Biochemical parameters variations with season, age, sex, parity and pregnancy in crossbred goats raised in Tiaret, Algeria

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of season, age, sex, parity and gestation status on some biochemical parameters in local cross-bred goats raised in Tiaret, Algeria. Ninety cross bred local goats, from 2019 to 2020, aged between nine and seventy-two months at different physiological stage were used. Animals belong to different farms in Tiaret located at the north-west Algeria (35°22’ N, 1°19’ E). The mean values of triglycerides, creatinine and calcium were significantly (p<0,05) higher in winter than in spring. The physiological state of the goat had a significant influence (p<0,05) on cholesterol, urea, total proteins, calcium and phosphorus, with a high average values in non-pregnant goats, while triglycerides and globulin had significant higher values in postpartum and pregnant femals, respectively. In our work, parity had a significant influence (p<0,05) on cholesterol, calcium and phosphorus, with high average values in young goats and a significant influence (p<0,05) on triglycerides and creatinine with high average values in primiparous ones. Age significantly influenced (p<0,05) cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, calcium and globulin. The results obtained from this study could serve as reference values for the local goats and other regions or countries with similar climatic and nutritional conditions.

Status of a collection from common wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum L.) of Bulgarian origin after a ten-year ex situ storage period

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the condition of a collection of Bulgarian common wheat varieties under ex situ controlled storage after a ten-year period. The studied materials are characterized by high vitality, without negative changes that will lead to the loss of original germplasm. The established moisture in the seeds is high for the purpose of controlled storage. When it rises above 12,5%, a decrease in the values of germination energy is observed. Higher control of initial moisture and germination is required prior to entering the seeds for storage under ex situ conditions.

Geological-geomorphological characteristics and petrographical composition of the St. Anastasia Island

St. Anastasia Island is one of the symbols of the cultural and historical heritage of the Republic of Bulgaria. This raises the need for the study of risky oceanographic factors, climatic phenomena, risky geological processes as well as detailed petrographical characteristics of the Upper Cretaceous volcanic rocks forming the islands. The results of the petrographical study show that the island was built by Alkali feldspar trachytes. The volcanics from St. Anastasia Island shows a close petrochemical similarity to the volcanics from Alatepenski paleovolcano belonging to the “Peripheral Volcanic Centers” in the region.

High production of L-glutamic acid from date juice extracts by Corynebacterium glutamicum using fed-batch cultures: pulsed and continuous feeding modes

In the present work, L-glutamic acid production by Corynebacterium glutamicum fermentation on date juice extracts applying two fed-batch feeding modes, pulsed and continuous, were investigated. According to the obtained results, the continuous feeding fed-batch mode was found to be the most efficient process. Moreover the continuous feeding rate mode with a feeding medium containing date juice sugars enriched with ammonium sulfate was found even more favorable as it enhances the L-glutamic acid production by approximately 2.35 fold more than the batch culture and by about 1.17 fold more than the pulsed feeding. In this respect, comparing the traditional batch culture to the continuously fed culture with a medium containing date juice sugars with ammonium sulfate showed increases of 135.47% in L-glutamic acid production, 104% in productivity, 39.09% in biomass, and 47.69% in the yield respectively allowing us to reach a final L-glutamic acid concentration of about 138 g/L, the highest ever published.

Impact of variety and extraction process on physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of virgin olive oil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of variety and extraction system on the physico-chemical and sensorial characteristics of olive oils produced from three dominant varieties of Algeria (Azeradj, Chemlal and Sigoise). The olive oils were extracted by three different processes (pressure system, two-phase centrifugation and traditional process). Physicochemical parameters including free acidity, peroxide value, absorbance in ultra violet (K232, K270, ΔK) and sensory evaluation were studied. The results show that free acidity, peroxyde value and K270 were influenced by the extraction system and variety. Olive oils obtained from the two phases centrifugation and Chemlal cultivar were characterized by higher oxidative stability. Sensory characteristics of olive oils were mainly influenced by the variety and extraction system. Olive oils obtained from the two phases centrifugation, traditional cold process and Sigoise variety were characterized by the lower mean values of negative attributes.

Ability of metal trace elements accumulation by Lichens, Xanthoria parietina and Ramalina farinacea, in Megres area (Setif, Algeria)

The accumulating ability of the atmospheric Metal Trace Elements (MTE) of two lichenic species thalli; Xanthoria parietina and Ramalina farinacea were evaluated in the region of Megres. The recorded concentrations of MTE (Fe, Cu, Mn, Cd, and Pb) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AASF). The ability to accumulate MTE in X. parietina thalli is considerably greater than that of the fruticulous lichen R. farinacea in all stations studied. The general pattern of the elements accumulated in the thalli of the two species in decreasing order of their concentrations was Fe> Mn> Pb> Cu> Cd. The Fe values are very high in X. parietina thalli with an average of 35237.5 ± 3394.2 mg/kg dry wt. In contrast, the Pb concentrations are high, especially in the southern station of the Megres region. The results showed that X. parietina is a hyper-accumulating species of MTE, compared to R. farinacea. This work highlights the ecological importance of this species as a stable and resistant pioneer in this fragile region.

Physico-chemical and biological characterization of the edaphic substrate of Arbutus unedo L. Case of the Tamalous forest (Skikda, Algeria)

The understanding of the ecological behavior of Arbutus unedo L. in the context of its valuation is the objective assigned to this work. Two different observation sites were selected in Tamalous forest (Skikda) presenting different habitat contexts along a north-south transect. The methodological approach adopted is that of the comparative analysis of the physico-chemical and biological characteristics between a soil under cover of Arbutus unedo L. and bare control soil. The results obtained highlighted quite significant differences between the soils covered with strawberry tree, show that they are acidic in nature, an increase in the rate of organic matter, of the CEC which increases significantly as well as the concentration of exchangeable cations. As for the soil fauna, we observe a clear increase in biomass than in density at the level of all families of individuals, in particular the stations under the strawberry tree cover.

Contribution of ecological restoration in preservation of forests ecosystems in Algeria

Under the combined effect of anthropogenic pressures and climate change, forest ecosystems can no longer play their ecological and economic role if nothing is done to adapt them. The impacts of fires, overgrazing and overexploitation are that over 60% of forest ecosystems are in an advanced stage of degradation. It is in this context that a new strategy focused on ecological restoration must be quickly put in place. It must be based on ecological alternatives designed to adapt the composition and structure of these plant formations to environmental conditions. The concept of stable species, living space, keystone species, natural attributes and habitat identification. The ecological restoration proposed will allow preserving the vegetal cover at first time and then developing the species with resilience through a list of species that could develop under different pressures, both natural and anthropogenic.

Protective effect of zinc and Pine barks extract supplement against Indometacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

This investigation was aimed to study the effect of Pinus halepensis aqueous bark extract and zinc to prevent indomethacin induced gastric ulcer in rats. Thirty female albino Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each (n=5); Group 1: normal control, Group 2: ulcer rats received normal saline, Group 3: ulcer rats treated with P. halepensis, Group 4: ulcer rats were treated with zinc, Group 5: ulcer rats were treated with P. halepensis + zinc and Group 6 ulcer rats were treated with Ranitidine for 15 days. Stomach ulcer was induced by a single oral administration of indomethacin (30 mg/kg). Various biochimical, physiologic and histologic parameters were estimated. Obtained results show that the ulcer index, pH and total acidity level were significantly reduced (p<0.05) and Pepsin activity was significantly increased (p< 0.05) in ulcer induced rats pre-treated with extract of P. halepensis, zinc and ranitidine when compared with indomethacin treated rats. The MDA level was significantly decreased and GSH level was increased (p< 0.05) in rats treated with plant extract and zinc. Histopathology of gastric mucosa confirmed the gastro-protection by plant and zinc treatment. The study reveals anti-ulcer and antioxidant properties were observed in bark aqueous extract of P. halepensis groups with a benefic effect of zinc to reduce oxidative stress and gastric ulcer induced in the rat.