Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Essential Oils against Bacteria Isolated from Freshwater Fish

The aim of study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of ten essential oils against ten microorganisms isolated from fish. The following essential oils were tested: Cymbopogon nardus Rendle, Citrus limon, Leptospermum petersonii Bailey, Gaultheria procumbens, Pelargonium graveolens, Citrus paradisi, Citrus aurantifolia, Litsea cubeba Pers., Citrus reticulata Blanko, Vetiveria zizanoides. The disc diffusion method and microdilution method were used for determination of antimicrobial activity. Rhodotorula spp., Aerococcus spp., Aerococcus viridans, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus moraviensis, Aeromonas spp., Delftia acidovorans, Pseudomonas gessardii, Yersinia spp., Yersinia ruckeri, Yersinia enterocolitica were tested in the present study. The best antimicrobial activity of Leptospermum petersonii Bailey were found against Aerococcus spp., Enterococcus faecium, E. moraviensis, Delftia acidovorans, Pseudomonas gessardii, Yersinia ruckeri and Y. enterocolitica. Litsea cubeba Pers. was effective against Delftia acidovorans, Yersinia enterocolitica, Enterococcus faecium using the disc diffusion method. The best minimal inhibition concentration (MIC 50 - 1.5 µL/mL resp. MIC 90 - 1.6 µL/mL) was found for Litsea cubeba Pers. against Aerococcus spp. and Yersinia spp. using microdilution method.

Constrains of the Multi-Sectoral Partnerships in Romania - Are Local Action Groups Sustainable?

Local Action Groups (LAGs) are responsible for promoting social and economic development in their territories, by creating local development strategies (LDSs) funded through LEADER Programme. They are area-based multisectoral partnerships, formed from public, private and social stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to study the governance and sustainability of Romanian LAGs, using evidence from the Nord-West Development Region from Romania. Structured interviews with LAGs managers were used as a primary method for collecting data. The results show that LAGs are struggling to remain active during the transition periods between two editions of the program, questioning their capacity to function without LEADER funding. However, they report fewer major changes compared to the last transition, mostly focusing on partnership and territorial structure.

Antimicrobial Effect of Medicinal Plants on Microbiological Quality of Grape Juice

The safety of plant-based food of plant origin is a priority for producers and consumers. The biological value of food products enriched with herbal ingredients is getting more popular among consumers. The present study was aimed to evaluate microbiological quality of grape juice enriched with medicinal plants. There were two varieties of grapes -Welschriesling and Cabernet Sauvignon and six species of medicinal plants used for the experiment: Calendula officinalis L., Ginkgo biloba, Thymus serpyllum, Matricaria recutita, Salvia officinalis L., and Mentha aquatica var. citrata. A total of 14 samples of juice were prepared and two of them were used as controls and 12 samples were treated with medicinal plants. Total microbial count, coliforms, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts and microscopic fungi for testing the microbiological quality were detected. All the samples were negative for lactic acid bacteria. There were neither coliform bacteria nor yeast and fibrous microscopic fungi present in some of the treated samples apart from the control samples. Coliform bacteria of 1 log cfu/mL were detected during the first testing and identified Proteus vulgaris in the control sample of grape juice of the variety Welschriesling. The yeast of the genus Candida was present in 2 log cfu/mL and it was detected during first and second testing in the control sample of Cabernet Sauvignon, unlike the other samples. The sample of grape juice with the addition of sage had the most significant inhibitory effect on total count of bacteria. The most common microorganisms in all samples were Bacillus cereus and Acinetobacter johnsonii, however, those microorganisms were absent during second testing due to the action of naturally occurring antimicrobials in the grapes.

Effects of Pomace Fertilization on some Phenological, Morphological and Biochemical characters of the Cherry tree in the Region of Tlemcen (Algeria): Case of the Black Bigareau and Sunburst

Pomace is the solid residue by-product resulting from the extraction of olive oil. Their high content of organic compounds gives them the possibility of being used also as green manure. We have tried this amendment approach on two varieties of cherry grown in the Tlemcen region. The Sunburst and the Black Bigarreau. Its use in combination with N.P.K fertilizers increases the carbon content of the soil, boosts the formation of May bouquets, and improves the water-holding capacity of the clay-humic complex. The results of this study showed that olive pomace used as a fertilizer, alone or in combination with N.P.K mineral fertilizers creates an advantage on the phenological and biochemical aspect, especially on the Black Bigarreau variety.

Date Scraps and Rumen Content Extract in Broiler Feed: Effects on Growth Performances, Carcass Yields, Meat Quality and Economic Efficiency

The aim of this study was to determine the effect on the production performances and carcass characteristics of local broiler chickens of replacing corn with cull dates from agri-food industries in oasis zones and of complementing this with rumen content extract from sheep abattoirs in the chickens’ feed rations. A total of 200 male and female day-old chicks of local stock, with an average weight of 25±2g, were divided randomly into 4 groups of 50 individuals, each group distinguished by the respective rate of substitution of corn by cull dates (0%, 20%, 30% and 40%) for a period of 48 days. Each group was divided into ten (10) cages of 5 subjects. The live weights after 48 days improved for all experimental groups, recording an increase of +162g (20%); +82g (30%) and +31g (40%). All of the characteristics remained unchanged for all groups with the exception of liver weight, which was lower in the experimental groups. Substituting until 40% of the corn by culls dates while adding 250 ml rumen content extract per kilogram of broiler feed increased the live weight and average daily gain compared to the control.

Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabellifer L., Arecaceae) as a Valuable Resource for Livelihood Security in Odisha, India

The present study (April 2015 to March 2018) is carried out to document and enlist the indigenous utilization pattern of Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer L.) in coastal districts of Odisha, India. The purpose of the research is to explore multipurpose use of Palmyra palm with the aim to suggest for proper marketing of the products which provides livelihood support to the rural people of Odisha. Exploratory assessment is made through field survey, literature consultations and key informant interviews. Various plant parts such as root, stem, leaves, inflorescence, seed, and fruit are used for various purposes including food, beverage, fiber, medicinal, and timber. This plant has been instrumental for indigenous people in providing a substantial livelihood through their own indigenous wisdom from collection to the processing of products. Certain measures for its better utility are suggested.

Morphobiometry and Growth Performances of Improved Genetic Types of Chickens (Gallus Gallus) Raised in Cameroon

From July to November 2019, a study has been carried out in the locality of Ngaoundéré in order to contribute to a better knowledge of exotic hens. For this purpose, 190 improved strain chicks of one day-old with an average weight of 35.49±3.78g were distributed according to the type of feather. They were fed an iso-energetic and iso-proteic feed. Data on phenotype characteristics, growth performance, biometric data and carcass were determined. The main results show that three types of feathering were recorded with 16.4% of hens with bare necks and with feathered pits, 78.1% of hens with feathered pits and 5.5% of hens with normal feathers. The majority of hens were recorded with a single comb (75.3%), round mumps (71.2%), white pits (76.4%), black beaks (47.9%) and brown eyes (75.3%). In terms of zootechnical performance, the highest live weight (1758.00±322.20g) was recorded with naked-necked hens and feathered pits. The highest weekly average weight gain was recorded with yellow eyed hens (111.77±16.63g) followed by bare-necked and feathered pits (107.83±20.06g). Hens expressing the Na and Pti genes showed the best growth performance although carcass yield was not significantly affected by feather type. It was concluded that there is a very high phenotypic diversity in the so-called improved hens. However, despite their great potential, responsible management of this genetic resource should be encouraged in order to avoid genetic erosion of local poultry resources.

Isolation and Characterization of a New Streptomyces strain LG10 from an Unexploited Algerian Saharan Atlas

An actinobacterial strain named LG10 was isolated from a Saharan Atlas soil (Laghouat, Algeria). The aerial hyphae were yellowish-white on all culture media with rectiflexibiles spore chains, suggested that this bacterium attached to Streptomyces. Furthermore, LG10 contained chemical characteristics that were diagnostic for the genus Streptomyces, such as the presence of LL-diaminopimelic acid isomer (LL-DAP) and glycine amino acid. The hydrolysates of whole-cell included non-characteristic sugars. Comparative analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence displayed a similarity level of 100% with Streptomyces puniceus NRRL ISP-5058T. The antimicrobial activity of the LG10 strain was better in the culture medium MB5. Streptomyces strains are good sources of bioactive compounds with multiple biological activities.

Splenic and Leucocytic Responses in Wistar Rats Exposed to Chronic Doses of Hydromethanol Extract of Helianthus annuus Leaf in Feed

To evaluate the effects of the hydromethanol extract of Helianthus annuus on leucocyte profile and spleen histology after prolonged exposure to Wistar rats. This study involved the incorporation of varied concentrations (2.50, 5.00 and 10.00 mg/10 g) of hydromethanol extract of H. annuus in feed and feeding same to Wistar rats for 90 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected from the retro-orbital plexus of the rats on days 30, 60 and 90, for leucocyte count. Histopathological examination of the spleen was also conducted. The extract treatment did not cause a significant (p >0.05) change in the leucocyte profile and the spleen histology in the treated rats when compared to the normal control rats. On day 90, the total leucocyte counts of 15.24 ± 1.47, 12.69 ± 0.84 and 16.29 ± 3.36 for the groups that were treated with extract 2.50, 5.00 and 10.00 mg/10 g feed respectively, were not significantly (p > 0.05) different when compared with the total leucocyte count (12.01 ± 0.77) of the control group. The findings suggest that hydromethanol extract of H. annuus do not have a significant effect on the leucocyte profile and the histology of spleen.

Slovak Sheep Cheese Bryndza as a Reservoir of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria

The aim of this study was to determine antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from sheep cheese “bryndza”. The cheese samples were obtained from five Slovak farms and different groups of bacteria isolated from cheese samples. Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae were the most distributed bacterial families with other bacterial families as Enterococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae and Moraxellaceae were identified. Enterobacteriaceae were tested to cefepime (cephalosporins) and imipenem (carbapenems), Lactobacillaceae family were tested for resistance to vancomycin (glycosides) and to imipenem. Staphylococcaceae were tested for resistance against tigecycline (tetracycline) and chloramphenicol (amphenicols). Enterococcaceae family was tested against tigecycline and imipenem. Genus Acinetobacter of the Moraxellaceae family was tested for resistance to ciprofloxacin (fluoroquinolones) and to imipenem. All tested bacteria showed susceptibility against the chosen antibiotics.