Evaluation of a subchronic (13-week) oral toxicity study, preceded by an in utero exposure phase, with arachidonic acid oil derived from Mortierella alpina in rats

Arachidonic acid oil (ARA-oil) derived from the fungus Mortierella alpina for use in infant nutrition was tested in a subchronic (13-week) oral toxicity study in rats, preceded by an in utero exposure phase. The ARA-oil was administered as admixture to the rodent diet at dose levels of 3000 ppm, 15,000 ppm and 75,000 ppm. An additional high-dose...

Effect of viscosity on digestion of nutrients in conventional and germ-free chicks

A study was conducted with conventional and germ-free broiler chicks to obtain more information on the role of the intestinal microflora in the anti-nutritive effects of NSP in broiler chicks. As the NSP source, highly methylated citrus pectin (HMC) was used at a dose level of 30 g/kg in a maize-based diet. The diets fed to the germ-free chicks...

Ideal amino acid profile and dietary lysine specification for broiler chickens of 20 to 40 days of age

1. The aim of the study was to determine the ideal ratio of the essential amino acids lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp), arginine (Arg), valine (Val) and isoleucine (Ile) and to assess the required dietary lysine concentration for optimum performance in broiler chickens of 2 commercial strains from 20 to 40 d of...

Changes in energy metabolism in relation to physical activity due to fermentable carbohydrates in group-housed growing pigs

Fermentable nonstarch polysaccharides (dietary fiber) affect energy retention in group-housed growing pigs by reducing physical activity. This study assessed the effects of fermentation and bulkiness of dietary carbohydrates on physical activity in relation to energy metabolism. Eight clusters of 14 pigs were fed one of four diets in a 2 × 2...

Assessment of human exposure to fumonisin B1

Fumonisin B1 is currently regarded as the most significant mycotoxin produced by Fusarium spp. It has carcinogenic properties and may play a role in the etiology of human esophageal cancer. The human population is exposed to fumonisin B1 primarily by intake of fumonisin B1-contaminated maize. Maize consumed in the Netherlands is imported from...

Ideal amino acid profile for poultry

Requirement of the laying hen for apparent fecal digestible lysine

A study was conducted to determine the requirement for lysine of a White Leghorn strain of hens with a body weight of approximately 1,600 g. Before starting the experiment, apparent fecal digestibility of amino acids of the basal diet was determined in an in vivo digestibility trial with six individually housed hens. The basal diet used was...

Effects of lipid surfactants on the structure and mechanics of concentrated starch gels and starch bread

The effects of lipid surfactants (emulsifiers) on changes in the mechanical properties of concentrated starch systems during heating, cooling and storage were studied. In the presence of glycerol monostearate (GMS) or sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL), the dynamic moduli of potato and wheat starch systems during heating and cooling were somewhat...

In vitro binding of estrogens by dietary fiber and the in vivo apparent digestibility tested in pigs

Within the framework of experiments related to the association between dietary fiber and breast cancer an in vitro test system was used to study the binding of estrogens to various fibers (e.g. cholestyramin, lignin and cellulose) and fiber sources (e.g. wheat bran, cereals, seeds and legumes). Furthermore, the in vivo apparent digestibility of...