School of Biosciences
 

Julian Wiseman

Professor of Animal Production,

Contact

  • workRoom 205 South Laboratory
    Sutton Bonington Campus
    Sutton Bonington
    Leicestershire
    LE12 5RD
    UK
  • work0115 951 6054
  • fax0115 951 6099

Biography

Prof Julian Wiseman

Professor of Animal Production , Division of Animal Science

Julian's research interests fall into two main areas: non-ruminant animal nutrition and product quality. Current research areas include:

  • Nutritional value of co-products from bioethanol production
  • Home-grown legumes in diets for non-ruminants; digestibility, performance and carcass quality
  • Evaluating exogenous enzymes in pig nutrition
  • Muscle growth in broilers

Expertise Summary

Nutritional, biochemical and rheological characterisation of feedstuffs

Cereals and cereal co-products

Cereals are the principal components of diets for non-ruminants. Current developments include digestibility of starch and non-starch polysaccharides in cereals, and digestibility of amino acids in new and near isogenic wheat lines; the IBIR rye translocation, introduced into numerous UK wheat cultivars, had a negative impact on nutritional value and the characteristic has now been bred out.

The influence of dietary cereals (both raw and processed) on gut environment and how these ingredients might influence gut morphology. The background is the withdrawal of anti-biotic growth promoters from the diets of newly-weaned piglets.

Predictive model for nutritional quality of cereals is on-going in collaboration with Division of Food Sciences where those assessments employed in the human food industry and now being extended to feeds.

The UK bioethanol industry is generating significant quantities of co-products following fermentation of wheat including wheat distillers dark grains with soluble. As a high protein material, W-DDGS has potential for inclusion into diets for non-ruminants.

Legumes

Amino acid digestibility determined and quantification of the impact of anti-nutritional factors (primarily anti-trypsin factors) together with processing conditions designed to minimise their effects. Heat processing is important for peas not only to denature anti-trypsin factors but also to reduce crystalinity in starch, rendering it more digestible.

Whilst 'home grown' legumes continue to attract attention, Europe is still dependent on soya bean imports. With the removal of mammalian proteins from the diets of livestock, soya is an increasingly important dietary raw material.

Canola

Canola (oilseed rape) is the UK's principal oilseed crop but also a high protein raw material for inclusion into non-ruminant diets. Variations in glucosinolate concentrations could be of nutritional significance. Levels of these anti-nutritional factors may vary between cultivars and this subject is currently under investigation.

Reproduction

Seasonal variation in breeding activity in domestic pigs is a commonly-observed phenomenon although it seems not to have a genetic basis. The overall conclusion was that, if observed, seasonality was attributable to management / other environmental factors.

Product quality

Qualitative aspects of both pig and poultry meat are assuming increasing importance.

Recommendations from Government bodies has identified the importance of essential fatty acid intake in the human population. Manipulation of the fatty acid profile of pig and poultry carcass fat through dietary means is well-known. However quantitative relationships between diet and carcass are less clear. Areas of interest include the time for dietary changes to be mirrored in alterations in carcass fatty acid profile.

Fatty acid profile of carcass fat may have a profound influence on eating quality.

Teaching Summary

Animal science concentrating on recent developments; non-ruminant nutrition, product quality and production; companion animal science

Research Summary

Nutritional, biochemical and rheological characterisation of feedstuffs

Cereals and cereal co-products

Cereals are the principal components of diets for non-ruminants. Current developments in this area include digestibility of starch and non-starch polysaccharides in cereals, and digestibility of amino acids in new and near isogenic wheat lines in collaboration with BBSRC John Innes Institute and commercial companies. The key advantage of these lines is that they are substantially genetically similar, except for one key characteristic whose nutritional implications can thus be assessed. Current developments include an assessment of endosperm texture as an important variable influencing nutritional value. The objectives of programmes are to examine possible variability in both biological and biochemical characteristics of cereals which might have been influenced by breeding programmes; the IBIR rye translocation, introduced into numerous UK wheat cultivars, had a negative impact on nutritional value and the characteristic has now been bred out.

Studies are complemented by other research programmes examining the influence of dietary cereals (both raw and processed) on gut environment and how these ingredients might influence gut morphology. The background to this is the withdrawal of anti-biotic growth promoters from the diets of newly-weaned piglets.

Development of an in vitro predictive model for nutritional quality of cereals is on-going in collaboration with Division of Food Sciences. This is a particularly novel approach where those assessments employed in the human food industry and now being extended to feeds. Laboratory techniques being assessed include rapid visco-analyser, X-Ray diffraction, water solubility index and water absorption index.

The UK bioethanol industry is generating significant quantities of co-products following fermentation of wheat including wheat distillers dark grains with soluble. As a high protein material, W-DDGS has potential for inclusion into diets for non-ruminants.

Legumes

Studies consider the nutritional value of plant legumes (as measured principally through amino acid digestibility determined in the small intestine) and quantification of the impact of anti-nutritional factors (primarily anti-trypsin factors) together with processing conditions designed to minimise their effects. Novel pea cultivars were developed at BBSRC JIC to contain reduced levels of trypsin inhibitor activity; these were demonstrated to be of better nutritional quality. Heat processing is important for peas not only to denature TIA but also to reduce crystalinity in starch, rendering it more digestible.

Whilst 'home grown' legumes continue to attract attention, Europe is still dependent on soya bean imports. With the removal of mammalian proteins from the diets of livestock, soya is an increasingly important dietary raw material.

Canola

Canola (oilseed rape) is the UK's principal oilseed crop but also a high protein raw material for inclusion into non-ruminant diets. Variations in glucosinolate concentrations could be of nutritional significance. Levels of these anti-nutritional factors may vary between cultivars and this subject is currently under investigation.

Reproduction

Seasonal variation in breeding activity in domestic pigs is a commonly-observed phenomenon. The European wild boar is know to be seasonal, although this can be mediated through high planes of nutrition, shorter / abrupt weaning and the continued presence of a mature male - these are all environmental factors found in the management of the domesticate. This does however lead to the question as to whether seasonality has a genetic basis. A major survey of the breeding data base of Cotswold (now JSR Genetics), including incorporation of sophisticated mathematical models, examined whether there was an influence of genotype. The overall conclusion was that there was not and that, if observed, seasonality was attributable to management / other environmental factors.

Product quality

Qualitative aspects of both pig and poultry meat are assuming increasing importance. The growth of individual portions of the broiler carcass as influenced through dietary inputs has been studied in order to assess optimum conditions for growth and time of slaughter. Modelling routines, based on the Gompertz function, have allowed patterns of growth to be quantified.

Recommendations from Government bodies has identified the importance of essential fatty acid intake in the human population. Manipulation of the fatty acid profile of pig and poultry carcass fat through dietary means is well-known. However quantitative relationships between diet and carcass are less clear. Areas of interest include the time for dietary changes to be mirrored in alterations in carcass fatty acid profile.

Fatty acid profile of carcass fat may have a profound influence on eating quality. Thus an increase in the essential polyunsaturated fatty acid content of pig meat, whilst being perceived as being of possible benefit to the consumer, may also be associated with a decline in both keeping and eating quality because of the increased risk of oxidative degradation of these fatty acids producing off-odours and flavours. Previous studies involving taste panels have confirmed this. A study, in collaboration with colleagues in Food Science, attempted to quantify those compounds produced during oxidation of meat lipid through GC-mass spectroscopy.

  • Academic Community

Undergraduate admissions, senior editor 'Journal of agricultural Science (Cambs)'

  • Public Engagement

KT presentation on 'History of the British Pig'

  • Industrial Involvement

A number of recent grants have been within the 'LINK' programme with commercial partners.

Co-organiser of the annual 'Nottingham Feed Conference

Past Research

Recent (since 2001) and current research projects:

2001-2003

£173 K : Finishing Systems Research. Co-Investigator. Defra LINK.

2002-2003

£137K : Seasonal infertility in the domestic pig; database analyses to evaluate factors responsible. Principal Investigator. Defra CSG 7

2003-2007

£70K / 170K : Sustainable nutritional management of the weaned piglet. Principal Investigator Defra CSG 7 / Co-Investigator Defra LINK (two parallel projects)

2003-2004

£103K : Yields of UK crops and livestock: physiological and technological constraints, and expectations of progress to 2050. Co-Investigator. Defra CSG 7

2006-2009

£1282K : Reduction in diffuse pollution of poultry operations through selection of wheat cultivars of high and consistent nutritional quality. Principal Investigator. Defra LINK

2009-2012

£260K : The environmental consequences of using home-grown legumes as a protein source in pig diets. Co-investigator. Defra LINK

2009-2012

£56K : Assessing the environmental consequences of husbandry changes in the UK poultry systems through a life cycle analysis (Poultry LCA). Co-investigator. Defra LINK

2010-2014

£490K : Environmental and nutritional benefits of bioethanol co-products. Co-investigator. Defra LINK

2013-2016

£101K : Home grown oilseed rape meal and oil seed rape products as protein sources for pigs and poultry

2001-2013

£433K : Research programmes directly with commercial companies other than through LINK.

TOTAL: £3275 K

Selected (since 2001) Publications

a. Publications in peer-reviewed journals

HUGHES, R.K., DESFORGES, N., SELWOOD, C., SMITH, R., SPEIRS, C.I. SINNAEVE, G., WISEMAN, J. JUMEL, K., HARDING, S.E., HILL, S.E., STREET, V., WANG, T.L. and HEDLEY, C.L. (2001). Genes affecting starch biosynthesis exert pleiotropic effects on the protein content and composition of pea seeds. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 81, 877-882.

ZARKADAS, L. and WISEMAN, J. (2001). Influence of processing variables during micronization on performance and digestibility in weaned piglets fed wheat based diets. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 93, 93-107.

ZARKADAS, L. and WISEMAN, J. (2002).Influence of micronization temperature and pre-conditioning on performance and digestibility in piglets fed barley based diets. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 95, 73-82.

WISEMAN, J., AL-MAZOOQI, W. WELHAM, T. and DOMONEY, C. (2003).The apparent ileal digestibility, determined with young broilers, of amino acids in near-isogenic lines of peas (Pisum sativum L.) differing in trypsin inhibitor activity. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 83, 644-651.

ZARKADAS, L. and WISEMAN, J. (2005).Influence of processing of full fat soya beans included in diets for piglets. 1. Performance. Animal Feed Science and Technology 118, 109-119.

ZARKADAS, L. and WISEMAN, J. (2005).Influence of processing of full fat soya beans included in diets for piglets. 2: Digestibility and intestinal morphology. Animal Feed Science and Technology 118, 120-137.

CLARKE, E.J. and WISEMAN, J. (2005). Effects of variability in trypsin inhibitor content of soya bean meals on true and apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and pancreas size in broiler chicks. Animal Feed Science and Technology 121, 125-138.

LEWIS, T.L., WISEMAN, J. and WOOLLIAMS, J.A. (2005). Genotype by mating type interaction for litter size in Landrace and Large White sows. Animal Science 81, 331-335.

WISEMAN, J., AL-MAZOOQI, A., HEDLEY, C., WANG, T.L., WELHAM, T. and DOMONEY, C. (2006).The effects of genetic variation at r , rb and Tri loci in Pisum sativum L. on apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in young broilers. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 86, 436-444.

WISEMAN, J., (2006). Variations in starch digestibility in non-ruminants. Animal Feed Science and Technology 130, 66-77.

WISEMAN, J., LEWIS, T. L. and WOLLIAMS, J.A. (2006). Seasonal infertility in the domestic pig - myth or menace? Is there a genetic basis? The Pig Journal 58, 55-66.

WELLOCK, I.J., FORTOMARIS, P.D., HOUDIJK, J.G.M., WISEMAN, J., and KYRIAZAKIS, I. (2007). The consequences of non-starch polysaccharide solubility and inclusion level on the health and performance of weaned pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. British Journal of Nutrition (in press).

CLARKE, e.j. and WISEMAN, J. (2007). Effects of extrusion conditions on trypsin inhibitor activity of full fat soya beans and subsequent effects on their nutritional value for young broilers. British Poultry Science (accepted for publication).

WELLOCK, I.J., FORTOMARIS, P.D., HOUDIJK, J.G.M., WISEMAN, J. and KYRIAZAKIS, I. (2008). The consequences of non-starch polysaccharide solubility and inclusion level on the health and performance of weaned pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. British Journal of Nutrition 99, 520-530.

WHITE, g.a., dOUCET, f.j., hILL, s.e. and WISEMAN, J. (2008). Physicochemical properties and nutritional quality of raw cereals for newly-weaned piglets. Animal 2, 867-878.

McORIST, S, BLUNT, R. and WISEMAN, J. (2008). Ascaris suum parasitism in finisher pigs: welfare and economic impacts and control options. The Pig Journal 61, 74-79.

WHITE, g.a., dOUCET, f.j., hILL, s.e. and WISEMAN, J. (2008). Physicochemical changes to starch granules during micronisation and extrusion processing of wheat, and their implications for starch digestibility in the newly-weaned piglet .Animal 2, 1312-1323.

Al-MARZOOQI, w. and WISEMAN, j (2009) Effect of extrusion under controlled temperature and moisture conditions on ileal apparent amino acid and starch digestibility in peas determined with young broilers. Animal Feed Science and Technology 153, 113-130.

Doucet, F.J., White, G., Wulfert, F., Hill, S.E. AND WISEMAN, J. (2010). Predicting in vivo starch digestibility coefficients in newly weaned piglets from in vitro assessment of diets using multivariate analysis. British Journal of Nutrition 103, 1309-1318.

Le BON M, DAVIES, H,E, GLYNN, C, THOMPSON C, MADDEN, M, WISEMAN, J, DODD, C.E.R, HURDIDGE, L, PAYNE, G, Le TREUT, Y, CRAIGON J, TOTEMEYER, S AND MELLITS, KH (2010). Influence of probiotics on gut health of the weaned pig. Livestock Science 133, 179-81.

CHAOSAP, c., pARR, t. and wISEMAN, j (2010). Effect of compensatory growth on performance, carcass composition and plasma IGF-1 in grower finisher pigs. Animal 5, 749-756.

Masey-O'Neill, Flintham J, Craigon, J and WISEMAN, J (2011).The influence of drying regimes on the digestibility of starch for broilers fed semi-synthetic diets. Animal Feed Science and Technology 164, 225-231

CHAOSAP, C., PARR, T. and WISEMAN, J. (2011) Effect of compensatory growth on forms of glycogen, post mortem proteolysis and meat quality in pigs. Journal of Animal Science 89 (7), 2231-2242.

LEINONEN, I., WILLIAMS, A.G., WISEMAN, J., GUY., AND KYRIAZAKIS, I. (2012). Predicting the environmental impacts of chicken systems in the United Kingdom through a life cycle assessment: Broiler production systems. Poultry Science, 91, 8-25 [15].

LEINONEN, I., WILLIAMS, A.G., WISEMAN, J., GUY,J. AND KYRIAZAKIS, I. (2012). Predicting the environmental impacts of chicken systems in the United Kingdom through a life cycle assessment: Egg production systems. Poultry Science, 91, 26-40.

MASEY O'NEILL, H.V., RADEMACHER, M., MUELLER-HARVEY, I., STRINGANO, E., KIGHTLEY, S. and WISEMAN, J. (2012). Standardised ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids of UK-grown peas and faba beans by broilers. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 175, 158-167 [20]

b. Chapters in Books

WISEMAN, J. (2001). High energy diets for poultry - effects of diet composition on performance and carcass quality. In "Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition - 2001". pp87 -106. Edited by P C Garnsworthy and J Wiseman, Nottingham University Press, Nottingham.

WISEMAN, J. PICKARD, J. and ZARKADAS, L. (2001). Starch digestion in piglets. In "The Weaner Pig: Nutrition and Management", p65-80. Edited by M.A. Varley and J. Wiseman, CAB Publishing, Wallingford.

WISEMAN, J. (2001). The quantitative contribution of fat to metabolisable energy. In "Poultry Feedstuffs: Supply, Composition and Nutritive value" pp137-150. Edited by J.M. McNab and K.N. Boorman, CABI Publishing, Oxon

WISEMAN, J. (2002). Criteria of grain quality for pigs and poultry. In "Nutrition of pigs and poultry; Schweine und Geflügelernährung". Proceedings of the Biennial Nutrition Conference. Edited by M. Rodehutscord, Institut für Ernährungswissenschaften, Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

SLEVIN, J. and WISEMAN, J. (2003). Physiological development in the gilt. In "Perspectives in Pig Science", p.293-332 Edited by J. Wiseman, M.A.Varley and B.Kemp. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham.

PICKARD, J.A. and WISEMAN, J. (2003). Nutritional influences on gut physiology. In "Perspectives in Pig Science", p. 357-380. Edited by J. Wiseman, M.A.Varley and B.Kemp. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham.

WISEMAN, J., VARLEY, M.A., KNOWLES, A. and WALTERS, R. (2005). Livestock yields now and to come: Case study Pigs. In "Yields of Farmed Species". P495-518. Edited by R. Sylvester-Bradley and J Wiseman. Nottingham University Press.

DOUCET, F.J., WHITE, G., WISEMAN, J. and HILL, S. (2007). Physico-chemical changes to starch structure during processing of raw materials and their implications for starch digestibility in newly-weaned piglets. In "Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition - 2006". P313-330. Edited by PC Garnsworthy and J Wiseman. Nottingham University Press.

c. Books Written

WISEMAN, J. (2001). The Pig - A British History, Duckbacks, London

d. Books Edited

GARNSWORTHY P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2001). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2001. Proceedings of the 35th Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

GARNSWORTHY P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2001). Recent Developments in Pig Nutrition 3. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham.

VARLEY, M.A., and WISEMAN, J. (2001). The Weaner Pig - Nutrition and Management. Published by CAB International.

GARNSWORTHY P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2002). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2002. Proceedings of the 36th Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

GARNSWORTHY, P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2003). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2003. Proceedings of the 37th Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

WISEMAN, J., VARLEY, M.A. and KEMP, B. (2003). Progress in Pig Science. Proceedings of the 59th Easter School in Agricultural Sciences. Co-Editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

WISEMAN, J. and GARNSWORTHY, P.C. (2004) Influence of dietary fats and oils on animal product quality. Inform - International News on Fats, Oils & Related Materials, 15, 334-335.

GARNSWORTHY, P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2004). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2003. Proceedings of the 38h Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

SYLVESTER-BRADLEY, R. and WISEMAN, J. (2005). Yields of Farmed Species. Proceedings of the 61st Easter School in Agricultural Sciences. Co-Editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

GARNSWORTHY, P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2005). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2003. Proceedings of the 39th Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

WISEMAN, J. and GARNSWORTHY, P.C. (2006). Recent Advances in Non-ruminant Nutrition. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

GARNSWORTHY, P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2006). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2003. Proceedings of the 40th Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

WISEMAN, J., VARLEY, M.A. , McORIST, S. and KEMP, B. (2007). Paradigms in Pig Science. Proceedings of the 61st Easter School in Agricultural Sciences. Co-Editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

GARNSWORTHY, P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2007). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2007. Proceedings of the 41st Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

GARNSWORTHY, P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2008). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2008. Proceedings of the 42nd Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

GARNSWORTHY, P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2009). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2009. Proceedings of the 43rd Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

GARNSWORTHY, P.C. and WISEMAN, J. (2012). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2012. Proceedings of the 44th Feed Manufacturers' Conference. Co-editor. Published by Nottingham University Press.

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