Application of yucca extract in improving feed digestibility of beef cattle and improving growth of beef cattle

Abstract

The invention discloses application of a yucca extract to improvement of feed digestibility of beef cattle and improvement of growth of the beef cattle, and belongs to the technical field of animal feeding. The invention provides an application of a green natural plant extract, i.e., by adding a yucca extract into a beef cattle feed, the growth performance of beef cattle can be improved, the dry matter digestibility of the beef cattle can be improved, the rumen fermentation of the beef cattle is converted into a propionic acid type, and glycerophospholipid metabolism and bile acid metabolism of a beef cattle body are promoted. Therefore, the yucca extract can be used as an effective method for improving feed digestibility and beef cattle growth performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of animal breeding, and in particular to application of a yucca extract in improving feed digestibility and growth of beef cattle. Background Art

[0002] Beef is highly favored by consumers due to its high protein, low fat, reasonable fatty acid ratio, and rich vitamins and minerals. However, the current domestic beef production cannot meet consumer demand, and there is a large gap. How to use limited land and feed resources to improve the feed conversion efficiency of beef cattle has always been a research hotspot in the beef cattle industry.

[0003] In recent years, my country's animal husbandry has promoted the transformation and upgrading of animal husbandry to achieve high-quality development around the overall goal of "ensuring supply, safety and ecology". Ensuring the safety of livestock products while ensuring supply has become an important content at present. Since antibiotics have a certain growth-promoting effect while ensuring the health of beef cattle, since the comprehensive ban on antibiotics in the livestock breeding process, how to make up for the reduced production performance after the ban has become a difficult problem for the beef cattle industry. Therefore, finding safe and efficient alternatives to antibiotics has become an industry demand. Plant extracts, as green and safe feed additives with a wide source, have gradually entered the public's field of vision.

[0004] Yucca plants belong to the Agavaceae family. Yucca extract is made from impregnated yucca logs that are dried and ground into yucca extract powder. It contains rich bioactive substances such as saponins, resveratrol and polyphenols, which have antibacterial and antioxidant effects and are widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. However, there are few studies on yucca extract in the beef cattle industry. Therefore, it is very meaningful to study the role of yucca extract in feed digestibility and growth of beef cattle. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an application of yucca extract in improving the digestibility of feed and the growth of beef cattle. Yucca extract, as a natural plant extract, can improve the digestibility of feed and improve rumen fermentation in beef cattle. At the same time, it can improve the growth performance of beef cattle and increase economic benefits. It can be used as an effective means to improve the production performance of beef cattle after antibiotics are banned.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above technical problem is as follows: providing an application of yucca extract in improving feed digestibility and growth of beef cattle.

[0007] On the basis of the above technical solution, the present invention can also be improved as follows:

[0008] Furthermore, yucca extract improves the digestibility of feed for beef cattle, specifically by increasing the in vitro degradation rate of DM, NDF and CP in the feed, and the whole intestinal digestibility of DM.

[0009] Furthermore, yucca extract improves the digestibility of feed in beef cattle by regulating the rumen fermentation pattern of beef cattle.

[0010] Furthermore, yucca extract reduced the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the rumen, increased the total volatile fatty acid concentration and butyric acid ratio, and reduced the isobutyric acid ratio and ethyl to propylene ratio.

[0011] Furthermore, the yucca extract improves the digestibility of feed in beef cattle by increasing the expression of glycerophospholipid-derived metabolites.

[0012] Further, glycerophospholipid-derived metabolites include phosphatidylcholine, glycerophosphocholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and lysolecithin.

[0013] Furthermore, the yucca extract improves the digestibility of feed by beef cattle, specifically by promoting the synthesis of bile acid by beef cattle.

[0014] Furthermore, the synthesis of bile acids in beef cattle is promoted, and the expression levels of cholic acid, glycocholic acid, and deoxycholic acid are upregulated.

[0015] Furthermore, yucca extract improves the growth of beef cattle, specifically by increasing the average daily weight gain and feed intake of beef cattle.

[0016] A feed for improving feed digestibility and growth of beef cattle, comprising yucca extract; preferably, the concentration of the yucca extract is 85-200 mg / kg; more preferably, the concentration of the yucca extract is 175 mg / kg.

[0017] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the active ingredients in the yucca extract mainly include glycosides, saponins and polyphenols. Glycosides are mainly composed of a plurality of linear or branched functional oligosaccharides, which can be decomposed and utilized by probiotics in the rumen of beef cattle, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, and regulate the structure of the flora. Saponin can be used as a surfactant to change the morphology of the epithelial cell membrane in the digestive tract and reduce surface tension, thereby promoting the absorption of nutrients; at the same time, it forms an irreversible complex with cholesterol and is excreted from the body, thereby reducing the cholesterol content in the body and increasing the permeability of the cell membrane. In addition, saponin can also stimulate the level of specific cytokines to enhance the immune function of livestock and poultry, and improve rumen fermentation by reducing the number of protozoa and regulating the particle passage rate, thereby effectively reducing the production of methane.

[0019] Yucca extract can also promote cell growth and proliferation by regulating the glycerophospholipid metabolism process, and improve the growth performance of beef cattle by significantly increasing the concentration of bile acids and thus improving dry matter digestion and absorption.

[0020] The invention also determines the optimal addition amount of the yucca extract in the beef cattle diet through an in vitro gas production test and an in vitro digestion test to prevent the negative influence of excessive or insufficient amount on the effect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following examples are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. If no specific conditions are specified in the examples, the conditions are carried out according to conventional conditions or conditions recommended by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer of the reagents or instruments used is not specified, they are all conventional products that can be purchased commercially.

[0022] Example 1: Preparation of a diet containing yucca extract

[0023] The preparation of the feed containing yucca extract comprises the following steps:

[0024] (1) When preparing a diet containing yucca extract, take the concentrate-to-roughage ratio of 55:45 or 65:35 in the diet as an example, convert the diet into a dry matter basis, and then calculate the yucca extract (YSE, model: Wellcome 30MSDS, manufacturer: Zhongnong Xingyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) required for preparing the diet.

[0025] (2) Use an electronic scale with an accuracy of 0.01 g to accurately weigh the yucca extract.

[0026] (3) To ensure that the feed is mixed evenly when added, the yucca extract should be mixed with 10% or 12% of the concentrate feed in a blender for 5 minutes, and then the mixed 10% or 12% concentrate feed and the remaining 45% or 53% concentrate feed should be mixed with a blender for 15 minutes to obtain a uniformly mixed concentrate.

[0027] (4) The mixed concentrate was mixed with roughage such as corn stalks and silage, added to the TMR truck, added with water, crushed, and stirred for 30 minutes to prepare a feed containing yucca extract.

[0028] The specific ingredients and contents of the feed containing yucca extract are shown in Table 1:

[0029] Table 1 Specific ingredients and contents of diets containing yucca extract

[0030]

[0031] Example 2: Determination of Yucca Extract Concentration in Beef Cattle Diets

[0032] The in vitro fermentation method was used to determine the appropriate concentration of yucca extract in beef cattle feed. The specific experimental process is as follows:

[0033] 1. In vitro gas production test

[0034] Three healthy beef cattle with rumen fistulas weighing about 600 kg were selected as rumen fluid donor animals. A single-factor experimental design was adopted, and 220 mg of feed sample (air-dried sample basis) was weighed as a fermentation substrate. Different levels of yucca extract were added to the fermentation substrate, namely 0 mg / kg group, 87.5 mg / kg group, 175 mg / kg group, 262.5 mg / kg group and 350 mg / kg group. Each group was set up with 9 culture tubes, i.e. 9 replicates, and 3 blank tubes. At 48 hours of fermentation, 3 replicates were taken out from each group to terminate the fermentation, and the fermentation parameters were determined. The remaining replicates were used to determine the 72-hour gas production parameter indicators, and the changes in gas production in each group were recorded regularly. The gas production results and fermentation parameters are shown in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively.

[0035] Table 2 Effect of yucca extract on in vitro gas production parameters of beef cattle feed

[0036]

[0037]

[0038] Note: Different letters in the same row indicate significant differences (P<0.05), while the same letters indicate no significant differences (P>0.05). SEM: standard error of the mean.

[0039] As shown in Table 2, the addition of yucca extract will affect the theoretical maximum gas production of the feed. Adding 87.5, 262.5, and 350 mg / kg of yucca extract will reduce the theoretical maximum gas production, and the addition of 175 mg / kg will not have a negative impact on the theoretical maximum gas production.

[0040] Table 3 Effects of yucca extract on in vitro fermentation parameters of beef cattle feed

[0041]

[0042] Note: Different letters in the same row indicate significant differences (P<0.05), while the same letters indicate no significant differences (P>0.05). SEM: standard error of the mean.

[0043] As shown in Table 3, the addition of yucca extract affects the generation of total volatile acids. When the addition amount of yucca extract is 350 mg / kg, the generation of volatile acids will be inhibited, and the composition of volatile acids will also be changed, especially the generation of butyric acid and valeric acid. When the addition amount of yucca extract is 87.5 and 175 mg / kg, there is no negative effect on the generation of total volatile acid content.

[0044] 2. In vitro digestion test

[0045] The test grouping is the same as the grouping in the in vitro gas production test. 0.50g of fermentation substrate is weighed and placed in a nylon bag. Each group is set with 8 culture tubes, i.e. 8 replicates, 8 replicates per test, and each replicate contains two nylon bags. The fermentation was terminated at 48h, and the dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP) contents of the fermented samples were determined, and the in vitro DM, NDF and CP degradation rates were calculated. The degradation rate results are shown in Table 4.

[0046] Table 4 Effects of yucca extract on in vitro degradation characteristics of beef cattle feed

[0047]

[0048] Note: Different letters in the same row indicate significant differences (P<0.05), while the same letters indicate no significant differences (P>0.05). SEM: standard error of the mean.

[0049] The degradation ability of feed nutrients in the rumen can reflect the utilization of feed by beef cattle. As shown in Table 4, with the increase of yucca extract, the DM degradation rate was significantly improved, especially when the addition amount of yucca extract was 175 mg / kg (P<0.05), the DM degradation rate was increased by 7.27% (P<0.05), the NDF degradation rate was increased by 11.46% (P<0.05), and the CP degradation rate was increased by 18.85% (P<0.05). In addition, when the addition amount of yucca extract was 87.5 mg / kg, it also significantly improved the degradation rates of DM, NDF, and CP. As the addition amount increased to 262.5 mg / kg and 350 mg / kg, although the DM degradation rate and CP degradation rate could be improved, the NDF degradation rate would be reduced.

[0050] Finally, considering the results of the above in vitro fermentation test and in vitro digestion test, it was confirmed that the addition of yucca extract at a level of 175 mg / kg would not have a negative impact on rumen fermentation, and at the same time it could greatly increase the degradation rate of the feed. Therefore, the 175 mg / kg addition level was selected as the optimal addition dose of yucca extract.

[0051] Example 3: Effect of Yucca extract added to diet on diet digestibility and growth performance of beef cattle

[0052] Thirty healthy and disease-free beef cattle with good body condition, similar body weight (509.20±5.95) kg were selected and divided into a control group (CON group) and a 175 mg / kg yucca extract group (YSE group) using a single-factor completely randomized design. The experiment was divided into two stages. The first stage (1-59 days) had a feed ratio of 55:45, and the second stage (60-90 days) had a feed ratio of 65:35. A 14-day pre-feeding was performed before the experiment. During the experiment, the feed intake of beef cattle was recorded every day. The body weight was measured on the 1st, 60th and 90th days of the experiment, and the average daily weight gain was calculated. On the 90th day, rumen fluid, tail root blood and feces were collected from the mouth for analysis of rumen fermentation parameters, blood metabolites and nutrient digestibility. The results are shown in Tables 5-7.

[0053] Table 5 Effect of Yucca extract on rumen fermentation of beef cattle

[0054]

[0055] Note: SEM: standard error of the mean.

[0056] As shown in Table 5, the addition of 175 mg / kg of yucca extract to the feed reduced the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the rumen by 9%, significantly increased the concentration of total volatile fatty acids and the proportion of butyric acid (P<0.01), significantly reduced the proportion of isobutyric acid and the ratio of ethyl to propylene (P<0.05), and had no significant difference in the proportions of acetic acid, propionic acid, and isovaleric acid (P>0.05). This indicates that yucca extract has the effect of regulating the fermentation pattern of the rumen and promoting propionic acid fermentation in the rumen.

[0057] Table 6 Effects of Yucca extract on glycerophospholipids and bile acid in the blood of beef cattle

[0058] Metabolites Molecular formula Regulation P_value Phosphatidylcholine <![CDATA[C5H 14 NO4P]]> Increase <0.001 Glycerophosphocholine <![CDATA[C8H 20 NO6P]]> Increase <0.001 PC(15:0 / 18:2(9Z,12Z)) <![CDATA[C 41 H 78 NO8P]]> Increase 0.018 PE(18:0 / 20:3(5Z,8Z,11Z)) <![CDATA[C 43 H 80 NO8P]]> Increase 0.014 PE(18:3(6Z,9Z,12Z) / P-18:0) <![CDATA[C 41 H 76 NO7P]]> Increase 0.045 LysoPC(15:0) <![CDATA[C 23 H 48 NO7P]]> Increase 0.017 LysoPC(17:0) <![CDATA[C 25 H 52 NO7P]]> Increase <0.001 LysoPC(18:0) <![CDATA[C 26 H 54 NO7P]]> Increase <0.001 LysoPC(20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)) <![CDATA[C 28 H 48 NO7P]]> Increase 0.020 cholic acid <![CDATA[C 24 H 40 O5]]> Increase <0.001 Glycocholic acid <![CDATA[C 26 H 43 NO6]]> Increase <0.001 Deoxycholic acid <![CDATA[C 24 H 40 O4]]> Increase 0.040

[0059] In Table 6, PC is phosphatidylcholine, PE is phosphatidylethanolamine, and LysoPC is lysophospholipid. Glycerol phospholipids and their derivatives play a huge role in cell proliferation and differentiation, and can also participate in the digestion and absorption of nutrients together with bile acid. As shown in Table 6, the addition of 1.75 mg / kg of yucca extract significantly increased the expression of glycerol phospholipid-derived metabolites such as phosphatidylcholine, glycerophosphocholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylcholine, indicating that yucca extract has a certain growth-promoting effect. At the same time, the levels of bile acid, glycocholic acid, and deoxycholic acid were increased, indicating that yucca extract can promote the synthesis of bile acid in beef cattle and improve the digestion ability of beef cattle to feed.

[0060] Table 7 Effect of Yucca extract on the digestibility of nutrients in beef cattle

[0061]

[0062] Note: SEM: standard error of the mean.

[0063] As shown in Table 7, yucca extract can significantly enhance the digestibility of dry matter in feed by beef cattle, increasing it by 0.62% (P<0.05), but has no significant effect on the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein, but numerically increases the digestibility of crude protein by 1.57% (P>0.05).

[0064] Table 8 Effects of Yucca extract on growth characteristics of beef cattle

[0065]

[0066] Note: SEM: standard error of the mean.

[0067] As shown in Table 8, the addition of 175 mg / kg of yucca extract had no statistical difference in the final weight of beef cattle, but it could significantly increase the average daily weight gain in the first stage and the entire trial period (P<0.05). In the first 60 days, the average daily weight gain was 0.12 kg, and in the whole 90 days, the average daily weight gain was 0.13 kg. At the same time, the addition of 175 mg / kg of yucca extract also increased the feed intake of beef cattle by 0.63 kg / d during the entire trial period (P<0.05), and had no significant effect on the feed-to-weight ratio.

[0068] Table 9 Effect of yucca extract on economic benefits

[0069]

[0070]

[0071] Note: SEM: standard error of the mean.

[0072] As shown in Table 9, there was no significant difference in feed cost, weight gain income, and gross profit when 175 mg / kg of yucca extract was added (P>0.05). The average weight gain income and gross profit per cow in the YSE group were higher than those in the control group. From a numerical point of view, the gross profit per cow increased by 124.81 yuan, an increase of 7.02%, when 175 mg / kg of yucca extract was added.

[0073] In summary, the present invention provides an application of a green natural plant extract, that is, adding 175 mg / kg of yucca extract to beef cattle feed can improve the growth performance of beef cattle (including daily weight gain of 0.13 kg / d and dry matter intake of 0.63 kg / d, P<0.05); improve the dry matter digestibility of beef cattle by 0.62% (P<0.05); increase the gross profit per cow by 7.02%; change the rumen fermentation of beef cattle to propionic acid type; and promote the metabolism of glycerophospholipids and bile acid in the body of beef cattle. This shows that yucca extract can be used as an effective method to improve feed digestibility and growth performance of beef cattle.

[0074] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An application of yucca extract in improving feed digestibility and growth of beef cattle.

2. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that: Yucca extract improves the digestibility of feed for beef cattle, specifically by increasing the in vitro degradation rate of DM, NDF and CP in the feed, as well as the whole-intestinal digestibility of DM.

3. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that: Yucca extract improves the digestibility of feed in beef cattle by regulating the rumen fermentation pattern of beef cattle.

4. The use according to claim 3, characterized in that: Yucca extract reduces the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the rumen, increases the concentration of total volatile fatty acids and the butyric acid ratio, and reduces the isobutyric acid ratio and the ethyl to propylene ratio.

5. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that: Yucca extract improves feed digestibility in beef cattle by increasing the expression of glycerophospholipid-derived metabolites.

6. The use according to claim 5, characterized in that: Glycerophospholipid-derived metabolites include phosphatidylcholine, glycerophosphocholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and lysolecithin.

7. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that: Yucca extract improves the digestibility of feed for beef cattle, specifically by promoting the synthesis of bile acids in beef cattle.

8. The use according to claim 7, characterized in that: It promotes the synthesis of bile acids in beef cattle and increases the expression levels of cholic acid, glycocholic acid and deoxycholic acid.

9. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that: Yucca extract improves the growth of beef cattle, specifically by increasing the average daily weight gain and feed intake of beef cattle.

10. A feed for improving feed digestibility and growth of beef cattle, characterized in that: Contains Yucca Extract.

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