title: Effects of food processing and fibre content on the digestibility, energy intake and biochemical parameters of Blue-and-gold macaws (Ara ararauna L. - Aves, Psittacidae).
abstract: Considering the increased incidence of obesity and metabolic diseases in caged psittacines, the effect of fibre and food processing was evaluated in the Blue-and-gold macaw. Four food formulations (0%, 7%, 14% and 21% of sugarcane fibre) processed by pelleting or extrusion were studied, resulting in eight diets. To study digestibility, 48 macaws housed in pairs in cages was used in a block design. Subsequently, diets containing 0% or 21% sugarcane fibre, pelleted or extrude was fed for 4 months to evaluate energy intake and blood metabolites. A 2 × 2 × 2 (two fibre levels, two food processing methods and two genders) factorial arrangement with subplots (beginning and end) was used. When differences were detected in anova's F test, data were submitted to polynomial contrasts in the first experiment and to orthogonal contrasts in the second experiment (p < 0.05). Fibre addition reduced protein, fat and energy (p < 0.001) digestibility in both food processing. Pelleted foods presented higher dry matter digestibility and food metabolisable energy (ME) than the extruded ones (p < 0.05). Fibre addition or the type of processing did not change ME ingestion (p > 0.05). The macaws gained body weight (p < 0.05) regardless of the diet (p > 0.05), but females fed with the high-fibre diets did not gain weight (p > 0.05), suggesting a low food ME (12.5 kJ/g).The substitution of the original diet (sunflower seeds, fruits and cooked maize) by the experimental foods decreased the basal (12-h fast) concentrations of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides (p < 0.001). The consumption of pelleted diets reduced serum glucose and cholesterol (p < 0.05). Results suggest that the pelleted diets were more beneficial and can be used to reduce blood metabolites related to metabolic disorders that are commonly observed in macaws.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Zootecnia (DZ/CCA), Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (UEMA), São Luís Maranhão, Brasil.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Veloso
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Sakomura
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Kawauchi
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Malheiros
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Carciofi
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004063:Digestion / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010311:Parrots / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: energy; extrusion; glucose; pelletisation; triglycerides