Antifeedant effects of marine halogenated monoterpenes

In this work the antifeedant effects of the halogenated monoterpenes 1-13 were tested against several divergent insect species. These compounds have been isolated from Plocamium cartilagineum (6 was isolated as an acetyl derivative), except for 4, which was isolated from Pantoneura plocamioides. We have also included the semisynthetic derivatives 1a, 2a, and 7. Compounds 1, 1a, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8-10, and 13 were antifeedants against Leptinotarsa decemlineata with varying potencies. The aphids Myzus persicae and Ropalosiphum padi were strongly deterred in the presence of compounds 2, 12, and 13. This effect was correlated with the electronic recording of their probing behavior. Compounds 2 and 12 were toxic to L. decemlineata and had selective cytotoxicity to insect-derived Sf9 cells. None of the tested compounds showed phytotoxic effects. The antifeedant and cytotoxic effects of these compounds were compared with those of the polyhalogenated insecticide gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane).     

Organoarsenical species contents in fresh and processed seafood products

A study was carried out to determine organic species of arsenic in the main varieties of seafood consumed in the Basque country (Spain). The concentrations of arsenobetaine (AB), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), arsenocholine (AC), and tetramethylarsonium ion (TMA(+)) in 64 samples corresponding to different food items are presented. The study provides information about a possible distribution pattern of organoarsenical species in seafood products. AB was detected in all of the samples [0.3-104.1 microg g(-1) dry weight (dw)]. DMA was detected in all of the samples except squid and salted cod (0.027-1.757 microg g(-1) dw). MMA was detected only in certain fatty fish (0.004-0.028 microg g(-1) dw) and bivalves (0.031-0.047 microg g(-1) dw). AC was only present in some samples of lean fish (0.014-0.089 microg g(-1) dw), and TMA(+) was detected only in anchovy (0.039-0.169 microg g(-1) dw) and crustaceans (0.044-0.966 microg g(-1) dw).     

Color properties and stability of betacyanins from Opuntia fruits

The colorant properties of pigments from Opuntia stricta, Opuntia undulata, and Opuntia ficus-indicafruits were studied. The pigments were extracted with different solvents and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography. On the basis of their visible light spectra, the pigments were identified as betalains. In O. undulata and O. ficus-indica fruits, both betacyanins and betaxantins were identified, while in O. stricta fruits only betacyanins (betanin and isobetanin) were detected. O. stricta fruits showed the highest betacyanin content (80 mg/100 g fresh fruit). The thermal stability of the pigment extracts was dependent on the pH, with the maximum stability being at pH 5, as expected for betacyanins. At this value and a storage temperature of 4 degrees C, a deactivation half-life time of more than 1 year, with no added stabilizers, was determined. According to these studies, cactus pears from O. stricta may well be considered as a potential source of natural red colorants.     

Characteristics of maize flour tortilla supplemented with ground Tenebrio molitor larvae.

The larva of the Tenebrio molitor, known as the yellow meal worm, is a plague of wheat and flours. Consumption of the raw insects is not well accepted because of their appearance. The objective of the present work was to grow T. molitor larvae under standard conditions, to analyze the chemical composition of the larvae powder, and to prepare supplemented maize tortillas. Protein and fat contents were performed with standard methods. Tenebrio larvae powder had a 58.4% protein content; this protein was rich in essential amino acids such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; the found values satisfied those recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Fatty acid composition was determined by GC-MS showing high contents of oleic acid and linoleic acid (19.8 and 8.51%, respectively). A large proportion of unsaturated fatty acids of longer chains was detected. Long-chain fatty acids having two or three double bonds have been claimed as highly beneficial to health. Tortillas supplemented with larvae powder had excellent consumer acceptance, and tortilla protein content increased by 2% as well as the amount of essential amino acids. These results show new ways to consume insects and at the same time increase the nutritional value of the original food products.     

Complexation of several benzimidazole-type fungicides with alpha- and beta-cyclodextrins

The potential increase in water solubility of three benzimidazole-type fungicides (thiabendazole, carbendazim, and fuberidazole) due to complexation with alpha- and beta-cyclodextrins was investigated. Fluorescence emission spectra of the fungicides in the presence of different concentrations of the cyclodextrins were measured. Analysis of these spectra by the method of principal components global analysis (PCGA) yielded precise values for the association constants and the emission spectra of the fungicide-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. Phase-solubility diagrams confirmed the formation of inclusion complexes between each of the fungicides and beta-cyclodextrin and showed significant increases of their solubilities due to complexation.     

A note on the consistency of a behavioral play marker in piglets

Background： Play behavior has been proposed as a new potential indicator of animal welfare. Animals play only if they are in a relaxed state. Play may improve adaptability to challenging environments which may be of interest in the breeding objective. Little information is available on play behavior in livestock species. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether play behavior in post-weaned piglets can be induced instantly in the presence of additional space and whether play markers are body weight, sex, and litter dependent, it is investigated whether playfulness is elicited by the moment or if this measure is consistent over different days. Methods： Thirty two piglets from four litters were released into a corridor and video recorded for eight min at 37, 41, 44 and 48 d of age. The first test was considered as an adjustment period and was not included in the analysis. In the second to the fourth test, joyful brusque movements （jumping, turning and running） were recorded with a camera and total number of movements （JOY#） and total time （JOYtime） were estimated individually. Animals were weighed at 41 d of age. Results： Females had higher scores of JOY# and JOYtime than males but this was significant only for JOY# at 41 d of age （P 〈 0.05）. The effect of age was highly significant both for JOY# and JOYtime （P 〈 0.01）. Animals with a higher JOY# and JOYtime also expressed a higher JOY# and JOYtime in the other tests, but this was significant only between 44 and 48 d of age （P〈 0.01）. Body weight at 41 d of age was not significantly related to JOY# and JQYtime in any of the tests. Conclusions： Locomotor play was induced instantly by the provision of increased space allowance. Litter origin had a significant effect on play behavior. In addition, locomotor play scores were consistent between two of the three tests.     

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Galicia (NW, Spain)

Faecal samples from 224 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and 381 wild boars (Sus scrofa) shot during the 2008-2009 hunting season (August-January) in Galicia (NW Spain) were examined to determine the presence and intensity of infection by Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Analysis of a single sample from each of the roe deer revealed that the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and giardiosis was 1.3% and 5.3% respectively. The prevalence of Giardia infection was significantly higher in juvenile female roe deer than in adult females, but no other significant differences were found in relation to age and sex. In wild boars, the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and giardiosis was 7.6% and 1.3% respectively. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was significantly higher in juvenile male wild boars than in adult males, but no other significant differences were found in relation to age or sex. In both groups of wild animals, the number of Cryptosporidium oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) ranged from 5 to 200 and the number of Giardia cysts per gram of faeces (CPG) was between 5 and 47; there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to number of infections. This is the first large study of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in roe deer and wild boars in hunting areas in Spain and the results demonstrate a low, but widespread prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in these animals.     

Influence of adjuvant and antigen dose on protection induced by an inactivated whole vaccine against Neospora caninum infection in mice

In this study, the protection afforded by a Neospora caninum inactivated vaccine formulated with three different adjuvants (water-in-oil emulsion, aluminum hydroxide with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and aluminum hydroxide with ginseng extract) and three different parasite doses (10(5), 5 × 10(5) or 10(6) inactivated whole tachyzoites) was evaluated using a mouse model. Mice were immunized subcutaneously twice at three-week intervals with inactivated Nc-Spain 1H tachyzoites and challenged by intraperitoneal inoculation with 10(6) live Nc-1 tachyzoites. The efficacy of the immunization was evaluated in non-pregnant BALB/c mice on days 1 and 5 (acute infection phase) and days 14 and 30 (chronic infection phase) post-challenge. The results showed the ability of water-in-oil emulsion combined with inactivated 5 × 10(5) tachyzoites to induce protection against neosporosis during the chronic stage, limiting parasite multiplication in the brain. Aluminum hydroxide-ginseng extract and inactivated tachyzoites reduced the number of parasites circulating in the blood during acute phase but failed to limit the establishment of chronic infection. On the other hand, a dose-effect was observed in groups vaccinated with aluminum hydroxide-ginseng extract in which the lesion severity increased as the inactivated tachyzoite dose. This study demonstrates that efficacy can significantly vary depending on the adjuvant, the dose of antigen and the phase of N. caninum infection in which the vaccine is tested.     

Association between anti-F. hepatica antibody levels in milk and production losses in dairy cows

This study was conducted to determine: (1) the associations between anti-Fasciola hepatica antibody levels in milk and some productive and reproductive parameters in dairy cattle, and (2) the threshold antibody level associated with loss of productivity, at both herd and individual level. Anti-F. hepatica antibodies were analysed by MM3-SERO ELISA in milk samples from the bulk tanks of 490 dairy farms and from 686 lactating cows. The results of general linear model analysis revealed a significant (P<0.05) negative association between the F. hepatica infection status at herd level, determined by analysis of specific antibodies in bulk tank milk, and the average herd milk production. Highly positive herds (MM3-SERO ELISA result>0.405) produced an average of 1.5 kg milk/cow per day less than the negative herds. At cow-level, the mixed model analysis also revealed a significant (P<0.05) association between anti-F. hepatica antibody levels and milk yield. A significant (P<0.05) average reduction of 2 kg milk/day was observed in cows with highly positive ELISA results (>0.762) in relation to cows with negative results. The results of the study led us to conclude that MM3-SERO ELISA is a powerful tool that can be successfully applied, if appropriate "economic thresholds" are established, to identify herds and cows suffering from milk production losses associated with natural infection by F. hepatica.