Black soldier fly and yellow mealworm live larvae for broiler chickens: Effects on bird performance and health status

The commercial broiler chicken strains are the result of successful selection programmes. Most of the problems related to welfare arise from the high growth rate and body weight. The use of environmental enrichments in intensive farming could have a positive effect on birds by increasing animal welfare. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of Hermetia illucens (HI) and Tenebrio molitor (TM) live larvae in the diets of broiler chickens on growth performance, carcass yield and health status. A total of 180 four-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly allotted to 18 pens. Each pen was assigned to one of the three dietary treatments (6 replicates/treatment, 10 birds/replicate) as follows: (i) control diet (C): commercial feed (two feeding phases: starter [4–11 days] and grower [12–38 days]), (ii) HI: C + 5% of the expected daily feed intake (DFI) HI live larvae (calculated on dry matter [DM]) and (iii) TM: C + 5% of DFI TM live larvae (DM). At 39 days of age, birds were slaughtered. Growth performance parameters were overall not affected by dietary treatments, except for the grower phase feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the overall FCR being better in the TM broilers than the others (p < 0.01). No differences were observed for slaughtering performance and haematological and serum parameters, except for the spleen relative weight being higher (p < 0.01) in the birds administered with larvae when compared to the C group. Gut morphometric indexes and histopathological alterations were not influenced by insect larvae administration. In conclusion, the administration in limited quantities of HI and TM live larvae as environmental enrichment has no negative effects on broiler chicken growth performance and health status. A behavioural study could confirm that live insect larvae represent a novel natural environmental enrichment in broiler farming.     

Molecular update on cystic echinococcosis in cattle and water buffaloes of southern Italy

Cystic echinococcosis (CE)--caused by the larval stage (hydatid cyst) of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus--is one of the most widespread zoonoses of veterinary and medical importance. Molecular techniques have allowed the identification of 10 different genotypes (G1-G10) of the parasite. The present paper is an update regarding the E. granulosus genotypes infecting water buffaloes and cattle bred in the Campania region of southern Italy. The molecular study was performed on 30 hydatid cysts (11 from water buffaloes and 19 from cattle). Two different mitochondrial DNA genes, namely the cytochrome c oxidase subunits 1 and the 12S ribosomal DNA (12S rDNA) were used as genetic markers. Three different genotypes of E. granulosus were unequivocally identified, i.e. the G1 (common sheep), G2 (Tasmanian sheep) and G3 (buffalo) genotypes, as well as some G1 and G2 variants. It should be noted that the present study demonstrated for the first time: (i) the presence of the G2 genotype in water buffaloes from a Mediterranean area; and (ii) the fact that the analysed portion of the 12S rDNA gene can not discriminate between the G2 and G3 genotypes of E. granulosus. The finding of the G1, G2 and G3 genotypes in large ruminants from southern Italy is of epidemiological relevance and immediate public health importance because of their recognized infectivity in humans.     

Emerging cultivation of oregano in Sicily: Sensory evaluation of plants and chemical composition of essential oils

The characterization of the essential oil profile together with the sensory analysis of five samples of oregano, four of which cultivated in different areas of Sicily and one of commercial origin, have been carried out. The Sicilian cultivated samples belong to Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Béguinot (syn. O. heracleoticum L.), the most typical Sicilian oregano species. The essential oils, obtained by hydrodistillation, have been analysed by GC-FID-MS. On the whole, 53 compounds representing more than 98% of the oils have been fully characterized. The four cultivated samples showed a very similar chemical profile, thymol and γ-terpinene being the main compounds followed by p-cymene, α-terpinene, carvacrol and thymol methyl ethers, myrcene and carvacrol. The commercial sample, instead, showed a different profile, with carvacrol largely being the main component (>77%), followed by p-cymene, γ-terpinene and thymol, in that order.According to the chemical composition, the sensory profile of the Sicilian oregano samples proved fairly homogenous, whereas different results were obtained for the commercial sample. Indeed, the intensity of sensory attributes “typical oregano flavour” and off-flavour are similar for the four cultivated samples; instead the commercial sample has less freshness and a lower typical oregano flavour, associated with a higher level of off-flavour.     

Citrus limonoids and their semisynthetic derivatives as antifeedant agents against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. A structure-activity relationship study

The antifeedant activity of Citrus-derived limonoids limonin (1), nomilin (2), and obacunone (3) and their semisynthetic derivatives 4-26 was evaluated against a commercially important pest, Spodoptera frugiperda. Simple chemical conversions were carried out on the natural limonoids obtained from seeds of Citrus limon. These conversions focused on functional groups considered to be important for the biological activity, namely the C-7 carbonyl and the furan ring. In particular, reduction at C-7 afforded the related alcohols, and from these their acetates, oximes, and methoximes were prepared. Hydrogenation of the furan ring was also performed on limonin and obacunone. The known antifeedant properties of the Citrus limonoids are confirmed. Comparison with previously reported data shows that insect species vary in their behavioral responses to these structural modifications. Highly significant antifeedant activity (P < 0.01) for two natural (1 and 3) and three semisynthetic limonoids (4, 8, and 10) was observed against S. frugiperda.     

A new procedure to measure the antioxidant activity of insoluble food components

The measurement of antioxidant activity was limited to soluble components to date. Functional groups, which are bound to insoluble matters, may exert antioxidant activity by a surface reaction phenomenon. This hypothesis was tested on the insoluble matters of foods, food ingredients, and Maillard reaction products (MRPs). Insoluble matters were prepared by consecutive washes with water and methanol followed by a lyophilization of the insoluble residue. The measurement was performed by a new procedure using 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) colored radicals. These insoluble matters always showed antioxidant activity. Alkali hydrolysis reduced up to 90% the antioxidant activity of cereal-based insoluble matters, thus confirming that fiber-bound compounds have a major role in their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of the insoluble MRPs was not significantly affected by processing conditions, but severe treatments increased the ratio between insoluble and soluble matters. The contribution of insoluble matter to total antioxidant activity was limited for fruits and vegetables, but it was relevant for cereal-based foods and increased over 50% for dietary-fiber-rich ingredients.     

Combined interventional procedure and cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in a dog with cor triatriatum dexter,patent foramen ovale,and pulmonary stenosis

A 2‐year‐old American Pit Bull dog was presented for surgical evaluation of imperforate cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO). Echocardiography identified an imperforate CTD associated with a right‐to‐left shunting PFO and valvular pulmonary stenosis. A 2‐step interventional and surgical approach was used. Initially, a pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty was performed, and subsequently the dog underwent a surgical correction of the atrial anomaly under cardiopulmonary bypass.