Biochemical Properties of α-Amylase from Midgut of Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Larvae.

The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), is the main insect pest in the poultry industry, thus causing serious damage to production. In this work, the properties of midgut α-amylase from larvae of A. diaperinus were characterized, and its in vitro activity to proteinaceous preparations from different cultivars of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) was determined, as well as the amylolitic activity of insects reared on different types of poultry diet. In order to establish some assay conditions, time course and enzyme concentration upon the reaction rate were determined. Product proceeded linearly with time, and the activity was directly proportional to the enzyme concentration. Banding patterns in mildly denaturing electrophoresis showed a single band with apparent molecular weight of 42 kDa. α-Amylase reached optimal temperature at 45°C and pH 5.0 as the optimal one. It maintained 34.6% of the activity after being kept at 60°C for 5 min, and 23%, after 60 min. However, at 80°C, only 14 and 6% remained after 5 and 60 min, respectively. The presence of Ca2+ and Na+ ions decreased the enzyme activity at concentrations higher than 2 and 100 mM, respectively. The activity was significantly inhibited by some proteinaceous extracts from common bean cultivars, and it declined with increasing proteinaceous concentration. No significant difference was observed when the amylolytic activity was determined in A. diaperinus reared on different poultry diets, offered to broilers in the starter, grower, finisher, and layer phases.

1, 25-dihidroxivitamina-D 3 sobre as características ósseas de frangos de corte fêmeas / 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 over bony characteristics of female broilers

Objetivou-se avaliar as características dos tibiotarsos de frangos de corte fêmeas. As variáveis analisadas foram os pesos in natura, secos e desengordurados, o comprimento, os diâmetros, a resistência óssea, o índice de Seedor (IS), os percentuais de proteínas colagenosas (PC), as proteínas não colagenosas (PNC), os minerais (cálcio, fósforo, potássio e sódio) e as cinzas. Foram utilizadas 648 aves, da marca comercial Cobb®, em um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos e seis repetições, com 18 aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram na suplementação de 0,00; 0,50; 1,00; 1,50; 2,00 e 2,50 µg de 1,25-dihidroxivitamina-D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)/kg de ração. Aos 21 e 35 dias de idade, as aves foram pesadas e uma ave por unidade experimental (UE) com o peso médio da UE foi eutanasiada para a obtenção dos tibiotarsos e subsequente análise dos parâmetros ósseos. As variáveis métricas, bem como a composição orgânica (PC), a densidade (IS) e a resistência à quebra dos ossos das aves, não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos. No recebimento de 2,50 µg de 1,25(OH)2D3/kg de ração, observou-se maior retenção mineral (cinzas) nos ossos das aves aos 35 dias de idade.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of tibiotarsus of female broilers. The variables analyzed were the weights in natura, dry and degreased, length, diameter, bone strength, Seedor index, percentage of collagenous protein (CP), non-collagenous proteins (NCP), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium), and ash. Six hundred forty-eight, Cobb® birds were used, a design of randomized blocks with six treatments and six replicates of 18 birds each. The treatments consisted of supplementation of 0.00; 0.50; 1.00; 1.50; 2.00 to 2.50 µg of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)/kg of ration. At 21 and 35 days of age the birds were weighed and a unit/experimental unit (EU) with the EU average weight was euthanized to obtain the tibiotarsos and subsequent analysis of the bone parameters. The metric variables, as well as the organic composition (CP), density (IS) and resistance to breakage of the bones of the birds were not affected by treatments. Upon reception of 2.50 µg of 1,25(OH)2D3/kg ration, there was a higher mineral retention (ashes) in the bones of female broilers at 35 days of age.(AU)

Adição da parede celular de levedura (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) na dieta para frangos de corte / Addition of the yeast cell wall (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in the diet for broilers chickens

Os efeitos da parede celular de Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PCSc) na dieta para frangos foram avaliados com base nos tratamentos: dieta referência com avilamicina (AV); dieta referência (DR); DR com 0,1% de PCSc (PCSc0,1); DR com 0,2% de PCSc (PCSc0,2); DR com 0,3% de PCSc (PCSc0,3). O delineamento foi o de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições de 10 aves, totalizando 300 frangos, machos. No período de nove a 21 dias de idade, o tratamento PCSc0,3 influenciou negativamente no ganho de peso (631g), e no período de 34 a 39 dias, o tratamento PCSc0,1 proporcionou melhor ganho de peso (461g) em relação ao tratamento com o antimicrobiano. O maior peso vivo ao abate, 2571g, foi obtido no tratamento PCSc0,1. Os pesos absolutos de sobrecoxa e coxa+sobrecoxa foram maiores nos tratamentos PCSc0,1 (290g e 560g) e PCSc0,2 (292g e 561g) e menores no tratamento PCSc0,3 (263g e 515g). Não houve influência na metabolizabilidade da ração e na contagem total de coliformes totais no íleo. Dietas com inclusão de até 0,2% de PCSc resultaram em índices produtivos adequados, podendo ser utilizadas como aditivo em dietas livres de antimicrobiano melhorador de desempenho sem o comprometimento do desempenho, características de carcaça, metabolizabilidade da ração e da contagem total de coliformes totais do íleo.

The effects of the yeast cell wall (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (CWSc) in the diet of broiler chickens were evaluated through the following treatments: reference diet with avilamicin (AV); reference diet (RD); RD with 0.1% CWSc (CWSc0,1); RD with 0.2% CWSc (CWSc0,2); RD with 0.3% CWSc (CWSc0,3). The study design was randomized blocks, with five treatments and six replicates of 10 birds, totaling 300 male broilers. In the period from 9 to 21 days treatment CWSc0.3 had a negative influence on weight gain (631g) and from 34 to 39 days CWSc0.1 provided better weight gain (461g) compared to the treatment with the antimicrobial. The highest live weight value at slaughter, 2,571 grams, was obtained in treatment CWSc0.1. The absolute weights of drumstick and thigh+drumstick were higher in treatments CWSc0.1 (290g and 560g) and CWSc0.2 (292g and 561g) and were lower for CWSc0.3 (263g and 515g). There was no influence of the treatments on both the metabolizability and the total count of coliforms in the ileum. Diets until 0.2% of PCSc inclusion resulted in correct productive rates and they can be used as a ration growth promoter additive in antimicrobial free diets without damage on performance, carcass characteristics, organ weight, metabolizability of the diets and total coliform count in the ileum.

Teor de metionina + cistina total para codornas de corte do grupo genético EV2 durante o período de crescimento / Total methionine + cystine diet content for EV2 strain of European quail during the growing period

Avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes porcentagens de inclusão de metionina + cistina sobre o desempenho de codornas de corte durante as fases inicial - nascimento ao 21º dia - e total de criação - nascimento a 35º dia de idade. Foram utilizadas 288 codornas, de ambos os sexos, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com seis porcentagens de inclusão de metionina + cistina total, 0,73; 0,79; 0,85; 0,91; 0,97 e 1,03%, quatro repetições e 12 aves por unidade experimental. As variáveis avaliadas foram peso corporal, ganho de peso, consumo e conversão alimentar do nascimento ao 21º dia e do nascimento ao 35º dia de idade. Verificou-se efeito quadrático da inclusão do nascimento ao 21º dia de idade para todas as características avaliadas, observando melhor desempenho com 0,97% de metionina + cistina para peso corporal e ganho de peso, e 0,96% para consumo e conversão alimentar. Houve efeito quadrático da adição nível de metionina + cistina do nascimento ao 35º dia de idade para peso corporal, ganho de peso e consumo alimentar, com melhor desempenho com 0,95; 0,95 e 0,96%, respectivamente. A exigência de metionina + cistina para máximo ganho de peso na fase inicial foi de 0,97%, e para fase total de criação 0,95%.

The effect of total methionine + cystine on performance of European quail EV2 strain during two phases of the growth period (from hatch to 21 days and from hatch to 35 days of age) were evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design, with six levels of methinine + cystine (.73; .79; .85; .91; .97 and 1.03), four replicates and 12 quails per experimental unit. Body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed:weight gain ratio were recorded from hatch to 21 days and from hatch to 35 days of age. The quadratic effect of methionine + cystine was observed for all traits measured from hatch to 21 days of age. Highest body weight and weight gain were estimated for quails fed .95% methionine + cystine diets, while better feed intake and feed:weight gain ratio were estimated for those fed .96% diets. The quadratic effects of methionine + cystine levels on body weight, weight gain and feed intake were also observed from hatch to 35 days of age, with estimated highest performance for quails fed .95%; .95%;and .96% diets, respectively. Methionine + cystine requirement for EV2 strain is .97% from hatch to 21 days of age and .97% from hatch to 35 days of age.

Efficacy of piperine in reducing the effects of aflatoxin intoxication in broiler chickens: a preliminary report / Eficácia da piperina na redução dos efeitos da intoxicação de frangos de corte com aflatoxina: estudo preliminar

Aflatoxina é uma micotoxina que promove importantes efeitos tóxicos na saúde humana e animal, mesmo quando consumida em baixas doses. A administração oral de piperina (2,25mg Kg-1) em frangos de corte, por 14 dias consecutivos, aparentemente interferiu na toxidez da aflatoxina, diminuindo os danos hepáticos e seus efeitos adversos sobre os parâmetros hematológicos característicos da aflatoxicose. Esses dados preliminares sugerem que a piperina poderia ser usada na prevenção dos efeitos tóxicos originados pela ingestão de aflatoxina.

Composição química e digestibilidade de partes e subprodutos de aves nas formas crua e cozida para cães / Chemical composition and digestibility of raw and cooked chicken parts for dogs

Determinou-se a composição de partes da carcaça - pescoço, dorso e pés de aves -, e sua digestibilidade, usadas para cães nas formas crua e cozida. Os animais, pesados antes e depois do período experimental, foram alimentados uma vez ao dia, com livre acesso ao alimento por uma hora. Cada animal recebeu aproximadamente 50g alimento/kg de peso. As fezes, coletadas diariamente, foram pesadas e congeladas até a realização das análises bromatológicas. Os pés apresentaram os maiores valores de proteína bruta (PB) e matéria mineral (MM), o pescoço, o maior valor de energia bruta (EB), e o dorso, os de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO) e extrato etéreo (EE). O cozimento não alterou a composição dos alimentos, entretanto os alimentos cozidos apresentaram teores menores em PB e maiores em EE. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da MO e da PB do pescoço aumentaram significativamente quando este foi cozido, e os valores de energia metabolizável (EM) e energia digestível (ED) diminuíram. O cozimento do dorso resultou em redução de EM e ED. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da MS, MO e PB e a ED e EM do pé foram significativamente maiores para os pés cozidos.

In order to use an ingredient to formulate dog foods, it is ideal to the industry to know its properties including the digestibility. So, this work studied the chemical composition and the digestibility of chicken parts used to feed dogs, since they are used frequently by the dog food industry. The ingredients were raw and cooked neck, back, and feet. The animals were weighted before and after the experimental period and food was served once a day. The food was weighted before and after being served. Each animal consumed approximately 50g food/kg body weight. The feces were collected daily and freezed as well as the food until the bromatological analyses procedures. The feet had the highest values for crude protein (CP) and mineral content (MC); while the back, the highest values for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and fat. Cooking had no significant effect on chemical composition of the ingredients. Considering the digestibility coefficient, OM and CP of neck had a significant increase when it was used in the cooked form; but, the metabolizable energy (ME) and the digestible energy (DE) values considerably decreased. For the back, the heat treatment resulted in a significant reduction of ME and DE and the digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, and CP, and ME, and DE of the feet were higher using the same treatment.

Transportation of juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) in a closed system.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of density, duration and the use of additives to the water during the transportation of juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and use of this data to establish a safe transportation protocol for the species. The tested products and dosages were: salt (1000, 2000 and 3000 mg/L), gypsum (100, 300 and 500 mg/L) and benzocaine (10, 20 and 30 mg/L). Fish were transported in closed systems (plastic bag) at different densities and time periods of up to 24 h. Fish survival (FS) and water quality parameters were monitored immediately after transportation. The remaining fish were kept in floating cages in order to evaluate mortality which occurred up to 96 h after transportation (S96). The best fish density, additives dosages and time period of the transportation was estimated with a general linear model. The effect of the condition factor on FS and S96 was also evaluated. As expected, FS and S96 were significantly related to time and density. FS but not S96, were also were significantly related to treatment. FS with gypsum treatment was not different from controls and FS with table salt and benzocaine treatments were significantly reduced. The condition factor was not related to either FS or S96. FS was inversely correlated with carbon dioxide concentration. It was concluded that the additives did not improve fish transportation survival. Linear models were developed to predict the best transportation densities as a function of time.

Transportation of juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) in a closed system

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito da densidade, duração e do uso de aditivos na água durante o transporte de juvenis de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) e usar estes resultados para estabelecer um protocolo seguro de transporte para esta espécie. Os produtos testados e suas doses foram: sal de mesa (1000, 2000 e 3000 mg/L), gesso (100, 300 e 500 mg/L) e benzocaína (10, 20 e 30 mg/L). Os peixes foram transportados em sistema fechado (saco plástico) em diferentes densidades e por diferentes tempos por até 24 h de transporte. A sobrevivência e os parâmetros de qualidade da água foram monitorados imediatamente após o transporte. Os peixes que sobreviveram ao transporte foram colocados em tanques-rede para avaliar a mortalidade após 96 h. A melhor densidade, tempo de transporte e aditivo foram estimados por modelo linear geral. O efeito do fator de condição na sobrevivência após o transporte e na sobrevivência de 96 h também foi avaliado. Como esperado, a sobrevivência após o transporte e a sobrevivência de 96 h foram significativamente correlacionados com o tempo e a densidade. A sobrevivência após o transporte, mas não a sobrevivência de 96 h, também tem correlação com os aditivos testados. A sobrevivência após o transporte é significativamente igual para o tratamento controle e para os tratamentos que receberam gesso e significativamente menor para os tratamentos que receberam sal e benzocaína. O fator de condição não tem correlação com a sobrevivência após o transporte e a sobrevivência de 96 h. É conclusivo que os aditivos testados não melhoram a sobrevivência de juvenis de tambaqui após o transporte. Modelos lineares foram desenvolvidos para predizer a melhor densidade de transporte em função do tempo.

Diel variation of larval fish abundance in the Amazon and Rio Negro

Many streams and large rivers present higher ichthyoplankton densities at night. However, in some rivers this does not occur and larvae are equally abundant during the day. Larval drift diel variation is an important information for planning sampling programs for evaluating larval distribution and production. The aim of this study was to test whether the abundance of larval fish was different at either period. We tested it by comparing day and night densities of characiform, clupeiform and siluriform larvae during five years in the Amazon and one year in Rio Negro. We found that larvae of three species of characiform and larvae of siluriform were equally abundant during day and night in the Amazon. Conversely, the catch of Pellona spp. larvae was significantly higher during the day. In Rio Negro, however, larval abundance was higher during the night. These results imply that day samplings estimate adequately the abundance of these characiform and siluriform larvae in the Amazon, but not Pellona larvae. Evaluations of larved densities of Rio Negro will have to consider night sampling