Spoilage characteristics of ground beef with added lactic acid bacteria and rosemary oleoresin packaged in a modified-atmosphere package and displayed at abusive temperatures

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. in ground beef during storage. Furthermore, the addition of rosemary oleoresin (RO), a natural antioxidant, to ground beef has been shown to increase shelf life and is commonly used in modified-atmosphere packaged (MAP) ground beef. This study evaluated the effects of LAB and RO treatment on the shelf life and stability of MAP ground beef displayed at abusive (10°C) temperatures for 36 h. Subjective and objective sensory analyses were conducted to determine spoilage endpoints. Trained and consumer panel responses and Hunter lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) values were not affected (P = 0.62, 0.66, 0.45) by LAB addition, although RO inclusion improved (P < 0.05) lean color. Ground beef with LAB and RO had significantly less (P < 0.0001) thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values than control ground beef, indicating decreased lipid oxidation. Additionally, RO inclusion reduced (P < 0.0001) off odors, as determined by trained and consumer odor panelists. Overall, the addition of LAB did not negatively affect beef color, odor, or oxidative rancidity, suggesting that LAB can be added to ground beef in MAP packaging as a processing intervention without detrimentally affecting shelf life or stability.     

Spoilage characteristics of traditionally packaged ground beef with added lactic acid bacteria displayed at abusive temperatures

Growth of pathogenic organisms such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. can be inhibited in ground beef through the addition of certain lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB; Lactobacillus acidophilus NP51, Lactobacillus crispatus NP35, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis). This study evaluated the effects of LAB inclusion on the organoleptic and biochemical properties typically associated with spoilage in traditionally packaged ground beef displayed at abusive (10°C) temperatures for 36 h. Trained and untrained panelist evaluations of lean color and off-odor, as well as instrumental color analyses, did not indicate an effect on spoilage traits due to LAB utilization (P > 0.05). However, display length affected each variable independently and was indicative of decreased stability and acceptability as display time (h) increased (P < 0.05). Thiobarbituric acid values were decreased for ground beef with added LAB (P < 0.05), but likely can be related to bacterial degradation of lipid oxidation by-products because no reduction in organoleptic traits due to oxidation was noted between treatments. Overall, LAB did not adversely influence the spoilage characteristics of traditionally packaged ground beef displayed at abusive temperatures for up to 36 h. Furthermore, biochemical and sensory indicators of spoilage were present for all treatments at the conclusion of display. Therefore, LAB can be added to ground beef in traditional packaging as a processing intervention without masking or delaying the expected spoilage characteristics.     

Effects of vitamin E on color stability and palatability of strip loin steaks from cattle fed distillers grains

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of preslaughter antioxidant supplementation to cattle fed wet distillers grains on carcass yield and quality grade, and on the color stability and consumer acceptability of steaks. Two hundred five crossbred steers were fed 35% wet distillers grains with the supplementation of 4 different levels of α-tocopheryl acetate: 0, 125, 250, and 500 IU?animal(-1)?d(-1) for 97 d. Chuck rolls (n = 69) and strip loins (n = 185) were collected and processed at 4 and 7 d postslaughter, respectively. Chucks were ground and separated into 0.23-kg samples. Strip loins were faced and cut into 2.54-cm steaks and packaged in a polyvinyl chloride overwrapped (PVC) package, a vacuum package, or modified atmosphere packages (MAP) for further color, α-tocopherol, objective tenderness, palatability, and proximate analysis. Color was measured objectively using a HunterLab Miniscan XE spectrophotometer (HunterLab Associates Inc., Reston, VA) and subjectively by a trained color panel, and a consumer panel was used to indicate which treatments affected retail acceptability and purchase decisions. Warner-Bratzler shear force measurements were used for objective tenderness, and a trained panel assessed subjective palatability characteristics. Instrumental color measurements revealed little difference for ground beef in both PVC and MAP packages, but diets with 500 and 250 IU?animal(-1)?d(-1) of vitamin E had a longer (P < 0.05) retention of redness and yellowness in steaks as compared with steaks from animals receiving less vitamin E. Subjective color evaluation for strip steaks indicated that greater vitamin E was more likely (P < 0.05) to maintain color stability, overall acceptability, and consumer purchase preference while decreasing percentage of discoloration. No significant differences (P > 0.10) were observed for objective tenderness and sensory attributes of strip steaks, and no differences (P > 0.10) were observed in protein, fat, and moisture percentages of ground beef. Lipid oxidation analysis indicated that steaks packaged in PVC for 7 d and MAP for 1, 3, and 7 d, and ground beef packaged in MAP and PVC for 0 and 7 d of retail display required greater inclusion of vitamin E (500 and 250 IU?animal(-1)?d(-1)) to remain below the 2.28 mg of malonaldehyde/kg threshold. Ultimately, 500 IU?animal(-1)?d(-1) of vitamin E should be supplemented to cattle fed wet distillers grain-based diets when products are packaged in MAP to maximize retail shelf life.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and organic selenium on the oxidative stability of beef.

The effects of supplementation of beef cattle diets with organic Se (0.3 mg/kg) and vitamin E (300 I.U. alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed), for 55 d preceding slaughter, on the antioxidant status and oxidative stability of muscle was examined. Dietary vitamin E supplementation led to an increase (P < 0.05) in plasma, and longissimus muscle alpha-tocopherol levels. In minced longissimus muscle stored in 80% 02:20% CO2, lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation were lower (P < 0.05) in muscle from vitamin E-supplemented animals compared with unsupplemented animals. Dietary Se supplementation did not significantly affect muscle Se levels, glutathione peroxidase activity, or susceptibility to lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation in the presence or absence of vitamin E. Covariance analysis indicated that, in addition to muscle alpha-tocopherol, differences in muscle glutathione peroxidase activity, and pH could account for variation in the susceptibility of muscle to lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation.     

Effect of dietary antioxidant supplementation on the oxidative status of plasma in broilers

In this study, the effect of dietary antioxidants on the plasma oxidative status of growing birds fed a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids was investigated. One‐day‐old broilers were fed for 42 days a diet containing 4% linseed oil and supplemented with single plant extracts rich in antioxidants (natural tocopherols, rosemary, grape seed, green tea, tomato) or a combination of some of these plant extracts, in two different total doses (100 and 200 mg product/kg feed). A diet with synthetic antioxidants with and without α‐tocopheryl acetate (200 mg/kg feed) were also included. The plasma oxidative status was evaluated measuring the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity. Lipid peroxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS). No significant effect of the dietary treatments was observed for FRAP as well as for TBARS. However, diet affected GSH‐Px activity (p = 0.002) and a trend for an effect on SOD activity was observed (p = 0.084). A higher GSH‐Px activity was found for 200 mg/kg tomato extract and natural α‐tocopherol in relation to the corresponding 100 mg/kg treatment, and the lowest GSH‐Px activity was measured for the synthetic antioxidants treatment. The lowest and highest SOD activity were found for the 200. and 100 mg/kg treatment with tomato extract respectively. In conclusion, the oxidative status and lipid oxidation of plasma in broilers was not affected by feeding natural antioxidant extracts at the doses in the present study, but some changes in antioxidant enzyme activities were observed, of which the implication remains to be elucidated.     

微量元素铜和硒对肉牛生长和脂质代谢的影响

文章旨在探讨日粮单独或联合补充微量元素铜和硒对肉牛生长性能、肌肉脂肪酸组成及血清抗氧化的影响.试验将平均体重为(389.98±1.67)kg的80只肉牛随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复5头.对照组饲喂基础日粮,T1组在基础日粮中以亚硒酸钠形式添加1.5?mg/kg硒,T2组在基础日粮中以硫酸铜的形式添加25?mg/...     

Effects of supplemental rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid or corn oil on lipid content and palatability in beef cattle

Thirty-six Angus x Hereford heifers were used in a 3 x 2 factorial (3 dietary treatments; 2 supplementation times) to examine the effect of dietary lipid supplementation on lipid oxidation, lipid composition, and palatability of ribeye steaks and ground beef. Lipid was supplied in the diets as corn oil or a partially rumen-protected CLA salt for 2 specific treatment periods of the final 32 or 60 d on feed, corresponding to a total time on feed of 89 or 118 d. After an initial 56-d feeding period (basal diet), the heifers were fed 1 of 3 dietary treatments (DM basis): 1) a basal diet containing 88% concentrate and 12% grass hay (CON), 2) the basal diet plus 4% corn oil (OIL), or 3) the basal diet plus 2% partially rumen-protected CLA (RPCLA) containing 31% CLA. Heifers were randomly allotted to dietary treatments at the initiation of the study and fed individually. At 48 h postmortem, the right forequarter of each carcass was fabricated into retail cuts. Steaks (2.54-cm thick) were obtained from the posterior end of the ribeye roll (NAMP 112), and beef trim was ground for all subsequent analyses. Dietary treatment did not affect (P > 0.05) lipid oxidation in ground beef or ribeye steaks. Total trans-octadecenoate fat and trans-10 octadecenoic acid content in ribeye steaks increased (P < 0.05) with RPCLA compared with CON. Total CLA and the cis-9 trans-11 isomer of CLA contents in ribeye steaks were unchanged (P > 0.05) by lipid supplementation. In ground beef, RPCLA supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the amount of trans fat and trans-10 octadecenoic acid compared with CON or OIL; supplementation of RPCLA increased (P < 0.05) the amount of CLA cis-9 trans-11 isomer and total CLA. Lipid supplementation did not alter (P > 0.05) off-flavor ratings in ground beef or ribeye steaks. Supplementation of corn oil increased (P < 0.05) total PUFA content of ribeye steaks compared with CON and RPCLA. Dietary RPCLA supplementation increased the amount of trans fat per serving (85.5 g, broiled) by 110 and 88% in ribeye steak and ground beef, respectively, and CLA cis-9 trans-11 by 58% in ground beef compared with CON. Supplementing OIL or RPCLA resulted in minimal changes in lipid oxidation and sensory attributes of steaks and ground beef.     

Effect of Alpha-Tocopherol and Ascorbic Acid on Bovine Oocyte in Vitro Maturation

In vitro culture results in higher oxygen concentrations than in vivo environments, leading to an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes. Alpha-tocopherol (active form of vitamin E) is an antioxidant that protects mammalian cells against lipid peroxidation, which is regenerated by ascorbic acid. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of alpha-tocopherol and/or ascorbic acid to the maturation medium on bovine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequently on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo development. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in Medium 199 (control), and with the addition of alpha-tocopherol and/or ascorbic acid. The concentration of alpha-tocopherol in COCs was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). IVF and in vitro culture (IVC) were carried out in modified synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF). The quantity of alpha-tocopherol naturally present in COCs diminished by half during IVM (p < 0.05), although in the presence of ascorbic acid it remained constant. A greater amount of alpha-tocopherol was detected in COCs matured in medium supplemented with this antioxidant (p < 0.05), but the addition of alpha-tocopherol plus ascorbic acid maintained higher levels of alpha-tocopherol (p < 0.05). Significant differences were not observed in the percentages of nuclear maturation and fertilization among different treatments. The presence of alpha-tocopherol or ascorbic acid in the maturation medium failed to modify the percentage of blastocysts obtained, unlike the addition of both antioxidants when a significant decrease was observed (p < 0.05). Absorbic acid maintained the antioxidant capacity of the alpha-tocopherol incorporated to COC membranes during IVM. The active form of vitamin E during maturation impaired the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence.     

Effect of dietary administration of oil extracts from rosemary and sage on lipid oxidation in broiler meat

1. Oxidation of meat and membrane from broilers fed on a diet containing 500 mg/kg rosemary and sage extracts was compared to meat and membrane oxidation from broilers receiving a control diet (not enriched with antioxidants) and a diet enriched in alpha-tocopheryl acetate (200 mg/kg). 2. After 9 d of refrigerated storage, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of white meat from broilers fed on the control and the alpha-tocopheryl acetate-enriched diets were 0.51 and 0.25 mg malonaldehyde/kg meat, respectively. Values for meat from broilers fed on the diets containing the rosemary and sage extracts were in the range 0.30 to 0.35 mg malonaldehyde/kg meat, significantly lower than those from birds fed on the control diet. A similar trend was observed in the dark meat but differences were not significant at 9 d of storage. Similar trends were observed in raw samples stored at- 20C for up to 4 months and in samples cooked at 70C and kept stored under refrigeration for up to 4 d. 3. The meat from broilers fed on the diet containing spice extracts had smaller concentrations of total cholesterol oxidation products (COPS) than meat from the control group (P<0.05). Supplemental alpha-tocopheryl acetate reduced the COPS concentrations to a greater extent than did spice extracts (P<0.05). 4. A similar trend was observed in microsomal fraction isolates, in which the rate of metmyoglobin/hydrogen peroxide-catalysed lipid peroxidation was lower in animals receiving spice extracts than in those fed on the basal diet.     

Olive leaves (Olea europea L.) and α‐tocopheryl acetate as feed antioxidants for improving the oxidative stability of α‐linolenic acid‐enriched eggs

Ninety‐six brown Lohmann laying hens were equally assigned into four groups with six replicates. Hens within the control group were fed a corn–soybean‐based diet supplemented with 4% linseed oil. Two other groups were given the same diet further supplemented with 5 or 10 g ground olive leaves/kg feed, while the diet of the fourth group was further supplemented with 200 mg α‐tocopheryl acetate/kg. Supplementing diets with olive leaves had no effect on egg production, feed intake and egg traits. Eggs collected 28 days after feeding the experimental diets were analysed for lipid hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, fatty acid profile, α‐tocopherol concentrations and susceptibility to iron‐induced lipid oxidation. Olive leaves were also analysed for total and individual phenolics, and total flavonoids, whereas their antioxidant capacity was determined using both the DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2‐azinobis3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activity assays. Results showed that neither α‐tocopheryl acetate nor olive leaves supplementation exerted (p > 0.05) any effect on the fatty acid composition of n‐3 eggs. Supplementing the diet with 5 g olive leaves/kg had no (p > 0.05) effect on the hydroperoxide levels of n‐3 eggs, while supplementing with 10 g olive leaves/kg or 200 mg α‐tocopheryl acetate/kg, the lipid hydroperoxide levels were reduced (p ≤ 0.05) compared to control. However, although hydroperoxides were reduced, MDA, a secondary lipid oxidation product, was not affected (p > 0.05). Iron‐induced lipid oxidation increased MDA values in eggs from all groups, the increase being higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the control group and the group supplemented with 5 g olive leaves/kg. The group supplemented with 10 g olive leaves/kg presented MDA values lower (p ≤ 0.05) than the control but higher (p ≤ 0.05) than the α‐tocopheryl acetate group, which presented MDA concentrations lower (p ≤ 0.05) than all other experimental diets at all incubation time points.     

Grass silage versus maize silage effects on retail packaged beef quality

The effects of three preslaughter diets on heifer beef quality were investigated. Heifers (n = 45) were divided into three groups and fed for ad libitum consumption either maize silage, grass silage, or a 50:50 mixture of maize silage and grass silage. Meat quality was determined by measuring color, lipid oxidation, alpha-tocopherol levels, and fatty acid composition. Beef from the maize silage group had poorest color stability (P < 0.05), whereas beef from the grass silage diet had best (P < 0.05) color stability. The visual panel least preferred the maize silage group after 2 or more days of display, and lipid oxidation was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in this group compared to the 50:50 maize:grass silage and grass silage groups. There was a significant (P < 0.001) difference in the alpha-tocopherol levels detected in the meat from the three dietary groups. Alpha-tocopherol levels increased in the order: maize silage < 50:50 maize:grass silage < grass silage, at levels of 2.08, 2.95, and 3.84 microg/g meat, respectively. Fatty acid analysis indicated 18:3 was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in the maize silage-fed group than in the maize:grass silage and grass silage groups. However, 18:3 was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the grass silage group than in the other two groups. There were no significant differences in all other fatty acids among the three dietary groups. It was concluded that beef from grass silage-fed animals had better overall quality in terms of color, lipid oxidation, and alpha-tocopherol levels than beef from maize silage fed animals.     

Vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids in bovine muscle and the oxidative stability of beef from cattle receiving grass or concentrate-based rations

The present study was designed to assess the balance between antioxidant and prooxidant components and the oxidative stability of beef from cattle fed exclusively grazed pasture (PAS) or a barley-based concentrate offered indoors (CONC) for 11 mo, or fed grass silage indoors for a 5-mo winter period, followed for the remaining 6-mo summer period by grazed pasture (SiP) or by grazed pasture plus concentrate at 50% of the dietary DM (SiPC). Muscle prooxidant and antioxidant components were determined by measuring fatty acids and α-tocopherol concentration of LM, respectively. Lipid oxidation and color stability were monitored in ground LM, packaged in a high-oxygen modified atmosphere, over 11 d of refrigerated storage. Vitamin E concentration decreased (P < 0.0005) with an increasing proportion of concentrate in the diet (2.59, 2.45, 1.76, and 1.15 μg/g for PAS, SiP, SiPC, and CONC, respectively). A greater proportion of PUFA was found in LM from cattle in the PAS, SiP, and SiPC groups compared with animals in the CONC group (9.62, 11.04, 8.96, and 6.94%, respectively; P < 0.0005). A greater concentration of highly peroxidizable PUFA was found in LM from heifers in the PAS, SiP, and SiPC groups compared with those in the CONC group (0.84, 0.85, 0.87, and 0.65 mg/g of muscle, respectively; P = 0.02). Dietary treatment affected lipid oxidation (P < 0.0005), with greater 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values in beef from heifers in the SiPC group than in beef from those in the PAS, SiP, and CONC groups. Dietary treatment affected myoglobin oxidation (P = 0.002) during storage, with greater metmyoglobin accumulation in beef from animals receiving concentrate (CONC and SiPC treatments) than in beef from cattle in the PAS and SiP groups. Consequently, feeding concentrate impaired meat color stability over the storage duration, with greater H* (hue angle) values (P < 0.0005) in meat from heifers in the SiPC and CONC groups compared with meat from those in the PAS and SiP groups. The results of the present study confirm a positive effect of grass-based feeding systems on meat color stability compared with concentrate-based dietary strategies. It appears that vitamin E in muscle alone does not explain the resistance of meat to oxidative deterioration because a clear interaction with highly peroxidizable PUFA exists.     

Effect of dietary oregano essential oil on performance of chickens and on iron-induced lipid oxidation of breast,thigh and abdominal fat tissues

1. We studied the effect of dietary oregano essential oil (50 and 100 mg/kg of feed) on the performance of broilers, and determined the susceptibility of the resulting broiler meat to iron-induced lipid oxidation. 2. Performance of the birds was unaffected by the experimental diets. Therefore, dietary oregano oil exerted no growth-promoting effect on broilers. 3. Iron-induced lipid oxidation showed that as oregano oil increased in the diet, malondialdehyde values decreased in tissue samples, suggesting that the oil, particularly at 100 mg/kg of feed, exerted an antioxidant effect on chicken tissues. 4. Dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation at 200 mg/kg of feed displayed greater antioxidant activity than oregano oil at either supplementation rate. 5. Thigh muscle was more susceptible to oxidation than breast muscle, although the former contained alpha-tocopherol at higher concentration. Muscle alpha-tocopherol is an important factor influencing lipid oxidation, but the influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids and content of pro-oxidants must be taken into consideration too.     

Effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation and feeding period on pork quality

Feeding increased levels of dietary vitamin E can inhibit lipid oxidation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of levels of dietary alpha-tocopherol acetate (VE) and feeding duration on meat quality and lipid oxidation. Eighty-one pigs were allocated to 1 of 3 diets containing 40, 200, or 400 IU of VE/kg of feed, and each diet group was divided into 3 feeding periods (3, 6, or 9 wk). Carcass characteristics and meat quality were evaluated. Oxidative stability of fresh and cooked pork patties and pork chops was determined after chilled or frozen storage. Increasing dietary concentrations of VE did not affect any growth performance parameter. Drip loss, however, decreased (P < 0.05) with increased dietary VE levels. Moreover, an increased duration of VE feeding improved (P < 0.05) pH and drip loss. Less lipid oxidation (P < 0.05) was detected in fresh ground pork from pigs fed greater concentrations of VE after 4 d of storage. A greater (P < 0.05) resistance to oxidation in cooked ground pork was observed in pigs fed 200 or 400 IU of VE/kg at 2 and 6 d of storage. Fresh and cooked pork patty oxidation decreased (P < 0.05) linearly as feeding duration increased from 3 to 9 wk. After 6 mo of freezer storage, lipid oxidation of pork chops from pigs fed 200 or 400 IU of VE/kg was lower (P < 0.05) than for pigs fed 40 IU of VE/kg. Likewise, lipid oxidation of pork chops of pigs fed VE for an extended period of time (6 wk) was lower (P < 0.05) after 9 mo of storage. Fatty acid profiles of neutral lipid fraction of the LM became more unsaturated (P < 0.05) with added VE to the feed. These results indicate an increased intake of dietary VE concentration, and prolonged feeding of VE can improve drip loss and reduce lipid oxidation in ground pork and pork chops. This study suggests that supplementation with 200 IU of VE/kg of feed for 6 wk before market is beneficial in improving lipid stability and pork quality.     

Effects of dietary oleuropein supplementation on growth performance,serum lipid concentrations and lipid oxidation of Japanese quails

An in vivo experiment was conducted to compare the effects of dietary supplementation with oleuropein and/or α‐tocopheryl acetate on growth performance, serum lipid concentrations and lipid oxidation of Japanese quail meat during refrigerated storage. Performance and slaughtering parameters were not affected by dietary treatments. The diets supplemented with oleuropein at the levels of 150 or 200 mg/kg were more effective in delaying lipid oxidation in breast and thigh meats compared with the control diet. The dietary inclusion of neither vitamin E nor oleuropein at different levels did not significantly affect the fatty acid compositions of the breast meat compared with the control diet. The diets supplemented with oleuropein at the levels of 150 or 200 mg/kg had significantly the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid and omega‐3 fatty acid contents in thigh meat compared with the vitamin E diet. The ratio of omega‐6 fatty acids to omega‐3 FAs in thigh meat of quails fed diet supplemented with vitamin E at the level of 200 mg/kg was equivalent to those of quails fed the diets supplemented with oleuropein at the levels of 100 and 150 mg/kg . The results showed that the dietary oleuropein supplementation at 150 mg/kg level may be used in quail diets enriched with the polyunsaturated fatty acids of vitamin E as a natural antioxidant.     

Dietary Ascorbyl Monophosphate Depresses Lipid Peroxidation in Rainbow Trout Spermatozoa

Abstract

This study was designed to analyze lipid peroxidation in spermatozoa of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss by an optimized thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method, and to evaluate the effect of graded levels of dietary antioxidant (ascorbic acid in the form of ascorbyl monophosphate, AP) on TBA values of spermatozoa. Sperm from rainbow trout fed diets supplemented with AP at 0, 110, or 870 mg/kg were sampled during the reproductive season. The group given the unsupplemented diet had the lowest ascorbic acid concentration in seminal plasma during most of the spermiation season compared with groups fed diets with AP While the ascorbic acid concentration in seminal plasma decreased toward the end of the reproductive season, spermatozoa malondialdehyde production, indicative of increasing peroxidation, tended to increase. At the end of the season, significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in peroxidation levels in spermatozoa from fish fed different levels of ascorbic acid. The most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in sperm lipids, docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6), was significantly lower in lipids from spermatozoa of the AP-devoid (control) group than in the 870-mg/kg supplement group. By the end of the reproductive season, spermatozoa from the control group had significantly higher peroxidation levels than did spermatozoa from fish given AP (110 and 870 mg/kg). Thus, it is the first evidence in fish that dietary AP supplements can increase seminal plasma ascorbic acid concentrations, and it suggests that peroxidative damage to spermatozoa can be reduced during the reproductive season, which in turn may affect sperm fertilizing ability.     

Effect of dietary supplementation with vitamins E and C on production performance, immune responses and antioxidant status of White Leghorn layers under tropical summer conditions

1. The effects of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplementation on performance, some immune variables and antioxidant status of White Leghorn layers (aged 44-56 weeks) exposed to tropical summer conditions were investigated. 2. Both vitamins E and C significantly improved the egg production, food conversion efficiency, antibody responses to inoculated sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine, lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogen and activities of antioxidant enzymes red blood cell catalase (RBCC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in layers. Vitamin C increased the inflammatory response to phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) inoculation. 3. Supplemental vitamin C at 200 mg/kg diet significantly increased eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, and shell breaking strength. However, no effect of supplemental vitamin E on eggshell quality was observed. 4. Vitamins E and C, as well as interactions between them, significantly influenced the activities of glutathione reductase and lipid peroxidase. A combination of vitamin E at 125 IU/kg with vitamin C at 200 mg/kg diet had an additive effect on reducing the activity of oxidative enzyme lipid peroxidase (LP) and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzyme glutathione reductase (GSHR). 5. It is concluded that vitamin E (125 IU/kg) and vitamin C (200 mg/kg) could independently alleviate the effects of heat stress on production performance and immunological variables of layers. However, combination of both the vitamins at the above-mentioned concentrations is beneficial in eliciting higher antioxidant status in laying hens exposed to tropical summer conditions.     

Zilpaterol hydrochloride supplementation has no effect on the shelf life of ground beef

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on the shelf life and stability of ground beef. Beef knuckles and plates were obtained from USDA Select beef heifer carcasses from control (CON) animals or those supplemented with ZH (8.33 mg/kg of dietary DM basis) for the last 20 d of the finishing period. Subprimals were coarsely ground and blended to produce an 80% lean product. The mixture was vacuum-stuffed into chubs and placed in dark storage at 2 to 4°C for 7, 14, or 21 d before fine grinding. Each week, the finely ground samples were packaged on expanded polystyrene trays overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film and placed in refrigerated retail cases (0 to 2°C) under continuous fluorescent lighting to simulate retail display. Samples were subjected to a variety of analyses at different time intervals (h) during simulated display, including composition analysis, thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance analysis (TBA), sensory color, instrumental color, and aerobic plate count. Data analysis revealed trained sensory color and discoloration scores were similar between CON and ZH-treated samples. Instrumental L* and b* values for CON and ZH-treated samples did not differ (P = 0.13 and 0.19, respectively). Instrumental a* values declined (P < 0.05) over the display period for CON and ZH ground beef. However, a* values for ZH ground beef stored for 7 d were greater (P < 0.05) than CON values at 18 through 72 h of display. There was a treatment × storage day interaction (P < 0.001) for TBA values with ZH having smaller TBA values than CON after 7 d of dark storage. There was no difference (P = 0.21) in aerobic plate count between ZH and CON ground beef samples. Overall, ground beef from cattle supplemented with ZH was equal to or better than CON for sensory color and discoloration, instrumental color, and stability variables, including TBA reactive substances and aerobic plate counts.     

Study on some functional and compositional properties of yak butter lipid

The present experiment was performed to determine some functional properties of yak butter lipids such as lipid class composition; conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) composition, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis, tyrosinase inhibition activity and antioxidant property. Yak butter lipids composition contained 98% triacylglycerols, 0.9% free fatty acids, 0.32% free sterols and 0.27% phospholipids. The CLA content in yak butter was 2.5% and the major portion was of cis‐9 and trans‐11 (90%). The DSC analysis of yak butter lipids showed a similar path for transition temperature as cow butter lipids, although the enthalpy of yak lipid was higher (40.0 mJ/mg) compared to cow butter lipids (32.0 mJ/mg). Melting point of yak butter was observed at 41°C. Yak butter with lactic acid, NaCl, citric acid and ascorbic acid showed pronounced tyrosinase inhibition activity. Vegetable oils blended with yak butter have extended the oxidation induction time.     

苜草素对产蛋后期蛋鸡抗氧化能力、脂质代谢及相关基因表达的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平苜草素对产蛋后期蛋鸡抗氧化能力、脂质代谢及相关基因表达的影响。选用69周龄、健康海兰褐蛋鸡324只,随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复18只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮的基础上添加500和1 000 mg/kg苜草素。试验预试期2周,正试期8周。结果表明,与对照组相比:1)试验组蛋鸡产蛋率显著升高(P0.05),料蛋比显著降低(P0.05)。2)500 mg/kg苜草素显著增加了蛋壳强度(P0.05),极显著降低了肝脏甘油三酯含量(P0.01),显著降低了肝脏总胆固醇含量(P0.05)。3)1 000mg/kg苜草素极显著提高了血浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)及肝脏GSH-Px活性(P0.01),显著提高了血浆总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、降低了丙二醛(MDA)的含量(P0.05),极显著降低了肝脏与蛋黄总胆固醇和甘油三酯含量(P0.01),极显著提高了肝脏硫氧还蛋白还原酶1(Trx R1)、胆固醇-7α羟化酶(CYP7A1)、固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1c(SREBP-1c)mRNA表达量(P0.01),极显著降低了3-羟基-3-甲基戊二酸单酰辅酶A还原酶(HMGCR)mRNA表达量(P0.01),而对GSH-Px mRNA表达量无显著影响(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮中添加苜草素可降低产蛋后期蛋鸡蛋黄胆固醇和甘油三酯含量,提高生产性能、蛋壳强度、机体抗氧化和胆固醇代谢能力,且以添加1 000 mg/kg苜草素效果较好。