Characterization of Egyptian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestans</Emphasis> population using simple sequence repeat markers

The plant pathogenic oomycete, Phytophthora infestans, is the causal agent of late blight disease in tomato and potato. For characterizing Egyptian P. infestans isolates by DNA marker analysis, 40 isolates of P. infestans were collected from different locations in Egypt during two growing seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014). The 40 isolates were grouped into seven genotypes, in which 24 alleles were detected. The identified genotypes were not completely associated with geographic location and sample collection years. These results provide genetic and geographical information for developing a program to manage late blight disease.     

Suitability of enzymatic hydrolyzates of extracted gluten from fresh pasta by-product used as bread improvers

Gluten extracted from fresh pasta by-products (PG) was enzymatically hydrolyzed by two different commercial proteases (Alcalase 2.4 L and Pancreatin) to different degrees of hydrolysis (DH 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0%). Commercial gluten (CG) was used as reference. The evaluation of functional properties of hydrolyzates from pasta gluten (PGH) and commercial gluten (CGH) showed that Pancreatin hydrolyzates had the highest emulsifying capacities. Regarding the foaming activity, all hydrolyzates performed better than unhydrolyzed gluten. PGH and CGH were added to wheat flour (1%) and their effects on dough rheology were studied. Most hydrolyzates with DH 8% increased dough thermal stability and elasticity during mixing, accelerated the denaturation rate of the protein network, and delayed the gelatinization speed of starch as the temperature increased. Texture profiles and specific volumes of breads from low quality wheat flour with added Pancreatin hydrolyzates (DH 8%) were comparable to those of breads from high quality flour. This showed the potential suitability of PGH and CGH as bread improvers.     

Effects of Whitening Agents and Frozen Storage on the Quality of Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) Surimi: Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties

This work is focused on the effect of using whitening agents (WA) during a process followed by frozen storage (4 months at ?18°C) on the whiteness, quality parameters, and mechanical properties of sardine surimi. The whiteness of surimi exhibited a significant improvement when whitening agents (calcium carbonate and peroxide hydrogen) were used (48.75 to 60.24). Dynamic rheological measurement showed that storage moduli, G′, was considerably higher than loss moduli, G″, for both surimi with WA and control; however, the highest viscoelastic moduli were found in the treated surimi. In addition, the microstructure of surimi with WA showed more compact matrix and higher water holding capacity. On the other hand, most tested indexes showed quality losses throughout the frozen storage in both samples. Proteins underwent denaturation as indicated by the reduction in band intensities, especially myosin heavy chain (MHC) bands. Peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) measurements showed that lipid oxidation took place during storage; however, the degree of lipid oxidation was not relevant. Therefore, it was proved that the addition of whitening agents had a marked effect on the production of surimi with better functional attributes including whiteness, water holding capacity, and mechanical properties.     

The influence of certain dietary fillers on the true metabolisable energy of diets for Turkeys

1. An experiment was conducted with Large White turkey poults (0 to 3 weeks of age) to study the influence of dietary fillers on the true metabolisable energy (TME) of the diet.

2. When 25 g sand/kg was substituted for the components of a basal diet, growth was not affected and the TME value of the diet was apparently higher than that of the basal diet, but not significantly so.

3. The substitution of 50 g filler/kg (25 g sand plus 25 g grit/kg) resulted in a higher TME value than the substitution of either 25 g sand/kg or 25 g grit/kg, significantly so in the latter case.

4. Substituting 25 g cellulose/kg resulted in a decrease in TME value, but not significantly so.     

Epidemiological findings of outbreaks of disease caused by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in poultry in Egypt during 2006

This paper describes the first threats of H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks in Egypt recorded from February to December 2006 in commercial and domestic poultry from different species and summarizes the major characteristics of the outbreak. There were 1024 cases from different poultry species (rural and commercial chickens of different breeding types, turkeys, ducks, geese, and quail) either in commercial breeding or in backyards from different locations in Egypt. All tested positive for the H5N1 subtype. From these cases only 12 avian influenza A viruses were isolated and characterized from samples collected during outbreaks. All isolates were characterized, and the data confirmed that the isolated viruses belong to highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N1. Full hemagglutinin (HA) gene (segment 4) sequencing was also done, and the sequences of these isolates were compared with other strains from Russia, Africa, and the Middle East. The data revealed that all Egyptian strains were very closely related and belonging to subclade 2.2 of the H5N1 virus of Eurasian origin, the same one circulating in the Middle East region and introduced into Africa at the beginning of 2006. This study showed evidence of the wide spread of H5N1 virus infection in domestic poultry in Egypt within a short time. The most obvious features of these outbreaks were severe clinical signs and high mortalities as well as very rapid and widespread occurrence within the country in a very short time. The possible causes of its rapid spread and prospects of disease control are discussed.     

Chaetotaxy of the monogeneans Macrogyrodactylus clarii and m. congolensis from the gills and skin of the catfish clarias gariepinus in Egypt, with a note on argentophilic elements in the nervous system.

A comparison has been made between the chaetotaxy of the gyrodactylid monogeneans Macrogyrodactylus clarii Gussev, 1961 and M. congolensis (Prudhoe, 1957) Yamaguti, 1963 from the gills and skin, respectively, of the catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) from the river Nile in Egypt. Bilaterally arranged argentophilic structures on the surface of these parasites are presumed to be sensilla and are more abundant in M. clarii than in M. congolensis especially on the ventral surface (124 vs. 66). In both species these sensilla are concentrated on the head lobes and in the pharyngeal region, but there are features of the sensilla patterns that can be used to distinguish the two species. Comparison is made with sensilla patterns of other gyrodactylids. A system of cells and dendritic processes, most probably part of the nervous system, also has an affinity for silver in the two species. There are no previous records of extensive argentophilic elements in the nervous systems of monogeneans.     

Effects of nymphal density (Bactericera trigonica) and feeding on photosynthetic pigments,proline content and phenolic compounds in carrot plants

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Insect feeding induces physiological and biochemical changes in host plants. Indeed, symptom severity often depends on insect density. Recently, the carrot...     

Efficacy of echinacea on the action of cyproterone acetate in male rats

The study aimed to evaluate the effect Echinacea extract (E) on the testicular antioxidants function in normal rats or that subjected to anti-androgenic compound, cyproterone acetate (CA). Rats were divided into 5 groups treated daily via an oral tube for two intervals 2 and 4 weeks, 1st control, 2nd E (Echinacea treated group in dose 63 mg kg(-1)), 3rd CA (cyproterone acetate treated group in dose 25 mg kg(-1)), 4th E+CA and 5th E as prophylactic one week before E+CA treatment with the same aforementioned E or CA doses. The body, testes, epididymis and vas deferens weights were recorded. Sperm count, Nitric Oxide (NO), calcium ion (Ca2+) and malondialdhyde (MDA) contents in addition to superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were determined in testicular tissues. CA exhibited direct negative effect on reproductive organs weight and significant reducing effect on sperm count and Ca2+ contents. SOD and GST activities significantly decreased in addition to significant increase in NO, MDA contents reflecting the oxidative status of testis in CA treated rats. The prophylactic effect of E treatment, in time related manner, showed significant improvement in the antioxidant status of the testicular tissue which is more pronounced as compared to E+CA treatment.     

Susceptibility of various poultry species to dietary aflatoxin

1. The relative sensitivities of broiler chicks, White Leghorn chicks, quail chicks, goslings and turkey poults to increasing dietary contents of aflatoxin from 1 to 21 d of age were determined. Aflatoxin was included in the diets at three concentrations (0.7, 1.4 and 2.1 mg aflatoxin B_a equivalents /kg).

2. Data were analysed for species differences in food consumption, body weight, food utilisation, mortality and liver pathology.

3. There were no significant effects of aflatoxin in broiler and Leghorn chicks. Aflatoxin at 0.7 mg/kg decreased the body weight of turkey poults but tended to increase the growth rate of goslings. At 1 ‐4 mg aflatoxin/kg food consumption, body weight and weight gain of goslings were adversely affected.

4. Liver damage occurred in goslings and quail chicks at all inclusions of aflatoxin and was extensive at 2.1 mg/kg.

5. Poults and goslings appeared to be the most sensitive, quail were intermediate and domestic chicks were most resistant.