Antioxidant activity of dietary oregano essential oil and alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation in long-term frozen stored turkey meat

The effects of dietary oregano essential oil and alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on the oxidative stability of long-term frozen stored turkey meat were investigated. Thirty 12-week-old turkeys, randomly divided into five groups, were given a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 200 mg of alpha-tocopheryl acetate kg(-1), or 100 or 200 mg of oregano oil kg(-1), or 100 mg of oregano oil plus 100 mg of alpha-tocopheryl acetate kg(-1) for 4 weeks prior to slaughter. Lipid oxidation in breast and thigh meat was assessed after 1, 3, 6, and 9 months of frozen storage at -20 degrees C prior to or following 7 days of refrigerated storage at 4 degrees C. Results showed that oregano oil increased the oxidative stability of breast and thigh meat during the frozen storage. Dietary oregano oil at the inclusion level of 200 mg kg(-1) feed was significantly (p < 0.05) more effective in delaying lipid oxidation compared to the level of 100 mg kg(-1), but equivalent to dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation at 200 mg kg(-1), which in turn was inferior to dietary supplementation of 100 mg kg(-1) oregano essential oil plus 100 mg kg(-1) alpha-tocopheryl acetate that was significantly (p < 0.05) superior to all other treatments. Thigh meat was more susceptible to oxidation than breast meat, although the former contained alpha-tocopherol at markedly higher levels. Mean alpha-tocopherol levels in breast and thigh meat from all treatments decreased during the frozen storage, the decrease being sharper between 1 and 3 months of frozen storage for breast and between 3 and 6 months for thigh meat. Oregano oil supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the retention of alpha-tocopherol in meat, the increase being positively correlated with the supplementation level. However, the retention of alpha-tocopherol in meat could only partly elucidate the antioxidant activity exhibited by dietary oregano oil supplementation.     

Malolactic fermentation in wine with Lactobacillus casei cells immobilized on Delignified cellulosic material

In this work Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 cells immobilized on delignified cellulosic material (DCM) were used for malolactic fermentation (MLF) of wine. Wine was produced using yeast cells immobilized on DCM at 20 degrees C, and after alcoholic fermentation, MLF at 27 degrees C followed using immobilized L. casei ATCC 393 cells. A total of 11 repeated alcoholic and subsequent MLF batches were performed within a period of 1 month. As the repeated MLF batches proceeded, the MLF activity of the immobilized biocatalyst was reduced. Malic acid degradation was reduced from 80 to 2%, pH was reduced by 0.5-0.1 unit, acetic acid concentrations were slightly reduced or remained stable (0.002 g/L), the higher alcohols 1-propanol, isobutyl alcohol, and amyl alcohol were decreased by 84, 23, and 11%, respectively, and ethyl acetate concentration was increased by approximately 56%. Wine samples were analyzed by GC-MS before and after MLF, revealing some qualitative differences.     

Strontium Absorption by Two Trifolium Species as Influenced by Soil Characteristics and Liming

Strontium absorption by plants is specific to individual species and also depends on the underlying soil properties. The purpose ofthis study was to evaluate the effect of certain soil characteristics and liming on Sr absorption by twoTrifolium species. One-liter volume of two inorganic and three organic soilswere treated with a combination of three CaCO₃ levels, 0, 3.6 and 7.2 g, × two Sr levels, 50 and 100 mg, (treatments) in four replications. Trifolium repens L. was grown in thetreated soils, in pots, harvested twice, and Sr in theabove-ground biomass of each harvest and soil exchangeable Caof each treatment were determined. The experiment was repeatedwith Trifolium subterraneum L., harvested once. For bothspecies, Sr transfer factor (T.F.) values of the varioustreatments were calculated. Shoot Sr concentrations weresignificantly affected by soil characteristics and Sr additionrates and were greater in T. repens. In all cases, theSr concentrations of plants grown in the organic soils, whichwere characterized by higher exchangeable Ca and cationexchange capacity (C.E.C.) values, were lower than those ofplants grown in the inorganic soils. Among the organic soils,Sr concentrations of the plants grown in the soil with thehighest values of C.E.C., organic matter and exchangeable Cawere the lowest. Liming decreased significantly the Srconcentrations in T. repens and T. subterraneumgrown in the two acid soils, while the pH and exchangeable Cawere increased. Shoot Sr concentration (log scale) wassignificantly, negatively correlated with soil exchangeable Ca. Strontium T.F. values were quite similar between the two Sr application rates and were affected by the same soil characteristics.     

Greek plant extracts exhibit selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)-like properties

To prevent bone loss that occurs with increasing age, nutritional and pharmacological factors are needed. Traditional therapeutic agents (selective estrogen receptor modulators or SERMs, biphosphonates, calcitonin) may have serious side effects or contraindications. In an attempt to find food components potentially acting as SERMs, we submitted four plant aqueous extracts derived from Greek flora (Sideritis euboea, Sideritis clandestina, Marticaria chamomilla, and Pimpinella anisum) in a series of in vitro biological assays reflective of SERM profile. We examined their ability (a) to stimulate the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic cell culture by histochemical staining for alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin Red-S staining, (b) to induce, like antiestrogens, the insulin growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and (c) to proliferate cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells by use of MTT assay. Our data reveal that all the plant extracts studied at a concentration range 10-100 microg/mL stimulate osteoblastic cell differentiation and exhibit antiestrogenic effect on breast cancer cells without proliferative effects on cervical adenocarcinoma cells. The presence of estradiol inhibited the antiestrogenic effect induced by the extracts on MCF-7 cells, suggesting an estrogen receptor-related mechanism. In conclusion, the aqueous extracts derived from Sideritis euboea, Sideritis clandestina, Marticaria chamomilla, and Pimpinella anisum may form the basis to design "functional foods" for the prevention of osteoporosis.     

Hypervitaminosis A in the cat: a case report and review of the literature

A case of hypervitaminosis A with secondary entrapment and compression of the left brachial plexus nerve roots is described. A 9-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair, fed a home-made diet based on raw pork liver, was submitted for examination for a left forelimb lameness that evolved to paralysis over a 2-month period. Clinical examination revealed a flaccid paralysis and atrophy of all left forelimb muscles. An ipsilateral Horner's syndrome was also noted. Radiological examination of the cervical and thoracic spine showed massive new bone formation at the ventral aspect of the second cervical to sixth thoracic vertebra. The diagnosis of hypervitaminosis A was made, based on the clinical and radiographic findings, as well as the determination of serum vitamin A concentration, which was 630 microg/dl, three times above the upper normal limit for this species. Despite the unfavourable initial prognosis, the cat progressively regained function of the affected limb approximately 6 months after the diet was changed to a commercial canned food.     

Temperature-dependent development of Sesamia nonagrioides

The effect of various constant temperatures on survival, development and adult longevity of Sesamia nonagrioides Lefébvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was studied under laboratory conditions. The following temperatures were tested: 14, 17, 21, 25 and 31 °C. The percentage of individuals that completed development at each temperature as well as the days needed for the emergence of the pupa and adult eclosion were measured. Adult longevity was estimated under the same conditions. Development time decreased significantly with increasing temperature within the range 14–25 °C. Survival was higher at medium temperatures (17–25 °C) in comparison with that at more extreme temperature regimens (14 and 31 °C). Egg and first larval instars were the stages where S. nonagrioides suffered the highest mortality levels at all temperatures. The highest survival was recorded with experimental individuals aging between the third and fifth larval instar. Thermal requirements of development (developmental thresholds, thermal constant, optimum temperature) of S. nonagrioides were estimated with application of linear and one nonlinear models (Logan I). Upper and lower developmental thresholds ranged between 31.2 and 36.2 and 7.0 and 10.3 °C, respectively. The optimum temperature for development (where maximum rate of development occurs) was estimated at between 28.1 and 30.3 °C. The thermal constant for total development was estimated at 1,000.0 degree-days. Adult longevity was also affected by temperature, as it was significantly reduced at higher temperatures (21–31 °C) compared to the lower ones (14 and 17 °C). This information would be useful in determining the critical temperatures which may affect the distribution of S. nonagrioides concerning potential climate change.     

Synthesis,characterization and ultrafiltration of reactive dyes. Application by exhaustion and/or ink-jet printing. IV.

Three new bis azo reactive dyes of different metallic salts (Na, K, Li) were synthesized. The synthesis was obtained by diazotization of 4-amino-2:5 di methoxy phenylene-beta hydroxyl ethyl sulphone sulphate ester and coupling with 1-amino-8-hydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid (H-acid) (moles ratio 2:1). The dyes were purified-concentrated by ultrafiltration technology, characterized and applied on cotton, wool and nylon 6,6 fabric by exhaustion (dyeing) and by ink-jet printing. Fastness properties of the dyeings were measured. Wash fastness was investigated according to international standard methods and was found to be very good to excellent in all cases, while light fastness values were medium to low. Ink-jet ink formulations were prepared using the ultra filtrated reactive blue dyes UF RB(a-c) and their properties pH, conductivity, surface tension and viscosity were monitored over a period of 90 days. The inks were used to print digitally cotton and nylon 6,6 samples and wash- and light fastness properties of the prints were measured. Wash fastness properties were excellent while light fastness values are low Colour measurements of the dyeings and prints were conducted.     

Conservative Management of a Distal Epiphyseal Metacarpal Fracture in a Skyros Pony

Epiphyseal fracture, also known as epiphysiolysis, is the loosening or separation, either partial or complete, of an epiphysis from the shaft of a long bone. Distal epiphyseal fractures in foals pose a substantial challenge due to their guarded prognosis. This report describes the clinical signs, diagnosis, successful conservative treatment of an 1-month-old, male Skyros pony with an epiphyseal fracture of the right third metacarpal bone (type II Salter-Harris). The owner declined surgical treatment because of financial considerations along with the unfavorable prognosis. Conservative fracture treatment was pursued through external reduction and coaptation. The total duration of the conservative treatment was eighteen weeks and the foal returned to complete health.