Effect of source and concentration of zinc on growth performance, meat quality and mineral retention in New Zealand rabbits

<p>Zinc supplementation in rabbit diet favours deposition of this mineral in meat and, therefore, contributes to satisfying the daily requirements of Zn in humans that consume it. A trial was conducted to study the effect of two sources (ZnSO₄ and Zn-methionate) and two concentrations of Zn, along with a control (without Zn supplementation), on weight gain, meat quality and muscle retention in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits during fattening stage. Treatments were randomly assigned to 100 NZW rabbits 40 days old, in a completely randomised experimental design using a factorial arrangement of treatments (2×2+control). The experimental period was 30 d. In each experimental treatment, weight gain, feed consumption and meat quality were recorded, as well as the retention of Zn in serum, liver, loin and hind leg. Results showed no differences (<em>P</em>&gt;0.05) in weight gain and food consumption, which can be attributed to diet-added Zn sources (ZnSO₄ and Zn-methionate). Food conversion was better with the organic source at the highest concentration (<em>P</em>&lt;0.05). Regarding meat quality, no differences were found (<em>P</em>&gt;0.05) in hind legs for source effect and Zn concentration, while in loin, differences (<em>P</em>=0.02) were found in the colour parameter of L* and B* when the organic source of Zn (Zn-methionate) was supplied. Most retention of Zn on the loin occurred when a concentration of 25 mg Zn kg^–1 of Zn-methionate was added, which could be important to provide larger amounts of Zn for human consumption.</p>

Treat-ability of Manihot esculenta Peel Extract as Coagulant Aid for Stabilised Leachate

Agro-waste can be commercialised into another useful product such as natural coagulant for wastewater treatment. The purpose of this study was to quantify the ability of agro-waste (Manihot esculenta peel extract (MEP)) as an aid alongside the utilisation of chemical coagulant (polyaluminium chloride (PAC)) based on the removal percentages of selected parameters at the optimum coagulant dosage and pH of stabilised leachate. Series of jar tests were used to compare the leachate treatments using single and the dual coagulant of PAC and MEP with respective standard methods to analyse the removal parameters, i.e., Colorimetric (APHA Method:5220 C, HACH Method:8000) for chemical oxygen demand (COD), Conductimetric (APHA Method: 4500-N, HACH Method: 8038) for ammonia nitrogen (AN), Nephelometric (APHA Method:2130) for turbidity, Spectrophotometric (APHA Method: 2120 B, HACH Method: 8025) for colour, and Gravimetric (APHA Method:2540 D, HACH Method:630) for suspended solids (SS). Leachate treatment using the application of single PAC coagulant at the optimum conditions of 3,750 mg/L dosage and pH 6.0 of leachate managed to remove about 54.1%, 28%, 91.1%, 98%, and 98% for COD, AN, turbidity, colour, and SS, respectively. Meanwhile, by using dual coagulant at the optimum dosages of 3,500 mg/L (PAC) and 250 mg/L (MEP), and pH 7.0 of leachate, the treatment achieved higher removal except for the colour parameter. The final removal outcomes of this study were 58.3% of COD, 34% of AN, 96.9% of turbidity, 92.1% of colour, and 99% of SS. The application of MEP as coagulant aid also managed to reduce the aluminium (Al) content in PAC dosage from 577.5 mg/L to 539.0 mg/L without affecting much of its efficiency.

Effect of the Addition of Chia Seed Gel as Egg Replacer and Storage Time on the Quality of Pork Patties

Two types of patties were prepared: control and with chia seeds gel instead of beaten egg. The patties were cooked in the steam-convection oven, vacuum packed and stored at 4 °C. The pork patties with chia addition were characterized by similar water activity and pH values to the control samples. They showed lower values of the b* colour parameter as well as colour saturation (C*) and hue angle values (h°) on the cross-section and lower values of colour parameters L*, a* and b* and C* on the surface than the controls. The addition of chia seeds improved the texture parameters of the tested products. Pork patties with chia seeds were softer and showed better chewiness than the control samples. Chia slowed down oxidative changes in pork patties during storage. The use of 8.0% addition of chia seeds was only slightly noticeable in taste of the pork patties and these samples received similar overall quality scores as control samples.

Performance, carcass traits and meat quality of lambs fed with different roughage:concentrate ratios associated with variable physically effective neutral detergent fibre content

This study evaluated the effect of roughage:concentrate (R:C) ratio associated with a variable particle size of physically effective neutral detergent fibre (peNDF8) in the forage (Tifton-85 hay) on the performance, carcass traits and meat quality of lambs. Seventy-two 4-month-old, non-castrated Santa Ines male lambs (23.5 ± 2.32 kg BW) were distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement [two peNDF8 hay particle sizes (13 and 6 mm) and two R:C ratios (700:300 and 500:500 g/kg DM total)]. DMI, DM, NFC and TDN digestibility's, N-intake and N-faecal excretion were affected by the R:C ratio (P < 0.05). However, the N-retained was not affected by the studied variables (P > 0.05). It was observed an interaction (P < 0.05) between the peNDF8 and R:C ratios for final BW, average daily gain (ADG), colour parameters and pH 24 h. The lower roughage ratio provided greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of C14:1, C16:1–cis9, C18:1–cis9, ΣMUFA, Σn–6:Σn–3 and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic index, enzymatic activity Δ9desaturase-C16 and -C18. Lambs fed a lower roughage diet had improved performance and feed efficiency, however, presented reduced polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) concentrations in the meat, especially Σn–3 family. Higher roughage diet and larger peNDF8 particle size improved the concentrations of PUFA while decreased Σn–6:Σn–3 ratio in meat. Larger peNDF8 particle size associated with higher roughage proportion, have reduced animal performance however, it increased protein concentration, a* and C* colour parameter without affecting fatty acids profile of Longissimus lumborum muscle.

Does the 1 Gy dose of gamma radiation impact the pork quality?

A nuclear accident (e.g., Fukushima), and, in particular, the transport of animals within a radiation-affected area can lead to a whole-body, or partial external irradiation, followed by oxidative stress, which could result in subsequent meat quality changes. In this experiment, live pigs were exposed to half-body irradiation by an external dose of 1.0 Gy. The caudal half of the animal’s body was irradiated. After their slaughter, samples from the muscle tissue of musculus semimembranosus and musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis at the upper margin of musculus gluteus medius (irradiated body half) and at the 3^rd–4^th thoracic vertebra (non-irradiated half) were collected to determine the meat quality parameters. A significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) was observed only in the meat colour parameter (a*) in the irradiated group of pigs. If there is no internal contamination, and the half-body exposure to the external radiation dose does not exceed 1 Gy, pigs from an irradiation-affected area may be used for human consumption.

First constraints on the AGN X-ray luminosity function at z ~ 6 from an eROSITA-detected quasar

Context. High-redshift quasars signpost the early accretion history of the Universe. The penetrating nature of X-rays enables a less absorption-biased census of the population of these luminous and persistent sources compared to optical/near-infrared colour selection. The ongoing SRG/eROSITA X-ray all-sky survey offers a unique opportunity to uncover the bright end of the high-z quasar population and probe new regions of colour parameter space. Aims. We searched for high-z quasars within the X-ray source population detected in the contiguous ~140 deg2 field observed by eROSITA during the performance verification phase. With the purpose of demonstrating the unique survey science capabilities of eROSITA, this field was observed at the depth of the final all-sky survey. The blind X-ray selection of high-redshift sources in a large contiguous, near-uniform survey with a well-understood selection function can be directly translated into constraints on the X-ray luminosity function (XLF), which encodes the luminosity-dependent evolution of accretion through cosmic time. Methods. We collected the available spectroscopic information in the eFEDS field, including the sample of all currently known optically selected z > 5.5 quasars and cross-matched secure Legacy DR8 counterparts of eROSITA-detected X-ray point-like sources with this spectroscopic sample. Results. We report the X-ray detection of eFEDSU J083644.0+005459, an eROSITA source securely matched to the well-known quasar SDSS J083643.85+005453.3 (z = 5.81). The soft X-ray flux of the source derived from eROSITA is consistent with previous Chandra observations. The detection of SDSS J083643.85+005453.3 allows us to place the first constraints on the XLF at z > 5.5 based on a secure spectroscopic redshift. Compared to extrapolations from lower-redshift observations, this favours a relatively flat slope for the XLF at z ~ 6 beyond L*, the knee in the luminosity function. In addition, we report the detection of the quasar with LOFAR at 145 MHz and ASKAP at 888 MHz. The reported flux densities confirm a spectral flattening at lower frequencies in the emission of the radio core, indicating that SDSS J083643.85+005453.3 could be a (sub-) gigahertz peaked spectrum source. The inferred spectral shape and the parsec-scale radio morphology of SDSS J083643.85+005453.3 indicate that it is in an early stage of its evolution into a large-scale radio source or confined in a dense environment. We find no indications for a strong jet contribution to the X-ray emission of the quasar, which is therefore likely to be linked to accretion processes. Conclusions. Our results indicate that the population of X-ray luminous AGNs at high redshift may be larger than previously thought. From our XLF constraints, we make the conservative prediction that eROSITA will detect ~90 X-ray luminous AGNs at redshifts 5.7 < z < 6.4 in the full-sky survey (De+RU). While subject to different jet physics, both high-redshift quasars detected by eROSITA so far are radio-loud; a hint at the great potential of combined X-ray and radio surveys for the search of luminous high-redshift quasars.

Development and Characterization of a Nutritionally Rich Spray-Dried Honey Powder

In the present study, the spray-dried honey powder enriched with aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) and basil (Ocimum sanctum) extract was developed using drying aids—gum arabic (GA), maltodextrin (MD), and whey protein concentrate (WPC), and then characterized based on particle size distribution, colour, glass transition temperature (Tg), X-ray diffraction, and antioxidant and rheological properties. Results showed the highest Tg (86.13 °C) for WPC based honey powder, which, in turn, resulted in least stickiness as compared to GA and MD based honey powders with Tg 74.53 °C and 68.26 °C, respectively. The dried honey powder with all three carrier agents exhibited a metastable amorphous state as proved by the broader peaks of X-ray diffractograms due to the short drying time, whereas, a peak at 1637 cm−1, attributed to the carbonyl (C=O) stretching, established the ascorbic acid in the studied powder on account of aonla extract. The mean particle diameter significantly (p < 0.05) increased, following the order WPC (60.45 μm) > GA (41.24 μm) > MD (20.06 μm) as carrier agents, which were related to the higher feed viscosity. The colour parameter L* (30.74–45.78) and b* (5.82–11.64) values of the nutritionally rich honey powder were higher due to presence of polyphenols in aonla and basil extracts, which resulted in the formation of dark brown complexes. The antioxidant activity of WPC based fortified honey powder was highest (82.73%), followed by GA (78.15%) and MD (74.85%) based honey powders. A significant (p < 0.05) increase was found in powder recovery, solubility, and dispersibility using the drying aids in the following order: WPC < GA < MD. Furthermore, the storage modulus (G′) was higher than loss modulus (G″) in all honey powders, wherein the WPC containing powder demonstrated maximum value of G′, followed by GA and MD. Finally, the three honey powders were microbiologically stable.

Physicochemical Characteristic of Tea Infusion Yoghurt Inoculated with Caspian Sea Yoghurt

Application inoculum from Caspian Sea Yogurt to produce yoghurt containing tea infusion have not been developed thoroughly, until recently. This study aimed to determine the physicochemical characteristic and sensory evaluation of tea infusion yoghurt inoculated with Caspian Sea Yoghurt. Green, white, and black tea infusion were added to UHT milk inoculated with Caspian Sea Yoghurt inoculum and incubated at 30 °C for 12 h. The yoghurt was analyzed at 0, 6, and 12 h of fermentation including pH, acidity, viscosity, colour (L, a*, b*), total polyphenol, and sensory evaluation. The result showed additional tea infusion on manufacturing yoghurt significantly affected on pH, percentage of acidity, viscosity, and colour parameter of yoghurt. During the fermentation process, the prolonged incubation time resulted in increased acidity and viscosity, while simultaneously decreased the pH value. At the end of the fermentation (at 12 h) of yoghurt with 10% tea infusion had a lower pH and a higher percentage of acidity compared to the yoghurt control. Addition of tea infusion on yoghurt has a lower viscosity than yoghurt without tea infusion at the end of the fermentation. Additional tea infusion on yoghurt affected reduced Lightness (L*) value but increased a* and b* value. The results of the present study indicate that additional tea infusion on yoghurt inoculated with Caspian Sea Yoghurt should be considered not only in terms of physicochemical and sensory during manufacturing and storage but also functional properties to improve human health.

ESTETIKA EKSPRESI STRUKTUR DI TERMINAL PENUMPANG KAPAL LAUT

Structures in architecture acts as a load-bearing element on mechanical systems. In addition, structures can also provide spatial and aesthetic expressions in architectural with the use of certain techniques and materials that bring out the structure expression. The problem discuss in this paper relates to aesthetic parameters used to examine the structural expression on architectural. The research method used is descriptive analytical method conducted with study of the literature on aesthetics, based on parameters: visual complexity, texture and colour, symmetry of the form and familiarity using the case study of Ship Passenger Terminal building such as Qingdao Cruise Passanger Terminal, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Salerno Maritime Terminal.The result shows that visual complexity parameter were exposure the form of curved structures and folding structures, the use of lattice, single-mass, and different building imagery. The texture and colour parameter are subtle textures with curved patterns, use of aluminium or concrete materials,and ivory white to bring out the buildings with the color of the sea.The symmetry of the form parameter shows a natural scale, a rectangular geometric shape that is subjected to addition or subtraction, and the proportion 2:1 between the envelope and open façade. The familiarity parameter is repetition of asymmetric curved patterns form make rhythm that raises perception of the visual aesthetic of the building.

Concentrations of retinol and carotenoids in Jersey milk during different seasons and possible application of the colour parameter as an indicator of milk carotenoid content

The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of retinol, β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin in Jersey milk during different seasons and their correlation with milk colour parameters. During a sixmonths period the Jersey cows (n=77) were kept free-stall and fed with total mixed ratio (TMR; farm season), for the next three months the cows were kept for four hours on pasture and the rest of the day free-stall fed with TMR (transition season), and for the remaining three months they were kept predominantly on pasture (grazing season). A bulk milk samples (200 mL) were collected during the last week of each month in the period between May 2018 and April 2019. Retinol and carotenoids concentrations in cow milk were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography, while milk chemical composition was analysed by a MilkoScan FT 120 infra-red analyser. The season significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected chemical composition of milk, and the highest (P&lt;0.05) content of milk fat, protein and non-fat dry matter was found during the farm season. Retinol, β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations (μg/100 mL) were as follows: 2.56±0.29, 4.15±0.27, 4.43±0.40 and 0.97±0.04. Lutein and retinol concentrations in Jersey milk were affected (P&lt;0.05) by the season. The highest lutein concentration was found during the grazing season, while the farm season yielded the highest retinol concentration. Moderate and positive correlations (P&lt;0.05) were found between β-carotene and lutein concentrations and colour parameter b*, resulting in a more intense yellow colour i.e. high values of colour parameter b*. The obtained results suggest that milk colour could be used to estimate carotenoid concentrations in milk.