluated the effects of replacing varying percentages of commercial concentrate in horse diets with forage palm bran (FPB), an animal fodder known for its resilience in harsh climates and poor soil conditions. The extent of substitution included 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% replacement of either a molasses- or oat-based concentrate.
  • Fixed ratios were maintained for the concentration and roughage (Tifton 85 hay), while the intake of dry matter was set at 2% of the horse’s body weight.
  • Two tests were conducted: a preference test and a digestibility test. The preference test involved 10 Mangalarga Marchador mares and entailed concurrently offering the test diets to assess the horses’ relative preferences and consumption rates. For the digestibility test, four mixed-breed geldings were used; their assignment followed a Latin square experimental design.
  • The glycemic response of the horses was measured by collecting blood samples at multiple intervals before and after the feed was provided. The sampling times were 30 minutes pre- and post-feeding, followed by additional samplings every 30 minutes for the first two hours, and then at 180 minutes and 240 minutes.

Findings and Conclusions

  • The preference test revealed that the horses preferred feed containing 0% and 5% FPB over the ones with higher FPB content. Hence, increased FPB percentages lowered the acceptability of the diet.
  • No significant variations in nutrient digestibility coefficients were found among the different experimental diets. This indicates that the partial substitution of concentrate with FPB did not affect the digestibility of the nutrients in the feed.
  • Blood glucose levels were lower at 180 min in the diet with a 7.42% FPB inclusion. Therefore, the concentration of FPB did not affect the glycemic response adversely, indicating potential suitability for equine diets unique to the requirements.
  • The overall findings suggest that the substitution of commercial concentrate with up to 15% FPB did not negatively impact feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and glycemic index. However, FPB inclusion values beyond 5% reduced the appeal of the diet to the horses, revealing a sensory or palatability limitation.

Cite This Article

APA
Rodrigues PG, Garcez DSM, Silva CM, Santana CCS, Santana JCS, Lopes CDC, Muniz EN, de Oliveira Júnior GM, Silva de Moura R, de Souza JC. (2021). Use of palm bran (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck) in partial replacement of concentrate in maintenance equine diets – a pilot study. Arch Anim Breed, 64(1), 273-282. https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-64-273-2021

Publication

ISSN: 2363-9822
NlmUniqueID: 101701238
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 64
Issue: 1
Pages: 273-282

Researcher Affiliations

Rodrigues, Paula Gomes
  • Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, Brazil.
Garcez, Diana Silva Maynard
  • Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, Brazil.
Silva, Camilla Mendonça
  • Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, Brazil.
Santana, Camilla Cristina Santos
  • Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, Brazil.
Santana, Juliana Caroline Santos
  • Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, Brazil.
Lopes, Claudia da Costa
  • Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Rio Grande of Norte, Macaíba 59.280-000, Brazil.
Muniz, Evandro Neves
  • Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, Aracaju 49040-490, Brazil.
de Oliveira Júnior, Gregório Murilo
  • Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, Brazil.
Silva de Moura, Raquel
  • Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37-200-000, Brazil.
de Souza, José Camisão
  • Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37-200-000, Brazil.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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