Identification of the core rumen bacterial taxa and their population dynamics during the fattening period in Japanese Black cattle

The rumen microbiota comprises a vast range of bacterial taxa, which may affect the production of high-quality meat in Japanese Black cattle. The aim of this study was to identify core rumen microbiota in rumen fluid samples collected from 74 Japanese Black cattle raised under different dietary conditions using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. In the rumen of fattening Japanese Black cattle, 10 bacterial taxa, showing >1% average relative abundance and >95% prevalence, irrespective of the dietary conditions and the fattening periods, were identified as the core rumen bacterial taxa, which accounted for approximately 80% of the rumen microbiota in Japanese Black cattle. Additionally, population dynamics of the core rumen bacterial taxa revealed two distinct patterns: Prevotella spp. and unclassified Bacteroidales decreased in the mid-fattening period, whereas unclassified Clostridiales, unclassified Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcus spp., and unclassified Christensenellaceae increased during the same period. Therefore, the present study reports the wide distribution of the core rumen bacterial taxa in Japanese Black cattle, and the complementary nature of the population dynamics of these core taxa, which may ensure stable rumen fermentation during the fattening period.     

Identification of potent odorants in Chinese jasmine green tea scented with flowers of Jasminum sambac

The odorants in Chinese jasmine green tea scented with jasmine flowers (Jasminum sambac) were separated from the infusion by adsorption to Porapak Q resin. Among the 66 compounds identified by GC and GC/MS, linalool (floral), methyl anthranilate (grape-like), 4-hexanolide (sweet), 4-nonanolide (sweet), (E)-2-hexenyl hexanoate (green), and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (sweet) were extracted as potent odorants by an aroma extract dilution analysis and sensory analysis. The enantiomeric ratios of linalool in jasmine tea and Jasminum sambac were determined by a chiral analysis for the first time in this study: 81.6% ee and 100% ee for the (R)-(-)-configuration, respectively. The jasmine tea flavor could be closely duplicated by a model mixture containing these six compounds on the basis of a sensory analysis. The omission of methyl anthranilate and the replacement of (R)-(-)-linalool by (S)-(+)-linalool led to great changes in the odor of the model. These two compounds were determined to be the key odorants of the jasmine tea flavor.     

The oral administration of thermophile-fermented compost extract and its influence on stillbirths and growth rate of pre-weaning piglets

Food produced via fermentation with mesophilic bacteria has been used to confer health benefits. In contrast, mammalian physiological responses to the intake of thermophile-fermented products have not been thoroughly investigated. We examined the effects of administering a compost extract consisting of fermented marine animals with thermophiles, including Bacillaceae, to pregnant sows and piglets. Retrospective studies were performed on two different swine farms (n=330-1050 sows). The rate of stillbirth was markedly lower in all parities of the compost extract-fed group compared to those of the control group (p≦0.001). Additionally, the birth to weaning period of newborns was significantly shorter (p<0.0001), while the ratio of weanlings per liveborn piglets was increased by more than 6.5% in the compost extract-fed group. Thus thermophiles and their products in the compost extract might promote growth and reduce stillbirths of piglets during the birth to weaning period.     

Multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of MBI-D and Q<Subscript>o</Subscript>I resistance in rice blast fungus

For sustainable control of rice blast with fungicides, efficient monitoring of the emergence and spread of fungicide-resistant isolates is needed. We developed simple and reliable PCR-based DNA markers to detect isolates resistant to melanin biosynthesis inhibitor targeting scytalone dehydratase (MBI-D) and quinone outside inhibitor (Q_oI) fungicides. Through the use of DNA templates prepared from mycelia on filter paper or from infected leaves, these markers enable rapid (a few hours) genotyping of point mutations that confer resistance. The developed multiplex marker detected resistance to both MBI-D and Q_oI in a single PCR and further reduced the time needed for diagnosis.     

Organic acid excretion from roots: a plant mechanism for enhancing phosphorus acquisition,enhancing aluminum tolerance,and recruiting beneficial rhizobacteria

The beneficial effects of organic acids (OAs) excretion from plant roots were first proposed as being associated with the mechanism of superior phosphorus utilization by the cluster roots of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.), and these effects are now widely accepted as pleiotropic effects associated with stress tolerance of plants. Excreted OAs detoxify rhizotoxic aluminum, recruit beneficial bacterium for induced systemic resistance, and modify root architecture to enhance phosphorus starvation. OA excretion is probably optimized in the carbon economy and is coordinately regulated with other traits that additively confer each stress factor. Here we present an overview of the molecular physiology of OA excretion from roots, how plants activate OA excretion, and how this excretion can be managed as a specific response.     

Lolitrem B residue in fat tissues of cattle consuming endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass straw.

Lolitrems are neurotoxins found in endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass. Lolitrems, primarily lolitrem B, are the causative agents of ryegrass staggers in livestock. To guarantee the safety of meat produced from cattle consuming endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass, lolitrem B concentrations in tissues of Japanese Black cattle were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Lolitrem B was not detected in muscle, liver, kidney, or cerebrum of a Japanese Black cow with signs of ryegrass staggers. In contrast, perirenal fat contained 210 ppb lolitrem B. Three cows that received half as much perennial ryegrass straw as the cow with ryegrass staggers showed no clinical signs of ryegrass staggers. However, low concentrations of lolitrem B (less than 150 ppb) were detected in their fat tissue. These observations indicate that human exposure to the neurotoxic effect of lolitrem B through beef is unlikely. The amount of lolitrem B consumed by cattle can be estimated by the determination of lolitrem B in fat tissue.