Triterpenic and other lipophilic components from industrial cork byproducts

The detailed chemical composition of the lipophilic extractives of cork and cork byproducts generated throughout industrial processing has been investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Triterpenes (cerine, friedeline, and betulinic acid) were the major components detected. Betulinic acid is the main triterpene (11.7 g/kg) identified in industrial cork powder, whereas in black condensates friedeline (95.3 g/kg), betuline (13.1 g/kg), and betulinic acid (12.1 g/kg) are the main triperpenes. Significant fractions of alpha-hydroxy fatty acids (115.1 g/kg) and alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acids (21.2 g/kg) were also detected in black condensate after alkaline hydrolysis. The results demonstrate that these two industrial byproducts can be considered as promising sources of bioactive chemicals or chemical intermediates for the synthesis of polymeric materials.     

High-speed centrifugation of extender of freeze-thaw boar semen

In semen cryopreservation, egg yolk is still widely used as a non-penetrating cryoprotectant. Much has been developed in the search for alternatives for this biological product. This work aimed to evaluate the processed egg yolk through ultracentrifugation and/or sonication in the cryopreservation of swine semen. Twenty-seven semen doses were purchased from a commercial boar stud and processed for cryopreservation using egg yolk lactose 11% (control) extender, processed using two different methods: high-speed centrifugation and sonication. Then, they were submitted to freeze-thawing protocol and were assessed for kinematic and cell structural parameters. Samples in which extenders underwent centrifugation had better results in velocity parameters, meanwhile those that only sonication was performed had poorest results in this parameter. The preservation of the membrane and mitochondria structure had better results when the diluent was only centrifuged in comparison with the other treatments. Therefore, centrifugation of extender containing egg yolk is important for better cryopreservation of swine semen.     

Effect of silicon fertilization on the tolerance of Castanea sativa Mill. seedlings against Cryphonectria parasitica Barr.

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Chestnut is an important crop in Portugal, representing an important source of revenue for mountain regions in this country. However, it has been strongly...     

Brucella pinnipedialis hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) strain in the mouse model with concurrent exposure to PCB 153

Brucellosis, a worldwide zoonosis, is linked to reproductive problems in primary hosts. A high proportion of Brucella-positive hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) have been detected in the declined Northeast Atlantic stock. High concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have also been discovered in top predators in the Arctic, including the hooded seal, PCB 153 being most abundant. The aim of this study was to assess the pathogenicity of Brucella pinnipedialis hooded seal strain in the mouse model and to evaluate the outcome of Brucella spp. infection after exposure of mice to PCB 153. BALB/c mice were infected with B. pinnipedialis hooded seal strain or Brucella suis 1330, and half from each group was exposed to PCB 153 through the diet. B. pinnipedialis showed a reduced pathogenicity in the mouse model as compared to B. suis 1330. Exposure to PCB 153 affected neither the immunological parameters, nor the outcome of the infection. Altogether this indicates that it is unlikely that B. pinnipedialis contribute to the decline of hooded seals in the Northeast Atlantic.     

The role of silicon fertilization in the synthesis of phenolic compounds on chestnut plants infected with P. cinnamomi and C. parasitica

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Silicon is considered a beneficial nutrient for agricultural crops by conferred protection against diseases. The antifungal effect of the phenolic...     

Inclusion of β-1,3/1,6-glucan in the ornamental fish,Jewel tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques), and its effects on growth,blood glucose,and intestinal histology

The effects of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on Hyphessobrycon eques were assessed after 42 days of feeding diets containing 0 (control group given commercial feed), 0.5, 1, or 2 g β-glucan/kg diet. In total, 180 fish, with an initial weight of 0.43?±?0.03 g, were used. There were 15 fish in each of twelve 42-L aquariums, and there were 3 aquariums of fish for each dietary treatment. The fish were fed until apparent satiety. Performance parameters (final weight, total length, standard length, feed intake, survival rate, weight gain, feed conversion, specific growth rate, and condition factor) and plasma glucose concentration were measured. Histological analysis of the proximal portion of the intestine (width and height of the villi, depth of the crypts, height of the enterocytes, thickness of the muscle layer, and number of goblet cells) was performed. Different levels of the additive did not influence fish performance (for example, final weight: control: 0.63 g, 0.5: 0.60, 1: 0.58, and 2: 0.61). Likewise, there was no influence on the plasma glucose concentration (control: 81.80 mg/dL, 0.5: 75.33, 1: 85.00, and 2: 81.00) and intestinal morphometry of the animals. However, the results showed that 2.0 g/kg of β-1,3/1,6-glucan provided a greater abundance of goblet cells secreting acidic and neutral mucus present in the epithelium (periodic acid-Schiff: 66.67 cells, Alcian blue pH 1.0: 72,67 cells, and Alcian blue pH 2.5: 95.00 cells), showing significant differences when compared to animals in the control group, which may represent better protection of the intestinal epithelium of H. eques.

     

Prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminths found in free-ranging golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia, Primates, Callitrichidae) from Brazilian Atlantic forest

Helminth identification and egg counts were performed in 316 fecal samples during 4 years in 199 golden lion tamarins (GLTs), Leontopithecus rosalia, from two Brazilian conservation units. Tamarin sex and age, area of occurrence and helminth co-infection were tested as potential factors that could affect helminth prevalence and egg shedding in host individuals. Three nematodes species were found at low prevalences but not in both conservation units: Ancylostomatidae (12%), Ascarididae (1%) and Tripanoxyuris minutus, an Oxyuridae (4%). Three other species had high prevalences and were found in both conservation units: one acanthocephalan, Oncicola sp. (30%), and two nematodes, Spiruridae (24%), and Trichostrongylidae (31%). These three latter helminths had distinct prevalences between the conservation units, probably due to differences in availability of helminth infective stages in each area. Prevalences were greater in females for all helminth species; this was especially the case for Oncicola sp. Sex and age differences in helminth prevalence may be associated with changes in sexual steroid levels that accompany age and reproductive status. Frequency of simultaneous infections by the two helminths considered most pathogenic (Oncicola and Trichostrongylidae) were statistically lower than expected; this may be related to: (i) higher tamarin death rate caused by the association; (ii) differences in exposure to helminth infective stages in the various areas of occurrence; (iii) and competition between these helminth species. All helminth species followed a negative binomial distribution, with stronger clumping occurring in Trichostrongylidae and in female GLTs. Distinct transmission strategies of Oncicola sp. and Spiruridae, in contrast with Trichostrongylidae, may partially explain the different clumping levels of these helminths in GLTs. Mean fecal egg counts of all helminths were not different between GLT sexes, ages or areas of occurrence. The three most common helminth species may be a threat to isolated or dense GLT populations.     

Chondracanthus teedei var. lusitanicus: The Nutraceutical Potential of an Unexploited Marine Resource

Presently, there is a high demand for nutritionally enhanced foods, so it is a current challenge to look at new raw food sources that can supplement beneficially the human diet. The nutritional profile and key secondary metabolites of red seaweeds (Rhodophyta) are gaining interest because of this challenge. In this context, the possible use of the red seaweed Chondracanthus teedei var. lusitanicus (Gigartinales) as a novel nutraceutical source was investigated. As a result, we highlight the high mineral content of this seaweed, representing 29.35 g 100 g⁻¹ of its dry weight (DW). Despite the low levels of calcium and phosphorus (0.26 and 0.20 g 100 g⁻¹ DW, respectively), this seaweed is an interesting source of nitrogen and potassium (2.13 and 2.29 g⁻¹ DW, accordingly). Furthermore, the high content of carbohydrates (56.03 g 100 g⁻¹ DW), which acts as dietary fibers, confers a low caloric content of this raw food source. Thus, this study demonstrates that C. teedei var. lusitanicus is in fact an unexploited potential resource with the capability to provide key minerals to the human diet with promising nutraceutical properties.     

Chemical interesterification of blends of palm stearin, coconut oil, and canola oil: physicochemical properties

trans-Free interesterified fat was produced for possible usage as a margarine. Palm stearin, coconut oil, and canola oil were used as substrates for chemical interesterification. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of blends of palm stearin, coconut oil, and canola oil submitted to chemical interesterification using sodium methoxide as the catalyst. The original and interesterified blends were examined for fatty acid composition, softening and melting points, solid fat content, and consistency. Chemical interesterification reduced softening and melting points, consistency, and solid fat content. The interesterified fats showed desirable physicochemical properties for possible use as a margarine. Therefore, our result suggested that the interesterified fat without trans-fatty acids could be used as an alternative to partially hydrogenated fat.