Generic combustion method for determination of crude protein in feeds: collaborative study

Nine laboratories participated in a collaborative study on determination of crude protein in animal feeds to compare a generically described combustion method with the AOAC mercury catalyst Kjeldahl method (7.015). The combustion method was written in general terms of method principle, apparatus specifications, and performance requirements. The sample set comprised closely matched pairs of feed ingredients and mixed products ranging from 10 to 90% protein. Ten pairs ground to 0.5 mm were the focus of the study; 4 pairs were ground to 1.0 mm for comparison. Nicotinic acid and lysine monohydrochloride were included as standards. Collaborators were instructed to report their results for performance checks using materials supplied. Only one laboratory failed to meet the proposed limits. Seven laboratories used the LECO Model FP-228 analyzer and 2 used the LECO CHN 600 analyzer. For the 0.5 mm pairs, repeatability standard deviations (Sr) ranged from 0.09 to 0.58 for the Kjeldahl method and from 0.14 to 0.33 for the combustion method, with a pooled Sr value of 0.28 and relative standard deviation (RSDr) of 0.59%. Reproducibility standard deviations (Sg) ranged from 0.23 to 0.86 (Kjeldahl) and from 0.30 to 0.61 (combustion), with a pooled Sg value of 0.52 and RSDg of 1.10%. Grand means for the samples ground to 0.5 mm were 47.65% protein by the combustion method and 47.41% protein by the Kjeldahl method. For samples ground to 1.0 mm, corresponding values were 31.82 and 31.50% protein. The generic combustion method has been approved interim official first action.     

Pigment protein complex from gonyaulax

A water-soluble peridinin-chlorophyll-protein complex from the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax polyedra was found to have a molecular weight of about 38,000. The complex could be disrupted by digestion with proteolytic enzymes. No electron transfer was observed when the complex was irradiated.     

Presumed immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia in two foals with Rhodococcus equi infection

Objective – To describe the clinical presentation, case management, and outcome in 2 foals with Rhodococcus equi infection associated with presumptive severe immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia. Series Summary – Two foals diagnosed with R. equi pneumonia on the basis of tracheal wash cultures, thoracic radiographs, and thoracic ultrasonography were concurrently diagnosed with hemolytic anemia. Both foals required whole blood transfusions, and were treated with the antimicrobial combination of rifampin and a macrolide (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin, or azithromycin). Dexamethasone was used to prevent further hemolysis in both foals, and to treat acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome in 1 of the foals. Both foals survived, and required prolonged antimicrobial therapy. New or Unique Information Provided – Although extra‐pulmonary disorders are commonly diagnosed in foals infected with R. equi, hemolytic anemia is rarely described. Dexamethasone is considered the treatment of choice for immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia, but may be contra‐indicated in foals with severe bacterial infections. In these foals, a relatively low dose and short duration of dexamethasone was utilized in an attempt to minimize immune suppression, although early discontinuation in 1 foal precipitated a second hemolytic crisis.     

Zero Point of Charge Determination of Monoionic Montmorillonites by Transport Number Method

The zero points of charge (ZPC) of a natural bentonite and those of its homoionic forms (Na, Ca and Al) were determined by the transport number method. The influence of the interlayer cation was observed in the different pH values of the ZPC obtained. No influence of the water contains was observed.     

Compositional and moisture content effects on the biodegradability of zein/ethylcellulose films

The effect of moisture content and film composition on biodegradability is the focus of this study. Flexible films were first characterized for the effect on water sorption isotherms of relative humidity, temperature, zein content, and the addition of the plasticizers stearic acid, poly(ethylene glycol), or etoxylated ricine oil. Zein/ethylcellulose (EC) mixture films had a behavior between that for pure zein and EC films, which had the lowest water sorption. For films with plasticizer, the lowest water sorption at 25 degrees C was observed for those with stearic acid. Biodegradability of zein/EC films, evaluated using bacterial cultures selected for their zein proteolytic activity and isolated from a local solid waste landfill and a lagoon, showed no plasticizer effect even though its effect on moisture content was significant. Large differences were observed at different film zein concentration with the highest biodegradability for 100% zein. However, biodegradability did not mimic the water sorption behavior of zein/EC mixture films.     

Efficient preparation of catechin thio conjugates by one step extraction/depolymerization of pine (Pinus pinaster) bark procyanidins

The skin penetrating antioxidant cysteamine derivative of (-)-epicatechin as well as other thio conjugates were efficiently obtained with high yields from pine (Pinus pinaster) bark by simultaneous one pot extraction and depolymerization using water and cysteamine hydrochloride. The influence of the concentration of bark, acid, and cysteamine, as well as the reaction time on the total conversion, was studied. The total conversion into the epicatechin and catechin conjugates was as high as 47 g/kg pine bark with 1666 g cysteamine/kg bark and 28 g/kg with 166 g cysteamine/kg bark. A fast cleanup step by absorption/desorption on XAD-16 greatly facilitated further purification of the active major component. At a pilot scale, 4beta-(2-aminoethylthio)epicatechin (1) (conversion 263 g, purity 35% by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography/weight) was obtained from 17 kg of pine bark after simultaneous extraction/depolymerization followed by cleanup with the polymeric resin in approximately 10 h. The results show that pine (P. pinaster) bark is a suitable source of flavanols for the preparation of active thio derivatives. Conditions are given for the fast and efficient preparation of the conjugates.     

Procyanidin fractions from pine (Pinus pinaster) bark: radical scavenging power in solution, antioxidant activity in emulsion, and antiproliferative effect in melanoma cells

Pine (Pinus pinaster) bark is a rich source of procyanidin oligomers. From a total polyphenolic extract, we have generated fractions of different procyanidin composition. The mixtures, devoid of gallate esters, were active as free radical scavengers against ABTS(*+), DPPH, and HNTTM. Pine bark fractions were tested for antioxidant activity in solution (hydrogen donation and electron transfer) and emulsion (inhibition of lipid peroxidation) and compared with their galloylated counterparts from grape origin. While galloylation clearly influenced the free radical scavenging efficiency in solution, it did not seem to play a determinant role in protection against lipid peroxidation in emulsion. The fractions were very mild inhibitors of cell proliferation. Because gallate esters appear to interfere with crucial cell functions, gallate free pine procyanidins may be the innocuous chemopreventative agents of choice for many applications in food and skin protection.     

Multiresidue method for the analysis of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables by accelerated solvent extraction and capillary gas chromatography

An analytical procedure using accelerated solvent extraction and capillary gas chromatography with electron capture and flame photometric detections was developed to simultaneously determine residues of different pesticides in fruits and vegetables. Single laboratory validation of the method was carried out for 28 compounds selected from eight pesticide classes, in blank and fortified samples of fresh pear, cantaloupe, white potato, and cabbage. The method had to meet specific established validation criteria for regulatory purposes applicable to our laboratory. At each of the two fortification levels studied, 24 of the 28 pesticides gave recoveries of more than 70% with a coefficient of variation of less than 10%. With respect to existing procedures, the method showed acceptable limits of detection (from 0.0019 to 0.14 microg/g depending on the pesticide and matrix) while minimizing environmental concerns, time, and labor.     

Multicentric papillary cystadenoma in the udder of a cow

A mammary gland neoplasm was identified at necropsy in a 9-year-old ovariectomized Holstein cow with a 1-year history of an enlarged left hindquarter. A sterile serous secretion was expressed from the quarter. The cow developed Corynebacterium pyogenes infection in the quarter one year later and died of secondary complications. The left hindquarter was found to contain multiple cysts. The histologic diagnosis was multicentric papillary cystadenoma.