Functional feed assessment on Litopenaeus vannamei using 100% fish meal replacement by soybean meal, high levels of complex carbohydrates and Bacillus probiotic strains

Functional feed supplemented with alternative-economic nutrient sources (protein, carbohydrates, lipids) and probiotics are being considered in shrimp/fish aquaculture production systems as an option to increase yield and profits and to reduce water pollution. In this study the probiotic potential to formulate functional feeds have been evaluated using four dietary treatments: Treatment 1 (B + Bs); Bacillus subtilis potential probiotic strain was supplemented to a soybeanmeal (SBM)-carbohydrates (CHO) basal feed. Treatment 2 (B + Bm); Bacillus megaterium potential probiotic strain was supplemented to the same SBM-CHO basal feed. In Treatment 3 (B); SBM-CHO basal feed was not supplemented with probiotic strains. Treatment 4 (C); fishmeal commercial feed (FM) was utilized as positive control. Feeding trials evaluated the survival, growth, and food conversion ratio and stress tolerance of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) Pacific white shrimp. Best overall shrimp performance was observed for animals fed with Treatment 1 (B+Bs); additionally, stress tolerance and hemolymph metabolites also showed the best performance in this treatment. SBM-CHO basal feed not supplemented with probiotic strains (B) presented smaller growth and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). Shrimps fed with the fishmeal commercial feed (C) presented the lowest stress tolerance to high ammonia and low oxygen levels. Specifically selected B. subtilis strains are recommended to formulate functional and economical feeds containing high levels of vegetable; protein and carbohydrates as main dietary sources in L. vannamei cultures.     

Allergenic Content of New Alimentary Pasta Made of Lentils Compared with Lentil Seeds and Analysis of the Impact of Boiling Processing

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - There is growing interest in legumes such as lentil as healthy ingredients in gluten-free products. In that respect, foods based on lentils, like alimentary pasta,...     

Effect of natural and controlled fermentation on chemical composition and nutrient dialyzability from beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The effect of natural and controlled fermentation with an inoculum of Lactobacillus plantarum and additional thermal treatment (dry heat at 120 degrees C for 20 min) on the availability of N, P, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg from Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. carrilla was estimated using an in vitro method based on equilibrium dialysis. Natural and controlled fermentations caused significant reductions in the pH and phytate content (36%) of the bean flours, with a concomitant increase in the titratable acidity and free phosphorus content, and had no effect on the other nutrients studied. The percentage of dialyzable N, P, Cu, and Mg was significantly improved by both types of fermentation, whereas Zn dialyzability was significantly reduced. The greatest reduction was observed for the bean flour fermented with an inoculum of L. plantarum. The percentage of dialyzable Fe improved significantly as a result of natural fermentation but was not affected by controlled fermentation. The application of dry heat at 120 degrees C for 20 min caused a significant increase in Fe dialyzability and a further reduction in the percentage of dialyzable Zn in fermented bean flours but did not affect the dialyzability of the other nutrients studied.     

Comparative transcriptional analyzes of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri reveal mechanisms of adaptation and bacterial virulence in the early stage of citrus canker disease

European Journal of Plant Pathology - The Allium cepa L. (onion) crop is affected by leaf blight disease caused by Stemphylium vesicarium; the shifts that S. vesicarium infection causes in the...     

Wood colour in Lapacho (Tabebuia serratifolia): chemical composition and industrial implications

This study is aimed at relating the colour of Tabebuia serratifolia (Bignoniaceae family) wood to its chemical composition and technological characteristics, such as hardness and gluing, important for the manufacture of wood flooring. Samples with standard wood colour and evident chromatic anomalies were subjected to CIELAB colorimetric and gas-chromatography analyses. Red and yellow wood colour is associated with the presence of lapachol and dehydro-α-lapachone, respectively, whereas large amounts of polyphenols were found in black parts, together with other quinone compounds. Wood is hardest where lapachol gives rise to a yellow chromatic zone (L1). Delamination tests have shown that polyphenols affect lamella bonding strength. The results may be used by the wood flooring industry to identify the chemical constituents of T. serratifolia according to its colour and foresee possible problems during the production process.     

Bioactivity and Applications of Sulphated Polysaccharides from Marine Microalgae

Marine microalgae have been used for a long time as food for humans, such as Arthrospira (formerly, Spirulina), and for animals in aquaculture. The biomass of these microalgae and the compounds they produce have been shown to possess several biological applications with numerous health benefits. The present review puts up-to-date the research on the biological activities and applications of polysaccharides, active biocompounds synthesized by marine unicellular algae, which are, most of the times, released into the surrounding medium (exo- or extracellular polysaccharides, EPS). It goes through the most studied activities of sulphated polysaccharides (sPS) or their derivatives, but also highlights lesser known applications as hypolipidaemic or hypoglycaemic, or as biolubricant agents and drag-reducers. Therefore, the great potentials of sPS from marine microalgae to be used as nutraceuticals, therapeutic agents, cosmetics, or in other areas, such as engineering, are approached in this review.     

Characterization of Lay Phase in Three Genetic Types of Heavy Broilers Breeder in Tropical Conditions

The objective of the present work is characterizing some parameters in the lay phase in the lines of heavy broilers breeder Cobb Avian 48, Arbor Acres Plus and Ross 208, reared under the same commercial conditions in the tropics. Monitored three batches of approximately 18,000 females each （one for each genetic type）, from weeks 24 to 64, according to the conditions of handling and power described by the generic lines distribution companies. Although no differences were found for feed intake, Cobb Avian was presented a lower rate of feed conversion, being also that presented the highest percentage of implementation and production of incubables eggs, which meant that it was in line with the highest cumulative production of chickens by bird and week for tropical conditions studied. To adjust the lay data to a Gorssman model, in order to predict the parameters that characterize the lay modeling, estimated the best behavior for Cobb Avian 48 females, because while it takes more time to reach the level of putting constant （5.30 weeks） and maintain it for less time （2.4 weeks）, they manage to put constant high （79.11%） level, considering that the largest number of eggs per bird （171.19 vs. 164.54 and 160.11 in Arbor Acres and Ross 208, respectively）.     

Ventilation of culture vessels. II. Increased water movement rather than reduced concentrations of ethylene and CO2 is responsible for improved growth and development of Delphinium in vitro

Summary

Delphinium plantlets were cultured during Stage III in vessels modified to give different gas exchange rates. Modifications were achieved by the fitting of a covered aperture, or by the sealing of the lids. The concentrations of CO₂ and ethylene were measured in conjunction with measurements of relative humidity, water loss, the uptake of mineral nutrients and growth. Both CO₂ and ethylene concentrations were low in intact vessels, and significantly higher in vessels sealed with parafilm. Water loss was similar in intact and in sealed vessels, indicating that the vessel lid acted as a good barrier to water but allowed high rates of gas exchange. Plant growth rate was not affected by the level of ventilation of the vessels although leaf area was greater in vessels having lower gas exchange rates. After one week of culture, tissue concentrations of calcium and magnesium were highest in the vessels having the highest gas exchange rates. Relative humidity within the culture vessels was not affected by the level of ventilation. Improved stomatal performance, growth and survival of Delphinium from ventilated vessels appears to be due to an increased flow of water, and not to amelioration of the gaseous environment.     

Influence of rootstock on vegetative growth,fruit yield and quality in ‘Cuore di Bue’, an heirloom tomato

Summary

Heirloom tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) such as ‘Cuore di Bue’ are highly appreciated by consumers for their outstanding quality and flavour. Nowadays, they are often grafted onto vigorous rootstocks in order to overcome several soil-borne diseases. The present study was conducted in 2007 and 2008 in Southern Italy. Plants of ‘Cuore di Bue’, an heirloom ‘oxheart’ tomato, were grown in a greenhouse either as non-grafted plants, or grafted onto two inter-specific (S. lycopersicum S. habrochaites) rootstocks (‘Beaufort F₁’ and ‘Maxifort F₁’) in order to evaluate their effects on vegetative growth, marketable yield, fruit quality, and the sensory properties of ‘Cuore di Bue’ tomato fruit. Growth analysis revealed that ‘Maxifort F₁’ enhanced plant growth, particularly in terms of leaf area and leaf fresh weight. Grafted plants had higher leaf area ratios (by 13%) and higher leaf dry weight fractions (by 18%) compared to non-grafted ‘Cuore di Bue’ plants. Marketable yields increased by 20 – 25% in grafted plants in both years. However, total soluble solids (TSS) contents, titratable acidity (TA), and TSS/TA ratios were not significantly affected by grafting.Vitamin C contents decreased by 14 – 20% in both years in the fruit of plants grafted onto either rootstock. The sensory profiles of fruit were not modified by grafting, although taste panelists expressed a higher preference for purchasing fruit from plants grafted onto ‘Maxifort F₁’. These results confirm that, when using the appropriate rootstock/scion combination, grafting can improve plant growth and the marketable yield of heirloom tomato fruit without reducing the sensory quality of the fruit or its biochemical parameters. However, grafting can reduce vitamin C contents and, thus, nutritional quality.     

Increased CO2 emission and organic matter decomposition by leaf-cutting ant nests in a coastal environment

Leaf-cutting ants perform a vital role in the cycling of carbon and nutrients in tropical ecosystems. Nests have high levels of organic matter and refuse dumps host up to two times more soil micro-organisms than non-nest soil. The increased levels of organic matter in the soil of nests, however, can affect CO₂ emissions from soil and alter the balance of atmospheric CO₂. We aimed at assessing the effect of nests of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex balzani on CO₂ emissions in a coastal area of Northeast Brazil. Results show that A. balzani nests emitted up to four times more CO₂ than the surrounding soil and emissions were positively correlated with soil moisture and soil organic matter (SOM) content. In addition, field experiments demonstrated that refuse material has a lower residence time than the leaf material brought to the colonies. Despite the high density of nests and high content of SOM compared to adjacent control soil, CO₂ emissions by A. balzani nests represent only 0.3% of the total CO₂ efflux by the studied ecosystem. Although these effluxes account for a relative small portion of the total soil CO₂ emission, they are still important for the understanding of C balance, especially when one considers the thousands of tons of CO₂ emitted each day, across entire Neotropical regions where leaf-cutting ants occur.