High-throughput method for screening pendimethalin-degrading bacteria from one microbial bank.

The extensive use of chemical pesticides, such as herbicides, has resulted in significant environmental pollution. Microbial degradation represents a crucial approach for managing this pesticide-associated pollution, with enrichment culturing serving as a method for isolating pesticide-degrading microorganisms. However, the efficiency of this strategy is limited, often yielding only a few isolated strains. In this study, a new mineral salt medium (MSM) was developed, and a high-throughput method was used for screening pendimethalin-degrading bacteria by measuring the bacterial growth in the MSM. The utilization of this method resulted in the isolation of 56 pendimethalin-degrading bacteria from approximately 2000 bacterial strains, including 37 Bacillus spp., 10 Alcaligenes spp., 5 Pseudomonas spp., and other 4 strains identified for the first time as pendimethalin-degrading strains. This method may hold promise not only for isolating bacterial strains capable of degrading other pesticides but also for facilitating the utilization of the substantial bacterial strains stored in bacterial banks.

Biofabrication of Functional Pullulan by Aureobasidium pullulans under the Effect of Varying Mineral Salts and Sugar Stress Conditions.

Pullulan is a linear exopolysaccharide, produced in the fermentation media of Aureobasidium pullulans, with a variety of applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Pullulan derivatives have growing potential for biomedical applications, but the high cost of pullulan biofabrication currently restricts its commercial use. Better control over pullulan yield, molecular weight and melanin production by altering fermentation conditions could improve the economics. In this study, the effects of sugar and mineral salt stresses on the pullulan production of A. pullulans ATCC 42023 were examined in batch processes. The chemical structure of the recovered pullulan was characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular weight distribution was obtained via SEC. Pullulan yield and melanin production varied when the conditions were adjusted, and pullulans with different molar masses were obtained. Higher-yield pullulan production and a lower polydispersity index were observed when CuSO4 was added to the fermentation in comparison with the control and with the addition of sugars and other salts. Biofabrication of pullulan under stress conditions is a promising strategy to enhance biopolymer yield and to obtain pullulan with a targeted molecular weight.

Biodeterioration of low-density polyethylene by mangrove-associated endolichenic fungi and their enzymatic regimes.

Fungal involvement in the biodeterioration of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has received great attention in recent years. Among diverse groups of fungi, endolichenic fungi (ELF) are adapted to thrive in resource-limited conditions. The present study was designed to investigate the potential of mangrove-associated ELF, in the biodeterioration of LDPE and to quantify key-depolymerizing enzymes. A total of 31 ELF species, isolated from 22 lichens of mangrove ecosystems in Negombo lagoon, Sri Lanka were identified using DNA barcoding techniques. ELF were inoculated into a mineral salt medium, containing LDPE strips and incubated at 28 ± 2°C, for 21 days, under laboratory conditions. After incubation, biodeterioration was monitored based on percent reductions in weights and tensile properties, increments in the degree of water absorption, changes in peaks of infrared spectra and surface erosions using scanning electron microscopy. Out of 31 species, Chaetomium globosum, Daldinia eschscholtzii, Neofusicoccum occulatum, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Schizophyllum commune and Xylaria feejeensis showed significant changes. Production of depolymerizing enzymes by these species was assayed qualitatively using plate-based methods and quantitatively by mass-level enzyme production. Among them, Phanerochaete chrysosporium showed the highest enzyme activities as (9·69 ± 0·04) × 10-3 , (1·96 ± 0·01) × 10-3 , (5·73 ± 0·03) × 10-3 , (0·88 ± 0·01), (0·64 ± 0·06), (1·43 ± 0·01) U ml-1 for laccase, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, amylase, lipase and esterase, respectively.

Mineral-salt supplementation to ameliorate larkspur poisoning in cattle.

Larkspurs (Delphinium spp.) are native forbs that are poisonous to cattle and cost livestock producers millions of dollars in losses each year. Macro and micro minerals are required for normal functioning of essentially all metabolic processes in ruminants. The role that mineral status may play in larkspur poisoning in cattle is not clear. In this study, we seek to determine the effects a mineral-salt supplement, commonly used by cattle producers, to potentially reduce cattle losses to larkspur. The ability of mineral-salt supplementation to alter susceptibility to larkspur toxicosis was evaluated in a pen study. Animals supplemented with mineral-salt were found to be less susceptible to larkspur poisoning than the non-supplemented animals. A separate group of animals were then grazed on larkspur infested rangelands. One group was supplemented with a mineral-salt mix and the other group did not receive any mineral-salt. Supplementing cattle with the mineral-salt mix did not alter larkspur consumption (P > 0.05). However, overall larkspur consumption was low and averaged 3 ± 1.0% and 2 ± 1.1% for cattle supplemented with mineral and non-supplemented, respectively. Serum was collected from animals once a week during the grazing study. Average and maximum serum concentrations of toxic larkspur alkaloids were numerically higher in mineral-salt supplemented cattle compared with the non-supplemented animals. Results from the pen study suggest that a good mineral supplementation program will provide a protective effect for animals grazing in larkspur-infested ranges. The mineral-salt supplemented steers, in the grazing study, were not observed to consume less larkspur than the non-supplemented animals; however, the mineral-salt supplemented animals had higher concentrations of larkspur alkaloids in their serum indicating they may be able to tolerate higher larkspur consumption. The data also indicate that mineral-salt supplementation must be continuous throughout the time the animals are grazing these rangelands as the positive effects can be lost within 30 d post supplementation.

Larkspurs (Delphinium spp.) are native forbs poisonous to cattle and cost livestock producers millions of dollars in losses each year. The role mineral status may play in larkspur poisoning in cattle is unclear. The ability of mineral-salt supplementation to alter susceptibility to larkspur toxicosis was evaluated in a pen and grazing study. In the pen study, animals supplemented with mineral-salt were found to be less susceptible to larkspur poisoning than non-supplemented animals. A separate group of animals grazed on larkspur infested rangelands. One group was supplemented with a mineral-salt mix and the other group did not receive any mineral-salt. Supplementing cattle with the mineral-salt mix did not alter larkspur consumption of grazing cattle. However, overall larkspur consumption was low. Results from the pen study suggest that a good mineral supplementation program will provide a protective effect for animals grazing in larkspur-infested ranges. The mineral-salt supplemented steers, in the grazing study, had higher concentrations of larkspur alkaloids in their blood serum indicating they may be able to tolerate higher larkspur consumption. The data also indicate that mineral-salt supplementation must be continuous throughout the time the animals are grazing as the positive effects can be lost within 30 days after supplementation.

Effect of Mineral Salt Blocks Containing Sodium Bicarbonate or Selenium on Ruminal pH, Rumen Fermentation and Milk Production and Composition in Crossbred Dairy Cows.

Ruminal pH is an important physiological parameter that regulates microbe activity; optimizing ruminal pH may improve rumen fermentation and milk production. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or selenium (Se) in mineral salt block (MSB) supplementation on ruminal pH, rumen fermentation, milk yield and composition in Holstein Friesian crossbred dairy cows. Four crossbred dairy cows with an initial weight of 456 ± 6 kg in mid-lactation were assigned at random using a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The experiments were divided into four periods, each lasting 21 days. Each cow was fed a basal diet supplemented with a different type of mineral salt block: a control with no MSB supplementation, and MSB groups with MSB containing NaHCO3 (MSB-Na), MSB containing Se (MSB-Se), and conventional commercial MSB (MSB-Com). MSB-Na contained NaHCO3 (500 g/kg) to prevent acidosis, MSB-Se contained organic Se (15 mg/kg) as an antioxidant, and MSB-Com was a positive control mineral salt block. The results show that there was no significant difference in feed intake between treatments, but there was a significant difference in mineral salt intake between treatments (p < 0.05). Supplementing mineral blocks had no effect on nutrient intake or apparent digestibility (p > 0.05). Ruminal pH was not different between treatments at 0 and 1 h post-feeding, but at 2 and 4 h post-feeding, ruminal pH in cows fed MSB-Na and MSB-Se was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than it was in cows fed MSB-Com and the control. Total volatile fatty acid (VFA), acetic, propionic, butyric, and ammonia nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen were not influenced by mineral blocks supplementation. Milk yield, milk composition and energy-corrected milk (ECM) were not affected by supplementing mineral blocks. However, compared with the control, the somatic cell count (SCC) in the milk was reduced (p < 0.05) by supplementation with the mineral salt block. Based on the results of the experiments, it was concluded that MSB-Na or MSB-Se supplementation improved ruminal pH while having no effect on feed intake, rumen fermentation, milk yield, or composition, though it did reduce SCC in milk. However, additional research should be conducted to investigate the effect of MSB on rumen ecology and milk production in dairy cows fed a high-concentrate diet.

Development of an Iberian Chorizo Salted With a Combination of Mineral Salts (Seawater Substitute) and Better Nutritional Profile.

The present study evaluated the effect of salt reduction using a seawater substitutes, at the nutritional and mineral composition, its physicochemical, biochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of Iberian chorizo, compared with one elaborated with low salt content (KCl) and another with a normal salt content (CTRL). To this end, three batches of chorizo were prepared [Treatment 1: CTRL, 100% NaCl; Treatment 2: KCl, 31% KCl, and Treatment 3: SC (Winbi®), <3% NaCl]. In KCl and SC chorizo lots, values of moisture, salt, and water activity (aw) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the CTRL chorizo. The chorizo with lower salt content presented higher proteolytic activity; with the nutritional declaration "reduced Na content "with Na values 25% lower than the CTRL. In addition, using this combination caused significant effects (P < 0.05) on the mineral composition of chorizo SC, allowing the inclusion of more nutritional and health claims in its labeling under legislation. The partial substitution of NaCl for KCl (31%), caused an increase in the gumminess, chewiness, and hardness of the chorizo. The SC chorizo lost the reddish hue typical of this sausage, although it was the best sensory valued by a panel of consumers. No differences were observed in the microbiological quality of the different batches of chorizo, always fulfilling the legally established microbiological criteria.

Neutralization Dialysis for Phenylalanine and Mineral Salt Separation. Simple Theory and Experiment.

A simple non-steady state mathematical model is proposed for the process of purification of an amino acid solution from mineral salts by the method of neutralization dialysis (ND), carried out in a circulating hydrodynamic mode. The model takes into account the characteristics of membranes (thickness, exchange capacity and electric conductivity) and solution (concentration and components nature) as well as the solution flow rate in dialyzer compartments. In contrast to the known models, the new model considers a local change in the ion concentration in membranes and the adjacent diffusion layers. In addition, the model takes into consideration the ability of the amino acid to enter the protonation/deprotonation reactions. A comparison of the results of simulations with experimental data allows us to conclude that the model adequately describes the ND of a strong electrolyte (NaCl) and amino acid (phenylalanine) mixture solutions in the case where the diffusion ability of amino acids in membranes is much less, than mineral salts. An example shows the application of the model to predict the fluxes of salt ions through ion exchange membranes as well as pH of the desalination solution at a higher than in experiments flow rate of solutions in ND dialyzer compartments.

Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for the production of butyric acid at high titer and productivity.

BACKGROUND: Several anaerobic bacteria produce butyric acid, a commodity chemical with use in chemical, pharmaceutical, food and feed industries, using complex media with acetate as a co-product. Butyrate titer of various recombinant Escherichia coli did not exceed 10 g l-1 in batch fermentations in any of the media tested. RESULTS: A recombinant E. coli (strain LW393) that produced butyrate as the major fermentation product was constructed with genes from E. coli, Clostridium acetobutylicum and Treponema denticola. Strain LW393 produced 323 ± 6 mM (28.4 ± 0.4 g l-1) butyric acid in batch fermentations in mineral salt medium with glucose as C source at a yield of 0.37 ± 0.01 g (g glucose consumed)-1. Butyrate accounted for 90% of the total products produced by the culture. Supplementing this medium with yeast extract further increased butyric acid titer to 375 ± 4 mM. Average volumetric productivity of butyrate with xylose as C source was 0.89 ± 0.07 g l-1 h-1. CONCLUSIONS: The butyrate titer reported in this study is about 2.5-3-times higher than the values reported for other recombinant E. coli and this is achieved in mineral salt medium with an expectation of lower purification and production cost of butyrate.

How the nature of the compounds present in solid and liquid compartments of activated sludge impact its rheological characteristics.

Although the role of the solids concentration on the rheological characteristics of sludge is greatly documented in the literature, few studies focused on the impact of the nature of these solids. How the nature of solutes can modify the solid-liquid interactions and thus the rheological properties of the sludge are also slightly explored. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the rheological characteristics of activated sludge in relation with the nature of the compounds present in the solid and liquid phases. Rheological measurements were carried out on raw sludge and on sludge modified by mechanical actions and/or addition of solids or solutes. The rheological properties of raw and modified sludges were measured according to flow and dynamic measurements. Results demonstrated that if suspended solid concentration affected sludge rheological parameters, the nature of the solids was quite of importance. The key role of nature and molecular weight of solutes was also highlighted. The results contribute to a better knowledge of the relationship between sludge composition and its rheological properties, which is useful for the optimization of sludge mixing, pumping or aeration and also for the improvement of sludge dewatering, notably by a relevant choice of adjuvant.

Studies on agarolytic bacterial isolates from agricultural and industrial soil.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Soil is rich in microbes which can be used for a variety of purposes starting from decomposition to antibiotic production. Agar-agar, extracted from the marine environment, is an important polysaccharide that has multiple uses after degradation by microbes. The aim of this study was to isolate bacteria that produced agarase enzyme, from a variety of soil sources and study their morphological and biochemical characterization. The enzyme activity of the isolates was also studied at 3 different pH, temperature and agar concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Agarolytic isolates, were identified from industrial and agar- enriched agriculture soil by serial dilution method using MSA media that contains agar as the only source of carbon. Qualitative analysis of the isolates was determined by iodine assay while for quantitative analysis of enzyme activity, at standard and variable conditions, DNSA method was used. Genus of SELA 4 was identified. RESULTS: 4 isolates were obtained from industrial soil and 6 were obtained from agriculture soil enriched with laboratory agar. Isolate 'SELA 4' showed maximum relative activity (OD 0.92) followed by 'CCIL 2 (OD 0.91) under standard culture conditions. Isolate 'SELA 1' showed maximum activity between 37°C-40°C, pH 5-7 with 1.5% agar concentration. "CGIPL 1" showed maximum activity at pH 9 while "SELA 2" and "SELA 4" showed maximum activity at pH 5. SELA 4 belonged to genus Microbacterium (Accession no. MG203882.1). CONCLUSION: The results showed that agar degrading bacteria can also be isolated from soil sources other than the usual marine sources and can be used for the industrial production of agarase enzyme.

Effects of mineral salt supplement on enteric methane emissions, ruminal fermentation and methanogen community of lactating cows.

We evaluated the effects of mineral salt supplement on enteric methane emissions, ruminal fermentation and methanogen community of dairy cows over a whole lactation period. Ten Holstein cows fed a total mixed ration (TMR) diet were randomly allocated into two groups, one supplied with mineral salts as the treatment group and the other as the control group. The methane measurement showed that the ingestion of mineral salts lowered enteric methane emissions significantly (P < 0.05), with an average of 10.5% reduction over the whole lactation period. Ruminal fermentation analysis showed the mineral salt intake could significantly decrease the acetate : propionate ratio (P < 0.05). Real-time PCR assay showed that rumen methanogen abundance significantly reduced in the treatment group (P < 0.05) but was not significantly influenced by mineral salt intake over the whole lactation period. Intergroup methanogen community composition was influenced slightly by mineral salt intake; however, significantly different intragroup profiles were apparent throughout the whole lactation period, according to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis. In conclusion, these results suggested that the effective mitigation of enteric methane emissions by mineral salt intake could be attributed to decreased density of methanogenic archaea and that fluctuations in methane emission over the lactation period might be related to Methanobrevibacter diversity.

Age-Related Response of Rumen Microbiota to Mineral Salt and Effects of Their Interactions on Enteric Methane Emissions in Cattle.

Mineral salt bricks are often used in cow raising as compensation for mineral losses to improve milk yield, growth, and metabolic activity. Generally, effects of minerals are partially thought to result from improvement of microbial metabolism, but their influence on the rumen microbiota has rarely been documented to date. In this study, we investigated the response of microbiota to mineral salt in heifer and adult cows and evaluated ruminal fermentation and enteric methane emissions of cows fed mineral salts. Twelve lactating Holstein cows and twelve heifers fed a total mixed ration (TMR) diet were randomly allocated into two groups, respectively: a treatment group comprising half of the adults and heifers that were fed mineral salt and a control group containing the other half fed a diet with no mineral salt supplement. Enteric methane emissions were reduced by 9.6% (P < 0.05) in adults ingesting a mineral salt diet, while concentrations of ruminal ammonia, butyrate, and propionate were increased to a significant extent (P < 0.05). Enteric methane emissions were also reduced in heifers ingesting a mineral salt diet, but not to a significant extent (P > 0.05). Moreover, the concentrations of ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were not significantly altered in heifers (P > 0.05). Based on these results, we performed high-throughput sequencing to explore the bacterial and archaeal communities of the rumen samples. Succiniclasticum and Prevotella, two propionate-producing bacteria, were predominant in samples of both adults and heifers. At the phylotype level, mineral salt intake led to a significant shift from Succiniclasticum to Prevotella and Prevotellaceae populations in adults. In contrast, reduced abundance of Succiniclasticum and Prevotella phylotypes was observed, with no marked shift in propionate-producing bacteria in heifers. Methanogenic archaea were not significantly abundant between groups, either in adult cows or heifers. The shift of Succiniclasticum to Prevotella and Prevotellaceae in adults suggests a response of microbiota to mineral salt that contributes to higher propionate production, which competes for hydrogen utilized by methanogens. Our data collectively indicate that a mineral salt diet can alter interactions of bacterial taxa that result in enteric methane reduction, and this effect is also influenced in an age-dependent manner.

Minerals salt composition and secondary metabolites of Euphorbia hirta Linn., an antihyperglycemic plant.

Phytochemical study and research on acute toxicity were performed on the aerial parts (leaves and stems) of Euphorbia hirta Linn. The phytochemical screening and chromatography revealed the presence of saponin, sterol, terpene, alkaloids, polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids and especially mucilage. The evaluation of total polyphenols and total flavonoids gave 120.97 ± 7.07 gallic acid equivalents (GAE) mg/g (mg of GAE/g of extract) of dry extract and 41.4 ± 0.5 mg quercetin equivalent per gram (QE/g) (mg of QE/g of plant extract) of dry extract respectively. The physicochemical study revealed moisture content of 7.73% ± 0.00%, total ash 7.48% ± 0.03%. Sulfuric ash 9.05% ± 0.01%, hydrochloric acid insoluble ash of 0.8% ± 0.02%. The search for minerals salt revealed the presence of Cr, Zn, K, Ca and Mg having an important role in glucose metabolism. The acute toxicity study showed that the toxic dose may be above 3000 mg/kg. The results of these studies indicate that extracts from the leaves and stem of E. hirta Linn. contains trace elements and minerals salt and bioactive secondary metabolites which explain their therapeutic uses for treating diabetes mellitus.

Effect of manganese supplementation on the membrane integrity and the mitochondrial potential of the sperm of grazing Nelore bulls.

The effect of dietary manganese (Mn(2+)) supplementation on the reproductive performance of Nelore bulls was evaluated by assessment of sperm membrane integrity. Sixty Nelore bulls (Bos taurus indicus) aged 18-20 mo were randomly divided into four groups (n=15) receiving dietary Mn(2+) supplementation at 540, 1300, 3800 and 6300mg/kg (treatments TC, T1300, T3800 and T6300, respectively). The diets were changed for the groups every 70d. Semen samples were obtained 15 and 56d after the diet change, which corresponded to the period of adjustment to the new diet and the time required for a complete spermatogenesis cycle, respectively. Sperm integrity was assessed by detection of: intact (IMe) or damaged (DMe) membranes, intact (IA) or damaged (DA) acrosomes, and high (HM) or low (LM) mitochondrial membrane potentials. Only bulls from the TC treatment showed a significant increase in the production of intact sperm [IMe/IA/LM] and decrease in the production of sperm with damaged acrosome [IMe/DA/LM] or completely damaged sperm [DMe/DA/LM] (P<0.05). The Mn(2+) concentrations in the semen were positively correlated with the incidence of sperm with IMe, DA, and LM and negatively correlated with number of sperm with DMe, IA, and LM. Therefore, dietary Mn(2+) supplementation for Nelore bulls must be limited to 540mg of Mn(2+)/kg given that higher doses are detrimental to the integrity of the plasma and acrosomal sperm membranes.

Use of coccidiostat in mineral salt and study on ovine eimeriosis / Uso de coccidiostático no sal mineral e estudo da eimeriose ovina

Coccidiosis is a serious obstacle to sheep production, which is becoming a limiting factor, especially with regard to lamb production. However, there are few studies on this parasite in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of decoquinate, added to mineral salt, for controlling Eimeria infection in lambs, and to identify which species are infecting sheep in the eastern region of the state. This study was carried out from August 2009 to January 2010, and used 76 animals. These were divided into two treatment groups: one with common mineral salt, and the other with mineral salt enriched with 6% micronized decoquinate. Fecal samples and body weight measurements were taken every 14 days for parasitological diagnosis, weight gain follow-up and quantitative analysis. The study showed that there was a significant difference in OPG only at the 7th collection, but no significant difference in weight gain. The Eimeria species found were E. ahsata. E. crandallis. E. granulosa. E. intrincata. E. ovina. E. faurei. E. ovinoidalis. E. pallida and E. parva. It was concluded that addition of decoquinate to mineral salt gave rise to lower oocyst elimination, thus favoring eimeriosis control in sheep.

A coccidiose constitui-se num sério obstáculo à ovinocultura, a qual vem se tornando um fator limitante para a exploração, especialmente para a produção de cordeiros precoces. Porém, poucos são os estudos com esse parasito no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação do decoquinato, adicionado ao sal mineral, no controle da infecção causada por parasitas do gênero Eimeria em cordeiros, e identificar quais as espécies infectam ovinos na região leste Potiguar. O trabalho foi desenvolvido entre agosto de 2009 e janeiro de 2010, e foram usados 76 animais, distribuídos em dois tratamentos, um com sal mineral comum e o outro com sal mineral enriquecido com decoquinato a 6% micronizado. Amostras fecais e pesagens dos animais foram feitas a cada 14 dias para o diagnóstico parasitológico, acompanhamento do ganho de peso ponderal e análise quantitativa. O estudo evidenciou que houve diferença significativa na redução do OoPG apenas na 7º semana de experimento, mas não houve diferenças significativas para ganho de peso dos animais. As espécies encontradas foram E. ahsata. E. crandallis. E. granulosa. E. intrincata. E. ovina. E. faurei. E. ovinoidalis. E. pallida . E. parva. Conclui-se que a adição de decoquinato ao sal mineral propiciou uma menor eliminação de oocistos favorecendo o controle da eimeriose ovina.

Growth and Cultural Characteristics of Ophiocordyceps longissima Collected in Korea.

We investigated the effect of nutritional and environmental factors on Ophiocordyceps longissima mycelial growth. The longest colony diameter was observed on Schizophyllum (mushroom) genetics complete medium plus yeast extract, Schizophyllum (mushroom) genetics minimal medium, and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA); however, malt-extract yeast-extract agar, SDA plus yeast extract, yeast-extract malt-extract peptone dextrose agar, SDA, oatmeal agar, and potato dextrose agar showed higher mycelia density. A temperature of 25℃ was optimum and 7.0 was the optimum pH for mycelial growth. Colony diameter was similar under light and dark conditions. Maltose and yeast extract showed the highest mycelial growth among carbon and nitrogen sources respectively. The effect of mineral salts was less obvious; however, K(3)PO(4) showed slightly better growth than that of the other mineral salts tested. Among all nutrition sources tested, complex organic nitrogen sources such as yeast extract, peptone, and tryptone were best for mycelial growth of O. longissima. Ophiocordyceps longissima composite medium, formulated by adding maltose (2% w/v), yeast extract (1% w/v), and K(3)PO(4) (0.05% w/v) resulted in slightly longer colony diameter. In vitro mycelial O. longissima growth was sustainable and the production of fruiting bodies could be used for commercial purposes in the future.

Desenvolvimento de novilhas de corte sob alternativas de mineralização em pastagem de azevém / Development of beef heifers under mineralization alternatives, on Italian ryegrass pasture

Foi avaliado o desenvolvimento corporal de bezerras de corte em pastagem de azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), recebendo diferentes alternativas de suplementação mineral, associadas ou não à adição de ionóforo. Os tratamentos testados foram: "Sal comum": mineralização com cloreto de sódio; "Sal 40P": mineralização com sal mineral contendo 40g de fósforo por kg de produto; "Sal 40P + ionóforo": mineralização com 40g de fósforo + 2.000mg de lasalocida sódica por kg de produto. Os valores de proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, Ca e P na forragem aparentemente consumida, consumo de sal, escore de condição corporal, relação peso: altura e GMD foram semelhantes (P>0,05) entre animais que receberam "Sal comum", "Sal 40P" e "Sal 40P + ionóforo". Em pastagem de azevém, sem restrição ao consumo voluntário, a lasalocida sódica adicionada ao sal mineral proporciona maior peso vivo de bezerras aos 12 meses de idade e um retorno financeiro positivo.

Body development of beef heifers grazing Italian ryegrass pasture (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was evaluated. The animals received different alternatives of mineral supplement: associated or not to ionophore addition and the treatments were: 'Common salt': mineralization with sodium chloride; '40P salt': mineralization with mineral salt plus 40g of phosphorus per kilo of product; 40P salt + ionophore: mineralization with 40g of phosphorus plus 2000mg of lasalocid per kg of product. The values of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and Ca and P of the apparently consumed forage, salt intake, body condition and body weight:height relation were similar (P>0.05) between animals receiving 'common salt', '40P salt' and '40P salt+ionophor'. For beef heifers grazing ryegrass pasture without intake restriction, the lasalocid associated to mineral salt provides a greater body weight at twelve months age and a positive financial.

Avaliações da relação fósforo: flúor em suplementos minerais para bovinos comercializados na região nordeste do Paraná / Relation phosphorus: fluorine evaluations in mineral supplements for cattle commercialized in the northeast of the State of Paraná / Avaluaciones de la relación fosforo: fluor encontrados en suplementos minerales para vacunos, comercializados en la región noreste del estado de Paraná

Foram quantificados os teores de fósforo (P) e flúor (F) em doze diferentes amostras de suplementos minerais para bovinos, mais comercializados na região Nordeste do Estado do Paraná. Para a determinação do fósforo foi utilizado espectrofotômetro de colorimetria com região UV visível e, para a determinação do flúor, utilizou-se eletrodo de íon específico para o elemento e potenciômetro com escala em milivolts. Os resultados mostraram altos teores de flúor em duas amostras, e diferentes alterações na relação P:F, com variadas concentrações dos elementos, principalmente do fósforo, possibilitando a conclusão de que quase todas as formulações caracterizaram-se como incorretas pelas informações prestadas nos rótulos dos fabricantes e, irregulares na relação P:F calculada, quando comparada aos limites estabelecidos pela normatização em vigor no País.

We quantifi ed the contents of phosphorus (P) and fl uorine (F) in twelve mineral brands of supplements for cattle, more commercialized in the region northeast of the state of Paraná. For the phosphorus's determination was utilized spectrofotometry and for fl uorine was utilized equipment with specifi c ion and scale in milivolts. The results showed high contents of fl uorine in two samples, and alterations in the relation P: F, with varied concentrations of both elements, mainly of the phosphorus. The authors concluded that almost all formulations were incorrect according to the information from the manufactures' labels and, irregular in the relation P: F calculated, when compared to the limits established by Brazilian Government rules.

Fueron cuantifi cadas las concentraciones de Fósforo (P) y Fluor (f) en doce diferentes muestras de Suplementos Minerales para vacunos, entre los mas comercializados en la región noreste del Estado del Paraná. Para la determinación del Fosforo, fue utilizado un Espectofotómetro de Colormetria con región UV visible, y para la determinación del Fluor un electrodo de Ion Específi co para este elemento, aliado a un Potenciometro con lectura de variables en Milivolts. Los resultados mostraron altos porcentajes de Fluor en dos de las muestras, y en las otras, variadas alteraciones en la relación P:F, con diferentes concentraciones de estos elementos, principalmente del Fosforo. Esto posibilita la conclusión de que casi todas las formulaciones se caracterizaron como incorrectas por las informaciones que son apresentadas en las etiquetas de los fabricantes, ademas de irregulares na relación P:F calculada, en comparación con los límites establecidos por las Normas vigentes en el Brazil.