Effects of thermal energy on extrusion characteristics,digestibility and palatability of a dry pet food for cats

The influence of specific thermal energy (STE) applications on extruder preconditioner was evaluated in a dry food for cats. In the first study, six STE applications were tested with mass temperatures of 45°C, 55°C, 65°C, 75°C, 85°C and 95°C. The extrusion parameters, starch gelatinization and kibble formation were evaluated. Diets were given to cats to evaluate digestibility, faecal characteristics and palatability. In the second experiment, three treatments were compared: low STE—a preconditioner temperature of 45°C (_LSTE); high STE—a preconditioner temperature of 95°C (_HSTE); high STE (preconditioner temperature of 95°C) combined with an increase in the mass flow rate to obtain a motor amperage similar to that of the _LSTE (_HSTE_flow). Data were analysed by polynomial contrasts (Experiment 1) or Tukey's test (Experiment 2; p < 0.05). An increase in STE reduced motor amperage, mass pressure and specific mechanical energy (SME) implementation (p < 0.001) and increased total specific energy (TSE) and mass temperature (p < 0.01). The increase in STE induced greater kibble expansion and starch gelatinization (p < 0.001). No changes in apparent nutrient digestibility or faeces characteristics were observed (p > 0.05). Lower STE and starch gelatinization induced higher butyrate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) contents in faeces (p < 0.01). Cats showed greatest preference for the formulation with the highest STE (p < 0.01). In the second experiment, when the motor amperage was increased in the _HSTE_flow treatment to a value similar to that of the _LSTE, the mass flow rate increased 40%, and the electric energy consumption remained unchanged (p < 0.001), with gains observed for efficiency and cost. In conclusion, STE application is important for sufficient TSE implementation, enhancing kibble expansion, starch gelatinization, cat preferences for food, extruder productivity and reducing SME application. Foods with lower starch gelatinization lead to increased VFA in faeces, with possible implications for gut health.     

Revisiting the use of hydroxyethyl starch solutions in equine fluid therapy

The last decade has led to major shifts in opinions on the use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions in fluid therapy, specifically in human patients with sepsis. The majority of evidence documenting adverse effects of HES solutions on coagulation and renal health come from studies in people. However, these findings have led to investigation into the safety of HES solutions in veterinary species. While there are now studies investigating the effects of HES solutions on coagulation and renal health in dogs, cats and horses, information regarding long-term follow-up, clinical significance of these changes and use of these solutions in critically ill animals is still lacking. The information presented here serves to review the physiology of oncotic pressure and the rationale behind colloid use, specifically HES solutions. Additionally, the foundation of arguments against the use of HES and the available literature regarding HES use in animals will be summarised.     

Determination of Molecular Weight and Distribution of Hyroxyethl Starch (HES) by Means of GPC- RI- MALLS Technique

The author introduces a method and experimental procedures that determine dn/dc,molecular weight and its distribution of the hyroxyethyl starch(HES) by means of Gel Permeation Chromatography-Refractive index-Multi-angle laser light scattering detection(GPC-RI-MALLS)techniques.The key experimental technique and results are discussed.The method takes CH3COOH/CH3COONa as mobile phase and solvent.The experiment gets satisfactory results.It can be used as a routine method to determine the hyroxyethyl starch(HES) molecular weight and its distribution.     

鄂尔多斯高原北部沙区主要植被类型下土壤要素的空间分析

鄂尔多斯北部沙区存在着极为显著的风沙地貌,在此格局基础之上,特别是在植被与土壤的相互响应过程中,二者的相互关系逐渐密切,这种反馈作用使得该区域的植被与土壤要素形成的空间分布格局具有一定的耦合性。研究这种关系可以为该地区保护植被和合理利用土地资源提供科学依据。     

Past, present and future criteria to breed crops for water-limited environments in West Africa

Asia's Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s has largely bypassed West Africa, and “modern” (high-yielding, input responsive) germplasm for staple crops has found comparatively little adoption, except for systems that are have good access to markets and sufficient water resources. It is unlikely, however, that breeding objectives conserving traditional crop characteristics as found in extensive systems would have been more successful. The authors identify systems caught in the agricultural transition from subsistence to intensified, market-oriented production as the most important target for crop improvement, and provide examples of new breeding objectives for cowpea, sorghum and upland rice. In each of these cases, breeders, with the help of physiologists, have developed innovative plant-type concepts that combine improved yield potential and input responsiveness with specific traditional crop characteristics that remain essential during the agricultural transition. In the case of cowpea, dual-purpose varieties were developed that produce a good grain yield due to an erect plant habit, then produce new leaves enabling a second harvest of green foliage. For upland rice systems that are limited by labour (mainly needed to control weeds that abound due to shortened fallow periods), a weed competitive plant type was developed from Oryza sativa × Oryza glaberrima crosses. Lastly, sorghum breeders who had previously deselected photoperiod sensitivity are now re-inserting sensitivity into plants having “modern” architecture, in order to allow for flexible sowing dates while maintaining an agro-ecologically optimal time of flowering near the end of the wet season. The ecophysiological basis of these plant types, their place in current and future cropping systems, as well as the problem of under-funding for their realisation, are discussed.     

叶用型沙棘育种研究--“蒙×中”沙棘F1代雄株变异特性与选优标准的研究

通过对蒙古沙棘亚种优良品种与中国沙棘亚种优良类型F1代雄株的变异特性分析,建立了选择优 良单株的标准,为叶用型沙棘选择育种提供了科学依据。     

宁夏荒漠草原不同土地利用方式对土壤活性有机碳的影响

以宁夏荒漠草原不同土地利用方式(耕地、弃耕地、草地和柠条地)的土壤为研究对象,测定了不同土层土壤有机碳和活性有机碳含量,分析了土壤活性有机碳占有机碳的比例,以期探寻不同土地利用方式对土壤活性有机碳的影响。结果表明:不同土地利用方式土壤总有机碳含量范围在1.78~6.17 g·kg^-1,具体表现为弃耕地>柠条地>草地>耕地。表层(0~5 cm)土壤有机碳含量显著高于深层(10~60 cm),说明荒漠草原土壤有机碳主要富集在表层;4种土地利用方式土壤易氧化有机碳含量为0.57~1.38 mg·g^-1,变化趋势具体表现为柠条地>草地>耕地>弃耕地,且柠条地在每个土层都高于其它3种土地利用方式;土壤可溶性有机碳含量范围为6.8~11.1 mg·kg^-1,变化趋势表现为草地>耕地>柠条地>弃耕地。土壤易氧化有机碳含量占有机碳的比例范围为13.7%~43.1%,大小排序为柠条地>耕地>草地>弃耕地;土壤可溶性有机碳含量占有机碳的比例范围为0.11%~0.48%,比例大小为耕地>草地>柠条地>弃耕地,耕地和草地中土壤可溶性有机碳含量占有机碳比例随着土壤深度的增加而减小,这与有机碳在耕地和草地中变化趋势一致。土地利用变化可以显著影响土壤活性有机碳的含量与分布,能够敏感的反映土壤碳库的变化,可以作为评价宁夏荒漠草原土壤质量和肥力的指标之一。     

不同类型林分青杨虎天牛发生状况研究

通过调查分析,得到青杨虎天牛在各种杨树及其它阔叶树种的纯林、混交林以及不同类型林分、、树干不同部位的发生状况,选择出相对抗青杨虎天牛及易受青杨虎天牛危害的杨树品种及其它阔叶树种,为利用生态方法控制青杨虎天牛的传播和蔓延提供了科学依据。     

疏水缔合阳离子淀粉的合成研究

本研究以环己烷为连续相,Span 80/Tween 80为分散剂,采用氧化还原引发体系,通过反相悬浮聚合技术,合成疏水缔合阳离子淀粉接枝共聚物。研究了反应温度,引发剂用量,反应时间对接枝性能的影响及溶解性能。并用IR、X衍射对共聚物进行了表征。结果表明:采用氧化还原引发剂可使聚合反应低温快速进行,在m(St)∶m(AM)∶m(DMDACC)∶m(OA)为4∶7.4∶1.5∶0.6时,引发剂用量3.1 mmol/L,30℃反应3 h,单体转化率92.6%,接枝率53.8%,粘均相对分子质量(MV)3.26×106。