Evaluation of Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Sausages Made with Washed and Unwashed Mince from Nile Tilapia By-products

This study evaluates the effects of inclusion level (60 to 100%) and washing cycles (0 to 2) of minced fish from Nile tilapia fillet by-products on proximate composition, mineral contents, color, hardness, and sensory acceptance of sausages. A complete 2² factorial experimental design was used. Regression models for protein, fat, moisture, minerals, color, and hardness were developed. The optimum combinations for the independent variables are sausages made with 100% non-washed minced fish, which represents a better use of by-products without generating washing residues, leading to less expensive sausage with higher nutritional value.     

The Brown Alga Stypopodium zonale (Dictyotaceae): A Potential Source of Anti-Leishmania Drugs

This study evaluated the anti-Leishmania amazonensis activity of a lipophilic extract from the brown alga Stypopodium zonale and atomaric acid, its major compound. Our initial results revealed high inhibitory activity for intracellular amastigotes in a dose-dependent manner and an IC₅₀ of 0.27 μg/mL. Due to its high anti-Leishmania activity and low toxicity toward host cells, we fractionated the lipophilic extract. A major meroditerpene in this extract, atomaric acid, and its methyl ester derivative, which was obtained by a methylation procedure, were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Both compounds inhibited intracellular amastigotes, with IC₅₀ values of 20.2 μM (9 μg/mL) and 22.9 μM (10 μg/mL), and selectivity indexes of 8.4 μM and 11.5 μM. The leishmanicidal activity of both meroditerpenes was independent of nitric oxide (NO) production, but the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be at least partially responsible for the amastigote killing. Our results suggest that the lipophilic extract of S. zonale may represent an important source of compounds for the development of anti-Leishmania drugs.     

Effect of supplemental yeast culture and physiological factors on colostrum and milk composition of Pelibuey ewes

The effects of supplemental yeast culture, litter size, stage and number of lactation on milk composition were studied in Pelibuey ewes. Twenty ewes were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments. Ten control ewes grazed on guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and were supplemented with concentrate. A further ten ewes received the same diet with 14 g/head/day of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Colostrum was collected within 24 h after parturition, and subsequently, milk samples were collected at fortnightly intervals (7, 21, 35, and 49 days). Total solids content averaged 32% in colostrum and 12.5% in milk. Colostrum of primiparous ewes had higher total solids content than that of ewes with more than five lactations. However, ewes with more than five lactations produced milk with higher net energy, total solids, protein, and casein than ewes with fewer lactations. Milk at 7 days had a significantly higher content of energy, total solids, and fat than milk at 21, 35, and 49 days. Total solids content was lower for ewes rearing one lamb than larger litter sizes. Supplementation with yeast culture did not affect the composition of colostrum and milk, which was mainly affected by the stage and number of lactation.     

The Epidemiological Importance of Bats in the Transmission of Rabies to Dogs and Cats in the State of São Paulo,Brazil, Between 2005 and 2014

In Brazil, rabies control in dogs and cats was pioneered by the state of São Paulo with the adoption of the Pan American Health Organization recommendations for prophylaxis and control, which led to a reduction in rabies cases from 1994 onwards. As a result of these measures, the rabies virus (RABV) genetic lineage associated with dogs has not been found in the state since 1998, and all the cases in domestic animals reported since then have been caused by bat‐associated lineages of RABV. In the light of this, this study sought to investigate rabies cases in dogs and cats in the state of São Paulo between 2005 and 2014 and identify the associated transmission cycles by characterizing the RABV lineages responsible for these cases. Nine samples from dogs (n = 5) and from cats (n = 4) were collected between 2005 and 2014. The tenth animal, a rabid cat, was analysed by a different laboratory. The N gene nucleotide sequences obtained were analysed with the neighbor‐joining algorithm and Kimura 2‐parameter model using the MEGA 6 program. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genetic lineages identified in all the samples were those circulating in Brazilian bats. The findings of this study demonstrate that bats play an important role in the transmission of rabies to domestic animals in São Paulo state and that emphasis should be placed on the implementation of public policies to support surveillance of chiropterans for rabies.     

Inhibition of biofilm bacteria and adherent fungi from marine plankton cultures using an antimicrobial combination

The presence of organic matter in plankton cultures will lead to 10- to 1000-fold increases in bacterial density in less than 24 h. The presence of bacteria and fungi can damage cultivated phytoplankton and zooplankton. These microorganisms can also inhibit experiments investigating the role of these microorganisms in the community and in biological and ecological laboratory studies. The aim of this study was thus to evaluate the effect of penicillin?+?streptomycin?+?neomycin (antibiotics) in combination with nystatin (antifungal) to select an antimicrobial combination for the inhibition of biofilm bacteria and adherent fungi that is effective and also non-toxic to marine phytoplankton and zooplankton. Acartia tonsa was exposed to different antimicrobial treatments and application routes (culture medium, culture food, both) to evaluate the survival and egg and fecal pellet production endpoints. The same treatments were also applied to measure Amphibalanus improvisus survival and settlement and Conticribra weissflogii growth endpoints. We selected the most sensitive experimental organism and exposed it to some novel antimicrobial combinations. To evaluate the inhibition potential, biofilm bacteria and adherent fungi were exposed to the treatments that were safe for the bioindicator species. A tonsa was considered the most sensitive of all tested organisms. The treatment composed of 0.025 g L^?1 penicillin G potassium?+?0.08 g L^?1 streptomycin sulfate?+?0.04 g L^?1 neomycin sulfate showed the best results for A. tonsa and C. weissflogii cultures. No differences were observed for A. improvisus between the treatments. A. tonsa survival rates showed no differences from the control at nystatin concentrations up to 0.005 g L^?1 in combination with the antibiotics. The biofilm bacterial density decreased up to 94% under this treatment, and fungal growth was prevented. Species of other planktonic groups should also be tested to improve our understanding of the effectiveness of the treatments proposed.

     

Assessment of the spread of chestnut ink disease using remote sensing and geostatistical methods

Chestnut ink disease, caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. cambivora, is responsible for important economic losses and limits the establishment of new chestnut (Castanea sativa) groves in Portugal. Although the differences in soil properties and in cropping practices affect ink severity, the regional spread of disease is not known. Data for monitoring C. sativa decline were obtained by using field surveys and Small Format Aerial Photography (SFAP), a reliable tool which provides large-scale imagery obtained at low altitude. Visible colour and near-infrared images were obtained with different cameras with an average ground resolution of 22, 14 and 39 cm. The spatial distribution of ink disease in northern Portugal for the years 1995–2004 was estimated through a geostatistical method, and the estimation of precision was determined. From 1995–2002, the chestnut population in the study area increased by 18.5% due to new orchard plantations. After 2002 the population decreased because the new plantations were not sufficient to recover the number of dead chestnut trees, killed mostly by ink disease. The directional semivariograms indicated anisotropy with a greater disease spread in the NE–SW direction. This direction corresponds to site areas at the same altitude, where soil tillage and human mobility are higher.     

Cryopreservation of European Mouflon (Ovis Gmelini Musimon) Semen During the non-Breeding Season is Enhanced by the Use of Trehalose

The influence of trehalose on European mouflon spermatozoa cryopreservation during the non-breeding season was tested. Semen was frozen in two different extenders: (a) recommended Tris-based ram extender (CTR); (b) CTR extender supplemented with trehalose 0.147 mm (TRH). Sperm viability and acrosome integrity were assessed using propidium iodide and fluorescein isothiocynate labelled Pisum Sativum agglutinin. Trehalose significantly enhanced sperm viability after thawing compared with CTR extender (62.7% vs 51.8%; p < 0.05), whereas no differences were observed on acrosome integrity (42.9% vs 42.1%). Trehalose influence was also evidenced in the in vitro fertility test performed with sheep oocytes matured in vitro. Both fertilization rates (60.9% TRH vs 43.6% CTR; p < 0.05) and cleavage rates (58% TRH vs 39.8% CTR; p < 0.001) were higher for trehalose frozen semen compared with control extender frozen semen. A higher percentage of zygotes resulting from fertilization with trehalose cryopreserved semen presented the first cleavage earlier if compared with the group fertilized with control semen (48.7% vs 31.5%, respectively; p < 0.01). This result was confirmed by embryo kinetic development. Fertilization with trehalose cryopreserved semen leaded to an higher percentage of blastocysts (40.2% vs 27.8% CTR; p < 0.05), and enhanced in particular the number of blastocysts that developed on the day 6th of culture (28.6% vs 17% CTR; p < 0.05). Our data demonstrated that, during mouflon non-breeding season, trehalose extender enhances spermatozoa viability and its in vitro fertilizing capacity, allowing the production of an higher number of blastocysts.     

Production of beef cattle grazing on Brachiaria brizantha (Marandu grass)—Arachis pintoi (forage peanut cv. Belomonte) mixtures exceeded that on grass monocultures fertilized with 120 kg N/ha

Mixed grass/legume pastures are an alternative to grass monocultures for increased beef cattle production in tropical climates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity of beef cattle grazing either a mixed pasture of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu grass and Arachis pintoi (forage peanut) cv. Belomonte or a Marandu monoculture, under rotational stocking. Five trials were conducted over a period of nine years in north-eastern Brazil where the sward structure (forage, grass and legume mass) and animal performance were compared for a mixed Marandu grass/forage peanut pasture, and a Marandu grass monoculture with 120 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. Stocking rate was adjusted to maintain forage allowance at 4% body weight/day. A block design was used with four replicates, and warm and cool seasons within each trial were considered, using repeated measurements over time. In the warm season, the forage mass in the mixed pastures was 17% greater than in the monoculture (p = .049), and the stocking rate, average daily gain and liveweight gain per ha were 16.4%, 20.0% and 28.7% greater (p = .004, p < .001 and p < .001 respectively). The average daily gain showed a positive linear relationship with the legume proportion in the sward (p < .001). The mixed forage peanut/Marandu pasture sustained significantly greater beef cattle production (789 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) compared to the N-fertilized grass monoculture (655 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹). Appropriately managed, mixed pastures of forage peanut/Brachiaria pastures are sustainable and have high potential for use in the humid tropics.     

The fatty acid compositions of total,neutral and polar lipids in wild and farmed lambari (Astyanax altiparanae) (Garutti & Britski, 2000) broodstock

One way to develop broodstock fish diets is to determine the compositions of wild broodstock tissues and attempt to replicate these compositions in the eggs of farmed fish via dietary manipulation. We collected 30 wild and 30 farmed lambari females that were in the reproductive stage. The extraction and separation of polar and neutral fractions and the saponification and methylation of lipids were performed and analysed in the muscles, livers and ovaries to determine the compositions of the fatty acids via gas chromatography. Regardless of habitat, lambaris mobilize large amounts of fat to the ovaries during the reproductive period, in addition to highly unsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. The wild lambaris were observed to contain higher levels of various fatty acids, including linoleic acid, which is an essential fatty acid. The most abundant fatty acid that was observed in the commercial diet was linoleic acid, which was supplied in all fish farmed tissues. The commercial diet has low AA, EPA and DHA contents, and, higher levels of these fatty acids were recorded in the tissues of farmed lambari, which suggests that this species are able to elongate and desaturate precursors, linoleic and linolenic acids, into highly unsaturated fatty acids.     

Sulfated-polysaccharide fraction from red algae Gracilaria caudata protects mice gut against ethanol-induced damage

The aim of the present study was to investigate the gastroprotective activity of a sulfated-polysaccharide (PLS) fraction extracted from the marine red algae Gracilaria caudata and the mechanism underlying the gastroprotective activity. Male Swiss mice were treated with PLS (3, 10, 30 and 90 mg·kg(-1), p.o.), and after 30 min, they were administered 50% ethanol (0.5 mL/25 g(-1), p.o.). One hour later, gastric damage was measured using a planimeter. Samples of the stomach tissue were also obtained for histopathological assessment and for assays of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Other groups were pretreated with l-NAME (10 mg·kg(-1), i.p.), dl-propargylglycine (PAG, 50 mg·kg(-1), p.o.) or glibenclamide (5 mg·kg(-1), i.p.). After 1 h, PLS (30 mg·kg(-1), p.o.) was administered. After 30 min, ethanol 50% was administered (0.5 mL/25 g(-1), p.o.), followed by sacrifice after 60 min. PLS prevented-ethanol-induced macroscopic and microscopic gastric injury in a dose-dependent manner. However, treatment with l-NAME or glibenclamide reversed this gastroprotective effect. Administration of propargylglycine did not influence the effect of PLS. Our results suggest that PLS has a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric damage in mice via activation of the NO/K(ATP) pathway.