Effects of varying the level of palm oil on feed intake, milk yield and composition and postpartum weight changes of Red Sokoto goats

Twenty-five pregnant Red Sokoto goats (average liveweight, 33.14 ± 1.75 kg) were used from the last month of pregnancy until 118 day of lactation to evaluate the effect of varying the level of palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.) oil (PO) in concentrate supplement on lactation performance. The goats were fed one of five iso-nitrogenous (16% CP) supplements containing 0% PO (control), 4% PO, 8% PO, 12% PO or 16% PO to a basal diet of Wooly finger grass (Digitaria smutsii, Stent) hay. Average consumption of concentrate was 400 g/goat/day, representing 48% of total dry matter intake. Daily dry matter intake decreased linearly with increasing levels of palm oil. The 4% PO concentrate elicited the highest milk production and was the most cost-effective, while improving daily milk production by 29% compared with the control. Milk composition and postpartum weight changes of the goats were not significantly affected by the concentrate supplements but milk fat percent was generally increased by inclusion level of palm oil in the supplement. It is concluded from this study that the concentrate supplement containing 4% palm oil can increase milk yield in Red Sokoto goats without adversely affecting dry matter intake.     

Cytological and morphology characteristics of natural microsporogenesis within Camellia oleifera

Camellia oleifera is believed to exhibit a complex intraspecific polyploidy phenomenon. Abnormal microsporogenesis can promote the formation of unreduced gametes in plants and lead to sexual polyploidy, so it is hypothesized that improper meiosis probably results in the formation of natural polyploidy in Camellia oleifera. In this study, based on the cytological observation of meiosis in pollen mother cells (PMCs), we found natural 2n pollen for the first time in Camellia oleifera, which may lead to the formation of natural polyploids by sexual polyploidization. Additionally, abnormal cytological behaviour during meiosis, including univalent chromosomes, extraequatorial chromosomes, early segregation, laggard chromosomes, chromosome stickiness, asynchronous meiosis and deviant cytokinesis (monad, dyads, triads), was observed, which could be the cause of 2n pollen formation. Moreover, we confirmed a relationship among the length–width ratio of flower buds, stylet length and microsporogenesis. This result suggested that we can immediately determine the microsporogenesis stages by phenotypic characteristics, which may be applicable to breeding advanced germplasm in Camellia oleifera.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-01002-5.     

High resolution NMR for studying lipid hydrolysis and esterification in cod (Gadus morhua) gonads

High resolution NMR was applied to study biochemical changes of lipids in cod (Gadus morhua) gonads during 7 days storage at 4 degrees C. Changes were observed in the (13)C and (1)H resonances of cholesterol which were due to esterification of fatty acids at the hydroxyl position in roe and milt. Furthermore, the (13)C NMR spectra showed that the lipolytic changes in milt and roe where different. New resonances appeared during storage, due to formation of specific free fatty acids, with the corresponding changes in resonances of the esterified carbonyls and glycerols. The highly unsaturated n-3 fatty acids were hydrolysed from the sn-1 and sn-2 position of both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in milt. The lipolytical changes in roe were less prominent compared to the changes in milt, however significant levels of sn-1-lysophospholipids was detected both in roe and milt. The current data demonstrate that high resolution NMR may be a suitable method to non-destructively study hydrolysis and esterification reactions occurring in heterogeneous marine lipids in a one step procedure.     

Ultrasonication of insulin-loaded microgel particles produced by internal gelation: Impact on particle's size and insulin bioactivity

Alginate-dextran sulfate (ADS) microgel has been used to protect insulin from gastrointestinal attack and as a carrier to promote insulin permeation through intestinal epithelium. The throughput of ADS submicron particles generation by emulsification/internal gelation is limited by its wide size distribution.     

驱油生物表面活性剂生产菌的筛选与评价

目的:筛选适合油田的生物表面活性剂生产菌。方法:通过发酵培养,研究生物表面活性剂生产菌生长代谢规律;采用正交试验法,优选出其最佳培养条件;通过室内驱油实验评价生物表面活性剂驱油效果。结果:2#菌株最佳培养时间为96小时,最优发酵培养条件为:葡萄糖4.0 g、玉米浆1.6 g、Na2HPO40.1 g、KH2PO40.05 g、MgSO40.05 g、CaCl20.005 g、水100 mL、pH 7.2,培养温度35℃,摇床转速120 r/min,生物表面活性剂驱油提高采收率6.16%。结论:筛选出最优生物表面活性剂产生菌2#,菌株具备产表面活性剂的能力且产物量较高,其生物表面活性剂驱油效果良好。     

Comparative bioactivity of selected extracts from Meliaceae and some commercial botanical insecticides against two noctuid caterpillars, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudaletia unipuncta</Emphasis>

Plant-derived extracts and phytochemicals have long been a subject of research in an effort to develop alternatives to conventional insecticides but with reduced health and environmental impacts. In this review we compare the bioactivities of some plant extracts with those of commercially available botanical insecticides against two important agricultural pests, the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni and the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta. Test materials included extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem), A. excelsa (sentang), Melia volkensii, M. azedarach (Chinaberry) and Trichilia americana, (all belonging to the family Meliaceae) along with commercial botanical insecticides ryania, pyrethrum, rotenone and essential oils of rosemary and clove leaf. Most of the extracts and botanicals tested proved to be strong growth inhibitors, contact toxins and significant feeding deterrents to both lepidopteran species. However, there were interspecific differences with T. ni generally more susceptible to the botanicals than the armyworm, P. unipuncta. All botanicals were more inhibitory to growth and toxic (through feeding) to T. ni than to P. unipuncta, except for M. azedarach which was more toxic to P. unipuncta than to T. ni. Athough, pyrethrum was the most toxic botanical to both noctuids, A. indica, A. excelsa, and M. volkensii were more toxic than ryania, rotenone, clove oil and rosemary oil for T. ni. As feeding deterrents, pyrethrum was the most potent against T. ni, whereas A. indica was the most potent against the armyworm. Based upon growth inhibition, chronic toxicity, and antifeedant activity, some of these plant extracts have levels of activity that compare favorably to botanical products currently in commercial use and have potential for development as commercial insecticides.     

Evaluation of Phytochemical Compositions and Biological Properties of Achillea gypsicola at Different Phenological Stages

Phytochemicals, which are commonly found at different levels in many medicinal plants, are natural strong antioxidants used in traditional medicine. In this research, determination of differences of phytochemical compositions and biological properties were aimed as periodically (pre‐, full and post flowering) and daily (6 am, 1 pm and 8 pm) in Achillea gypsicola Hub.‐Mor . The volatile oils belonging to A. gypsicola were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection (GC‐FID) and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antimicrobial activities of the volatile oils were determined with disc diffusion method. The microdilution method was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods and antioxidant capacities were evaluated by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, reducing power (RP) and metal chelating activity (MCA) assay. In addition, the phenolic acid and flavonoid compositions were evaluated by reversed phase‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). This study presented a comprehensive report for the first time on evaluation of the phytochemical composition and the biological properties of A. gypsicola at different phenological stages. Thirty‐two compounds, containing the major component as camphor, 1,8‐cineole and borneol, were detected. Designated harvest time for the highest yield of volatile oils was found to be at full flowering stage‐1 pm. It has been observed that the volatile oil composition changes periodically and even daily. Also, in this research, menthol and menthone were found as the composition of volatile oil in Achillea species for the first time. Full flowering stage was found as the richest period in terms of phenolic acid and flavonoid compositions of A. gypsicola for the first time. The species examined in this research showed a high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in comparison to other studies with Achillea species. The volatile oils exhibited high performances with range of inhibition zones (8.3–42.3 mm) and minimum inhibitory concentration values (2.25—144 μg/ml). Besides, a high correlation between antioxidant activity and phenolic content of A. gypsicola was found. These results suggest that A. gypsicola can be used as a safe source in the cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Bioactivities of water-soluble polysaccharides from fruit shell of Camellia oleifera Abel: Antitumor and antioxidant activities

Polysaccharides were extracted from fruit shell of Camellia oleifera Abel. Fruit shell of Camellia oleifera Abel polysaccharide (WEP2) was a water-soluble compound. Its molecular weight was about 362 kDa. HPLC analysis showed that this polysaccharide was composed of rhamnose, fucose, arabinose, mannose, galactose and glucose in the molecular ratio of 4.05, 11.62, 1.78, 3.91, 8.76 and 27.06, respectively. The broad intense characteristic peak around 3463 cm⁻¹ due to the hydroxyl stretching vibration of the polysaccharide was observed in the polysaccharide. The characteristic absorption bands at 852 cm⁻¹ and 893 cm⁻¹ indicated that WEP2 contained both α-glycosidic and β-glycosidic linkages. WEP2 exhibited remarkable antitumor activity against Sarcoma180 cell compared to the negative control group. At the highest dose 40 mg/kg days, the tumor inhibition rate reached 65.2%. The scavenging effects of WEP2 to hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical anion were 72.5% and 86.3% at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml, respectively.     

早熟金柚果皮挥发油的提取及GC-MS分析

采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取早熟金柚果皮挥发油,通过正交实验优选获得早熟金柚果皮挥发油提取的工艺参数,结果表明：早熟金柚果皮挥发油的最佳提取工艺是将柚皮粉碎60 s,加水5倍,提取6 h。采用GC-MS联用技术对早熟金柚果皮挥发油的化学成分进行分离鉴定,共分离出44个峰,鉴定出了其中的25种化合物,占峰面积的98.43%。用面积归一化法测定了各个组分的相对百分含量,其主要成分有柠檬烯（65.82%）、β-月桂烯（25.52%）、4-侧柏烯（1.78%）、紫苏烯（0.44%）、氧化芳樟醇（0.42%）。     

Effects of Aroma Components from Oxidized Olive Oil on Preference

The present study explored the possibility that aroma components generated by the oxidation of olive oil may enhance the palatability of olive oil. Using a mouse behavioral model, we found that olive oil oxidized at room temperature for 3 weeks after opening the package, and heated olive oil were both significantly preferred over non-oxidized olive oil. Furthermore, this preference was enhanced with an additive of oxidized refined olive oil flavoring preparation at a certain concentration. These results suggest that the aroma of oxidized fat might be present in most fats, and might act as a signal that makes possible the detection of fats or fatty acid sources.