Effects of post-weaning supplementation of immunomodulatory feed ingredient on circulating cytokines and microbial populations in programmed fed beef heifers

The objective was to determine the effects of an immunomodulatory feed ingredient following weaning on cytokine expression and fecal microbial populations of heifers. Commercial Angus heifers (n = 72) were weaned (227 ± 7 d of age), blocked by BW (n = 9 blocks) and randomly assigned to one of 2 pens per block. Pens within weight block (4 heifers/pen) were then randomly assigned to treatments. Heifers were fed twice daily from d 0-60 (to gain 0.75kg/day) and top-dressed with either 18g/heifer/d of the immunomodulatory feed ingredient (Celmanax; Arm and Hammer Animal Nutrition, Princeton, NJ, USA; CEL) or corn-germ meal (CON). Blood samples were collected on d 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and fecal grab samples on d 0 of the feeding trial. After d 60, two heifers per pen (n=32) were randomly selected for a transportation challenge. Serum samples were collected at h 0, 4, 8, 12 and fecal grab samples at h -24, 0, 24 and 7d post-challenge. Blood samples were analyzed for interferonγ (IFNγ), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and haptoglobin (HP) using commercially available ELISA kits and qRT-PCR for genes of interest associated with cytokine expression. Fecal samples were enumerated for Clostridia and E. coli using selective media (≤ 5 isolates from each media/sample), tested to determine if they were C. perfringens or pathogenic E. coli, and then enriched for detection of Salmonella. Data was analyzed via ANOVA. During the feeding trial, HP was reduced (P = 0.018) in CEL compared to CON at d 15, 45, and 60, while IFNγ and IL-8 did not differ (P > 0.080) between treatments. All cytokines were decreased (P < 0.001) in CEL compared to CON during the challenge. During the feeding trial, HP mRNA was increased (P = 0.045) in CEL compared to CON at d 30 and 60. Similarly, IFNγ mRNA was increased (P = 0.040) in CEL compared to CON, however, other genes of interest did not differ (P > 0.172). Both C. perfringens and total E. coli counts were decreased (P = 0.036) in CEL compared to CON at 24h after the start of the transportation challenge. Clostridia and pathogenic E. coli counts did not differ (P = 0.941) between treatments. Total Clostridia and E. coli counts were increased (P < 0.014) 24h post-challenge. All microbial populations, except pathogenic E. coli, observed decreased (P ≤ 0.009) counts from 24h to 7d post-challenge. Overall, Celmanax supplementation decreased circulating cytokines, and altered microbial populations and gene expression, thus, may serve a role in preparing animals to better cope with immunological challenges.

Prospects of Maize (Corn) Wet Milling By-Products as a Source of Functional Food Ingredients and Nutraceuticals

Maize (corn) consists of distinct parts, germ, endosperm, and pericarp, with different chemical compositions. During the maize wet milling process, the maize is disintegrated into the main product starch and by-products, including corn germ, corn fiber and corn gluten (the technical term for corn endosperm specific proteins and not the same as wheat gluten). These by-products are used as low-value animal feed products. The corn germ contains high amounts of tocols and phospholipids, while the corn gluten is rich in carotenoids and the corn fiber fraction is rich in phytosterols and complex carbohydrates. Each by-product has the potential to serve as a precursor in the manufacture of functional food ingredients or nutraceuticals that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties. These food ingredients/nutraceuticals can be obtained through physical, chemical or enzymatic processes. Some nutraceuticals and food ingredients with market potential include corn fiber gum, oil, arabinoxylans, and xylo-oligosaccharides from corn fiber; corn germ oil and phospholipid ester from corn germ; and carotenoids and oligopeptides from corn gluten. This review focuses on current and prospective research into the use of corn germ, corn fiber and corn gluten in the production of potentially high-quality food ingredients or nutraceuticals.

JUSTIFICATION OF OPTIMAL PARAMETERS OF THE PROCESS OF CHEMISORPTION PURIFICATION OF CORN OIL WITH A SOLUTION OF SODIUM SILICATE

Для обоснования оптимальных параметров хемосорбционной очистки нерафинированного кукурузного масла, обеспечивающих получение продукта с допустимыми показателями качества, проведен ряд экспериментов. Объектом исследования было нерафинированное кукурузное масло, полученное двукратным прессованием из кукурузного зародыша, произведенного мокрым способом отделения, со следующими показателями: кислотное число 4,2 мг КОН/г, массовая доля фосфорсодержащих веществ 1,65% в пересчете на стеароолеолецитин, перекисное число 4,7 ммоль активного кислорода/кг, цветное число 60 мг йода, массовая доля влаги и летучих веществ до 0,2%. В качестве реагента применяли водный раствор метасиликата натрия заданной концентрации с силикатным модулем 1. Исследования проводили на лабораторной установке, которая включала реакционную емкость рабочим объемом 500 мл с динамическим смесителем, обеспечивающим преимущественно смешанную циркуляцию потоков жидкой фазы при перемешивании с частотой вращения от 25 с–1 до 50 с–1, лабораторный автотрансформатор, перистальтический насос подачи раствора типа InLab и емкость для водного раствора реагента. На основании спланированных экспериментальных исследований получены адекватные экспериментально-статистические модели для расчета содержания мыла в получаемом кукурузном масле и его выхода в зависимости от исследованных параметров процесса. Установлено, что оптимальные параметры процесса хемосорбционной очистки – температура 40°С, дозировка метасиликата натрия 22 г/кг и его концентрация 55% при изменении критерия Рейнольдса мешалки в интервале от 4000 до 12000 обеспечивают получение кукурузного масла с установленными показателям качества. To substantiate the optimal parameters of chemisorption purification of unrefined corn oil, ensuring the production of a product with acceptable quality indicators, a number of experiments were conducted. The object of the study was unrefined corn oil obtained by double pressing from corn germ produced by wet separation, with the following indicators: acid number 4,2 mg KOH/g, mass fraction of phosphorus-containing substances 1,65% in terms of stearoleolecithin, peroxide number 4,7 mmol of active oxygen/kg, color number 60 mg of iodine, mass fraction of moisture and volatile substances up to 0,2%. An aqueous solution of sodium metasilicate of a given concentration with a silicate modulus of 1 was used as the reagent. The studies were carried out on a laboratory installation that includes a reaction tank with a working volume of 500 ml with a dynamic mixer that provides mainly mixed circulation of liquid phase flows during mixing with a rotation speed from 25 s–1to 50 s–1, a laboratory autotransformer, a peristaltic solution supply pump of the InLab type and a container for an aqueous solution of the reagent. Based on the planned experimental studies, adequate experimental and statistical models were obtained for calculating the soap content in the resulting corn oil and its yield, depending on the studied process parameters. It was found that the optimal parameters of the chemisorption purification process - the temperature of 40°C, the dosage of sodium metasilicate 22 g/kg and its concentration of 55% when changing the Reynolds criterion of the agitator in the range from 4000 to 12000 provide corn oil with the established quality indicators.

TECHNOLOGY OF ISOLATION OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES FROM MAKHALI CORN GRAIN

Research has been carried out to obtain oil from corn grown in the Khorezm region. The amount of protein, oil, starch and fiber in the composition of corn grains has been determined. Optimal indicators of the technology for obtaining corn oil by extraction with ethyl alcohol have been determined. The amount of oil in grain and corn germ has been studied. Ethanol seed oil separation is exploring the advantages of the wet process.

Social Status Differentially Affects Behavioral and Immunological Outcomes of Group-Kept Sows Fed Different Dietary Fiber Using Different Length Feeding Barriers

Social conflict is inevitable among group-housed sows and may contribute to poorer welfare among those sows experiencing more social stress. The degree of individual welfare is associated with social position within the group. Therefore, this study examined the effects of social status on behavior, immune, endocrine, and productivity of group-housed pregnant sows fed a diet supplemented with 30% wheat middlings and 15% soybean hulls (MID-SH) or 30% distillers dried grains with solubles and 30% corn germ meal (DDGS-GM) and in pens with individual feeding places made from short (58.4 cm) or long (203.2 cm) barriers. A 2 × 2 factorial design resulted in 4 experimental treatment groups (n = 9 sows/diet-length-block combination): (1) MID-SHshort; (2) MID-SHlong; (3) DDGS-GMshort; (4) DDGS-GMlong. Groups of sows equally representing all diet-length combinations across 4 blocks (n = 36 sows/block) were subjected to a feeding competition test to identify highest (dominant) and lowest (subordinate) ranked sows within each group resulting in 64 sows (n = 16 sows/treatment; n = 32 sows/social status). Data revealed 2- and 3-way interactive effects on aggressive behavior (P < 0.005), postural (P < 0.01), oral (P < 0.0001), and eating (P < 0.005) behaviors, sow mean body weights and gains (P < 0.05) and litter weaning weights (P < 0.05), especially among subordinates in pens with long barriers. Subordinates in pens with long barriers received 21% less aggression and were 73% less likely to be displaced than subordinates in pens with short ones (P < 0.0001). Dietary treatment also influenced some of these measures among the subordinates in pens with long barriers. For example, subordinates in DDGS-GMlong received 64 and 67% less aggression than subordinates in DDGS-GMshort and MID-SHshort (P < 0.005). Eat bouts were greatest among subordinates in MID-SHlong, and sitting and sham-chewing were less. However, those in DDGS-GMlong spent less time standing and laying, and their litters were 15.28 kg heavier (P = 0.01), but overall subordinates fed DDGS-GM diet were lightest and gained less total body weight than those fed MID-SH (P < 0.05). Other measures such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were elevated among dominants in MID-SHlong (P < 0.05); whereas, cortisol (P = 0.06) was lowest and glucose (P = 0.09) highest for subordinates in DDGS-GMlong. These data imply that subordinates benefited from being housed in pens with long barriers, but the type of dietary fiber consumed differentially influenced behavioral budget and several sow- or litter-related traits among subordinates in pens with long barriers. In contrast, the subordinates in pens with short barriers had poorer welfare regardless of diet. Collectively, these data imply that social status is a crucial factor contributing to variation in individual well-being among group-housed sows and that sows of different social positions within a group may evoke different biological responses in an attempt to cope.

CURRENT STATE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR OBTAINING EXTRACT FROM CORN GERM (ZEA MAYS GERMINIS)

В данной статье расматривается получение экстракта из зародыша кукурузы. Дается определение зародыша кукурузы (Zea mays germinis) и его значимость, как компонента, богатого биологически активными веществами, которые имеют терапевтическое значение для организма человека. Устанавлено, что получение экстракта из кукурузного зародыша для приготовления лекарственных и кометических средств является более выгодным процессом и имеет ценность благодаря своему богатому химическому составу и численности БАВ. This article discusses the preparation of an extract from the corn germ. The definition of the corn germ and its significance as a component rich in biologically active substances that have therapeutic value for the human body is given. It has been established that obtaining an extract from the corn germ for the preparation of medicinal and cosmetic products is a more profitable process and has value due to its rich chemical composition and the number of BAS.

Antihypertensive and Immunomodulatory Effects of Defatted Corn Germ Hydrolysates: An in vivo Study

This study investigated the antihypertensive and immunomodulatory effects of defatted corn germ hydrolysates (DCGHs) in vivo and their potential regulatory mechanisms. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) was significantly reduced (10.30%) by the long-term intragastric administration of DCGHs (high doses). Also, there was drastic inhibition of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in the lung, kidney, and heart tissues by 24.53, 22.28, and 12.93%, respectively. It could regulate the blood pressure by adjusting the balance between endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor factors and endothelium-derived relaxing factors. Meanwhile, DCGHs enhanced the phagocytosis of mononuclear macrophages, cellular immunity, and humoral immunity of ICR mice by increasing the phagocytic index of mononuclear macrophages (23.71%), ear swelling degree (44.82%), and antibody levels (52.32%). Moreover, it stimulated the release of immunoactive substances (e.g., lysozyme, interferon-γ, immunoglobulin G, and complement 3). Consequently, DCGHs could suitably be used in the formulation of novel functional foods with antihypertensive and immunomodulatory properties.