Laboratory evaluation of ensiled mixtures of alkali-treated cattle excreta and whole-crop maize

Faeces or manure (faeces + urine + straw bedding) from beef cattle given maize silage diets were ensiled with whole-crop maize (27% dry matter), after treatment with NaOH at 0, 7.5 or 15 g per 100 g excreta DM, so that excreta DM comprised 25, 50 or 100% of the total DM, in a factorial design. A control treatment consisted of maize forage ensiled alone. The ensiled products were analysed for the content of fermentation acids, pH, nitrogenous compounds, structural carbohydrates, starch, water-soluble carbohydrates, ash, sodium and digestibility in vitro. Mixtures which contained 25% excreta DM were well preserved with relatively low values for pH, butyric acid and ammonia-N, and a high proportion of fermentation acids as lactic acid. Mixtures which contained 50% excreta DM were generally poorly preserved. Addition of NaOH to excreta prior to ensiling was reflected in a decrease in the content of neutral detergent fibre and increased digestibility of organic matter in vitro in the ensiled products. Mixtures of 25% excreta treated with 15 g NaOH/100 g excreta DM gave values for digestibility in vitro similar to that of the maize ensiled alone.     

Do laying hens eat and forage in excreta from other hens?

Worldwide, farm animals are kept on litter or foraging substrate that becomes increasingly soiled throughout the production cycle. For animals like laying hens, this means that it is likely they would scratch, forage and consume portions of excreta found in the litter or foraging substrate. However, no study has investigated the relative preference of laying hens for foraging and consumption of feed mixed with different percentages of excreta. A total of 48 White Leghorn laying hens of two strains, a commercial strain (Lohmann LSL-Lite (LSL), n=24) and UCD-003 strain (susceptible to liver damage, n=24), were individually housed and given access to feed mixed with increasing percentages of hen excreta (0%, 33%, 66% and 100% excreta diets) and corn as a luxury food reward (four corn kernels per diet daily). The amount of substrate and number of corn kernels consumed from each diet was recorded for a period of 3 weeks. Both LSL and UCD-003 hens preferred to consume and forage in diets with 0% excreta, followed by 33% and finally diets containing 66% and 100% excreta. Despite the presence of excreta-free diets, birds consumed on average 61.3 g per day of the diets containing excreta. Neither physical health, measured by plasma enzyme activity levels, nor cognitive differences, assessed by recalling a visual discrimination task, was associated with relative feeding or foraging preference. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a clear preference for feeding and foraging on substrate without excreta in laying hens. However, considering the amount of excreta diets consumed, further studies are needed to understand the causes and consequences of excreta consumption on physiological and psychological functioning, and how this information can be used to allow adjustments in the management of foraging substrates in farmed birds.     

Viability of Claviceps africana spores ingested by adult corn earworm moths, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

A study was conducted in College Station, TX, to determine the viability of Claviceps africana spores in the digestive tract of adult corn earworm moths, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). Both sexes were exposed to ergot-infected sorghum panicles for 30 min, and spores were recovered from excreta of the moths at 24-, 48-, and 72-h intervals after feeding. Recovered spores were quantified, and viability was determined by the germination rate of macroconidia. Nearly a 100-fold greater concentration of spores was recovered from female excreta at the three time intervals compared with male excreta. Concentration of spores in female and male excreta was greatest at 24 h, with a significant reduction at the later time intervals. Spore germination rates for both sexes were greater at 24 h, with survival being significantly reduced at the 72-h interval. Spores in female excreta survived longer than those from male excreta. Spore survival over time was significantly reduced in male excreta. Spore concentration and survival were greater from female excreta, which is key, because egg-laying activities on sorghum panicles intensify during flowering, and this source of ergot spores could contribute to the spread of the disease. This study demonstrates that corn earworm moths can internally carry viable ergot spores for several days and can act as primary dispersal agents for the fungus. This is important because contaminated moths migrating from areas in Mexico and southern Texas where ergot is endemic could transmit and spread the disease to other sorghum growing regions of the United States.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptococcus neoformans</Emphasis> Isolated from Passerine and Psittacine Bird Excreta in the State of Paraná, Brazil

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic basidiomycete yeast that causes life-threatening infections as meningoencephalitis primarily in immunocompromised hosts, generally associated with AIDS. The source of this organism is mainly pigeon excreta; however, other avian species' excreta are implicated as a source of this yeast. The occurrence of C. neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in bird excreta in the state of Paraná in Brazil was determined in this study. A total of 141 samples of Passerine and Psittacine excreta from captive birds were collected. Additionally, 25 clinical samples from Hospital de Clínicas, in the state of Paraná were also analyzed. The determination of molecular and mating type of the isolates was performed by PCR fingerprinting, multiplex PCR, and mating type PCR. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (VNI) was isolated from 36 (25.53%) of Passerine and Psittacine excreta samples. Almost all clinical samples, except one (C. gattii VGI), were classified as C. neoformans var. grubii (VNI). All environmental and clinical isolates were mating type alpha. These findings reinforce that, besides pigeon excreta, the excreta of these birds can also be a reservoir of C. neoformans in domestic and public environments and is of zoonotic importance to immunocompromised patients.     

Identification of various T-2 toxin metabolites in chicken excreta and tissues.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify various T-2 toxin metabolites in chicken excreta and organs 18 h after intraperitoneal injection of the toxin. No trichothecenes were detected in the heart and kidneys, and only trace amounts were detected in the lungs. Most of the T-2 metabolites were found in the excreta, although considerable amounts were also found in the liver. In addition to the previously identified T-2 metabolites in chicken excreta (HT-2 toxin, 15 acetoxy T-2 tetraol, and T-2 tetraol), we found 3'-hydroxy HT-2 toxin (the major metabolite in excreta and organs), 3'-hydroxy T-2 toxin, 4-acetoxy T-2 tetraol, and trace amounts of 8-acetoxy T-2 tetraol, 3-acetoxy-3'hydroxy HT-2 toxin, and T-2 triol. Unmetabolized T-2 toxin and an unidentified isomer of T-2 tetraol monoacetate were also detected in the excreta. Most of the metabolites in the chicken are similar to those encountered in cultures of fungal species producing T-2 toxin. A comparison with T-2 toxin metabolism in the cow is also reported.     

Effect of nickel on biological methane generation from a laboratory poultry waste digester

Nickel added in concentrations as low as 10muM significantly increased biogas production in a laboratory poultry waste digester utilizing excreta from laying hens as the organic energy source. It was shown that the initial rate of biogas production increased as early as 4 h after the addition of nickel to the laboratory cultures. Analysis of the excreta for nickel content prior to addition of exogenous NiCl(2) showed appreciable amounts of nickel present. The data indicate that nickel naturally present in layer excreta is suboptimal or unavailable to the bacteria for biogas production purposes.     

Identification of various T-2 toxin metabolites in chicken excreta and tissues

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify various T-2 toxin metabolites in chicken excreta and organs 18 h after intraperitoneal injection of the toxin. No trichothecenes were detected in the heart and kidneys, and only trace amounts were detected in the lungs. Most of the T-2 metabolites were found in the excreta, although considerable amounts were also found in the liver. In addition to the previously identified T-2 metabolites in chicken excreta (HT-2 toxin, 15 acetoxy T-2 tetraol, and T-2 tetraol), we found 3'-hydroxy HT-2 toxin (the major metabolite in excreta and organs), 3'-hydroxy T-2 toxin, 4-acetoxy T-2 tetraol, and trace amounts of 8-acetoxy T-2 tetraol, 3-acetoxy-3'hydroxy HT-2 toxin, and T-2 triol. Unmetabolized T-2 toxin and an unidentified isomer of T-2 tetraol monoacetate were also detected in the excreta. Most of the metabolites in the chicken are similar to those encountered in cultures of fungal species producing T-2 toxin. A comparison with T-2 toxin metabolism in the cow is also reported.     

Response of bacteria to earthworm surface excreta

Response of bacteria to the surface excreta of the Aporrectodea caliginosa earthworm was studied. The excreta were obtained by a 1 h incubation of the earthworms in petri dishes with subsequent collection of the slime. Both inhibition and stimulation of growth were revealed, as well as suppression of the respiratory activity of some bacterial species treated with A. caliginosa surface excreta. The organisms studied included various taxa of soil bacteria (19 strains), bacteria isolated from A. caliginosa intestine and excrements (82 strain), and 48 Bacillus thuringiensis strains. For the cultures of soil bacteria, the respiratory activity was determined using the formazan color reaction due to the activity of the respiratory cycle enzymes. Earthworm excreta caused a consistent 30–50% decrease of dehydrogenase activity in 13 out of the 19 cultures. Determination of the growth rates (derived from OD₆₂₀ of cell suspensions) after 10 h of incubation revealed growth stimulation in 48 out of the 82 strains isolated from intestines and excrement. Other strains exhibited no reaction to the excreta. For 29 out of 45 B. thuringiensis strains, growth stimulation was observed, while growth of two strains was suppressed; other strains exhibited no reaction to the excreta. No relation was found between bacterial reaction to the excreta and their taxonomic position. These results correlate with the research, demonstrating antibacterial and antifungal activity of the extracts from the earthworm body and digestive tract. Thus, earthworms, apart from their medium-forming function, affect the formation of soil microbial communities by direct stimulation or suppression of specific microbial populations.     

Appropriate technologies for environmental hygiene

Appropriate technologies for environmental hygiene usually centre on the delivery of adequate and accessible water supply, and proper treatment and disposal of excreta and refuse. In the face of the International Drinking Water and Sanitation Decade of 1981-90, several research efforts are under way in the developing countries to develop technologies and approaches for improving environmental hygiene in both rural areas and urban squatter settlements. These are discussed and include the technical development and field testing of infiltration galleries, low-cost slow and fast filtration processes for water treatment, handpumps, on-site excreta disposal using aqua-privy and compost toilets, and excreta treatment and refuse through composting with refuse, biogas generation, fish culture and use of excreta as crop fertilizer. The relevant technology 'hardware' is but one of several components necessary for effective delivery of services. The dearth of qualified manpower at all levels is described as being the major constraint to the Water and Sanitation Decade.     

Nickel as an accelerator of biogas production in water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes solms.)

The effect of nickel ions on biogas production has been investigated in 3-litre fermenters. It was observed that nickel is stimulatory up to 5 ppm, with an optimum at 2·5 ppm, in a water hyacinth-bovine excreta substrate. A similar effect with nickel was also observed at 5 ppm in bovine excreta.     

Influence of exogenous xylanase supplementation on apparent metabolisable energy and amino acid digestibility in wheat for broiler chickens

The influence of two commercial xylanase preparations on the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and, ileal and excreta amino acid digestibilities in wheat for broilers was investigated. The following three dietary treatments were tested: a basal diet containing 918 g kg⁻¹ wheat, basal diet plus enzyme 1 and basal diet plus enzyme 2. Each diet was offered ad libitum to four pens (four birds/pen) from day 35 to day 42 post-hatching. Total collection of excreta was carried out during the last 4 days. All birds were euthanatised on day 42 and the contents of the lower half of the ileum were collected. Apparent ileal and excreta amino acid digestibilities were calculated using acid-insoluble ash as the indigestible marker. The AME values of wheat were markedly improved by exogenous enzymes. Addition of enzymes 1 and 2 improved the AME values by 12.6% and 18.6%, respectively. Supplementation of enzymes resulted in significant (p<0.05) improvements in ileal and excreta amino acid digestibilities in wheat. Mean excreta digestibility coefficients of the 15 amino acids in wheat, wheat plus enzyme 1 and wheat plus enzyme 2 were 0.70, 0.78 and 0.79, respectively. The corresponding values at the ileal level were 0.78, 0.84 and 0.85, respectively. Excreta digestibility of amino acids, with the exception of tyrosine, were found to be consistently lower than the ileal estimates. In the case of unsupplemented wheat, apparent digestibilities of individual amino acids measured in excreta were 5–22% units lower (p<0.10–0.01) than those measured at the terminal ileum. The ileal-excreta differences were generally lowered by the addition of enzymes.     

中国有机肥料养分资源潜力和环境风险分析

基于<中国农业年鉴2006)和其他文献的基础数据,计算了2005年中国人畜禽排泄物和秸秆数量及其产生的养分量.结果表明,2005年中国人畜禽排泄物总量为46.25亿t,秸秆总产量为6.43亿t.中国有机肥料养分资源潜力巨大,2005年人畜禽排泄物和秸秆共产生N、P2O5、K2O养分量分别为2824.52、1282.93、2947.99万t,分别为化肥N、P2O5、K2O投入量的1.08、0.86和4.56倍.但不同区域差异较大,其中河南、山东和四川省人畜禽排泄物产生N、P2O5、K2O量最多,均>400万t,西北地区和北京、天津、上海等地人畜禽排泄物产生的养分总量较少.秸秆中N、P2O5、K2O含量在河南和山东2个粮食主产省最高,均>150万t;西北地区秸秆养分产生量相对较少.单位农田面积人畜禽排泄物的N、P2O5和K2O养分负荷量以北京最高,达到787.26 kg·hm-2,其次是天津和上海,分别为515.31和505.35 kg·hm-2,环境风险较大.     

Determination of fermentable carbohydrate from the upper gastrointestinal tract by using colectomized rats.

The primary aim of this study was to characterize the carbohydrate that would be supplied to the colon for fermentation under physiological conditions. Colectomized rats were fed fiber-free diets or diets containing 5% (wt/wt) gum arabic. Four (fucose, galactose, glucosamine, and galactosamine) of 11 analyzed sugars accounted for 77% of the total sugar in ileal excreta from colectomized rats fed fiber-free diets. The three sugars in gum arabic, rhamnose, arabinose, and galactose, accounted for 84% of the total sugars in gum arabic ileal excreta. Comparisons of the sugar compositions of the ileal excreta, the water-soluble fractions of the excreta, and three gel filtration fractions of the water-soluble material with those of the water-soluble fraction of rat mucosa, the acetone-soluble fraction of pancreas, and pancreatin suggested that the major source of endogenous carbohydrate is mucin. Gum arabic increased the daily excretion of the four mucin-derived sugars (fucose, galactose, glucosamine, and galactosamine) by the colectomized rats from 473 mumol per day to 634 mumol per day. We conclude that mucin is the major endogenous carbohydrate excreted from the upper gut and that gum arabic increases the amount of this endogenous carbohydrate.     

Determination of fermentable carbohydrate from the upper gastrointestinal tract by using colectomized rats.

The primary aim of this study was to characterize the carbohydrate that would be supplied to the colon for fermentation under physiological conditions. Colectomized rats were fed fiber-free diets or diets containing 5% (wt/wt) gum arabic. Four (fucose, galactose, glucosamine, and galactosamine) of 11 analyzed sugars accounted for 77% of the total sugar in ileal excreta from colectomized rats fed fiber-free diets. The three sugars in gum arabic, rhamnose, arabinose, and galactose, accounted for 84% of the total sugars in gum arabic ileal excreta. Comparisons of the sugar compositions of the ileal excreta, the water-soluble fractions of the excreta, and three gel filtration fractions of the water-soluble material with those of the water-soluble fraction of rat mucosa, the acetone-soluble fraction of pancreas, and pancreatin suggested that the major source of endogenous carbohydrate is mucin. Gum arabic increased the daily excretion of the four mucin-derived sugars (fucose, galactose, glucosamine, and galactosamine) by the colectomized rats from 473 mumol per day to 634 mumol per day. We conclude that mucin is the major endogenous carbohydrate excreted from the upper gut and that gum arabic increases the amount of this endogenous carbohydrate.     

Risk and benefit judgment of excreta as fertilizer in agriculture: An exploratory investigation in Rwanda and Uganda

This research explores the use of psychometric techniques to improve understanding of psychological mechanisms underlying judgment of excreta as fertilizer in agriculture including other excreta-related activities. Participants consisted of environmental health students, smallholder farmers, and traders in rural and urban Rwanda and Uganda. The finding reveals an inverse relationship between risk and benefit judgments. This relationship holds for the three groups of participants with significant risk and benefit correlations of p < .0001. This finding is consistent with other studies in showing that affect plays a key role in risk perception, judgment, and decision-making. Building on this finding, we conclude that individuals with high risk and low benefit judgment for excreta-related practices would eschew them or emphasize strict standards. Individuals with a high benefit and low risk judgment would engage in excreta management practices regardless of the actual risks involved. This finding is relevant for risk communication and risk management as it indicates that individuals do not rely only on risk management information they receive concerning excreta and related risks but also depend, to an extent, on their feelings about these substances when making judgments and decisions regarding the purpose for using excreta as fertilizer and the level of exposure they can tolerate and manage.     

Effects of an Ecosystem Engineer on Belowground Movement of Microarthropods

Ecosystem engineers affect other species by changing physical environments. Such changes may influence movement of organisms, particularly belowground where soil permeability can restrict dispersal. We investigated whether earthworms, iconic ecosystem engineers, influence microarthropod movement. Our experiment tested whether movement is affected by tunnels (i.e., burrows), earthworm excreta (mucus, castings), or earthworms themselves. Earthworm burrows form tunnel networks that may facilitate movement. This effect may be enhanced by excreta, which could provide resources for microarthropods moving along the network. Earthworms may also promote movement via phoresy. Conversely, negative effects could occur if earthworms alter predator-prey relationships or change competitive interactions between microarthropods. We used microcosms consisting of a box connecting a “source” container in which microarthropods were present and a “destination” container filled with autoclaved soil. Treatments were set up within the boxes, which also contained autoclaved soil, as follows: 1) control with no burrows; 2) artificial burrows with no excreta; 3) abandoned burrows with excreta but no earthworms; and 4) earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) present in burrows. Half of the replicates were sampled once after eight days, while the other half were sampled repeatedly to examine movement over time. Rather than performing classical pairwise comparisons to test our hypotheses, we used AIC_c to assess support for three competing models (presence of tunnels, excreta, and earthworms). More individuals of Collembola, Mesostigmata, and all microarthropods together dispersed when tunnels were present. Models that included excreta and earthworms were less well supported. Total numbers of dispersing Oribatida and Prostigmata+Astigmata were not well explained by any models tested. Further research is needed to examine the impact of soil structure and ecosystem engineering on movement belowground, as the substantial increase in movement of some microarthropods when corridors were present suggests these factors can strongly affect colonization and community assembly.     

Characterization of proteolytic enzymes of the midgut and excreta of the biting fly Stomoxys calcitrans

Proteolytic enzymes were characterized in the midgut and the excreta of the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans (L) with proteins, synthetic substrates, and inhibitors. Inhibition studies suggested trypsinlike activity in sugar-fed fly midguts, whereas excreta and blood-fed fly guts exhibited other proteases. Trypsinlike activity in midguts removed 20 and 30 h after a blood meal increased from 20% to 50% of the total proteolytic enzymes present. Trypsinlike activity was inhibited with human sera, trypsin-specific inhibitors, and a protein isolated from the stable fly thorax. When human albumin and globulin fractions were incubated with trypsinlike enzymes isolated from the midgut and excreta, the albumin fraction was less inhibitory than the globulin fractions and was readily hydrolyzed by the proteolytic enzymes. These results may indicate that the proteolytic enzymes produce an abortive complex with the globulin fractions of the sera. Such a complex may explain the temporary inhibition of proteolysis by the blood meal. Soybean trypsin inhibitor fed to stable flies caused 50% inhibition in proteolytic activity in the midguts of sugar-fed stable flies and 25% inhibition in the midguts of blood-fed stable flies. Complete inhibition of proteolytic enzyme activity was achieved only in vitro. pH profiles of proteolytic enzyme activity isolated from the excreta of blood-fed stable flies indicated that several proteolytic enzymes were excreted.     

放牧家畜排泄物N转化研究进展

放牧家畜排泄物氮转化是草原生态系统氮循环的关键。自 2 0世纪 70年代以来 ,以提高氮利用效率和减少温室气体排放为目的的家畜排泄物氮转化的研究越来越受到人们的重视。放牧家畜排泄物氮的转化研究主要包括 3个方面 :氮的矿化、硝化与反硝化 ,氮的氨化。家畜粪氮矿化速度慢 ,持续时间长 ;尿氮矿化速度快 ,持续时间短。氮矿化与家畜排泄物 C∶ N比、木质素/氮素比、木质素含量和纤维素含量呈负相关关系 ,而与全氮含量和水溶性氮含量呈正相关 ;土壤动物和微生物可以显著促进氮的矿化过程 ;高温和相对干燥、砂质土壤较壤土和粘土有利于氮的矿化。 4～ 4 0℃氮硝化作用与温度呈正相关 ;硝化作用的底物和产物浓度、土壤溶液渗透压和氯化物浓度的增加对硝化作用有强烈的抑制效应 ;p H6 .0～ 8.0条件下硝化作用强度随着土壤p H值的升高而增加 ,而 p H值高于 8.0或低于 6 .0时硝化作用受到抑制 ;硝化作用与土壤氧气含量呈正相关关系 ,而与土壤含水量呈负相关 ;温暖湿润较干燥炎热的气候条件有利于硝化过程的进行。反硝化作用与土壤氧气浓度呈负相关关系 ,而与土壤含水量和可利用有机碳含量呈正相关 ;0～ 6 5℃反硝化作用强度随温度升高而增大 ,10～ 35℃条件下温度成为影响反硝化作用的关键因素 ;反硝化作用在     

Recommended safe practices for using the neurotoxin MPTP in animal experiments

The metabolism and distribution of the parkinsonian syndrome inducing neurotoxin MPTP has been studied in non-human primates and mice housed in controlled environmental chambers. 14C6-MPTP was prepared and injected at concentrations normally employed for lesioning experiments (30 mg/kg in mice, 0.3 mg/kg in monkeys). All interior surfaces of the chambers which could be reached by animals or their excreta were contaminated with radiolabeled metabolites. Vapor born unmetabolized MPTP was negligible, although significant amounts of MPTP were found in the excreta of mice (less than or equal to 15% injected dose) and small amounts from rhesus monkeys (less than 2%). Procedures to minimize contact with animal fur, bedding and excreta should protect investigators working with MPTP over extended periods. Permanganate oxidation effectively detoxifies solutions of MPTP. MPTP, MPP+, common synthetic intermediates, and the products of MPTP's oxidation are not mutagenic as measured by a Salmonella-microsome assay.     

The excretion of Shigella antigens in persons recovering from dysentery]

Shigella antigens can be detected in the excreta of convalescents after dysentery for a long time. Most frequently these antigens occur in feces, less frequently in urine and rarely in saliva. According to indirect data, S. flexneri 1-6 antigens can be detected in excreta for a longer period after convalescence than S. sonnei antigens. When antigen indication is used for the diagnosis of dysentery and epidemiological analysis is carried out, one should bear in mind the length of the agent persistence in the body, related to Shigella type.