E ffects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) - pulp on growth performance and stress responses of growing cattle
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
The Professional Animal Scientist 29 (2013):420–425
©2013 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists
Effects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni)
pulp on growth performance
and stress responses
of growing cattle1
J. W. S. Yancey,* J. K. Apple,*2 E. B. Kegley,* and R. G. Godbee†
*Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville 72701;
and †Tahitian Noni International, Orem, UT 84059
ABSTRACT control cattle had similar serum cortisol of Holstein bull calves improved their
concentrations to those fed Noni pulp ability to fight Escherichia coli infec-
The pulp of Morinda citrifolia (Noni), (P = 0.16), and neither exit velocity tion after 14 d. Furthermore, research
a Tahitian plant known to reduce stress nor subjective pen and chute excitability indicates that Noni extract has an
and improve immunity in laboratory rats, scores were affected (P ≥ 0.79) by the analgesic effect on rats (Younos et al.,
was fed to growing cattle. Thirty cross- addition of Noni to the diet. Therefore, 1990; Wang et al., 2002).
bred beef calves (262 kg) were limit fed Noni has the potential to improve growth Improving the reaction of cattle
diets that were top-dressed with 0, 0.09, and health in weaned, growing cattle, to stress factors has the potential to
or 0.18% Noni pulp (DM basis) for 28 but the mechanism of action of Noni in decrease the percentage of cattle that
d. Every 4 d, cattle were weighed, bled, cattle is not known. produce dark-cutting beef. Caused by
and assessed for subjective and objec- the depletion of glycogen antemortem,
tive excitability measures. Average daily Key words: Noni, cattle, growth, the dark-cutting condition represents
gain increased linearly (P = 0.03) as feed efficiency, stress a considerable economic loss to the
the percentage of Noni increased in the beef industry (Smith et al., 1992;
diet. Noni-supplemented cattle gained
more efficiently, as the G:F increased
INTRODUCTION Bass et al., 2008). In addition to the
obvious cost of dark-cutting beef,
linearly (P = 0.04) with increasing Noni Morinda citrifolia, more commonly the expense of excitable cattle also is
addition. Additionally, Noni-fed cattle known as the Noni plant, is a medici- evident in nonquantifiable measures.
had decreasing concentration of white nal evergreen found in tropical areas In the feeding and processing facil-
blood cells with increased Noni supple- but particularly the islands of Polyne- ity, calm cattle are less likely to cause
mentation (linear; P = 0.001). However, sia. The native peoples of the islands worker injuries or bruises to their pen
have used the roots, stems, bark, mates. Cattle with calm temperament
leaves, flowers, and fruit of the Noni scores had greater ADG than did
1
This work was supported by Tahitian Noni plants as medicine, as well as a source cattle with more excitable tempera-
Corp. (Orem, UT) through a donation of for food, juices, and dyes (Nelson and ments (Voisinet et al., 1997b), and
the supplement. The authors also express Elevitch, 2006). Commercially, Noni excitable cattle have been shown to
sincere appreciation to Pete Hornsby, juice is marketed as an alternative produce steaks with greater Warner-
Gordon Carte, Shollie Falkenberg, Jeff
herbal remedy for several illnesses in Bratzler shear force values, indicating
Moore, Doug Galloway, Michelle Pass, Jana
Reynolds, and Matt Akins (Department of
humans, including cancer, arthritis, tougher beef (Voisinet et al., 1997a;
Animal Science, University of Arkansas diabetes, ulcers, and depression (Dix- King et al., 2005). Because of a lack
Division of Agriculture) for helping with care on et al., 1999; McClatchey, 2002). of information concerning the effects
and sampling of the cattle. Schäfer et al. (2008) found that Noni of Noni-plant extracts on beef-cattle
2
Corresponding author: japple@uark.edu puree supplemented in milk replacer temperament, the objective of thisNoni pulp improves growth and health 421
ment by the University of Arkansas pens with a 3-m concrete feed bunk in
Table 1. Composition of diet Interdepartmental Animal Care and the front of each pen. Calves had ad
(DM basis) Use Committee. Thirty crossbred libitum access to water.
beef calves (6 steers and 24 heifers) Calves were sampled every 4 d
Ingredient % from Brangus-cross dams mated to of the 28-d study. At 0800 h each
Bermudagrass hay 26.0 Charolais bulls were obtained from sampling day before feeding, calves
Corn 47.2 a local cattle producer. Cattle were were moved by pen to the working
Soybean meal 5.65 transported to the University of facility. Beginning at the easternmost
Wheat middlings 15.0 Arkansas Stocker Cattle Research pen, 2 observers opened the rear gate.
Molasses 3.15 Facility (Savoy, AR) and allowed to Observers did not enter the pen with
Fat 1.11 adapt to the feeding pens and diet the calves but instead walked on the
Salt, white 0.32
for 2 wk before the start of the study. outside of the east side of the pen.
Limestone 1.5
Vitamin premix1 0.04 On d –2, calves were weighed (262 ± Observers walked quietly past the
Trace mineral premix2 0.03 4.8 kg), then blocked by BW into 5 calves, and without consulting one
Rumensin3 + blocks (4 blocks of heifers and 1 block another, each observer recorded a pen
of steers). Calves within a block were score for each calf (Table 2). Observ-
1
Premix contained 4,190,760 IU of assigned randomly to pens (2 calves/ ers moved into that pen (behind
vitamin A, 838,150 IU of vitamin D,
and 28,460 IU of vitamin E/kg.
pen and 3 pens/block), and pens the calves) and moved calves to the
within blocks were assigned randomly crowding pen and alley system in the
2
Premix contained 12% Zn, 8% Mn,
4% Cu, 500 ppm Co, 2,000 ppm I,
to 0, 0.09, or 0.18% Noni as a per- working facility barn (approximately
and 600 ppm Se. centage of feed (DM basis) offered to 131 m). After each pen was caught in
3
Provided 25 mg of monensin/kg of a pen. Noni pulp from a single batch the crowding pen, observers returned
diet. was analyzed to contain 8.3% DM to the barn and consistently repeated
and 8.5% CP, 0.63% crude fat, 21% the process until all 15 pens had been
NDF, 18% ADF, and 15.4% ash (DM moved.
basis). Cattle were offered the basal Upon arrival at the working facil-
study was to determine the effects of diet (Table 1) at 2.5% of their initial ity, calves were moved as quickly and
feeding the pulp from Morinda citri- BW to ensure complete consump- quietly as possible through the alley;
folia on feeder-cattle temperament tion of Noni, and this did not change excessive noise and so on was discour-
scores, stress indicators in the blood, throughout the 28-d study. Calves aged. When put on the scale before
and production traits. were fed a grain mixture (74% of feed the chute, 2 people independently
offered, DM basis) at approximately scored the activity of the individual
MATERIALS AND METHODS 0900 h, and the appropriate amount calves (chute score; Table 2) within
of Noni was top-dressed onto this feed 1 min, and these observations were
Animal care and handling, as well each morning. At approximately 1400 made without consulting each other.
as all research protocols, were ap- h, hay was fed (26% of DM offered). After the chute score was assigned, an
proved before initiation of this experi- Calves were housed in 3.7 × 29.9 m unshrunk BW was recorded. Calves
Table 2. Description of criteria used to assign behavior scores
Item Score Description
Pen scores 1
1 Walks slowly, can be approached slowly, not excited by humans
2 Runs along fences, stands in corner if humans stay away
3 Runs along fences, head up and will run if humans come closer, stops before hitting gates and fences,
avoids humans
4 Runs, stays in back of group, head high and very aware of humans, may run into fences and gates
5 Excited, runs into fences, runs over anything in its path
Chute scores2 1 Calm—no movement
2 Restless shifting
3 Squirming, occasional shaking of weigh box
4 Continuous vigorous movement and shaking of weigh box
5 Criteria for a score of 4, plus rearing, twisting, or violently struggling
1
Adapted from Hammond et al. (1996).
2
Adapted from Grandin (1993).422 Yancey et al.
were caught in the chute and blood using the repeated statement with an diet (Table 4). Conversely, no time
collected via jugular venipuncture. SP (POW) covariance structure and × treatment interactions (P ≥ 0.33)
Blood was collected in a plain glass pen as the subject. The random state- existed for total white blood cells or
vacuum tube for serum cortisol. On ment included BW block, whereas the percentage of neutrophils or lympho-
d 0, 4, 8, 12, 20, and 28, a vacuum fixed effects included Noni treat- cytes, nor did Noni pulp affect (P ≥
tube containing EDTA for differential ment, day, and the day × treatment 0.26) the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte
and total blood cell counts also was interaction. Degrees of freedom were ratio, red blood cell counts, hemoglo-
collected. Before the calf exited the calculated using the Kenward-Roger bin concentration, or hematocrit.
chute, a bar was placed in close prox- procedure. Cattle in the Noni-fed group had
imity to the rear of the calf so that decreased levels of white blood cells
it could not back up. Exit velocity of RESULTS AND DISCUSSION with increasing Noni levels. These
the calf was measured electronically reactions potentially point to an
(Polaris Wireless Timer; FarmTek Noni-supplemented diets increased altered immune function for cattle
Inc., Wylie, TX) over a 1.8-m dis- ADG linearly (P = 0.03) as the fed Noni pulp. When Noni puree was
tance beginning 1.8 m in front of the percentage of Noni-pulp in the diet given to Holstein neonate bull calves
head gate. increased from 0 to 0.18% (Table 3). in milk replacer, blood samples from
Blood samples were stored on ice The G:F also improved linearly (P = Noni-supplemented calves had greater
before centrifugation at 2,100 × g for 0.04) with increased Noni levels in the E. coli kill than did those of controls
20 min for separation of serum. Serum diets. The addition of Noni pulp to after 14 d (Schäfer et al., 2008). Wang
was stored frozen until it was used to the diets did not cause refusal of the et al. (2002) also noted the antibac-
analyze for cortisol concentrations by diets as evidenced by the similarities terial and immunological activities
radioimmunoassay (DPC, Los Ange- in feed intake (P = 0.91) among the of Noni-plant extracts in mice and
les, CA), with intra- and interassay treatments. Because the cattle were humans, but specific effects of Noni
CV of 2.0 and 9.1%, respectively. An offered a fixed amount of feed (2.5% products on white blood cell counts or
automated system (Hemavet 1500; of BW), it is not known how Noni other health parameters in cattle have
CDC Technologies Inc., Oxford, CT) might affect ad libitum feed intake. not been previously studied.
was used for determination of the to- When water was treated with Noni Noni-pulp treatments did not affect
tal and differential cell counts, hema- juice, Hibbard et al. (2010) failed to serum cortisol (P = 0.16) concentra-
tocrit, and hemoglobin. Samples were note an effect of Noni-supplementa- tions nor was there a treatment × day
analyzed within 24 h of collection. tion on DMI, ADG, or feed-conversion interaction (P = 0.23; Figure 1). Vari-
Data were analyzed using the ratio in high-risk calves. Addition ability between days was observed (P
mixed models procedure of SAS (SAS of Noni pulp was applied as a top- < 0.0001) in serum cortisol concentra-
Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Pen means dressing; thus, the caloric intake of tions, but no consistent trend could
were used for all analyses. The model the diets was not balanced between be identified.
for the performance data included treatments. The digestibility of the Adding Noni to the diet did not
dietary treatment as a fixed effect and Noni pulp is unknown; yet, assuming affect (P = 0.91) exit velocity (Figure
BW block as a random effect. Con- that Noni is completely digestible, the 2), nor did time on feed and exposure
trast statements were used to test the additional calories provided by the to handling, as exit velocity did not
linear and quadratic effects of Noni Noni pulp would not have been great change (P = 0.23) with time. Objec-
addition. Prior to statistical analyses, enough to account for the differences tive pen and chute scores were not
observations from both observers were observed in weight gain. affected (P ≥ 0.79) by the inclusion
averaged to obtain pen and chute The concentration of white blood of Noni pulp in the diet (Figure 3).
scores. Blood data, exit velocities, and cells decreased linearly (P = 0.001) Although there was no interaction (P
pen and chute scores were analyzed with the inclusion of Noni in the ≥ 0.84) between day of sampling and
Table 3. Growth performance, feed intake, and feed-to-gain ratio of calves supplemented with Noni
Noni, % of diet (DM) P-value
Item 0 0.09 0.18 SE Linear Quadratic
Initial BW, kg 258 255 259 11.6 0.92 0.49
Final BW, kg 277 276 284 13.4 0.18 0.34
ADG, kg 0.65 0.73 0.89 0.088 0.03 0.61
Daily DMI, kg 6.51 6.51 6.51 0.285 0.91 0.89
G:F, DM basis 0.098 0.110 0.137 0.0109 0.04 0.57Noni pulp improves growth and health 423
Table 4. Blood cell counts, hemoglobin, and hematocrit of calves supplemented with Noni
Noni, % of diet (DM) P-value
Item 0 0.09 0.18 SE Linear Quadratic
White blood cells, 1,000/μL 13.2 11.1 10.6 0.52 0.001 0.23
Neutrophils, % 35.4 34.7 36.9 1.81 0.56 0.52
Lymphocytes, % 54.7 52.5 54.2 1.70 0.83 0.32
Monocytes, % 5.6 7.0 5.4 0.21 0.51 0.0004
Eosinophils, % 3.9 5.2 3.2 0.36 0.15 0.02
Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio 0.68 0.68 0.71 0.049 0.70 0.81
Red blood cells, 1,000,000/μL 10.8 10.7 10.3 0.30 0.13 0.48
Hemoglobin, g/dL 12.1 12.3 11.5 0.32 0.21 0.27
Hematocrit, % 41.2 42.3 39.7 0.94 0.28 0.14
Noni-pulp treatment, both pen and King et al. (2005) found numerical, no differences were noted between
chute scores decreased (P < 0.0001) but not statistical, differences in the Noni-fed and control groups. No
with time, indicating that the cattle cortisol concentrations between calm previous research has been conducted
became calmer as they habituated to and excitable yearling-fed and calf-fed to study the effects of Noni products
the repeated handling and weighing steers after the cattle had been on on cattle disposition, but rats have
during the study. feed. In the present study, the cattle shown much calmer, less stressed de-
In the present study, no measurable fed Noni also had numerically reduced meanors when fed Noni (Wang et al.,
differences were observed in tempera- (P = 0.16) cortisol concentrations 2002). When Noni juice was supple-
ment and stress measures, such as compared with controls. Exit velocity mented in the drinking water of rats
serum cortisol concentrations, sub- is also used as a measure of excitabil- at 5, 10, and 20% for 10 d, animals
jective pen and chute scores, or exit ity and has been correlated to BW were more tolerant than controls of
velocity because of Noni addition. gain and tenderness when measured antimony potassium tartrate-induced
Although the effects of Noni pulp on in young cattle not exposed to human pain in a dose-dependent manner
growth performance and temperament contact (Falkenberg et al., 2005; King (Wang et al., 2002). In a separate
in cattle have not been previously et al., 2005). Yet, differences in exit study, female rats supplemented with
researched, cattle with calmer tem- velocity due to Noni feeding or time 10 and 20% Noni in their drinking
peraments have been shown to have on feed were not (P > 0.23) observed water for 7 d were less reactive to hot
greater ADG (Voisinet et al., 1997b), in the present study. plate–induced pain than were control
and Noni juice has been shown to Although the subjective pen and rats (Wang et al., 2002). Moreover,
have calming effects on other mam- chute scores improved with time on Younos et al. (1990) found that, in
malian species (Wang et al., 2002). feed and exposure to human contact, addition to being more pain tolerant,
rats fed aqueous extracts from the
roots of Morinda citrifolia showed less
locomotor activity than did controls
in several tests. These researchers
linked the sedative effect of Noni to
its central analgesic effect.
Wang et al. (2002) also established
the in vitro antioxidant capacity of
Noni juice as a free-radical scavenger.
Again, the effects of Noni products
as antioxidants have not been specifi-
cally studied in cattle or other large
ruminants, but it is possible that
this antioxidant activity could be
responsible for the improved growth
and feed efficiency of Noni-fed cattle
observed in the present study. Previ-
Figure 1. Effect of supplemental Noni on serum cortisol concentrations (treatment, P ous research with antioxidant vi-
= 0.16; day, P < 0.0001; and treatment × day, P = 0.23). tamins indicated that antioxidants424 Yancey et al.
studies should strive to determine the
mechanism of action for Noni prod-
ucts and examine the effects of Noni
on grass-fed cattle in cow-calf and
stocker operations.
LITERATURE CITED
Bass, P. D., J. A. Scanga, P. L. Chapman,
G. C. Smith, J. D. Tatum, and K. E. Belk.
2008. Recovering value from beef carcasses
classified as dark-cutters by United States
Department of Agriculture graders. J. Anim.
Sci. 86:1658–1668.
Dixon, A. R., H. McMillen, and N. L. Etkin.
1999. Ferment this: The transformation of
Noni, a traditional Polynesian medicine
Figure 2. Effect of supplemental Noni on chute exit velocity (treatment, P = 0.91; (Morinda citrifolia, Rubiaceae). Econ. Bot.
53:51–68.
day, P = 0.23; and treatment × day, P = 0.94).
Falkenberg, S. M., R. K. Miller, J. W. Hol-
loway, F. M. Rouquette Jr., R. D. Randel,
have the potential to positively affect properties of Noni. The improvement and G. E. Carstens. 2005. Exit velocity ef-
growth and feed efficiency in cattle. in growth may be attributed to im- fects on growth, carcass characteristics, and
tenderness in half-blood Bonsmara steers.
Vitamin E addition to rumen fluid in proved immune function, as indicated Page 1716 in Proc. 51st Int. Cong. Meat Sci.
vitro increased acetate and propionate by lower white blood cell concentra- Tech., Baltimore, MD. Am. Meat Sci. Assoc.,
concentrations as well as protozoa tions in Noni-supplemented calves. Champaign, IL.
counts and ammonia nitrogen levels The effects of Noni juice on stress Grandin, T. 1993. Behavioral agitation dur-
(Naziroğlu et al., 2002). Furthermore, factors were not observed in stress ing handling of cattle is persistent over time.
fat-soluble antioxidants, β-carotene and excitability measures, such as Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 36:1–9.
and α-tocopherol, when added to neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, serum Hammond, A. C., T. A. Olson, C. C. Chase,
lactating dairy cow diets, increased cortisol, exit velocity, or subjective E. J. Bowers Jr., R. D. Randel, C. N. Mur-
rumen bacterial cell growth (Hino et pen and chute scores. phy, D. W. Vogt, and A. Tewolde. 1996. Heat
tolerance in two tropically adapted Bos tau-
al., 1993). rus breeds, Senepol and Romosinuano, com-
In conclusion, cattle supplemented IMPLICATIONS pared with Brahman, Angus, and Hereford
with Noni had greater gains and cattle in Florida. J. Anim. Sci. 74:295–303.
gained more efficiently than did This study is one of the first investi- Hibbard, L. R., D. A. Blasi, R. G. Godbee,
controls. It is not known whether gating the effects of Morinda citrifolia M. P. Epp, B. Oleen, and K. C. Olson. 2010.
the improvements were attributed to (Noni) on growth and feed efficiency Effects of Morinda citrifolia on growth perfor-
mance and health of high-risk calves. Pages
analgesic, antioxidant, or antibacterial in large, domestic ruminants. Future 111–113 in Kansas State University Cattle-
men’s Day Beef Cattle Research Report of
Progress, no. 1029. Kansas Agric. Exp. Stn.,
Manhattan, KS.
Hino, T., N. Andoh, and H. Ohgi. 1993.
Effects of β-carotene and α-tocopherol on
rumen bacteria in the utilization of long-
chain fatty acids and cellulose. J. Dairy Sci.
76:600–605.
King, D. A., C. E. Schuehle, R. D. Randel, T.
H. Wels Jr., R. A. Oliphint, K. O. Curley Jr.,
R. C. Vann, and J. W. Savell. 2005. Influence
of animal temperament on the tenderness of
beef m. longissimus lumborum steaks. Page
1723 in Proc. 51st Int. Cong. Meat Sci. Tech.,
Baltimore, MD. Am. Meat Sci. Assoc., Cham-
paign, IL.
McClatchey, W. 2002. From Polynesian
healers to health food stores: Changing
perspectives of Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae).
Integr. Cancer Ther. 1:110–120.
Figure 3. Effect of supplemental Noni on pen and chute scores (treatment, P ≥ 0.79; Naziroğlu, M., T. Güler, and A. Yüce. 2002.
day, P < 0.0001; and treatment × day, P ≥ 0.84). Effect of vitamin E on ruminal fermentationNoni pulp improves growth and health 425
in vitro. J. Vet. Med. A. Physiol. Pathol. Miller, T. H. Montgomery, J. B. Morgan, J. Feedlot cattle with calm temperaments
Clin. Med. 49:251–255. D. Tatum, and J. W. Wise. 1992. Improv- have higher average daily gain than cattle
ing the Consistency and Competitiveness with excitable temperaments. J. Anim. Sci.
Nelson, S. C., and C. R. Elevitch. 2006. Noni: of Beef—A Blueprint for Total Quality 75:892–896.
The Complete Guide for Consumers and Management in the Fed-Beef Industry. The
Growers. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Final Report of the National Beef Qual- Wang, M.-Y., B. J. West, C. J. Jensen, D.
Holualoa, HI. ity Audit—1991. Natl. Cattlemen’s Assoc., Nowicki, C. Su, A. K. Palu, and G. Anderson.
Englewood, CO. 2002. Morinda citrifolia (Noni): A literature
Schäfer, M., P. Sharp, V. J. Brooks, J. review and recent advances in Noni research.
Xu, J. Cai, N. S. Keuler, S. F. Peek, R. G. Voisinet, B. D., T. Grandin, S. F. O’Connor, Acta Pharmacol. Sin. 23:1127–1141.
Godbee, R. D. Schultz, and B. J. Darien. J. D. Tatum, and M. J. Deesing. 1997a. Bos
2008. Enhanced bactericidal activity against indicus–cross feedlot cattle with excitable Younos, C., A. Rolland, J. Fleuretin, M.-C.
Escherichia coli in calves fed Morinda temperaments have tougher meat and a Lanhers, R. Misslin, and F. Mortier. 1990.
citrifolia (Noni) puree. J. Vet. Intern. Med. higher incidence of borderline dark cutters. Analgesic and behavioral effects of Morinda
22:499–502. Meat Sci. 46:367–377. citrifolia. Planta Med. 56:430–434.
Smith, G. C., J. W. Savell, R. P. Clayton, Voisinet, B. D., T. Grandin, J. D. Tatum,
T. G. Field, D. B. Griffin, D. S. Hale, M. F. S. F. O’Connor, and J. J. Struthers. 1997b.You can also read
