Enhancing the Quality of Total Mixed Ration Containing Cottonseed or Rapeseed Meal by Optimization of Fermentation Conditions

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear Editors and Authors,

The work entitled “ Optimization of Fermentation Conditions on Fermented Total Mixed Ration containing Cottonseed or Rapeseed Meal” is very interesting and deserve for publication. Cottonseed meal and rapeseed meal could be good protein sources in livestock feed. However, the application of both feedstuffs are limited in diets due to the existence of anti-nutritional factors, so the aim of this study was to determine the optimal fermentation conditions for reducing anti-nutritional factors. The research indicate that the optimal fermentation conditions of total ration with cottonseed meal or rapeseed meal enhances the nutritional value, thereby making them viable and usable feedstuffs for potential use in livestock production. The paper is technically sound.

Specific comments:

Line 73: “…B. clausii … S. cariocanus…” – should be italics. Check in the text, please.

Table 7. You define the acronyms “…RSM, rapeseed meal…”, but it was in Table 6. ​There was not explain the acronyms. Check the used the acronyms.

The work needs improvement. After taking these into account, I recommend it for publication in the

Fermentation.

 

With Kind Regards,

Author Response

Manuscript ID: fermentation-1407513

Title: “Optimization of Fermentation Conditions on Fermented Total Mixed Ration containing Cottonseed or Rapeseed Meal”.

Response to Reviewer 1 Comments

 We would like to express our appreciation to Reviewer 1 for carefully reviewing our article and providing useful comments and suggestions.

We have made revisions to the revised manuscript in response to the comments and recommendations received. We have copied each reviewer's comment below and followed up with a comprehensive answer. Additionally, we have used red colour in the revised portions of the manuscript by using “Track Changes” function.

Point 1: Line 73: “…B. clausii … S. cariocanus…” – should be italics. Check in the text, please.

Response 1: We have edited and revised it in the manuscript (Line73).

Point 2: Table 7. You define the acronyms “…RSM, rapeseed meal…”, but it was in Table 6. ​There was not explain the acronyms. Check the used the acronyms.

Response 2: We have edited and revised it in the manuscript (Line217). Thanks for your comments and suggestion. We have deleted the acronyms “…RSM, rapeseed meal in Table7(Line230). More information was added in the acronyms of Table6 in the revised manuscript.

  Finally, we wish to express our appreciation to the editor and reviewer 1 for their insightful comments, which have helped us and significantly improved our paper.

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors,

This manuscript reports the “Optimization of Fermentation Conditions on Fermented Total Mixed Ration containing Cottonseed or Rapeseed Meal”.

The paper presents a study that is very relevant in light of the arguments used to support it. The introduction provides a good, generalized background of the topic that quickly gives the reader an  appreciation of the scientific relevance and timeliness of the research theme. The experimental apparatus  is appropriate for the study.  The data didn’t duplicated in the graphics and/ text. Appropriate statistical methods have been used to test the significance of the results. The findings of the study are properly described in the context of the published literature.

 However, the submitted manuscript has lots of  flaws that must be corrected. According to my opinion,  main concerns:

• Table 1, Table 2: Instead of repeating the symbol [h] or [°C], please place it in column headings.
• Please, change the unit of „moisture content” to g/100g of product.
•  Please, complete the standard deviations for results of chemical composition in the Table 9.
• The section „Conclusions” is  supported by appropriate evidence. However, it is worth adding a few words about the practical applications of the obtained results.

In my opinion, this manuscript is appropriate for publication in Journal – Fermentation, given the above aspects, after minor revision.  

 

Author Response

Manuscript ID: fermentation-1407513

Title: “Optimization of Fermentation Conditions on Fermented Total Mixed Ration containing Cottonseed or Rapeseed Meal”.

 Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

 We would like to express our appreciation to Reviewer 2 for carefully reviewing our article and providing useful comments and suggestions.

We have made revisions to the revised manuscript in response to the comments and recommendations received. We have copied each reviewer's comment below and followed up with a comprehensive answer Additionally, we have used red color in  the revised portions of the manuscript by using “Track Changes” function.

 Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

Point 1: Table 1, Table 2: Instead of repeating the symbol [h] or [°C], please place it in column headings.

Response 1: We agree with the reviewer that symbol [h] or [°C] is placed it in the column headings. Thanks for your comments and suggestion. We have edited and revised the symbol [h] or [°C] of Table 1, Table 2 according to the reviewer's comments and suggestion.

 Point 2: Please, change the unit of “moisture content” to g/100g of product in Table 1 and Table 2.

Response 2: We changed the unit of “moisture content” to g/100g of product in Table 1 and Table 2 as suggested by the reviewer. We have revised it in the manuscript by using “tract changes function”

Point 3: Please, complete the standard deviations for results of chemical composition in the Table 9.

Response 3: As suggested by the reviewer, we have included standard deviations for chemical composition and anti-nutritional factor values in Table 9. We also have improved Table10 based on the comments and suggestions accordingly Table9 because their design is similar (an orthogonal design). Thanks for your comments and suggestion.

Point 4: The section “Conclusions” is supported by appropriate evidence. However, it is worth adding a few words about the practical applications of the obtained results.

Response 4: Thanks for your comments and suggestion. We have added this information in “Conclusions” of the manuscript (Line376-378).  “In addition, this research provides insight into the use of CSM or RSM in TMR that could potentially replace SBM in ruminant production”.

Finally, we wish to express our appreciation to the editor and reviewer for their insightful comments, which have helped us and significantly improved our paper.

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf