Effect of polyphenol extract on performance,serum biochemistry,skin pigmentation and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens fed with different cereal sources under hot-humid conditions

This study investigated the interaction between polyphenols with different cereal sources and their effects on performance, serum biochemistry, corticosterone levels and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens reared under hot-humid environment. Newly hatched coloured broiler chicks (n = 240) were randomly divided into six groups with five replicates of two different cereal sources, namely corn and broken rice-sorghum combined, and three levels of pomegranate peel polyphenol extracts (PPP) 0, 50 and 100 mg/kg in each cereal groups. Birds were maintained under standard management conditions for six weeks during hot-humid environment (Temperature: 29–36 °C; Relative Humidity: 69–80%). Fortnight body weight and feed consumption were recorded and serum biochemical constituents were estimated at 28 and 42 days of age. The body weight gain was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in broken rice-sorghum diet than in corn diet. The supplementation of polyphenols increased the skin and shank pigmentation. Serum protein, lipids and minerals showed significant difference due to cereals, polyphenols and their interactions. Corn-fed birds had significantly higher visceral organs weight than the alternate grain-fed broilers. The serum corticosterone levels were significantly reduced in the PPP supplemented groups than the control, it could be concluded that, supplementation of 50 mg/kg polyphenol extract from pomegranate peels improved production performance in broilers fed broken rice-sorghum as cereal source under hot-humid conditions.     

Nitric oxide-induced phosphatidic acid accumulation: a role for phospholipases C and D in stomatal closure

Stomatal closure is regulated by a complex network of signalling events involving numerous intermediates, among them nitric oxide (NO). Little is known about the signalling events occurring downstream of NO. Previous studies have shown that NO modulates cytosolic calcium concentration and the activation of plasma membrane ion channels. Here we provide evidence that supports the involvement of the lipid second messenger phosphatidic acid (PA) in NO signalling during stomatal closure. PA levels in Vicia faba epidermal peels increased upon NO treatment to maximum levels within 30 min, subsequently decreasing to control levels at 60 min. PA can be generated via phospholipase D (PLD) or via phospholipase C (PLC) in concerted action with diacylglycerol kinase (DGK). Our results showed that NO-induced PA is produced via the activation of both pathways. NO-induced stomatal closure was blocked either when PLC or PLD activity was inhibited. We have shown that PLC- and PLD-derived PA represents a downstream component of NO signalling cascade during stomatal closure.     

Fruit Peels: Food Waste as a Valuable Source of Bioactive Natural Products for Drug Discovery

Fruits along with vegetables are crucial for a balanced diet. These not only have delicious flavors but are also reported to decrease the risk of contracting various chronic diseases. Fruit by-products are produced in huge quantity during industrial processing and constitute a serious issue because they may pose a harmful risk to the environment. The proposal of employing fruit by-products, particularly fruit peels, has gradually attained popularity because scientists found that in many instances peels displayed better biological and pharmacological applications than other sections of the fruit. The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of fruit peel extracts and natural products obtained in food industries along with their other potential biological applications.     

荸荠皮多糖体外清除自由基活性的研究

采用DPPH自由基法、邻苯三酚自氧化法和水杨酸法分别表征了荸荠皮多糖清除DPPH自由基(DPPH.)、超氧阴离子自由基(O2-.)和羟基自由基(.OH)的能力。结果显示,脱蛋白和未脱蛋白荸荠皮多糖具有清除自由基的活性,但该活性明显低于茶多酚。脱蛋白多糖清除DPPH.的能力高于未脱蛋白多糖,其清除50%DPPH.的作用质量浓度(EC50)分别为50.26 mg.L-1和76.22 mg.L-1。两种多糖清除.OH和O2-.的能力相当,其EC50(g.L-1)分别为0.118和0.124以及10.87和9.53。     

Polyphenolic extracts from pomegranate and watermelon wastes as substrate to fabricate sustainable silver nanoparticles with larvicidal effect against Spodoptera littoralis

The agricultural wastes adversely affect the environment; however, they are rich in polyphenols; therefore, this study aimed to employ polyphenol-enriched waste extracts for silver nanoparticles synthesis, and study the larvicidal activity of silver nanoparticles fabricated by pomegranate and watermelon peels extracts (PPAgNPs and WPAgNPs) against all larval instars of Spodoptera littoralis. The polyphenol profile of pomegranate and watermelon peel extracts (PP and WP) and silver nanoparticles was detected by HPLC. The antioxidant activity was estimated by DPPH, and FARP assays and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc assay. The Larvicidal activity of AgNPs against Egyptian leaf worm was performed by dipping technique. The obtained AgNPs were spherical with size ranged 15–85 nm and capped with proteins and polyphenols. The phenolic compounds in silver nanoparticles increased about extracts; therefore, they have the best performance in antioxidant/reducing activity, and inhibit the growth of tested bacteria and yeast. The PPAgNPs were the most effective against the first instar larvae instar (LC₅₀ = 68.32 µg/ml), followed by pomegranate extract with (LC₅₀ = 2852 µg/ml). The results indicated that obvious increase in polyphenols content in silver nanoparticles enhance their larvicidal effect and increasing mortality of 1^st larval of S. littoralis Egyptian leafworms causing additive effect and synergism. We recommend recycling phenolic enriched agricultural wastes in producing green silver nanoprticles to control cotton leafworm that causes economic loses to crops.     

Pomegranate peels waste hydrolyzate optimization by Response Surface Methodology for Bioethanol production

Unwanted agricultural waste is largely comprised of lignocellulosic substrate which could be transformed into sugars. The production of bioethanol from garbage manifested an agreeable proposal towards waste management as well as energy causation. The goal of this work is to optimize parameters for generation of bioethanol through fermentation by different yeast strains while Saccharomyces cerevisiae used as standard strain. The low cost fermentable sugars from pomegranate peels waste (PPW) were obtained by hydrolysis with HNO₃ (1 to 5%). The optimum levels of hydrolysis time and temperature were elucidated via RSM (CCD) ranging from 30 to 60 min and 50 to 100 °C respectively. The result shows that optimum values (g/L) for reducing sugars was 61.45 ± 0.01 while for total carbohydrates was 236 ± 0.01. These values were found when PPW was hydrolyzed with 3% HNO₃, at 75 °C for one hour. The hydrolyzates obtained from the dilute HNO₃ pretreated PPW yielded a maximum of 0.43 ± 0.04, 0.41 ± 0.03 g ethanol per g of reducing sugars by both Metchnikowia sp. Y31 and M. cibodasensis Y34 at day 7 of ethanologenic experiment. The current study exhibited that by fermentation of dilute HNO₃ hydrolyzates of PPW could develop copious amount of ethanol by optimized conditions.     

Comparative life cycle assessment of three biohydrogen pathways

A life cycle assessment was performed to quantify and compare the energetic and environmental performances of hydrogen from wheat straw (WS-H₂), sweet sorghum stalk (SSS-H₂), and steam potato peels (SPP-H₂). Inventory data were derived from a pilot plant. Impacts were assessed using the impact 2002+ method. When co-product was not considered, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 5.60 kg CO_2eq kg⁻¹ H₂ for WS-H₂, 5.32 kg CO_2eq kg⁻¹ H₂ for SSS-H₂, and 5.18 kg CO_2eq kg⁻¹ H₂ for SPP-H₂. BioH₂ pathways reduced GHG emissions by 52-56% compared to diesel and by 54-57% compared to steam methane reforming production of H₂. The energy ratios (ER) were also comparable: 1.08 for WS-H₂, 1.14 for SSS-H₂ and 1.17 for SPP-H₂. A shift from SPP-H₂ to WS-H₂ would therefore not affect the ER and GHG emissions of these BioH₂ pathways. When co-product was considered, a shift from SPP-H₂ to WS-H₂ or SSS-H₂ decreased the ER, while increasing the GHG emissions significantly. Co-product yield should be considered when selecting BioH₂ feedstocks.     

苹果日烧病程中果皮抗氧化系统在细胞超微结构的变化

以富士品种为试材研究了苹果果实日烧病程中果皮组织细胞膜脂过氧化、抗氧化酶类、酚类物质的变化规律,并用电镜观察细胞超微结构的变化。结果表明膜脂过氧化导致日烧发生并进一步使日烧程度加重。相应地,抗氧化酶类在果皮变白期活性激增,但是,细胞结构仍较完整,只是叶绿体膨胀、类囊体结构部分解体,线粒体周缘模糊,细胞质中含大量的空泡;以后果皮变褐,绿原酸、槲皮素、芦丁、杨梅酮积累,同时靠近上表皮几层细胞解体,由密集的电子致密物充塞,细胞壁加厚。     

Reinterpretation of crinoid-platyceratid interaction

The well-known association of platyceratid gastropods with crinoids has traditionally been considered an example of coprophagous commensalism. The Occurrence of several crinoid 'stands' ( Platycrinites sp.) from closely spaced bedding surfaces in the upper Mississippian Wymps Gap Limestone member of the Mauch Chunk Formation of southwestern Pennsylvania encourages reinterpretation of this relationship. Crinoid calyces were collected from five separate clusters, two of which contained associated platyceratids. 'Infested' crinoids either died prematurely or were stunted, compared to crinoids in the 'uninfested' clusters. Platyceratid attachment apparently had an adverse effect upon crinoid growth. Serial acetate peels show positioning of the gastropod on the crinoid tegmen over a highly developed anal tube, or chimney. However, the terminus of the anal tube abuts the gastropod's shell and is poorly situated for fecal ingestion by the snail. We suggest that the snail probably pursued another trophic strategy, perhaps taking advantage of aerosol filtration by the crinoid and elevation above the substrate.     

Optimization of fermentation parameters for production of ethanol from kinnow waste and banana peels by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation

A study was taken up to evaluate the role of some fermentation parameters like inoculum concentration, temperature, incubation period and agitation time on ethanol production from kinnow waste and banana peels by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation using cellulase and co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae G and Pachysolen tannophilus MTCC 1077. Steam pretreated kinnow waste and banana peels were used as substrate for ethanol production in the ratio 4:6 (kinnow waste: banana peels). Temperature of 30°C, inoculum size of S. cerevisiae G 6% and (v/v) Pachysolen tannophilus MTCC 1077 4% (v/v), incubation period of 48 h and agitation for the first 24 h were found to be best for ethanol production using the combination of two wastes. The pretreated steam exploded biomass after enzymatic saccharification containing 63 gL⁻¹ reducing sugars was fermented with both hexose and pentose fermenting yeast strains under optimized conditions resulting in ethanol production, yield and fermentation efficiency of 26.84 gL⁻¹, 0.426 gg ⁻¹ and 83.52 % respectively. This study could establish the effective utilization of kinnow waste and banana peels for bioethanol production using optimized fermentation parameters.