Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) Addition as Tool to Reduce Nitrate and Nitrite in Ripened Sausages.

Olive leaf extract (OLE) is known to be a source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. This study investigated the effects of the OLE addition to reduce nitrate/nitrite (NO) content on the physico-chemical features of ripened pork sausages. Seven formulations of pork sausages were set up: CTRL (0 mg/kg OLE; 300 mg/kg NO), Tr1 (200 mg/kg OLE; 150 mg/kg NO), Tr2 (400 mg/kg OLE; 150 mg/kg NO), Tr3 (800 mg/kg OLE; 150 mg/kg NO), Tr4 (200 mg/kg OLE; 0 mg/kg NO), Tr5 (400 mg/kg OLE; 0 mg/kg NO), and Tr6 (800 mg/kg OLE; 0 mg/kg NO). At the end of the ripening period, all the samples were within hygienic limits and the substitution of the additives with OLE allowed the reduction of NO residual contents. Both OLE and NO influenced the colour parameters. At the highest dose of OLE, both alone and in combination with reduced dose of NO, no significant differences in terms of moisture, pH, and aw were found compared to CTRL. In absence of NO, a significant reduction of weight loss was observed. Moreover, in the samples without NO a reduction of the hardness was detected. Finally, the oxidative stability test showed that the increase of the OLE amount prolonged the induction time.

Development of Lactic Acid-Fermented Tomato Products.

BACKGROUND: lactic acid fermentation was recently proposed to produce fruit and vegetable beverages with high nutritional value. In this study, a wide screening of strains and fermentation parameters was carried out to develop fermented tomato-based drinks containing viable cells and potentially bioactive metabolites. METHODS: six different products (three extracts, two tomato juices and one tomato puree) were used as substrate for fermentation. After preliminary testing, eight fermentation conditions for each tested product were selected. The final products were stabilized with pasteurization or refrigeration and further characterized in terms of (i) antioxidant activity and (ii) total polyphenols. RESULTS: selected strains were able to grow in almost all tomato-based products except for one extract. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content depend on products and fermentation conditions used and, except for tomato puree, an overall increase was observed. The best nutritional profile was reached in fermented samples stored at refrigerated temperature without thermal stabilization. CONCLUSION: an integrated data vision allowed to choose, for each substrate, the best combination of strains to produce novel fermented tomato-based products with different application perspectives.

Acaricidal activity of Acmella oleracea (Asteraceae) extract against Rhipicephalus microplus: What is the influence of spilanthol?

The present study was carried out to evaluate and compare the acaricidal activity of different fractions of Acmella oleracea methanolic extract, containing 0.0 % (F1), 24.5 % (F2), 48.0 % (F3) and 100 % (F4) of spilanthol, on unfed larvae and engorged females from the same Rhipicephalus microplus population. To obtain these fractions, the crude extract was subjected to different extraction procedures using increasingly polarized solvents to isolate the spilanthol compound. The Larval Packet Test was used to evaluate acaricidal activity in unfed larvae at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 25.0 mg/mL, while for engorged females, the Adult Immersion Test was performed at concentrations from 3.1 to 25.0 mg/mL. The F1 fraction showed no activity on unfed larvae, while a control percentage of 44.6 % was observed at a concentration of 25.0 mg/mL for engorged females. For unfed larvae, the F2 fraction resulted in 95.7 % mortality at a concentration of 1.6 mg/mL, with a control percentage of 92.7 % for engorged females at a concentration of 12.5 mg/mL. Fractions F3 and F4 had similar activity against unfed larvae, with mortality >84.0 % from the concentration of 0.8 mg/mL. This similarity between the fractions was also observed for engorged females from a concentration of 12.5 mg/mL, resulting a control percentage >94.0 %. These results demonstrate that the presence of spilanthol is an important factor for the acaricidal activity of A. oleracea extract. Fraction extracts with 24.5, 48 and 100 % of spilanthol have similar acaricidal activity on R. microplus.

Sodium butyrate and peppermint essential oil in jundiá diet: performance, histology, and challenge of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis / Butirato de sódio e óleo essencial de hortelã-pimenta na dieta de jundiá: desempenho, histologia e desafio ao Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the zootechnical performance, intestinal mucosa, and reaction to infestation by the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in jundiá Rhamdia quelen larvae supplemented with Mentha piperita essential oil or sodium butyrate in their diets. Five diets were used over 30 days: diet free of additive inclusion, 0% (control); inclusion of 1% or 2% of M. piperita essential oil: EO1% and EO2%, respectively; and inclusion of 0.25% or 0.50% of sodium butyrate: SB0.25% and SB0.50%, respectively. The different diets were not able to inhibit I. multifiliis infestation. Supplementation with SB0.50% in their diets presented better performance in all zootechnical parameters analyzed, including a 54% increase in final weight and 70% in survival, and increased (P<0.05) both the villi width and the amount of goblet cells present in the intestinal mucosa by approximately 50%. In view of these results, dietary supplementation of R. quelen larvae with 0.50% sodium butyrate for 30 days is recommended.

RESUMO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o desempenho zootécnico, a mucosa intestinal, a resistência ao estresse e a reação à infestação pelo parasita Ichthyophthirius multifiliis em larvas de jundiá Rhamdia quelen suplementadas com óleo essencial de Mentha piperita ou butirato de sódio em suas dietas. Foram utilizadas cinco dietas por 30 dias: dieta livre de inclusão de aditivos, 0% (controle); inclusão de 1% ou 2% de óleo essencial de M. piperita, EO1% e EO2%, respectivamente; e inclusão de 0,25% ou 0,50% de butirato de sódio, SB0.25% e SB0.50%, respectivamente. As diferentes dietas não foram capazes de inibir a infestação por I. multifiliis. A suplementação com SB0.50% em suas dietas apresentou melhor desempenho em todos os parâmetros zootécnicos analisados, incluindo um aumento do peso final em 54% e a sobrevivência em 70%, e aumentou ​​(P<0,05) a largura das vilosidades e a quantidade de células caliciformes presentes na mucosa intestinal em aproximadamente 50%. Em vista desses resultados, recomenda-se a suplementação dietética de larvas de R. quelen com butirato de sódio a 0,50% por 30 dias.

Propolis extract in tshe diet of weaned piglets / Extrato de própolis na dieta de leitões desmamados

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to assess the use of propolis ethanolic extract as an alternative to performance-enhancing antibiotics for piglets. Seventy piglets weaned at 21 days of age, with initial weights of 7.3±0.4kg and final weights of 24.9±1.2kg, were randomly assigned to five diets: positive control (diet with 200ppm antibiotic); negative control (diet without growth promoter); and diets with 100, 500, and 1,000ppm of brown propolis ethanolic extract, with seven replicates of two piglets each. The duration of the experimental period was 35 days. The diets did not influence (P>0.05) daily feed intake, daily weight gain, final weight, and feed conversion of animals. The bacteriological profile of the nasal swab presented a predominance of gram-positive bacteria commonly associated with the mucous membranes in all samples. Rectal swabs did not present atypical bacterial isolates. The use of ethanolic propolis extract in diets did not alter the performance of weaned piglets, nor did it affect the bacteriological profile, fecal score, or the occurrence of diarrhea in piglets.

RESUMO: Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de investigar a utilização de extrato etanóico de própolis como alternativa aos antibióticos melhoradores de desempenho para leitões. Foram avaliados 70 leitões desmamados aos 21 dias de idade, com pesos iniciais de 7,3±0,4kg e final de 24,9±1,2kg. Estes foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com cinco dietas: controle positivo - dieta com 200ppm de antibiótico; controle negativo - dieta sem promotor de crescimento; dietas com 100, 500 e 1.000ppm de extrato etanóico de própolis marrom, com sete repetições de dois leitões cada. A duração do período experimental foi de 35 dias. As dietas não influenciaram (P>0,05) no consumo de ração diária, ganho de peso diário, peso final e a conversão alimentar dos animais. O perfil bacteriológico da swab nasal apresentou predomínio de bactérias Gram positivas comumente associadas às membranas das mucosas em todas as coletas realizadas. As swabs retais não apresentaram isolamento atípico. A utilização do extrato etanóico de própolis nas dietas não altera o desempenho de leitões desmamados, bem como não afeta o perfil bacteriológico, escore fecal e a ocorrência de diarreia dos leitões.

Effects of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) on the performance of broiler chickens / Efeitos do líquido da casca da castanha de caju (LCC) sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte

The effects of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) on growth performance, carcass yield, relative weight of internal organs and microbiology of digestive tract of broiler chickens were investigated. Five hundred and forty male broiler chicks at one day of age were arranged in a completely randomized design with six treatments and six repetitions with 15 broiler chicks each. The treatments were: control (T1 - without growth promoter virginiamycin and CNSL); inclusion levels of 0.10mL (T2), 0.20mL (T3), 0.30mL (T4) and 0.40mL (T5) of CNSL/kg of feed; and commercial promoter virginiamycin (T6). At 21 and 40 days of age, body weight, feed intake, feed conversion and viability of birds were similar in all treatments. Carcass yield was higher in the treatment with the growth promoter when compared to the control treatment. There was a linear increase in carcass yield when the level of CNSL was increased in the diet. The relative weight of the intestine was lower in the treatment containing virginiamycin when compared to the treatment without the inclusion of additives. The relative weight of the intestines decreased when the levels of inclusion of CNSL were increased. There was a gradual reduction of Escherichia coli concentration reaching the lowest number on the CNSL level of 0.30mL/kg. It was concluded that CNSL showed similar performance and slaughter yield as the growth promoter and reduced the concentration of Escherichia coli in the intestinal contents.

Um estudo foi conduzido para investigar os efeitos do líquido da casca da castanha de caju (LCC) sobre o desempenho, o rendimento de carcaça, o peso relativo dos órgãos internos e a microbiologia do trato digestivo de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 540 pintos machos de um dia de idade, distribuídos num delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos e seis repetições de 15 aves cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em: controle (T1 - sem promotor comercial e sem LCC), níveis de inclusão de 0,10mL (T2), 0,20mL (T3), 0,30mL (T4) e 0,40mL (T5) de LCC/kg de ração e T6 (promotor comercial - virginiamicina). Aos 21 e 40 dias de idade, o peso corporal, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar e a viabilidade das aves foram semelhantes em todos os tratamentos. O rendimento de carcaça foi superior no tratamento com promotor de crescimento em relação ao tratamento-controle. Ocorreu uma resposta linear de incremento no rendimento de carcaça com o aumento do nível de LCC na dieta. O peso relativo dos intestinos foi menor no tratamento com virginiamicina em relação ao tratamento-controle. O peso relativo dos intestinos diminuiu com o aumento do nível de inclusão do LCC. Houve uma redução gradual da concentração de Escherichia coli, cuja menor concentração atingiu o nível de 0,30mL/kg. Conclui-se que o LCC mostrou desempenho e rendimento de abate semelhantes ao promotor de crescimento e reduziu a concentração de Escherichia Coli no conteúdo intestinal.