Neuroprotective effect of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil in developing Wistar rats exposed to manganese chloride

The present study was carried out in order to evaluate, on the one hand, the modifications induced by manganese chloride according to a neurobehavioral, biochemical and histological approach in developing Wistar rats and, on the other hand, to test the effectiveness of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) essential oil (FEO) in restoring or not the harmful effects of manganese chloride (MnCl2). The characterization of this essential oil by gas chromatography showed that the major component is E-anethole (34.7907%). The administration of FEO corrected the depressive state, anxiety and locomotor hypoactivity respectively observed in rats exposed to MnCl2, thus, the FEO restored the activity of the various antioxidant enzymes with a clear improvement of the cerebral tissue architecture in intoxicated rats treated with FEO. In conclusion, the FEO has a beneficial effect on the nervous system of rats intoxicated with MnCl2 which justifies the importance of this oil in traditional medicine.

Effect of Cooking and Freezing on Levels of pesticides residues in Local Fresh Fish

Pesticides are an important part of pests controlling strategies. Misuse of such chemicals has been linked to pollution of various environments and toxicities that lead to various health conditions and diseases. Importance of healthy and non-contaminated fish for human diet is essentially required. Samples of 14 local fresh fish (tilapia, grey mullet, and cat fish) were analyzed for seven pesticides (endosulfan, heptachlor, malathion, chlorpyrifos, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, and fenoxycarb) using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Heat processing applied for positive samples by two different cooking method (roasting at 79 °C for 10 min and frying at 210 °C for 40 min) have influenced the levels of studied pesticides and significantly reduced their levels by 53-95%. Freezing preservation of contaminated fish at -70 °C for one month only reduced the level of the pesticides by 6-30%, however, final reduced levels were not below recommended maximum residue limit values.

A review of the effects of different feeding regimes of cows on milk fatty acids profile and antioxidant capacity

This bibliography review analyzes the effects of different feeding regimes of cows the nutritional and sanogenic quality of milk, with a particular emphasis on milk content in functional fatty acids and non-enzymatic lipophilic antioxidants. Thus, using suitable feeding regimes of cows, fatty acid (FA) profile of milk fats can be improved by increasing the concentration in functional FA (C18:1 trans-11, vaccenic acid; C18:3 n-3, acid linolenic and C18:2 cis-9 trans-11, isomer of conjugated linoleic acid), considered as beneficial for consumer’s health. These suitable feeding regimes of cows aim using green fodder (pastures), preserving the fodder by drying or silage, supplementing the food with fats rich FA polyunsaturated (PUFA) and ensuring an optimal ratio between volume and ration concentrates. Milk yielded from grazing cows shows a considerably higher concentration of functional FA and lipophilic antioxidants (tocopherols, retinol and carotenes) and a lower content of saturated FA compared to that yielded from cows fed in shelter with TMR (total mixed ration). Also, hay-based feed rations, mainly those containing small amounts of concentrates or those supplemented with vegetable fats, ensure a milk yield with a fatty acid profile more favorable for human health and a better oxidative stability of compared to those with feed-based rations on silage or those high in concentrates.

Characterization of intron 7 to exon 8 of heat shock protein 90-aa1 (hsp90aa1) gene in dominant brown layer chicken using some bioinformatic tools

HSP90AA1, an isoform of HSP90 has been characterized to indicate it plays important roles in basic cellular events. It is activated in chicken in response to heat stress. This study was aimed at the computational analysis of the biochemical cum structural features and an evolutionary relationship study on the HSP90AA1 gene in Dominant brown layers (DBL) and some selected avian species using bioinformatics tools. ProtParam for physicochemical properties. Scanprosite for post-translational modification sites, Netphos-3.1 for phosphorylation sites, BDM-PUB program for Ubiquitination sites, PDBSUM for Secondary structure and homology modelling with SWISS-model. The findings revealed that intron 7 and exon 8 of HSP90AA1 protein in DBL had a molecular weight of 24681.19Da and an instability index of 27.60, contains N-myristoylation, Protein-kinase-C-phosphorylation and Tyrosine-kinase-phosphorylation site-2 post-translational modification sites, 4-serine and 2-threonine phosphorylation sites and 12-ubiquitination sites. The evolutionary relationship study found Japanese quail to be in a sister branch close to DBL and chicken. Motifs detected in the avian species revealed the gene to be highly conserved. The secondary structure consisted of 16-helices, 3-sheets and 14-strands. The homology modelling was 87.25% sequence identity with human MC-HSP90-alpha. The study elucidates the components and characteristics of HSP90AA1 in DBL in response to heat stress.

Comparison of fatty acid composition of milk from Holstein and local breed cows in two breeding systems

Milk production and quality are influenced by many factors, including nutrition, management practices and breed. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of farming management system and breed on the milk yield, and fatty acid composition of the milk from 50 confinement-fed cows that were fed a total mixed ration, and 52 pasture-fed cows grazed together in rangeland. Individual milk samples (N = 102) were collected once in February. Milk from local breed was characterized by a significantly lower milk yield, and somatic cell count, and a higher protein content than the Holstein breed. The fatty acid composition was relatively the same in both breeds. The result showed that farming management system has no significant effect on the milk yield, somatic cell count, and fat contents, while there was a significant effect on protein content and fatty acid composition. The milk of Holstein cows from extensive system was characterized by more favorable fat fractions with significantly lower concentrations of C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, the sum of short and medium chain saturated fatty acids and n-6: n-3 ratio, and also by higher concentration of unsaturated fatty acids and the sum of n-3 than the milk of Holstein from intensive system.

Artificial intelligence, a possible solution for agriculture and animal husbandry sector?

This paper aims at making a review of the artificial intelligence concept, its global scope from the agro-livestock sector perspective and the understanding, approach and application of this concept Romania in early 2021. Artificial intelligence is a computer science sub-field that is materialized by algorithms developed starting from the logical or mathematical models of the cognition, perception and action processes. Globally, large agricultural companies are trying to grasp concepts such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and analysis. These areas have moved rapidly towards the agro-livestock sector too, but most companies have not been prepared to deal thoroughly with these new technologies. It really sounds interesting, but what does it take to take the next steps? The voice of the expert says: “If we really want to have a global impact on food sustainability, production and safety, we need to think about data standards, data sharing, benchmarking and analysis on aggregated data sets. Today, we see farmers who are reluctant to share data with agritech companies that have developed closed systems, which will hinder the evolution of things” (Claudia Roessler, IT specialist, Microsoft).

Modification of microbiological quality and valorization of different ruminants species ruminal content in farm animals feeding

This study is based on the microbiological analysis of a common slaughterhouse by-product which is the rumen content, before and after treatment with HCl 1N, targeting its valorization in domestic animal feeding. A total of 24 rumen content samples were collected in pairs (two series) immediately after slaughter from 12 ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats). The first series was not treated with HCl (N0 = 12), while the second series was treated with HCl 1N (N1 = 12) to adjust its pH to about 2. Then all samples (series 1 and 2) were subject to a group of microbiological analyzes targeting identification and enumeration of total aerobic mesophilic flora; fecal and total coliforms; Clostridium perfringens; Staphylococcus aureus; Salmonella spp. as well as yeasts and molds. The results revealed that after lowering the pH to about 2, the 2nd series samples were considered of satisfactory quality, with reference to Algerian microbiological standards for livestock feeds. The reduction rates of germs in the 2nd series compared to the 1st series were as follows: total aerobic mesophilic flora (86.45%), total coliforms (96.43%), faecal coliforms (70.41). %), Clostridium perfringens (88.4%), yeast and mold (87.75%). The total absence of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. was registered.

Impact of effective microbes (em) bokashi supplementation on nutrients digestibility, rumen fermentation and gas volume production in diets of sheep

The present study was conducted to determine the appropriate type of by-products {sugar beet pulp (SBP), grape seeds (GS), olive cake (OC), citrus pulp (CtP), and jojoba meal (JM)} fermented with activated effective microorganisms (EM-Bokashi) to be integrated into the diet of sheep to obtain the best nutrient digestibility and rumen characteristic of Barki sheep. An in vitro experiment was carried out on five fistulated females for rumen fermentation activity, while 15 males were used for digestibility trials. Treatment with EM caused less cell wall content. GS and CtP had higher feed intake (FI) and digestibility coefficients; the lower was found for JM as well less FI. SBP and JM had a higher pH and NH3 concentration, while they were less for GS and CtP. Those had higher total volatile fatty acids (TVFA's) concentration, percentage of acetate, and acetic to propionic (A/P) ratio. JM had less acetate, A/P and higher propionate and butyrate. Higher gas volume after 24h fermentation was noticed for GS and CtP, they were higher kinetic parameters as well, but they were less methane production and more ME (MJ/kg DM), OMD (%) and microbial protein syntheses. Therefore, in conclusion, feeding Bokashi of GS or CtP to sheep can improve productivity, while using Bokashi of JM should be combined with other feeds.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Addition in Dairy Cows Diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fresh yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation in the dairy cows’ diets on productive performances and health status. The study was carried out in the experimental farm of the Research and Development Institute for Bovine Balotești on 50 multiparous Romanian Black and Spotted dairy cows, randomly divided into two groups (N = 25 heads/group), according to age, milk yield, body weight and health status. The experimental group received 80 g Saccharomyces cerevisiae/head/day for one year. The groups were fed with the same diet and had free access to water and salt. Results were expressed as a mean (±Standard Deviation). The t-test was applied to obtain the significance of difference. Supplementation of the diet with Saccharomyces cerevisiae had a significant effect (P <0.001) on milk yield (20.71±1.65 l/head/day) for the experimental group comparing with the control group (18.22±1.81 l/head/day), and on milk protein and lactose (P <0.05). The addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in dairy cows’ diet did not improve the milk fat, hematological and biochemical/urine indicators in the experimental group (P >0.05). However, for alkaline phosphatase, differences at the end of the study have been observed (P <0.01). The beneficial effect of the yeast and yeast products in ruminants could be attributed to microbial activity by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the rumen of the animals. The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an alternative source of economic protein, vitamins and minerals in dairy cows’ diet represents an effective measure to optimize animal productivity.

Gravel Quarries Could Affect Vimba Bream (Vimba vimba Linnaeus 1758) Populations from Someș River, Romania

The European stocks of vimba bream (Vimba vimba) are presently declining, having a "vulnerable" status in some countries. In Romania, there is a lack of scientific studies regarding the species. In order to supplement existing information about this species, specimens of vimba bream were collected from the middle sector of Someș River (Transylvania). Age, length and weight were recorded from 4 sampling points, near gravel quarries. The results show that only young specimens were found. The highest total length value was 22.77 cm, while the highest weight recorded was 121.08 g. Most vimba bream were captured in the first location, where less anthropogenic pressure exists. The populations are in decline in this region because of gravel quarries, among other factors.