Formulation of New Media from Dairy and Brewery Wastes for a Sustainable Production of DHA-Rich Oil by Aurantiochytrium mangrovei

Mozzarella stretching water (MSW) is a dairy effluent generated from mozzarella cheese production that does not have a real use and is destined to disposal, causing environmental problems and representing a high disposal cost for dairy producers. Spent brewery yeast (SBY) is another promising food waste produced after brewery manufacturing that could be recycled in new biotechnological processes. Aurantiochytrium mangrovei is an aquatic protist known as producer of bioactive lipids such as omega 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 LC-PUFA), in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In this work MSW and SBY have been used to formulate new sustainable growth media for A. mangrovei cultivation and production of DHA in an attempt to valorize these effluents. MSW required an enzymatic hydrolysis to enhance the biomass production. The new media obtained from hydrolysed MSW was also optimized using response surface methodologies, obtaining 10.14 g L⁻¹ of biomass in optimized medium, with a DHA content of 1.21 g L⁻¹.     

Perception of a cetacean mass stranding in Italy: the emergence of compassion

• 1 The view that whales are malicious monsters has been pervasive throughout history. Conversely, the idea that these animals experience suffering has emerged only recently. One way of investigating perceptual, as well as behavioural, shifts is assessing general public reactions to mortality events involving wild, rare and charismatic animals.
• 2 Here, the responses of 118 individuals to questions regarding the mass stranding of seven sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) along the Adriatic Sea coast of Italy in December 2009 are reported through interviews taken at the stranding site and in the direct proximity of the dead animals.
• 3 When asked why the whales were stranded, 44.1% of the respondents suggested anthropogenic causes and 21.2% non‐anthropogenic. The remaining 34.7% mentioned a generic ‘disorientation’ or stated they did not know. When asked how they felt about the whales, 68.6% expressed feelings of compassion or care towards the animals. Clearly non‐compassionate attitudes accounted for only 4.1% of the sample. Finally, 21.2% expressed feelings that were ambiguous in terms of being suggestive of compassionate or non‐compassionate attitudes, including 11.9% amazement, 4.2% deprecation and 5.1% powerlessness.
• 4 These results are in stark contrast with information obtained from accounts of similar events that have occurred in historical times, up until the first half of the 20th century. For centuries, responses to cetacean live strandings—typically including killing and harming of the animals—were either utilitarian or characterized by feelings including fear and a desire to ‘subjugate the beast’, with no apparent concern for their suffering and death.
• 5 It is concluded that attitudes towards whales—today strikingly revolving around sadness, compassion and a sense of loss—have changed dramatically over time, with a steep turnaround in the 1970/1980s. Full appreciation of the ongoing evolution in public perception can channel marine conservation efforts and assist in the design of response strategies to marine mammal strandings. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Effects of Spirulina and plant oil on the growth and lipid traits of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) fingerlings

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of diets with Spirulina and plant oils (POs) inclusion for white sturgeon weaning and their effects on the fatty acid (FA) composition of fish flesh. Three isoproteic (45%) and isoenergetic (21 MJ kg^?1 DM) diets were formulated: one fish meal‐based diet integrated with fish oil (FMO) and two 40% Spirulina meal‐based diets integrated with corn (SPC) or soybean (SPS) oils respectively. One hundred and thirty‐five white sturgeon fingerlings (mean weight 17.5 g) were stocked randomly in nine fibreglass tanks. At the end of the trial, which lasted 71 days, the growth performance traits and somatic indexes were determined. The chemical composition, gross energy and FA profile were determined on the fish fillets. No significant effects were observed for the growth performances or fillet chemical composition. The FA profile of the fillets reflected those of the diets. In particular, the fillets of the fish fed with the SPC and SPS diets were lower in n‐3 FA, due to the substitution of fish oil (FO) with POs. It is possible to replace FO and meal in sturgeon; therefore, Spirulina meal integrated with POs could be a good alternative to sturgeon diet.     

Ultraviolet light disinfection of shellfish hatchery sea water: I. Elimination of five pathogenic bacteria

Filtered sea water was seeded with one of five oyster-pathogenic bacteria to obtain a final concentration of 10⁵ cells/ml. UV irradiation at a dose of 93 312–155 520 μW s^?1 cm^?2 rendered the contaminated sea water safe for rearing fertilized eggs of Crassostrea virginica. Fertilized oyster eggs were reared until the larvae began to set in filtered, UV-irradiated sea water and in filtered, non-UV-treated sea water. The data suggest that when a pathogenic bacterium is present the potential for disease is much greater in non-UV-treated sea water.     

Effects of fertilizer type and rate,and liming on banana squash yield

There is a question whether it is best to use synthetic or alternative materials to fertilize horticultural crops. Levels of applied fertilizer can affect development of crops such as banana squash (Curcubita maxima Duch.). Seed were planted in 1990, 1991, and 1992 into beds treated with sufficient fertilizer to raise the residual nutrient levels to the recommended (base) and twice recommended (2X) rate with a synthetic or an alternative fertilizer. Lime was applied prior to seeding in 1990 and as a treatment was, or was not, applied prior to seeding in 1991 and 1992. Plants grown in beds treated with the synthetic fertilizer consistently produced higher yields than plants grown in beds treated with the alternative fertilizer. In 1990, the base fertilizer rate improved yield. There was no difference in 1991 due to fertilizer level, and in 1992, the 2X fertilizer rate improved yield. Application of fertilizer above the base level is not encouraged. Liming did not affect yield. By the spring of 1992, the soil pH for lime augmented fertilizer treatments was increased above the spring 1991 levels which was maintained through fall 1992. For the no‐lime treatments, soil pH by fall 1992 was below spring 1991 levels. Soil pH was not correlated with yield. These data suggest that factors which would include solubility, mineralization, and leaching of materials may be responsible for yield differences between plants fertilized with synthetic or an alternative fertilizer.     

Effectiveness of field-exposed attract-and-kill devices against the adults of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): a study on duration,form and storage

BACKGROUND

The Japanese beetle Popillia japonica Newman is an insect pest native to Japan that has spread into North America, the Azores and, recently, into continental Europe. Here, we present a study assessing the effectiveness of a long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN), assembled in semiochemical-baited attract-and-kill devices (A&Ks) as a low environmental impact means to control P. japonica in the field. We compared the attractiveness of three different forms of A&Ks that were left outdoors throughout the summer, and the residence time of P. japonica landing on them. Moreover, we performed a preliminary study testing the effectiveness of new LLINs after storage. Collected data also allowed us to investigate the beetles' diel flight patterns in relation to meteorological conditions.

RESULTS

Killing effectiveness of the field-exposed A&Ks declined steadily over the flight season (from 100% to 37.5%) associated with a decrease in residues of α-cypermethrin, the active ingredient in the LLINs. The different A&K forms (pyramidal, octahedral and ellipsoidal) attracted similar numbers of beetles. Individual beetles' residence time ranged from 75 to 95 s and differed slightly between A&K forms. Effectiveness of LLINs decreased by ≈30% after 1 year storage. Based on numbers landing on A&Ks, the beetles' flight activity peaked about 14:30 h and was inversely correlated with relative humidity.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that semiochemical-baited A&Ks are effective for controlling P. japonica in the field. Because of active ingredient decay, the LLINs should be replaced after 30–40 days of field exposure to ensure that the A&Ks remain fully functional. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Alfaxalone anesthesia by immersion in oriental fire‐bellied toads (Bombina orientalis)

ObjectivesTo establish an effective alfaxalone concentration to be used for bath immersion of fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis) and to describe its effects.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsThirteen oriental fire-bellied toads.MethodsThe study was carried out in two phases. The pilot phase involved five animals and aimed to identify an alfaxalone concentration capable of producing induction of anesthesia, defined as immobility with a head down position and loss of responsiveness to stimulation with a stick. The following trial in an additional eight toads used the effective alfaxalone concentration established during the pilot phase. Data from 11 animals (three toads in the pilot study and the eight additional toads) were analyzed. Twenty minutes after immersion in the anesthetic solution, the toads were removed from the bath, and heart rate, respiratory rate, the righting, myotactic and the nociceptive withdrawal reflexes were evaluated every 5 minutes. The loss of both righting and nociceptive withdrawal reflexes was considered indicative of a surgical depth of anesthesia. The time elapsed from anesthetic induction to return of righting reflex, the quality of recovery and the occurrence of undesired effects were observed and recorded.ResultsImmersion was found to be a suitable anesthetic technique for oriental fire-bellied toads and 200 mg L⁻¹ alfaxalone concentration produced anesthetic induction in 10 out of 11 toads. Side effects, such as skin irritation, erythema and changes in cutaneous pigmentation, were not observed in any animal. The duration of anesthesia ranged from 10 to 30 minutes after removal of the toads from the alfaxalone bath, and surgical depth of anesthesia was never achieved.Conclusions and clinical relevanceIt was concluded that alfaxalone anesthesia induced by immersion in a concentration of 200 mg L⁻¹ is only suitable for toads undergoing non-invasive short procedures.     

Anatomical and ultrasonographic study of the femoral nerve within the iliopsoas muscle in beagle dogs and cats

ObjectivesAn ultrasound (US)-guided ventral suprainguinal approach to block the femoral nerve (FN) within the iliopsoas muscle (IPM) has recently been described in dogs. The goal of the present study was to provide the operator with additional information to locate the FN within the IPM in dogs and cats using US.Study designThe study was carried out in three phases: a dissection of the FN (phase 1); an in vivoUS-assisted nerve study (phase 2), and an anatomical cross-sectional study (phase 3).AnimalsNine healthy adult beagle dogs and nine healthy adult cats.MethodsDissections were performed to investigate the anatomical characteristics of the FN and its related structures in one dog and one cat. Ultrasound scans of the left and right FN were performed in eight dogs and eight cats. The FN diameter and the distance between the FN and the external iliac artery (EIA) in US images and in anatomical cryosections were measured.ResultsThe median FN diameter did not differ significantly between cats and dogs (1.1 mm versus 1.0 mm) or between the two techniques (US versus anatomical cross-sectional study) (1.1 mm versus 1.1 mm in dogs; 1.0 mm versus 1.1 mm in cats). The US and anatomical measurements of the median distances between the FN and EIA differed significantly between dogs and cats (8.2 mm versus 5.8 mm by US; 5.7 mm versus 4.8 mm in the anatomical study).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe distance between the EIA and FN is reproducible in beagle dogs and cats and can be used in locating the FN within the IPM.     

The role of the phenethyl ester of caffeic acid (CAPE) in the inhibition of rat lung cyclooxygenase activity by propolis

In this study we investigated the effect of an ethanolic extract of propolis, with and without CAPE, and some of its components on cyclooxygenase (COX) activity. Propolis (0.00003-0.03%) significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited COX activity from lung homogenate of saline- or LPS-treated rats. Same results were obtained with CAPE (0.1-100 microM). COX activity from lung homogenate of saline- or LPS-treated rats was also inhibited by galangin (0.1-100 microM), although the inhibition induced by the lowest concentration was not significant. Caffeic, ferulic, cinnamic and chlorogenic acids and pinocembrin, (0.1-100 microM) did not affect COX activity. The inhibition curves showed that CAPE and propolis were equipotent inhibitors, whereas galangin was significantly (P<0.001) less potent than propolis and CAPE. In order to better investigate the role of CAPE, we tested the action of an ethanolic extract of propolis (0.00003-0.03%) without CAPE. This extract significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited COX activity from lung homogenate of saline- or LPS-treated rats, however, it resulted to be approximately 10 times less potent than the extract containing CAPE. The analysis of the inhibition curves of the extract with and without CAPE showed a significant (P<0.001) difference. These results suggest that both CAPE and galangin contribute to the overall activity of propolis, CAPE being more effective.