Response of white mustard (Sinapis alba) and the soil microbial biomass to P and Zn addition in a greenhouse pot experiment

A 45‐d pot experiment was carried out to investigate the response of white mustard and the soil microbial biomass after Zn and P addition to a P deficient silt loam. The underlying hypothesis was that P application reduces the Zn availability to crops and microbial biomass. White mustard was supplied with different levels of P (0, 50, and 100 µg g^?1 soil) and Zn (0, 10, and 20 µg g^?1 soil). Amendments of P generally reduced extractable Zn, shoot Zn and soil microbial biomass Zn. Amendments of P generally decreased the microbial biomass C/P ratio. At 20 µg Zn g^?1 soil, a negative effect on the microbial biomass C/P ratio was observed, suggesting that high contents of extractable Zn have a negative impact on the microbial P uptake. However, the minimum Zn requirements of soil microorganisms and the consequences of microbial Zn deficiency for soil microbiological processes are completely unknown.     

Effect of Milk Proteins on Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Crispy Puff Snacks

Dairy proteins included sweet whey solids （SWS）, whey protein concentrate （WPC）, milk protein concentrate （MPC） or sodium caseinate （SC） at level of 10% by weight were extruded with corn, rice, oat flour and other ingredients in a twin screw extruder. The functional properties and textural of crispy balls snacks （CBS） have been studied. The results showed that different protein types were significantly affected on functional and chemical properties of extrudate. The bulk density of CBS-SC was the lowest due to the highest expansion, while CBS-WPC retained the most water in the product, whereas, the maximum value of water solubility index was obtained in the CBS-CWP. Results also showed that protein digestibility value of extrudates had higher than non-extruded products. Color analysis of CBS-SC and CBS-SWS products had the highest AE values （P ≤ 0.05）, whereas CBS-SWS was statistically higher than CBS-SC in rank. Also, it was noticed that CBS-SWS had the highest value of browning index. The hardness of all extrudates products was desirable for expanded crispy where ranged from 17.3 N to 12.18 N. Generally, MPC and SC incorporated with cereal flour had acceptable quality characteristics and improved significantly the functional and texture properties of crispy balls products.     

Alternative Sources of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Marine Microalgae

The main source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in human nutrition is currently seafood, especially oily fish. Nonetheless, due to cultural or individual preferences, convenience, geographic location, or awareness of risks associated to fatty fish consumption, the intake of fatty fish is far from supplying the recommended dietary levels. The end result observed in most western countries is not only a low supply of n-3 LC-PUFA, but also an unbalance towards the intake of n-6 fatty acids, resulting mostly from the consumption of vegetable oils. Awareness of the benefits of LC-PUFA in human health has led to the use of fish oils as food supplements. However, there is a need to explore alternatives sources of LC-PUFA, especially those of microbial origin. Microalgae species with potential to accumulate lipids in high amounts and to present elevated levels of n-3 LC-PUFA are known in marine phytoplankton. This review focuses on sources of n-3 LC-PUFA, namely eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, in marine microalgae, as alternatives to fish oils. Based on current literature, examples of marketed products and potentially new species for commercial exploitation are presented.     

Impact of Tillage and Herbicides on Weed Density,Yield and Quality of Cotton in Wheat Based Cropping System

Conservation tillage may improve yield of cotton in addition to improvement in soil quality if practiced for longer period. However, the practice may not be productive in short-term particularly when severe weeds are infesting the crops such as Cynodon dactylon, Conyza canadensis, Tribulus terrestris, and Cyperus rotundus, etc. Recent studies indicate that conventional tillage (CT) is more productive than zero tillage (ZT)/reduced tillage (RT). Performance of cotton under three tillage systems, viz., ZT, RT and CT; and five herbicides, i.e., haloxyfop-R-methyl 10.8 EC (108 g a.i. ha^?1), lactofen 24 EC (168 g a.i. ha^?1), haloxyfop 10.8 EC + lactofen 24 EC, hand weeding, and weedy check were evaluated during 2010-2011 at Gomal University, D.I. Khan, Pakistan, to explore the best management option for effective weed control, enhanced yield and quality of cotton grown after wheat. The results revealed that hand weeding and Haloxyfop as post emergence alone or in combination with Lactofen reduced weed density to the minimum irrespective of the tillage systems. Excessive rainfall and cooler temperature limited cotton growth and yield in 2010. The adverse weather conditions had more adverse effect on boll weight under ZT and RT than CT. Haloxyfop + lactofen produced higher seed cotton yield in RT than ZT, however, it could not exceed CT. Broad-spectrum herbicides × CT produced the highest number of bolls/plant, boll weight and seed cotton yield. Fiber quality and net returns were also the highest in broad-spectrum herbicides × CT. In conclusion, broad-spectrum herbicides under CT were more productive in wheat based cropping system on silty clay soil of D.I. Khan.     

Growth performance,carcass characteristics,meat quality and serum profile of broiler chicks fed on housefly maggot meal as a replacement of soybean meal

A study was conducted to invesstigate the housefly maggot meal (HMM) as an alternative protein source to replace the soybean meal in broiler chick's diet. A total of 720 1-day-old male broiler chicks were divided into three groups and fed diets formulated with HMM to replace soybean meal at the rate of 0%, 4% and 8%. The study lasted for 42 days in two phases. Results showed that HMM addition did not markedly affect body weight, average daily body weight gain and average daily feed intake of the broiler chicks. Feed conversion ratio increased linearly (1–21 days) in starter or quadratically (22–42 days) in the grower phase. HMM non-significantly increased the feed intake and body weight during the grower phase. Slight changes were observed for decrease of blood biochemical indices in the platelets (day 21), and alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme (day 42), and increase for red blood cells, packed cell volume, total protein and uric acid on day 42; however, the fluctuations were within the physiological range. Non-significant effects were observed for carcass composition and meat quality, except that HMM numerically reduced the shear force of breast muscle (linear, p = .058). These results are the strong evidence that HMM can be used as an alternative protein source at 8% in broiler chick's diet without any adverse effect on chick's performance.     

Application of bioactive coatings based on chitosan for artichoke seed protection

Artichoke seeds suffer attacks of various fungi that result in a decreased yield. Coatings based on chitosan were used as an antifungal agent and for enhancing the germination and quality of artichoke seeds. The effect of formulation (chitosan molecular weight, presence or absence of Span 80, pH), and thickness (number of coating layers) on seed germination (G%), fungi activity and vegetative growth were studied. Results indicated significant differences between treatments on seed germination. It was observed that all chitosan treatments reduced the number of type of fungi and increased plant growth. Chitosan with lower Mw gave better results both from microbial and germination point of view. In addition results indicated that treatments including chitosan and TMTD increased significantly G% and plant growth of artichoke seeds and produced a decrease in fungi contamination.     

Intra-arterial infusion of leptin does not affect blood pressure in salt-loaded rabbits

The aim of this research is to see the effect of intra-arterial infusion of leptin on blood pressure of salt loaded rabbits in vivo. Increased blood pressure was produced in rabbits by giving diets containing 8% sodium chloride for 5 weeks. Leptin in different concentrations was infused intra-arterially into rabbits fed on high salt diets and the response was compared in rabbits fed with low salt diets. High salt diets produced significant increase in blood pressure. In rabbits fed with low salt diet, leptin infused intra-arterially caused an increase in blood pressure while infusion of leptin into rabbits fed with high salt diets does not affect the blood pressure. In conclusion, salt loading to rabbits abolishes the effect ofleptin on cardiovascular system. This may indicate that leptin effect on sympathetic activity is altered by high salt diets in these animals.     

Water deficit and polyethylene glycol 6000 affects morphological and biochemical characters of Pelargonium odoratissimum (L.)

The effects of water deficit and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 on the growth and content of essential oil, photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, proline, macroelements (N–P–K) and microelements (Mg–Zn–Fe–Mn) of Pelargonium odoratissimum (L.) plants were investigated. Water deficits of 80% and 40% of field water capacity decreased certain growth characters (total leaf area, leaf number, and total fresh and dry mass). The photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a and b, total carotenoids) and mineral content (N–P–K–Mg–Zn–Fe–Mn) also decreased as water deficit level increased. Water deficit promoted the accumulation of essential oil content and its main components (methyl eugenol, isomenthone and limonene) as well as total soluble sugars and proline contents. The water deficit × PEG 6000 interaction was greater than water deficit treatments alone on all plant growth characters assessed.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of zerumbone on acute and chronic inflammation models in mice

The anti-inflammatory activity of zerumbone (1), a natural cyclic sesquiterpene isolated from Zingiber zerumbet Smith was investigated using carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma tissue formation test in mice. It was demonstrated that intraperitoneal administration of 1 at a dose of 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg produced significant dose-dependent inhibition of paw edema induced by carrageenan. It was also demonstrated that 1 at similar doses significantly suppressed granulomatous tissue formation in cotton pellet-induced granuloma test.