Uttra Jamikorn’s research while affiliated with Chulalongkorn University and other places

The study was conducted to investigate an antioxidant and acidifier properties of Roselle in fattening pigs. Twenty crossbred pigs were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 5 replicates. Four diets were calculated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous: control diet, control diet supplemented with antibiotic (Chlortetracycline) 50 mg/kg or acidifier (Fra® Acid Dry) 4 g/kg and diet containing Roselle calyx powder at the level of 40 g/kg. Pigs were raised in individual concrete pen and received diet ad libitum for 8 weeks. Body weight, feed intake, blood constituent and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in two consecutive periods at 4th and 8th week. Fecal content was collected at the end of the experiment to determine the coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD). The blood constituent data was not significant difference (p>0.05) but the neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio was more likely high in both periods. TBARS value was not differed (p>0.05) among treatments. Roselle had the highest CATTD value of ether extract and significant difference from the others (p<0.05). Roselle also gave the highest CATTD value of phosphorous when compared to control and acidifier (p<0.05) but was not significantly different with antibiotic (p>0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significant differences among treatment groups in the second period (p<0.05) and the best FCR was Roselle group but not significant difference when compared to control and antibiotic. The result implied that Roselle at the level of 40 g/kg could not clearly show neither antioxidant nor acidifier properties in fattening pigs.

There are two form of Zn supplement used in commercial dog foods, organic and inorganic forms. These forms can influence Zn absorption and utilization of the animals. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the effects of zinc methionylglycinate (ZnMG) compared to zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) supplementations in commercial dog foods on haircoat characteristics, and Zn concentration in plasma, hair, and stool of the dogs. Eight mature female beagles were randomly divided into two groups of four dogs each. A Cross-over design was used for this study. The treatments composed of 120 ppm Zn supplement of either ZnMG or ZnSO4. A commercial dry dog food formulated with no Zn supplementation (only from raw materials) was used as the basal diet. Each experimental period lasted 5 wk with the first 2 wk as adaptation period and the last 3 wk as time of Zn supplement. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of serum ALP activity and plasma Zn concentration. Hair was shaved and used to analyze for Zn deposition. Haircoat characteristics were determined under electron microscope. The dogs supplemented with ZnMG had greater hair growth rate, level of Zn deposition in hair, serum ALP activity, amount of Zn absorption (p<0.05), and plasma Zn concentration (p<0.10). The hair of the dogs received ZnMG supplement appeared to be smoother and lesser fragmented than the dogs received ZnSO4 supplement. In conclusion, the organic Zn as ZnMG was found to be the form that could enhance the haircoat characteristics and suitable for supplementation into the commercial dry dog foods.

Eight adult female dogs (18.2±0.4kg) were used in an experiment to determine the feeding value of soyabean meal (SBM) in a complete food fed to dogs. All foods contained graded concentrations of SBM (151–461g/kg dry matter (DM)) resulting in foods that were 100, 150, 200 and 250g/kg crude protein (CP). Daily dry matter intake averaged 296±10g per day. An increase in SBM resulted in a decrease in fecal moisture from 389 to 265g/kg (linear; P

Eight mature female dogs (18.0 +/- 0.2 kg) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square experiment to determine the feeding value of low-ash poultry meal (PM) in a complete food fed to dogs. All foods contained graded concentrations of PM (10.4 to 32.5% DM), resulting in foods that were 10, 15, 20, and 25% CP. Daily DMI averaged 284 +/- 14 g/d. An increase in PM resulted in an increase in fecal moisture from 44.7 to 55.1% (linear; P < 0.01), and fecal DM output increased from 24.8 to 31.6 g/d (linear; P < 0.05). Ileal DM flow increased from 27.1 to 40.7 g/d (linear; P < 0.01). Small intestinal DM digestibility decreased from 90.4 to 86.1% (linear; P < 0.01) and total-tract DM digestibility decreased from 91.2 to 89.4% (linear; P < 0.01) as PM increased. Large intestinal DM digestibility increased from 8.4 to 21.1% with increasing PM (linear; P < 0.05). Fecal excretion of CP increased from 5.6 to 10.0 g/d (linear; P < 0.01) and ileal flow of CP increased from 6.9 to 15.6 g/d (linear; P < 0.01) as PM increased. Small intestinal CP digestibility was unaffected with treatment (P > 0.05). Large intestinal CP digestibility increased from 21.6 to 37.1% (linear; P < 0.05) with increasing PM. Total-tract CP digestibility increased from 81.0 to 86.6% (linear; P < 0.01) as PM increased. Arginine had the highest overall digestibility ranging from 88.5 to 91.3%, whereas cysteine had the lowest digestibility, ranging from 67.1 to 71.4%. These data indicate that PM is a highly digestible protein source for canine foods with inclusions of 10.4 to 32.5% of DM.