Recovery of pigments from Origanum majorana L. by extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide

Extraction of pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) from marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) with supercritical carbon dioxide was investigated. The aim of this study was to map the effects of extraction pressure and temperature on the yield of coloring materials by applying a 3(2) full factorial design with three repeated tests in the center of the design. For comparison, laboratory and pilot plant Soxhlet extractions were carried out using ethanol and n-hexane solvents. The compositions of pigments in marjoram extracts were determined by HPLC. Similar amounts of carotenoids, in addition to 40% of chlorophylls and their derivatives, were recovered from the supercritical fluid extraction, in comparison to the ethanol Soxhlet extraction.     

Reflected‐light Influences the Coloration of the Peppermint Shrimp,Lysmata boggessi (Decapoda: Caridea)

One alternative to contribute to the reduction of the pressure on coral reef ecosystems brought about by an increasing demand for marine aquarium ornamentals is to improve and further develop the culture of desirable species for trade. Peppermint shrimp from the genus Lysmata are among the most intensively traded decapod in the trade and while several studies have been conducted to improve its culture, individuals obtained from culture facilities are generally paler than those collected from the wild. Because color is a fundamental component of the price tag on most marine ornamental live species, poorly colored animals command a lower price, reducing competitiveness. In this study, we evaluate the influence of tank background color (reflected light) on the morphological coloration change of Lysmata boggessi. In a 15‐d experiment, 30 individuals were exposed either to reflected‐red or white light and the relative change of coloration between initial and final moments was quantified with photography (RGB color model). At the end of the experimental period, shrimp exposed to red‐reflected light presented a more intense red coloration than those exposed to white‐reflected light. These results demonstrate that a simple change in background tank color can enhance shrimp external coloration. Such a cheap‐to‐implement procedure can support the culture of more colorful, hence more valuable ornamental shrimp that can compete with those captured from the wild.     

Risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among students at the veterinary school of Zaragoza University

The prevalence and risk factors associated with leptospirosis were studied in veterinary students in Zaragoza. Sera were collected at the beginning and end of the academic year 1994 to 1995 and were tested by ELISA against a pool of Leptospira interrogans serovars bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona antigens. At the beginning of the study the prevalence was 8.14 per cent and at the end it was 11.4 per cent. The incidence of the disease during the study was 0.0394. Risk factors associated with leptospirosis included: taking the course specialising in food inspection and technology, on-farm work, contact with pets in general, and particularly carnivores, and contact with animal traders. The symptoms associated with the disease were myalgia and fever, and the treatment of the symptoms provided some protection.     

Influence of fungicide residues on the primary fermentation of young lager beer

The effect of four sterol biosynthesis-inhibiting fungicides added to the pitching wort on the evolution of several organoleptic parameters during the primary fermentation of young lager beer was assessed. Pyrimidine (nuarimol and fenarimol) and triazole (myclobutanil and propiconazole) fungicides were individually supplied to the pitching wort to obtain a concentration of 1 mg/L. A marked influence in the fermentation rate was observed for the samples with propiconazole residues. From the fourth day onward, the fermentation prematurely ceased (stuck fermentation), and therefore, statistical significant differences were found in fermented extract, alcohol content, fermentable carbohydrates, pH, color, and total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of beer. Myclobutanil residues are only influenced in the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, while differences in the analyzed parameters were not noticeable for the samples containing nuarimol and fenarimol residues in comparison with the blank sample.     

HPLC analysis of rosmarinic acid in feed enriched with aerial parts of Prunella vulgaris and its metabolites in pig plasma using dual-channel coulometric detection

This paper describes a sensitive isocratic HPLC/ECD method developed for the determination of rosmarinic acid (RA) in plant material, animal feed, and pig plasma. The plasma sample preparation only includes protein precipitation and adjustment of the pH. The applicability of the method was tested on plasma samples of pigs that were exposed to a 91-day oral intake of RA via feed enriched by aerial parts of Prunella vulgaris. The plasma was directly analyzed using the method described as well as after enzymatic hydrolysis. When no hydrolysis step was included, RA and caffeic acid (CA) were quantified in the plasma. In hydrolyzed plasma samples, several other metabolites were determined, including dihydrocaffeic, ferulic, and dihydroferulic acid. The dual-channel coulometric detection employed, as an alternative to mass spectrometry, offers good selectivity and sensitivity owing to the electrochemical properties of the phenolic constituents.     

Nitrogen loading of Eucalyptus globulus seedlings: nutritional dynamics and influence on morphology and root growth potential

New Forests - Achieving successful outplanting of trees on increasingly harsher sites is a global concern. In Chile, for example, new Eucalyptus globulus plantations are being targeted to poorer,...     

Antioxidative Effects of Astaxanthin against Nitric Oxide‐Induced Oxidative Stress on Cell Viability and Gene Expression in Bovine Oviduct Epithelial Cell and the Developmental Competence of Bovine IVM/IVF Embryos

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the fundamental mechanism of bovine oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC) co‐culture on developmental capacity of bovine in vitro oocyte maturation/in vitro fertilization (IVM/IVF) embryos. We examined the effects of astaxanthin against nitric oxide‐induced oxidative stress on cell viability by MTT assay, lipid peroxidation (LPO) by using thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction for malondialdehyde (MDA) and the expression of antioxidant genes (CuZnSOD, MnSOD and Catalase) or apoptosis genes (Bcl‐2, Caspase‐3 and Bax) by RT‐PCR in BOEC. We also evaluated the developmental rates of bovine IVM/IVF embryos co‐cultured with BOEC pre‐treated with astaxanthin (500 μm ) in the presence or absence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 1000 μm ) for 24 h. Cell viability in BOEC treated with SNP (50–2000 μm ) lowered, while astaxanthin addition (50–500 μm ) increased it in a dose‐dependent manner. Cell viability in astaxanthin plus SNP (1000 μm ) gradually recovered according to the increase in astaxanthin additions (100–500 mm ). The LPO in astaxanthin group (50–500 μM) gradually decreased in a dose dependent manner and among SNP or astaxanthin plus SNP group, SNP alone and astaxanthin (50 μM) plus SNP shown a significant increase than other groups (p < 0.05). Expression of apoptosis or antioxidant genes was detected by RT‐PCR. Bcl‐2 and antioxidant genes were detected in astaxanthin or astaxanthin plus SNP group, and Caspase‐3 and Bax genes were only found in SNP group. When bovine IVM/IVF embryos were cultured for 6–7 days under co‐culture system such as BOEC treated with astaxanthin in the presence or absence of SNP, the developmental ability to blastocysts in 500 μm astaxanthin group was the highest of all groups. These results suggest that astaxanthin has a antioxidative effect on cell viability and LPO of BOEC, and development of bovine IVM/IVF embryos due to the induction of antioxidant genes and suppression of apoptosis genes.     

Morphology,accumulation and survival of Desmanthus under different planting densities and harvest heights

The use of legumes is an important strategy for animal feeding, especially during the dry season. The aim was to evaluate the effect of planting densities (40,000; 15,625 and 10,000 plants ha⁻¹) and harvest heights (20 and 40 cm) on the morphology, accumulation and survival of Desmanthus (Desmanthus pernambucanus [L.] Thellung), cultivated in subhumid tropical region, as well as to estimate the repeatability of the evaluated characteristics and the optimal number of measurements. The treatments were randomized in blocks, with subdivided plots and four replicates. Planting densities were evaluated in the plots and the harvest heights in the subplots. Eight harvests were carried out with an interval of 84 days. Morphological and productive characteristics and survival were evaluated. Cultivation under density of 40,000 plants ha⁻¹ produced taller plants, with higher leaf area index (LAI = 0.98), light interception (LI = 49%), individual accumulations (18.8 g DM plant⁻¹) and by area (576.5 kg DM ha⁻¹ harvest⁻¹), although resulting in reduced plant stand (66%). Harvest heights do not affect accumulation and survival. It is possible to reduce the number of measurements for stem diameter, number of leaflets per leaf (R² = 95%), plant height, canopy diameter, LAI, LI, leaf length and width, number of leaves per branch, branch diameter and LBR (R² = 90%), optimizing resources for future research. Desmanthus has potential for use in protein banks, being harvested in the rainy season, conserved and supplied in addition to animals, but plant growth is minimal during the dry season under rainfed conditions.