Effects of Scrophularia striata water extract on quality and shelf life of rainbow trout [oncorhynchus mykiss] fillets during superchilled storage

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Scrophularia striata water extract on the quality and shelf life of the rainbow trout fillet during superchilled storage. Fish samples were treated with 1% and 3% S. striata water extract and then stored at -2[degree]C for 20 days. The samples were analyzed periodically for chemical, microbial and sensory characteristics. Results indicated that incorporation of S. striata water extract on rainbow fillets caused the delay of lipid peroxidation and hydrolytic spoilage in 3% treated sample in comparison with the control sample at the last day of the experiment [P<0.05]. Moreover, fish fillets containing 3% S. striata water extract showed lower bacterial count than the control and 1% water extract supplemented samples [P<0.05] during the experiment. According to sensory analysis results, 3% treated samples were acceptable even at the end of the 20-day storage. It was concluded that the effect of S. striata extract on fish samples was to retain their good quality characteristics and extend the shelf life during superchilled storage

[ effect of dietary Aloe vera gel extract supplementation on lipid peroxidation of broiler breast fillets during frozen storage]

To improve the oxidative stability of meat products, the use of the dietary form of natural additives, especially those with plant origin is increasing. Aloe vera plant, the in vitro antioxidant effect of which has been previously discussed, is a potential candidate for this purpose. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of feed supplementation with Aloe vera gel extract on lipid peroxidation of broiler breast fillets during frozen storage. Fifty-four 1-day old broilers were allocated into three groups [basal diet as control, basal diet supplemented with 100 and 300 mg/kg methanol extract of Aloe vera gel] and fed for 6 weeks. In the term, chicks were slaughtered and their breast fillets were stored at -20[degree sign]C for 9 months. Lipid peroxidation was assessed after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months of frozen storage using chemical [PV and TBARS] and sensory evaluations. Results indicated that incorporation of 300 mg/kg Aloe vera gel methanol extract in broiler diets caused the delay of lipid peroxidation in raw breast meat [with 9.6 meq/kg, 92.67 micro g/kg and 6.3 in PV, TBARS and Sensory evaluations, respectively] in comparison with control sample [with 15.2 meq/kg, 139.33 micro g/kg and 3 in mentioned evaluations] at the last day of the experiment [p<0.05]. This study showed that methanol extract of Aloe vera gel can be considered as a dietary supplementation substance in chicken diet and can delay the oxidative spoilage of chicken breast fillets during frozen spoilage

Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the quail egg interior contents: a provincial study

Poultry products have been recognized as major sources of human gastrointestinal disease caused by Salmonella spp. and several outbreaks have been reported where eggs were the source of human infection. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the quail egg interior contents from retail stores of Semnan, Iran and to characterize the isolated Salmonella serovars via serotyping and Multiplex PCR techniques. 140 packages of quail eggs [each package containing 12 eggs] were collected from different batches during summer 2010 and tested for the presence of Salmonella through conventional culture and serotyping methods. From these samples, S. enteritidis was detected in the egg contents of one package [0.71%] out of 140 packages. This isolate was confirmed by Multiplex PCR generated amplification products for a random sequence that is specific for the genus salmonella and spv and sefA genes. According to our results, S. enteritidis is the most prevalent serotype of quail egg content contaminant in the Semnan area of Iran and the multiplex PCR method could be used as a reliable method of identifying Salmonella serovars

[ effect of different levels of cadmium on the histopathological changes and the rate of lymphoid cells apoptosis of bursa of fabricius in broiler chickens]

Cadmium toxicity can cause kidney failure, liver damage and a weakened immune system in experimental and naturally occurring toxicities. This study was designed to investigate the effects of cadmium [Cd] on the histology and the rate of lymphoid apoptosis in the bursa of fabricius of chicken. One-hundred 20-day-old male Ross broilers were purchased and randomly divided into four groups. The control group [C] received no Cd, whereas groups 1, 2, and 3 had rations administered containing 25, 50 and 100 ppm cadmium as CdCl, respectively. At days 14, 28 and 42, seven chicks from each group were randomly selected and sacrificed. The bursa of Fabricius of each chick was removed, weighed, fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed for histopathology and assessment of the rate of lymphoid cells apoptosis. The apoptotic cells were demonstrated in paraffin embedded tissue sections using the TUNEL[terminal oxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling] method. The concentration of Cd in the liver samples was measured by atomic absorption. Areverse correlation between the levels of Cd in the rations and the body weight of the chickens [p < 0.01] was found. The concentration of Cd in the liver showed a positive correlation with the levels of Cd in the rations [p < 0.01]. The number of apoptotic lymphoid cells was significantly increased in those groups receiving higher levels of Cd [especially groups 2 and 3] [p<0.01]. Morphologically, plicas and lymphoid follicles of groups 2 and 3 were smaller than of the control group. In the histological analysis they were found to be hypocellular and some of them were edematous. Compared to the control group, there was an increase in the number of intraepithelial cysts in groups 2 and 3 at days 28 and 42. In addition, atrophic changes of bursal paranchyma were observed in group 3 after 42 days. It can be concluded that under experimental conditions the higher concentrations of Cd in the rations [50 and 100 ppm]has detrimental effects on the bursa of Fabricius of chickens