Reuse of lime sludge from immediate one-step lime precipitation process as a coagulant (aid) in slaughterhouse wastewater treatment.

The circularity of wastewater treatment subproducts is on the worldwide agenda. In this way, this work aims to evaluate alternatives for the reuse of sludge from slaughterhouse wastewater treatment. Wetted sludges produced in the immediate one-step lime precipitation process were applied directly or first calcined, as a coagulant or coagulant aid, in the absence or presence of Ca(OH)2, to slaughterhouse wastewaters with different characteristics. For the best sludge reuse, successive reuses of the sludge were carried out and the characteristics of treated slaughterhouse wastewater were evaluated after each reuse. Results showed a great similarity between slaughterhouse and treated slaughterhouse wastewaters using wetted and calcined sludges as a coagulant for highly contaminated slaughterhouse wastewater. In addition, a great similarity was also observed between the calcined and the wetted sludges, both as a coagulant aid, for all the slaughterhouse wastewaters tested. However, the latter consumed more hydrated lime, more volume of sludge sedimented, and higher concentrations phosphorus and organic matter in the treated wastewater. Calcined sludge as a coagulant aid guaranteed the best slaughterhouse wastewater quality for almost of the tested paramenters (≥94% for absorbances at 254 nm and 410 nm, E. coli, turbidity, and phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand between 3 and 91%, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen between 3 and 62%) independently of the wastewater characteristics. Calcined sludge as a coagulant aid can be three times reused for the tested parameters and slaughterhouse wastewater characteristics without significantly decreasing the quality. The successive sludge reused saves the hydrated lime dose applied (up to 28.4%) and the sedimented sludge volume (up to 24.7%), and can be a solution to stabilize sludge due to the pH increase (sludge pH = 12).

Advancements of sequencing batch biofilm reactor for slaughterhouse wastewater assisted with response surface methodology.

Slaughterhouse wastewater (SWW) contains a significant volume of highly polluted organic wastes. These include blood, fat, soluble proteins, colloidal particles, suspended materials, meat particles, and intestinal undigested food that consists of higher concentrations of organics such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen and phosphorus hence an efficient treatment is required before discharging into the water bodies. The effluent concentrations and performance of simultaneous sequential batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) with recycled plastic carrier media support are better than the local single-stage sequential batch reactor (SBR), which is lacking in the literature in terms of COD, NH3, NO3, and PO4 treatment efficiency. The present study reports a novel strategy to remove the above mentioned contaminants using an intermittently aerated SBBR with recycled plastic carrier media support along with simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. The central composite design was evaluated to optimize the treatment performance of seven different process variables including; different alternating conditions (Oxic/anoxic) for aeration cycles (3/2 h in a 6 h cycle, 6/5 h in a 12 h cycle and 9/8 h in an 18 h cycle) and hydraulic retention time (6, 12 and 18 h). The average removal efficiencies are 94.5% for NH3, 93% for NO3 and 90.1% for PO4, and 99% for COD. The study reveals that the denitrification in the post-anoxic phase was more efficient than the pre-anoxic phase for pollutant removal and maintaining higher quality effluent. The effluent concentrations and performance of simultaneous SBBR with recycled polyethylene carrier support media were better than local SBR system in terms of COD, NH3, NO3 and PO4 treatment efficiency. Results stipulated the suitability of SBBR for wastewater treatment and reusability as a sustainable approach for wastewater management under optimum conditions.

Screening plant growth effects of sheep slaughterhouse waste-derived soil amendments in greenhouse trials.

Ameliorative effects of sheep slaughterhouse waste-derived soil amendments (struvite, blood meal, bone meal) were explored and quantified by a series of comparative greenhouse trials. A scoring matrix system was developed for 25 different test plants using 300 agricultural measurements obtained for three basic growth parameters (fresh-dry plant weights and plant heights) and four different fertilizer sources including solid vermicompost. More than 70% of NH4+-N recovery from sheep slaughterhouse wastewater was achieved using a chemical combination of MgCl2.6H2O + NaH2PO4.2H2O, a molar ratio of Mg2+:NH4+-N:PO43-P = 1.2:1:1, a reaction pH of 9.0, an initial NH4+-N concentration of 240 mg/L, and a reaction time of 15 min. According to SEM micrographs, surface morphology of struvite exhibited a highly porous structure composed of irregularly shaped crystals of various sizes (11.34-79.38 µm). FTIR spectroscopy verified the active functional groups on the proximity of all fertilizer sources within the spectral range of 500-3900 cm-1. TGA-DTG-DSC thermograms of struvite revealed that the mass loss occurred in two temperature regions and reached a maximum mass loss rate of 1.63%/min at 317 °C. The average percentages of increase (57.55-100.62%) and performance points (69-79) corroborated that the fertility value of struvite ranked first on average in cultivation of the analyzed plant species. Findings of this agro-valorization study confirmed that sheep slaughterhouse waste-derived fertilizers could be a beneficial way to promote bio-waste management and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Process optimization of struvite recovered from slaughterhouse wastewater and its fertilizing efficacy in amendment of biofertilizer.

The intensive discharge of slaughterhouse waste into water bodies increases Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) in the wastewater and leads to various environmental problems. On the other hand, the increasing treatment effort after the extraction of these valuable nutrients in the commercial fertilizer reduces the dependence on scarce phosphate resources. The viable solution is to recover N, P as struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) from nutrient rich waste water as a small scale treatment unit application. The main parameters that have a significant impact on the process, including pH, Mg: P ratio, and precipitation time, were investigated from slaughterhouse wastewater using a central composite design and the experimental data's were statistically analysed. The results indicated that pH and Mg/P ratio level had a significant impact and thus 85% struvite precipitation efficiency was achieved at 9.6 pH and 1.5 dose mol ratio (mol Mg per mol P), in an inexpensive, stirred tank batch reactor with a retention time of 70 min. The fertilization efficiency was tested on the growth of Solanum melongena L with the obtained struvite and the integration of struvite with the Azospirullum rhizobium and Bacillus megaterium. Treatment of struvite, struvite with Azospirillum rhizobium and Bacillus megaterium increased growth parameters by 10%, 20%, and 25%, respectively, over control. The assessment of growth factors showed the most amazing number of fruits, shoots, and root length in a standard ratio of 60:40 of struvite to bio-inoculants compared to sole struvite fertilizer. Findings of this study would be beneficial to determine the feasibility of slaughterhouse waste as a phosphorus source for struvite recovery.

A comprehensive techno-economic analysis of income-generating sources on the conversion of real sheep slaughterhouse waste stream into valorized by-products.

The present analysis was conducted as the first research to assess the techno-economic viability of the value-added by-products (struvite, blood meal, bone meal, and raw sheepskin) from a medium-scale sheep slaughterhouse facility with a slaughtering capacity of 300 sheep per day. For this aim, a comparative technical and economic feasibility analysis was performed to assess the synergistic use of slaughterhouse-oriented rendering wastes and struvite recovery from real sheep abattoir effluent within the framework of detailed cost breakdown, break-even point, and payback period analyses. The experimental findings clearly showed that under the optimal conditions (chemical combination of MgCl2.6H2O + NaH2PO4.2H2O, a molar ratio of Mg2+:NH4+-N:PO43--P = 1.2:1:1, a reaction pH of 9.0, an initial ammonium concentration of 240 mg NH4+-N/L, and a reaction time of 15 min), struvite precipitation could effectively remove about 73%, 64%, 59%, and 82% of NH4+-N, TCOD, SCOD, and color, respectively, from the real sheep slaughterhouse waste stream. Based on various up-to-date techno-economic items considered within the break-even point analysis, the sheep slaughterhouse facility was estimated to achieve the targeted net income (€100/day) for any selling prices of €1041.30/ton, €640.05/ton, €263.72/ton, and €1.012/hide, respectively, for struvite, blood meal, bone meal, and raw sheepskin. Steel construction and chemicals were determined as the most costly components for CAPEX (capital expenditures) and OPEX (operating expenditures), respectively, and selling prices of bone meal and raw sheepskin were found to be the most critical income items on the profitability of the slaughterhouse facility. Co-monetary assessment of the struvite process and valorized compounds corroborated the economic viability of the proposed project with the payback periods of about 6.3 and 5.5 years, respectively, for the current market and the profit-oriented conditions without subsidy. The findings of this feasibility analysis, as the first of its own, could be used as guideline for simplifying the decision-making with regards to the feasibility of similar facilities and commercialization of profitable by-products.

Electrocoagulation for nutrients removal in the slaughterhouse wastewater: comparison between iron and aluminum electrodes treatment.

The poultry slaughterhouse wastewater has a high pollutant load, mainly organic matter, and nutrient content. The nitrogen and phosphorus discharge can cause eutrophication of the receiving water bodies. Electrocoagulation has been studied for several pollutants removal from different sources. The objective of this work was to evaluate the electrocoagulation process in the poultry slaughterhouse wastewater treatment using both iron and electrodes to remove total nitrogen and phosphorus. After the raw and polished wastewater characterisation, a 2³ Central Composite Rotatable Design was applied to evaluate the current density, initial pH, and electrocoagulation time influence on the nutrients removal and to find the optimum condition of nutrients removal. Once the optimum condition for nutrient removal was stablished, other physicochemical, microbiological, and ecotoxicological parameters, as well as the treatment cost, were investigated to determine which electrode material was the most efficient. For raw wastewater, applying the optimum treatment condition of 20 mA cm-2 current density, initial pH 6.2, and time of 20 min, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal presented similar for both electrode materials. Besides being cheaper ($ 4.13 m-3), iron electrode treatment presented better Chemical Oxygen Demand, oils and greases, solids, and ecotoxicity removal. For polished wastewater, the treatment with aluminum electrode was more efficient under the applied current density of 30 mA cm-2, initial pH 8 and time of 10 min, obtaining the lowest cost $ 3.89 m-3. In the iron electrode case, the final pH exceeds the limits established by local legislation requiring correction for release into water bodies.

Carcass characteristics and meat evaluation of cattle finished in temperate pasture and supplemented with natural additive containing clove, cashew oil, castor oils, and a microencapsulated blend of eugenol, thymol, and vanillin.

BACKGROUND: Forty crossbred steers were supplemented with different doses (from 0 control to 6000 mg/animal/day) of natural additive blend containing clove essential oil, cashew oil, castor oil, and a microencapsulated blend of eugenol, thymol, and vanillin for 80 days. Carcass characteristics, drip loss, and antioxidant activity were evaluated 24 h post mortem on longissimus thoracis, and the effects of aging (until 14 days) were evaluated for water losses (thawing/aging and cooking), texture, color, and lipid oxidation. RESULTS: The use of the natural additive blend did not modify (P > 0.05) carcass characteristics but did, however, modify body composition (P < 0.05). Drip losses were unaffected by the treatments tested (P > 0.05). There was an observed quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on losses from thawing/aging on the first day of storage. Regarding the effects of natural additives on cooking losses, there was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) among the treatments on day 7 of aging. Differences between days of aging were only observed with control treatment. Shear force was similar among treatments on days 1 and 7 of aging. On day 14 a linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed. Also, a linear effect (P < 0.05) appeared on meat lightness, meat from the control group being clearer on day 1. No changes were observed in redness among treatments or days of storage (P > 0.05). Yellowness was not modified by the treatments (P > 0.05)but only by the days of storage in control and the lowest dosage used. CONCLUSION: The blend of natural additives has potential use in pasture feeding and could improve meat quality. However, doses should be adjusted. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Valorization of poultry slaughterhouse sludge oil: a strategy to reduce Brazil's dependency on soybean oil in the biodiesel industry.

During the poultry industrialization process the so-called sludge oil, a residual chicken fat, is recovered in the wastewater treatment plant and its use presents potential as raw material for biodiesel production. Thus, the aim of the study was to prepare blends of sludge oil with soybean oil to obtain fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) through the homogeneous alkaline transesterification reaction. To perform this study, a simple pre-treatment process - heating and subsequent filtration - was used, allowing sludge oil to be mixed with soybean oil to compose blends, without the need to use more sophisticated pre-treatment processes. After this step, blends ranging from 5% to 90% (m/m) of sludge oil mixed with soybean oil were prepared. The results showed that the molar ratio (1:6 oil blend:methanol), catalyst concentration 0.5% NaOH (mcat/moil), at 65 °C for 60 min yielded FAME above 99.0 and 90.0% (m/m) for blends with up to 5 and 15% sludge oil, respectively. By increasing the temperature to 70 °C, under the same selected parameters, the blend with 10% sludge oil provided yield above 99.0% (m/m), presenting appropriate physicochemical properties, within the parameters required by National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). These findings show the great potential sludge oil provides to reduce Brazil's dependency on soybean oil for biodiesel production.Highlights Sludge oil, a waste raw material for biodiesel production, is not yet explored in Brazil.A procedure for biodiesel production using soybean oil and sludge oil blends was proposed.The best reaction condition was 1:6 oil blend:MeOH molar ratio; 0.5% NaOH (mcat/moil), at 70 °C for 60 min.Biodiesel yield was higher than 99% (m/m) under optimal reaction conditions.Sludge oil represents a promising waste raw material for biodiesel production.

Evaluation of advanced phosphorus removal from slaughterhouse wastewater using industrial waste-based adsorbents.

Slaughterhouse wastewater (SWW) contains high concentrations of phosphorus (P) and is considered as a principal industrial contaminant that causes eutrophication. This study developed two kinds of economical P removal adsorbents using flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) as the main raw material and bentonite, clay, steel slag and fly ash as the additives. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent composed of 60% FGDG, 20% steel slag, and 20% fly ash (DSGA2) was found to be 15.85 mg P/g, which was 19 times that of the adsorbent synthesized using 60% FGDG, 30% bentonite, and 10% clay (DSGA1) (0.82 mg P/g). Surface adsorption, internal diffusion, and ionic dissolution co-existed in the P removal process. The adsorption capacity of DSGA2 (2.50 mg P/g) was also evaluated in column experiments. The removal efficiency was determined to be higher than 92% in the first 5 days, while the corresponding effluent concentration was lower than the Chinese upcoming SWW discharge limit of 2 mg P/L. Compared with DSGA1, DSGA2 (synthesized from various industrial wastes) showed obvious advantages in improving adsorption capacity of P. The results showed that DSGA2 is a promising adsorbent for the advanced removal of P from SWW in practical applications.

An IoT Platform Towards the Enhancement of Poultry Production Chains.

As a consequence of the projected world population growth, world meat consumption is expected to grow. Therefore, meat production needs to be improved, although it cannot be done at any cost. Maintaining the health and welfare status of animals at optimal levels has traditionally been a main concern of farmers and, more recently, consumers. In this article, the Poultry Chain Management (PCM) platform is presented. It aims at collecting data across the different phases of the poultry production chain. The collection of these data not only contributes to determining the quality of each phase and the poultry production chain as a whole, but more importantly, to identifying critical issues causing process inefficiencies and to support decision-making towards the holistic improvement of the production chain. Results show that the information gathered can be exploited to make different suggestions to guarantee poultry welfare and, ultimately, improve the quality of the meat.

The potential of adopting struvite precipitation as a strategy for the removal of nutrients from pre-AnMBR treated abattoir wastewater.

Large volume of wastewater consisting complex forms of organics, lipids and nutrients, is discharged from the abattoir (red meat) processing industry. In this study, nutrient rich pre-Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) treated abattoir effluent was fed to a struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) precipitator to evaluate the possibility of developing an innovative environmentally sustainable treatment technology to produce nutrient free high-quality treated effluent. A series of continuous and batch experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of pH and presence of Ca2+ on struvite precipitation. The study found that Mg2+:Ca2+ molar ratio of 0.8 (or high Ca2+) impacts on the production and quality of struvite significantly. Pre-AnMBR treated abattoir wastewater with negligible Ca2+ (Mg2+:Ca2+ molar ratio > 20) showed over 80% removal of phosphorus via struvite precipitation. The highest removal rates of both nitrogen and phosphorus were achieved at pH 9.5 with Mg2+:PO43- molar ratio of 2:1.

Fertilizer produced from abattoir waste can contribute to phosphorus sustainability, and biofortify crops with minerals.

Our food security depends on finding a sustainable alternative to rock phosphate for fertilizer production. Furthermore, over 2 billion people worldwide are currently affected by micronutrient deficiencies, and crop concentrations of essential minerals are declining. This paper examines whether a novel multi-element fertilizer, Thallo®, can produce crop yields comparable to conventional rock phosphate derived fertilizers, and have an additional benefit of increasing essential mineral concentrations. Thallo®, produced from abattoir and recycled industrial by-products, was tested against conventional mineral fertilizers in a pot trial with wheat and grass. In soil, yields were comparable between the fertilizer types, but, in a low-nutrient substrate, Thallo® showed a yield benefit. Elemental concentrations in the plant material typically reflected the relative concentrations in the fertilizer, and Thallo® fertilized plants contained significantly more of some essential elements, such as selenium and zinc. Furthermore, concentrations of the toxic element cadmium were significantly lower in Thallo® fertilized crops. Among the fertilizers, manganese concentrations were greatest in the Thallo®, but within the fertilized plants, they were greatest under the mineral fertilizer, showing the complexity of assessing whether nutrients will be taken up by crops. In summary, fertilizers from livestock waste have the potential to improve wheat and grass concentrations of essential elements while maintaining yields.

Biological wastewater treatment (anaerobic-aerobic) technologies for safe discharge of treated slaughterhouse and meat processing wastewater.

Slaughterhouse industry generates considerable amount of wastewater rich in proteins, lipids, fibres, and carbohydrates. Numerous technologies such as electrocoagulation, membrane separation, advanced oxidation, physico-chemical processes, and biological treatment have been implemented for reducing the concentrations of these compounds. Nevertheless, this review aims to provide extensive information solely on the biological treatment (anaerobic and aerobic) of slaughterhouse wastewater. The advantages of anaerobic treatment are excellent organic matter removal, less sludge production, low energy requirement, execution of higher loading rates, and considerable production of biogas. Aerobic treatment on the other hand is a less sensitive process, possess lower start-up period, and efficient nutrient removal process. Numerous case studies are described to bestow maximum understanding of the wastewater characteristics, kind of treatment employed, and complications involved in managing and treating of slaughterhouse effluent. Additionally, role of microbial community involved in the treatment of slaughterhouse waste is also discussed. Sequential anaerobic and aerobic reactors are also reviewed in order to present their advantages over single bioreactors. Intermittent sequencing batch reactor is a promising technology than other high rate digesters in the removal of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous.

Effect of zinc source and concentration and chromium supplementation on performance and carcass characteristics in feedlot steers1,2,3.

Four hundred crossbred steers were used in a randomized complete block design to investigate the effects of supplemental Zn source and concentration, and dietary Cr on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers fed a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet. Steers were blocked by initial BW within cattle source (3 sources) and randomly assigned within block to 1 of 5 treatments. Before the initiation of the experiment, trace mineral supplement sources were analyzed for Zn and Cr. Zinc and Cr concentrations of the Zn sources were used to balance all dietary treatments to obtain correct Zn and Cr experimental doses. Treatments were the addition of: 1) 90 mg Zn/kg DM from ZnSO4 and 0.25 mg Cr/kg DM from Cr propionate (90ZS+Cr); 2) 30 mg Zn/kg DM from Zn hydroxychloride and 0.25 mg Cr/kg DM from Cr propionate (30ZH+Cr); 3) 90 mg Zn/kg DM from Zn hydroxychloride and 0.25 mg Cr/kg DM from Cr propionate (90ZH+Cr); 4) 60 mg Zn/kg DM from ZnSO4 and 30 mg Zn/kg DM from Zn methionine (90ZSM); and 5) 90 mg Zn/kg DM from Zn hydroxychloride (90ZH). Steers were individually weighed on d-2 and on 2 consecutive days at the end of the experiment. Initial liver biopsies were obtained from all steers at processing. Equal numbers of pen replicates per treatment were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir on day 162, 176, and 211; individual carcass data and final liver samples were collected. Total finishing dietary Zn and Cr concentrations were 118.4, 58.2, 114.2, 123.0, and 108.2 mg Zn/kg DM and 0.740, 0.668, 0.763, 0.767, and 0.461 mg Cr/kg DM, for treatments 1 to 5, respectively. Data were analyzed statistically using preplanned single degree of freedom contrasts. Steers receiving 90ZH+Cr had greater final BW (P < 0.04) and ADG (P < 0.03) when compared with steers receiving 90ZH. Additionally, hot carcass weight was 8.5 kg greater (P < 0.03) for 90ZH+Cr compared with 90ZH supplemented steers. Steers receiving 90ZH+Cr had greater longissimus muscle area when compared with steers receiving 90ZSM. Dry matter intake, G:F, morbidity and mortality, and all other carcass measurements were similar across treatments. These data indicate that under the conditions of this experiment, Zn source and concentration had no impact on live performance, liver Zn and Cu concentrations, and carcass characteristics. Supplemental Cr in diets containing 90 mg of supplemental Zn/kg DM from ZH improved final BW, ADG, and hot carcass weights.

Comparative slaughter performance and carcass quality of three Ethiopian fat-tailed hair sheep breeds supplemented with two levels of concentrate.

A study was conducted to compare carcass and noncarcass yield, carcass composition, conformation, and fat depot partitioning of three Ethiopian fat-tailed hair sheep breeds (Blackhead Ogaden (BHO), Horro, and Washera) under two concentrate supplement levels (CSL). Sixteen sheep from each genotype (8 sheep per concentrate level), a total of 48, were used in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (3 breeds and 2 CSL). The two CSL were 1% (L1) and 1.75% (L2) body weight. Animals were about a year of age at the start of the experiment and all were slaughtered after 90 days of fattening. Dressing percentage per SBW was in the orders of Horro > BHO = Washera (P < 0.001). Total edible noncarcass component yield per EBW (TENCCY/EBW) of Horro breed (21%) was heavier (P < 0.0001) by about 2.8% than that from BHO and Washera sheep. Blackhead Ogaden sheep had significantly (P < 0.05) higher fat percentage and fat to bone ratio, while lower lean to fat ratio than Horro and Washera sheep. The fat partitioning results showed that carcass depot is the major fat depot in BHO and Horro sheep, whereas carcass fat and tail fat in Washera sheep had comparable value. The highest (P < 0.0001) carcass compactness index (CCI) value was obtained in Horro sheep, while the value for Washera was the lowest coupled with leg compactness index; as a result, Washera sheep had poor carcass conformation. Sheep supplemented with L2 had heavier HCW and CCW (P < 0.0001), wider RMA, and dressed better (P < 0.001) than L1-fed sheep. Carcass fat per CCW, carcass fat per total body fat (TBF), TYEP per SBW, and CCI values of the L2 diet-fed group were 2.7, 1.8, 1.2%, and 13.2 g/cm, respectively, higher (P < 0.05) than L1-supplemented sheep. The result highlights that Horro and Washera have closely comparable carcass composition, indicating the two breeds were at a similar stage of physiological maturity, while BHO appeared to be an early maturing sheep, suggesting a need for different feeding management for BHO to harvest lean meat. In conclusion, there existed a significant breed variation in most parameters considered in this study, which can be an opportunity to select breeds for various use and production objectives.

Enhanced alure-type biological system (E-ATBS) for carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus removal from slaughterhouse wastewater: A case study.

Slaughterhouse wastewater is one of the most harmful agriculture and food industrial wastewaters. The emissions of not fully treated slaughtering wastewater would cause eutrophication of surface water and pollution of groundwater. This study investigated the nutrient removal performance for the enhanced alure-type biological system (E-ATBS) in the full-scale application. During the whole study period, COD, TN and TP removal efficiencies were higher than 97.1%, 90.8% and 90.1%, respectively. The effluent concentrations were lower than the newest effluent standard in China to avoid the discharged water pollution. Partial denitrification (PD)-ANAMMOX was considered as the main approach for anaerobic NH4+-N removal, which helped to guarantee the efficient N removal in the full-scale E-ATBS. Denitrifying P removal and aerobic P uptake ensured the efficient and stable P removal. E-ATBS is a promising technology especially for wastewater treatment in food processing facilities and should be widely popularized.

In vitro effects of Artemisia sieberi on Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices.

Hydatidosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease. Surgery is one of its treatment modalities during which protoscolices are likely to be released into the peritoneal cavity and cause recurrence of the disease. Given the above problem and the complications associated with conventional anti-parasitic agents, it is imperative to find an effective and natural protoscolicidal agent. The present study was conducted to evaluate effects of Artemisia sieberi on Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices. Protoscolices were collected from slaughtered livestock in Kerman abattoir and the effect of three concentrations of aqueous extract of A. sieberi (25 mg ml-1, 50 mg ml-1 and 75 mg ml-1) was assessed over three different exposure periods. Results showed that scolicidal effect of this extract at exposure periods of 2, 5 and 10 min was 76 ±â€¯1.4, 76.8 ±â€¯1.41 and 85.7 ±â€¯3.29 percent at concentration of 25 mg ml-1 and 76.8 ±â€¯1.4, 78 ±â€¯3.18 and 86.4 ±â€¯24.9 percent at concentration of 50 mg ml-1 and finally 80 ±â€¯2.73, 90 ±â€¯0.79 and 92.6 ±â€¯1.27 percent at concentration of 75 mg ml-1, respectively. It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of A. sieberi has a protoscolicidal activity and can be considered a natural agent against hydatid cyst protoscolices.

Classification, bacteriological findings, and analysis of sex hormone receptors and cytokine expression in mammary lesions of abattoir sows

Mammary lesions in sows can prevent suckling piglets from consuming colostrum that provides fundamental nutrients and protective immunity. Although mammary gross lesions are frequently found in sows at farms or slaughterhouses, with the exception of mastitis, they have received little research attention. In this study, we investigated mammary lesions observed in South Korean sows between 2015 and 2016. Mammary tissue samples of 82 sows showing gross lesions during meat inspection were histologically classified and immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to assess the expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-α, ER-β, and progesterone receptor (PR) for mammary hyperplastic lesions as well as that of cluster of differentiation (CD) 3, CD79a, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 for mastitis. Furthermore, 20 swab samples were cultured, and the isolated bacteria were identified using polymerase chain reactions for 16S ribosomal RNA genes. The lesions were classified as hyperplasia, mastitis, or hyperplasia with mastitis. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that there was neither expression of ER-α nor of ER-β, but all examined hyperplastic samples expressed PR. In addition, there was a significant correlation between CD3 and IL-1β expressions, as well as between IL-1β and IL-6 expressions. Regarding the identity of the isolated bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. were most frequently detected. The results of this study have revealed the incidence and characteristics of porcine mammary lesions.

Effect of supplementation with fresh orange pulp (Citrus sinensis) on mortality, growth performance, slaughter traits and sensory characteristics in meat guinea pigs.

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of the partial replacement of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) with fresh orange pulp (Citrus sinensis) in a diet fed to guinea pigs on their mortality, growth performance, slaughter traits and sensory characteristics during the fattening period. A total of 450 guinea pigs were housed in collective pens of ~10 animals. Animals were divided into three groups: Control group (CG), supplied with fresh alfalfa as forage and treatment groups (G15 and G30), in which 15 and 30% of alfalfa was replaced by orange pulp, respectively. No significant differences were found between CG and G15 for traits studied. However, G30 showed the lowest values for growth and carcass traits. No significant differences were found for sensory characteristics. In conclusion, a moderate inclusion of orange pulp could contribute to diminishing dependence of alfalfa on guinea pig meat production.

Unsaturated fat fraction from lard increases the oxidative stability of minced pork.

Lard from pork back fat was dry fractionated based on crystallization temperature, resulting in fractions with a ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids of 1.10 and 0.61. Lean minced pork was mixed with the saturated and unsaturated fat fraction and stored in modified atmosphere (80% O2 and 20% CO2) at 5 °C for 2, 5, 7, 9, and 12 days under light to investigate the effect on oxidative stability of lipids and proteins. The saturated fat group developed higher TBARS values and lower levels of free thiol groups during storage, indicating that the unsaturated fat fraction in minced pork promoted increased oxidative stability of both lipids and proteins. A higher content of α-tocopherol in the unsaturated fat fraction suggests that the differences in oxidative stability is causatively linked to the balance between the fatty acid composition and content of antioxidants. The TBARS values and free thiol content were negatively correlated, suggesting a relationship between lipid and protein oxidation.