Seed germination and development of desert rose seedlings (Adenium obesum Roem. & Schult) on different substrates / Germinação de sementes e desenvolvimento de mudas de rosa do deserto (Adenium obesum Roem. & Schult) em diferentes substratos

Desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a succulent plant that is native to the Arabian Peninsula. It has great commercial value with exuberant structure and flowering. It can be propagated by seeds to ensure maximum development of the caudex. Despite its high economic value, studies on its propagation are still required. The aim of this study was to evaluate seed germination performance and seedling development of desert rose seedlings in different substrates. Treatments comprised five different substrate compositions: S1 (Soil), S2 (Sand), S3 (Carolina Soil commercial substrate), S4 (Sand + Carolina Soil), and S5 (Soil+ Carolina Soil). The following were evaluated using uni- and multi-variate approaches: germination, first count, germination speed index, caudex diameter, number of leaves, seedling length, root length, shoot length, and fresh mass and dry mass. Sand is the ideal substrate for the germination of A. obesum seeds, while for forming seedlings, mixtures of the Carolina Soil commercial substrate with sand or soil should be used.(AU)

A rosa do deserto (Adenium obesum) é uma planta suculenta nativa da Península Arábica, apresenta grande valor comercial, com estrutura e floração exuberante. Sua propagação pode ser por meio de sementes para garantir o maior desenvolvimento do caudex. Apesar do alto valor econômico ainda se requerem estudos para sua propagação. O objetivo foi avaliar o desempenho germinativo de sementes e desenvolvimento de mudas de rosa-do-deserto em diferentes substratos. Os tratamentos constaram em cinco diferentes composições de substrato: S1 (Terra), S2 (Areia), S3 (substrato comercial Carolina Soil), S4 (Areia+ Carolina Soil) e S5 (Terra + Carolina Soil). Foram avaliados com abordagem uni e multivariada: germinação, primeira contagem, índice de velocidade de germinação, diâmetro do caudex, número de folhas, comprimento da plântula, comprimento da raiz, comprimento da parte aérea, massa fresca e massa seca. A areia é o substrato ideal para a germinação de sementes de A. obesum, enquanto que para a formação das mudas deve-se utilizar as misturas do substrato comercial Carolina Soil com areia ou terra.(AU)

Metabolizable energy for chickens of high and low density corn fractions segregated in densimetric table

Corn is the main energy feed used in broiler chickens rations in most countries. In the literature, there are indications that high density corn segregated in densimetric table contains higher value of metabolizable energy than the corresponding fraction of low density, but the reasons are not clear. This study was conducted to determine the metabolizable energy of different types of corn, segregated in densimetric table, for poultry. The corn types were selected by the texture of grain (flint, semi-dent and dent) and were planted in the same area. Semi-dent grain corn was used as standard, and the flint and dent grains were segregated in a densimetric table to separate 25% of the total as high density and 25% as low density. The flint, semi-dent and dent corn and the high and low density fractions of flint and dent corn were used in a metabolism assay with broiler chickens from 20 to 29 days of age, with 9 replicates, to determine the Nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (MEn). The density of the different types of corn, measured as hectoliter weight, varied from 683 to 768 g/L for dent corn and from 778 to 802 g/L for the flint corn; the density of the unsegregated semi-dent corn was intermediate. MEn ranged from 3.109 to 3.194 kcal/g for dent corn and from 3.141 to 3.211 kcal/g for flint corn. MEn of the high density dent corn, 3.194 kcal/g, was higher (p<0.05) than that of the low density fraction, 3.109 kcal/g. Segregation of flint corn did not result in fractions with contrasting MEn values. For dent corn, segregation in densimetric table was effective, resulting in a fraction with improved MEn for chickens.(AU)

Metabolizable energy for chickens of high and low density corn fractions segregated in densimetric table

Corn is the main energy feed used in broiler chickens rations in most countries. In the literature, there are indications that high density corn segregated in densimetric table contains higher value of metabolizable energy than the corresponding fraction of low density, but the reasons are not clear. This study was conducted to determine the metabolizable energy of different types of corn, segregated in densimetric table, for poultry. The corn types were selected by the texture of grain (flint, semi-dent and dent) and were planted in the same area. Semi-dent grain corn was used as standard, and the flint and dent grains were segregated in a densimetric table to separate 25% of the total as high density and 25% as low density. The flint, semi-dent and dent corn and the high and low density fractions of flint and dent corn were used in a metabolism assay with broiler chickens from 20 to 29 days of age, with 9 replicates, to determine the Nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (MEn). The density of the different types of corn, measured as hectoliter weight, varied from 683 to 768 g/L for dent corn and from 778 to 802 g/L for the flint corn; the density of the unsegregated semi-dent corn was intermediate. MEn ranged from 3.109 to 3.194 kcal/g for dent corn and from 3.141 to 3.211 kcal/g for flint corn. MEn of the high density dent corn, 3.194 kcal/g, was higher (p<0.05) than that of the low density fraction, 3.109 kcal/g. Segregation of flint corn did not result in fractions with contrasting MEn values. For dent corn, segregation in densimetric table was effective, resulting in a fraction with improved MEn for chickens.

Effect of different commercial fat sources on brain, liver and blood lipid profiles of rats in growth phase

Purpose: To investigate the fatty acid content of different fat sources and evaluate the effect of them on plasma and hepatic lipids and on the fatty acid profile of the brain tissue of Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty male albino Wistar rats received for 59 days, the following diets: diet added of margarine with low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); diet added of margarine with high content of PUFA; diet added of butter; diet added of hydrogenated vegetable fat; diet added of soybean oil. Fatty acid profile of the lipid sources, blood and hepatic lipids fractions and fatty acid profile of the brain tissue were determined. Results: Margarine consumption of provided different responses as to concentrations of blood and hepatic lipid fractions. Intake of butter and hydrogenated increased LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, being the steepest increase promoted by hydrogenated vegetable fat, which also raised LDL-c levels expressively. All fats used in the treatments reduced the cerebral concentration of docosahexaenoic acid when compared to soybean oil (control). Conclusion: The different fat sources commonly consumed by population provided different responses in vivo. This is particularly relevant considering the role of these lipids in the incidence and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.(AU)

Habitat structure determining the spatial distribution of ichthyofauna in a Brazilian stream / Estrutura do habitat determinando a distribuição espacial da ictiofauna de um córrego brasileiro

This work aimed to evaluate the relationship between parameters of fish communities and the habitat structure of a stream. Twenty three stretches six meters long were evaluated in the Samambaia stream located inside the Sumidouro Park, Rio das Velhas basin, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Fish samplings and habitat characterization were made for each stretch. Seven variables of habitat (vegetal cover, width, depth, substrate, flow, presence of aquatic plants and leaf litter) and two variables characterizing the longitudinal gradient (altitude and distance from the Sumidouro lagoon) were assessed. The fish community responded to habitat changes, presenting variation in richness and composition of species. Richness was positively influenced by the presence of leaf litter and aquatic plants. Furthermore, through similarity data (NMDS) and habitat structure (PCA), it was possible to observe the separation of the 23 stretches into two groups with a dissimilarity of approximately 90%. We concluded that the variation in richness and composition of species throughout the stream was strongly related to the variables of habitat structure. This variation is clearer when considering the longitudinal gradient which highlights a great difference between stretches nearer and farther from the mouth of Samambaia stream.(AU)

Este trabalho buscou avaliar as relações entre parâmetros da ictiofauna e aspectos da estrutura física de um riacho. Vinte e três trechos com seis metros de comprimento foram avaliados no Córrego Samambaia, localizado no Parque Estadual do Sumidouro, bacia do Rio das Velhas, estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Em cada trecho, foi feita a coleta de peixes e a caracterização do habitat, tendo sido avaliadas sete variáveis do habitat (cobertura vegetal, largura, profundidade, substrato, vazão, presença de plantas aquáticas e folhiço) e duas variáveis que caracterizam o gradiente longitudinal (altitude e distanciamento à montante da Lagoa do Sumidouro). A ictiofauna respondeu às mudanças de habitat, apresentando variação na riqueza e na composição. A riqueza foi influenciada positivamente pela presença de folhiço e plantas aquáticas. Além disso, por meio dos dados de similaridade e habitat físico, foi possível observar a separação dos 23 trechos em dois grupos com dissimilaridade de aproximadamente 90%. Concluímos que a variação na riqueza e na composição de espécies ao longo do córrego está fortemente relacionada às variáveis da estrutura do habitat. Essa variação fica clara quando se considera o gradiente longitudinal, a qual evidencia uma grande diferença entre os trechos mais próximos e mais distantes da foz do córrego Samambaia.(AU)