Optimization of slurry ratio and sonication time on biogas production from chicken droppings.

Background: A research was conducted on the ultrasonic pretreatment of chicken droppings for biogas production. The hydrolysis step in anaerobic digestion is rate-limiting and time-consuming due to the presence of complex molecules in the organic wastes. Pretreatment encourages faster digestion and yields improvement by making the organic waste ready for microbial attack. Material and methods: To achieve the optimum sonication time and slurry ratio for maximum biogas production, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used in this study. 13 experimental runs were developed according to Central Composite Design with different setup conditions and five replicates at center points to observe the Response, i.e., volumes of biogas produced. This was achieved with the aid of a software package (Design Expert 12.0.1.0). A quadratic model was developed for the responses and a 3D response surface plot was obtained to analyze the effect of the variables and their interactions to determine their optimum levels. Results: The numerical optimization and point prediction result gave a sonication time of 18.6 minutes and a slurry ratio of 2.0 (i.e., 2.0 : 1.0). Under this condition, the predicted maximum volume of biogas production is 24.514 ml in 12 days. This prediction was tested and validated, and the volume of biogas produced under the same conditions was 22.282 ml. This confirmed the adequacy of the predicted model as only a 10.02% error was recorded. Conclusions: Henceforth, the optimum sonication time and slurry ratio were achieved for maximum biogas production from chicken droppings.

Drug- and Multidrug-Resistance Pattern of Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Droppings of Healthy Chickens on a Poultry Farm in Southwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: In Ethiopia, the precise attribution of animals and their food products as the sources of resistant strains and the consequences of it on human health have not yet been seriously evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the drug- and multidrug-resistance pattern of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from chicken droppings at Jimma University poultry farm, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, southwest of Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from April, 2018 to June, 2018. A total of 140 fresh chicken dropping samples were collected and transported to Jimma University Medical Microbiology Laboratory for analysis. All samples were inoculated on MacConkey agar and xylose lysine deoxycholate agar. Gram stain and relevant biochemical tests were done for identification of isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were tested by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. RESULTS: Out of 140 chicken dropping samples, 61 (43.6%) showed bacterial growth. Of these, E. coli accounts for 39.0% followed by K. pneumoniae (22.0%), P. mirabilis (19.3%), and Salmonella species (17.7%). With regard to antibiotic resistance pattern, E. coli demonstrated a high rate of resistance against ampicillin (91.7%), tetracycline (75.0%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (70.8%). K. pneumoniae showed a high resistance rate against ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline, with a resistance rate ranging from 76.9% to 85.6%. P. mirabilis and Salmonella spp. also showed high resistance against ampicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with a resistance rate ranging from 72.7% to 83.3%. All isolates relatively showed lower resistance rates with a range of 20.8% to 41.7% against third-generation cephalosporins (ceftazidime and ceftriaxone), ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin. Totally, 32 (52.5%) of the isolates showed MDR against three or more antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic resistant isolates against commonly prescribed single and multiple drugs were common. This highlights that chickens in the farm may serve as the reservoirs of antibacterial resistant bacteria that might infect humans through the food chain. Therefore, emphasis on the usage of antibiotics in chicken farms has to be considered.

Determination of five antimicrobial families in droppings of therapeutically treated broiler chicken by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Antimicrobials are currently used in poultry for disease treatment. However, their excretion in bird feces may contaminate the environment. Considering this, the objective of this work was to quantify antimicrobials residues concentrations in therapeutically treated broiler chicken droppings throughout the post-treatment period. For this aim a multiresidue method using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was validated. Forty-eight male broiler chickens were distributed and treated with commercial formulations of 5 different antimicrobials. Results showed that oxytetracycline and 4-epi-oxytetracycline, presented the highest concentrations during all sampling period, detecting concentrations of 1471.41 µg kg-1 at the last sampling point (day 22 post-treatment). Florfenicol, tylosin, enrofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were eliminated and detected in treated chicken droppings until d 18 post-treatment. Sulfachloropyridazine decrease gradually during post-treatment period until day 30. Results demonstrate that studied antimicrobials in treated chicken droppings were eliminated for prolonged periods, therefore becoming a significant route of residues dissemination into the environment.

Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from poultry in Casablanca-Settat, Morocco.

Campylobacteriosis and Campylobacter spp. resistance to antibiotics represents a serious worldwide public health problem thermophilic Campylobacters, in particular, are major causes of gastroenteritis in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from chicken droppings, of commercial poultry in the city of Casablanca, Morocco. Between February and September 2017, 140 samples of chicken droppings were collected and analyzed by classical bacteriology methods for isolation and identification according to Moroccan Standard NM ISO/TS 10272-3 (2013), followed by molecular identification (PCR: polymerase chain reaction). Among the 140 samples, 102 (73%) were positive by Campylobacter spp. tests and 38 (27.14 %) were negative to Campylobacter spp. Among the positive colonies, 41 (40, 2%) were C. jejuni. Of the 41 C. jejuni isolates, resistance was detected to tetracycline (100%), erythromycin (97%), ampicillin (85%), ciprofloxacin (77%), amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid (61.4%), and gentamicin (12.0%). In conclusion, the data obtained in the current study demonstrate that the majority of C. jejuni isolates evaluated were resistant to antimicrobials of the cycline, macrolide, and fluoroquinolone families, and all of the isolates were susceptible to gentamicin. Fluoroquinolone is the drug of choice for treating Campylobacter infections. These results underline the need for prudent use of antibiotics in poultry production to minimize the spread of antibioticresistant Campylobacter spp.

Assessment of Three Antimicrobial Residue Concentrations in Broiler Chicken Droppings as a Potential Risk Factor for Public Health and Environment.

Tetracyclines, sulfonamides and amphenicols are broad spectrum antimicrobial drugs that are widely used in poultry farming. However, a high proportion of these drugs can be excreted at high concentrations in droppings, even after the end of a therapy course. This work intended to assess and compare concentrations of florfenicol (FF), florfenicol amine (FFa), chlortetracycline (CTC), 4-epi-chlortetracycline (4-epi-CTC), and sulfachloropyridazine (SCP) in broiler chicken droppings. To this end, 70 chickens were housed under controlled environmental conditions, and assigned to experimental groups that were treated with therapeutic doses of either 10% FF, 20% CTC, or 10% SCP. Consequently, we implemented and designed an in-house validation for three analytical methodologies, which allowed us to quantify the concentrations of these three antimicrobial drugs using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Our results showed that FF and FFa concentrations were detected in chicken droppings up to day 10 after ceasing treatment, while CTC and 4-epi-CTC were detected up to day 25. As for SCP residues, these were detected up to day 21. Noticeably, CTC showed the longest excretion period, as well as the highest concentrations detected after the end of its administration using therapeutic doses.

[Presence of lead in leaves of Solanum macrocarpon cultivated in Cotonou (Benin): role of poorly composted poultry manure]. / Présence du plomb dans les feuilles de Solanum macrocarpon Linn cultivé à Cotonou (Bénin) : rôle des fientes de poulets mal compostées.

This work assesses the impact of the use of chicken manure and irrigation water on the toxicological quality of Solanum macrocarpon, a highly appreciated vegetable. A control site in Glo-Djigbé, gardeners' sites at Houéyiho, Fidjrossè, and Agongbomey were included in the study. Lead has been sought in the environment of S. macrocarpon culture by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Regarding the content of lead in the droppings, the averages in mg/kg varied between 0.696 and 3.618. The soil of Houéyiho (46.320±0.651mg/kg) was more contaminated with lead than that of the other sites. The irrigation water used in the study sites was slightly contaminated with lead with values ranging between 0.038 and 0.017mg/L. Leaves taken from the control site, Glo-Djigbé were contaminated with lead with a value of 0.936±0.070mg/kg compared to those of Agongbomey, Houéyiho and Fidjrossè. The leaves of S. macrocarpon were contaminated with lead at significantly values higher than those imposed by the FAO (0.1mg/kg). Consumption without precautions could expose people to diseases related to the accumulation of this metal.