Monitoring Activity for Recognition of Illness in Experimentally Infected Weaned Piglets Using Received Signal Strength Indication ZigBee-based Wireless Acceleration Sensor.

In this experiment, we proposed and implemented a disease forecasting system using a received signal strength indication ZigBee-based wireless network with a 3-axis acceleration sensor to detect illness at an early stage by monitoring movement of experimentally infected weaned piglets. Twenty seven piglets were divided into control, Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection, and Escherichia coli (EC) infection group, and their movements were monitored for five days using wireless sensor nodes on their backs. Data generated showed the 3-axis movement of piglets (X-axis: left and right direction, Y-axis: anteroposterior direction, and Z-axis: up and down direction) at five different time periods. Piglets in both infected groups had lower weight gain and feed intake, as well as higher feed conversion ratios than the control group (p<0.05). Infection with SE and EC resulted in reduced body temperature of the piglets at day 2, 4, and 5 (p<0.05). The early morning X-axis movement did not differ between groups; however, the Y-axis movement was higher in the EC group (day 1 and 2), and the Z-axis movement was higher in the EC (day 1) and SE group (day 4) during different experimental periods (p<0.05). The morning X and Y-axis movement did not differ between treatment groups. However, the Z-axis movement was higher in both infected groups at day 1 and lower at day 4 compared to the control (p<0.05). The midday X-axis movement was significantly lower in both infected groups (day 4 and 5) compared to the control (p<0.05), whereas the Y-axis movement did not differ. The Z-axis movement was highest in the SE group at day 1 and 2 and lower at day 4 and 5 (p<0.05). Evening X-axis movement was highest in the control group throughout the experimental period. During day 1 and 2, the Z-axis movement was higher in both of the infected groups; whereas it was lower in the SE group during day 3 and 4 (p<0.05). During day 1 and 2, the night X-axis movement was lower and the Z-axis movement was higher in the infected piglets (p<0.05). Overall, the movement of infected piglets was altered, and the acceleration sensor could be successfully employed for monitoring pig activity.

Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens as a probiotic strain on growth performance, cecal microflora, and fecal noxious gas emissions of broiler chickens.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens probiotic (BAP) as a direct-fed microbial on growth performance, cecal microflora, serum immunoglobulin levels, and fecal noxious gas emissions of broiler chickens. A total of 400 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment diets formulated to supply 0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 g/kg of BAP and were fed for 35 d. Each treatment had 8 replicate pens with 10 birds per replicate. On completion of the growth trial, fecal samples were collected, and ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions were measured. Increasing concentration of BAP had positive linear effect on the ADG of broilers (P < 0.05) throughout the experimental period, with the highest values being observed in broilers offered 20 g/kg of BAP. The ADFI increased linearly (P < 0.02) with the inclusion of BAP during the overall experimental period (d 0 to 35). Providing BAP had a negative linear effect on FCR from d 0 to 21 and d 0 to 35 (P < 0.01). Supplementation with BAP did not affect cecal Lactobacillus and Bacillus content, but exerted negative linear effect on cecal Escherichia coli (P < 0.05) with increasing the level of BAP in broiler diets. Additionally, BAP modified immune response of broilers by linearly increasing serum IgG and IgA (P < 0.01). Dietary BAP resulted in decreased fecal NH3 emissions at 0 (linear, P < 0.001), 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of incubation (linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P < 0.01). Supplementation of BAP exerted negative linear and quadratic effects on fecal emissions of H2S (P < 0.001) throughout the incubation period except at 48 h, and the optimum effect was found when BAP was provided at 5 g/kg of diet. Based on these results, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens could be suggested as a potential feed additive of broiler diets.

Effects of dietary natural and fermented herb combination on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality in grower-finisher pigs.

The effects of an herb combination (pomegranate, Ginkgo biloba, licorice) in natural (NPGL) or fermented (FPGL) form administered as 0.4% of the basal diet on the performance and meat quality of grower-finisher pigs were evaluated. Dietary supplementation with NPGL or FPGL reduced the feed intake and back fat thickness of pigs, while increasing lean production. Serum IgG was higher in the FPGL supplemented group. Remarkably, ingestion of NPGL and FPGL reduced the ether extract in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) with increased moisture, whereas the cholesterol was lower in the NPGL group. Dietary supplementation of NPGL and FPGL increased the n-3 fatty acid in LDM with a reduced ratio of n-6/n-3. Both NPGL and FPGL significantly reduced the TBARS value of pig meat when fresh and after 2 and 3weeks of storage. Overall, dietary NPGL and FPGL improved the quality of pig meat by increasing the n-3 fatty acid levels while reducing the ether extract and TBARS value.

Meat composition, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of meat from broilers supplemented with pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) by-products.

The effects of diets supplemented with four levels (0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%) of pomegranate by-product (PB) on meat composition, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of broiler meat were evaluated. The crude protein and moisture contents increased, whereas ether extract in breast and thigh meat and cholesterol in breast meat decreased in response to dietary PB supplementation (p<0.05). In breast and thigh meat, the sum of saturated fatty acids was lower, while the sum of mono-unsaturated and n-3 fatty acids were higher, alongside lower n-6/n-3 ratio in the 1.0% and 2.0% PB supplemented group (p<0.05). The TBARS values and pH of breast and thigh meat were reduced in the PB supplemented groups (p<0.05). Overall, the results presented herein indicate that supplementation of diets with up to 2% pomegranate by-products improved the meat composition, fatty acid profile and reduced lipid oxidation of broiler meat.