scholarly journals Do minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) digest wax esters?

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 717-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erling S. Nordøy
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Wax Ester ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Minke Whales

Mammals are known to utilize wax esters with an efficiency of less than 50%. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether or not minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), which at times may eat considerable amounts of wax-ester-rich krill, represent an exception to this general pattern. Samples of fresh undigested forestomach, as well as colon, contents were obtained from minke whales (n5) that had been feeding on krill (Thysanoessa inermis) for some time. The samples were analysed for dry mass, energy density, lipid content and the major lipid classes, including wax esters. The concentrations of wax esters were compared with previous estimates of dry-matter disappearance of the same type of prey using anin vitrotechnique, to calculate the dry-matter digestibility of wax esters (DMDwax). Wax esters contributed 21% of the energy and 47% of total lipids in the krill diet. The energy density of gut contents decreased by 50% after their passage from forestomach to the end of the colon. The DMDwaxwas 94·1 (SD 2·8)% (n5). This high DMDwaxand the occurrence of fatty alcohols, one of the products of wax-ester hydrolysis, in faeces show that minke whales are very efficient digesters of wax esters and absorb most of the energy-rich products of this process.

scholarly journals Fatty Alcohols for Wax Esters in Marinobacter aquaeolei VT8: Two Optional Routes in the Wax Biosynthesis Pathway

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (22) ◽  
pp. 7055-7062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric M. Lenneman ◽  
Janet M. Ohlert ◽  
Nagendra P. Palani ◽  
Brett M. Barney
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Alcohol ◽  
Fatty Acyl ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
Transcriptional Analysis ◽  
Wax Ester ◽  
Fatty Aldehyde ◽  
Marinobacter Aquaeolei

ABSTRACTThe biosynthesis of wax esters in bacteria is accomplished by a unique pathway that combines a fatty alcohol and a fatty acyl coenzyme A substrate. Previousin vitroenzymatic studies indicated that two different enzymes could be involved in the synthesis of the required fatty alcohol inMarinobacter aquaeoleiVT8. In this study, we demonstrate through a series of gene deletions and transcriptional analysis that either enzyme is capable of fulfilling the role of providing the fatty alcohol required for wax ester biosynthesisin vivo, but evolution has clearly selected one of these, a previously characterized fatty aldehyde reductase, as the preferred enzyme to perform this reaction under typical wax ester-accumulating conditions. These results complement previousin vitrostudies and provide the first glimpse into the role of each enzymein vivoin the native organism.

Influence of seral stage and season on leaf chemistry of southeastern Alaska deer forage

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Van Horne ◽  
Thomas A. Hanley ◽  
Rex G. Cates ◽  
Jay D. McKendrick ◽  
John D. Horner
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Total Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽  
Energy Economy ◽  
Opposite Manner ◽  
The Impact

The relationships between seral stage and nutrient and organic composition of five plant species used as forage by Sitka black-tailed deer were investigated in hemlock–spruce forest in southeastern Alaska. One shrub, three forbs, and one conifer species were collected during May, July, and October to ascertain differences among seral stands in seasonal patterns of nutrient levels, in vitro dry matter digestibility, astringency, and the concentrations of phenolics, terpenes, total nonstructural carbohydrates, and cyanide. In the shrub and forbs, concentrations of N, P, and K tended to be higher in leaves from forested than from open clear-cut areas, and higher in May than in July and October. These nutrients tended to covary in an opposite manner to Ca, Mg, and Na and in a similar manner to the trace elements Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe, although these patterns were inconsistent. In these species there was also a general pattern of higher levels of total nonstructural carbohydrates, astringency, and phenolics in the three young open stands than in the shaded forest understories of the two oldest stands. Dry matter digestibility did not differ across stands but did vary seasonally. The among-stand differences in foliage chemical composition may have resulted from differences in the availability of light. While seral stage affected both the inorganic and organic quality of understory forage species, the combined results suggest that the impact on N economy of deer is greater than that on their energy economy.

scholarly journals In vitrodigestibility of different prey species of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 485-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erling S. Nordøy ◽  
Wenche Sørmo ◽  
Arnoldus Schytte Blix
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Melanogrammus Aeglefinus ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Digestion Technique

Information on diet composition, daily energy expenditure, energy storage and the utilization of energy in the prey are important factors when evaluating the food consumption of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) during their summer stay in northern waters. The purpose of the present study was in this context to obtain information on the digestible energy (DE) of different prey selected by minke whales. Anin vitrothree-stage digestion technique, simulating the different compartments of the digestive system, has been developed. The initial step simulated the anaerobic microbial fermentation of substrate in the fortestomach. The next stage included the addition of pepsin (EC3.4.23.1)–HCI, simulating ventricle enzymic decomposition, and finally, in the third step, fresh extract from duodenal contents was used to simulate enzymic intestinal degradation of the remaining components of the food. The inoculum was normally obtained from animals which had recently eaten the prey to be tested. In such tests we obtained a dry matter disappearance (DMD) and a DE for herring (Clupea harengus) of 80·4 (SD 5·0)% (n18) and 92·1 (SD 3·7) % (n16) respectively, and a DMD of krill (Thysanoessasp.) of 83·4 (SD 4·9)% (n6). The DMD of krill was reduced to 73·8 (SD 7·3)% (n8) while the DE was 70·6 (SD 10·4) % (n7) when inoculum from whales which had recently eaten cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) was used. These results indicate a high digestibility of the most common species of prey in these animals, and also that the whales have little difficulty in changing from one prey species to another.

scholarly journals Production and quality of sunflower and Paiaguas palisadegrass silage in monocropped and intercropping in different forage systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e48304
Author(s):  
Charles Barbosa dos Santos ◽  
Katia Aparecida de Pinho Costa ◽  
Wender Ferreira de Souza ◽  
Itamar Pereira de Oliveira ◽  
Daniel Augusto Alves Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Production ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Fermentative Process

The objective of this study was to evaluate dry mass production, fermentative parameters and chemical and bromatological composition of sunflower silage and Paiaguas palisadegrass silage in monocropped and intercropping in different forage systems. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of silage forage systems: sunflower monocropped; Paiaguas palisadegrass monocropped; sunflower row-intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass; sunflower inter-row intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass; and sunflower oversown and intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass, totalizing 20 experimental silos. Sunflower and Paiaguas palisadegrass were harvested at 110 days after planting at 20 cm from the soil for silage, using brush cutter. The silos were opened after 53 days of fermentation. The rows and inter-row intercropped systems contributed to increase the mass production of the ensiled material. The monocropped sunflower silage had higher values of pH, ethereal extract and acid detergent fiber and lower values of titratable acidity and dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and in vitro dry matter digestibility values. The silages of the sunflower intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in forage systems of crop-livestock integration presented better fermentative and bromatological characteristics, guaranteeing an adequate fermentative process and nutritional quality. In this way, the intercropping of these two forages potentiates the production of silage for feeding of ruminants during the period of forage shortage.

scholarly journals Digestibility of krill (Euphausia superba and Thysanoessa sp.) in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus)

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 713-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.-E. Mårtensson ◽  
E. S. Nordøy ◽  
A. S. Blix
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Euphausia Superba ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Crabeater Seal ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Crabeater Seals ◽  
Lobodon Carcinophagus ◽  
Very High

Apparent digestible efficiency (% DE) was studied by use of dietary Mn as an inert marker, in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) which had been eating krill. Median % DE in minke whales (n 5) eating krill of the genus Thysanoessa sp. (energy density (ED) 23·8 kJ/g) was 93 (range 87–93). Median % DE in crabeater seals (n 6) eating krill of the species Euphausia superba (ED 20·8 kJ/g) was 84 (range 79–85), which is significantly lower than the % DE of krill in minke whales (P = 0·008). Since the chemical composition in E. superba and in Thysanoessa sp. is similar, it is suggested that the complex multi-stomached system of minke whales, which contains both chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14)-producing as well as several other types of bacteria, is superior to the single-stomached system of crabeater seals with regard to krill digestion. It is worth noting, however, that the % DE of krill in the crabeater seal is still very high.

Studies on the diet of grazing animal. III. The effect of pasture species and pasture structure on the herbage intake of sheep

1967 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 657 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
ML Dudzinski
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Leaf Length ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Number Of Leaves

The digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) of 35-kg year-old Merino wethers was studied on seven pasture types. For each pasture type a range of pasture conditions was used. Relations between DOMI and in vitro diet digestibility (D), total dry matter per acre (TDM), green dry matter per acre (GDM), mean leaf length of green herbage (LL), and number of leaves per unit area (LN) were investigated by multiple regression analyses. In general where there was a limited range of TDM, this variable and D were the major contributors to variation in DOMI. This pattern was associated with a low GDM/TDM ratio, and ability to select herbage high in D was important. Over a wider range of TDM, D was replaced by GDM or LL as a major contributor to variation in DOMI. Variations in this general pattern are discussed. Not only is the DOMI of grazing sheep influenced to different degrees by different pasture characteristics in different situations but the relations differ for different classes of sheep. Analysis of simple relations between DOMI and TDM shows different asymptotes on one pasture type for different classes of sheep.

scholarly journals Thio Wax Ester Biosynthesis Utilizing the Unspecific Bifunctional Wax Ester Synthase/Acyl Coenzyme A:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase of Acinetobacter sp. Strain ADP1

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 790-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Uthoff ◽  
Tim Stöveken ◽  
Nikolaus Weber ◽  
Klaus Vosmann ◽  
Erika Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oleic Acid ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
Wax Ester ◽  
Mineral Salts ◽  
Relative Specific Activity ◽  
In Vitro Biosynthesis ◽  
Wax Ester Synthase

ABSTRACT The bifunctional wax ester synthase/acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA):diacylglycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT) from Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1 (formerly Acinetobacter calcoaceticus ADP1) mediating the biosyntheses of wax esters and triacylglycerols was used for the in vivo and in vitro biosynthesis of thio wax esters and dithio wax esters. For in vitro biosynthesis, 5′His6WS/DGAT comprising an N-terminal His6 tag was purified from the soluble protein fraction of Escherichia coli Rosetta(DE3)pLysS (pET23a::5′His6 atf). By employing SP-Sepharose high-pressure and Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid fast-protein liquid chromatographies, a 19-fold enrichment with a final specific activity of 165.2 nmol mg of protein−1 min−1 was achieved by using 1-hexadecanol and palmitoyl-CoA as substrates. Incubation of purified 5′His6WS/DGAT with 1-hexadecanethiol and palmitoyl-CoA as substrates resulted in the formation of palmitic acid hexadecyl thio ester (10.4% relative specific activity of a 1-hexadecanol control). Utilization of 1,8-octanedithiol and palmitoyl-CoA as substrates led to the formation of 1-S-monopalmitoyloctanedithiol and minor amounts of 1,8-S-dipalmitoyloctanedithiol (59.3% relative specific activity of a 1-hexadecanol control). The latter dithio wax ester was efficiently produced when 1-S-monopalmitoyloctanedithiol and palmitoyl-CoA were used as substrates (13.4% specific activity relative to that of a 1-hexadecanol control). For the in vivo biosynthesis of thio wax esters, the knockout mutant Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1acr1ΩKm, which is unable to produce fatty alcohols, was used. Cultivation of Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1acr1ΩKm in the presence of gluconate, 1-hexadecanethiol, and oleic acid in nitrogen-limited mineral salts medium resulted in the accumulation of unusual thio wax esters that accounted for around 1.19% (wt/wt) of the cellular dry weight and consisted mainly of oleic acid hexadecyl thioester as revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

scholarly journals Lipases of germinating jojoba seeds efficiently hydrolyze triacylglycerols and wax esters and display wax ester-synthesizing activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Kawiński ◽  
Magdalena Miklaszewska ◽  
Szymon Stelter ◽  
Bartosz Głąb ◽  
Antoni Banaś
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Alcohols ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Wax Ester ◽  
Glucose Content ◽  
Esterification Reactions ◽  
Long Chain

Abstract Background Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) is the only plant known to store wax esters instead of triacylglycerols in its seeds. Wax esters are composed of very-long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids and fatty alcohols and constitute up to 60% of the jojoba seed weight. During jojoba germination, the first step of wax ester mobilization is catalyzed by lipases. To date, none of the jojoba lipase-encoding genes have been cloned and characterized. In this study, we monitored mobilization of storage reserves during germination of jojoba seeds and performed detailed characterization of the jojoba lipases using microsomal fractions isolated from germinating seeds. Results During 26 days of germination, we observed a 60–70% decrease in wax ester content in the seeds, which was accompanied by the reduction of oleosin amounts and increase in glucose content. The activity of jojoba lipases in the seed microsomal fractions increased in the first 50 days of germination. The enzymes showed higher activity towards triacylglycerols than towards wax esters. The maximum lipase activity was observed at 60 °C and pH around 7 for triacylglycerols and 6.5–8 for wax esters. The enzyme efficiently hydrolyzed various wax esters containing saturated and unsaturated acyl and alcohol moieties. We also demonstrated that jojoba lipases possess wax ester-synthesizing activity when free fatty alcohols and different acyl donors, including triacylglycerols and free fatty acids, are used as substrates. For esterification reactions, the enzyme utilized both saturated and unsaturated fatty alcohols, with the preference towards long chain and very long chain compounds. Conclusions In in vitro assays, jojoba lipases catalyzed hydrolysis of triacylglycerols and different wax esters in a broad range of temperatures. In addition, the enzymes had the ability to synthesize wax esters in the backward reaction. Our data suggest that jojoba lipases may be more similar to other plant lipases than previously assumed.

scholarly journals Fractional Harvest of Fodder Galega for Improved Herbage Nutritive Value

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Stanisław Ignaczak ◽  
Jadwiga Andrzejewska ◽  
Katarzyna Sadowska ◽  
Kenneth A. Albrecht
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Development Stages ◽  
Galega Orientalis ◽  
Perennial Legume ◽  
Advanced Development

Fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) is a long-lived perennial legume grown for forage and green manure in northern and central Europe. It is distinguished by a high proportion of leaves in the aboveground mass, tall hollow stems, and rhizomes. A method to harvest galega allowing the separation of leaves, upper stem fragments, and inflorescences from the thick, woody parts of the stem is therefore justified. This would significantly expand the possibilities of using galega herbage, including as feed for monogastric animals. A modified flail chopper (MFC), a machine originally used for harvesting green forage, was used for the fractionated harvest of galega. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield potential of various plant fractions of the first and second cut of fodder galega at three development stages and their nutritive value when harvested with an MFC. With this harvest system, 68–78% of the potential dry matter yield of galega was harvested, where leaves accounted for 73% of the dry matter on average, while the proportion of leaves in the yield of galega harvested with a mower (M) ranged from 50% to 60%. In the biomass of the first cut of galega, harvested with the MFC, protein concentration was 215 g kg−1, 11.5% greater than in the biomass of the whole aboveground mass harvested with a mower. In the second cut, this difference, in favor of the MCF, was greater by 14%. The concentration of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was 7.5% lower and acid detergent fiber 11% lower in galega forage harvested with the MFC compared to with a mower. Furthermore, galega harvested with MFC had 13% greater NDF digestibility and 6% greater in vitro true digestibility. The stubble remaining after MFC harvest accounted for 33% of the total height and 27% of the plant dry mass, and its qualitative composition indicates that it could be used in rations of livestock with low nutritional requirements or for non-forage purposes. Galega harvest with the MFC resulted in greater protein concentrations and overall improved nutritive value of the forage even at advanced development stages.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document