Tub gurnard Chelidonichthys lucerna L.: a new fish species suitable for farming? First answers evaluating the growth of juveniles reared at different stocking densities,welfare and fillet quality

A trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and survival of Chelidonichthys lucerna. A total of 13 352 180‐days old juveniles (5.5 ± 2 g; 5 ± 1 cm) were reared at two different densities (A‐EXP = 68 fish m^?3; B‐FFA = 15 fish m^?3) in eight tanks (four tanks per group) for 360 days. The welfare status and meat quality of fish were evaluated for the A‐EXP and B‐FFA groups in comparison with wild‐caught fishery gurnard (C‐WID). The survival rate was high for both A‐EXP (79%) and B‐FFA (93.5%). B‐FFA fish had the highest specific growth rate (1.16 vs. 1.07; P < 0.05), and were heavier than A‐EXP fish (321 ± 40 g vs .239 ± 44 g; P < 0.01). Rearing conditions did not affect blood metabolites, except for glucose concentrations, which were higher in C‐WID (P < 0.05). The meat quality traits showed that reared groups were fatter (2.8–3.2%) than C‐WID (0.94%); total n‐3 fatty acids (19.02–19.26%) were lower in reared groups than C‐WID (29.99%); and EPA + DHA were similar in all groups (15.1–16.61% vs. 27.99%). Despite the good growth and survival, the final mean weight was below that requested by the market (400–500 g). Future research efforts should focus on reducing the feed conversion rate (3:1).     

Scouting the application of sourdough to frozen dough bread technology

The use of sourdough, even in combination with cryoprotectant (skim milk, sucrose and trehalose), conventional additives (guar gum, diacetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglycerides, ascorbic acid), honey or fructose and glucose, in frozen dough technology was investigated. After frozen storage, the leavening performance of doughs, and the hardness and texture of breads were compared to those of an unfrozen dough, and to those of a conventional frozen dough. All frozen doughs showed a longer fermentation time and a lower volume increase, with respect to unfrozen dough. When sourdough was combined with cryoprotectant, honey or both, the leavening performance improved compared to the use of sourdough alone. Compared to the conventional frozen dough, higher leavening performance was reached combining sourdough with cryoprotectant alone or together with honey. Sourdough combined with honey, fructose and glucose, honey and cryoprotectant, or conventional additives decreased bread hardness compared to the unfrozen dough bread and to the conventional frozen dough bread. Independently from the use of sourdough, conventional additives allowed to reach a specific volume not significantly different from that of unfrozen dough bread, and breads containing honey were characterized by low values of hardness and by high values of red index.     

Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Organic Seedling Production: The Role of Compost,Cultivar, and Protein Hydrolyzate

In the past decade, the increasing environmental concerns regarding the use of non-renewable resources, such as peat, for growing media production has led to a search for alternative materials as substrate components. Until now, compost represents the most investigated one. Despite the critical aspects related to compost use (i.e., its high pH, salinity, and potential content of toxic elements), partial peat substitution with this material represents an achievable objective. In this study, green compost was evaluated as a component of peat substrates for organic sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedling production. Three compost rates (CR) were compared: 0 (peat without compost), 30, and 60% of compost v/v. Two pepper cultivars, one derived from a local (medium-Adriatic) germplasm (L) and a commercial hybrid (H), were tested. Furthermore, organic fertilizers based on hydrolyzed proteins, of animal (A) and vegetal (V) origin, were compared. Substrates were analyzed for characterization (pH, EC, nutrient contents, heavy metals). Seedling performances were evaluated in terms of size, biomass, nutrient uptake, and toxic element contents. Indices able to assess seedling resistance to transplant stress were also calculated. Results showed that CR60 treatment was able to produce seedlings with the same biomass of control. CR30, instead, assured the same chance to resist the transplanting stress of CR0. The performances of fertilizer A were significantly higher than those of fertilizer V. Local germplasm (L) showed the highest resistance to transplant stress, while H was more performing in nitrogen uptake. The risk of seedling contamination by toxic elements resulted negligible.     

Antimycotic effectiveness against dermatophytes: comparison of two in vitro tests

Seven antimycotic drugs (econazole, enilconazole, fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole) were tested against 36 dermatophyte strains (19 M. canis, 7 T. mentagrophytes, 5 M. gypseum, 2 M. cookei, 1 T. rubrum, 1 T. ajelloi, and 1 T. terrestre) isolated from animals, humans, and the environment. Two in vitro methods were compared: a micro-dilution test based on the CLSI M38-A method, and a disk-diffusion test. Fluconazole was not effective in vitro against the dermatophytes. Econazole and enilconazole were the most effective. Thirteen strains were griseofulvin-resistant. The correlation between the two methods was statistically significant for enilconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, and miconazole.     

Effects of methadone on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in dogs

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of methadone on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane (ISO_MAC) in dogs.Study designProspective, randomized cross-over experimental study.AnimalsSix adult mongrel dogs, four males and two females, weighing 22.8 ± 6.6 kg.MethodsAnimals were anesthetized with isoflurane and mechanically ventilated on three separate days, at least 1 week apart. Core temperature was maintained between 37.5 and 38.5 °C during ISO_MAC determinations. On each study day, ISO_MAC was determined using electrical stimulation of the antebrachium (50 V, 50 Hz, 10 mseconds) at 2.5 and 5 hours after intravenous injection of physiological saline (control) or one of two doses of methadone (0.5 or 1.0 mg kg^?1).ResultsMean (±SD) ISO_MAC in the control treatment was 1.19 ± 0.15% and 1.18 ± 0.15% at 2.5 and 5 hours, respectively. The 1.0 mg kg^?1 dose of methadone reduced ISO_MAC by 48% (2.5 hours) and by 30% (5 hours), whereas the 0.5 mg kg^?1 dose caused smaller reductions in ISO_MAC (35% and 15% reductions at 2.5 and 5 hours, respectively). Both doses of methadone decreased heart rate (HR), but the 1.0 mg kg^?1 dose was associated with greater negative chronotropic actions (HR 37% lower than control) and mild metabolic acidosis at 2.5 hours. Mean arterial pressure increased in the MET1.0 treatment (13% higher than control) at 2.5 hours.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMethadone reduces ISO_MAC in a dose-related fashion and this effect is lessened over time. Although the isoflurane sparing effect of the 0.5 mg kg^?1 dose of methadone was smaller in comparison to the 1.0 mg kg^?1 dose, the lower dose is recommended for clinical use because it results in less evidence of cardiovascular impairment.     

Managing faba bean residues to enhance the fruit quality of the melon (Cucumis melo L.) crop

Mulching and/or topsoil incorporation of plant residues from green manure legumes can increase cropping system sustainability, and can supply and retain nutrients. Two field experiments were conducted in Italy over the period of 2006–2007, to investigate the effect of faba bean grown in a temperate environment to fruit morphology, quality and chemical composition of the subsequent melon (Cucumis melo L.) crop. Flowering faba bean plants were managed as mulch on the melon plant rows and cut and incorporated into the soil, in comparison with cultivated soil (control) and black plastic mulch.     

Yield modelling in a Mediterranean species utilizing cause–effect relationships between temperature forcing and biological processes

Crop yield forecasting has progressed clearly in the past years, mainly due to the growing demand for modelling. In the present research, considering the Mediterranean vocation for the olive cultivation, olive yield forecasting modelling was analysed, to understand the principal relationships between olive tree production and climate features in a large southern Italy area. The simulation of olive yield has practical application in different price formation activities: in management of cropping systems, formation of stocks, commercialization, making of agricultural policies and zoning. Both meteorological and biological variables were considered, pollen indexes were constructed from daily pollen concentrations evaluated by use of aerobiological methodology. The monitored pollen quantities should be considered as a Proxy variable of the olive orchards located around the volumetric pollen traps, even if the final harvest could be highly dependent on local summer meteorological conditions. The model carried out by use of Panel data analysis has demonstrated a great interpretative capacity, considering contemporary meteorological and biological variables (pollen monitored with volumetric traps). The aggregation of historical data (1999–2008) with cross-section data (10 different pollen monitoring stations) permitted to investigate the variability information related to temporal and geographical dimensions. The entire volume of pollen grains emitted during flowering was redundant to investigate the future fruit formation while the specific and concentrated mass of pollen grains during the days before full flowering was related positively with the final production. The statistical technique utilized permitted to obtain interpretative results common to different geographical areas and not limited by local meteorological conditions.     

Effects of feeding frequency on growth,feed efficiency and body composition of juveniles Brazilian sardine,Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindacher 1879)

The Brazilian sardine is the most important fishery resource in Brazil. Their production has declined along the last 30 years due the overfishing, climatic and oceanographic phenomena. This study was carried out to determine the optimal feeding frequency for juvenile Brazilian sardine based on growth, feed efficiency, feed intake and body composition. Six feeding frequencies of one, two, three, four, five and six times a day were evaluated in triplicate tanks for 50 days. Fish with initial mean weight of 3.29 ± 0.56 g were fed daily to apparent satiation. The results showed that fish fed once daily had lower body weight gain, specific growth rate and condition factor (P < 0.05) compared with other treatments. The feed efficiency ratio in fish fed once daily was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those fed two or more times a day. No significant differences were observed in the coefficient of variation in body weight (P > 0.05) among the treatments. Feed intake was directly proportional to the feeding frequency. Fish fed once daily showed lower hepatosomatic and mesenteric fat indices (P < 0.05) than the other treatments. Neither protein nor ash content of fish were significantly (P > 0.05) affected by feeding frequency. However, the lipid content increased with feeding frequency. The results suggest that the optimal feeding frequency for juvenile Brazilian sardine is at least twice daily.