Arthrospira (Spirulina) Platensis Can Be Considered as a Probiotic Alternative to Reduce Heat Stress in Laying Japanese Quails

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina platensis, SP) on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, hen day egg production, intestinal microflora, heat stress biomarkers, and HSP70 gene expression in laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) suffering heat stress condition. A total of 250 female quails were allocated to 5 treatments, 5 replicates and 10 birds in each replicate in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included: 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet+ 0.03 % probiotic, 3) basal diet+ 0.1 % SP, 4) basal diet+ 0.3 % SP, 5) basal diet+ 0.5 % SP. During the last 6 days of the experiment, the quails were exposed to 8h of 34±1°C. The birds had free access to feed and water during the experiment. The results showed that using probiotic and different levels of Spirulina had no significant effect on laying performance of Japanese quails (p>0.05). Probiotic supplement increased Lactobacil bacteria population in laying quails ileum under heat stress (p 0.05). Different levels of SP decreased Escherichia coli population in laying quails ileum suffering heat stress (p 0.05).SP at the level of 0.5% caused the lowest blood Malondialdehyde level, heterophil, and H/L ratio (p 0.05).However, HSP70 gene expression in the heart or the liver of laying quails was not different (p>0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed that SP at the level of 0.5 % has the potential to be considered as a probiotic alternative in the diet of laying quails suffering heat stress condition.(AU)

A method to estimate the biomass of Spirulina platensis cultivated on a solid medium

This paper presents a method to estimate the biomass of Spirulina cultivated on solid medium with sugarcane bagasse as a support, in view of the difficulty in determining biomass concentrations in bioprocesses, particularly those conducted in semi-solid or solid media. The genus Spirulina of the family Oscillatoriaceae comprises the group of multicellular filamentous cyanobacteria (blue-green microalgae). Spirulina is used as fish feed in aquaculture, as a food supplement, a source of vitamins, pigments, antioxidants and fatty acids. Therefore, its growth parameters are extremely important in studies of the development and optimization of bioprocesses. For studies of biomass growth, Spirulina platensis was cultured on solid medium using sugarcane bagasse as a support. The biomass thus produced was estimated by determining the protein content of the material grown during the process, based on the ratio of dry weight to protein content obtained in the surface growth experiments. The protein content of the biomass grown in Erlenmeyer flasks on surface medium was examined daily to check the influence of culture time on the protein content of the biomass. The biomass showed an average protein content of 42.2%. This methodology enabled the concentration of biomass adhering to the sugarcane bagasse to be estimated from the indirect measurement of the protein content associated with cell growth.

Desempenho de cordeiros santa inês submetidos a aleitamento artificial enriquecido com Spirulina platensis / Performance of santa inês lambs submitted to the use of artificial milk enriched with Spirulina platensis

O experimento foi desenvolvido no Setor de Ovinocultura pertencente à Fazenda Maria Paz, localizada no município de São José de Espinharas, PB, e no Laboratório de Nutrição Animal (LANA) do Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação em creep feeding com leite bovino enriquecido com Spirulina platensis (espirulina) e concentrado no desempenho de cordeiros da raça Santa Inês, mediante o consumo de matéria seca (CMS), consumo de proteína bruta (CPB), peso corporal (PC), ganho de peso médio diário (GPMD), e estimou-se o período da fase de aleitamento mais adequada para a utilização da espirulina. Distribuíram-se trinta cordeiros em um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, testando três níveis de espirulina nas parcelas principais, com parcelas subdivididas no tempo. Não houve efeito de interação do nível de espirulina administrado e os períodos consecutivos, e o efeito dos períodos no consumo foi independente, com o consumo aumentando em função da idade dos animais. Quanto ao peso no final de cada período e ganho de peso médio diário, houve efeito de interação do nível de espirulina e os períodos estudados. O nível de espirulina teve efeito no GPMD apenas dentro dos primeiros quinze dias, com maior ganho para o nível de 10 g de espirulina (300 g) em relação à testemunha (205 g). O peso corporal final foi maior para o tratamento com 10 g de espirulina em todos os períodos estudados (12,0; 17,02; 19,71 e 25,30kg). A diluição de Spirulina platensis no leite bovino se mostrou eficiente no desempenho diário de cordeiros quando utilizada na concentração de 10 g diárias e no período entre quinze e trinta dias de idade.

The experiment was carried out in Maria Paz Ranch/Sheep Production Department, in São José de Espinharas, PB. Analyses were performed in the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition/Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural/Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the supplementation with cow milk enriched with Spirulina platensis (Sp) on lamb performance submitted to creep feeding, and determine the most adequate period to suplemet nursing lambs with Spirulina platensis. Data on dry matter (DMC) and crude protein (CPC) consumptions, body weight (BW), and mean daily body weight gain (MDBWG) were colleted. The three levels of Spirulina supplementation were assigned to 30 lambs (plots) according to a randomized block (lamb weight) design with 10 replications. Data were collected in four consecutive periods, characterizing a split plot in time. DM and CP consumptions were not affected by spirulina level x period interaction, and increased with periods (animal age). BW and MDBWG were affected by the spirulina level x period interaction. Spirulina levels affected MDBWG only from day 0 to day 15, when the MDBWG (300g) was higher at level 10g than at level zero of Spirulina that resulted in 205g in MDBWG. Live body weight at the end of each period was also higher when the lambs were supplemented with 10 g of Spirulina (12.00 17.02, 19.71 and 25.30kg, respectively, for the four consecutive periods). The dilution of Spirulina platensis in cow milk showed to be efficient on the daily performance of lambs when utilized in concentration of 10g/day and from period 15 to 30 days of age.

Desempenho de cordeiros santa inês submetidos a aleitamento artificial enriquecido com Spirulina platensis / Performance of santa inês lambs submitted to the use of artificial milk enriched with Spirulina platensis

O experimento foi desenvolvido no Setor de Ovinocultura pertencente à Fazenda Maria Paz, localizada no município de São José de Espinharas, PB, e no Laboratório de Nutrição Animal (LANA) do Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação em creep feeding com leite bovino enriquecido com Spirulina platensis (espirulina) e concentrado no desempenho de cordeiros da raça Santa Inês, mediante o consumo de matéria seca (CMS), consumo de proteína bruta (CPB), peso corporal (PC), ganho de peso médio diário (GPMD), e estimou-se o período da fase de aleitamento mais adequada para a utilização da espirulina. Distribuíram-se trinta cordeiros em um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, testando três níveis de espirulina nas parcelas principais, com parcelas subdivididas no tempo. Não houve efeito de interação do nível de espirulina administrado e os períodos consecutivos, e o efeito dos períodos no consumo foi independente, com o consumo aumentando em função da idade dos animais. Quanto ao peso no final de cada período e ganho de peso médio diário, houve efeito de interação do nível de espirulina e os períodos estudados. O nível de espirulina teve efeito no GPMD apenas dentro dos primeiros quinze dias, com maior ganho para o nível de 10 g de espirulina (300 g) em relação à testemunha (205 g). O peso corporal final foi maior para o tratamento com 10 g de espirulina em todos os períodos estudados (12,0; 17,02; 19,71 e 25,30kg). A diluição de Spirulina platensis no leite bovino se mostrou eficiente no desempenho diário de cordeiros quando utilizada na concentração de 10 g diárias e no período entre quinze e trinta dias de idade.(AU)

The experiment was carried out in Maria Paz Ranch/Sheep Production Department, in São José de Espinharas, PB. Analyses were performed in the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition/Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural/Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the supplementation with cow milk enriched with Spirulina platensis (Sp) on lamb performance submitted to creep feeding, and determine the most adequate period to suplemet nursing lambs with Spirulina platensis. Data on dry matter (DMC) and crude protein (CPC) consumptions, body weight (BW), and mean daily body weight gain (MDBWG) were colleted. The three levels of Spirulina supplementation were assigned to 30 lambs (plots) according to a randomized block (lamb weight) design with 10 replications. Data were collected in four consecutive periods, characterizing a split plot in time. DM and CP consumptions were not affected by spirulina level x period interaction, and increased with periods (animal age). BW and MDBWG were affected by the spirulina level x period interaction. Spirulina levels affected MDBWG only from day 0 to day 15, when the MDBWG (300g) was higher at level 10g than at level zero of Spirulina that resulted in 205g in MDBWG. Live body weight at the end of each period was also higher when the lambs were supplemented with 10 g of Spirulina (12.00 17.02, 19.71 and 25.30kg, respectively, for the four consecutive periods). The dilution of Spirulina platensis in cow milk showed to be efficient on the daily performance of lambs when utilized in concentration of 10g/day and from period 15 to 30 days of age.(AU)

Efeito da temperatura e pH no cultivo de Spirulina major / The effect of temperatura and pH in the Spirulina major cultivation / Efecto de la temperatura y pH en el cultivo de Spirulina major

O gênero Spirulina, devido às suas qualidades nutricionais (alto teor protéico, baixo teor de gordura e alto teor de ácido -linolênico), tem sido considerado muito promissor para a alimentação humana e animal. Spirulina major foi cultivada em escala laboratorial, com o objetivo de determinar a temperatura e o pH ótimos de cultivo, visando uma maior produção de biomassa. Os cultivos foram realizados em sistema fechado, em meio de cultura Guillard-F2, com agitação constante (100rpm), com fotoperíodo de 12 horas, por 8 dias. Foram testadas quatro diferentes temperaturas (20, 25, 30 e 35°C) e quatro valores de pH do meio de cultivo (7,0; 8,0; 9,0 e 10,0). A biomassa obtida era filtrada e seca a 55°C. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a temperatura ótima de cultivo é 30°C e que ocorre uma maior produção de biomassa em pH 8,0. (AU)

The Spirulina genera has great nutritional qualities such as high protein content, low fat and high -Iinolenic acid content, and has been considered a great promising ingredient for human and animal feeding. Spirulina major was cultivated in laboratory scale with the objective of determining the optimal growth temperature and the pH for a greater biomass production. The cultivations were carried out in a closed system, Gillard's F2 medium, constant agitation (100rpm), 12-hour photoperiod, for 8 days. Different temperatures were tested (20°, 25°, 30°, and 35°C), and four pH values of culture medium (7.0; 8.0; 9.0, and 10.0). The resulting biomass was filtered and dried at 55°C. The results showed that 30°C is the best growth temperature, and the largest biomass production occurs at pH 8.0. (AU)

La clase de Spirulina, debido a sus calidades nutricionales (alto contenido proteico, bajo contenido de gordura y alto contenido de ácido -linolénico) ha sido considerado muy promisorio para la alimentación animal y humana. La Spirulina major fue cultivada en escala laboratorial con el objetivo de determinar la temperatura y el pH excelentes de cultivo, buscando una mayor producción de biomasa. Los cultivos fueron realizados en sistema cerrado, en medio de cultura Guillard-F2, con agitación constante (100rpm), con fotoperíodo de 12 horas, por 8 días. Fueron testadas cuatro diferentes temperaturas (20, 25, 30 y 35ºC) y cuatro valores de pH del medio de cultivo (7,0; 8,0; 9,0 e 10,0). La biomasa conseguida fue fi ltrada y seca a 55ºC. Los resultados conseguidos demuestran que la temperatura excelente de cultivo es de 30ºC y que ocurre una mayor producción de biomasa en pH 8,0.(AU)

Outdoor cultivation of Spirulina maxima. I. Winter / Cultivo de Spirulina maxima ao ar livre - I. Inverno

Biomass of photosyntethesizing microorganisms has a tremendous potential for both human and animal feeding due to their over 50% protein content on a dry matter basis. Cultures kept in laboratory require an artificial source of light for their satisfactory growth whereas the large scale production systems take advantage of solar light. Thus, these systems are also afected by environmental conditions such as ambiental temperature, culture temperature, relative humidity of air and rainfall.The effect of these factors in winter season on production of Spirulina maxima biomass were evaluated. Also protein content as well as amino acids profile were determined. A biomass production graph plotted againstperiod of day (morning, afternoon and evening) indicated that the best production period was from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. while a growth curve showed maximum yield of 8:08 g/square meter/day. Lack of rainfall and water losses due to evaporation required reposition of water equivalent to 72.14 mm of rain.

Era função da necessidade de produção de proteína para alimentação humana e animal, a biomassa de microrganismos fotossintetizantes vem sendo utilizada devido a teores protéicos superiores a 50%. Culturasmantidas em laboratório exigem uma fonte de luz artificial para o seu crescimento. Na produção de espirulina em escala industrial utiliza-se luz solar, estando seu crescimento influenciado por fatores tais como: temperatura ambiente; temperatura da cultura; umidade relativa do ar e pluviosidade. Neste trabalho foram estudados os principais fatores supra descritos que influenciam na produção de biomassa de Spirulinamaxima em um aquário de vidro, mantido ao ar livre, durante o inverno de Pirassununga - SP. Teores de proteína, bem como perfil de aminoácidos da espirulina foram determinados. Um gráfico de ganho de biomassa nos diferentes períodos experimentais (matutino, vespertinoe noturno) indicaram que o melhor período de produção de biomassa durante o dia foi das 8 - 13 h e a produtividade atingiu valor máximo de 8,08 g/metro quadrado/dia. Durante todo o experimento foi necessário adicionar água ao sistema, devido à ausência de chuvas; e o total acrescentado equivaleu a 72,14 mm de chuva.