Study of chemical constituents, antioxidants and antimicrobial activities of Tamarindus indica L. seed.

The fruits of Tamarindus indica L. are consumed worldwide, with various parts of the plant being used for medicinal purposes. The residues (pericarp and seeds) generated during cellulose processing are of significant value as they contain bioactive compounds with diverse biological activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate fraction as possible substitutes for synthetic compounds with biological properties using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) analysis and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP], 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid [ABTS], and 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH]), total phenolic compounds (TPC), and antimicrobial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract and tamarind seed fractions were also performed. The chemical investigation of the acetate fraction using UHPLC-HRMS/MS resulted in the putative identification of 14 compounds, including flavonoids, (+)-catechin/(-)-epicatechin, procyanidin B2, procyanidin C2, isoquercetin, quercetin, luteolin, rutin, taxifolin, eriodictyol, kaempferide, hydroxybenzoic acid, protocathecuic acid, and protocathecuic acid methyl and ethyl esters derivatives. The crude hydroalcoholic extract exhibited the best results in terms of TPC: 883.87 gallic acid equivalent (GAE; mg/g) and antioxidant activity: FRAP: 183.29 GAE (mg/g), ABTS: 39.67%, and DPPH: 91.08%. The extract exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus aureus minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)/minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC; 62.5/125 g/mL) and Bacillus cereus MIC/MBC (125/250 g/mL), and gram-negative bacteria, specifically Aeromonas hydrophila MIC/MBC (125/250 µg/mL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MIC/MBC (250/500 g/mL). Morphological damage to cells was observed using flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy. Tamarind seeds contain unique bioactive compounds that should be explored for their use as novel food preservatives. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Original data were obtained regarding the Tamarindus indica L. seed extract and the ethyl acetate and hexane fractions. This research aimed to investigate the potential of these for food preservation and as alternatives to additives and synthetic compounds added to cattle feed. This paper reports novel findings regarding the chemical composition of the extract and its antioxidant activity, along with its antimicrobial activity against bacteria (gram-positive: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and gram-negative: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Aeromonas hydrophila) and yeasts (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

Ingestive behavior of Girolando steers supplemented on tropical pastures.

In this study, we evaluated the feeding behavior of Girolando steers on Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandu pastures. Twenty-two animals with an average initial weight of 209.09 ± 8.18 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (three seasons and two nutritional plans (NP)) with 11 replicates, as follows: rainy season 1 (NP1, mineral mixture ad libitum, and NP2, nitrogen/energy supplement [2 g.kg‒1 body weight [BW]]); dry season (NP1, nitrogen/energy supplement [1 g.kg‒1 BW], and NP2, nitrogen/energy supplement [2 g.kg‒1 BW]); and rainy season 2 (NP1, mineral mixture ad libitum, and NP2, nitrogen/energy supplement ([1 g.kg‒1 BW]). Total chewing time was longer in NP1 (566.44 vs 528.33 min.day‒1 in NP2) (p < 0.05). The grazing, idle, trough, and total chewing times were affected by the interaction between nutritional plans and seasons. The period expended grazing was longer for the NP1. The idle time was affected by the nutritional plans and was lower for the NP1. Feeding at the trough was not affected by the nutritional plans. The animals of the NP2 showed the highest feed efficiencies in DM and NDF (0.91 and 0.52 vs 0.75 and 0.45 in NP1, respectively). Rainy season 2 had the highest efficiencies. The feeding behavior changes according to the supplementation level. Nutritional plan 2 in the second rainy season presented the best results.

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.

Replacing sorghum with palm kernel cake in the diet decreased intake without altering crossbred cattle performance.

Palm kernel cake is a viable alternative for use in cattle feed to reduce production costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of concentrations in diet dry matter (DM) of palm kernel cake on intake and digestibility of nutrients and performance of cattle finished in a feedlot system. Forty non-castrated crossbred cattle, with an average age of 24 ± 2 months and an average weight of 331.12 ± 36.20 kg, were distributed among four treatments (control 0%, without heart of palm kernel cake in the diet; 8%, 16%, and 24% of palm kernel cake in diet DM). Variance and regression analysis were performed in function of the palm kernel cake concentrations in diet DM (P < 0.05). The dry matter intake decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as the concentrations in diet DM of palm kernel cake in the diet increased. The inclusion of palm kernel cake in the animals' diet decreased (P < 0.05) on dry matter digestibility. No effects (P > 0.05) of palm kernel cake on average daily gain or feed conversion were observed. The palm kernel cake can be included in the diet of crossbred bulls finished in confinement at concentrations in diet DM of up to 24%, as it has not influenced performance.

Increasing levels of supplementation for crossbred steers on pasture during the dry period of the year.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing concentrate supplementation levels on the intake, nutrient digestibility, and performance of crossbred steers during the dry period of the year. The experiment was developed on Princesa do Mateiro farm, in the municipality of Ribeirão do Largo, located in the southwest region of Bahia State, Brazil. Forty uncastrated male crossbred (½ Holstein-Zebu) steers with an average body weight (BW) of 232.55 ± 24.97 kg were distributed into four treatments in a completely randomized design with ten replicates. The animals were managed in an experimental area formed by Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, in an intermittent grazing system. Treatments consisted of the following supplementation levels: 0.2% BW, with 60% crude protein (CP); 0.3% BW, with 40% CP; 0.4% BW, with 30% CP; and 0.5% BW, with 24% CP. The intakes of forage dry matter in kg/day and %BW and neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) in %BW decreased linearly, whereas the intake of non-fibrous carbohydrates corrected for ash and protein in kg/day and average daily gain increased linearly. Therefore, the use of supplementation at 0.5% BW (24% crude protein) to provide gains of up to 0.500 kg/day is recommended for grazing steers during the post-weaning period in the dry season of the year.