Efficiency of exogenous zinc sulfate application reduced fruit drop and improved antioxidant activity of 'Kinnow' mandarin fruit / A eficiência da aplicação de sulfato de zinco exógeno reduziu a queda da fruta e melhorou a atividade antioxidante da tangerina 'Kinnow'

'Kinnow' mandarin (Citrus nobilis L.× Citrus deliciosa T.) is an important marketable fruit of the world. It is mainstay of citrus industry in Pakistan, having great export potential. But out of total production of the country only 10% of the produce meets the international quality standard for export. Pre-harvest fruit drop and poor fruit quality could be associated with various issues including the plant nutrition. Most of the farmers do not pay attention to the supply of micro nutrients which are already deficient in the soil. Furthermore, their mobility within plants is also a question. Zinc (Zn) is amongst those micronutrients which affect the quality and postharvest life of the fruit and its deficiency in Pakistani soils is already reported by many researchers. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the influence of pre-harvest applications of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4; 0, 0.4%, 0.6% or 0.8%) on pre-harvest fruit drop, yield and fruit quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin at harvest. The treatments were applied during the month of October i.e. 4 months prior to harvest. The applied Zn sprays had significant effect on yield and quality of the "Kinnow" fruit. Amongst different foliar applications of ZnSO4applied four months before harvest, 0.6% ZnSO4 significantly reduced pre-harvest fruit drop (10.08%) as compared to untreated control trees (46.45%). Similarly, the maximum number of fruits harvested per tree (627), fruit weight (192.9 g), juice percentage (42.2%), total soluble solids (9.5 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (35.5 mg 100 g-¹) and sugar contents (17.4) were also found significantly higher with 0.6% ZnSO4 treatment as compared to rest of treatments and control. Foliar application of 0.6% ZnSO4 also significantly improved total antioxidants (TAO) and total phenolic contents (TPC) in fruit. In conclusion, foliar [...].

A tangerina 'Kinnow' (Citrus nobilis L. × Citrus deliciosa T.) é uma importante fruta comercializável do mundo. É o esteio da indústria cítrica no Paquistão, com grande potencial de exportação. Mas, da produção total do país, apenas 10% da produção atendem o padrão internacional de qualidade para exportação. A queda da fruta antes da colheita e a baixa qualidade da fruta podem estar associadas a vários problemas, incluindo a nutrição da planta. A maioria dos agricultores não se preocupa com o fornecimento de micronutrientes que já são deficientes no solo. Além disso, sua mobilidade dentro das plantas também é uma questão. O zinco (Zn) está entre os micronutrientes que afetam a qualidade e a vida pós-colheita da fruta, e sua deficiência em solos paquistaneses já é relatada por diversos pesquisadores. Portanto, este estudo foi realizado para avaliar a influência da aplicação pré-colheita de sulfato de zinco (ZnSO4; 0, 0,4%, 0,6% ou 0,8%) na queda dos frutos na pré-colheita, produtividade e qualidade dos frutos da tangerina 'Kinnow' em colheita. Os tratamentos foram aplicados durante o mês de outubro, ou seja, 4 meses antes da colheita. As pulverizações de Zn aplicadas tiveram efeito significativo no rendimento e na qualidade da fruta 'Kinnow'. Entre as diferentes aplicações foliares de ZnSO4 efetuadas quatro meses antes da colheita, 0,6% de ZnSO4 reduziu significativamente a queda de frutos antes da colheita (10,08%) em comparação com as árvores de controle não tratadas (46,45%). Da mesma forma, número máximo de frutos colhidos por árvore (627), peso do fruto (192,9 g), porcentagem de suco (42,2%), sólidos solúveis totais (9,5 ° Brix), teor de ácido ascórbico (35,5 mg / 100 g-¹) e os teores de açúcar (17,4) também foram significativamente maiores com o tratamento com 0,6% de ZnSO4 em comparação com o restante dos tratamentos e o controle. A aplicação foliar de 0,6% de ZnSO4 também melhorou significativamente os [...].

Efficiency of exogenous zinc sulfate application reduced fruit drop and improved antioxidant activity of 'Kinnow' mandarin fruit / A eficiência da aplicação de sulfato de zinco exógeno reduziu a queda da fruta e melhorou a atividade antioxidante da tangerina 'Kinnow'

'Kinnow' mandarin (Citrus nobilis L.× Citrus deliciosa T.) is an important marketable fruit of the world. It is mainstay of citrus industry in Pakistan, having great export potential. But out of total production of the country only 10% of the produce meets the international quality standard for export. Pre-harvest fruit drop and poor fruit quality could be associated with various issues including the plant nutrition. Most of the farmers do not pay attention to the supply of micro nutrients which are already deficient in the soil. Furthermore, their mobility within plants is also a question. Zinc (Zn) is amongst those micronutrients which affect the quality and postharvest life of the fruit and its deficiency in Pakistani soils is already reported by many researchers. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the influence of pre-harvest applications of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4; 0, 0.4%, 0.6% or 0.8%) on pre-harvest fruit drop, yield and fruit quality of ‘Kinnow mandarin at harvest. The treatments were applied during the month of October i.e. 4 months prior to harvest. The applied Zn sprays had significant effect on yield and quality of the "Kinnow" fruit. Amongst different foliar applications of ZnSO4applied four months before harvest, 0.6% ZnSO4 significantly reduced pre-harvest fruit drop (10.08%) as compared to untreated control trees (46.45%). Similarly, the maximum number of fruits harvested per tree (627), fruit weight (192.9 g), juice percentage (42.2%), total soluble solids (9.5 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (35.5 mg 100 g-¹) and sugar contents (17.4) were also found significantly higher with 0.6% ZnSO4 treatment as compared to rest of treatments and control. Foliar application of 0.6% ZnSO4 also significantly improved total antioxidants (TAO) and total phenolic contents (TPC) in fruit. In conclusion, foliar [...].(AU)

A tangerina 'Kinnow' (Citrus nobilis L. × Citrus deliciosa T.) é uma importante fruta comercializável do mundo. É o esteio da indústria cítrica no Paquistão, com grande potencial de exportação. Mas, da produção total do país, apenas 10% da produção atendem o padrão internacional de qualidade para exportação. A queda da fruta antes da colheita e a baixa qualidade da fruta podem estar associadas a vários problemas, incluindo a nutrição da planta. A maioria dos agricultores não se preocupa com o fornecimento de micronutrientes que já são deficientes no solo. Além disso, sua mobilidade dentro das plantas também é uma questão. O zinco (Zn) está entre os micronutrientes que afetam a qualidade e a vida pós-colheita da fruta, e sua deficiência em solos paquistaneses já é relatada por diversos pesquisadores. Portanto, este estudo foi realizado para avaliar a influência da aplicação pré-colheita de sulfato de zinco (ZnSO4; 0, 0,4%, 0,6% ou 0,8%) na queda dos frutos na pré-colheita, produtividade e qualidade dos frutos da tangerina 'Kinnow' em colheita. Os tratamentos foram aplicados durante o mês de outubro, ou seja, 4 meses antes da colheita. As pulverizações de Zn aplicadas tiveram efeito significativo no rendimento e na qualidade da fruta 'Kinnow'. Entre as diferentes aplicações foliares de ZnSO4 efetuadas quatro meses antes da colheita, 0,6% de ZnSO4 reduziu significativamente a queda de frutos antes da colheita (10,08%) em comparação com as árvores de controle não tratadas (46,45%). Da mesma forma, número máximo de frutos colhidos por árvore (627), peso do fruto (192,9 g), porcentagem de suco (42,2%), sólidos solúveis totais (9,5 ° Brix), teor de ácido ascórbico (35,5 mg / 100 g-¹) e os teores de açúcar (17,4) também foram significativamente maiores com o tratamento com 0,6% de ZnSO4 em comparação com o restante dos tratamentos e o controle. A aplicação foliar de 0,6% de ZnSO4 também melhorou significativamente os [...].(AU)

Zinc sulphate turbidity as a screening test of passive transfer of immunity in newborn foals

Background: Passive immunity acquired by colostrum ingestion is essential to prevent neonatal infections. Failure ofpassive transfer (FPT) of maternal immunity occurs in foals that fail to absorb enough immunoglobulins within 24 h afterbirth. Foals with FPT are at increased risk of infections and death. Serum samples from neonatal foals might be examinedfor FPT using the zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) test. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the ZST test,performed at two different times after first suckling (12 and 18 h), to detect FPT in newborn foals. The effect of temperatureon the turbidity intensity resulting from the ZST reaction was also investigated.Materials, Methods & Results: Blood samples were collected from 112 newborn foals at 12 h after the first colostrumintake. In 36 foals, additional serum samples were collected at 18 h after first colostrum intake. The serum samples weretested with the ZST test and, later, in the laboratory setting, the ZST test was repeated. The IgG levels were measured bysingle radial immunodiffusion (SRID), which was used as the reference method. The standard solution used for the interpretation of results had a turbidity corresponding to approximately 800 mg/dL of immunoglobulins (IgG). The mean IgG concentration measured at 12 and 18 h after the first colostrum intake was analyzed using the t-test for paired samples.Values of absorbance of ZST test under different temperatures were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance, andmeans were compared using the Tukey test. The relationship between the temperature of the solution and absorbance wasdetermined using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Based on SRID results, 12 foals (10.7%) had serum IgG concentration 0.05) between 12 h (943.9 ± 508.6 mg/dL) and 18 h (975.9 ± 525.6 mg/dL)...

Zinc sulphate turbidity as a screening test of passive transfer of immunity in newborn foals

Background: Passive immunity acquired by colostrum ingestion is essential to prevent neonatal infections. Failure ofpassive transfer (FPT) of maternal immunity occurs in foals that fail to absorb enough immunoglobulins within 24 h afterbirth. Foals with FPT are at increased risk of infections and death. Serum samples from neonatal foals might be examinedfor FPT using the zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) test. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the ZST test,performed at two different times after first suckling (12 and 18 h), to detect FPT in newborn foals. The effect of temperatureon the turbidity intensity resulting from the ZST reaction was also investigated.Materials, Methods & Results: Blood samples were collected from 112 newborn foals at 12 h after the first colostrumintake. In 36 foals, additional serum samples were collected at 18 h after first colostrum intake. The serum samples weretested with the ZST test and, later, in the laboratory setting, the ZST test was repeated. The IgG levels were measured bysingle radial immunodiffusion (SRID), which was used as the reference method. The standard solution used for the interpretation of results had a turbidity corresponding to approximately 800 mg/dL of immunoglobulins (IgG). The mean IgG concentration measured at 12 and 18 h after the first colostrum intake was analyzed using the t-test for paired samples.Values of absorbance of ZST test under different temperatures were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance, andmeans were compared using the Tukey test. The relationship between the temperature of the solution and absorbance wasdetermined using the Pearsons correlation coefficient. Based on SRID results, 12 foals (10.7%) had serum IgG concentration < 400 mg and 26 foals (23.2%) had IgG levels between 400 and 800 mg/dL. Serum levels of IgG determined bySRID in 36 foals were similar (P > 0.05) between 12 h (943.9 ± 508.6 mg/dL) and 18 h (975.9 ± 525.6 mg/dL)...(AU)

Assessment of the effects of red onion (Allium cepa Linn) juice on semen oxidative status compared to Zn sulfate in rats

The Aim of the present study was to investigate effects of onion juice on semen values of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant status (TAS) compared to Zn sulfate in rats. One hundred and sixty-two Wistar Male rats were randomly allocated into 9 treatment groups (each including 3 groups and 6 replicates). Group 1 served as control and received distilled water. In group 2, animals received 1 cc fresh onion juice. In group 3, rats were offered cc fresh onion juice. Group 4 drenched 15 mg/kg zinc (Zn) sulfate. In group 5, rats were treated with 30 mg/kg Zn sulfate. Group 6 was offered 1cc fresh onion juice + 15 mg/kg Zn sulfate to experimental animals. In group 7, 1 cc fresh onion juice + 30 mg/kg Zn sulfate was provided to rats. Group 8 consumed 2 cc fresh onion juice + 15 mg/kg Zn sulfate. In group 9, animals provided 2 cc fresh onion juice + 30 mg/kg Zn sulfate. All groups were given treatments orally and ad libitum access to chow pellets and fresh water. After 4 weeks semen samples in cauda epididymis were used to determine MDA, SOD, GPx and TAS levels. According to the data, sole onion juice significantly decreased semen MDA level (P < 0.05). Also, a combination between the administration of onion and Zn significantly attenuated sperm MDA (P < 0.05). Sperm GPx level in the co-administration of onion and Zn was significantly altered (P < 0.05). Results suggest that presumably onion juice protects from semen oxidation in rat testes.

Assessment of the effects of red onion (Allium cepa Linn) juice on semen oxidative status compared to Zn sulfate in rats

The Aim of the present study was to investigate effects of onion juice on semen values of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant status (TAS) compared to Zn sulfate in rats. One hundred and sixty-two Wistar Male rats were randomly allocated into 9 treatment groups (each including 3 groups and 6 replicates). Group 1 served as control and received distilled water. In group 2, animals received 1 cc fresh onion juice. In group 3, rats were offered cc fresh onion juice. Group 4 drenched 15 mg/kg zinc (Zn) sulfate. In group 5, rats were treated with 30 mg/kg Zn sulfate. Group 6 was offered 1cc fresh onion juice + 15 mg/kg Zn sulfate to experimental animals. In group 7, 1 cc fresh onion juice + 30 mg/kg Zn sulfate was provided to rats. Group 8 consumed 2 cc fresh onion juice + 15 mg/kg Zn sulfate. In group 9, animals provided 2 cc fresh onion juice + 30 mg/kg Zn sulfate. All groups were given treatments orally and ad libitum access to chow pellets and fresh water. After 4 weeks semen samples in cauda epididymis were used to determine MDA, SOD, GPx and TAS levels. According to the data, sole onion juice significantly decreased semen MDA level (P < 0.05). Also, a combination between the administration of onion and Zn significantly attenuated sperm MDA (P < 0.05). Sperm GPx level in the co-administration of onion and Zn was significantly altered (P < 0.05). Results suggest that presumably onion juice protects from semen oxidation in rat testes.(AU)

Zinc sulphate administered by transdermal iontophoresis improves breaking strength of surgical wounds in skin of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

PURPOSE:To investigate the effect of zinc sulphate administered by transdermal iontophoresis (TDI) on mechanical resistance of surgical wounds performed in the skin of diabetic rats. METHODS:One hundred and sixty male Wistar rats weighing approximately 250g were submitted to an incision surgery at the anterior region of abdomen and randomly distributed into four experimental groups with 40 non-diabetic control animals (G1) and 40 untreated diabetic animals (G2), both without any treatment of incisions; 40 non-diabetic animals (G3) and 40 untreated diabetic animals (G4), both with incisions treated with zinc sulphate, administered for a period of four consecutive days after surgery, in sessions of ten minutes duration, using a continuous-current electrostimulator (Zn + TDI). Each experimental group was further divided into four subgroups with ten rats each to be evaluated on the 4th, 7th, 14th, and 21st day after surgery. In each period were analyzed clinical and laboratory from the animals, and measured the breaking strength and hydroxyproline content (OH-P) of the skin scars. RESULTS: Breaking strength (BS) was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in skin scars of untreated diabetic rats (G2) on the 7th, 14th, and 21st postoperative days when compared to non-diabetic control rats (G1). In contrast, BS in skin scars of non-diabetic and untreated diabetic rats (G3, G4) treated with Zn + TDI showed significant increase (p<0.05) in those periods when compared with their respective controls with untreated incisions. The OH-P content of the scars did not show statistically significant variation in all studied groups at four different times evaluated after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc sulphate administered by transdermal iontophoresis had beneficial effect on the mechanical resistance of scars produced in the skin of diabetic rats.(AU)

Freqüência de Giardia spp. por duas técnicas de diagnóstico em fezes de cães / Frequency of Giardia spp. for two diagnosis methods in feces of dogs

One hundred fecal samples from male and female dogs of several ages and breeds were collected in kennels of Uberlândia in Minas Gerais, Brazil. These samples were analyzed to determine the frequency of Giardia spp. using two different diagnostic methods: zinc sulfate flotation technique and merthiolate-iodine-formaldehyde concentration (MIFC). The frequency of giardiasis was 41 percent. Dogs, which were less than 12 months of age, were the most parasitized (68.4 percent). No difference between male and female frequency of giardiasis (31.4 percent and 46.1 percent, respectively) was observed. MIFC detected 38 percent of positive samples and zinc sulfate flotation technique 29 percent. Giardia spp. is present in dogs of Uberlândia's kennels in a high frequency.(AU)

Avaliação dos teores totais de cobre, ferro e zinco em chás de erva medicinais / Evaluation of total contents of copper, iron and zinc in teas of medicinal grass

As ervas medicinais vêm sendo amplamente estudadas e comercializadas em nosso país. A maioria destes estudos versa sobre seus ativos, normalmente compostos orgânicos de funções diversas no organismo. Cada vez mais as aplicações das diversas ervas medicinais de nossa flora vêm se ampliando e grupos de interesse nesta área vêm aumentando. Antes, o uso de chás era através de indicações caseiras; atualmente, além dos conhecimentos de uso popular destas ervas, várias pesquisas são feitas na área farmacológica, visando conhecer e aumentar o campo de atuação destas plantas. No que diz respeito à composição dos elementos traços nessas plantas, existem estudos, mas ainda precários. O cobre, ferro e zinco são elementos essenciais a diversas funções do organismo. Sabendo da importância destes, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o teor de cobre, ferro e zinco em chás de ervas medicinais. Amostras de ervas medicinais secas e o chá obtido da infusão destas foram analisadas quanto aos teores totais de cobre, ferro e zinco, utilizando-se a espectroscopia de absorção atômica em chama. Os resultados foram tratados estatisticamente e verificou- se que, em média, a extração destes metais no extrato aquoso foi de 23%. Considerando o uso destes chás como um substituto da água, verifica-se que o consumo de 600mL (3 copos) fornece em média 0,12mg de cobre, 0,60mg de ferro e 0,30mg de zinco, que corresponde a cerca de 10% da DRI 2001 recomendada para um homem adulto, e comparando estes valores a fontes vegetais destes metais, como as leguminosas, acredita- se que os chás podem ser usados como suplementos de cobre, ferro e zinco. Técnicas de especificação química que identifiquem as formas químicas destes metais extraídos em meio aquoso, podem ser importantes para auxiliar naavaliação da biodisponibilidade dos mesmos. (AU)

The medicinal grass comes being widely studied and commercialized in our country. The majority of these studiesturns on its asset, normally organic composites of diverse functions in the organism. Each time more the applications of the diverse medicinal grass of our flora comes if extending, and groups of interest in this area come increasing. Before the use of teas was through indications caretakers, currently, beyond the knowledge of popular use of these grass, some research is made in the farmacológica area aiming at to know and to increase the field of performance of these plants. In that the composition of the elements says respect traces in these plants, studies exist, but he is still precarious. The copper, iron and zinc are elements essential traces the diverse functions of the organism Knowing of the importance of these the present work it has as objective to evaluate the copper text, iron and zinc in teas of medicinal grass. Samples of medicinal grass droughts and the gotten tea of the infusion of these had been analyzed how much to total texts of copper, iron and zinc using themselves it spectroscopy of atomic absorption in flame. The results had been treated estatisticamente and were verified that in average the extration of these metals in the watery extract was of 23%. Considering the use of these teas as a substitute of the water, is verified that the consumption of 600mL (3cups) supplies in average 0,12mg of copper,0,60mg of iron and 0,30mg of zinc, about 10% DR! 2001 men sadult and comparing these values the vegetal sources of these metals, as the leguminosas, gives credit that the teas can be used as copper supplements, iron and zinc. Techniques of chemicaI especiação that identify the chemical forms of these metals extracted in watery way, can to be important to assist in the evaluation of the biodisponibilidade of the same ones. (AU)