Effects of commonly used disinfectants on bacterial load,hatchability and survival of Bluefin Sea bream (Sparidentex hasta) eggs

The efficacy of four chemical reagents, iodophor, formalin, hydrogen peroxide and bronopol as fish egg surface disinfectants were evaluated in bluefin sea bream (Sparidentex hasta). Fertilized eggs were counted and subjected to a static bath dip treatment in different concentrations of the above chemicals for 4 min before being incubated at 20 ± 0.5°C for 40 h. Treatment efficacy of the different disinfectants was evaluated by assessing the bactericidal activity, egg hatch percentage and survival of larvae up to 3 days post hatch. Results showed that iodophor at medium concentrations (75 and 100 ppm) was the best of all tested disinfectants in bacterial killing ability (12% reduction in the bacterial counts), egg hatching per cent (99.8% and 99.6% respectively) and larval survival up to 3 days post hatch (50.8% and 54.8% respectively). Formalin was the second best disinfectant at levels of 100 and 150 ppm. Hydrogen peroxide gave good results compared with the control while, bronopol showed discouraging results. In conclusion, iodophor appeared to be suitable for bluefin sea bream eggs disinfection with a 4 min exposure to 75–100 ppm when applied 14–16 h after egg fertilization.     

Factors associated with gastrointestinal parasite infection in dogs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Factors associated with parasitism by helminths and protozoans in 500 dogs presented to three veterinary clinics in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro from November 2003 to September 2004 were evaluated. Dogs were submitted to physical examination and owners were interviewed about the animal's management. One fecal sample from each dog was examined by centrifugal flotation and sedimentation methods followed by the safranin–methylene blue staining technique. Positive results for gastrointestinal parasites were detected in 46.4% of the examined samples. Infection with protozoans (29.6%) was more frequent than with helminths (23.2%). Cryptosporidium sp. (26.2%) and Ancylostoma sp. (15.2%) were the most frequent parasites. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (p < 0.001), access to soil (p < 0.001), hygiene of the environment (p = 0.001), illness (p = 0.007), owner's level of education (p < 0.006) and veterinary clinic (p = 0.043) were associated with gastrointestinal parasite infections in dogs. Treatment and control are especially important for puppies. Adult dogs should be submitted to fecal examination before treatment, placing special emphasis on those that present one or more factors associated with infection.     

Response Surface Methodology for Modeling Bisphenol A Removal Using Ultrafiltration Membrane System

In this work, the effects of various operating parameters (pressure, pH, BPA concentration, and filtration time) toward bisphenol A (BPA) removal via ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). Historical data design of RSM was used to obtain the interaction between variables and response as well as optimizing the process. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the third-order polynomial model was significant in which pH and filtration time were identified as significant terms that influence BPA removal. The 3D response surface plots revealed the two-factor interaction between independent and dependent variables. The optimization process of the model predicted optimum conditions of 99.61% BPA removal at 1 bar, pH 6.7, 10 μg/L BPA concentration, and 10-min filtration time. The predicted optimum conditions for BPA removal were consistent with the obtained experimental values, indicating reliable application of historical data design RSM for modeling BPA removal in UF membrane system.     

Do pre-sowing treatments affect seed germination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Albizia richardiana</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagerstroemia speciosa</Emphasis>?

In this paper, seed morphology and effects of pre-sowing treatments were studied. Matured seeds of the species were collected from healthy trees in the National Botanical Garden, Bangladesh, and treated with five pre-sowing treatments. The average length, breadth and thickness were found to be 0.56±0.03 cm, 0.44±0.009 cm and 0.26±0.008 cm in Albizia richardiana King and Prain, and 1.32±0.02 cm, 0.55±0.04 cm and 0.11±0.002 cm in Lagerstroemia speciosa L., respectively. Germination was carried out in polybags with a mixture of topsoil, coconut husk compost, coarse sand and fine sand in a ratio of 3:4:1:1. Results revealed that the germination rates of seeds in different pre-sowing treatments were significantly increased compared to those in cold-water treatment in both species. The highest germination rate was found to be 96% in hot-water treatment followed by 87%, 83% and 49% in treatments with scarification, H₂SO₄ and control in A. richardiana, respectively. However, the highest germination rate (79%) was found in H₂SO₄ treatment followed by 64%, 62% and 25% in treatments with hot water, scarification and control in L. speciosa, respectively. The lowest germination (35% in A. richardiana and 20% in L. speciosa) was found in cold-water treatment in both cases. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the significant difference among the treatments for both species. It is concluded that hot-water treatment is recommended for seed germination of both species in rural Bangladesh.     

New withanolides from Mandragora officinarum: First report of withanolides from the Genus Mandragora

Two new withanolides named mandragorolide A (1) and mandragorolide B (2) were isolated from the MeOH extract of the whole plant of Mandragora officinarum of Jordanian origin, along with five known withanolides namely larnaxolide A (3), withanolide B (4), datura lactone 2 (5), withanicandrin (6) and salpichrolide C (7). Compound 3 has been reported only once before, from the leaves of Larnax glabra. This is the first report of withanolides of different biogenetic types from the genus Mandragora. Isolation of known fatty compounds, coumarins, sterols and tropane alkaloids was also achieved in this study.     

Mixed Fertilizer can Improve Fruit Yield and Quality of Field-Grown Tomatoes Irrigated with Saline Water

Growing tomatoes using saline water and in soils with poor nutrient contents is challenging. The objectives of this work were to: (i) examine the yield and quality of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) irrigated with different saline water [electrical conductivity (ECi) = 3, 6 and 9 dS m^?1]; and (ii) study the effect of fertilizer: inorganic, organic, and a mixed of both on tomatoes grown under saline conditions. Fruit weight and quality attributes including size, color, soluble solids, acidity, EC, and pH were measured. Growing tomatoes under 3 and 6 dS m^?1 produced the highest yield, whereas irrigating with 9 dS m^?1 reduced yield. The mixed fertilizer slightly ameliorated the yield reduction caused by salinity. Using organic fertilizer alone produced the lowest fruit yield. Fruit quality was more affected by salinity than fertilizer. The best growing conditions for tomatoes were in plots irrigated with 6 dS m^?1 water under mixed fertilizer treatment.     

Physiological recovery of freezer-stored white and Engelmann spruce seedlings planted following different thawing regimes

Logistic problems of large-scale reforestation necessitate freezer-storage of conifer seedlings. Frozen stock is typically thawed slowly at low temperatures for up to several weeks before shipping to the plantation site, but the necessity of this practice is questionable. Experiments were conducted to study effects of different thawing regimes on photosynthetic recovery, frost hardiness, water relations and growth initiation in interior spruce (white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry) hybrid complex). One year-old container-grown seedlings were planted after 9 days post-storage thawing at 5–15 °C or still frozen, directly from the freezer. During a 29 day observation period after planting, both groups showed changes in xylem water potential (_w), carbon fixation (A), stomatal conductance (g _s ), chlorophyll a fluorescence and xanthophyll cycle pigments. Treatment differences in fluorescence and pigments peaked within one hour after planting. All differences in _w, A, g _s , ratio of internal to external CO₂ concentration (C_i/C_a), fluorescence, pigments and root number disappeared after 5 to 8 days. Terminal bud burst occurred 2.6 days earlier in the pre-thawed seedlings. When seedlings were rapidly thawed in the dark at 21 °C they achieved maximum _w (–0.2 MPa) in 3–4 hour. When evaluated 45 min after planting, A, g _s , C_i/C_a and fluorescence values of rapidly thawed seedlings were intermediate between those for seedlings planted frozen or after 9 days slow thawing, showing that the recovery process was well underway a few hours after removal from the freezer. These results suggested that a suitable on-site operational protocol for rapid thawing might be to lay frozen bundles on the ground at ambient temperature overnight. In field trials of this method, rapidly thawed seedlings broke bud 3.3 days later than slowly thawed stock and also had greater frost hardiness at time of planting. Height, shoot and root mass did not differ after 3 months growth.     

Some of the properties of particleboard made from paulownia

The objective of this study was to determine some of the properties of experimental particleboard panels made from low-quality paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa). Chemical properties including holocellulose, cellulose, lignin contents, water solubility, and pH level of the wood were also analyzed. Three-layer experimental panels were manufactured with two density levels using urea–formaldehyde as a binder. Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), screw-holding strength, thickness swelling, and surface roughness of the specimens were evaluated. Panels with densities of 0.65 g/cm³ and manufactured using a 7-min press time resulted in higher mechanical properties than those of made with densities of 0.55 g/cm³ and press times of 5 min. Based on the initial findings of this study, it appears that higher values of solubility and lignin content of the raw material contributed to better physical and mechanical properties of the experimental panels. All types of strength characteristics of the samples manufactured from underutilized low-quality paulownia wood met the minimum strength requirements of the European Standards for general uses.     

Seed germination of Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. in Bangladesh: a basis for seed source variation and pre-sowing treatment effect

An experiment in seed morphology and seed germination techniques of Albizia procera was carried out in the nursery of the Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline,Khulna University,Bangladesh in order to discover the source variation in seeds and pre-sowing treatment effects on seed germination.Mature seeds of A.procera were collected from healthy trees in home garden plantations from five different districts in Bangladesh and treated with four pre-sowing treatments,i.e.,control,immersion in cold water (4°C for 24 h)and immersion in hot water(80°C for 10 min and 100°C for 1 min).The average length,width and thickness of seeds were calculated as 0.502±0.485,0.420±0.060 and 0.191±0.118 cm,respectively.Germination was conducted in poly-bags with a mixture of topsoil and cow dung in a ratio of 3:1.The results revealed that pre-sowing treatments affected the rate of germination of seeds,which significantly increased the germination percentages of seeds in hot water treatments compared with those in control (60.60%)and the cold water treatment(4°C for 24 h,63.53%).The highest germination success was 82.07%in the treatment of immersion in hot water(80°C)for 10 min,followed by 79.00%in immersion in hot water(100°C)for 1 min.Germination started 4 to 6 days after seed sowing and completed in a period of 22 to 25 days in all treatments.ANOVAs showed statistically significant differences(p0.05)in seed germination starting dates,closing dates,germination percentages and rates of germination among treatments,but no significant differences in seed germination starting dates,closing dates,germination period,germination percentages and rates of germination among the seed sources.The study also revealed that the interaction between seed source variation and treatment effect significantly differed in seed germination starting dates,closing dates,germination percentages and rates of germination. The hot water(100°C for 1 min)treatment is recommended for seed germination of A.procera in rural Bangladesh.     

Effect of dietary zinc proteinate supplementation on growth performance, and skin and meat quality of male and female broiler chicks

1. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary zinc proteinate (ZP) supplementation on growth performance and on skin and meat quality of male and female broiler chicks.

2. A total of 240 1-d-old male and 240 1-d-old female broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 24 floor pens (12 replicate pens/sex; 20 birds/pen) and were given either 0 (Control diet) or 40?mg/kg ZP (ZP 40), resulting in a 2?×?2 factorial arrangement of treatments.

3. The growth performance of male and female broiler chicks was not affected by the ZP supplementation, but the males showed significantly higher growth performance than did females.

4. ZP supplementation increased the total thickness of skin in both sexes, and males had thicker skin than females. It also increased the collagen content of skin, but not that of meat. Males had higher skin collagen contents than did females, but no sex difference was found in the meat collagen contents.

5. ZP supplementation did not affect the shear force values of skin and meat; however, males had higher shear force values of back skin than females. ZP supplementation increased the zinc contents of thigh meat and plasma in both sexes. Males had higher zinc contents in back skin than females.

6. It is concluded that dietary ZP supplementation could increase the skin quality of broiler chicks in both sexes, particularly in female broilers, without any effect on growth performance. Male broilers have better growth performance and skin quality than females.