Ultra-diluted complex additive in the diet reveals benefits in the intestinal tract of nursery-phase piglets.

This study aimed to assess an ultra-diluted (UD) complex, as a replacement for an antimicrobial growth promoter in diets, on growth performance, intestinal health, and inflammatory response of nursery piglets. The experiment lasted 37 days and involved 126 animals weaned at 21 ± 1.3 d, with an initial body weight of 5.62 ± 1.16 kg. Piglets were assigned to six dietary treatments in a randomized block design with seven replicates and three piglets per pen as experimental unit. The treatments were: positive control (PC)- basal diet + 120 mg/kg of chlorohydroxyquinoline; negative control (NC)- basal diet without additives; and NC containing 4.5; 6.0; 7.5 or 9.0 kg of UD additive/ton diet. Performance data were calculated, and daily diarrhea was observed. Blood samples were collected for hematological analysis. At the end of the experiment, one animal per pen was slaughtered for organ weighing, pH, and the collection of intestinal samples for histopathology. Feces and cecal contents were collected for microbiological and antibiogram analyses. There was no difference in the performance between the treatments. Throughout the study, UD levels were equal to those of PC for diarrhea occurrence. Higher levels of UD complex led to higher total leukocyte counts. The 4.5 treatment showed a reduction in total and thermotolerant Enterobacteriaceae populations in piglet feces and an increase in lactic acid bacteria compared to PC. All treatments resulted in fewer duodenal histopathological alterations than those in the NC group. The use of UD additives, especially at 4.5 kg/ton, is a good alternative to chlorohydroxyquinoline in piglet diets.

Correction: Mixed management in growing and finishing pigs: Differences between gender and their impacts on behavior, growth performance, and physiological parameters.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284481.].

Mixed management in growing and finishing pigs: Differences between gender and their impacts on behavior, growth performance, and physiological parameters.

Mixing, a common management strategy used to regroup pigs, has been reported to impair individual performance and affect pig welfare because of the establishment of a new social hierarchy after regrouping. In this study we aimed to determine whether mixing management (non-mixed vs. mixed) and gender (gilts vs. barrows) affect the social and non-social behavior, performance, and physiological parameters of pigs. A total of 96 growing pigs (48 barrows and 48 females) were separated into two treatments: control (CT)-pigs that were mixed once during the growing-finishing period; and social stress (SS)-pigs that were mixed thrice during the growing-finishing period. We recorded social and non-social behaviors, injury score, performance, and physiological parameters during the experimental period. Data were grouped by the period, based on each mix performed, and overall values. The statistical analysis performed considered gender and treatment. For treatment, during period-II and III, the SS group presented the highest frequency of agonistic interactions (AI), stayed longer lying laterally (LL) and sternly (LS), and explored more enrichment material (ER) than the CT group. Furthermore, SS pigs presented the highest injury score in the ear, head, and middle and posterior regions. Compared to the females, the barrows spent more time at the electronic feed station and initiated most of the agonistic interactions during period-II, and they presented a higher injury score for the ear and head regions during period-III. In conclusion, repeated regrouping significantly affected social and feeding behavior without severely altering performance and physiological parameters. Furthermore, different patterns of social and feeding behavior, agonistic interactions, and injury scores between barrows and females were observed. This study provides an understanding of the impact of mixing management and gender differences on pigs, and this knowledge can be used to improve swine productivity and welfare.

Bioprotective potential of lactic acid bacteria for Salmonella biocontrol in vitro.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are an important option for Salmonella control in animal production, resulting in lower antibiotic use. The objective of this research was to isolate LAB from meat products and from commercial probiotics sold as nutritional supplements for in vitro verification of their bioprotective potential. Eleven bacteria were identified as Pediococcus acidilactici, two as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, one as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei paracasei, one as Limosilactobacillus fermentum, and one as a consortium of Lactobacillus delbrueckii bulgaricus and L. fermentum. All bacteria showed inhibitory activity against Salmonella, with emphasis on the inhibition of P. acidilactici PUCPR 011 against Salmonella Enteritidis 33SUSUP, S. Enteritidis 9SUSP, S. Enteritidis 56301, S. Enteritidis CRIFS 1016, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC™ 14,028®, and Salmonella Gallinarum AL 1138, with inhibition halos of 7.3 ± 0.5 mm, 7.7 ± 1.0 mm, 9.0 ± 1.8 mm, 7.3 ± 0.5 mm, 7.7 ± 1.0 mm, and 7.3 ± 0.5, respectively. The isolates P. acidilactici PUCPR 011, P. acidilactici PUCPR 012, P. acidilactici PUCPR 014, L. fermentum PUCPR 005, L. paracasei paracasei PUCPR 013, and L. rhamnosus PUCPR 010 showed inhibition greater than 2 mm against at least 3 Salmonella and were used for encapsulation and in vitro digestion. The encapsulation efficiency ranged from 76.89 ± 1.54 to 116.48 ± 2.23%, and the population after 12 months of storage was from 5.31 ± 0.17 to 9.46 ± 0.09 log CFU/g. When simulating swine and chicken digestion, there was a large reduction in bacterial viability, stabilizing at concentrations close to 2.5 log CFU/mL after the analyses. The analyzed bacteria showed strong in vitro bioprotective potential; further analyses are required to determine in vivo effectiveness.

Inclusion of Soybean Hulls (Glycine max) and Pupunha Peach Palm (Bactris gasipaes) Nanofibers in the Diet of Growing Rabbits: Effects on Zootechnical Performance and Intestinal Health.

This study evaluated the inclusion of nanofibers from soybean hulls and pupunha peach palm heart sheaths in the diet of growing rabbits. Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits (male and female) were allocated in three experimental groups: control, fed a basal diet; Nanosoy, fed a diet containing 7% soybean-hull nanofibers; and Nanopupunha, fed a diet containing 7% pupunha palm heart-sheath nanofibers. The Nanosoy-group rabbits showed poorer final weight, daily feed intake, and daily weight gain than those in other groups. In the duodenum, villus height, total mucosal thickness, and villus width were higher in rabbits that received nanofiber-supplemented diets than in the controls. Higher villus density and wall thickness were observed in Nanopupunha-fed rabbits than in the controls. In the jejunum, although the crypt depth was higher in Nanosoy-fed rabbits, the villus height:crypt depth ratio was higher in the Nanopupunha-fed group. Nanosoy-fed animals exhibited increased count Enterobacteriaceae populations. Rabbits in both nanofiber-fed groups exhibited higher lactic-acid bacterial counts than those in the control-diet group. Therefore, although the inclusion of 7% Nanopupunha in the diet of rabbits did not alter the performance, it improved intestinal health and increased the lactic-acid bacterial count in the cecum of growing rabbits.

Hierarchy Establishment in Growing Finishing Pigs: Impacts on Behavior, Growth Performance, and Physiological Parameters.

In recent years, an increased number of studies have dealt with the analysis of social dominance related to animal behavior, physiology, and performance. This study aimed to investigate whether hierarchical ranking affects the coping style, non-social behavior during open field and novel object tests, performance, and physiological parameters of pigs. A total of 48 growing pigs (24 barrows and 24 females) were mixed three times during the growing-finishing period. The social and non-social behaviors of pigs were directly noted, and three behavioral tests were performed during the experimental period. Performance and physiological parameters were also recorded. Statistical analysis considered hierarchical classification (dominant vs. intermediary vs. subordinate) and p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. After three regroupings, the pigs in different hierarchical classifications showed no change in hair cortisol values and open-field and novel object tests. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and leukocyte values increased in intermediary pigs, and the lowest counts were found in pigs classified as dominants. Furthermore, dominant pigs visited the feeder more but spent shorter time there compared to subordinate and intermediary pigs. Our results suggest that hierarchical classification influenced feeding behavior and physiological parameters without affecting cortisol values and growth performance, demonstrating a possible compensation skill.

Blend of essential oils can reduce diarrheal disorders and improve liver antioxidant status in weaning piglets.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to assess the effects of different doses of an essential oil blend (EOB) on growth performance, diarrhea occurrence (DO), hematological and blood biochemical profile, intestinal morphometry, morphology and microbiology, relative weight and length of organs, digestive content pH, and liver antioxidant status in weaning piglets. METHODS: A total of 135 barrows (7.09±0.29 kg body weight) were allotted randomly in a randomized complete block design based on body weight with nine replications and three animals per pen. Dietary treatments were a negative control (NC): basal diet; positive control (PC): NC plus 125 mg performance-enhancing antibiotic (enramycin 8%)/kg diet; NC plus 100 mg EOB/kg diet (EO100); NC plus 200 mg EOB/kg diet (EO200); and NC plus 400 mg EOB/kg diet (EO400). Diarrhea occurrence was monitored daily, and performance at the end of each phase. RESULTS: Gain to feed ratio was greater (p<0.05) in starter II pigs fed EO400 and EO200 than in those fed EO100. Pigs fed EO400 had lower (p<0.05) DO than those fed NC and EO100 in the total period. Pre-starter II pigs fed NC had (p<0.05) lower serum total protein and plasma protein than pigs fed PC. Pigs fed EO100 showed smaller (p<0.05) mean corpuscular volume (MCV) than pigs fed EO400. Starter II pigs fed EO400 had (p<0.05) greater MCV and lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin and erythrocytes than those fed EO100. There was a greater concentration (p<0.05) of band cells for PC, similar to EO400 and EO200. Performance-enhancing antibiotic and EOB to diets increased (p<0.05) liver superoxide dismutase activity. CONCLUSION: Adding 200 and 400 mg EOB/kg diet decreased DO and was advantageous to hematological and blood biochemical profile and liver antioxidant status without being detrimental to growth performance and gastrointestinal health in nursery pigs.

Bioprotective potential of lactic acid bacteria and their metabolites against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli is one of the main pathogens that impacts swine production. Given the need for methods for its control, the in vitro effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their metabolites against E. coli F4 was evaluated through cell culture and microbiological analysis. The strains Limosilactobacillus fermentum 5.2, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 6.2, and L. plantarum 7.1 were selected. To evaluate the action of their metabolites, lyophilized cell-free supernatants (CFS) were used. The effect of CFS was evaluated in HT-29 intestinal lineage cells; in inhibiting the growth of the pathogen in agar; and in inhibiting the formation of biofilms. The bioprotective activity of LAB was evaluated via their potential for autoaggregation and coaggregation with E. coli. The CFS did not show cytotoxicity at lower concentrations, except for L. fermentum 5.2 CFS, which is responsible for cell proliferation at doses lower than 10 mg ml-1. The CFS were also not able to inhibit the growth of E. coli F4 in agar; however, the CFS of L. plantarum 7.1 resulted in a significant decrease in biofilm formation at a dose of 40 mg ml-1. Regarding LAB, their direct use showed great potential for autoaggregation and coaggregation in vitro, thus suggesting possible effectiveness in animal organisms, preventing E. coli fixation and proliferation. New in vitro tests are needed to evaluate lower doses of CFS to control biofilms and confirm the bioprotective potential of LAB, and in vivo tests to assess the effect of LAB and their metabolites interacting with animal physiology.

Salivary, serum, and abomasal mucus IgA as an immune correlate of protection against Haemonchus contortus infection in naturally infected lambs.

This study aimed to evaluate salivary, serum, and abomasal mucus IgA levels in lambs naturally infected with Haemonchus contortus. Thirty-seven crossbred lambs (½ Texel or ½ Ile de France) with an average age of 193 days were evaluated for 56 days after grazing on a contaminated pasture. Fecal samples were collected every 7 days to evaluate the EPG. Blood and saliva samples were collected for IgA measurement every 14 days. On D56, 29 animals were killed for parasite counting and IgA quantification in the abomasal mucus. Salivary, serum, and abomasal mucus IgA were measured by ELISA using third-stage larvae antigens. Salivary and mucus IgA were not correlated, but D14 salivary IgA correlated with EPG on D28 (r = -0.37) and D56 (r = -0.36); D28 salivary IgA correlated with D49 (r = -0.40) and D56 EPG (r = -0.44). Abomasal mucus IgA negatively correlated with EPG from D28 to D56 (r varied from _0.51 to -0.62) and with the counts of all parasitic stages (-0.60 to -0.67). The lambs were classified as susceptible (S) or resistant (R) according to EPG (D56 EPG and cumulative EPG) or IgA (salivary, serum, and mucus IgA). Based on D56 EPG and cumulative EPG, resistant lambs had higher D14 salivary IgA, mucus IgA, and total worm counts. For evaluations based on IgA levels, the EPG of S and R animals differed, indicating that IgA was an immune correlate of protection against natural infection with Haemonchus sp., mainly in the saliva sample of D14.

Simultaneous feeding of calcium butyrate and tannin extract decreased the incidence of diarrhea and proinflammatory markers in weaned piglets.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of associating calcium butyrate with tannin extract, compared to an antimicrobial on the growth performance, incidence of diarrhea, intestinal histology, immune-expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in piglets. METHODS: Seventy-two piglets (36 barrows and 36 gilts) weaned at 28±2 d and initial body weight of 7.17±1.07 kg were allocated to 3 treatments in a randomized complete block design with 8 replicates per treatment and 3 animals per experimental unit. Treatments were composed of NC, negative control: basal diet without additives; PC, positive control: basal diet + 40 mg/kg of colistin sulfate; or BT, basal diet + calcium butyrate + tannin extract. The butyrate and tannin inclusion levels were 0.15% in the pre-starter phase and 0.075% in the starter phase. Incidence of diarrhea was monitored daily, and on d 14 and 35 of experiment, 1 animal from each experimental unit was slaughtered to collect intestinal samples. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed for growth performance. The butyrate-and tannin-based additive resulted in reduced (p<0.05) incidence of diarrhea in piglets during d 1 to 14 and d 1 to 35 in comparison with the other treatments. Piglets that consumed the diet containing the calcium-butyrate and tannin showed a lower (p<0.05) crypt depth in the duodenum than those receiving the NC treatment at 14 d of experimentation. The BT treatment provided a lower (p<0.05) immune-expression of COX-2 at 14 d and TNF-α at 35 d in the duodenum. CONCLUSION: Association between calcium butyrate and tannin extract resulted in a significant decrease in the incidence of diarrhea and inflammatory process in the duodenum of piglets. Therefore, calcium-butyrate combined with tannin could be a part of an alternative program to reduce the use of antimicrobials in the diet of weaned piglets.

Cell-free supernatants produced by lactic acid bacteria reduce Salmonella population in vitro.

The genus Salmonella is closely associated with foodborne outbreaks and animal diseases, and reports of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella species are frequent. Several alternatives have been developed to control this pathogen, such as cell-free supernatants (CFS). Our objective here was to evaluate the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) CFS against Salmonella in vitro. Seventeen strains of LAB were used to produce CFS, and their antimicrobial activity was screened towards six strains of Salmonella. In addition, CFS were also pH-neutralized and/or boiled. Those with the best results were lyophilized. MICs of lyophilized CFS were 11.25-22.5 g l-1. Freeze-dried CFS were also used to supplement swine and poultry feed (11.25 g kg-1) and in vitro simulated digestion of both species was performed, with Salmonella contamination of 5×106 and 2×105 c.f.u. g-1 of swine and poultry feed, respectively. In the antimicrobial screening, all acidic CFS were able to inhibit the growth of Salmonella. After pH neutralization, Lactobacillus acidophilus Llorente, Limosilactobacillus fermentum CCT 1629, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PUCPR44, Limosilactobacillus reuteri BioGaia, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 and Pediococcus pentosaceus UM116 CFS were the only strains that partially maintained their antimicrobial activity and, therefore, were chosen for lyophilization. In the simulated swine digestion, Salmonella counts were reduced ≥1.78 log c.f.u. g-1 in the digesta containing either of the CFS. In the chicken simulation, a significant reduction was obtained with all CFS used (average reduction of 0.59±0.01 log c.f.u. ml-1). In general, the lyophilized CFS of L. fermentum CCT 1629, L. rhamnosus ATCC 7469 and L. acidophilus Llorente presented better antimicrobial activity. In conclusion, CFS show potential as feed additives to control Salmonella in animal production and may be an alternative to the use of antibiotics, minimizing problems related to antimicrobial resistance.

Soybean meal and poultry offal meal effects on digestibility of adult dogs diets: Systematic review.

Soybean meal and poultry offal meal are protein ingredients commonly used in the formulation of commercial diets for dogs. However, there remains great variability in the data on the digestibility of each protein source. This systematic review study aimed to examine the intake, apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients and fecal output of protein sources (soybean meal and poultry offal meal) in adult dog food as reported in published studies. The article search was conducted in August 2018 in the PUBMED, SciELO, Science Direct and AGRIS indexing databases. The literature search was performed using "digestibility", "source protein" and "dog" as the main key terms combined with sub-terms to broaden the scope of the search. Criteria were defined for readability, exclusion and inclusion of articles. Results were organized in groups according to the search in the indexing databases, totaling 1,414 articles. After the works were selected following the inclusion criteria, 17 articles were evaluated in this review. According to most studies, plant-based ingredients have a less variable nutritional composition than animal-derived ingredients and poultry offal meal increases the digestibility coefficients of nutrients and energy and reduces fecal dry matter production. Factors inherent to raw-material origin, ingredient and food processing, as well as the high heterogeneity of the methodologies evaluated in the studies are directly related to the obtained results. To ensure a more accurate evaluation of the quality and of effects on the digestibility of protein sources, we recommended that articles include ingredient processing data and that the variables be evaluated under standardized study conditions.

Advances in nanotechnology and the benefits of using cellulose nanofibers in animal nutrition.

The production of cellulose nanofibers promotes the utilization of plant residues that are generated in agro-industries during food processing. The utilization of these plant by-products reduces environmental contamination. Cellulose nanofibers are used in several sectors, including the drug, food, and animal nutrition industries. Many sources of nanofibers used in animal diets can be used as potential fiber substitutes after being processed to improve efficiency. For instance, including nanometric particles of plant fibers (<100 nm) in animal feed may provide excellent physical properties such as high reactivity, a large surface area, and improved nutrient absorption from the diet. Nanotechnology improves the characteristics of fibers that are important for gastrointestinal transit and their utilization as energy sources and substrates for microbial fermentation in the digestive tract of animals. Nanofibers can improve the synthesis of volatile fatty acids and the blood lipid profile, with positive effects on the intestinal health of animals. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated promising effects in reducing blood glucose levels without toxic effects on the body. Supplying nanofibers in the diet improve animal performance, increase productivity, and work toward a more sustainable economic development of agribusinesses. The quality of animal products such as meat, milk, and eggs is also reported to be improved with the inclusion of nanominerals in the feed. Overall, the application of nanotechnology to harness the by-products of agro-industries can increase economic viability and sustainability in animal production systems. Therefore, this review presents a current survey on the main research and advances in the utilization of nanotechnology, focusing on cellulose nanofibers in animal feed to improve animal performance.

Impacts on performance of growing-finishing pigs under heat stress conditions: a meta-analysis.

High ambient temperatures are a challenge for animal production around the world, and they are one of the major reasons for economic and productive losses in pig production. Under stress conditions, the energy contribution to productive functions is reduced, generating health imbalances, decreased productivity rates and changes in animal behavior. Despite the numerous articles published on this subject, the variability of results on performance parameters is high. For this reason, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the actual impact of high ambient temperature (HAT) (29 °C to 35 °C) on growing-finishing pig performance, compared with animals kept in a thermoneutral environment (TNT) (18 °C to 25 °C), based on meta-analysis. Data on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (FI) and feed gain ratio (F:G) were extracted from 22 (n = 22) papers published in scientific journals. The values were analyzed using an expansion of the t-test, considering the random effect of each study. Results showed that HAT reduced the values of ADG (654.38 vs 595.81 g/d) and FI (2.141 vs 1.875 g/d) when compared with the thermoneutral group. There was no statistical difference between the F:G values for both groups. In conclusion, high ambient temperatures negatively influence performance parameters of growing-finishing pigs when compared with those in thermoneutral conditions.

Effects of dietary supplementation of red pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) essential oil on performance, small intestinal morphology and microbial counts of weanling pigs.

BACKGROUND: Many strategies, such as the antibiotic growth promoters, have been developed to improve intestinal health and performance of newly weaned piglets. Natural products such as essential oils have been scientifically recognized as growth enhancer feed additives for weanling pigs, replacing the antibiotics. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that Brazilian red pepper could replace performance-enhancing antibiotics also in weanling pig diets. However, one experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary Brazilian red pepper essential oil or antimicrobial growth promoter on intestinal health and growth performance of weanling pigs. RESULTS: No effects of treatments were observed on performance and organ weights (P > 0.05). Overall, both additives [red pepper essential oil (RPEO) or antibiotic (ANT)] increased gut Lactobacillus counts compared to negative control, as well as reduced villi density (P < 0.05). Animals fed diets containing 1.5 g kg-1 RPEO presented the lowest incidence of diarrhea (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that essential oil from Brazilian red pepper or chlorohydroxyquinoline added in weanling pig diets affect gut microbiota and histology without affecting performance and organ weights. In addition, there was an indication that high doses of essential oil could reduce the incidence of diarrhea. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dietary Brazilian red pepper essential oil on pork meat quality and lipid oxidation / Óleo essencial de aroeira na qualidade da carne suína e oxidação lipídica

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding pigs with diets containing increasing levels of Brazilian red pepper essential oil ( Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) on the physical attributes, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of precooked meat. Seventy-two weanling pigs (5.7±0.8kg) were allotted in a completely randomized block design experiment with four treatments, six replicates per treatment, and three animals per experimental unit (pen). Animals were fed with a basal diet supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, or 1,500mg kg-1 Brazilian red pepper essential oil during the 35-d experimental period. At the end of the experiment, one animal per experimental unit (16.4±2.2kg) was slaughtered to sample Longissimus dorsi muscle for analysis. Dietary supplementation of Brazilian red pepper had no effect (P>0.05) on pork meat color, pH, cooking loss and shear force. Inclusion of essential oil in the diet provided a linear increase (P<0.05) of the saturated fatty acids content of L. dorsi, especially myristic (C14:0) and stearic (C18:0) fatty acids. Utilization of essential oil in pig diets reduced significantly the production of secondary lipid oxidation compounds measured as TBARS in raw pork meat (P<0.001) and immediately after cooking (P<0.001). However, during 8-d storage assay, the addition of essential oil in the diet did not protect pork meat lipids from oxidation. Therefore, Brazilian red pepper added to pig diets increased the saturated fatty acids content and reduced lipid oxidation in fresh meat and short-term heat treatment without affecting pork meat physical attributes.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição do óleo essencial de aroeira ( Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) na dieta de suínos sobre as características físicas, composição química e oxidação lipídica da carne. Setenta e dois leitões recém-desmamados (5,7±0,8kg) foram utilizados em um experimento em blocos completos casualizados com quatro tratamentos, seis repetições por tratamento e três animais por unidade experimental (baia). Os animais foram alimentados com uma dieta basal suplementada com 0, 500, 1,000 ou 1,500mg kg-1 de óleo essencial de aroeira durante 35 dias. Ao final do experimento, um animal por unidade experimental (16,4±2,2kg) foi abatido para coleta do músculo Longissimus dorsi para fim de análises. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) do óleo essencial de aroeira sobre cor, pH, perda de peso por cozimento e força de cisalhamento. A inclusão de níveis crescentes do óleo essencial de aroeira na dieta aumentou linearmente (P<0,05) o conteúdo de ácidos graxos saturados do músculo dos suínos, principalmente, as concentrações de mirístico (C14:0) e esteárico (C18:0). Para as análises de TBARS, a inclusão de óleo essencial de aroeira reduziu, significativamente, a produção de compostos secundários da oxidação lipídica nas amostras de carne crua (P<0,001) e imediatamente após o cozimento (P<0,001). Entretanto, durante oito dias de armazenamento refrigerado, a adição do óleo essencial de aroeira não protegeu eficientemente (P>0,05) os lipídios da oxidação. Portanto, o óleo essencial de aroeira, adicionado às dietas para suínos, aumentou o conteúdo de ácidos graxos saturados e reduziu a oxidação lipídica na carne fresca e logo após cozimento, sem ocorrer efeitos sobre os parâmetros físicos da carne.

Antimicrobial effect against different bacterial strains and bacterial adaptation to essential oils used as feed additives.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and determine the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the essential oils derived from Origanum vulgare (oregano), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), Cinnamomum cassia (cassia), and Thymus vulgaris (white thyme) against Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The study also investigated the ability of these different bacterial strains to develop adaptation after repetitive exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of these essential oils. The MBC of the essential oils studied was determined by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. All essential oils showed antimicrobial effect against all bacterial strains. In general, the development of adaptation varied according to the bacterial strain and the essential oil (tea tree > white thyme > oregano). Therefore, it is important to use essential oils at efficient bactericidal doses in animal feed, food, and sanitizers, since bacteria can rapidly develop adaptation when exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of these oils.

La présente étude avait pour but d'évaluer l'activité antimicrobienne et de déterminer la concentration bactéricide minimale (CBM) des huiles essentielles dérivées d'Origanum vulgare (origan), de Melaleuca alternifolia (l'arbre à thé), de Cinnamomum cassia (cassia), et de Thymus vulgaris (thym blanc) contre Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, et Enterococcus faecalis. L'étude visait également à examiner la capacité de ces différentes souches bactériennes à développer une capacité d'adaptation après une exposition répétée à des concentrations sub-létales de ces huiles essentielles. La CBM des huiles essentielles étudiées a été déterminée par des méthodes de diffusion en disque et de dilution en bouillon. Toutes les huiles essentielles ont démontré un effet antimicrobien contre toutes les souches bactériennes. En général, le développement de la capacité d'adaptation variait selon la souche bactérienne et l'huile essentielle (arbre à thé > thym blanc > origan). Il est donc important que les huiles essentielles soient utilisées à des doses bactéricides efficaces dans la nourriture animale, les aliments, et les assainisseurs, étant donné que les bactéries peuvent rapidement développer une adaptation lorsqu'exposées à des concentrations sub-létales de ces huiles.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters for weanling pigs / Alternativas aos antibióticos melhoradores de desempenho para leitões desmamados

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the addition of sodium butyrate, plant extracts and nucleotides on weanling pig performance, digestive content pH, organ morphometry, and intestinal epithelial histology. A total of 90 piglets at 21 days of age and an average initial weight of 6.35±0.34kg were used. The piglets were distributed in a randomized complete block design with five treatments, six replicates, and three animals per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of the following: Control: basal diet without antibiotic; Antibiotic: basal diet with 40mg kg-1 colistin sulfate and Additive: 1000, 1500 and 2000mg kg-1 of a combination of sodium butyrate + plant extracts + nucleotides. The experiment lasted 35 days, at which time one animal was slaughtered to assess pH of the digestive contents, morphometry of the organs and histology of the intestinal epithelium. No differences were found (P>0.05) in the performance, pH of the digestive contents, morphometry of the organs or histology of the intestinal epithelium by the analysis of orthogonal polynomials or contrasts. The combination of sodium butyrate, plant extracts and nucleotides not improved the productive characteristics of weanling pigs.

Foi conduzido um experimento para avaliar a adição de butirato de sódio, extratos vegetais e nucleotídeos sobre desempenho, pH do conteúdo digestório, morfometria dos órgãos e histologia do epitélio intestinal de leitões desmamados. Foram utilizados 90 leitões, com idade média de 21 dias e peso médio inicial de 6,35±0,34kg. Os leitões foram distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados completos, com cinco tratamentos, seis repetições por tratamento e três animais por unidade experimental. As dietas experimentais consistiam de: Controle - dieta basal sem antibiótico; Antibiótico - dieta basal com 40mg kg-1 de sulfato de colistina; Aditivo: 1000, 1500 e 2000mg kg-1 de uma combinação de butirato de sódio + extrato vegetal + nucleotídeos. No 35o dia de experimentação, foi eutanasiado um animal por gaiola (unidade experimental) para avaliar o pH do conteúdo digestório, morfometria de órgãos e histologia do epitélio intestinal. Não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) para desempenho, pH do conteúdo digestório, morfometria de órgãos e histologia do epitélio intestinal por meio das análises de polinômios ortogonais ou mesmo pelos contrastes. A combinação de butirato de sódio, extratos vegetais e nucleotídeos não melhorou as características produtivas de leitões desmamados.