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Papers by Pasquale DE Palo

Journal of Dairy Science

Concentration is a key determinant in the overall positive impact of terpenes on milk and cheese ... more Concentration is a key determinant in the overall positive impact of terpenes on milk and cheese aroma; additionally, route of intake may affect the achievable concentrations of dietary terpenes in milk and cheese. In this study, we explored the possibility that the amount of the monoterpene limonene transferred to sheep milk and its corresponding cheese could differ depending on the route of intake and that the aroma profile of these products could also differ. To this aim, 12 lactating dairy ewes were repeatedly exposed to limonene by the oral or respiratory route during a 48-h test period, according to a 3 × 3 Latin square experimental design. Limonene content was measured in individual and bulk milk samples, in 1-d-old and 15-d-old Caciotta cheese obtained from that milk, in the related whey and curd, and in the air inhaled by the ewes in the respiratory treatment group (to obtain an estimate of the dose actually supplied by this route). Bulk milk and fresh (1-d-old) cheese underwent sensory analysis by orthoolfactory evaluation. Both intake routes demonstrated transfer of limonene to milk, but the respiratory route transferred limonene with greater efficiency than the oral route. Moreover, according to the protocol used in this study, a short period of respiratory exposure induced a slightly higher limonene content in milk compared with oral exposure. As to the fate of limonene during cheesemaking, an important part of it was lost into the whey, perhaps through volatilization. The differences between milk and cheese tended to dissipate in curd and fresh cheese and disappeared completely after 15 d of ripening. Finally, it was possible to distinguish between the 2 routes of limonene intake using sensory analysis, even though no direct relationship was identified between the different aroma profiles of milks and cheeses from the oral and respiratory groups and their respective limonene contents. Overall, our results expand current knowledge on the biological pathways of terpene transfer from feed to sheep milk and cheese, as well as on the role played by terpenes in the formation of aroma in these products. Our observations may contribute to future development of strategies for external control and better standardization of the presence of odor compounds in milk and cheese from dairy ruminants.

Journal of Dairy Science, 2022

The present work aimed to investigate the effects of nucleotide oral administration on oxidative ... more The present work aimed to investigate the effects of nucleotide oral administration on oxidative stress biomarkers, immune responses, gut morphology, serum biochemical parameters, and growth performance in calves from birth to 25 d of life. A total of 40 male Holstein Friesian calves were randomly divided in 2 groups. All the calves were born and reared on the same commercial dairy farm. They were fed the same colostrum, milk replacer, and calf starter. Five grams/head of an additive were orally administered with a syringe directly in the mouth to calves of the nucleotide group (NG). The additive contained 74.12 g/100 g of nucleic acids from hydrolyzed yeast, and 75.38% was free nucleotide sodium salt. The other group represented the negative control (CG). At 25 d of life all of the calves were slaughtered. Calves supplemented with nucleotides had a higher final live weight and improved average daily gain, which was associated with better efficiency of nutrient use. Oral nucleotide administration did not affect IgG absorption efficiency; however, NG calves showed greater duodenum villi length and higher crypt depth compared with CG. Oral nucleotide administration increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and the antioxidant capacity [ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging activity] both in plasma and in liver. An enhanced ability of cells to counter reactive oxygen species-and reactive nitrogen species-mediated damage was also observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from NG. The findings highlight the effectiveness of oral nucleotide administration, and potentially dietary supplementation of nucleotides, in boosting oxidative and immune status in newborn calves.

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 2010

The development of primary cultures and cell lines from aquatic organisms is a valuable tool for ... more The development of primary cultures and cell lines from aquatic organisms is a valuable tool for a wide range of research activities applied to aquaculture. Despite several efforts, derivation and long-term culturing of primary hepatocytes from marine vertebrates are still rare and unsuccessful. This is the first report to fully characterize long-term cultures of primary hepatocytes from the European seabream, Sparus aurata L. (Osteichthyes, Sparidae) (SaHePs). In this new model, hepatocyte cells were long-term viable, active proliferating, and fully retained liver function up to 3 weeks. SaHePs expressed a differentiated phenotype, owing to the reacquisition of the peculiar cytoarchitecture with the complete assembly of cytoskeletal and junctional network, as shown by the production and immunolocalization of several polarity markers and cytoskeletal proteins (MDR1, ZO-2, C-CAM1, Vimentin, Cadherin, b-Tubulin, b-Catenin, b-Actin). Cytostructural analysis to identify polarized expression and bile canaliculi formation was performed by immunofluorescence and contrast phase microscopy. Long cultured SaHePs also demonstrated evidence of Albumin, a1-Antitrypsin (AAT) and a-Fetoprotein (AFP) synthesis, expression of the detoxifying metabolic enzyme cytochrome P-4501A (CYP 1A), and production of hepatocyte specific cytoskeleton proteins, such as Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) and Cytokeratin 18 (CK 18). The presence of specific markers for hepatic phenotype, detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis, is suggestive of the full maintenance of a highly differentiated phenotype and hepatic maturation. These data demonstrate that SaHePs can be long cultured without losing the hepatic functionality. This study provides a useful tool for innovative research applications in fish toxicological, pathological, and physiological studies, as one of the few hepatic, functionally active, in vitro model from marine fish.

Large Animal Review, 2006

Lo scopo del lavoro è quello di fare un’indagine sulla gestione del cavallo trottatore in Puglia.... more Lo scopo del lavoro è quello di fare un’indagine sulla gestione del cavallo trottatore in Puglia. Sono stati esaminati 100 cavalli, riportandone in una scheda l’età, il sesso, l’altezza al garrese, la circonferenza toracica (per calcolare il peso vivo (PV) secondo Martin-Rosset,1990), il Body Condition Score (BCS), il tipo di allenamento, la razione, la ferratura, il tipo di scuderia e il record. L’età media è di 4,46±2,28, il 70% riceve mangime commerciale e utilizza il paddock. Il BCS si è mostrato positivamente correlato al tipo di allenamento e all’alimentazione, mentre il record all’età, ma non al management, probabilmente perché l’influenza della genetica sulle performances atletiche è molto forte. Sulla base dei nostri risultati, riteniamo che le tecniche di allevamento e di allenamento del cavallo trottatore in Puglia abbiano degli ampi margini di miglioramento, in quanto solo una piccola percentuale di soggetti è sottoposta a tecniche di allevamento, allenamento ed alimenta...

RIASSUNTO Su vitelli bufalini (Bubalus bubalis), con cadenza quindicinale, sono stati eseguiti pr... more RIASSUNTO Su vitelli bufalini (Bubalus bubalis), con cadenza quindicinale, sono stati eseguiti prelievi ematici, dalla nascita ai 300 giorni di età, al fine di valutare le modificazioni metaboliche strettamente legate al passaggio da una fisiologia digestiva su base abomasale, a quella prettamente di tipo ruminale. Mediante analisi della varianza, sono state valutate le modificazioni del profilo biochimico e siero-proteico nel periodo di alimentazione prettamente lattea (L: da 0 a 60 giorni), nel periodo di transizione con contemporanea alimentazione lattea e solida (T: da 61 a 100 giorni), e nel periodo di sola alimentazione solida (S: da 100 a 300 giorni di età). I risultati hanno evidenziato alcune modificazioni del profilo energetico, dovute alle variazioni della fisiologia digestiva. In particolare, la glicemia si è ridotta nel passaggio dalla fase L a quella S (P < 0,01). Il medesimo andamento è stato osservato per la colesterolemia e la concentrazione sierica di trigliceri...

The present work aims to evaluate milk production aptitude of two equid species: horse and donkey... more The present work aims to evaluate milk production aptitude of two equid species: horse and donkey. The trial was conducted on the Italian Heavy Draught breed horse (IHDH) and on the Martina Franca breed donkey. Data were collected from 23 multiparous nursing IHDH mares aged from 6 to 10 years, with an average bodyweight (BW) (mean ± s.d.) of 822.3 ± 61.8 kg and from 28 multiparous nursing donkeys of Martina Franca breed aged from 7 to 12 years, with an average BW (mean ± s.d.) of 389.5 ± 21.2 kg. Milk yield was recorded on 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165 and 180 days in milk (DIM). At each milk yield evaluation day, a milk sample was collected and its composition was analysed. All data were normalised according metabolic weight (MBW) of animals, so to make comparable results of the two considered species. Wood’s lactation model was used to describe milk, fat, protein and lactose yield. Peak lactation was reached on DIM 69 in IHDH horse and on DIM 48 in Martina Franca...

... Abstract (English), In this work we report observations carried out in a standardbred trotter... more ... Abstract (English), In this work we report observations carried out in a standardbred trotter stable, where we registered a high incidence rate of ... Questo contributo sottolinea l'importanza del calcio nella nutrizione dei trottatori in attività. AGRIS 2011 - FAO of the United Nations. ...

Equine Veterinary Journal

BACKGROUND Catecholamines are among the most frequently investigated parameters for studying symp... more BACKGROUND Catecholamines are among the most frequently investigated parameters for studying sympathoadrenal activity in response to stress conditions. OBJECTIVES To evaluate basal plasma concentrations of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) in healthy donkeys. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS Catecholamine concentrations from 440 Martina Franca donkeys were determined: 269 females and 171 entire males, aged from 4 months to 24 years. Animals were subdivided into four age categories: under 12 months old (64 males and 54 females), from 13 to 36 months (56 males and 75 females), from 37 to 120 months (49 males and 80 females) and over 120 months (24 males and 38 females). Indwelling jugular catheters were inserted at least 12 h before drawing blood. The data set was subjected to analysis of variance considering age, sex and the two-way interaction between them as independent variables. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the three catecholamines were evaluated. RESULTS Confidence intervals (CI) for noradrenaline concentration ranged between 239.98 and 255.07 ng/L (mean 247.52 ng/L), for adrenaline between 129.27 and 137.90 ng/L (mean 133.59 ng/L), dopamine concentrations between 149.62 and 160.80 ng/L (mean 155.21 ng/L) and noradrenaline/adrenaline ratio between 1.91 and 2.05 (mean 1.98). Catecholamine plasma concentrations were not influenced by sex. Donkeys older than 37 months had lower adrenaline and noradrenaline plasma concentrations (P<0.001) and higher noradrenaline/adrenaline ratios (P<0.01) than younger animals. MAIN LIMITATIONS Indwelling catheters and blood drawing procedures may have influenced catecholamine levels. CONCLUSIONS Catecholamine concentrations were established within a large group of healthy Martina Franca donkeys.

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Animal Production Science

Context The inclusion of Pinus taeda hydrolysed lignin (PTHL) in beef diets could improve quality... more Context The inclusion of Pinus taeda hydrolysed lignin (PTHL) in beef diets could improve quality and stability of meat, but effects could vary through the aging period (AP). Aim The aim was to evaluate the effects of the PTHL inclusion in the diet of finishing beef cattle on meat quality, fatty acid composition and oxidative stability at Days 1, 8, 11 and 15 of aging. Methods Forty Limousin bulls (340 ± 42 kg) were fed ad libitum on a total mixed ration (TMR). The control group received exclusively TMR for 120 days, while the experimental group received the same TMR as the control group but supplemented with PTHL (Oxifenol, I-Green, Padua, Italy; 35 g/day per head at 1–90 days and 70 g/day per head at 91–120 days). Key results Diet did not influence the chemical composition, pH, cooking loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force and hydroperoxide content. The Warner–Bratzler shear force (P < 0.001) decreased, while lightness (P < 0.01) and hydroperoxides (P < 0.001) increased throu...

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercially available herbal prep... more Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercially available herbal preparation (Oxyphenol®, I-Green, Padua, Italy) of Pinus taeda hydrolyzed lignin (PTHL) on beef fattening performance, in vitro rumen apparent digestibility, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and gas production. Forty Limousine steers were randomly divided into two groups of twenty individuals each and reared in two separated pens. The control (CON) group did not receive PTHL whereas the experimental group was supplemented with PTHL (35 g/day for each for the first 90 days of the trial and 70 g/day for each for other 30 days). The data set of in vitro rumen apparent digestibility, VFA and gas production was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the GLM procedure in SAS software (SAS 9.4), considering the dietary treatment and the time as fixed effects. The inclusion of PTHL did not affect slaughter performance, with no differences in live weight at slaughter, daily weight gain and carcass dressing percentage between groups. In addition, the apparent digestibility of nutrients tested (dry matter, organic matter, crude fiber, NDF, crude protein and ether extract) was unaffected both by the dietary treatment and by sampling time. Rumen fluid pH was unaffected both by either dietary treatment or the sampling time, showing mean values ranging from 6.53 to 6.61. The acetate concentration was significantly greater for rumen fluid from PTHL group than in CON one, from 30 to 120 days ( P P P = 0.0188). Total VFA concentration did not show significant differences because of sampling time ( P > 0.05), but the dietary effect induced higher values in PTHL group from 30 to 120 days ( P 4 relative to CON, with lower values from 30 to 120 days compared to day 0 ( P 4 production but did not affect apparent digestibility and live and slaughter performance.

Journal of Dairy Science

Concentration is a key determinant in the overall positive impact of terpenes on milk and cheese ... more Concentration is a key determinant in the overall positive impact of terpenes on milk and cheese aroma; additionally, route of intake may affect the achievable concentrations of dietary terpenes in milk and cheese. In this study, we explored the possibility that the amount of the monoterpene limonene transferred to sheep milk and its corresponding cheese could differ depending on the route of intake and that the aroma profile of these products could also differ. To this aim, 12 lactating dairy ewes were repeatedly exposed to limonene by the oral or respiratory route during a 48-h test period, according to a 3 × 3 Latin square experimental design. Limonene content was measured in individual and bulk milk samples, in 1-d-old and 15-d-old Caciotta cheese obtained from that milk, in the related whey and curd, and in the air inhaled by the ewes in the respiratory treatment group (to obtain an estimate of the dose actually supplied by this route). Bulk milk and fresh (1-d-old) cheese underwent sensory analysis by orthoolfactory evaluation. Both intake routes demonstrated transfer of limonene to milk, but the respiratory route transferred limonene with greater efficiency than the oral route. Moreover, according to the protocol used in this study, a short period of respiratory exposure induced a slightly higher limonene content in milk compared with oral exposure. As to the fate of limonene during cheesemaking, an important part of it was lost into the whey, perhaps through volatilization. The differences between milk and cheese tended to dissipate in curd and fresh cheese and disappeared completely after 15 d of ripening. Finally, it was possible to distinguish between the 2 routes of limonene intake using sensory analysis, even though no direct relationship was identified between the different aroma profiles of milks and cheeses from the oral and respiratory groups and their respective limonene contents. Overall, our results expand current knowledge on the biological pathways of terpene transfer from feed to sheep milk and cheese, as well as on the role played by terpenes in the formation of aroma in these products. Our observations may contribute to future development of strategies for external control and better standardization of the presence of odor compounds in milk and cheese from dairy ruminants.

Journal of Dairy Science, 2022

The present work aimed to investigate the effects of nucleotide oral administration on oxidative ... more The present work aimed to investigate the effects of nucleotide oral administration on oxidative stress biomarkers, immune responses, gut morphology, serum biochemical parameters, and growth performance in calves from birth to 25 d of life. A total of 40 male Holstein Friesian calves were randomly divided in 2 groups. All the calves were born and reared on the same commercial dairy farm. They were fed the same colostrum, milk replacer, and calf starter. Five grams/head of an additive were orally administered with a syringe directly in the mouth to calves of the nucleotide group (NG). The additive contained 74.12 g/100 g of nucleic acids from hydrolyzed yeast, and 75.38% was free nucleotide sodium salt. The other group represented the negative control (CG). At 25 d of life all of the calves were slaughtered. Calves supplemented with nucleotides had a higher final live weight and improved average daily gain, which was associated with better efficiency of nutrient use. Oral nucleotide administration did not affect IgG absorption efficiency; however, NG calves showed greater duodenum villi length and higher crypt depth compared with CG. Oral nucleotide administration increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and the antioxidant capacity [ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging activity] both in plasma and in liver. An enhanced ability of cells to counter reactive oxygen species-and reactive nitrogen species-mediated damage was also observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from NG. The findings highlight the effectiveness of oral nucleotide administration, and potentially dietary supplementation of nucleotides, in boosting oxidative and immune status in newborn calves.

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 2010

The development of primary cultures and cell lines from aquatic organisms is a valuable tool for ... more The development of primary cultures and cell lines from aquatic organisms is a valuable tool for a wide range of research activities applied to aquaculture. Despite several efforts, derivation and long-term culturing of primary hepatocytes from marine vertebrates are still rare and unsuccessful. This is the first report to fully characterize long-term cultures of primary hepatocytes from the European seabream, Sparus aurata L. (Osteichthyes, Sparidae) (SaHePs). In this new model, hepatocyte cells were long-term viable, active proliferating, and fully retained liver function up to 3 weeks. SaHePs expressed a differentiated phenotype, owing to the reacquisition of the peculiar cytoarchitecture with the complete assembly of cytoskeletal and junctional network, as shown by the production and immunolocalization of several polarity markers and cytoskeletal proteins (MDR1, ZO-2, C-CAM1, Vimentin, Cadherin, b-Tubulin, b-Catenin, b-Actin). Cytostructural analysis to identify polarized expression and bile canaliculi formation was performed by immunofluorescence and contrast phase microscopy. Long cultured SaHePs also demonstrated evidence of Albumin, a1-Antitrypsin (AAT) and a-Fetoprotein (AFP) synthesis, expression of the detoxifying metabolic enzyme cytochrome P-4501A (CYP 1A), and production of hepatocyte specific cytoskeleton proteins, such as Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) and Cytokeratin 18 (CK 18). The presence of specific markers for hepatic phenotype, detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis, is suggestive of the full maintenance of a highly differentiated phenotype and hepatic maturation. These data demonstrate that SaHePs can be long cultured without losing the hepatic functionality. This study provides a useful tool for innovative research applications in fish toxicological, pathological, and physiological studies, as one of the few hepatic, functionally active, in vitro model from marine fish.

Large Animal Review, 2006

Lo scopo del lavoro è quello di fare un’indagine sulla gestione del cavallo trottatore in Puglia.... more Lo scopo del lavoro è quello di fare un’indagine sulla gestione del cavallo trottatore in Puglia. Sono stati esaminati 100 cavalli, riportandone in una scheda l’età, il sesso, l’altezza al garrese, la circonferenza toracica (per calcolare il peso vivo (PV) secondo Martin-Rosset,1990), il Body Condition Score (BCS), il tipo di allenamento, la razione, la ferratura, il tipo di scuderia e il record. L’età media è di 4,46±2,28, il 70% riceve mangime commerciale e utilizza il paddock. Il BCS si è mostrato positivamente correlato al tipo di allenamento e all’alimentazione, mentre il record all’età, ma non al management, probabilmente perché l’influenza della genetica sulle performances atletiche è molto forte. Sulla base dei nostri risultati, riteniamo che le tecniche di allevamento e di allenamento del cavallo trottatore in Puglia abbiano degli ampi margini di miglioramento, in quanto solo una piccola percentuale di soggetti è sottoposta a tecniche di allevamento, allenamento ed alimenta...

RIASSUNTO Su vitelli bufalini (Bubalus bubalis), con cadenza quindicinale, sono stati eseguiti pr... more RIASSUNTO Su vitelli bufalini (Bubalus bubalis), con cadenza quindicinale, sono stati eseguiti prelievi ematici, dalla nascita ai 300 giorni di età, al fine di valutare le modificazioni metaboliche strettamente legate al passaggio da una fisiologia digestiva su base abomasale, a quella prettamente di tipo ruminale. Mediante analisi della varianza, sono state valutate le modificazioni del profilo biochimico e siero-proteico nel periodo di alimentazione prettamente lattea (L: da 0 a 60 giorni), nel periodo di transizione con contemporanea alimentazione lattea e solida (T: da 61 a 100 giorni), e nel periodo di sola alimentazione solida (S: da 100 a 300 giorni di età). I risultati hanno evidenziato alcune modificazioni del profilo energetico, dovute alle variazioni della fisiologia digestiva. In particolare, la glicemia si è ridotta nel passaggio dalla fase L a quella S (P < 0,01). Il medesimo andamento è stato osservato per la colesterolemia e la concentrazione sierica di trigliceri...

The present work aims to evaluate milk production aptitude of two equid species: horse and donkey... more The present work aims to evaluate milk production aptitude of two equid species: horse and donkey. The trial was conducted on the Italian Heavy Draught breed horse (IHDH) and on the Martina Franca breed donkey. Data were collected from 23 multiparous nursing IHDH mares aged from 6 to 10 years, with an average bodyweight (BW) (mean ± s.d.) of 822.3 ± 61.8 kg and from 28 multiparous nursing donkeys of Martina Franca breed aged from 7 to 12 years, with an average BW (mean ± s.d.) of 389.5 ± 21.2 kg. Milk yield was recorded on 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165 and 180 days in milk (DIM). At each milk yield evaluation day, a milk sample was collected and its composition was analysed. All data were normalised according metabolic weight (MBW) of animals, so to make comparable results of the two considered species. Wood’s lactation model was used to describe milk, fat, protein and lactose yield. Peak lactation was reached on DIM 69 in IHDH horse and on DIM 48 in Martina Franca...

... Abstract (English), In this work we report observations carried out in a standardbred trotter... more ... Abstract (English), In this work we report observations carried out in a standardbred trotter stable, where we registered a high incidence rate of ... Questo contributo sottolinea l'importanza del calcio nella nutrizione dei trottatori in attività. AGRIS 2011 - FAO of the United Nations. ...

Equine Veterinary Journal

BACKGROUND Catecholamines are among the most frequently investigated parameters for studying symp... more BACKGROUND Catecholamines are among the most frequently investigated parameters for studying sympathoadrenal activity in response to stress conditions. OBJECTIVES To evaluate basal plasma concentrations of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) in healthy donkeys. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS Catecholamine concentrations from 440 Martina Franca donkeys were determined: 269 females and 171 entire males, aged from 4 months to 24 years. Animals were subdivided into four age categories: under 12 months old (64 males and 54 females), from 13 to 36 months (56 males and 75 females), from 37 to 120 months (49 males and 80 females) and over 120 months (24 males and 38 females). Indwelling jugular catheters were inserted at least 12 h before drawing blood. The data set was subjected to analysis of variance considering age, sex and the two-way interaction between them as independent variables. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the three catecholamines were evaluated. RESULTS Confidence intervals (CI) for noradrenaline concentration ranged between 239.98 and 255.07 ng/L (mean 247.52 ng/L), for adrenaline between 129.27 and 137.90 ng/L (mean 133.59 ng/L), dopamine concentrations between 149.62 and 160.80 ng/L (mean 155.21 ng/L) and noradrenaline/adrenaline ratio between 1.91 and 2.05 (mean 1.98). Catecholamine plasma concentrations were not influenced by sex. Donkeys older than 37 months had lower adrenaline and noradrenaline plasma concentrations (P<0.001) and higher noradrenaline/adrenaline ratios (P<0.01) than younger animals. MAIN LIMITATIONS Indwelling catheters and blood drawing procedures may have influenced catecholamine levels. CONCLUSIONS Catecholamine concentrations were established within a large group of healthy Martina Franca donkeys.

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Animal Production Science

Context The inclusion of Pinus taeda hydrolysed lignin (PTHL) in beef diets could improve quality... more Context The inclusion of Pinus taeda hydrolysed lignin (PTHL) in beef diets could improve quality and stability of meat, but effects could vary through the aging period (AP). Aim The aim was to evaluate the effects of the PTHL inclusion in the diet of finishing beef cattle on meat quality, fatty acid composition and oxidative stability at Days 1, 8, 11 and 15 of aging. Methods Forty Limousin bulls (340 ± 42 kg) were fed ad libitum on a total mixed ration (TMR). The control group received exclusively TMR for 120 days, while the experimental group received the same TMR as the control group but supplemented with PTHL (Oxifenol, I-Green, Padua, Italy; 35 g/day per head at 1–90 days and 70 g/day per head at 91–120 days). Key results Diet did not influence the chemical composition, pH, cooking loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force and hydroperoxide content. The Warner–Bratzler shear force (P < 0.001) decreased, while lightness (P < 0.01) and hydroperoxides (P < 0.001) increased throu...

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercially available herbal prep... more Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercially available herbal preparation (Oxyphenol®, I-Green, Padua, Italy) of Pinus taeda hydrolyzed lignin (PTHL) on beef fattening performance, in vitro rumen apparent digestibility, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and gas production. Forty Limousine steers were randomly divided into two groups of twenty individuals each and reared in two separated pens. The control (CON) group did not receive PTHL whereas the experimental group was supplemented with PTHL (35 g/day for each for the first 90 days of the trial and 70 g/day for each for other 30 days). The data set of in vitro rumen apparent digestibility, VFA and gas production was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the GLM procedure in SAS software (SAS 9.4), considering the dietary treatment and the time as fixed effects. The inclusion of PTHL did not affect slaughter performance, with no differences in live weight at slaughter, daily weight gain and carcass dressing percentage between groups. In addition, the apparent digestibility of nutrients tested (dry matter, organic matter, crude fiber, NDF, crude protein and ether extract) was unaffected both by the dietary treatment and by sampling time. Rumen fluid pH was unaffected both by either dietary treatment or the sampling time, showing mean values ranging from 6.53 to 6.61. The acetate concentration was significantly greater for rumen fluid from PTHL group than in CON one, from 30 to 120 days ( P P P = 0.0188). Total VFA concentration did not show significant differences because of sampling time ( P > 0.05), but the dietary effect induced higher values in PTHL group from 30 to 120 days ( P 4 relative to CON, with lower values from 30 to 120 days compared to day 0 ( P 4 production but did not affect apparent digestibility and live and slaughter performance.