COMPOSTING AS ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OF SOLID WASTES FROM LABORATORY ANIMAL CARE FACILITIES / COMPOSTING AS ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OF SOLID WASTES FROM LABORATORY ANIMAL CARE FACILITIES

This study evaluated composting as a means of treating wastes from rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and hamsters from animal care facilities and its subsequent use for agricultural purposes. We built six compost windrows with 500kg solid wastes mixed with 221.65kg of cotton waste each, which gave a C:N ratio of nearly 30:1. Chemical, microbiological and parasitological analyses of the wastes and the composts were performed before and after treatment. Temperature and pH were measured inside the windrows throughout the experiment. The initial temperature of 28C increased to a peak of 60C and decreased to stabilization within approximately 100 days. The pH values oscillated between 6.5 and 8.0, the range indicated to assure pathogen removal and compost quality. At the end of the experiment, over 90% of Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, protozoan oocysts and helminth eggs were efficiently eliminated in most of the composts. Chemical analyses detected suitable contents of macro and micronutrients and acceptable levels of heavy metals in the composts. We conclude that composting is an efficient method to treat the solid wastes produced by the studied species held in animal care facilities. It eliminates or reduces microorganism content, producing class B biosolids that can be used with restriction in agricultural practices. Keywords: Environmental pollution, waste treatment, laboratory a

[Compostagem como alternativa de tratamento de resíduos sólidos de instalações de criação de animais de laboratório]

MODIFIED TOXIN-BINDING INHIBITION (TOBI) TEST FOR QUANTIFICATION OF EPSILON ANTITOXIN IN SERUM FROM IMMUNIZED SHEEP / MODIFIED TOXIN-BINDING INHIBITION (TOBI) TEST FOR QUANTIFICATION OF EPSILON ANTITOXIN IN SERUM FROM IMMUNIZED SHEEP

This study evaluated the use of the ToBI test as a substitute for the in vivo technique of the mouse serum neutralization test to manage quality control of vaccines against clostridiosis. Serum samples with known concentrations of anti-epsilon antibodies were obtained from 3 sheep immunized with vaccine against C. perfringens type D epsilon toxoid. The main results obtained indicate correlation coefficients above 97%, corroborating literature data. The inter and intraplate coefficients of variation were low (less than 1.3%). In conclusion, the in vitro ToBI test is suitable to evaluate the potency of clostridial vaccines. However, the ToBI test must be first validated before it can replace the in vivo serum neutralization methodology used in mice. Keywords: Clostridiosis, in vitro assay, potency testing.

TEMPERATURE AND pH MONITORING IN WINDROWS FROM ANIMAL FACILITY WASTE COMPOSTING / TEMPERATURE AND pH MONITORING IN WINDROWS FROM ANIMAL FACILITY WASTE COMPOSTING

The objective of this study was to monitor temperature and pH in composting windrows constituted of rabbit, guinea pig, mouse and hamster wastes. Wastes from these laboratory animals were mixed to cotton wastes to produce 721.65 kg of composts. There were constructed 6 composting windrows and they were monitored daily for temperature and pH. Composts were watered daily until humidity level was near 55%. The compost piles were turned every 15 days. All the windrows passed through a thermophilic phase followed by a mesophilic phase, and maximum temperature was near 60C. The pH values ranged from 6 to 8 in most of the windrows. In conclusion, characteristics of the compost studied such as humidity, pH, color and absence of foul odors makes it suitable for agricultural use. Keywords: Laboratory animals, environmental pollution, waste management.

The objective of this study was to monitor temperature and pH in composting windrows constituted of rabbit, guinea pig, mouse and hamster wastes. Wastes from these laboratory animals were mixed to cotton wastes to produce 721.65 kg of composts. There were constructed 6 composting windrows and they were monitored daily for temperature and pH. Composts were watered daily until humidity level was near 55%. The compost piles were turned every 15 days. All the windrows passed through a thermophilic phase followed by a mesophilic phase, and maximum temperature was near 60C. The pH values ranged from 6 to 8 in most of the windrows. In conclusion, characteristics of the compost studied such as humidity, pH, color and absence of foul odors makes it suitable for agricultural use. Keywords: Laboratory animals, environmental pollution, waste management.

Analysis of economic feasibility of production systems of weaned calves in North region of Minas Gerais, Brazil / ANÁLISE DA VIABILIDADE ECONÔMICA DE SISTEMAS DE PRODUÇÃO DE BEZERROS DESMAMADOS NA REGIÃO DO NORTE DE MINAS GERAIS

The economic viability of production of 100 weaned calves aged from 6 to 7 months was estimated at five different production strategy for animals to sales with 360, 400 and 480 kg live animal weight. The best production strategy was used to assess the economic indicators. It was found that with increase in the number of animals in production occurred at the reduced share of operating cost effective - Economic Committee on Revenue. The total costs compared to revenue production for 100-150 animals were 105.74% and 88.26%. The balance of the project was achieved with production of between 110-121 animals. Gross margin, net margin was positive in herds 100-150. It was observed that when the fixed cost is discounted return on capital invested in land, the profit was obtained with the production of 121 animals. The profitability of the project without considering the return on capital invested in land was negative for production of 100 and 110 animals, and positive for the production of 121, 133 and 150 animals. When considering the fixed cost of the system to return on capital invested in land, the enterprise has obtained profits from the production of 133 animals. The profit was R $ 4,951.70 and profitability of 1.93%. The balance in this condition was 1968.49 kilos of meat. For the production of 150 animals profitability was R $ 16,304.54, with a return of 6.37%. Keywords: Econo

A viabilidade econômica da produção de 100 bezerros desmamados com idade de 6 a 7 meses foi estimada em cinco diferentes estratégia de produção para obter animais para vendas com 360, 400 e 480 kg peso animal vivo. A melhor estratégia de produção foi utilizada para avaliar os indicadores econômicos. Verificou-se que com aumento do numero de animais na produção, ocorreu à redução da participação do custo operacional efetivo COE nas receitas. Os custos totais em relação às receitas para produção de 100 a 150 animais, foram de 105,74% a 88,26%. O ponto de equilíbrio do empreendimento foi obtido com produção compreendida entre 110 a 121 animais. Margem bruta, margem liquida foram positivas nos rebanhos de 100 a 150. Observou-se que quando é desconsiderada do custo fixo a remuneração do capital investido em terra, o lucro foi obtido com a produção de 121 animais. A rentabilidade do empreendimento sem considerar a remuneração do capital investido em terra foi negativa para produção de 100 e 110 animais, e positiva para a produção de 121, 133 e 150 animais. Quando se considerou no custo fixo do sistema a remuneração do capital investido em terra, o empreendimento obteve lucro com a produção de 133 animais. A lucratividade foi de R$ 4.951,70 e rentabilidade de 1,93%. O ponto de equilíbrio nesta condição foi de 1968,49 arrobas de carnes. Para a produção de 150 animais a lucratividade