Investigation of important biochemical compounds from selected freshwater macroalgae and their role in agriculture

Background Freshwater macroalgae possess a number of important secondary metabolites. They are an unexplored source of medicinal compounds. In this study, three freshwater macroalgae—Chara vulgaris, Cladophora glomerata and Spirogyra crassa—were collected from the river Swat and the river Kabul in the Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. To assess the role of freshwater macroalgae in agriculture, various experiments were performed on their extracts. Methanolic extract of the three macroalgae were first analyzed through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) for the presence of important medicinal secondary metabolites. The methanol based macroalgae extracts were tested for antibacterial, insecticidal, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities. Results Initially, the algae were dried, crushed and treated with methanol for the extraction of secondary metabolites. The GC–MS results contained several important long chain fatty acids and other related long-chain hydrocarbons, such as alkanes and alkenes. Several benzene derivatives were also detected during the course of the investigation. Several of these compounds have established roles in the treatment of human ailments and can be supplied to farm animals. For example, phenylephrine is a decongestant, dilates pupils, increases blood pressure and helps in relieving hemorrhoids. Hexahydropseudoionone has uses in perfumes and other cosmetics. Several essential oils were also detected in the methanolic extract of the three macroalgae that can be utilized in various industrial products. Bioassays showed that these algal extracts—especially the Spirogyra sp. extract—contain moderate to maximum bioactivity. Conclusions Macroalgae possess important secondary metabolites with medicinal properties. These secondary metabolites can be used as biopesticides, plant growth enhancers, and remedies for various diseases in farm animals and for the control of weeds. They can be further explored for isolation and purification of useful biochemical compounds. Graphical Abstract

The Feasibility of Using Agarophyte Processing Waste

When agarophytes are processed, 16-89% algal waste (AW) is formed. Due to the high content of minerals in this waste and the presence of proteins that are resistant to the action of proteolytic enzymes, such AW is mainly used in the production of feed for farm animals. The significant content of polysaccharides in dry AW indicates that it could be used as a raw material for the production of dietary fiber (DF). Due to the difference in the chemical composition of AW depending on the type of red algae, different approaches for its deproteinization have been used. Thus, a 3% alkali solution should be used for the deproteinization of algal waste from the red algae Gracilaria, a 0.5% alkali solution for GelidiumAW, and a 1% sodium carbonate solution for A. plicataAW.The duration of the deproteinization process is 30 min at a temperature of 97±2 ∘C for all types of AW. In this study, functional and technological solutions of DF from AW were developed. The results showed that their water binding capacity was 6-22 g of water per 1 g of the preparation, the fat binding capacity was 1.6-3.3 g of fat per 1 g of the preparation, and the swelling capacity was 46-312% depending on the type of red algae.The obtained DF was used in the production of minced fish food products of the ‘fish sticks’ type, based on minced fish and consisting of cod and pink salmon. The study of the chemical composition and calorie content of the developed food product showed the possibility of its use in dietary nutrition. Keywords: red algae, algal waste, deproteinization, dietary fiber

Selected Livestock-Associated Zoonoses as a Growing Challenge for Public Health

The aim of this paper is to review the most significant livestock-associated zoonoses. Human and animal health are intimately connected. This idea has been known for more than a century but now it has gained special importance because of the increasing threat from zoonoses. Zoonosis is defined as any infection naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans. As the frequency and prevalence of zoonotic diseases increase worldwide, they become a real threat to public health. In addition, many of the newly discovered diseases have a zoonotic origin. Due to globalization and urbanization, some of these diseases have already spread all over the world, caused by the international flow of goods, people, and animals. However, special attention should be paid to farm animals since, apart from the direct contact, humans consume their products, such as meat, eggs, and milk. Therefore, zoonoses such as salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, tuberculosis, swine and avian influenza, Q fever, brucellosis, STEC infections, and listeriosis are crucial for both veterinary and human medicine. Consequently, in the suspicion of any zoonoses outbreak, the medical and veterinary services should closely cooperate to protect the public health.

The influence of use systems on the productivity of shrubephemeral desert pastures and the preservation of herbage

The article is devoted to the urgent problem of developing a scientifically based organization and use of distant pastures in the south of Kazakhstan. It has been found that the composition and diversity of pasture grasses have significant effect on the forage value of the grass stand and ultimately affect the forage capacity of desert pastures. Grazing of farm animals should be carried out with an optimal load on pastures, that is, no more than 70% of the productivity of the pasture mass should be exploited. Due to the better preservation of various types of forage plants and pasture herbage in general with systematic use, the yield of pastures in the summer season was 6.15 c/ha, in other words it was higher by almost 1.0 c/ha of dry forage mass compared to unsystematic grazing (5.20 c/ha). All pasture plants exploited in early spring produced aftermath in 10–15 days and were well preserved from overexploitation and trampling.

Association of Common Zoonotic Pathogens With Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Animal farming has intensified significantly in recent decades, with the emergence of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in industrialized nations. The congregation of susceptible animals in CAFOs can lead to heavy environmental contamination with pathogens, promoting the emergence of hyper-transmissible, and virulent pathogens. As a result, CAFOs have been associated with emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, hepatitis E virus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Streptococcus suis, livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Cryptosporidium parvum in farm animals. This has led to increased transmission of zoonotic pathogens in humans and changes in disease patterns in general communities. They are exemplified by the common occurrence of outbreaks of illnesses through direct and indirect contact with farm animals, and wide occurrence of similar serotypes or subtypes in both humans and farm animals in industrialized nations. Therefore, control measures should be developed to slow down the dispersal of zoonotic pathogens associated with CAFOs and prevent the emergence of new pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential.

Neurotoxic Potential of Deoxynivalenol in Murine Brain Cell Lines and Primary Hippocampal Cultures

Chronic exposure to the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) from grain-based food and feed affects human and animal health. Known consequences include entereopathogenic and immunotoxic defects; however, the neurotoxic potential of DON has only come into focus more recently due to the observation of behavioural disorders in exposed farm animals. DON can cross the blood-brain barrier and interfere with the homeostasis/functioning of the nervous system, but the underlying mechanisms of action remain elusive. Here, we have investigated the impact of DON on mouse astrocyte and microglia cell lines, as well as on primary hippocampal cultures by analysing different toxicological endpoints. We found that DON has an impact on the viability of both glial cell types, as shown by a significant decrease of metabolic activity, and a notable cytotoxic effect, which was stronger in the microglia. In astrocytes, DON caused a G1 phase arrest in the cell cycle and a decrease of cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α was secreted in the microglia in response to DON exposure. Furthermore, the intermediate filaments of the astrocytic cytoskeleton were disturbed in primary hippocampal cultures, and the dendrite lengths of neurons were shortened. The combined results indicated DON’s considerable potential to interfere with the brain cell physiology, which helps explain the observed in vivo neurotoxicological effects.

Combined functional additives for farm animals are an important segment in the implementation of the antibiotic resistance strategy and an effective mechanism for restoring animal homeostasis in mixed pathologies

The article provides an overview of the global situation related to the problem of antibiotic resistance, the search for rational ways to solve the problem and proposals for the imperative introduction of functional feed additives into the nutritional plan of animals in order to increase the resistance of the animal body and reduce the toxic load on the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary systems.

Veterinary drug Trametin obtained on the basis of Trametes pubescens xylotroph fungi: its effect on the biosynthesis of interferons and its prophylactic activity against calf respiratory diseases

Given the spread of bacterial and viral diseases in young farm animals, the use of interferons and drugs to stimulate their biosynthesis has gained relevance. In a previous study, we examined the effect of a veterinary drug Trametin produced on the basis of Trametes pubescens (Shumach.: Fr.) Pilat. on the biosynthesis of interferons in the blood of mice. The present work is aimed at studying the biosynthesis dynamics of α- and γ-interferons when using Trametin and studying its prophylactic activity in calves. It is shown that a single oral administration of Trametin in doses ranging from 15 to 60 mg/kg causes a dose-dependent induction and production of γ-interferon in the blood of mice, whose maximum content reaches 1337.0±93.0 pg/mL at 48 h after administering a dose of 30 mg/kg. With a Trametin dose increase from 15 to 30 mg/kg, the level of α-interferon production rises to 1388.0±84.0 pg/mL at 48 h after administration. At a Cycloferon dose of 4.5 mg/kg, the production level of α-interferon and γ-interferon amounts to 1455.47±84.2 and 1447.0±90.0 pg/mL, respectively. The immunostimulatory properties of Trametin are confirmed by a scientific and economic experiment conducted using immunocompromised calves. In our studies, an immunological test of calf blood performed prior to and following the administration of Trimetin and Cycloferon constitutes criteria for the prophylactic activity of these drugs. The prophylactic efficacy of Trametin is confirmed by an increase in phagocytic activity by 10.5%, phagocytic index by 61.8%, and phagocytic number by 52.8%. After Trametin administration, the bactericidal activity of the serum increases by 60%. Cycloferon exhibits a similar immunostimulatory effect. Nonspecific prophylaxis using Trametin is shown to reduce the incidence of bacterial and viral respiratory diseases in young calves and generally improve their immunity.

THE POTENTIAL USE OF ANTIBODIES FROM EGG YOLKS OF BIRD EGGS IN THE CONTEXT OF FOOD SECURITY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Bering E. proposed the principle of passive immunization at the end of the 19th century. Today, it is still used to treat tetanus, diphtheria, botulism, rabies and poisonous animal bites (snakes, spiders and scorpions). As before, equine antibodies or their fragments are used as an antidote. But the unique properties of antibodies from the yolks of chicken eggs (IgY) make it possible to use them for a wide range of therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. IgY-antibodies are used in several countries (Canada, Germany, Japan, China) on an industrial scale to produce medical and veterinary drugs to protect humans and animals against pathogens, providing highly effective immunological protection. The Romanian Romvac Company SA is a separate company in the series of manufacturers of these drugs. This company produces IgY preparations in limited batches against many antigens and practices the production of personalized antibodies directed at pathogens of a particular patient. This approach is guaranteed to damage the pathogen, however unique it may be. The authors have analyzed many review articles on the use of IgY-technology. These antibodies are nonaddictive, non-toxic, do not interact with rheumatoid factor, complement, or Fc-fragments of immunocompetent cells, and do not cause antibody-dependent reinforcement of infection. Oral administration of specific IgY-antibodies significantly reduces the manifestations of celiac disease and pathological conditions caused by activation of pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. Passive immunization of young farm animals with IgY-antibodies is economical and practical against many mammals, birds and aquatic animals. The great potential of this new direction can provide a rapid and cost-effective breakthrough in improving the adequate food security of the Russian Federation.

First Report of Rickettsia Asembonensis in Small Ruminants

Rickettsioses is an emerging infectious disease in Southeast Asia caused by different organisms in the Rickettsiae bacterial tribe, a gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium. There is limited information regarding the vertebrate hosts of Rickettsia spp. This study aims to detect and identify Rickettsia agents present in wildlife and domesticated animals in Malaysia using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing approach with phylogenetic analysis. Rickettsia sp. was detected in 2 (0.67%) of 300 animal blood samples. The positive samples were derived from a goat (5.56% of 18) and a sheep (2.22% of 45). Based on the analysis of the Rickettsia citrate synthase gene (gltA), both sequences demonstrated 99.64% sequence similarity to Rickettsia asembonensis, a species that is known to infect humans and macaques. This study reported for the first time the detection of R. asembonensis in sheep and goats in Malaysian farms, suggesting this species may be adapting in a wider range of animals, specifically farm animals, therefore, poses a zoonotic threat to the local populace particularly to the farm workers or animal handlers. The low infection rate of this pathogen yet is of public health importance highlighted the needs of continuous surveillance of emerging and reemerging pathogens among animal reservoirs.