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National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
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ThesisItem Open Access INCLUSION OF TASTE AND AROMA IN THE TOTAL MIXED RATION AND THEIR EFFECT ON DIETARY PREFERENCE AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CALVES(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2023) NALIYAPARA HARDIKKUMAR BHUPATBHAI; RAMAN MALIKThe present investigation was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of taste and aroma in the total mixed ration (TMR) and their effects on dietary preference and growth performance of calves. The study was divided into two phases. In Phase 1, three different levels of five tastes and five artificial feed aromas were added in paddy straw-based TMR’s and their effects on dietary preference and feed intake of growing KF calves were studied using a sequential elimination trial. Tastes include sweet (sucrose), umami (MSG), salty (NaCl), bitter (urea) and sour (citric acid). Whereas aromas include lacto-vanilla, maize, guar korma, green grass and silage. At inclusion level 1, TMR was mixed with i. Sucrose, ii. MSG, iii. Sodium chloride, iv. Urea, and v. Citric acid at rates of 50, 10, 15, 5 and 10 g/kg DM, respectively. However, rate of artificial feed aromas inclusion was 2.5 g/kg DM. Ingredient dose rates for tastes and feed aroma were further increased by 25% and 50%, respectively, at inclusion levels 2 and 3. All taste ingredients and feed aromas were dissolved in water and sprayed on paddy straw-based TMR (the ratio of roughage to concentrate was 70:30). For the animal trial, six healthy growing KF calves were selected and each kept in an individual pen. The sequential elimination trial was conducted in five slots. The duration of slots 1,2,3,4 and 5 was six, five, four, three, and two days, respectively. During the sequential elimination trial on tastes, six paddy straw-based TMR’s were offered to each calf, in which five TMR had a different taste and one was without taste. After completing slot 1 of six days, the most preferred diet with the highest DMI was eliminated. Likewise, the remaining five feed was fed for five days in 2nd slot, four feed was fed for four days in 3rd slot, three feed was fed for three days in 4th slot and two feed was fed for two days in 5th slot. The same trial was conducted for three different levels of inclusions of aroma. It was found that among the taste, sweet was the most preferred (p<0.01) taste, followed by umami, salty, bitter, sour and control. While, in inclusion level 3, DMI (kg/100kg BW; g/kg BW0.75) was decreased (p<0.01) and TMR without taste was more preferred than sour and salty in the 4th and 5th slot. Among the feed aromas, preference ranking, lacto-vanilla and maize were comparable, followed by guar korma, green grass, silage and control. In contrast, the level of aroma inclusion did not affect the DMI (kg/100kg BW; g/kg BW0.75). In Phase 2, a growth trial on 24 healthy KF calves was conducted to know the effects of the inclusion of sucrose as a sweet taste and lacto-vanilla aroma on feed intake, digestibility, blood biochemical parameters, and growth performance of animals. The selected animals were divided into four treatment groups based on their body weight. Each group had six animals. T1 was kept as a control, T2 was fed TMR having additional 62.5 g sucrose per kg DM, T3 was fed TMR by adding 3.125 g lacto-vanilla aroma per kg DM, and T4 was fed TMR with the combination of both sucrose and lactovanilla. The study revealed that net weight gain and average daily weight gain were higher (p<0.001) in the taste and aroma-supplemented groups. Significantly higher dry matter intake (kg/100kg BW; g/kg BW0.75) was observed in T2 and T4 groups, and DMI in T3 was at par with other groups. At the same time, digestibility and nitrogen balance were not affected by the taste and aroma supplementation. Significantly higher (p<0.01) ghrelin concentration in blood plasma was observed at 0 hr before and 4 hr after feeding, whereas leptin concentration was increased (p<0.01) 2 hours after feeding. Glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin level did not differ significantly among the groups. Creatinine, BUN, AST and ALT level were found within the normal range and also did not differ significantly among the groups.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SILICON SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE MINERAL METABOLISM AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN CALVES(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2023) LAMELLA OJHA; Raman MalikThe present study was carried out to see the effect of silicon supplementation on the mineral metabolism and growth performance in calves. The study was conducted in two phases. In the phase first, determined the silicon (Si) content of various feeds and fodders and analyzed their bioaccessibility (%) and also estimated the solubility (%) of 4 different Si containing salts at different pH. Results showed that dry as well as green fodders contained more silicon than concentrate feedstuffs, however, the highest percentage of bioaccessibility was seen in grains and grain by-products followed by unconventional feedstuffs and forages. The mean solubility was significantly higher for orthosilicic acid and the lower values were observed for sodium zeolite A while metasilicate and tetraethyl orthosilicate are intermediate. In 2nd phase two animal trials (pre ruminant and ruminant) were conducted in Karan Fries calves. In 1st animal trial, 24 calves (5-7 day) were selected on the basis of their BW and divided into 4 groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4) and fed as per ICAR (2013) feeding standards except that these were additionally supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm (as orthosilicic acid) in four respective groups for 90 days. Results revealed that growth performance, DMI were significantly increased in T2, T3 and T4 groups, whereas DMI (% BW), nutrient utilization, digestibility coefficient, N and minerals balance (P, Mg, Zn,Cu, Mn and Fe), haemato-biochemical parameters, immune response and antioxidant profiles were not altered due to Si supplementation. Silicon increased the balance as well as plasma levels of Si, Ca and B, concentration of plasma growth hormone, vitamin D3, bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in T3 and T4 groups, but the levels of calcitonin, PTH and hydroxyproline were remain similar among all the groups. Thus, the inclusion of 100 and 150 ppm of Si was effective in improving the growth performance, mineral balance (Ca and B), growth hormone, vitamin D3 and bone health status in pre ruminant calves. In trial second, 24 calves (3.5 months) were randomly distributed in 4 groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4) and fed basal diet as per ICAR (2013) feeding standards. Silicon was additionally supplemented with 50, 100 and 150 ppm in T2, T3 and T4 groups for 120 days. Results revealed that BW, DMI, nutrient utilization, digestibility coefficient, N and minerals balance (P, Mg, Zn,Cu, Mn and Fe), haematobiochemical parameters, immunity, antioxidant status and hormonal profile were not influenced due to Si supplementation. However, Si increased the balance and plasma Si, Ca and B concentration, plasma levels of bone biomarkers (BALP and osteocalcin) in T3 and T4 groups, but hydroxyproline levels was not altered among all the groups. The results indicated that supplementation of Si at 100 and 150 ppm had increase the mineral balance (Ca and B) and bone biomarkers in ruminant calves. However, supplementation of 150 ppm had no additional benefit, therefore 100 ppm is the optimum level of Si supplementation, particularly in both pre-ruminant and ruminant calves.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SODIUM BICARBONATE AND MAGNESIUM OXIDE ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF EARLY LACTATING CROSS BRED COWS(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) SHANMUGASUNDARAM, M.; GOUTAM MONDALThe present study was conducted to analyze the effect of various levels of sodium bicarbonate and magnesium on production performance of early lactating crossbred cows. The study was carried out in phase 1(In vitro) and phase 2 (in vivo). In phase, graded levels of sodium bicarbonate (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 %) and combination of sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 %) (68:32) on rumen fermentation parameters were observed in 50:50 and 60: 40 roughages to concentrate ratio (R:C) substrates. All the rumen fermentation parameters (IVDMD, IVOMD, pH, NH3-N, acetate, propionate, butyrate, net gas, MBP) were similar among the groups. In phase 2, eighteen lactating cross bred cows were selected and divided into three groups, i.e., control, T1 and T2 based on parity, milk production, body weight and DIM. Each group had six animals and they were fed as per ICAR, (2013) feeding standard. T1 and T2 groups were additionally supplemented with sodium bicarbonate @ 1.5% dry matter and sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide (68:32) @ 1% of dry matter respectively. Feeding trial was conducted for 120 days. Blood samples were collected from experimental animals at monthly intervals for the analysis of plasma minerals, plasma biochemical parameters, and plasma IGF-1. Blood gas analysis was performed with whole blood at 90 and 120 days of the trial. Seven days digestion trial was conducted in middle of the experiment. In phase II, body weight and BCS values were similar in all groups. Overall dry matter intake increased significantly (p<0.05) in treatment groups than control group but DMI/ 100 kg body weight mean values were similar. Blood biochemical parameters (glucose, total protein, albumin, ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine, triglyceride, cholesterol, NEFA and BHBA) were similar in all groups. No noticeable difference was found in IGF-1 levels due to dietary treatments. Milk yield and 4% FCM yield were higher (p<0.05) due to dietary buffer treatments. Milk fat percentage in the treatment group is higher (p<0.05) than control group. On other hand, milk lactose, SNF and protein percentage were similar in all experimental groups. Nutrient (DM, OM, CP, CF, ADF, NDF and NFE) digestibility remained the same in all the experimental groups. Urine pH significantly higher (p<0.01) in treatment groups than control group but fecal pH was similar among experimental groups. Blood pH was higher (p<0.01) in treatment groups due to buffer inclusion. However, between T1 and T2 no difference found. Blood bicarbonate concentration increased in 1.5% sodium bicarbonate fed (T1) group than control and T2 groups. Plasma sodium (mmol/L) increased (p<0.01) in T1 and T2 than control. Plasma Ca, P, K, Mg, Cl-, Cu, Zn values were similar among experimental groups. Saturated fatty acid percentage increased (p<0.05) in treatment groups but mono unsaturated fatty acid percentage lower (p<0.05) treatment groups than control groups. Mono unsaturated fatty acids were similar among experimental groups. Saturated fatty acids like myristic, pentadecanoic, palmitic acid percentage increased (p<0.05) in treatment groups than control group. Mono unsaturated fatty acid like palmitoleic acid percentage decreased in both the treatment groups. But, Cis-9 Oleic acid (C18:1) significantly decreased in T1 group only not in T2. Based on the results, it may be concluded that 1.5 % of sodium bicarbonate in the ration of early lactating crossbred cows and sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide (68:32) combination 1.0% of the dry matter inclusion improved DMI without affecting digestibility of nutrients. Supplementation of sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide increased Na+ and HCO3 - level in blood and urine pH while all the parameters remained same milk yield and fat percentage increase in the treatment groups than control group without affecting other composition of milk.ThesisItem Open Access ELUCIDATING THE VARIATIONS IN ENTERIC METHANE EMISSION, NUTRIENT UTILIZATION AND MICROBIAL PROTEIN SYNTHESIS ININDIGENEOUS AND CROSSBRED DAIRY CATTLE(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2023) VIBHOR AGRAWAL; NITIN TYAGITo determine the difference between indigenous and crossbred cattle under a similar environment and feeding regimen, 24-hour enteric methane production, diurnal variation in methane emission, nutrient utilization, and microbial crude protein (MCP) were estimated in native Sahiwal and composite Karan-Fries cattle. Totaling 16 animals, 8 of each breed, with almost similar parity and days in milk, they were divided into two groups with a mean body weight of 390.95 and 423 kg, respectively. Animals of both breeds were fed a conventional diet containing green fodder, wheat straw, and concentrate in a 50:45:5 ratio for 75 days, followed by a 7-day digestion trial. During this time, gas emitted by animals was collected and stored in canisters for 12 hours. Separate day and night readings in methane emission were taken in the morning (before feeding) and evening (after feeding) for 7 days in a row using the SF6 tracer technique. Two gas samples from each animal during the morning and evening were collected to estimate the diurnal variation in CH4 output. In between digestion trials, spot urine samples from each animal were collected after 2 to 3 hours of feeding and were analyzed for purine derivatives to estimate MCP. DMI and nutrient intake, in terms of per 100 kg BW, and per kg W0.75, were significantly (P<0.01) higher in Karan-Fries. The digestibility coefficients of DM% (64.33 and 62.65) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Sahiwal than Karan-Fries. Day (87.34 and 61.70 g/d), night (76.23 and 54.11 g/d), and total 24-hour methane (163.58 and 115.81 g/d) methane levels were higher (P<0.01) in Karan-Fries, while the ratio of Max/Min value (absolute diurnal variation) and % of day to night variation were nonsignificant. A linear regression of all data revealed a strong linear relationship between methane production g/d and DMI kg/d (R2 = 0.984) and NDFI/100Kg BW (R2 = 0.816), whereas MCP (g/d) showed a negative moderate regression (R2=0.68). Methane g/kg DDMI (21.38 and 19.94) and CH4 g/Kg FPCM (18.92 and 12.51) were significantly (P<0.05) lower in Karan-Fries than Sahiwal. In Karan-Fries, the % methane energy loss per GEI (3.95 and 3.62) was significantly (P<0.05) lower than Sahiwal. MCP was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Karan-Fries (590.04 g/d) than Sahiwal (753.75 g/d), while in terms of g/DOMI Kg (125.41 vs. 110.39), a reverse trend was observed. Feed conversion efficiency in terms of FPCM/CPI (6.37 and 7.46) and FPCM/DE (0.24 and 0.28 Kg/Mcal) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Karan-Fries than Sahiwal.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION OF NANO COPPER ON NUTRIENT UTILIZATION, GROWTH AND BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN KARAN FRIES CALVES(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) VIKAS VERMA; CHANDER DATTThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of nano-Cu (pure) supplementation on nutrient utilization, growth and blood biochemical parameters in Karan Fries calves. Twenty-five Karan Fries calves were selected from the Livestock Research Centre of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal and divided into 5 groups of 5 animals each based on their body weight and age in a randomized block design. All the animals were fed a basal diet as per nutrient requirements (ICAR, 2013). However, the animals in groups T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were supplemented with 0, 10 (CuSO4), 1, 5 and 10 ppm (nano-Cu) Cu, respectively. Concentrate mixture and maize fodder were supplied in the ration in ratio of 40: 60 (DM basis) to all the animals. Daily DM intake and fortnightly body weights were recorded in the morning before offering feed and water. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days of experimental day and analyzed for haematological parameters, liver enzymes, minerals, antioxidants and immunity (FRAP activity). A 8-day metabolic trial was conducted at the end of the feeding trial to find out the digestibility of nutrients, N and mineral balances. The dietary concentration of Cu was 8.38, 20.07, 9.62, 13.92 and 18.86 ppm in groups T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. Supplementation with Cu at different levels had no effect on fortnightly body weights, average daily gain, DM intake and feed conversion ratio. Diet supplemented with 10 ppm Cu (CuSO4), 1, 5, and 10 ppm (nano-Cu) had no significant effect on the digestibility of DM, CP, NDF and ADF. The apparent absorption of Cu in nano-Cu supplemented groups was higher (P<0.05) than other groups. Dietary supplementation of inorganic Cu and nano Cu did not exert any effect on the absorption of Zn, however, Fe absorption was higher (P<0.05) in all Cu supplemented groups. After supplementation of CuSO4 or nano-Cu, blood Cu and Fe concentration were higher (P<0.01). The effect of CuSO4 was lesser than that of the nano-Cu group at the similar level of supplementation. Copper supplementation increased (P<0.01) Hb, RBC and PCV levels and antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) when supplemented at the level of CuSO4 (10 ppm) and nano-Cu (5 and 10 ppm). Hence, 10 ppm of supplementary inorganic Cu could be replaced by 5 ppm of nano-Cu without affecting feed intake, nutrient utilization and blood profile in Karan Fries calves receiving basal diet containing 8.38 ppm Cu.ThesisItem Open Access ROLE OF ARTEMISIA PLANT EXTRACT ON METHANE MITIGATION IN SAHIWAL CALVES(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) ANKIT KUMAR; GOUTAM MONDALLivestock contributes in the food sources and provides livelihood to marginal farmers but the methane emissions the major drawback in the form of contribution in greenhouse gases and increment in global warming. Now a day researchers are looking forward to using the different plant secondary metabolites, chemical additives and essential oils. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Artemisia annua essential oil @ 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 ppm in various roughage to concentrate ratio (50R:50C, 60R:40C, 70R:30C) under in vitro conditions and based on the results, the two best doses 50 ppm and 100 ppm were selected and used under in vivo condition in male Sahiwal calves to evaluate the nutrient utilization and methane emission. Under in vitro condition, inclusion of Artemisia annua EO, the total gas in 50R:50C (175.48±0.37) TMR ratio was higher (P<0.005) than other ratios with 50 ppm (161.80±0.7) and 100 ppm (161.16±0.74). In 50R:50C and 60R:40C ratio, the methane (%) was lower (P<0.005) (16.04±0.5 and 15.32± 0.54) and it was also reduced by 20.90% and 27.31% at 50 and 100 ppm dose. The IVDMD (%) was higher (P<0.005) in 60R:40C (59.05±0.33) than other ratios with 50 ppm and 100 ppm doses (57.25±0.71 and 57.65±0.08) respectively. The IVOMD (%) was higher (P<0.005) in 60R:40C (62.58± 0.33) ration than other ratios with 50 ppm and 100 ppm doses (61.81±0.71 and 61.63±0.08 respectively). Ammonia nitrogen lower (P<0.05) in 60R:40C TMR ratio (7.25±0.36) thane other ratios with 50 ppm (7.60±0.32), 100 ppm (8.08±0.8) and control (8.00±0.25) dose. The A: P was lower (P<0.05) in 50R:50C TMR ratio (2.63±0.02) than other ratios with control (3.34±0.14), 100 ppm (3.65±0.16) and 250 ppm (3.63± 0.27) doses. Based on the in vitro experiment results, 50 ppm and 100 ppm dose rate was selected for in vivo study. Under in vivo trial, 15 male Sahiwal calves ( divided into 3 groups: control, T1(50 ppm) and T2 (100 ppm)) were selected for the period of 70 days trial in which at the end of the trial, 7 days of metabolic trial and 7 days of SF6 trial were conducted with 5 successful collections. The body weight (128.8±11.2, 134.9±8.0 and 131±12.2), average daily gain (0.44±0.03, 0.50±0.02 and 0.46±0.03), DMI in kg/d (3.14±0.11, 3.26±0.18 and 2.82±0.16), FCR (7.44±0.75, 6.61±0.42 and 6.50±0.53) was similar in all three groups and the digestibility coefficients (of DM (%) were 61.26±0.93, 62.75±0.33 and 60.73±0.94), and nitrogen balance (19.72±1.73, 19.42±0.67, and 19.46±1.44 (g/d)) also similar in all groups. Methane (g/d) was higher (P<0.005) in C (108.34±2.98) which decreased (P<0.05) to 93.86±0.26 in T1 (by13.36 %) and 95.60±1.57 in T2 (by 10.83%). Methane (g/kg DMI) was lower (P<0.05) in T1 and T2 (23.55 ±0.33 and 24.89±0.35) as compared to the C (28.90±0.87) and were decreased by 18.52 % in T1 and 14.18% in T2 as compared to control group. Thus, this study indicates that the different inclusion level of the Artemisia annua EO with various R: C ratios modulate the fermentation parameters positively under in vitro conditions and addition of 60R:40C TMR with @50 ppm and 100 ppm shown the positive effect in decreasing enteric methane emission without changing nutrient utilization and body weight changes/gain in Sahiwal calves.ThesisItem Open Access INCLUSION OF FLAVOUR IN MUSTARD CAKE BASED DIET AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FEED INTAKE AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF SAHIWAL CALVES(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) AJIT JAIN; RAMAN MALIKThe present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of inclusion of flavour in mustard cake based diet on feed intake, growth performance, digestibility and blood metabolites of Sahiwal calves by conducting growth trial for 90 days. Twenty four healthy growing Sahiwal calves (about six to ten months-old) were selected and divided randomly into four groups on the basis of body weight having six animals in each group namely Treatment 1 (T1), Treatment 2 (T2), Treatment 3 (T3) and Treatment 4 (T4). Animals in all groups were fed individually as per feeding schedule followed in NDRI, Karnal with Total mixed ration (TMR) to meet the requirement for both maintenance and growth as per ICAR 2013. The experimental animals allocated to treatment 1 were fed with control diet containing 0% mustard cake in concentrate, whereas the animals allocated to T2, T3 and T4 treatment groups were fed with diet containing concentrate with protein source replaced with mustard cake at 50%, 75% and 100% levels, respectively. T2, T3, and T4 group, were supplemented with Lactovanilla flavour at of 2.5 g/kg DMI/d whereas the control group (T1) received no flavour supplementation. Blood samples were collected on monthly interval at 0, 30th, 60th and 90th day of experiment for evaluating blood biochemical parameters and hormones and digestibility trail of 7 days was conducted on last fortnight of the experiment. The study revealed that significantly higher (P<0.05) average DMI (kg/100 kg BW) was observed in T2 (3.17±0.07) and T3 (3.20±0.10) groups compared to T1 (2.73±0.14). Average daily body weight gain (g/d/calf) were 498.70±18.51, 537.30±10.54, 559.43±15.44 and 518.70±13.35 in T1, T2, T3 and T4 groups, respectively. Average daily body weight gain (g/d/calf) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 group as compared with T1 group. However, there was no significant difference between the treatment groups T2 and T4. Feed conversion ratio (kg DMI/kg live weight gain) were unaffected due to inclusion of flavour, but marginally higher FCR were observed in T2 group. Blood glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, ALT, AST and IGF-1 were similar among all four treatments. Significantly higher (P<0.05) DM(kg/100 kg BW/d), CP(kg/100 kg BW/d) and TDN(kg/100 kg BW/d) intake were observed in T2 and T3 groups compared to T1 group. Digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF were unaffected due to inclusion of flavour. It can be concluded that addition of flavour in mustard cake based diet had a positive impact on feed intake, growth performance but did not affect blood profiles of growing Sahiwal calves.ThesisItem Open Access PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF CO-ENCAPSULATED PROBIOTICS IN PREBIOTIC MATRIX(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) YASH PARSANA; SACHIN KUMARThe present research work was carried out with the aim of preparation of probiotic microcapsules, in order to study the effects of simulated gastrointestinal conditions on their viability, and evaluation of probiotic potential with respect to antimicrobial activity and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. L. reuteri SW-23 and L. salivarius RBL-50, previously isolated and characterized for probiotic potential were selected for this work. The following five groups were designed for this study: control (free probiotic cells), T1 (alginate coated probiotics), T2 (inulin incorporated-alginate coated probiotics), T3 (alginate-chitosan coated probiotics), and T4 (inulin incorporated-alginate-chitosan coated probiotics). Both the probiotic strains were encapsulated separately using the extrusion technique of microencapsulation. The size of the microcapsules was largest in T4, followed by T3, T2, and T1 (p<0.05). The highest encapsulation efficiency was reported in T3, followed by T1, T4, and T2 (p<0.05). At the end of sequential exposure to simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), T4 maintained the highest probiotic viability, followed by T3, T2, T1, and control (p<0.05). The production of exopolysaccharide (EPS) was found to be similar in all the groups (p>0.05). The antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens S. typhi, S. arizonae, and E. coli was also not influenced by any treatments and a similar inhibition zone was reported in the case of all the groups (p>0.05). The activity of the enzyme beta-galactosidase after exposure to gastrointestinal conditions was found to be highest in control, followed by T1, T2, T3, and T4 (p<0.05). Overall, the results concluded that compared to unencapsulated free cells, encapsulation of probiotics was highly effective in providing protection to the entrapped cells against the harsh gastrointestinal environment without altering their metabolic and functional activities. The best result was observed in alginate-chitosan-coated probiotic microcapsules co-encapsulated with the prebiotic inulin, with the successful delivery of the probiotic cells at a recommended dose at the colonic target site.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF MICROENCAPSULATED AND NON-ENCAPSULATED PROBIOTICS ON GUT HEALTH AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN INDIGENOUS CATTLE CALVES(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) MANISH YADAV; SACHIN KUMARThe present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of microencapsulated and nonencapsulated probiotics on gut health, growth performance, antioxidant status and immune response in indigenous cattle calves. The viable strain of Limosilactobacillus reuteri SW-23 was used for the preparation of the different products. To compare the efficacy of probiotic products, twenty-four (5-7 days old) neonatal calves were randomly assigned into four groups, with 6 calves in each group for 60 days of experimental study. Groups were as follows; Control (C), fed only milk and basal diet (without supplementation), and treatment groups, supplemented with non-encapsulated (T1), air dried microencapsulated (T2) and lyophilized microencapsulated probiotic (T3) at 108 colony-forming units/head/day. Results revealed that dietary supplementation of probiotics significantly increased (p<0.05) body weight gain (kg), average daily gain (ADG, g/d), dry matter intake (DMI, g/d), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), and structural growth measurements as compared than control. Furthermore, there was no effect on the apparent digestibility of nutrients. Supplementation of probiotics significantly reduced the faecal consistency index, faecal pH, moisture which reduces the incidence of diarrhoea. Moreover, faecal metabolites like ammonia levels were significantly reduced in probiotic fed group in comparison to the control with a concomitant increase in faecal lactate concentration. However, there was an increase (p<0.05) in the concentrations of acetate and propionate in the probiotic-fed groups while butyrate remained similar (p> 0.05) in all groups. Faecal counts (log10CFU/g of fresh faeces) of Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the probiotic-fed groups in comparison to the control (C), with a concomitant reduction in the pathobionts like E. coli and clostridial counts. Other than this, immune response (cell-mediated immunity based on PHA-P antigen and Humoral immunity by chicken RBC) and superoxide dismutase were significantly (p<0.05) increased in supplemented groups as compared to control (C) while Catalase and glutathione peroxidase remained similar (p>0.05) in all groups. Upon comparative analysis, the results were found to be better in lyophilised and microencapsulated probiotics in comparison to nonencapsulated and control groups. Based on the present study findings, it can be concluded that supplementation of probiotics conferred multiple health benefits on neonatal calves including improved performance, enhanced gut health, and reduced diarrheal episodes.
