Antimicrobial effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on chicken breast meat contamination

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa), also known in Brazil as saffron, on the reduction of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli counts in chicken meat. Forty breast meat samples were divided in two groups (A and B). In group A, 10³-10(4)E. coli (ATCC 25922) cells were inoculated and group B samples were inoculated with 10(4)-10(5)S. aureus (ATCC 9801) cells, after which each group was divided in three samples. The first sample was analyzed immediately after inoculation. The second sample (control group) was stored at 4 ºC for 48 hours and turmeric at 1% (w/w) was added to the third sample, which was homogenized and then stored under the same conditions as the second sample. E. coli and S. aureus were enumerated in all samples. Mean bacterial counts determined for the control samples and for the samples with turmeric addition after 48h of storage were 1.83 x 10(4) CFU g-1 and 1.80 x 10(4) CFU g-1 for S. aureus, and 9.36 x 10³ CFU g-1 and 7.25 x 10³ CFU g-1 for E. coli, respectively. The results showed that there was no significant reduction in bacterial counts with the addition of 1% turmeric to chicken breast meat.

Effects of inverting the position of layers eggs during storage on hatchery performance parameters

Storing hatchable eggs is a common practice in commercial hatcheries. However, storage time may negative effects on several performance parameters. An experiment was carried out to evaluate inverting egg position during storage of eggs laid by young and old layer breeders. Fertile eggs of 32 and 58-week-old breeders were stored for seven, 14, and 21 days at 18ºC ± 2ºC and 80% ± 10% relative humidity (RU). The following parameters were evaluated: egg weight loss, hatchability and hatchling weight, and embryodiagnosis results. Eggs stored with the small end up lost less weight during storage compared with the control eggs. Storing eggs for 14 days with the small end up reduced early embryo mortality, improving hatchability. In addition, hatchling weight increased. These results show that the detrimental effects of long storage periods may be alleviated when eggs are stored with the small end up to 14 days of storage.

Immature stages of the Brazilian crescent butterfly Ortilia liriope (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

We provide the first information on the morphology of the immature stages (egg, larva, and pupa), oviposition and larval behavior, and host plant, for the Brazilian crescent butterfly Ortilia liriope (Cramer), based on material from Santarém Municipality, Pará State, Northern Brazil. Females of O. liriope lay eggs in clusters. After hatching, larvae eat the exochorion and remain gregarious in all but the final instar. The host plant recorded in the study site is Justicia sp. (Acanthaceae). Despite the scarcity of data on the immature stages of Neotropical Melitaeini, we can already say that some morphological and behavioral traits observed in the immature stages of O. liriope are also present in all known genera in this tribe.

Penetration time of Salmonella Heidelberg through shells of white and brown commercial eggs

This study aimed at determining the minimum time required for the penetration of Salmonella Heidelberg inside the eggs after contact with contaminated material. Recently-collected brown and white eggs from laying hens between 45-50 weeks of age, reared in a commercial poultry house, were artificially contaminated by contact with wood shavings moistened with liquid inoculum of Salmonella Heidelberg in stationary-growth phase (10³-10(4) CFU g-1). According to type (white or brown), eggs were distributed into three different groups, with four replicates each: negative control group (no artificial contamination), positive control group (analyzed externally immediately after contamination and internally after the maximum storage period of the test group) and test group. Eggs were stored at controlled environmental temperature varying from 25ºC to 30ºC. In the test group, eggs contents (yolk and albumen) were pooled and analyzed after 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, and 4:00 hours after contamination for the presence of Salmonella Heidelberg in 25g of this pool. The experimental unit consisted of five eggs in each test. The analysis protocol included pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, plating on selective agar, and biochemical and serological tests. The results obtained were submitted to logistic regression, which indicated that the presence of Salmonella Heidelberg was verified after 2:16 h and 2:44 h of contact with white and brown eggs, respectively.

Penetration time of Salmonella Heidelberg through shells of white and brown commercial eggs

This study aimed at determining the minimum time required for the penetration of Salmonella Heidelberg inside the eggs after contact with contaminated material. Recently-collected brown and white eggs from laying hens between 45-50 weeks of age, reared in a commercial poultry house, were artificially contaminated by contact with wood shavings moistened with liquid inoculum of Salmonella Heidelberg in stationary-growth phase (10³-10(4) CFU g-1). According to type (white or brown), eggs were distributed into three different groups, with four replicates each: negative control group (no artificial contamination), positive control group (analyzed externally immediately after contamination and internally after the maximum storage period of the test group) and test group. Eggs were stored at controlled environmental temperature varying from 25ºC to 30ºC. In the test group, eggs contents (yolk and albumen) were pooled and analyzed after 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, and 4:00 hours after contamination for the presence of Salmonella Heidelberg in 25g of this pool. The experimental unit consisted of five eggs in each test. The analysis protocol included pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, plating on selective agar, and biochemical and serological tests. The results obtained were submitted to logistic regression, which indicated that the presence of Salmonella Heidelberg was verified after 2:16 h and 2:44 h of contact with white and brown eggs, respectively.

EFEITO DA TEMPERATURA AMBIENTE C?CLICA ELEVADA SOBRE A PROLIFERAÇÃO CELULAR DA MUCOSA DO INTESTINO DELGADO EM FRANGOS DE CORTE

Este estudo objetivou verificar os efeitos da temperatura ambiente cíclica elevada sobre a proliferação celular da mucosa intestinal de frangos de corte machos. Setenta pintos de corte Avian, machos foram alojados em gaiolas e divididos em dois grupos. O primeiro (grupo ST) foi submetido diariamente, durante uma hora, ou seja, das 12 às 13 horas, à temperatura ambiente elevada - 38ºC do primeiro ao 27º dia de idade e, 40ºC, do 28º ao 42º dia. O segundo mantido, durante 24 horas, em temperatura de conforto térmico (grupo TN) variando de 32 a 35ºC na primeira semana de idade, reduzida gradualmente, nas demais semanas, à 21ºC, de 36 a 42 dias. Cinco aves de cada grupo foram sacrificadas, semanalmente,por deslocamento cervical para retirada de fragmentos de duodeno, jejuno e íleo. Os fragmentos foram corados pela técnica imunoistoquímica do PCNA. Analisou-se digitalmente a porcentagem de células em proliferação celular na mucosa intestinal. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, num esquema fatorial 7x2 (sete idades: um, sete, 14, 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias de idade e dois grupos: ST e TN). Aplicou-se o de teste de Kolmogorov-Smirmov para verificar o comportamento de distribuição dos dados da proliferação celular. Para os parâmetros avaliados com distribuição normal de dados, as médias foram avaliadas pelo teste t, com significância de 5%; e para os de distribuição não-normal de

Efeito da temperatura ambiente c?clica elevada sobre a proliferação celular da mucosa do intestino delgado em frangos de corte

Este estudo objetivou verificar os efeitos da temperatura ambiente cíclica elevada sobre a proliferação celular da mucosa intestinal de frangos de corte machos. Setenta pintos de corte Avian, machos foram alojados em gaiolas e divididos em dois grupos. O primeiro (grupo ST) foi submetido diariamente, durante uma hora, ou seja, das 12 às 13 horas, à temperatura ambiente elevada - 38ºC do primeiro ao 27º dia de idade e, 40ºC, do 28º ao 42º dia. O segundo mantido, durante 24 horas, em temperatura de conforto térmico (grupo TN) variando de 32 a 35ºC na primeira semana de idade, reduzida gradualmente, nas demais semanas, à 21ºC, de 36 a 42 dias. Cinco aves de cada grupo foram sacrificadas, semanalmente,por deslocamento cervical para retirada de fragmentos de duodeno, jejuno e íleo. Os fragmentos foram corados pela técnica imunoistoquímica do PCNA. Analisou-se digitalmente a porcentagem de células em proliferação celular na mucosa intestinal. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, num esquema fatorial 7x2 (sete idades: um, sete, 14, 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias de idade e dois grupos: ST e TN). Aplicou-se o de teste de Kolmogorov-Smirmov para verificar o comportamento de distribuição dos dados da proliferação celular. Para os parâmetros avaliados com distribuição normal de dados, as médias foram avaliadas pelo teste t, com significância de 5%; e para os de distribuição não-normal de