Effects of Straw Return and Feed Addition on the Environment and Nitrogen use Efficiency in the Rice–Crayfish System

Purpose Understanding the direction of nitrogen flow in the rice-crayfish system (RC) and optimizing the rate of nitrogen fertilizer application (ORN) are of great significance for sustainable development of RC. Methods To this end, a field experiment involving straw and feed treatment was conducted to delineate the flow of the nitrogen present in the straw (straw-N) and feed (feed-N). Second, under different feed and straw treatments, we carried out a mesocosm experiment with different rates of 15N-labeled nitrogen fertilizer application to explore the optimal rate under the effects of feed-N and straw-N supply.Results The results showed that at 75 kg N ha-1(75N), 14% and 1.86% of feed-N and 4.3% and 8.78% of straw-N is absorbed by crayfish and rice, respectively. The percentage of feed-N and straw-N lost to the environment was the lowest at 75N, i.e., 84.48% and 86.92%, respectively. Using straw return to the field and feeding as the basic management measures for RC, we observed that the rice yield was the highest under 75N, and the highest nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) was 25%, and the highest the percentage of soil storing nitrogen by the fertilizer-derived was 34% (lost to the environment, at least 41%).Conclusions ORN could help in the effective utilization of feed-N and straw-N via a compensation effect, promote the absorption and transport of nitrogen, and ultimately lead to an improvement in NUE in RC.

Mixing and Flow-Induced Silk Fibroin Self-Assembly in Microfluidic and Semi-Batch Nanoprecipitation

<div><div><div><p>Here, we report the modulation of silk fibroin self-assembly by varying factors which control shear and mixing during nanoprecipitation in semi-batch and micro-mixers. For feeds processed at low shear in a semi-batch format, the properties of secondary assemblies (nanoparticles) were scalable by reducing the mixing time by stirring (0 < 400 rpm). For low mixing times, moving from low to high shear processing increased the extent of self-assembly (0.017 < 16.96 mL min-1) for 0.5, 2 and 3% w/v silk. In high shear regimes, the size and polydispersity index of assemblies decreased with mixing time, as stirring rate (800, 400 < 0 rpm) and feed addition height (3.5 < 0 cm) increased. Finally, in conditions of high shear and low mixing time, the feed concentration controlled the assembly shape, size, and polydispersity index in microfluidic (0.5, 3.0 < 2% w/v) and semi-batch format (3.0 < 0.5% w/v). This work provides new insight into the manufacture of low polydispersity, spherical and worm-like silk nanoparticles.</p></div></div></div>

Mixing and Flow-Induced Silk Fibroin Self-Assembly in Microfluidic and Semi-Batch Nanoprecipitation

<div><div><div><p>Here, we report the modulation of silk fibroin self-assembly by varying factors which control shear and mixing during nanoprecipitation in semi-batch and micro-mixers. For feeds processed at low shear in a semi-batch format, the properties of secondary assemblies (nanoparticles) were scalable by reducing the mixing time by stirring (0 < 400 rpm). For low mixing times, moving from low to high shear processing increased the extent of self-assembly (0.017 < 16.96 mL min-1) for 0.5, 2 and 3% w/v silk. In high shear regimes, the size and polydispersity index of assemblies decreased with mixing time, as stirring rate (800, 400 < 0 rpm) and feed addition height (3.5 < 0 cm) increased. Finally, in conditions of high shear and low mixing time, the feed concentration controlled the assembly shape, size, and polydispersity index in microfluidic (0.5, 3.0 < 2% w/v) and semi-batch format (3.0 < 0.5% w/v). This work provides new insight into the manufacture of low polydispersity, spherical and worm-like silk nanoparticles.</p></div></div></div>

Dry-Aged Beef Steaks: Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Pinus taeda Hydrolyzed Lignin on Sensory Profile, Colorimetric and Oxidative Stability

Flavor is one of the main factors involved in consumer meat-purchasing decision and use of natural antioxidants in animal feeding had a great appeal for consumers. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effect of Pinus taeda hydrolyzed lignin (PTHL) feed addition on oxidative stability, volatile compounds characteristics, and sensory attributes of 35 days dry-aged beef steaks. Forty steer six months old were randomly divided into a control group (CON; n = 20) and an experimental group (PTHL; n = 20). Both groups were fed ad libitum for 120 days with the same TMR and only the PTHL group received PTHL supplement. Samples of LT muscle were removed from carcasses and dry aged for 35 days at 2 °C, 82% of humidity, and 0.4 m/s of ventilation and then analyzed. Meat of CON group showed lower yellowness (p < 0.01) and higher TBARS (p < 0.01) values. Moreover, CON meat showed higher volatile aldehydes and lower sulfur compounds (p < 0.01), with higher unpleasant odor (p < 0.05) and meaty odor (p < 0.01) score revealed by sensory assessors. PTHL inclusion in beef diet delayed the oxidative mechanisms in 35 days dry-aged steaks, resulting in an improved colorimetric, volatolomic, and sensory profile.

Establishment of a Mouse Asthenospermia Model through Triggering DGalactose Mediated Oxidative Stress Injury

Background: Asthenospermia is defined as forward motility of sperm less than 32%. Aim/Objective: This study aimed to establish mouse model of asthenospermia through triggering D-galactose mediated oxidative stress. Materials and methods: Total of 40 Kunming male mice were randomly divided into control group, low-dose group (administrating D-galactose at 60 mg/kg), high-dose group (administrating D-galactose at 120 mg/kg) and high-dose+feed addition group (administrating D-galactose at 120 mg/kg together with oral D-galactose). The testicular weight, testicular organ coefficient, sperm viability, sperm concentration and survival rate of tail of epididymis were measured. Oxidative damage of D-galactose to reproductive system of mice was evaluated by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular homogenate of mice. Findings: The sperm motility, motility rate, concentration and survival rate of low-dose, high-dose and high-dose+feed addition group were decreased, compared to that in control group. However, there were significant difference between highdose group/high dose+feed group and control group (p<0.05). The forward motile sperm motility rate and total motility rate accorded with critical criteria of asthenospermia. Comparing with the control group, activity of SOD of model group mice significantly decreased, and MDA concentration significantly increased (p<0.05), excepting for low-dose versus control group for SOD activity. This suggests that testicular tissues suffered from oxidative damage. Conclusions: This study successfully established a mouse asthenospermia model through D-galactose mediated oxidative stress injury. The establishment of asthenospermia model in this study would provide a new promising insight and act as a potential approach for studying asthenospermia in vivo levels.

Metabonomics Study on the Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicines Feed Addition on Growth Performance and Serum Metabolic Profile of Juvenile Chinese Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus Sinensis Wiegmann) using UPLC–Triple /TOF–MS Analysis

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to author disagreement.

Effect of marine feed addition on growth of poultry

Poultry farming is one of the most precocious and important branches of animal husbandry. It makes it possible to get food products such as meat and eggs in the shortest time. The main factor affecting the development of poultry farming is the feed base. For poultry, the lack of protein and minerals is very harmful. Far East has all the opportunities to realize its genetic potential. Primorye region makes it possible to widely use inexpensive seafood and waste products, as well as plant raw materials in animal and poultry feeding. Marine and fish products, as well as waste from their reprocessing, are rich in protein and minerals necessary to ensure the fullness of animal and poultry rations. Additions of marine origin have antioxidant, radioprotective activity, increase the body's resistance to diseases, increase the immune system, and improve metabolism.

Plant-Derived Extracts Feed-Addition and Packaging Type Influence Consumer Sensory Perception of Pork

This paper investigates whether the combination of the addition of extracts derived from plants (plants derived extracts, PDE) to pork feedstuff and the meat conservation conditions (packaging and time exposure) affect consumers’ perception of pork quality, studied by means of visual appraisal, purchase intention and a home test. The three PDE groups were control, garlic extract and blended oil composed by carvacrol, timol, cynamic aldehide and eugenol extracts. Meat was packed in film, vacuum or modified atmosphere (MAP) packaging. A visual test was designed comprising a four-day storage step followed by a four-day exposure step in a refrigerated island display case. All studied effects influenced visual appraisal scores, being time exposure and packaging effects more noticeable than PDE or pig-sex effects. Meat from MAP scored higher than the rest. Scores decreased as exposure time increased, but this evolution was less perceptible in vacuum packaging and was faster for meat from the garlic group. Only gender affected the visual appraisal scores, with women scoring higher than men. Neither PDE addition nor pig sex affected to purchase intention whereas both exposure time and packaging type did. A maximum of 2 days of exposure would be recommended. In the home-test, meat from male pigs obtained higher scores than meat from female pigs, and none of the consumer-related effects influenced the given scores.