The effect of processing and marketing procedures on the bacteriological condition and shelf life of eviscerated turkeys

Experiments carried out in a turkey processing plant showed that there was a fivefold increase in the number of psychrophilic bacteria present after holding eviscerated carcasses in static slush ice tanks for 24 hr. The predominant bacteria in the 24 hr chill tanks were strains of Flavobacterium, Cytophaga and Pseudomonas.

The carcasses were wrapped in heat‐shrunk‐oxygen‐impermeable film and after freezing packed in individual boxes and held at ‐20° C. The storage life at 1°, 10° and 20° C. was determined together with the time taken for the frozen carcasses to equilibrate to these temperatures. It was found that at 1° C. the carcasses kept for about 3 weeks, but at 10° C. they spoiled within 7 days and at 20° G. within 3 days.

An analysis of the spoilage flora showed that although Pseudomonas strains predominated on the turkeys stored at 1° C. fewer were isolated from turkeys stored at 10° C. and 20° C. At these two temperatures an organism identified as Enterobacter liquefaciens predominated together with atypical lactobacilli resembling unidentified strains previously described by Thornley and Sharpe (1959).     

Seedborne Fusarium on Douglas-fir: Pathogenicity and seed stratification method to decrease Fusarium contamination

Twelve Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlots from coastal British Columbia were assayed for seedborne Fusarium. All of the seedlots were contaminated with Fusarium. Percent of nonstratified seeds from individual seedlots harboring Fusarium ranged from 0.3% to 95.4%. Sixty-seven percent of the seedlots had Fusarium on less than 2% of the seeds. Post-stratification seedborne Fusarium levels were significantly less for running water imbibition compared to standing water imbibition. However, seedling growth at a container nursery was not consistently different for stratified seed imbibed initially in standing or running water. Fusarium disease symptoms were not observed in the nursery environment. The species of Fusarium isolated from seed were F. acuminatum, F. avenaceum, F. lateritium, F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, F. poae and F. sambucinum. Twelve Fusarium isolates, comprising six species, were assessed for pathogenicity. Disease symptoms were observed after four weeks incubation and Fusarium isolates ranged in virulence from low to high. Fusarium oxysporum isolates were the most pathogenic.     

Increased salicylate concentrations in urine of human volunteers after consumption of cranberry juice

The aim of this study was to assess whether regular consumption of cranberry juice results in elevations in urinary salicylate concentrations in persons not taking salicylate drugs. Two groups of healthy female subjects (11/group) matched for age, weight, and height consumed 250 mL of either cranberry juice or a placebo solution three times a day (i.e., 750 mL/day) for 2 weeks. At weekly intervals, salicylic acid and salicyluric acid (the major urinary metabolite of salicylic acid) concentrations were determined in urine by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Concentrations of salicylic acid in plasma were also determined. Consumption of cranberry juice was associated with a marked increase (p < 0.001) of salicyluric and salicylic acids in urine within 1 week of the intervention. After 2 weeks, there was also a small but significant (p < 0.05) increase in salicylic acid in plasma. The regular consumption of cranberry juice results in the increased absorption of salicylic acid, an anti-inflammatory compound that may benefit health.     

Spatial variability in soil heat flux at three Inner Mongolia steppe ecosystems

Closing the energy budget at flux measurement sites is problematic, even when the fetch extends over flat, homogeneous surfaces with low vegetation cover. We used the residual energy balance and ordinary least square (OLS) linear regression methods to quantify spatial variability in soil heat flux contributing to energy balance closure (EBC), by deploying a mobile energy system within the footprints of three Eddy-covariance towers located in the steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. The EBC at the study sites had a daily average residual of 8–19 W m⁻² with OLS slopes of 0.83–0.96. The EBC was better achieved at the wet site than at the dry site. The spatial variability in soil heat flux was 48 W m⁻² (13% of R_n) during the day and 15 W m⁻² (34%) at night, with an average of 29 W m⁻² (24%) across the three sites. A 9% OLS slope difference due to this variability was recorded from our eight plot measurements. A large amount of missing energy (110 W m⁻² at peak) could occur with decreasing OLS slope of 23% across the three grassland sites when soil heat flux is not taken into account. In particular, heat storage in the top soil layer not only influenced the magnitude of EBC, but also adjusted soil heat flux to match the ‘truth schedule’. Heat storage in the top soil layer comprised half of the soil heat flux when the heat flux plate was deployed at a depth of 30 mm. If this part of heat storage was neglected, the residual of EBC would increase as large as 60 W m⁻² with OLS slope decreasing 9%. Comparing them with the multiple-location soil heat flux measurements, the single-location measurements from near the Eddy-covariance towers obtained a slightly better EBC with the OLS slope increasing by 4%.     

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for treatment of cutaneous lymphoma in a ground cuscus (Phalanger gymnotis)

A 15-year-old female ground cuscus (Phalanger gymnotis) was presented with an isolated ulcerated, nonhealing lesion on the lateral thorax. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were diagnostic for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with incomplete excision. Oral chemotherapy with CCNU (lomustine) resulted in clinical remission that lasted 255 days, with no appreciable toxicity. Tumor recurrence was treated with radiation therapy, which resulted in 120 additional days of clinical remission. Subsequently, the tumor developed at a distant site and the cuscus was humanely euthanized. A slight decrease in appetite early in disease progression was the only adverse effect noted throughout the treatment period. Oral, minimally invasive chemotherapy, and adjunct radiation therapy were viable treatment options for this ground cuscus and should be considered for treatment of neoplasia in other nontraditional species.     

Detomidine-Propofol Anesthesia for Abdominal Surgery in Horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate propofol for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, after detomidine premedication, in horses undergoing abdominal surgery for creation of an experimental intestinal adhesion model. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Twelve horses (424 +/- 81 kg) from 1 to 20 years of age (5 females, 7 males). METHODS: Horses were premedicated with detomidine (0.015 mg/kg i.v.) 20 to 25 minutes before induction, and a propofol bolus (2 mg/kg i.v.) was administered for induction. Propofol infusion (0.2 mg/kg/min i.v.) was used to maintain anesthesia. The infusion rate was adjusted to maintain an acceptable anesthetic plane as determined by muscle relaxation, occular signs, response to surgery, and cardiopulmonary responses. Oxygen (15 L/min) was insufflated through an endotracheal tube as necessary to maintain the SpO2 greater than 90%. Systolic (SAP), mean (MAP), and diastolic (DAP) arterial pressures, heart rate (HR), electrocardiogram (ECG), respiratory rate (RR), SpO2 (via pulse oximetry), and nasal temperature were recorded at 15 minute intervals, before premedication and after induction of anesthesia. Arterial blood gas samples were collected at the same times. Objective data are reported as mean (+/-SD); subjective data are reported as medians (range). RESULTS: Propofol (2.0 mg/kg i.v.) induced anesthesia (mean bolus time, 85 sec) within 24 sec (+/-22 sec) after the bolus was completed. Induction was good in 10 horses; 2 horses showed signs of excitement and these two inductions were not smooth. Propofol infusion (0.18 mg/kg/min +/- 0.04) was used to maintain anesthesia for 61 +/- 19 minutes with the horses in dorsal recumbency. Mean SAP, DAP, and MAP increased significantly over time from 131 to 148, 89 to 101, and 105 to 121 mm Hg, respectively. Mean HR varied over time from 43 to 45 beats/min, whereas mean RR increased significantly over anesthesia time from 4 to 6 breaths/min. Mean arterial pH decreased from a baseline of 7.41 +/- 0.07 to 7.30 +/- 0.05 at 15 minutes of anesthesia, then increased towards baseline values. Mean PaCO2 values increased during anesthesia, ranging from 47 to 61 mm Hg whereas PaO2 values decreased from baseline (97 +/- 20 mm Hg), ranging from 42 to 57 mm Hg. Muscle relaxation was good and no horses moved during surgery: Recovery was good in 9 horses and acceptable in 3; mean recovery time was 67 +/- 29 minutes with 2.4 +/- 2.4 attempts necessary for the horses to stand. CONCLUSIONS: Detomidine-propofol anesthesia in horses in dorsal recumbency was associated with little cardiovascular depression, but hypoxemia and respiratory depression occurred and some excitement was seen on induction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Detomidine-propofol anesthesia is not recommended for surgical procedures in horses if dorsal recumbency is necessary and supplemental oxygen is not available (eg, field anesthesia).     

Food sources,digestive efficiency and resource allocation in the sea cucumber Holothuria forskali (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea): Insights from pigments and fatty acids

Various research projects in Europe and North Africa have recently intended to breed temperate holothurians to alleviate fishing pressure on natural populations. However, to date little is known about the nutritional requirements of East Atlantic and Mediterranean species. In this study, we propose a “natural population”‐oriented approach to characterize food sources, digestive efficiency and resources allocation based on the composition of pigments and fatty acids (FA) in gut contents and tissues (muscles, gonads and digestive tract walls) of wild individuals of the species Holothuria (Panningothuria) forskali (Delle Chiaje, 1823) sampled in Brittany (France). Our study reveals that neither green nor red algae enter the diet of H. forskali in spring and that the only fresh vegetal material found in gut contents is brown algae (very likely diatoms). The high nutritional quality of gut contents however contrasts with the detrital nature of the ingested food sources, suggesting that a trophic upgrading of organic matter occurs before digestion. In addition, unusual FA (i.e. only present in a few groups of living species) such as long‐chain monounsaturated FA (especially the FA 23:1ω9) were found in large proportions in muscles and gonad and their effect on sea cucumber fitness needs further investigation.     

Fentanyl or midazolam for co-induction of anaesthesia with propofol in dogs

ObjectivePropofol may cause adverse effects (e.g. apnoea, hypotension) at induction of anaesthesia. Co-induction of anaesthesia may reduce propofol requirements. The effect of fentanyl or midazolam on propofol dose requirements and cardiorespiratory parameters was studied.Study designRandomized, controlled, blinded clinical study.AnimalsSixty-six client owned dogs (35 male, 31 female, ASA I-II, age 6–120 months, body mass 4.7–48.0 kg) were selected.MethodsPre-medication with acepromazine (0.025 mg kg⁻¹) and morphine (0.25 mg kg⁻¹) was administered by intramuscular injection. After 30 minutes group fentanyl-propofol (FP) received fentanyl (2 μg kg⁻¹), group midazolam-propofol (MP) midazolam (0.2 mg kg⁻¹) injected over 30 seconds via a cephalic catheter and in a third group, control-propofol (CP), the IV catheter was flushed with an equivalent volume of heparinized saline. Anaesthesia was induced 2 minutes later, with propofol (4 mg kg⁻¹minute⁻¹) administered to effect. After endotracheal intubation anaesthesia was maintained with a standardized anaesthetic protocol. Pulse rate, respiratory rate (RR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded before the co-induction agent, before induction, and 0, 2 and 5 minutes after intubation. Apnoea ≥30 seconds was recorded and treated. Sedation after pre-medication, activity after the co-induction agent, quality of anaesthetic induction and endotracheal intubation were scored.ResultsPropofol dose requirement was significantly reduced in FP [2.90 mg kg⁻¹(0.57)] compared to CP [3.51 mg kg⁻¹ (0.74)] and MP [3.58 mg kg⁻¹(0.49)]. Mean pulse rate was higher in MP than in CP or FP (p = 0.003). No statistically significant difference was found between groups in mean RR, MAP or incidence of apnoea. Activity score was significantly higher (i.e. more excited) (p = 0.0001), and quality of induction score was significantly poorer (p = 0.0001) in MP compared to CP or FP. Intubation score was similar in all groups.Conclusions and clinical relevanceFentanyl decreased propofol requirement but did not significantly alter cardiovascular parameters. Midazolam did not reduce propofol requirements and caused excitement in some animals.     

Metabolisable energy studies with Turkeys: Nitrogen correction factor in metabolisable energy determinations

1. Metabolisable energy (ME) values, uncorrected for nitrogen retention, for a Canadian rapeseed meal and an American wheat, determined by a regression method with turkey poults, were influenced by the protein content of the basal diet used.

2. Increased nitrogen retention offsets the effect of substituting rape‐seed meal into a low‐protein basal diet, providing a high estimate of ME.

3. The expected offsetting due to nitrogen retention of the effect of substituting wheat into a high‐protein basal diet was not observed but this was due to some unexpected trends in nitrogen retention.

4. Correction of ME values for nitrogen retention decreased differences due to disparities between the protein contents of the ingredients evaluated and the basal diet.     

Relation between loss of fluid from thawing chicken carcasses and uptake of water during processing

The fluid which is released from frozen eviscerated chicken carcasses during thawing has been studied. Variation has been observed in the amounts of fluid lost by different carcasses thawed under standardised conditions and this has not been adequately‐explained by variations in pre‐slaughter treatment (a long or a short journey between farm and factory) or by variations in processing after slaughter (long or short cuts before evisceration, mechanical or static water chilling or, in static chilling, different ratios of ice: water: chicken).

A preliminary study of the composition of the exudate formed during thawing and subsequent holding at 1° C. has indicated a progressive increase in the amounts of blood pigment, total nitrogen and total solids during a period of 6 days. Under similar conditions the amounts of blood pigments and solids were greater in the exudate from carcasses that had not been chilled before freezing. When comparable carcasses were thawed at ambient temperatures between 1° C. and 30° C., the times for the temperature of the deep muscle to rise from ‐20° to + 1° C. ranged from 96 hr to 4 hr and the corresponding amounts of fluid lost were 2.91 and 1.25 per cent of the frozen wrapped weight.