To improve the environmental management and resources, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of adding oyster shell powder to Hanwoo manure on its characteristics and microbial composition during the storage period. Additives were deposited on top of the manure surface at the rate of 0, 0.5, and 1% of oyster shell powder per 200 g of Hanwoo manure in a plastic container with three replicates; however, untreated manure litter served as the control. Manure characteristics (dry matter, organic matter and crude ash) and microbial composition (lactic acid bacteria, yeast, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella, and E.coli) were evaluated at day 0, 2, 4, and 8. Manure characteristics exhibited an effect on dry matter, organic matter, and crude ash at day 2 and 8 (p<0.05), and not for day 0 and 4 (p>0.05). With the exception of yeast content at day 4 of storage, lactic acid bacteria, yeast, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella, and E.coli exhibited no significant differences in all conditions during the storage period. Conclusively, addition of 1% oyster shell powder to Hanwoo manure resulted in slightly better manure characteristics; however, its microbial composition remained unchanged.

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of three types of Chestnut Meals (CM) on chemical composition and rumen fermentation characteristics of the fermented diet. The inoculants consisted of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis, and Sacaromyces cerevisiae and were applied to three different types of CM; Whole Chestnut (WC), endodermis (EN), and kernel (KE). All types of CMs were ensiled at 39°C for 0, 1, 2, 4, or 6 days. After ensiling, the fermented CMs were sub-sampled for laboratory assays. On day six of fermentation, counts of the lactic acid-producing Bacillus subtilis, and yeast were higher (P<0.05) in WC than in the other CM types. On day four, KE had higher (P<0.05) crude protein content but lower (P<0.05) neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents than the other treatments. In terms of rumen digestibility, KE had the highest (P<0.05) in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD), total volatile fatty acid (VFA), propionate, butyrate concentrations, and total gas volume, as well as the lowest (P<0.05) acetate concentration. On the other hand, EN had the highest (P<0.05) pH and ammonia-N concentration in the rumen. In the rumen, even though WC application produced the highest microbial count and fermentation characteristics, it did not have a beneficial effect on rumen digestibility. Therefore, this study concluded that application of KE could be recommended due to the observed improvements in IVDMD and IVNDFD.

This study aimed to estimate the effect of inoculant application level on chemical composition and bacterial count of fermented chestnut meal (FCM), and its rumen fermentation characteristics. The inoculant contained Lactobacillus acidophilus (1.2 x 1010 cfu/g), Bacillus subtilis (2.1 x 1010 cfu/g), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2.3 x 1010 cfu/g). The chestnut meal mixed with molasses, double distilled water, and inoculant at 1 kg, 3 g, 480 mL, and 20 mL ratio for the basal chestnut meal diet. The double distilled water from basal chestnut meal diet was substituted with bacterial inoculant at a level of 0 (Control), 20 (Medium), and 40 mL (High) in the experimental diets. The mixed experimental diets were incubated at 39°C for 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. On 7 days of FCM incubation, the contents of crude protein (CP) (quadratic, P=0.043) and neutral detergent fiber (quadratic, P=0.071) decreased by increases of inoculant application levels, whereas bacterial count (quadratic, P=0.065) and rumen NH3-N (linear, P=0.063) increased. By increases of inoculant application levels on 14 days of FCM incubation, the increases were found on dry matter (DM) (quadratic, P=0.085), CP (quadratic, P=0.059), acid detergent fiber (quadratic, P=0.056), in vitro DM digestibility (linear, P=0.002), rumen total volatile fatty acid (VFA) (linear, P=0.057), and rumen iso-butyrate (linear, P=0.054). However, the decreases were found on bacterial count (linear, P=0.002), propionate (linear, P=0.099), and butyrate (quadratic, P=0.082). On 21 days of FCM incubation, in vitro DM digestibility (linear, P=0.002) and total VFA (linear, P=0.001) increased by increases of inoculant application levels, whereas the contents of CP (quadratic, P=0.034) and neutral detergent fiber (quadratic, P=0.047) decreased. These results indicate that the FCM with a medium level of inoculant application and 14 of fermentation had beneficial effects by increasing DM digestibility and rumen total VFA content, without altering bacterial count.

In this study, the effect of probiotic supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, and meat quality of Hanwoo steer was investigated. A total of 32 Hanwoo steers (15-17 months, average body weight 462±37.9 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% mixed probiotics), with four Hanwoo steers per pen (two replicates per treatments), and reared for 12 months. There were no differences among treatments in growth performance of Hanwoo steer (P>0.05); however, feed intake decreased linearly with increasing levels of mixed probiotics. Growth hormone and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels responded linearly with increasing levels of dietary mixed probiotics (P<0.05), but not insulin and blood glucose did not. In particular, total cholesterol was significantly lower for the 1% mixed probiotic treatment in comparison with that of the other treatments (P<0.05). The pH, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), cooking loss, and meat color were influenced by increasing levels of mixed probiotics (P<0.05), but the carcass characteristics and shear force were not. Regarding sensory evaluation, the addition of mixed probiotics resulted in significant difference in meat color, tenderness, aroma, off-flavor, juiciness, and marbling score, but not in overall acceptability. In addition, fatty acid profiles indicated no differences between control and mixed probiotic treatments. In conclusion, mixed probiotic treatment at 1% levels can enhance consumer preferences possibly by reducing cholesterol and TBARS.

This study aimed to estimate the effects of replacing Mushroom By-Product (MBP) with Tofu By-Product (TBP) on the chemical composition, microbes, and rumen fermentation indices of Fermented Diets (FDs). The basal diet was formulated using MBP, TBP, rice bran, molasses, and inoculants. The MBP in the basal diet was replaced with TBP at 0, 5, and 10% on Dry Matter (DM) basis for the experimental diets. The experimental diets were fermented at 39°C for 144 h. Chemical composition, pH, microbes, and rumen fermentation indices of the FDs were analyzed. With increasing TBP replacement, crude protein content of FDs increased (L, P < 0.001), whereas crude ash content decreased (L, P = 0.002). Lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus subtilis contents in the TBP-replaced FDs were higher than those in the control (P < 0.05), whereas pH level and mold count were lower (P < 0.05). With increasing TBP replacement, in vitro rumen digestibility of DM (L, P = 0.053) and neutral detergent fiber (L, P = 0.024) increased, wheres rumen pH changed (P = 0.026) quadratically. Rumen total volatile fatty acid (L, P = 0.001) and iso-butyrate contents (Q, P = 0.003) increased with increasing TBP replacement. In conclusion, this study indicates that the replacement of MBP with TBP could improve the quality of FD.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of replacing 40% corn meal with three different types of barley (Youngyang, Wooho, and Yuyeon) on the chemical compositions, microbial indices, gas emission, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) content in feces of growing pigs. Sixteen pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an initial average body weight of 71 ± 2 kg were maintained in metabolic cages and randomly allotted to four treatments containing different sources of barley, for 23 days. The treatment with three different barley types replacing 40% ground corn showed no effect (P>0.05) on fecal chemical compositions, microbial indices, gas emission, and VFA. However, some differences (P<0.05) were noted in the chemical compositions of crude fiber and ash, and in the levels of Lactobacillus and Salmonella in the feces of the growing pigs. In conclusion, methane and hydrogen sulfide decreased by replacing 40% corn meal with Youngyang and Wooho barley, respectively.

A total of 16 growing pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc, average weight 71 ± 2 kg) were used in this experiment for 24 days to determine the effect of replacing ground corn with barley varieties on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood metabolites. Each pig was housed individually in a metabolic cage with a nipple waterer and feeder. Four dietary treatments included control (a corn and soybean meal-based diet) and 3 barley varieties (Youngyang, Wooho, or Yuyeon barley replacing 40% of ground corn). Growth performance and nutrient digestibility were not affected by replacement of 40% of ground corn with one of the three barley varieties (p > 0.05), but final body weight was. As for blood characteristics, pig treated with all of the barley treatments had no effect (p > 0.05) on total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), and glucose in comparison with control; however, there was a difference in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels between the control and all of the barley replaced treatment groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, in spite of statistically significant differences, each of the three barley varieties is a suitable substitute for ground corn in the diet of growing and fattening pigs without adverse effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood characteristics.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of mixed probiotics on growth performance and fatty acid profiles of Korean native chicken and to provide information regarding producers. Ninety six Korean native chicken (48 males and 48 females, Hanhyup-3-ho) were allocated to 16 wire cages with 4 treatments, 4 replicates and 6 chicks (3 males and 3 females) per wire cage and fed one of four diets containing 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% mixed probiotics for 6 weeks. There were no differences among treatments in growth performance of Korean native chicken. For fatty acid profiles, no statistically differences in each fatty acid, total saturated fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acids were observed in all treatments. In the present study, irrespective of statistically differences, inclusion of mixed probiotics tended to improve growth performance, reduce saturated fatty acid and increase unsaturated fatty acids in breast muscles from Korean native chicken compared to controls.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotics as manure additives on pathogen, mineral, carbon dioxide and methane emissions in pig slurry as a function of time and provide information about the importance of pig slurry management to pig producers. An experiment was a completely randomized design and four treatments: CON: no treatment (5 kg pig slurry), T1: 5 kg pig slurry + 0.2% bacillus subtilis, T2: 5 kg pig slurry + 0.2% yeast, T3: 5 kg pig slurry + 0.2% actinomycetales. All treatments were replicated three times. The results information that is analyzed includes the following: First, in spite of the lack of statistically significant differences, pH values and carbon dioxide were lowered (P < 0.05) in all probiotic treatments compared with the controls as a function of time. Second, all probiotic treatments had no effect on Salmonella enterica, mineral, and methane emission. The results of this study indicated that addition of 0.2% probiotic to pig slurry resulted in lower pH and carbon dioxide emissions, and carbon dioxide and methane emitted from pig slurry is not listed as noxious gases.

In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation (n = 40 pigs/treatment) with bamboo powder (0, 1, 2 and 3%) for 38 days. We evaluated growth performance, blood metabolites, and carcass characteristics of fattening pigs and gas emission and microbial populations in pig manure, to obtain data on pork producers for environmental management. We obtained the following results. First, supplementation with increasing amounts of bamboo powder had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on feed intake, feed efficiency, and glucose contents (except for initial and final body weight, weight gain, carcass characteristics, and blood urea nitrogen). In terms of blood metabolites, glucose and blood urea nitrogen tended to decrease with increasing amounts of bamboo powder. Second, the amounts of ammonia, methane, amine, hydrogen sulfide, and acetic acid were reduced by increasing amounts of bamboo powder when compared with the controls (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in pH, propionic acid, iso-butyric acid, butyric acid, iso-valeric acid, and valeric acid among all treatments. The lowest gas emission was observed when 3% bamboo powder was used. Third, supplementation with increasing amounts of bamboo powder tended (P < 0.05) to increase the total number of bacteria, Lactobacillus spp., and yeast, but E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp. were not detected in any treatment. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that supplementation with bamboo powder was effective in reducing gas emission and inhibiting pathogen populations in pig manure by lowering the pH of the manure.

The effects of probiotic additions to feed and manure on temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Hanwoo manure during summer (4 weeks) were evaluated. Fifteen Hanwoo (24-mo-old, 580 ± 20 kg) were housed in individual pens (5 × 8 m) and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (n = 5 cattle per treatment). Hanwoo were fed experimental rations as follows: control (10 kg roughage + 2 kg concentrate); T1 (10 kg roughage + 2 kg concentrate, 2% probiotics on as-fed basis); and T2 (10 kg roughage + 2 kg concentrate, 2% probiotics on as-fed basis + 7 kg probiotics as top-dressing on the surface of Hanwoo manure). In comparison to the control, the addition of probiotics to feed or feed and manure had an effect (P < 0.05) on temperature and humidity over the 4 weeks, except for humidity at 0 weeks. The only significant difference (P < 0.05) observed in CO2 emission was among all treatments at 3 and 4 weeks (but not at 0 through 2 weeks). These results indicated that use of probiotics as feed and manure additives did not have a significant effect on environmental parameters.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of applying alum (aluminum sulfate) and aluminum chloride on pH and pathogen populations of Hanwoo manure. A total of 36 steers (8 months old and averaging 300 kg in weight) were used in this trial and allotted to 9 pens (3 replication pens per group with 4 steers per experimental unit, 5 x 8 m). Chemical additives were applied as a top dressing with garden rake to a depth of 1 cm of manure with wood shavings in each treatment. The chemical amendments were control (without chemical amendments), 50 g of alum and 50 g of aluminum chloride/kg of Hanwoo manure. The experiment was carried out for 4 weeks. Adding alum and aluminum chloride to Hanwoo manure reduced (P < 0.05) pH compared to untreated controls during the 4-wk period. Both levels of the alum and aluminum chloride treatments tested decreased (P < 0.05) Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica populations in Hanwoo manure at 2 and 4 weeks. It appears that the reduction in pathogen populations was primarily associated with the lower manure pH. If more strict environmental regulations are put into effect regarding pathogen populations from Hanwoo facilities, treating Hanwoo manure with alum and aluminum chloride may be a good management practice.