Effects of Sesame Seed Enrichment on Physico-Chemical and Nutritional Characteristics of Flour from Two Cultivars of White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir)

The effects of enriching two cultivars of yam (DioscorearotundataPoir) flour with sesame seed (SesamumindicumL) flour on their physicochemical and nutritional characteristics were studied. Yam flours were produced from Abujaand Efuruyams by parboiling at 60°C for 10 minutes and left overnight, followed by sun drying for four days. Enriched yam flour samples were prepared by thoroughly mixing the yam and sesame seed flour in ratios95:5, 90:10, 85:15 and 80:20 respectively. Proximate, mineral and anti-nutrientcontent, as well as functional properties of enriched flours, were determined using standard methods of AOAC. The two yam-flour samples were low in moisture, crude protein, fat and ash content, high in carbohydrate and macro minerals, while Sesame seed was very low in moisture and carbohydrate, but very high in crude protein, fat, ash and macro minerals. The moisture, crude protein, fat, ash and carbohydrate content of the yams and enriched samples ranged between 11.9-13.8g, 3.3-7.5g, 0.5-13.8g, 2.0-2.6_g and 63.3-81.8_g/100g respectively. Addition of sesame seed flour resulted in the reduction of moisture and carbohydrate content and significant increase (p=0.05) in protein, fat and ash values of enriched samples. The protein, fat and mineral content of the enriched samples increased with increased level of sesame seed flour inclusion (p=0.05). Both yam and sesame flours were low in the antinutritional factors studied. Sesame flour was high in trypsin inhibitors and polyphenols. Enrichment with sesame flour resulted in further reduction in the antinutritional factors content with increase in trypsin inhibitors and polyphenols content of the products. Efuruvariety flour with its enriched products had higher water and oil absorption capacity, loose and packed bulk density and swelling capacity than Abujavariety flour. Enriching yam flour with sesame flour can improve the nutrients and functional properties of their products which can improve the nutritional status, health and well-being of consumers

Use of collard green stalks as environmental enrichment for cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) kept in captivity / Utilização de talos de couve como enriquecimento ambiental para calopsitas (Nymphicus hollandicus) mantidas em cativeiro

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of collard green stalks as environmental enrichment on the behavior of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) maintained in captivity. Sixteen birds were housed individually in cages and fed a commercial diet for parrots and seed mix, with water ad libitum during 12 days in climatic chamber with temperature and relative humidity simulating tropical conditions. The animals (n = 8) were divided into two groups, control and enriched, and the experimental period was divided into two phases (during and after enrichment) of four days each. The collard green stalks were used as enrichment only during the first period of the experiment, daily changed and maintained only during the day. The stalks increased the feed intake and decreased the sleep activities. No effect was observed on the body surface temperature, locomotion, maintenance and other resting activities. Small undesirable activities were detected. It was concluded that collard green stalks can be used as environmental enrichment, becoming part of food preferences of cockatiels. However, its use does not significantly alter the behavior of birds kept in captivity.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência de talos de couve como enriquecimento ambiental sobre o comportamento de calopsitas (Nymphicus hollandicus) mantidas em cativeiro. Dezesseis aves foram alojadas individualmente em gaiolas e alimentadas com dieta comercial para psitacídeos e mistura de sementes, com água ad libitum durante 12 dias, em câmara climática com temperatura e umidade relativa do ar simulando condições tropicais. Os animais (n=8) foram divididos em dois grupos, controle e enriquecido, e o período experimental foi dividido em duas fases (durante e após o enriquecimento) de quatro dias cada. Os talos de couve foram usados como enriquecimento apenas durante o primeiro período do experimento, trocados diariamente e mantidos apenas durante o dia. Os talos aumentaram o consumo de ração e diminuíram o comportamento dormir. Nenhum efeito foi observado nas outras atividades de descanso, na temperatura da superfície corporal, na locomoção e manutenção. Foram detectadas pequenas atividades indesejáveis. Concluiu-se que os talos de couve podem ser usados como enriquecimento ambiental, formando parte das preferências alimentares de calopsitas. No entanto, seu uso não altera de maneira expressiva o comportamento das aves.(AU)

The behavioural study of the bush dog (Speothos venaticus) in captivity with environmental enrichment / Estudo comportamental do cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus) em cativeiro com enriquecimento ambiental

The bush dog (Speothos venaticus) is very rare animal species, whose maintenance and breeding in captivity can induce the expression of atypical behaviour. Information concerning environmental enrichment and assessment models of the behaviour of this species in the literature are insufficient. Therefore, a study was conducted in the Zoo-Botanic Foundation of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate the behaviour of two male bush dogs kept in captivity with different types of environmental enrichment, in April­May 2012. Data collection was performed before, during and after the presence of the environmental enrichment, three times a week in the morning and afternoon on alternate days for ten minutes, with immediate recording of activity performed by the animal every minute. It was observed that the animals interacted with all three types of ENRI used, but showed a greater interest in ENRI-2. No stereotyped behaviour or aggressive behaviour was observed, suggesting satisfactory welfare conditions for the animals in all environments tested. We conclude that the enrichment protocols can be used to stimulate the natural behaviour of the species, aiding the well-being and quality of life in captivity.

O cachorro-do-mato-vinagre ou cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus) é uma espécie animal bastante rara. Sua manutenção e reprodução em cativeiro pode induzir a expressão de comportamentos atípicos. Informações sobre enriquecimento ambiental e modelos de avaliação do comportamento dessa espécie são insuficientes na literatura. Sendo assim, um estudo foi realizado na Fundação Zoo-Botânica de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, para avaliar o comportamento de dois machos de cachorro vinagre mantidos em cativeiro com diferentes tipos de enriquecimento ambiental, entre os meses de abril a maio de 2012. A coleta dos dados foi realizada antes, durante e após a utilização do enriquecimento ambiental, três vezes por semana no período da manhã e da tarde em dias alternados, durante dez minutos, com registro instantâneo da atividade realizada pelo animal a cada minuto. Observou-se que os animais interagiram com os três tipos de enriquecimento utilizados, sendo demonstrado maior interesse pelo ENRI-2. Nenhum comportamento de estereotipia ou comportamento agressivo foi observado, sugerindo condições de bem-estar dos animais em todos os ambientes testados. Conclui-se que os protocolos de enriquecimento podem ser utilizados para estimular o comportamento natural da espécie, auxiliando no bem-estar e qualidade de vida em cativeiro.