Combined Effect of Nigella sativa and Kefir on the Live Performance and Health of Broiler Chickens Affected by Necrotic Enteritis.

Coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE) are prevalent poultry ailments worldwide, leading to decreased live performance and elevated mortality rates without antibiotic usage. This study evaluated Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds (BCS) and kefir as alternatives to antibiotics for broilers. An in vivo study over a 28-day period, using 384 Cobb 500 male broilers organized into six treatment groups as part of a completely randomized block experimental design was conducted. Each treatment group included eight replicates, with each replicate containing eight birds. The treatments included positive control, negative control, antibiotic control, 5% BCS in feed, 20% kefir in drinking water, and a combination of 5% BCS and 20% kefir. NE was induced in broilers by administering ~5000 oocysts of Eimeria maxima orally on day 14, followed by inoculation with about 108 CFU/mL of Clostridium perfringens (Cp) (strain Cp#4) on days 19, 20, and 21. Live performance metrics including feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion were assessed in broilers. Additionally, NE disease outcomes such as lesion scores, mortality rates, and Cp populations in cecum were determined during the study. The BCS, kefir, and the combination had no detrimental effect on broiler live performance. BCS-treated and combination groups had lower NE scores (p > 0.05) in comparison to the positive control and exhibited no significant difference (p > 0.05) from antibiotic control. Additionally, treatment groups and antibiotic control were not significantly different (p > 0.05) in mortality, whereas the BCS and kefir combination significantly reduced (p < 0.05) mortality to 14.1% compared to 31.3% for the positive control. C. perfringens vegetative cells significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in treatments with BCS, kefir, and their combination on days 22 and 28 compared to the positive control. On day 22, Cp sores were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for the kefir and combination treatments compared to the positive control. In conclusion, BCS and kefir successfully reduced C. perfringens infection and mortality without any detrimental impact on broiler live performance with the combined treatment being the most effective. These results suggest that BCS and kefir could serve as potential alternatives to antibiotics in managing NE.

Use of mandarin and persimmon fruits in water kefir fermentation.

Water kefir is a non-dairy probiotic beverage. It is obtained by fermentation of water kefir grains with a sugar solution. This study aims to determine the properties of water kefir beverages obtained by fermentation of mandarin and persimmon-containing water for 42 h. According to microbiological results, both fruits containing water samples provided a high number of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Moreover, after fermentation, pH, Brix, and dry matter content did not significantly differ. On the other hand, fructose, maltose, and acetic acid contents of mandarin water kefir are significantly higher than persimmon water kefir (p < .05). Persimmon water kefir had higher total phenolic contents, twice as much as mandarin water kefir (p < .05). Both water kefirs had good color properties. The organoleptic acceptability of the fruit water kefirs was promising.

Nigella sativa as an antibiotic alternative to promote growth and enhance health of broilers challenged with Eimeria maxima and Clostridium perfringens.

The poultry industry has significant coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE) challenges, leading to high mortality and unacceptable growth without antibiotic treatment. This research explored supplementing Nigella sativa (black cumin) seed oil in poultry feed to mitigate coccidiosis and prevent or lessen NE in broilers. In vivo studies consisted of 384 and 320 Cobb 500 male broiler chicks distributed in a randomized complete block experimental design for trials 1 and 2, respectively. The first trial compared 3 concentrations (1, 2, and 5 mL/kg) of black cumin seed oil (BCSO), and trial 2 compared 2 concentrations (2 and 5 mL/kg) BCSO, with birds challenged with Eimeria maxima and Clostridium perfringens (Cp) strains Cp#6 and Cp#4, respectively. Broiler live performance, NE disease outcomes, and Cp populations were measured for both trials. A commercially available BCSO oil product, determined in a preliminary in vitro study to have the highest anti-Cp activity, was selected for in vivo studies. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis indicated the major bioactive compounds p-cymene, thymoquinone, carvacrol, and thymol were present in the BCSO. In trial 1 with strain Cp#6, BCSO concentrations of 2 and 5 mL/kg reduced NE lesion score and mortality rate to 1.6% compared with 7.8% for positive control, with no adverse impact on live performance. In trial 2 with strain Cp#4, BCSO reduced NE lesion scores and mortality rate to 35.9% compared with 51.6% for positive control and also improved weight gain when there was a Cp infection in broiler chickens. The current study compared NE in broilers challenged with 2 different Cp strains producing different levels of NE. Following Cp infection, both the population of vegetative cells and spores of Cp in cecal contents decreased for all treatments in trial 2. In conclusion, BCSO at concentrations of 2 and 5 mL/kg enhanced broiler live performance and alleviated NE and has potential as a natural, non-medication antimicrobial nutritional supplement for use as a feed additive in chickens.

Water kefir grains vs. milk kefir grains: Physical, microbial and chemical comparison.

AIMS: Although kefir has been known for centuries, there is confusion between the two types of kefir grains, for example, milk kefir (MK) grain and water kefir (WK) grain. This study aimed to unravel the differences and similarities between WK grain and MK grain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microbiological analyses, identification of grains microbiota and enumeration of microbiological content of the grains as well as scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, dry matter, protein, ash, and mineral content, and colour analyses were carried out for the two types of grains. As a result, significant differences were found in microbiological content, chemical properties and colours (p < 0.05). Additionally, SEM images revealed the different intrinsic structures for the microbiota and the structure of the two types of grains. CONCLUSIONS: MK grain has more nutritional content compared to WK grain. Despite not as widely known and used as MK grain, WK grain is a good source for minerals and health-friendly micro-organisms such as lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. WK grain is possibly suitable for vegans and allergic individuals to fulfil nutritional requirements. Moreover, in this study, the variety of WK grain microbial consortia was wider than that of MK grains, and this significantly affected the resultant WK products. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study that comprehensively compares two different kefir grains in microbial, chemical and physical properties.

The effect of kefir produced from natural kefir grains on the intestinal microbial populations and antioxidant capacities of Balb/c mice.

Kefir is a probiotic and fermented dairy product authentically produced from kefir grains. Kefir grain, as a natural starter culture, contains numerous lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria and yeasts within a polysaccharide structure. True kefir is a miraculous food in terms of its favorable contributions to human health. However, kefir starter cultures used in industrial kefir productions contain very few lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. These starter cultures do not contain characteristic kefir bacteria, such as Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens, Lactobacillus kefiri, and Lactobacillus parakefiri. The objective of this study was to compare the intestinal microorganisms of BALB/c mice fed kefir produced from natural kefir grains and kefir produced from starter culture. The mice in kefir groups were fed an oral dose of 0.3 mL kefir/day for 15 days, and the control group did not receive kefir. The feces were collected in metabolic cages, and the lactic acid bacteria, yeasts-fungi, and Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium species were determined. Additionally, PCR analysis based on yeast-fungus 23S rRNA was carried out, and serial analysis was performed with an ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), serum total oxidant status (TOS) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were determined. The mean lactic acid bacteria (LAB) contents of the feces samples obtained from the mice fed kefir samples produced from kefir grains and starter culture were 9.08 log cfu/g and 7.32 log cfu/g on the 15th day, respectively. Mold was found in both the starter kefir group and in the control group (range, 1.91-2.02 log cfu/g). The mold was identified as Trichoderma koningii, a potential human pathogen and carcinogen. It was very impressive that mold was not observed in the feces samples of the mice fed the kefir produced from kefir grains. The highest TAS value was determined in the serum samples of mice fed kefir produced using kefir grains. MPO values in the small intestines of mice fed kefir produced using starter culture were higher than those in the CK group that was associated with possible inflammation. This study might lead to new studies focused on the antifungal effects of kefir and on the importance of using kefir grains in the production of kefir.

Bioactive components of mother vinegar.

OBJECTIVE: Mother vinegar is extracellular cellulose and is a thick, hard layer formed by the acetic acid bacteria on the surface of vinegar. The aim of the study was to determine the bioactive components of mother vinegar produced from various vinegars. METHODS: Mothers of vinegar were produced during vinegar productions using surface culture method from apple and pomegranate juices. Titration acidity, pH, total dry matter, ash, mineral substances, total carbohydrate, total phenolic substance, phenolic components, and total antioxidant activity were determined in samples. RESULTS: It was found that mother of pomegranate vinegar had higher antioxidant capacity and total phenolic substance compared to samples of mother of apple vinegar. According to standards, gallic acid and chlorogenic acid were dominant phenolic compounds in mother of apple vinegar, whereas gallic acid was the major phenolic compounds in mother of pomegranate vinegar. The mother vinegars had high Fe contents. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that mother of vinegar produced by natural acetic acid bacteria contains significant bioactive substances.

Functional properties of vinegar.

A variety of natural vinegar products are found in civilizations around the world. A review of research on these fermented products indicates numerous reports of health benefits derived by consumption of vinegar components. Therapeutic effects of vinegar arising from consuming the inherent bioactive components including acetic acid, gallic acid, catechin, ephicatechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid cause antioxidative, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antitumor, antiobesity, antihypertensive, and cholesterol-lowering responses. The aims of this article are to discuss vinegar history, production, varieties, acetic acid bacteria, and functional properties of vinegars.

Effects of different fermentation parameters on quality characteristics of kefir.

The main objective of the study was to determine the effects of different fermentation parameters on kefir quality. Kefir samples were produced using kefir grains or natural kefir starter culture, and fermentation was carried out under normal or modified atmosphere (10% CO(2)) conditions. The microbiological (lactobacilli, lactococci, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium spp., and yeasts), chemical (pH, lactic acid, total solids, protein, ethanol, exopolysaccharide contents), rheological, and sensory properties of kefir samples were investigated during a 21-d storage period. The use of different fermentation parameters or the choice of grain versus natural kefir starter culture did not significantly affect the content of microorganisms. Lactobacilli, lactococci, and yeast contents of kefir samples varied between 9.21 and 9.28, 9.23 and 9.29, and 4.71 and 5.53 log cfu/mL, respectively, on d 1 of storage. Contents of L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. were between 5.78 and 6.43 and between 3.19 and 6.14 log cfu/mL, respectively, during 21 d of storage. During the storage period, pH, lactic acid (%), total solids (%), protein (%), acetaldehyde, and ethanol contents of kefir samples ranged from 4.29 to 4.53, from 0.81 to 0.95%, from 7.81 to 8.21%, from 3.09 to 3.48%, from 3.8 to 23.6 mg/L, and from 76.5 to 5,147 mg/L, respectively. The exopolysaccharide contents of the samples decreased during 21 d of cold storage; the samples fermented under modified atmosphere had relatively higher exopolysaccharide contents, indicating higher potential therapeutic properties. The kefir samples exhibited non-Newtonian pseudoplastic flow behavior according to the power law model. According to the sensory results, kefir produced from natural kefir starter culture under CO(2) atmosphere had the highest overall evaluation score at d 1.

Effects of apple cider vinegars produced with different techniques on blood lipids in high-cholesterol-fed rats.

Red delicious apples were used to produce natural apple cider with and without inclusion of maceration. Traditional surface and industrial submersion methods were then applied to make vinegar from apple ciders. Apple cider vinegar samples produced with inclusion of maceration in the surface method had the highest total phenolic content, chlorogenic acid, ORAC, and TEAC levels. Cholesterol and apple vinegar samples were administered using oral gavage to all groups of rats except the control group. Apple cider vinegars, regardless of the production method, decreased triglyceride and VLDL levels in all groups when compared to animals on high-cholesterol diets without vinegar supplementation. Apple cider vinegars increased total cholesterol and HDL and LDL cholesterol levels and decreased liver function tests when compared to animals on a high-cholesterol diet without vinegar supplementation. A high-cholesterol diet resulted in hepatic steatosis. VSBM and VSB groups significantly decreased steatosis.

Review: functional properties of kefir.

Kefir is a unique cultured dairy product due to combined lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation of lactose in milk. Kefir is produced by microbial activity of "kefir grains" which have a relatively stable and specific balance of lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Due to the claimed health benefits of kefir which include reduction of lactose intolerance symptoms, stimulation of the immune system, lowering cholesterol, and antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties, kefir has become an important functional dairy food and consequently, research on kefir has increased in the past decade. In the following review, recent studies on the functional properties of kefir are reviewed.

Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of wine vinegars produced by two different techniques.

BACKGROUND: The presence of phenolics in fruit, red wine and vinegar has positive health effects due to their significant antioxidant activity. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of two different vinegar production methods on antioxidant activity and phenolic level of vinegars derived from Ulugbey Karasi grapes. Traditional surface and industrial submerge methods were used to make vinegar. Samples were taken from fresh red grape juice, maceration, wine, traditional vinegar and industrial vinegar. RESULTS: Total phenolic content of traditional and industrial vinegar samples were 2690 mg L(-1) and 2461 mg L(-1) GAE, respectively. ORAC values of traditional and industrial vinegar samples were 10.50 micromol mL(-1)and 8.84 micromol mL(-1) TE, respectively. Antioxidant activity values of traditional and industrial vinegars were 13.50 mmol L(-1) and 10.37 mmol L(-1) TEAC, respectively. Gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid were detected in grape juice, wine and vinegar samples. The content of catechin in industrial vinegar (27.50 mg L(-1)) was significantly higher than that of in traditional vinegar (13.76 mg L(-1)) (P < 0.05). Traditional vinegar had higher amounts of chlorogenic and syringic acids than the industrial vinegar (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that different production methods affected the functional constituents of wine vinegars.

Effect of fat replacers on kefir quality.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of fat replacers on the quality of non-fat kefir. Skim milk fortified with Dairy Lo (DL) and inulin (INU) was fermented with kefir grains to manufacture kefir. The results of compositional, microbiological, rheological and sensorial analyses were compared with whole kefir (WK) and non-fat kefir (NFK) controls. Results for dry matter, pH and lactic acid ranged between 82.4 and 109.1 g kg(-1), 4.26 and 4.40, and 7.0 and 9.2 g L(-1), respectively. Acetaldehyde and ethanol contents of samples were between 2.89 and 7.28 mg L(-1), and 151.46 and 323.89 mg L(-1), respectively. In all samples, Lactobacillus spp., Streptococcus spp. and yeast counts were between 9.1 and 9.9, 9.3 and 9.9, and 5.2 and 5.6 log cfu mL(-1), respectively. Kefir samples had non-Newtonian behaviour and pseudoplastic fluid with thixotropy. At the first day, DL had the highest apparent viscosity (3.119 Pa s) while NFK had the lowest value (1.830 Pa s). In the sensory evaluation, odour and taste scores of samples were not different. Dairy Lo and inulin could be used without any adverse effect for the production of non-fat kefir.