Browsing by Author "Asizua, Denis"

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    Dietary amino acid requirements of pebbly fish, Alestes baremoze (Joannis, 1835) based on whole body amino acid composition
    (Aquaculture Reports, 2019) Kasozi, Nasser; Iwe, Gerald; Sadik, Kassim; Asizua, Denis; Tibenda Namulawa, Victoria
    Alestes baremoze is a valuable food fish with a wide geographical distribution in East, North and West Africa. Currently, the nutritional requirements of A. baremoze have not yet been determined, which hinders attempts towards developing appropriate feed formulations for its culture. This study was thus conducted to estimate essential amino acid (EAA) requirements of A. baremoze using the A/E ratio method, as a guide in formulating its diet. Fish samples used in the study were categorised into four classes according to their fork lengths (1–12 cm; 13–24 cm; 25–36 cm and 37–48 cm), with each class consisting of 10 fish. Results from the amino acid composition analysis revealed significant difference (P<0.05) in the concentration of tryptophan, lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, isoleucine and valine amongst the different class sizes of A. baremoze. The A/E ratios of A. baremoze muscle tissue were in the same range with those obtained from other fish species, except for tryptophan. When expressed as a percentage of dietary protein, the EAA requirements of A. baremoze, were however not significantly different (P > 0.05) within the four classes. The EAA requirement profiles for A. baremoze were found to be similar to those observed in other omnivorous fish species. Considering the importance of A. baremoze as a potential species for freshwater aquaculture, the present data provides guidance to the development of test diets with appropriate amino acid inclusions until dose response treatments are carried out.
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    Effects of feeding systems on rumen environment, degradability and passage kinetics in Ankole × Friesian crossbred steers
    (Livestock Science, 2018) Asizua, Denis; Mpairwe, Denis; Kabi, Fred; Mutetikka, David; Budara Bareeba, Felix; Hvelplund, Torben; Riis Weisbjerg, Martin; Madsen, Jørgen
    Natural pastures constitute a large proportion of the feed resource base for meat and milk production in Sub- Saharan Africa. However, there is increasing use of agro-industrial by-products, especially those that are cerealbased as supplementary feedstuff to grazing animals and in diets under semi-intensive and intensive production systems. This study evaluated the influence of feeding systems on rumen environment, degradability and passage kinetics. Six Ankole x Friesian F1 crossbred steers weighing 339 ± 29 kg (about two years of age), each fitted with permanent rumen cannula were used in a replicated 3×3 Latin square design (ns =2). Two steers were allocated per period to one of three feeding systems i.e. (1) sole grazing (control), (2) control plus concentrate supplement (composition g/kg DM: 375 maize bran, 559 brewer's spent grain, 62.5 molasses and 3.75 NaCl), and (3) feedlot systems where steers were fed total mixed ration (TMR) comprising g/kg DM: 200 maize stover, 300 maize bran, 447 brewers’ spent grain, 50 molasses and 3 NaCl. Data was collected on rumen pH, ammonianitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acids (VFA) and degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Rumen pH was lowest (P < 0.001) at feedlot (5.3) but highest (P < 0.001) under sole grazing (6.2). Rumen NH3-N ranged between 62.8 and 120 mg/l and was higher (P < 0.001) in sole grazing than in grazing but supplemented steers and those at the feedlot. Total VFA concentration for sole grazing steers (124 mmol/Mol) was higher (P < 0.05) than values observed under feedlot (102 mmol/Mol) while grazing but supplemented steers showed an intermediate value (108 mmol/Mol), not differing significantly from the two other systems. Molar proportion of acetate was higher (P < 0.001) in grazing steers compared to values for either grazing but supplemented or those under feedlot while the reverse was true for propionate. The degradation characteristics of DM, CP and NDF were generally higher in sole grazing steers. Although, in most cases, the influence of feeding system on degradability was dependent on the type of feedstuff, feeding systems did not influence total mean retention time. The high extent of DM, CP and fiber degradation in grazing steers compared to supplemented and feedlot steers demonstrates that forage diversity under grazing positively influences degradability. However, attention to the nature and fermentation characteristics of proteins and carbohydrate sources and how they modify rumen environment in different production systems is needed to improve utilization of supplements and TMR.
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    Effects of grazing and feedlot finishing duration on the performance of three beef cattle genotypes in Uganda
    (Livestock Science, 2017) Asizua, Denis; Mpairwe, Denis; Kabi, Fred; Mutetikka, David; Hvelplund, Torben; Weisbjerg, Martin Riis; Madsend, Jørgen
    Beef production in Uganda is progressing from the traditional pastoral practices to sedentary semi-intensive systems. Consequently, farmers are continuously crossbreeding the indigenous cattle with exotic genotypes to improve meat yield. This study was conducted on-farm to evaluate the effects of feeding systems and feeding durations on performance of three locally available genotypes. A 2×3×3 factorial experiment was used to randomly allot 108 young bulls (9–15 months old), 36 for each of the three genotypes; Ankole x Holstein Friesian (AXF) (175±22 kg), pure Boran (208±34 kg) and a composite genotype (212±35 kg). The bulls were allotted to two feeding systems and three finishing durations. The feeding systems comprised sole grazing as the control where animals only grazed natural pastures and feedlot finishing where animals were fed a locally formulated total mixed ration containing 200 maize stover, 300 maize bran, 447 brewers’ spent grain, 50 molasses and 3 salt (NaCl) as g/kg on dry matter (DM) basis. The three durations were 60, 90 and 120 days excluding 14 days of adaptation period. Data was collected on feed intake, growth, slaughter and carcass characteristics. The Boran consumed less DM per kg of body weight gain than the AXF and composite. Feed conversion ratio (kg DM/kg body weight gain) ranged between 6.3±0.6 to 8.2±1.5 at the feedlot and 11.1± 4.1 to 17±4.0 for all genotypes and all durations. Growth and slaughter characteristics did not vary (P>0.05) between genotypes. However, carcass quality grade scores were higher (P<0.05) in the pure Boran and the composite genotypes than in the AXF crossbreds at 120 days of finishing. Average daily live weight gain (ADG) for all genotypes was approximately twice under feedlot finishing compared to sole grazing while hot carcass weight under feedlot was only higher than that of sole grazing by 30 kg in AXF, 37 kg in Boran and 45 kg in composite genotype at 120 days of finishing. Hot carcass weight and dressing percentages were similar (P> 0.05) between genotypes irrespective of the feeding system for all durations but hot carcass weight was higher (P<0.05) at the feedlot for all durations. Therefore, intensification through feedlotting is a viable option for improving beef production. However, understanding the appropriate levels of crossing between genotypes is needed to achieve the desired improvement in productivity from crossbreds.
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    In vivo Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of Cassia nigricans (Vahl) Against Gastro-Intestinal Nematodes (GIN) of Goats in West Nile Region, Uganda
    (Am J Clin Exp Med, 2016) Oba, Peter; Asizua, Denis; Komuntaro, Godwin; Kasozi, Nasser; Kalenzi, Moses; Apamaku, Michael; Kateregga, John; Okwee-Acai, James; Ndukui, Jimmy G.; Kabasa, William; Benda, Katali K.
    Several plants are used by farmers for the treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in goats. However, their phytochemical properties, efficacy and safety is largely unknown. A trial was therefore designed to determine in vivo efficacy of ethanolic extract of Cassia nigricans against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in goats. Cassia nigricans leaves were collected from Arua District, Uganda. Ethanolic extraction method was to prepare extracts and the experimental goats were dosed accordingly. Treatments were assigned to five (5) groups of goats (n=9) as follows: Group A, the negative control (30ml of distilled water; group B, the positive control (Albendazole 10%, 8mg/kg). Groups C, D and E received extracts at 50, 100 and 150mg/kg, respectively. Live weights (LWs kg), faecal samples (for faecal egg count reduction (FECR) based on eggs per gram (EPGs) of faeces, packed cell volume (PCV %), total protein (TP g/dL), body condition scores (1-5) and Faffa Malan Chart (FAMACHA scores 1-5) were taken on day 1 of the experiment and subsequently at 7-day intervals for 4 weeks. Results revealed that a significant increase in LWs by 2nd week was observed in goats treated with Albendazole from 20.8 ± 1.9 to 21.9 ± 1.8 (p ≤ 0.05). No change in LWs and in TP was observed in all other groups (p ≥ 0.05). Only Albendazole treated group exhibited a significant increase of PCV in the 2nd week (p ≤ 0.05). EPGs were observed to significantly drop in those treated with Albendazole by the 2nd week from 300 ± 91 to 0 ± 0 and extract at 150 mg/kg dose from 740 ± 236 to 60 ± 25 (p ≤ 0.05). The FECR for Albendazole, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg doses of the extract were found to be 100%, 37.3%, 66.6% and 83.8% respectively. Only at 150 mg/kg dose did the extract show moderate efficacy in reducing mixed Strongyle spp faecal egg counts in goats. Strongyles spp. were the most predominant genera of nematodes found in goats. Further evaluations of leaf extracts and other plant parts is necessary to establish its potential as a source of local effective remedy against gastro-intestinal nematodes in goats.
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    Nutrient composition of fish protein powder developed from Brycinus nurse (Rüppell, 1832)
    (Food Science & Nutrition, 2018) Kasozi, Nasser; Asizua, Denis; Iwe, Gerald; Namulawa, Victoria T.
    A new product in the form of edible fish powder was developed from small pelagic fish (Brycinus nurse) which constitutes one of the major commercial fisheries in Lake Albert, Uganda. The objective of the study was to determine the proximate and mineral composition of the newly developed fish powder and also to compare it with Nile tilapia powder already on market. Results indicated that the changes in the amount of protein and ash were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in fish powder than in fried samples. The increase in fat content of fried fish samples was found to be significant compared to other fish samples. No significant changes (p > 0.05) were observed in carbohydrate content for raw, fried, and powdered samples. Vitamin A decreased significantly in powdered samples. Comparing the B. nurse powder and tilapia powder (made from juvenile tilapia as raw material), the results indicated that B. nurse had higher levels of iron and manganese. Extracting proteins from B. nurse provides an opportunity to increase the utilization of harvested catch.