Decomposition of cattle dung on grazed signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf) pastures in monoculture or intercropped with tree legumes

Livestock excreta is one of the major nutrient sources in natural grasslands. Understanding how livestock diet and season affects the decomposition dynamics is critical to nutrient cycling models. We hypothesised that livestock diet and season of the year affect dung decomposition. This study evaluated the decomposition and release of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na from faeces of cattle collected in dry and wet seasons. Treatments were signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf) in monoculture or mixed with sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) or gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.). Excreta samples were incubated in nylon bags for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 and 256 d. The single negative exponential mathematical model was adequate (P < 0.0001) to explain the decomposition. The relative rate of dung decomposition (k) was greater for samples that originated from cattle grazed on signalgrass (k = 0.00284 g g^?1 d^?1), followed by sabiá (k = 0.00233 g g^?1 d^?1), and gliricidia (k = 0.00200 g g^?1 d^?1) pastures. The rate of nutrient release showed a time effect for all variables and interaction between time and season for Ca (P = 0.0042) and Mg (P = 0.0013). Faeces collected from cattle grazing/browsing intercropped pastures tended to have lower decomposition rates.     

A coating composed of chitosan and Cymbopogon citratus (Dc. Ex Nees) essential oil to control Rhizopus soft rot and quality in tomato fruit stored at room temperature

This study evaluated the efficacy of the combined application of chitosan (CHI) and Cymbopogon citratus (Dc. Ex Nees) (lemongrass) essential oil (CCEO) to control Rhizopus stolonifer in fresh tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit at room temperature (25°C) storage. The effects of the treatment (CHI and CCEO) on some quality characteristics of the fruit, namely weight loss, firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, ascorbic acid, color, and sensory acceptability were also assessed. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of CHI and CCEO against R. stolonifer were 8 mg/mL and 5 µL/mL, respectively. Subinhibitory concentrations of CHI and CCEO (CHI 4 mg/mL, CCEO 1.25 µL/mL), alone and in combination, inhibited fungal spore germination and damaged spore membrane integrity. The CHI-CCEO coating decreased the severity of Rhizopus soft rot in tomato fruit; however, the coating more strongly delayed the infection when the fruit were artificially contaminated after coating application. The application of the coating preserved the general quality of tomato fruit as measured using a variety of physicochemical and sensory attributes. These results indicate that coatings composed of CHI and CCEO could represent promising postharvest treatments to inhibit Rhizopus soft rot in tomato fruit.     

Effect of red propolis extract isolated or encapsulated in nanoparticles on the in vitro culture of sheep preantral follicle: Impacts on antrum formation,mitochondrial activity and glutathione levels

This study aimed to characterize the hydroethanolic extract of red propolis (HERP) and nanoparticles containing HERP for using as an additive in the culture medium of isolated ovine preantral follicles. HERP was characterized by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and determination of flavonoid content, and the nanoparticles by the mean particle diameter, polydispersity index (PI) and encapsulation efficiency (EE). The effect of HERP (10 and 20 ηg/ml—HERP10 and HERP20 groups) and nanoparticles (NP10 and NP20 groups) on isolated secondary follicles cultured in vitro for 12 days was observed by morphological evaluation, oxidative stress markers (reactive oxygen species—ROS and glutathione—GSH) and active mitochondria. HPLC showed formononetin as the major compound in the HERP (63.92 ± 0.21 μg/mL). The content of flavonoids ranged from 2.14% to 11.00%. The nanoparticles showed mean diameter of 287.5 ± 3.9 and 479 ± 18.1 ηm; PI of 0.117 ± 0.018 and 0.316 ± 0.039; and EE of 67.15% and 41%, respectively, for the NP10 and NP20 groups. After 12 days of culture, HERP20 and NP20 increased (p < 0.05) the percentage of normal follicles compared to NP10. HERP20 showed significantly higher percentages of antrum formation than control medium (MEM) and NP10 (p < 0.05). HERP20 also showed an increase (p < 0.05) in mitochondrial activity compared to the other treatments, except NP20 (p > 0.05), and increased GSH levels (p < 0.05) compared to MEM and HERP10. In conclusion, use of HERP (20 ηg/ml) on in vitro culture of isolated ovine preantral follicles can increase antrum formation, mitochondrial activity and GSH levels.     

Metabolic signature of spent culture media shows lipid metabolism as a determinant of pregnancy outcomes

In the present study, we investigated the spent culture media of in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos which did (group Pregnant) or did not (group Non-pregnant) establish pregnancy after transfer. For that purpose, IVP embryos on D5 were transferred to individual droplets for the last 48 h of culture. Embryos at the blastocyst stage were then transferred to synchronized recipients, while respective culture media drops were collected and evaluated individually. The list of metabolites present in spent culture media was obtained by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and analysed with Metaboanalyst® to characterize the metabolic profile of each group. The spectrometric analysis showed that pathways related to lipid metabolism, particularly fatty acids degradation via beta-oxidation, were more present in the Pregnant group whereas no significant pathway was identified in the group Non-pregnant. By using this method, we were able to identify a metabolic signature in culture media that allows for a better comprehension of preferential metabolic routes taken by the most viable embryos. These findings offer great insights into the biochemistry of embryo development and reveal a potential target for the development of better-quality IVP systems, as well as tools to identify bovine embryos with greater chances to establish and maintain pregnancy.     

Antibacterial activity of the essential oil from Lippia aff. gracillis

The essential oil of fresh leaves of Lippia aff. gracillis was analyzed by GC/MS and evaluated for its antibacterial effects. The results showed a moderate antibacterial activity and confirm the traditional uses of L. aff. gracillis.     

Family stability of wood specific gravity in Pinus tecunumanii established on three sites in South America

Wood specific gravity was determined for 29 half-sib families of 4-year-old Pinus tecunumanii from the Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize, planted at three locations in Brazil and Colombia. Although there was a significant (p 0.05) family by sites interaction (F × S), it was found that only 5 of the 29 families were major contributors. The test planting at the highest elevation (1750 m, La Arcadia, Colombia) was the most interactive site.CAMCORE Cooperative, College of Forest Resources, North Carolina State University     

Antinociceptive activity of the pyranocoumarin seselin in mice

Seselin an angular pyranocoumarin at dose of 0.5, 4.5 or 40.5 mg/kg inhibited the writhing response induced by acetic acid in a significant and dose-dependent manner, by 19.5%, 26.2% and 41.4%, respectively. Using the same doses, seselin elicited a significant inhibition of formalin response during the second phase (inflammatory), by 90.3%, 97.8% and 95.3%, respectively. Besides, a significant reduction of licking time was observed during the first phase (neurogenic) at the highest doses of seselin, by 34.4% and 66.9%, respectively. On the contrary, in the hot plate test no effect was observed after seselin treatment. In conclusion, seselin was able to inhibit inflammatory hyperalgesia, suggesting that this natural product possesses both important peripheral anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties.     

Saccharomyces boulardii reduces infection intensity of mice with toxocariasis

Several studies have shown the benefit of the use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of diseases; however, few of them have investigated the effect of probiotics on parasitosis. In this study, the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii on the intensity of infection of mice with toxocariasis was evaluated. The animals were fed with a diet supplemented with S. boulardii for 15 days before inoculation with Toxocara canis eggs and for 2 or 60 days post-inoculation. S. boulardii promoted a reduction of approximately 36% in the average number of recovered T. canis larvae, suggesting that it can be used as an alternative to help control toxocariasis.