In vitro assesment of antimicrobial activity and characteristics of polyamide 6/silver nanocomposite fibers

In this study, the preparation method and characteristics of silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) loaded polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposite and its antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The melt intercalation method was used to prepare a series of PA 6 nanocomposite fibers containing, 0; 1; 3; 5 % (wt.) Ag. PA6/Ag nanocomposite fibers exhibit increased antimicrobial efficiency with the increase of nanoparticle contents. On the other hand, thermal characterization tests show that the increased concentration of Ag nanoparticles reduces the mechanical properties due to their partial agglomeration leading to flaw generation. The crystallinity of the fibers was found to decrease about 10 % with increase of Ag to 5 %. This was attributed to faster cooling rate experienced in the presence of high thermal conductivity Ag particles.     

Campylobacter spp. and their antimicrobial resistance patterns in poultry: an epidemiological survey study in Turkey

The current study aimed at determining the prevalence and the antimicrobial resistance profiles of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. infecting broiler chickens. A total of 240 caecal samples from six slaughterhouses were examined for the presence of Campylobacter spp. C. jejuni was detected in 40.4% (97/240) of the samples and C. coli in 12.1% (29/240). The agar disc diffusion method and the E-test were used for testing the antimicrobial susceptibility of C. jejuni and C. coli isolates. C. jejuni isolates were most resistant to nalidixic acid (79.4%) followed by tetracycline (76.3%), ciprofloxacin (74.2%) and enrofloxacin (15.5%). Among the C. coli isolates, the frequency of resistance to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin was the same at 65.5%. The predominant profiles of multidrug resistance to three or more antimicrobials in C. jejuni and C. coli were determined as tetracycline/nalidixic acid/ciprofloxacin resistance (48.5%) and tetracycline/nalidixic acid/ciprofloxacin/enrofloxacin resistance (51.7%), respectively. To prevent the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria of animal origin to humans, it should be noted that high proportions of multidrug resistance were found in both species.     

Nutrient composition of mistletoe (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Viscum album</Emphasis>) and its nutritive value for ruminant animals

Mistletoe (Viscum album L. subsp. album) is known as an obligatory hemiparasite of trees and is consumed by herbivores in some places, especially during periods of forage shortage and drought. This experiment was conducted to determine nutrient composition and nutritive value of mistletoe with respect to vegetation stage. Mistletoe samples were collected from three different tree species [almond (Amygdalus communis L.), plum (Prunus domestica L.), and willow (Salix alba L.)] at three different vegetation stages (April, July, October) naturally growing in Central Turkey. Five samples were taken at each vegetation stage for each tree species. The samples were incubated in rumens of two 2-year old fistulated Holstein cows. Nutrient data and nutritive value indices were subjected to 2-way ANOVA using the GLM procedure. Crude protein and NDF concentrations and metabolisable energy level of the samples were in the ranges of 52.5–68.6, 291–330, and 7.8–8.4 MJ kg^?1 DM, respectively. There were also significant differences in DM, crude ash, Fe, Cu, and Zn levels among trees. As the vegetation progressed, there were linear decreases in DM, CP, and NDF and linear increases in ADF, Ca, Cu, and Zn levels. There were significant interaction effects for tree species by vegetation stage in terms of DM, ADF, and Zn. In vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility coefficients were between 0.84 and 0.87 and between 0.52 and 0.55, respectively. It was also observed that degradation of V. album was almost completed after the first 48 h. The soluble and readily degraded portion of DM (fraction “a”) increased, whereas the insoluble but degradable portion of DM (fraction “b”) decreased with advancing vegetation stage. Effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM) also increased significantly as the vegetation progressed. Gas production from fraction “b” varied by tree species and the stage of vegetation. A significant interaction of tree species by vegetation effects on EDDM and gas production was also noted. After 48 h, cumulative gas production and fraction “b” ranged from 52.71 ml to 58.85 ml and from 48.8 ml to 75.4 ml, respectively. In general, the mistletoe was low in protein, moderate in fibre, and high in minerals. In conclusion, as long as a lack of deleterious effects on health and performance is shown in feeding trials, mistletoe has potential to be used as a dietary component in ruminant feeding.