Effect of chitosan-based edible coatings applied by vacuum impregnation on quality preservation of fresh-cut carrot

Edible coatings based on high molecular weight chitosan, pure or combined with methylcellulose or oleic acid, were applied to fresh-cut carrots cv. Nantesa by simple immersion and by applying a vacuum pulse (5 kPa for 4 min). Water vapour resistance, colour, mechanical properties and respiration rates of non-coated and coated samples were determined. Coatings improved sample appearance, since they diminished the occurrence of the white blush during storage. When applied by simple immersion, they neither conferred significant barrier properties nor the preservation of the mechanical properties of fresh-cut carrot samples. In contrast, coating application with a vacuum pulse enhanced all the positive effects, since the resistance of water vapour transmission of the samples was significantly improved, and better preservation of the sample colour and mechanical response during cold storage was obtained. Differences in film composition did not significantly affect the coating behaviour, probably due to the variability induced by different factors when coatings were applied to the carrot surface.     

The pathomorphology and pathogenesis of acute cardiovascular failure in swine. 2. Histopathologic findings in the myocardium of swine of different populations

Histopathological alterations of the myocardium (inflammatory processes, fibrolysis, fibronecrosis, dystrophic calcification, fatty degeneration of fibres, sarcosporidia) were recorded for quantitative evaluation from 200 hearts which had been collected from clinically intact pigs for slaughter of different populations (Leicoma, land race, Schwerfurt breed, Belgian land race). Both incidence and severity of myocardial damage in pigs of stress-sensitive populations were higher with significance than those in the less stress-sensitive Leicoma population oriented to breeding. The highest rate of pathological processes was recorded from hearts of the Schwerfurt breed. These alterations were interpreted as objectively measurable expressions of breed-dependent differences in cardiovascular stability. In this context, rates of damage were higher in hearts of low absolute mass.     

The effect of extreme cooling and the temperature for crystallization on the quality of turkey sperm

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of supercooling and temperature of ejaculate crystallization in white broad-breasted male turkeys, hybrid Ivagal, on the motility, proportion of live and morphologically normal spermatozoa. As follows from the results obtained by testing the quality of spermatozoa, increasing supercooling and decreasing temperature of crystallization have a destructive effect.     

Enzootic streptococcal infection in a piglet production plant

Within a herd a syndrome affecting mainly sows occurred, with signs of apathy, anorexia or inappetence, subclinical to slight increase of body temperature and--as the prime symptom--skin hemorrhages appeared 2 to 3 days before parturition, during the lactation peak and in hot weather. By means of autopsy, histological investigations of affected skin areas, antibody and antigen evidence of Streptococcus (Sc.) MG and Sc. sanguis in blood cultures, streptococci could be found to be partly responsible for the disease mentioned above. Nearly all sows with clinical symptoms showed a significant neutrophilia and eosinophilia. Severely affected animals exhibited marked thrombocytopenia which could be due to the high levels of deoxynivalenol in the feed. A herd-specific vaccine of streptococci only temporarily succeeded.     

Riems foot-and-mouth disease oil emulsion vaccines for swine. 2. Use of foot-and-mouth 2-component oil emulsion vaccines in practice

Riems FMD two-component oil emulsion vaccine was subcutaneously applied (5 ml) under field conditions to 855 store pigs of different age groups (trivalent--O1, A5, C). It produced early onset of lasting strong immunity against the three above FMD virus types. General condition of the animals and their body weight development were not adversely affected. Pea-size to walnut-size vaccination granulomas were recorded on slaughter as locally delimited reactions in 15 to 20 percent of vaccinated animals and were found to be morphologically correlated to adjuvant action. They were easily removed from the carcasses by excision of the vaccination point, with only minor loss of slaughter substance.     

Changes in the mineral content of bones in fibrous osteodystrophy in standard minks and Arctic foxes

Laboratory characteristics of a metabolic disease (Osteodystrophia fibrosa) in standard young minks and arctic foxes is described. In comparison with the control group, while the biochemical characteristics of the blood samples of arctic foxes was not very different from the control group in the contents of macroelements (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium), significant differences were revealed by the analyses of the bone samples of os femoris. In young minks the ash weight in 1 g of fat-free dry matter made only 321.94 mg (52.45%), while in the control group 613.82 mg. A similar decrease (P less than 0.01) was observed, in comparison with the control, in the contents of calcium and phosphorus (44.75% and 56.90%). A slight increase in the magnesium content is not statistically significant. Evaluation of ash content in os femoris in young arctic foxes gave similar results. Biochemical characteristics of their blood showed a significant increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase. An application of the chemical analyses of bones to diagnosing metabolic disturbances in fur animals is discussed.     

Physiologic requirements for casein protein and wheat gluten in 4-month-old rats

Sources of casein protein and wheat gluten were analysed for the content of proteins, fats, saccharides, water and amino acids. The chemical score of the amino acids and the ratio of essential and non-essential amino acids (E/N) were determined. In rats (males) at the age of 120 days, given the diets for 14 days, the optimal and maintenance physiological daily rations were determined from the changes of body nitrogen, body water and weight dependent on the protein intake, using the method of increasing casein protein and wheat gluten content from 0 to 40 per cent in the diet. In 120-134-day-old rats, the optimal daily dose was 1.75 g of casein protein (7.5 per cent of all proteins in the diet) and 2.46 g of wheat gluten protein (10 per cent of all proteins in the diet). As to the maintenance rations determined from the weight changes, body nitrogen and body water in dependence on the protein intake, in these rats the successive daily rations were 1216 mg, 1214 mg and 1302 mg for the casein protein, and 1731 mg, 1760 mg and 1861 mg for the wheal gluten protein.     

Fluctuation in the concentration of sex steroids and aflatoxin B1 in the seminal plasma of boars and its relation to sperm production

The concentration of testosterone, 17-beta oestradiol and aflatoxin B1 were studied in the semen plasma of 21 boars of four breeds for the period of twelve months. The following spermiological parameters were investigated: semen volume, sperm concentration, percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, and survival of spermatozoa. The fertilizing capacity of ejaculates was evaluated according to the conception rate of sows and gilts after the first insemination, according to the average number of piglets per litter and average number of live-born piglets per litter. The highest aflatoxin B1 residues in sperm were recorded in March to May and were related with aflatoxin concentration in feed ration. The group of boars with fertility disorders had more aflatoxin in their sperm (up to 100 pmol . l-1), lower sperm concentration, lower survival of spermatozoa, and a larger proportion of abnormal spermatozoa. The year season had a significant influence on the concentration of the hormones. The highest average value of testosterone (10.2 +/- 1.28 nmol) was obtained in autumn and lower values were recorded in winter. The changes in 17-beta estradiol concentration were similar to the changes in testosterone content, with the maximum value in November (0.249 nmol X 1(-1]. The boars with reproduction disorders had a significantly lower concentration of 17-beta oestradiol. Significant correlations were found between the concentration of the hormones, semen volume, and sperm concentration. 17-beta oestradiol also had a significant positive correlation to abnormal spermatozoa and to the activity of aspartate aminotransferase.