Amino acid digestibility of heat damaged distillers dried grains with solubles fed to pigs

The primary objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of heat treatment on the standardized ileal digestibility(SID) of amino acids(AA) in corn distillers dried grains with solubles(DDGS) fed to growing pigs. The second objective was to develop regression equations that may be used to predict the concentration of SID AA in corn DDGS. A source of corn DDGS was divided into 4 batches that were either not autoclaved or autoclaved at130°C for 10, 20, or 30 min. Four diets containing DDGS from each of the 4 batches were formulated with DDGS being the only source of AA and CP in the diets. A N-free diet also was formulated and used to determine the basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. Ten growing pigs(initial BW: 53.5 ± 3.9 kg) were surgically equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a replicated 5 × 4 Youden square design with 5 diets and 4 periods in each square. The SID of CP decreased linearly(P 0.05) from 77.9% in non-autoclaved DDGS to 72.1, 66.1, and 68.5% in the DDGS samples that were autoclaved for 10, 20, or 30 min, respectively. The SID of lysine was quadratically reduced(P 0.05) from 66.8% in the non-autoclaved DDGS to 54.9, 55.3, and 51.9% in the DDGS autoclaved for 10, 20, or30 min, respectively. The concentrations of SID Arginine, Histidine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, or Threonine may be best predicted by equations that include the concentration of acid detergent insoluble N in the model(r2= 0.76, 0.68, 0.67, 0.84, 0.76, 0.73, or 0.54, respectively). The concentrations of SID Isoleucine and Valine were predicted(r2= 0.58 and 0.54, respectively) by the Lysine:CP ratio, whereas the concentration of SID Tryptophan was predicted(r2= 0.70) by the analyzed concentration of Tryptophan in DDGS. In conclusion, the SID of AA is decreased as a result of heat damage and the concentration of SID AA in heat-damaged DDGS may be predicted by regression equations developed in this experiment.     

Colchicine, trifluralin, and oryzalin promoted development of somatic embryos in Ilex paraguariensis (Aquifoliaceae)

A protocol for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of Ilexparaguariensis St. Hil. from embryos cultures was developed. Heart stage zygotic embryos were removed from seeds of immature, light green fruit and treated with antimicrotubule agents (0.1; 0.2, and 0.5% colchicine for 24 and 48 h; 1; 10, and 20 M of either trifluralin, - trifluoro- 2,6-dinitro-N,N- dipropyl-p-toluidine, or oryzalin, 3,5-dinitro-N₄, N-dipropylsulphate during 48 h). The embryos were cultured aseptically on quarter-strength Murashige and Skoog medium containing 3% sucrose, 0.65% agar (1/4MS), and 0.46 M zeatin. Cultures were incubated in darkness at 27 ± 2 °C. All thetreatments provoked a diminution of the number of germinated embryos and in some of the treated embryos somatic embryogenesis was induced. Somatic embryo maturation and conversion into whole plants could be achieved by culturing the embryos on 1/4MS lacking hormones and incubated at 27 ± 2 °C, 14 h photoperiod (116 mol m^-2s^-1). Mostof the plants regenerated from somatic embryos appeared morphologically normaland grew under greenhouse conditions. Only 2 plants out of 152 studied contained the tetraploid number of the chromosomes (2n = 4x = 80), meanwhile the rest of the plants had the normal diploid number of chromosomes (2n =2x = 40). Somatic embryos with abnormal morphology were also observed.     

Survey onYersinia Enterocolitica and related bacteria in shellfish

Results from examining shellfish collected from ‘safe’ (2–34Escherichia coli/100 mL) and ‘unsafe’ (> 34E. coli/100 mL) waters for the presence ofYersinia enterocolitica and related bacteria are reported. The recovery of these microorganisms was low in bivalve mollusks destined for food consumption, high in those derived from prohibited areas. No human pathogenic bio-serogroup f Yersinia was found during the entire survey.     

Antioxidant properties of low molecular weight phenols present in the mediterranean diet

The antioxidant capacity of low molecular weight phenols found in olive fruit and in virgin olive oil has been investigated. The radical scavenging activity of some of the investigated phenols is higher than that of the most used antioxidants, and among them, 3,4- or 2,5-dihydroxyl phenols are also able to chelate copper ions leading to chelates that are only slightly active in the promotion of free radical reactions. The ability of tested phenols to reduce Cu(II) and their activity-structure relationships was also studied, showing that their reducing capacity is connected to the presence of a specific ligand of the reduced ion. The number of reduced ions per mole of phenol is lower than that calculated for some flavonols and isoflavones so exerting a lower prooxidant action. This fact may be important in vivo when free transition metal ions are involved in oxidation processes.     

Rate of degradation of alpha-tocopherol,squalene, phenolics,and polyunsaturated fatty acids in olive oil during different storage conditions

Changes in the concentration of tocopherol, monophenols, o-diphenols, squalene, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in olive oil were evaluated during 1 year at various storage conditions. Samples of two different extra virgin olive oil (EOO), produced in Calabria (Italy), were stored in dark and in colorless bottles, filled up completely or to half, in order to simulate the domestic storage conditions. The extent of oxidation or photooxidation was monitored by periodic measurements of peroxide values and the rate of degradation of alpha-tocopherol, o-diphenols, squalene, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The quantitative analysis of the constituents has been performed by HPLC-DAD, HPLC-MS, and GC-MS. The main changes in the concentrations of the analyzed compounds were associated with the major oxygen level in the half-empty glass bottles. alpha-Tocopherol was the first molecule to be oxidized (-20% after 2 months, -92% after 12 months). Squalene and o-diphenols were protected in the first months by the presence of alpha-tocopherol, and their content decreased significantly only after 6 and 8 months, respectively, in the half-empty bottles. The concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids remained almost constant during 8 months for all four different storage conditions; their oxidation started when the level of the antioxidants decreased.     

Cerebellar Purkinje cell projection to the peripheral vestibular organ in the frog

Neurones located 200 to 300 microns from the surface of the auricular lobe of the frog cerebellar cortex, and identified as Purkinje cells, were activated antidromically from the eighth cranial nerve. A parallel anatomical study confirmed the existence of this projection. On the basis of these findings the existence of a cerebello-vestibular efferent system is postulated, the precise significance of which is as yet unclear. However, since Purkinje cells in other species have an inhibitory action on their target cells, the Purkinje efferent system to the vestibular organ may have an action similar to that ascribed to the olivo-cochlear bundle upon the cochlea, that is, to serve as an inhibitory control system.     

Vibrational energy transfer across a reverse micelle surfactant layer

In a suspension of reverse micelles, in which the surfactant sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT) separates a water nanodroplet from a bulk nonpolar CCl4 phase, ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy was used to study vibrational energy transfer from the nanodroplet through the AOT interfacial monolayer to the surrounding CCl4. Most of the vibrational energy from the nanodroplet was transferred to the polar AOT head group within 1.8 picoseconds and then out to the CCl4 within 10 picoseconds. Vibrational energy pumped directly into the AOT tail resulted in a slower 20- to 40-picosecond transfer of energy to the CCl4.     

Hydrogeochemistry and Water Balance in the Coastal Wetland Area of “Biviere di Gela,” Sicily, Italy

In the study area physical and chemical factors control the composition of surface and groundwaters, which in turn determine the water quality of the “Biviere di Gela” lake. These factors combine to create diverse water types which change their compositional character spatially as rainfall infiltrates the soil zone, moves down a topographically defined flow path, and interacts with bedrock minerals. Low-salinity waters, which represent the initial stage of underground circulation, start dissolving calcium carbonate from the local rocks. The progressive increase in salinity, characterized by substantially higher Ca, SO₄, Na and Cl concentrations, suggests that dissolution of CaSO₄ and NaCl is an important process during water–rock interactions. The “Biviere di Gela” lake is often separated into two units (Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo). “Lago Grande” water is generally of Na-SO₄-Cl-type, whereas “Lago Piccolo” water is of Na-Cl-SO₄-type. Their total content of dissolved salts varies with season, the amount of rainfall, and inflow of ground and drainage water. Over time, an increasing trend towards greater salinity and also sudden changes in the relative abundances of Cl and SO₄ have been recorded for the “Lago Grande.” The isotope composition of the lake water appears to be affected by inflow of ground and surface waters and also by evaporative loss. The nitrate content of waters from the recharge basin is of particular concern because it contributes to lake eutrophication. The trace element contents do not evidence the presence of any significant metal contamination of lake waters, although a future potential hazard of metals bioaccumulation by the aquatic biota must be taken into consideration. Finally, a water balance for the basin shows that a drop in precipitation of about 20% might be critical for lake survival.     

Resistance of bamboo scrimber against white-rot and brown-rot fungi

ABSTRACT

Bamboo scrimber is one of the most emerging structural materials for future building applications and it possesses properties comparable to other natural wood-based engineered materials such as glulam, laminated veneer lumber and cross-laminated timber. The goal of this work was to study the decay resistance of bamboo scrimber against white-rot (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot fungi (Serpula lacrymans). Bamboo scrimber samples were incubated in petri dishes with the wood-decaying fungi and the weight loss after 12 weeks was measured. The surface morphology of fungal-degraded bamboo scrimber was evaluated using optical microscopy. Based on the percentage weight loss, bamboo scrimber could be classified as highly resistant against bio-deterioration by white and brown-rot fungi.     

Comparative contents of dietary fiber, total phenolics, and minerals in persimmons and apples

Dietary fibers, major phenolics, main minerals, and trace elements in persimmons and apples were analyzed and compared in order to choose a preferable fruit for an antiatherosclerotic diet. Fluorometry and atomic absorption spectrometry following microwave digestion were optimized for the determination of major phenolics and minerals. Total, soluble, and insoluble dietary fibers, total phenols, epicatechin, gallic and p-coumaric acids, and concentrations of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, and Mn in whole persimmons, their pulps, and peels were significantly higher than in whole apples, pulps, and peels (P < 0.01-0.0025). Conversely, the contents of Cu and Zn were higher in apples than in persimmons. In persimmons and apples all of the above components were higher in their peels than in whole fruits and pulps. The relatively high contents of dietary fibers, total and major phenolics, main minerals, and trace elements make persimmon preferable for an antiatherosclerotic diet.