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Volume 16 (4); July 2026
Research Paper
Effect of bentonite-ginger combination on Ouled Djellal ewes’ productivity in periparturient physiological stage
Smaili A, Kaboul N, Yousfi M and Rekik F.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(4): 198-205, 2026; pii: S222877012600024-16
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.24
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with a combination of 5% bentonite (clay) and 2% ginger on the productive performance of Ouled Djellal ewes during the periparturient period, from eight weeks before lambing to twelve weeks after lambing. Twelve clinically healthy Ouled Djellal ewes, with a mean age of 3.75±1.22 years, an average body weight of 67.50±8.63 kg, and a mean body conditions score (BCS) of 2.54±0.54 were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 6 per group). Both groups received a basal diet consisting of alfalfa hay and wheat straw ad libitum supplemented with concentrate. The control group received the basal concentrate without additives, whereas the experimental group received concentrates supplemented with 5% bentonite and 2% ginger. The experiment was conducted at the demonstration station of the Technical Institute of Livestock Breeding, Ain M'lila, Algeria. The results showed that no statistical significant differences were observed in body condition score between the two groups throughout the experimental period. However, milk production was significantly higher in the supplemented group during the first and fifth weeks of lactation (P = 0.02), increasing by 30.10% and 14.10%, respectively, compared with the control group. This effect was no longer significant during the eighth week of lactation (P > 0.05). Regarding milk composition, total protein and total solids did not differ significantly between treatments. In contrast, milk fat content was significantly higher (+36.91%; P = 0.01) and lactose concentration was significantly lower (−22.38%; P = 0.03) in the supplemented group during the first week of lactation. During the fourth week, lactose was the only milk component that differed significantly between treatments, showing a 14.44% increase (P = 0.04). No significant differences in milk composition were observed during the second and twelfth weeks of lactation. Dietary supplementation with the bentonite–ginger combination had no significant effect on lamb birth weight or average daily gain throughout the suckling period. The absence of significant effects on lamb growth may be related to the inclusion levels of the additives used in the present study.
Keywords: Feed efficiency; Gestation; Lactation; Natural additives; Prebiotic; Sheep.
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Research Paper
The effect of two intravaginal progesterone doses and ovum pick-up outcomes in brown Swiss cows: a Bayesian hierarchical analysis
Quispe-Eulogio C, Santiago-Inga N, Ancco-Gomez E, Ninahuanca J, Unchupaico-Payano I, García-Hospinal M, and Rivera-Palomino C.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(4): 206-216, 2026; pii: S222877012600025-16
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.25
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of two intravaginal progesterone doses on follicular recruitment, oocyte recovery, and oocyte viability in Brown Swiss cows undergoing ovum pick-up. Eight dry cows were allocated to two treatments: T1 (0.6 g progesterone) and T2 (1.2 g progesterone), with four cows per treatment and five repeated sessions per animal. The responses analyzed were the numbers of 2–4 mm follicles, 4–8 mm follicles, total recovered oocytes, recovery probability, and oocyte viability. Count data were analyzed with negative binomial models, whereas recovery and viability were modeled as binomial responses, with cow included as a random effect. Overall, T1 showed higher adjusted posterior means for the number of 2–4 mm follicles per ovum pick-up (OPU) session (7.62 vs. 5.36 follicles), 4–8 mm follicles per OPU session (4.17 vs. 3.27 follicles), and total recovered oocytes per OPU session (4.75 vs. 3.56 oocytes) compared with T2. Oocyte viability, expressed as an adjusted posterior probability, was also higher in T1 than in T2 (0.750 vs. 0.566, equivalent to 75.0% vs. 56.6%). In contrast, the adjusted posterior probability of oocyte recovery was nearly identical between treatments (0.403 vs. 0.402, equivalent to 40.3% vs. 40.2%). Among the evaluated outcomes, oocyte viability showed the clearest treatment difference, with an odds ratio of 2.50 and a posterior probability of superiority of 0.989 in favor of T1. Under the conditions of this study, the 0.6 g progesterone protocol was associated with a more favorable follicular response and better oocyte viability, while oocyte recovery efficiency remained essentially unchanged.
Keywords: Cumulus-oocyte complexes; Follicular synchronization; Oocyte competence; Posterior inference; Reproductive hormones.
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Research Paper
Vitamin composition of alpine and yoghurt craft hard cheeses made from unpasteurized goat milk after ripening with the participation of Acarus siro mites
Davydovych V, Shevchenko L, Shulyak S, Kudriashov A, Busol L, Ivaniuta A, Savchenko O, Nikolaenko M, Lialyk A, Beyko L.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(4): 217-224, 2026; pii: S222877012600026-16
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.26
Abstract
Craft goat cheeses made from unpasteurized milk are considered elite food products with high nutritional and biological value for humans, which contributes to growing market availability and necessitates the assessment of their quality, authenticity and biological value. This study used hard craft cheeses, Alpine and Yoghurt, which ripened with the activity of Acarus siro mites and produced from unpasteurized goat milk on a local organic farm. The contents of retinol, tocopherol and riboflavin were determined in the cheeses after 7 days (young cheese), 6 months (mature cheese), and at the final stage of ripening (12 months for Alpine and 18 months for Yoghurt). In Alpine cheese during 12 months of ripening, the retinol content ranged from 5.04 to 5.30 mg/kg, the tocopherol content from 2.00 to 2.34 mg/kg and the riboflavin content from 2.19 to 2.48 mg/kg. The ripening period did not significantly affect the retinol and riboflavin content but increased the tocopherol content by 15.42 - 16.42%. In Yoghurt cheese, the retinol content ranged from 4.60 to 5.24 mg/kg, while the tocopherol content ranged from 2.18 to 2.33 mg/kg, and was not affected by the ripening period. The riboflavin content increased from 1.78 mg/kg to 2.58 mg/kg during ripening. The retinol content in the dry matter of both cheeses decreased with increasing ripening time, whereas the tocopherol content decreased only in Yoghurt cheese. To statistically assess the effect of ripening time on the vitamin content of the hard craft cheeses, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. This analysis showed that the retinol concentration in the dry matter of both cheeses decreased with increasing ripening time, while the tocopherol concentration increased only in Yoghurt cheese. The results of the study indicate the high biological value of hard cheeses made from unpasteurized goat milk as sources of vitamins A, E, and B₂. Moreover, the use of dispersion analysis in combination with microbiological and physicochemical characteristics allows evaluating and confirming their quality, authenticity, and biological value.
Keywords: Alpine cheese, Maturation, Retinol, Riboflavin, Tocopherol, Yoghurt cheese.
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Short Communication
The acidity level of fermented egg flour with various drying technologies
Mangalisu A, Kurniawan ME, and Yustisia D.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(4): 225-230, 2026; pii: S222877012600027-16
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.27
Abstract
Commonly, egg fermentation technology is carried out using Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria. Eggs that have undergone the fermentation process can be stored for a long time using the drying method. The results of fermentation in the drying process are expected to reduce the Maillard reaction. The purpose of this study was to identify the application of the right drying technology in fermented eggs on the stability of the acidity level of egg flour. This study was conducted experimentally using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) factorial pattern of 3 × 4 treatments with 5 replications each. The treatment was carried out using the spray drying method, pan drying, freeze drying with a drying time of 6,12,18 and 24 hours. The acidity level can be measured by testing parameters for pH values and lactic acid levels using the titration method. The results showed that increasing drying time and different drying methods in fermented egg flour could maintain the pH value of eggs and the optimum at a drying time of 6 hours with the freeze drying method. Lactic acid levels tend to be stable because the fermentation product uses freeze drying which can maintain the lactic acid levels of fermented eggs. The acidity level of fermented egg flour can be seen from the stability of the pH value and lactic acid levels from the drying process. The best pH value and lactic acid content were obtained using the freeze drying method with a drying time of 24 hours.
Keywords: Eggs, Fermentation, Drying, Flour, Lactic acid.
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Research Paper
In silico analysis of the promoter region of prolactin gene in cattle to understand its gene regulation
Adilov B, Akhmadaliev B, Sherimbetov A, Abdikarimov B, Abduvaliev B, and Ruzmetov D.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(4): 231-239, 2026; pii: S222877012600028-16
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.28
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) is a key endocrine regulator of lactation, mammary gland growth, and systemic metabolic homeostasis in cattle. The transcriptional architecture of bovine PRL regulation remains incompletely characterized, despite its physiological importance. In this study we used an in silico TSS, CpG island, and TFBS profiling approach to analyze the ~5 kb upstream regulatory region of the Bos taurus PRL gene. By employing Neural Network Promoter Prediction under stringent criteria, we identified three highly reliable TSSs located at -4478, -2123, and -517 base pairs relative to the translational start codon, indicating a multi-TSS promoter complex that facilitates alternative transcript initiation. Canonical CpG islands were absent, consistent with tissue-specific, fine-tuned transcriptional control. TFBS analysis revealed a densely populated, hierarchically organized promoter enriched for pituitary-specific POU1F1 motifs, hormone-responsive ESRRA and RARA elements, signal-dependent STAT5 and AP-1 sites, and developmental transcription factors such as NANOG, HOXD9, and FOXI3. High-affinity TFBS clusters, including cis-regulatory modules of activators and repressors (like PRDM1) suggest combinatorial control and dynamic transcriptional responsiveness. These findings give mechanistic insights into the transcriptional complexity of bovine PRL locus and built an essential resource base on functional genomics studies to enhance efficiency of lactation and endocrine resilience in cattle.
Keywords: Bos taurus, Lactation, Mammary gland growth, Prolactin gene, Promoter region, Transcription start sites.
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Research Paper
Development of whey protein and pectin-based film enriched with lemon essential oil for food packaging: effects on mechanical properties, antioxidant, and biodegradability
Fahrullah F, Kisworo D, Wulandani BRD, and Noersidiq A.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(4): 240-251, 2026; pii: S222877012600029-16
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.29
Abstract
The employment of conventional plastics in food packaging has been demonstrated to exert a detrimental effect on the environment, owing to the fact that these plastics are non-biodegradable. Furthermore, there is a possibility that microplastics will accumulate within the food chain. The objective of this study is to develop an edible film that has been enriched with lemon essential oil and glycerol. The aim of the enrichment is to improve the film's mechanical properties, antioxidant content and biodegradability. The present study was conducted experimentally, employing a completely randomized factorial design with five replicates. Factor A consisted of control film; film with added lemon essential oil; and film with added encapsulated lemon essential oil. Factor B consisted of glycerol concentrations (5%; 10%; and 15%). The findings demonstrated that the incorporation of lemon essential oil and varying glycerol concentrations exerted a substantial impact (P < 0.01) on the tensile strength, elongation, and antioxidant content of whey-pectin-based edible films. The tensile strength values ranged from 4.23 to 7.54 MPa, the elongation ranged from 62.49 to 68.76%, and the antioxidant content ranged from 20.84 to 42.25%. The biodegradability of the film was demonstrated by the observation of a satisfactory degradation rate over a 30-day period following burial in soil. The edible film, composed of whey-pectin and fortified with encapsulated lemon essential oil and 10% glycerol, exhibited optimal tensile strength, elongation, antioxidant properties, and biodegradability. This renders it a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for food packaging.
Keywords: Biodegradable, Essential Oil, Glycerol, Packaging, Whey.
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Research Paper
Assessment of nutritional potentials of palm kernel cake/rice husk-based diets supplemented with fibrolytic enzyme on performance, carcass characteristics and organ weight of chicken broilers
Ukorebi BA.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(4): 252-260, 2026; pii: S222877012600030-16
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.30
Abstract
The prohibitive costs of conventional feedstuffs have necessitated the search for other alternatives. Palm kernel cake (PKC) and rice husk (RH) are potential feed resources. PKC contains about 20% crude protein and about 50% nitrogen free extractives (NFE), whilst RH contains about 38% NFE. The use of these ingredients is limited in monogastric diets due to their high content of crude fibre, particularly non starch polysaccharides. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional potential of PKC/ RH based diets, supplemented with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes on performance and carcass/organ weight characteristics of Cobb strain broiler chickens. Six experimental diets were formulated such that diets 1 and 2 contained 0% PKC/RH, and 0% oil palm slurry (OPS), whilst diets 3 and 4 contained 25% PKC, and diets 5 and 6 incorporated PKC at 50%, respectively. The OPS was also included in the diets 3 – 6 at 4% level to boost their primary energy levels, whilst the feed enzyme was added to the diets 2, 4, and 6 at 1% inclusion level. A total of 108, one-day-old chickens were randomly distributed to the six dietary groups, in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. At the end of trial, results showed that all performance parameters in enzyme-treated factorial sets were significantly (P < 0.05) better than those of zero enzyme-treated groups. Similarly, all carcass/organ weight parameters, except weights of thigh/drumstick were also significantly (P < 0.05) better in the enzyme treated groups. The results suggest that PKC/RH based diets supplemented with feed enzymes at 1% inclusion level, could replace 50% of maize in chicken broilers diets without any deleterious effect on performance, carcass/organ weight characteristics.
Keywords: Broiler chicken, Feed enzyme, Nutritional potentials, Palm kernel cake, Rice husk.
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