Concentrations of Essential Trace and Toxic Elements Associated with Production and Manufacturing Processes in Galician Cheese.

The objective of this study was to determine the trace element composition and the toxic metal residues in Galician cow's milk cheese produced in different systems (artisan, industrial, and organic). Fourteen elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) were determined in 58 representative samples of Galician cheeses by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The toxic elements were present at low concentrations, similar to those reported for other unpolluted geographical areas. The essential elements were also within the normal range in cheeses. There were no statistically significant differences between smoked and unsmoked cheeses for any of the elements. Chemometric analyses (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) revealed that the industrial cheeses produced in Galicia using the milk from intensive dairy farms were different, in terms of elemental content, from artisan and organic cheeses, in which the elemental contents were similar.

Effect of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) hay inclusion in the diets of sheep.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing Tifton-85 hay (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 % on a dry matter basis) with water hyacinth hay (Eichhornia crassipes) on intake and digestibility of nutrients, feeding behaviour, rumen and blood parameters of sheep. Five uncastrated male sheep, cannulated in the rumen, with an average body weight of 40 kg were assigned in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The water hyacinth hay contained 870 g/kg dry matter (DM), 159 g/kg crude protein (CP), 547 g/kg neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and 461 g/kg total digestible nutrients (TDN). The DM intake and digestibility of NDF and non-fibre carbohydrates (NFC) were linearly reduced by replacing the Tifton-85 hay with water hyacinth hay. Similarly, there was a linear reduction of rumination time and efficiencies of feeding and rumination of DM and NDF. The concentrations of urea, glucose, AST and GGT in blood plasma were not changed by replacing the Tifton-85 hay with water hyacinth hay. Although water hyacinth hay reduced the intake and digestibility of some nutrients, the Tifton-85 hay replacement could be economically advantageous for sheep feeding.

Factors Affecting Toxic and Essential Trace Element Concentrations in Cow's Milk Produced in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to provide information on the levels of toxic (Cd and Pb) and essential (Cu, Fe, and Zn) elements in cow's milk produced in the State of Pernambuco (Brazil). A total of 142 samples of raw milk were collected, and the concentrations of essential and toxic elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. In almost 30% of the samples analyzed, the Pb content exceeded the maximum level established in the Brazilian legislation (0.05 mg/L). By contrast, in all the samples, the Cd content was below the maximum allowable level (0.02 mg/L). The essential trace elements Cu, Fe, and Zn were generally present at lower concentrations than reported in other studies and can be considered within the deficient range for cow's milk. Statistical and chemometric procedures were used to evaluate the main factors influencing the metal concentrations (proximity to major roads, presence of effluents, and milking method). The study findings demonstrate that the proximity of the farms to major roads influences the concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Cu and that this is the main factor explaining the Pb content of milk. In addition, the presence of effluents influenced the concentrations of Cu, while no relationship between the metal content and the milking method was observed. Thus, in accordance with the study findings, the consumption of cow's milk produced in the region can be considered a risk to public health due to the high concentrations of Pb and the low concentrations of other essential minerals such as Cu, Zn, and Fe in some of the milk samples.

Proteinograma de cabras com toxemia da prenhez

Os estudos sobre a toxemia da prenhez (TP) em caprinos, quando comparados aos ovinos, têm sido menos frequentes, não havendo relatos no Brasil sobre o proteinograma de cabras acometidas por casos clínicos naturais da doença. Assim, realizou-se o proteinograma de cabras com TP, visando avaliar o comportamento biológico das proteínas de fase aguda (PFA), além de indicadores bioquímicos e hormonais nesta enfermidade. Foram avaliadas 36 cabras diagnosticadas com TP, na Clínica de Bovinos - campus Garanhuns/UFRPE e em propriedades. Os animais foram submetidos ao exame clínico e ultrassonográfico, seguido de coleta de sangue e urina para exames laboratoriais. As cabras apresentaram sinais clínicos de TP, com valores de beta-hidroxibutirato (BHB) e ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNE) elevados e glicose normal. Cetonúria foi observada em todos os animais. No proteinograma, houve aumento nos níveis séricos de haptoglobina. O perfil hormonal revelou níveis séricos elevados de cortisol e reduzidos de insulina. Em conclusão, o severo transtorno metabólico provocado pela TP em cabras provoca elevação dos níveis séricos de haptoglobina, além das alterações no perfil bioquímico e hormonal, refletindo marcantes modificações no metabolismo lipídico.

Aspectos radiográficos da mandíbula e crista interdentária de bovinos induzidos ao hiperparatiroidismo secundário nutricional

Quinze novilhos não castrados, mestiços leiteiros, com idades entre oito e 14 meses, aparentemente sadios, foram induzidosao Hiperparatiroidismo Secundário Nutricional (HSN). Com esta finalidade foram distribuídos cinco animais para cada grupo,constituindo-se três grupos distintos e submetendo-os a três tratamentos. O T1 continha o nível de cálcio (Ca) equivalente a0,45% e de fósforo (P) a 0,36%; o T2 com o nível de Ca igual a 0,45% e o de P a 0,72% e o T3 com o nível de Ca igual a 0,34%e o de P a 0,14%. Decorridos 180 dias, os animais foram sacrificados e radiografias da mandíbula foram obtidas. Redução naaltura da crista interdentária e da densidade óssea da mandíbula foram os sinais radiográficos mais evidentes, constituindose,desta forma, uma referência radiográfica no diagnóstico de bovinos com HSN.