Effect of coconut processing by-product graded feeding on carcass traits and meat quality of lambs.

The inclusion of by-product coconut mesocarp skins (CMS) in diets was evaluated in feedlot lambs. The objective of this study was to evaluate CMS levels effects on carcass traits and meat quality of lambs. Thirty-five male lambs with an initial body weight of 16.9 ± 2.93 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design with five CMS levels in total dry matter (0; 4.8; 9.6; 14.4 and 19.2%) and fed during 71 d until slaughter. High levels of CMS decreased the intake of dry matter and negatively affected the performance of lambs. Fat and protein contents of Longissimus lumborum muscle (P < 0.05) and the saturated fatty acid (FA) decreased (P < 0.001) whereas polyunsaturated FA increased (P < 0.01) with the inclusion of CMS. The ratio t10/t11-18:1 increased with the inclusion of CMS (P < 0.001). The instrumental color descriptors were unaffected by CMS levels. According to the effects on the investigated meat quality traits we recommend up to 4.8% CMS in diets of confined lambs.

Almond fixed oil from Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc. has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, without showing oral toxicity in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Syagrus coronata, a palm tree found in northeastern Brazil, popularly known as licuri, has socioeconomic importance for the production of vegetable oil rich in fatty acids with nutritional and pharmacological effects. Licuri oil is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, wound healing, mycosis, back discomfort, eye irritation, and other conditions. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects of treatment with Syagrus coronata fixed oil (ScFO), as well as to determine the safety of use in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, the chemical characterization was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Acute single-dose oral toxicity was evaluated in mice at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated through abdominal writhing, formalin, and tail dipping tests, and the anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated through the model of acute inflammation of ear edema, peritonitis, and fever at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg from ScFO. RESULTS: In the chemical analysis of ScFO, lauric (43.64%), caprylic (11.7%), and capric (7.2%) acids were detected as major. No mortality or behavioral abnormalities in the mice were evidenced over the 14 days of observation in the acute toxicity test. ScFO treatment decreased abdominal writhing by 27.07, 28.23, and 51.78% at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. ScFO demonstrated central and peripheral action in the formalin test, possibly via opioidergic and muscarinic systems. In the tail dipping test, ScFO showed action from the first hour after treatment at all concentrations. ScFO (100 mg/kg) reduced ear edema by 63.76% and leukocyte and neutrophil migration and IL-1ß and TNF-α production in the peritonitis test. CONCLUSION: Mice treated with ScFO had a reduction in fever after 60 min at all concentrations regardless of dose. Therefore, the fixed oil of S. coronata has the potential for the development of new pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and fever.

Effect of Dietary Palm Kernel Oil on the Quality, Fatty Acid Profile, and Sensorial Attributes of Young Bull Meat.

Lipid supplementation through vegetable oils in diets for ruminants can be a nutritional strategy to increase energy density, manipulate ruminal fermentation and change the physicochemical composition and sensorial properties of meat. This study evaluated the optimal dietary inclusion of palm kernel oil (PKO) for Nellore bulls on meat quality. The diets consisted of 0.0, 11.5, 23.0, and 34.6 g/kg dry matter (DM) PKO levels. PKO inclusion did not influence the centesimal composition, pH, color indices, water holding capacity, cooking loss, or shear force of the beef. There were linear increases in the concentrations of lauric acid (C12:0) and myristic acid (C14:0) in the bull's meat. However, palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:0), vaccenic acid (t-11-C18:1) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), ∑n - 6, ∑n - 3, ∑n - 6/∑n 3, the hypocholesterolemic: hypercholesterolemic ratio of the fatty acid content, and the thrombogenicity index were not affected. There were linear reductions in the oleic acid meat concentration (c-9-C18:1) and elongated enzymatic activity when PKO was added to the bull diet. The atherogenicity index increased linearly due to PKO inclusion in the bull diet. No effect of the inclusion of PKO on meat flavor, perception of tenderness, juiciness, or global acceptance from the sensorial evaluation was recorded. The inclusion of PKO up to 34.6 g/kg DM can be recommended to supplement young bulls with no effects on meat composition and quality characteristics.

Effects of Increasing Levels of Palm Kernel Oil in the Feed of Finishing Lambs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of palm kernel oil (PKO) in a lamb diet on nutrient intake, digestibility, ingestive behavior, nitrogen balance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation parameters, and animal performance. Three experimental trials were conducted. The treatments consisted of varying levels of PKO included in the diet, with PKOzero = no PKO inclusion, PKO1.3 = 1.3% addition, PKO2.6 = 2.6% addition, PKO3.9 = 3.9% addition, and PKO5.2 = 5.2% addition, based on the total dry matter (DM) of the diet. With the inclusion of PKO in the diet, linear decreases in DM (p < 0.001), crude ash (p < 0.001), crude protein (CP) (p < 0.001), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (p < 0.001), nonfibrous carbohydrate (NFC) (p < 0.001), and total digestible nutrient (TDN) (p = 0.021) intake were observed, as was an increase in ether extract (EE) intake (p < 0.001). The digestibility coefficients of NDF and NFC were not affected by PKO addition to the diet. However, the digestibility of DM (p = 0.035), EE (p < 0.001), CP (p < 0.001), and TDNs (p < 0.001) increased when PKO was added to the lambs' diet. Reductions in N intake (p < 0.001), fecal nitrogen excretion (p < 0.001), and microbial protein production (p < 0.001) were noted with increasing PKO levels. Serum cholesterol increased (p < 0.001) while serum GGT enzyme concentrations in the blood decreased (p = 0.048) with increasing PKO levels. PKO addition had no effect on total weight gain and average daily gain; however, feed conversion improved (p = 0.001) with increasing PKO levels. The intake, digestibility, ingestive behavior, and growth performance of lambs with PKO1.3 added to their diet were similar to animals that did not receive PKO, meaning that PKO could be an alternative energy source for growing lambs because it does not harm animal performance and can lower the cost of feed.

Performance, Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance and Ingestive Behavior of Young Feedlot Bulls Supplemented with Palm Kernel Oil.

Vegetable oils can be used to increase energy density in diets; manipulate rumen fermentation; and alter the capacity for degradation, digestion and absorption of nutrients. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate palm kernel oil (PKO) in the diet of confined bulls with the inclusion of 0.0, 11.5, 23.0 and 34.6 g PKO/kg dry matter (DM). The first experiment evaluated nutrient intake, performance, ingestive behavior and carcass characteristics. In the second experiment, steers crossbred with a ruminal cannula were used to evaluate digestibility, nitrogen balance, microbial protein synthesis, short-chain fatty acid levels and protozoal counts. The results showed that the inclusion of PKO linearly reduced intake in kg/day (DM, crude protein-CP, neutral detergent fiber-NDFap, nonfibrous carbohydrates-NFC and total digestible nutrient-TDN) and digestibility (DM, NDFap and TDN). Ether extract intake increased quadratically with the predicted maximum intake of 15.4 g/kg DM. Regarding ingestive behavior, there was a quadratic increase in rumination time and a quadratic reduction in idle time. Nitrogen balance, nitrogen intake, nitrogen retention, microbial protein production, acetate, butyrate, acetate/propionate ratio and protozoa count showed linear decreases due to dietary PKO inclusion. Regarding the carcass characteristics, linear decreases were observed for the final weight, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, hot carcass yield, cold carcass yield, loin eye area and subcutaneous fat thickness. The inclusion of PKO at up to 34.6 g/kg DM in diets for confined bulls reduces intake, negatively affecting digestibility, performance and carcass characteristics.

Nutrient utilization, performance, and milk fatty acid composition of grazing cows fed supplements with babassu coconut.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of cracked babassu coconut (CBC) in the supplement on nutrient utilization, performance, and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of dairy cows grazing Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa. Five multiparous Holstein × Zebu mid-lactation cows (125 ± 16.5 days in milk) were assigned to five dietary treatments (replacement of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of ground corn with CBC, on a dry matter (DM) basis) in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The intake of DM from the supplement, crude protein (CP), non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), fat (ether extract (EE)), and total digestible nutrients (TDNs) decreased linearly (P < 0.05), while the intake of DM from forage increased linearly (P < 0.05), with the increase in CBC inclusion in the supplement. Conversely, total DM intake was unaffected (P > 0.05). The DM, NFC, EE, and TDN digestibility decreased linearly (P < 0.05), while organic matter (OM) digestibility decreased in a quadratic fashion (P < 0.05), as CBC inclusion in the supplement increased. Nevertheless, digestibility of CP was unaffected (P > 0.05). Milk yield and composition (lactose, fat, protein, casein, and majority of FA) showed a linearly decreasing pattern (P < 0.05) with the increasing of CBC inclusion. However, proportions of trans-vaccenic acid, rumenic acid, total monounsaturated FA, and odd- and branched-chain FAs increased linearly (P < 0.05). On the opposite, total saturated FA (SFA) and the n-6:n-3 FA ratio in milk fat decreased linearly (P < 0.01). Hence, replacement of corn meal with CBC up to 80% in the supplement decreases nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as milk yield response in grazing dairy cows. However, CBC inclusion may enhance the nutritional properties of milk fat.

Physicochemical and functional properties of native and modified agave fructans by acylation.

Native agave fructans were modified by an acylation reaction with lauric acid. Native and modified fructans were characterized using NMR, FTIR and various physicochemical and functional properties at different pHs were evaluated. NMR and FTIR spectra demonstrated the incorporation of lauric acid in the molecular structure of fructans. Modified agave fructans exhibited a color, moisture and water activity similar to native fructans, but properties such as solubility, swelling capacity, emulsifying activity and foam capacity were significantly modified by the acylation reaction mainly when the samples were analyzed at different pHs. The thermogram of the acylated fructans evidenced significant changes in thermal properties when compared with native fructans and acylated fructans were able to form micellar aggregates. In general, modified fructans showed improved functional properties in comparison with native fructans representing an important opportunity to improve the functionality of the foods in which it is incorporated.

Effects of glycerol monolaurate on growth and physiology of chicks consuming diet containing fumonisin.

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is composed of lauric acid and glycerol. Research has shown that such organic acids can minimize negative effects caused by mycotoxins. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether adding GML (free or encapsulated) to chick feed minimizes the effects of natural contamination by fumonisin (Fusarium verticillioides), evaluating parameters such as biochemistry, antioxidant properties, histological analysis and chick growth. Were weighed 84 chicks of the Cobb 500 strain and randomly distributed them into six groups of two replicates each (n = 14). The F group consumed feed containing fumonisin (levels 400 ppb), with no performance enhancer; F + ZB- feed with fumonisin (levels 400 ppb) + zinc bacitracin; F + GLM100 - feed with fumonisin (levels 400 ppb) + 100 mg of GML/kg of feed; F + NGLM4 - feed with fumonisin (levels 400 ppb) + 4 mg GML/kg in nanocapsules added to the feed; F + NGLM8 - fumonisin feed (levels 400 ppb) + 8 mg GML/kg in nanocapsules in the feed; and F0 - fumonisin-free feed (negative control) + zinc bacitracin. The body weights of birds fed with feed fumonisin-contaminated feed (F, F + ZB, F + GLM100, F + NGLM4 and F + NGLM8) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the negative control (F0), despite the use of GML (free and nanoencapsulated). Serum levels of triglycerides, globulins and cholesterol were significantly lower in the F0 group than in the other groups (P < 0.05), except for the F + NGLM8 group. Significantly greater levels of lipid peroxidation were observed in livers in the groups that consumed fumonisin than in the control group (F0) (P < 0.05). Serum levels of reactive oxygen species were significantly lower in groups F + NGLM8 and F0 than in the other treatments (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly greater in groups F + NGLM8 and F0 than in groups F, F + ZB and F + NGLM4. Hepatic catalase activity was significantly lower in birds that consumed contaminated feed (F, F + ZB, F + GLM100, F + NGLM4 and F + NGLM8) than in the control group (F0). Greater hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity was observed in the F + NGLM8 group than in the F0 group. Despite changes in cellular lesions in the liver, no histological changes were observed in the liver or intestines, even though visually there was yellowing of the liver. Taken together, the data suggest that free or nano-encapsulated GML did not minimize oxidative stress caused by fumonisin, and consequently, these birds had less weight gain.

Clinical safety of lauric acid for cattle and its in vitro and in vivo efficacy against Rhipicephalus microplus.

The aim of the present study was to test the in vitro acaricidal activity of saturated fatty acids (hexanoic, octanoic, decanoic, lauric, myristic, palmitic, octadecanoic, eicosanoic, docosanoic and tetracosanoic) against Rhipicephalus microplus and select a candidate compound for the subsequent determination of its clinical safety for mice and bovines as well as its in vivo efficacy (ethical clearance number 507/2013). None of the compounds exhibited in vitro larvicidal effectiveness, but acaricidal effectiveness was greater than 95 % in the adult immersion test at 40 mg/ml (hexanoic, octanoic, decanoic, lauric, myristic, palmitic and eicosanoic acids). After a second AIT evaluation of serial concentrations of the fatty acids, lauric and myristic acids were selected for the safety and in vivo efficacy assays. No adverse effect was found in the local lymph node assay in mice treated with lauric or myristic acid. Moreover, no clinical signs of systemic poisoning or dermatological, hematological or biochemical abnormalities were found in cattle after the topical application of 1 % lauric acid. In the dose determination test, the 1% solution of this compound exhibited 86% efficacy in cattle naturally infested by a field population of Rhipicephalus microplus susceptible to all chemical groups, except synthetic pyrethroids. The efficacy of 1 % lauric acid was 53.4 % in the dose confirmation test performed on another herd with a field R. microplus population resistant to all chemical groups of acaricides. In conclusion, fatty acids are potential bioactive compounds for the control of R. microplus. Topically applied lauric acid (C12) exhibits in vivo acaricide activity against adults, nymphs and larvae of R. (B) microplus and is safe for cattle.

Tetradecanoic Acids With Anti-Virulence Properties Increase the Pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Murine Cutaneous Infection Model.

Blocking virulence is a promising alternative to counteract Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. In this regard, the phenomenon of cell-cell communication by quorum sensing (QS) is an important anti-virulence target. In this field, fatty acids (FA) have gained notoriety for their role as autoinducers, as well as anti-virulence molecules in vitro, like some saturated FA (SAFA). In this study, we analyzed the anti-virulence activity of SAFA with 12 to18 carbon atoms and compared their effect with the putative autoinducer cis-2-decenoic acid (CDA). The effect of SAFA on six QS-regulated virulence factors and on the secretion of the exoenzyme ExoU was evaluated. In addition, a murine cutaneous infection model was used to determine their influence on the establishment and damage caused by P. aeruginosa PA14. Dodecanoic (lauric, C12:0) and tetradecanoic (myristic, C14:0) acids (SAFA C12-14) reduced the production of pyocyanin by 35-58% at 40 and 1,000 µM, while CDA inhibited it 62% at a 3.1 µM concentration. Moreover, the SAFA C12-14 reduced swarming by 90% without affecting biofilm formation. In contrast, CDA reduced the biofilm by 57% at 3 µM but did not affect swarming. Furthermore, lauric and myristic acids abolished ExoU secretion at 100 and 50 µM respectively, while CDA reduced it by ≈ 92% at 100 µM. Remarkably, the coadministration of myristic acid (200 and 1,000 µM) with P. aeruginosa PA14 induced greater damage and reduced survival of the animals up to 50%, whereas CDA to 500 µM reduced the damage without affecting the viability of the PA14 strain. Hence, our results show that SAFA C12-14 and CDA have a role in regulation of P. aeruginosa virulence, although their inhibition/activation molecular mechanisms are different in complex environments such as in vivo systems.

Characterization of phospholipid vesicles containing lauric acid: physicochemical basis for process and product development.

Lauric acid (LAH) strongly inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria. LAH is essentially water-insoluble and the solubility of laurate (LA) salts are medium and temperature dependent. Hence, LAH/LA preparations are difficult to formulate. Here we fully characterized phospholipid vesicles containing up to 50 mol% LAH. Vesicles of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) containing LAH, at pHs 7.4 and 5.0, were characterized measuring size, charge, bilayer phase transition temperature (Tm) and permeability of water-soluble probes. Small angle X-ray scattering and cryotransmission electron microscopy showed multilamellar vesicles at low LAH %. Increasing LAH % had a negligible effect on particle size. An internal aqueous compartment in all vesicle's preparations, even at equimolar DPPC: LAH fractions, was demonstrated using water-soluble probes. At pH 5.0, the interaction between DPPC and LAH increased the Tm and phase transition cooperativity showing a single lipid phase formed by hydrogen-bonded DPPC: LAH complexes. At pH 7.4, vesicles containing 50 mol% LAH exhibited distinct phases, ascribed to complex formation between LAH and LA or LAH and DPPC. LAH incorporated in the vesicles minimally permeated a skin preparation at both pHs, indicating that the primary sites of LAH solubilization were the skin layers. These results provide the foundations for developing processes and products containing DPPC: LAH.

Lipase catalyzed epoxidation of fatty acid methyl esters derived from unsaturated vegetable oils in absence of carboxylic acid.

Nowadays the industrial chemistry reactions rely on green technologies. Enzymes as lipases are increasing its use in diverse chemical processes. Epoxidized fatty acid methyl esters obtained from transesterification of vegetable oils have recently found applications as polymer plasticizer, agrochemical, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food additives. In this research article, grapeseed, avocado and olive oils naturally containing high percents of mono and poly unsaturations were used as starting materials for the production of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters. The effect of lauric acid as an active oxygen carrier was studied on epoxidation reactions where unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters were converted to epoxy fatty acid methyl esters using immobilized Candida antarctica Lipase type B as catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as oxygen donor at mild temperature and pressure conditions. After this study it was confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and GC-MS that the addition of lauric acid to the enzymatic reaction is unnecessary to transform the alkenes in to epoxides. It was found that quantitative conversions were possible in despite of a carboxylic acid absence.

Synthesis and emulsifying properties of carbohydrate fatty acid esters produced from Agave tequilana fructans by enzymatic acylation.

Carbohydrate fatty acid esters are non-ionic surfactants with a broad spectrum of applications. These molecules are generally synthesized using short carbohydrates or linear fructans; however in this research carbohydrate fatty acid esters were produced for the first time with branched fructans from Agave tequilana. Using immobilized lipases we successfully acylated A. tequilana fructans with vinyl laurate, obtaining products with different degrees of polymerization (DP). Lipozyme 435 was the most efficient lipase to catalyze the transesterification reaction. HPLC and ESI-MS analysis proved the presence of a mixture of acylated products as a result of the chemical complexity of fructans in the A. tequilana. The ESI-MS spectra showed a molecular mass shift between 183 and 366g/mol for fructooligosaccharides with a DP lower than 6, which indicated the presence of Agave fructans that had been mono- and diacylated with lauric acid. The carbohydrate fatty acid esters (CFAE) obtained showed good emulsifying properties in W/O emulsions.