Animal Nutrition and Feed Science
Staff
Research Topics
We are examining the nutritional and physiological functions of foods and food components in relation to growth and health, disease prevention, and the safety of animal products. Functions are clarified through the effects on digestion and absorption, metabolism and immunity, and microbiota in the large intestine. Chemical, biochemical, and molecular biological methods are integrated in the experiments. Laboratory animals like rats and mice are employed for the food science research, and domestic and wild animals are examined for sustainable food production research, respectively.
Characterizing the milk, gut, and cowshed microbiota and the nutrition status of dairy cows
Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland regarded as the most important disease affecting dairy herds, is triggered by pathogens derived from infectious and environmental bacteria. Milk microbiota is shown to be influenced by the microbiota present on teat skin, bedding, feed, and in the surrounding air. Region, season, and hygiene of the milking practices are also known as environmental factors that influence the microbiota. We characterize the microbiota of the gut, milk, and cowshed environment to gain insights into improved cow management and mastitis prevention. |
Integrating Genomic Approaches to Upgrade the Value of Dairy Products
Various projects have been progressed to improve the productivity of dairy cows and the value of dairy products using genomic approaches. Hiruzen, a northern region of Okayama Prefecture, is a well-known area where dairy farming performs with Jersey cows. Jersey milk has a rich taste and high-fat content, making it suitable for the production of dairy products such as butter, cheese, and yogurt. β-casein is one of six milk proteins produced by the CSN2 gene, and the variants can be classified into A1 and A2. We identify the CSN2 gene variants and evaluate the quality and function of A1 and A2 milk products using rodent models. |
Publication List
- 1) Cecum microbiota in rats fed soy, milk, meat, fish, and egg proteins with prebiotic oligosaccharides. Sivixay, S., Bai, G., Tsuruta, T. & Nishino, N., 2021, AIMS Microbiology. 7, 1-12.
- 2) An investigation of seasonal variations in the microbiota of milk, feces, bedding, and airborne dust. Nguyen, T. T., Wu, H. & Nishino, N., 2020, Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences. 33, 185.
- 3) Bacterial and fungal microbiota associated with the ensiling of wet soybean curd residue under prompt and delayed sealing conditions. Wali, A. & Nishino, N., 2020, Microorganisms. 8, 1334.
- 4) Examination of milk microbiota, fecal microbiota, and blood metabolites of Jersey cows in cool and hot seasons. Nguyen, Q. D., Tsuruta, T. & Nishino, N., 2020, Animal Science Journal. 91, e13441.
- 5) Rumen fluid, feces, milk, water, feed, airborne dust, and bedding microbiota in dairy farms managed by automatic milking systems. Wu, H., Nguyen, Q. D., Tran, T. T. M., Tang, M. T., Tsuruta, T. & Nishino, N., 2019, Animal Science Journal. 90, 445-452.
- 6) The relationship between uterine, fecal, bedding, and airborne dust microbiota from dairy cows and their environment: A pilot study. Nguyen, T. T., Miyake, A., Tran, T. T. M., Tsuruta, T. & Nishino, N., 2019, Animals. 9, 1007.
- 7) Dietary soy, meat, and fish proteins modulate the effects of prebiotic raffinose on composition and fermentation of gut microbiota in rats. Bai, G., Tsuruta, T. & Nishino, N., 2018, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 69, 480-487.
- 8) Effects of wilting and lactic acid bacteria inoculation on fermentation and microbial community of elephant grass silage produced in Vietnam. Tran, T. M. T., Nguyen, M. T., Nguyen, H. V. & Nishino, N., 2017, Grassland Science. 64, 151-155.
- 9) Comparative microbiota assessment of wilted Italian ryegrass, whole crop corn, and wilted alfalfa silage using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and next-generation sequencing. Ni, K., Minh, T. T., Tu, T. T. M., Tsuruta, T., Pang, H. & Nishino, N., 2017, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 101, 385-1394.
- 10) Variability, stability, and resilience of fecal microbiota in dairy cows fed whole crop corn silage. Tang, M. T., Han, H., Yu, Z., Tsuruta, T. & Nishino, N., 2017, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 101, 6355-6364.