Antibacterial polypeptide-bioparticle for oral administration: Powder formulation, palatability and in vivo toxicity approach.

The upsurge of bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics turned a well-recognized public health threat. The need of developing new biomaterials of effective practical use in order to tackle bacterial resistance became urgent. In this study, a submicrometric bioparticle of known antibacterial activity was produced in powder form with suitable texture and appealing characteristics for effective oral administration. Through complex coacervating a natural-source antimicrobial polypeptide with chitosan-N-arginine and alginate, the bioactive polypeptide was physically incorporated to the bioparticle whose structure positively responds to the pH variations found in gastrointestinal tract. The powder formulation presented high palatability that was evaluated using fish as in vivo animal model. A thorough survey of the fish intestinal tissues, following a systematic oral administration, revealed high penetration potential of the biomaterial through epithelial cells and deeper intestine layers. Despite, no cytotoxic effect was observed in analyzing the tissues through different histology methods. The absence of intestinal damage was corroborated by immune histochemistry, being the integrity of epithelial motor myosin Vb and related traffic proteins preserved. Hematology further endorsed absence of toxicity in blood cells whose morphology was evaluated in detail. The study evidenced the applicability potential of a new biomaterial of appealing and safe oral administration of antibacterial polypeptide.

Performance of broilers fed during 21 days on mash or pellet diets containing whole or ground pearl millet grain

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of 20% whole-grain or ground pearl millet (PM) in mash and pelleted diets on the performance, carcass traits, and organ weights of broilers reared until 21 days of age. A randomized block experimental design in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (diets containing corn and soybean meal, whole-grain PM, or ground PM x mash or pelleted diets), with five replicates per treatment and 10 birds per experimental unit, was applied. Diets were analyzed for mean geometric diameter, geometric standard deviation, pellet hardness, and density. Broiler performance, carcass yield, and organ weights were evaluated. On day 21, one bird with the average weight of each experimental unit was sacrificed for carcass evaluation. It was concluded that both as whole-grain and ground PM can be added to the diet of broilers up to 21 days of age. The dietary inclusion of PM results in higher abdominal fat deposition. Broilers fed the pelleted diets presented lower feed intake, better feed conversion ratio, lower gizzard and heart percentages, and higher carcass weight.

Performance of broilers fed during 21 days on mash or pellet diets containing whole or ground pearl millet grain

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of 20% whole-grain or ground pearl millet (PM) in mash and pelleted diets on the performance, carcass traits, and organ weights of broilers reared until 21 days of age. A randomized block experimental design in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (diets containing corn and soybean meal, whole-grain PM, or ground PM x mash or pelleted diets), with five replicates per treatment and 10 birds per experimental unit, was applied. Diets were analyzed for mean geometric diameter, geometric standard deviation, pellet hardness, and density. Broiler performance, carcass yield, and organ weights were evaluated. On day 21, one bird with the average weight of each experimental unit was sacrificed for carcass evaluation. It was concluded that both as whole-grain and ground PM can be added to the diet of broilers up to 21 days of age. The dietary inclusion of PM results in higher abdominal fat deposition. Broilers fed the pelleted diets presented lower feed intake, better feed conversion ratio, lower gizzard and heart percentages, and higher carcass weight.(AU)

Performance of broilers fed during 21 days on mash or pellet diets containing whole or ground pearl millet grain

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of 20% whole-grain or ground pearl millet (PM) in mash and pelleted diets on the performance, carcass traits, and organ weights of broilers reared until 21 days of age. A randomized block experimental design in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (diets containing corn and soybean meal, whole-grain PM, or ground PM x mash or pelleted diets), with five replicates per treatment and 10 birds per experimental unit, was applied. Diets were analyzed for mean geometric diameter, geometric standard deviation, pellet hardness, and density. Broiler performance, carcass yield, and organ weights were evaluated. On day 21, one bird with the average weight of each experimental unit was sacrificed for carcass evaluation. It was concluded that both as whole-grain and ground PM can be added to the diet of broilers up to 21 days of age. The dietary inclusion of PM results in higher abdominal fat deposition. Broilers fed the pelleted diets presented lower feed intake, better feed conversion ratio, lower gizzard and heart percentages, and higher carcass weight.

Efeito da forma física da ração sobre a porosidade, espessura da casca, perda de água e eclodibilidade em ovos de perdiz (Rhynchotus rufescens)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the ingestion of meal and pelleted diets on eggshell porosity and thickness, water loss and hatchability percentages of partridge (Rhynchotus rufescens) eggs. The eggs (n=100) were divided into five different weight classes (1: 35-45 g, 2: 46-50 g, 3: 51-55 g, 4: 56-60 g, 5: 61-70 g). Parts from different regions (air space, equator and small end) of each eggshell were analized in order to count pore numbers. Eggshell thickness measurements were carried out after removal of the egg membranes. The eggs used in the analyses of the water loss and hatchability percentages were weighed, desinfected, and then incubated (T=35.5ºC and RH=70%). On the 16th day of incubation, these eggs were transferred to a hatchery maintained at temperature and RH similar to those used in the incubator, where they were kept until hatching. The results showed that the mean number of eggshell pores changed among the three regions of the eggshell and egg weight classes, and also between the physical form of diets. Ingestion of pelleted diet increased eggshell thickness; however, hatchability and water loss percentages remained unchanged.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar se a forma física da ração (farelada e peletizada) afeta a porosidade e espessura da casca, e porcentagem de perda de água e eclodibilidade de ovos de perdiz. Os ovos foram coletados logo após a postura e separados em diferentes intervalos de peso (35-45g, 46-50g, 51-55g, 56-60g e 61-70g), sendo 10 ovos/classe/ração. O número de poros das cascas foi avaliado nas regiões apical, equatorial e basal dos ovos. Utilizou-se um micrômetro digital para a mensuração da espessura das três regiões da casca dos ovos, a partir dos quais obteve-se a espessura média por ovo. Os ovos para avaliação da eclodibilidade e porcentagem de perda de água do ovo até a transferência para o nascedouro (16º dia) foram pesados, desinfectados, incubados (T=35,5ºC e UR= 70%) e transferidos no 16º dia de incubação para o nascedouro, onde foram mantidos até a eclosão. As análises estatísticas empregadas foram: Análise de Variância e de Correlação, e teste de Tukey 5%. Os dados mostraram que, em perdizes, o número de poros na casca pode variar com a região da casca, peso do ovo e a forma física da ração, e que a ingestão de ração peletizada promove um aumento na espessura da casca dos ovos sem alterar a eclodibilidade e a porcentagem de perda de água dos mesmos durante a incubação.

Efeito da forma física da ração sobre a porosidade, espessura da casca, perda de água e eclodibilidade em ovos de perdiz (Rhynchotus rufescens)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the ingestion of meal and pelleted diets on eggshell porosity and thickness, water loss and hatchability percentages of partridge (Rhynchotus rufescens) eggs. The eggs (n=100) were divided into five different weight classes (1: 35-45 g, 2: 46-50 g, 3: 51-55 g, 4: 56-60 g, 5: 61-70 g). Parts from different regions (air space, equator and small end) of each eggshell were analized in order to count pore numbers. Eggshell thickness measurements were carried out after removal of the egg membranes. The eggs used in the analyses of the water loss and hatchability percentages were weighed, desinfected, and then incubated (T=35.5ºC and RH=70%). On the 16th day of incubation, these eggs were transferred to a hatchery maintained at temperature and RH similar to those used in the incubator, where they were kept until hatching. The results showed that the mean number of eggshell pores changed among the three regions of the eggshell and egg weight classes, and also between the physical form of diets. Ingestion of pelleted diet increased eggshell thickness; however, hatchability and water loss percentages remained unchanged.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar se a forma física da ração (farelada e peletizada) afeta a porosidade e espessura da casca, e porcentagem de perda de água e eclodibilidade de ovos de perdiz. Os ovos foram coletados logo após a postura e separados em diferentes intervalos de peso (35-45g, 46-50g, 51-55g, 56-60g e 61-70g), sendo 10 ovos/classe/ração. O número de poros das cascas foi avaliado nas regiões apical, equatorial e basal dos ovos. Utilizou-se um micrômetro digital para a mensuração da espessura das três regiões da casca dos ovos, a partir dos quais obteve-se a espessura média por ovo. Os ovos para avaliação da eclodibilidade e porcentagem de perda de água do ovo até a transferência para o nascedouro (16º dia) foram pesados, desinfectados, incubados (T=35,5ºC e UR= 70%) e transferidos no 16º dia de incubação para o nascedouro, onde foram mantidos até a eclosão. As análises estatísticas empregadas foram: Análise de Variância e de Correlação, e teste de Tukey 5%. Os dados mostraram que, em perdizes, o número de poros na casca pode variar com a região da casca, peso do ovo e a forma física da ração, e que a ingestão de ração peletizada promove um aumento na espessura da casca dos ovos sem alterar a eclodibilidade e a porcentagem de perda de água dos mesmos durante a incubação.

The mineral consumption and weight gain of grazing steers fed mineral supplements with different sodium contents and physical forms

Thirty crossbred two-year-old steers, kept on pasture of Braquiaria decumbens, were used in two different experiments of 90 days each. In the first experiment, the steers were randomly assigned in five groups of six steers each to verify the influence of different percentages of sodium chloride (SC) in mineral mix (MM) containing essential macro and microelements (A - 100% SC; B - 80% SC/20% MM; C - 60% SC/40% MM; D - 40% SC/ 60 MM and E - 20% SCl/80 MM) on the consumption of the mineral supplement and the weight gain. In the second experiment, the same steers were reassigned to three groups of 10 animals each to study the effect of mineral salt (40% SC/60% MM) offered loose, partially blocked or as a hard block on the mineral consumption and weight gain. Steers fed supplement D had the highest intake followed by groups B and C; lowest intake was verified in group E. All mineral supplements but E were fed adequately to meet the Na requirement (6.3g/head/d) for a 350kg growing steer. Higher average daily gain was verified in steers of groups D and C than those of group E. The highest mineral intake was observed in steers fed loose mineral (60g/head/d) followed by partially block (45g/d); the lowest consumption occurred in the steers fed hard block mineral (27g/d). The coefficient of variation of supplement intake increased as mineral hardness increased. The higher the mineral intake, in the second experiment, the greater the average daily gain. Grazing steers should be offered mineral supplements with 40% and 60% of NaCl changed weekly in order to avoid the hardening of its contents.

Trinta garrotes cruzados, com dois anos de idade, mantidos em pastos de capim Braquiria decumbens, foram utilizados em dois experimentos, com duração de 90 dias cada. No primeiro deles, os garrotes foram distribuídos, ao acaso, em cinco grupos de seis animais cada, para avaliar a influência de diferentes porcentagens de cloreto de sódio (CS) na mistura mineral (MM), contendo os principais macro e microelementos essenciais, (A - 100% CS; B - 80% CS/20% MM; C - 60% CS/40% MM; D - 40% CS/ 60% MM; E - 20% CS/80% MM) sobre o consumo de suplemento mineral e o ganho de peso, no período. No segundo experimento, os mesmos garrotes foram redistribuídos, ao acaso, em três grupos de 10 animais cada, para verificar a influência da oferta de suplemento mineral na forma solta, parcialmente empedrado ou totalmente empedrado, sobre o consumo deste alimento e sobre o ganho de peso, no período. No primeiro experimento, maior ingestão de suplemento foi detectada no grupo recebendo a fórmula D, seguida pelas fórmulas B e C; menor ingestão ocorreu nos garrotes que receberam o suplemento E. Com exceção deste último grupo, o suplemento mineral dos demais foi ingerido adequadamente para suprir o requerimento diário de sódio (6,3g/cabeça) de um garrote de 350kg. Maior ganho de peso médio diário foi constatado em garrotes dos grupos D e C, comparados com os do grupo E. No segundo experimento, maior ingestão de suplemento ocorreu em garrotes que receberam mineral solto (60g/cabeça/dia), seguido pelos que ingeriram sal mineral parcialmente empedrado (45g/dia); o menor consumo foi constatado nos garrotes para os quais foram ofertados suplemento empedrado (27g/dia). O coeficiente de variação da ingestão do suplemento mineral, pelos garrotes, aumentou quanto maior foi o grau de empedramento do sal oferecido. Quanto maior foi a ingestão de suplemento mineral, ofertada aos garrotes no segundo experimento, maior foi o ganho de peso constatado. Os dados obtidos permitem concluir que garrotes em pastoreio devem receber suplementos minerais contendo 40% a 60% de cloreto de sódio nas suas fórmulas, e que os mesmos devem ser reabastecidos semanalmente, nos cochos, a fim de evitar o empedramento de seus conteúdos.

The mineral consumption and weight gain of grazing steers fed mineral supplements with different sodium contents and physical forms

Thirty crossbred two-year-old steers, kept on pasture of Braquiaria decumbens, were used in two different experiments of 90 days each. In the first experiment, the steers were randomly assigned in five groups of six steers each to verify the influence of different percentages of sodium chloride (SC) in mineral mix (MM) containing essential macro and microelements (A - 100% SC; B - 80% SC/20% MM; C - 60% SC/40% MM; D - 40% SC/ 60 MM and E - 20% SCl/80 MM) on the consumption of the mineral supplement and the weight gain. In the second experiment, the same steers were reassigned to three groups of 10 animals each to study the effect of mineral salt (40% SC/60% MM) offered loose, partially blocked or as a hard block on the mineral consumption and weight gain. Steers fed supplement D had the highest intake followed by groups B and C; lowest intake was verified in group E. All mineral supplements but E were fed adequately to meet the Na requirement (6.3g/head/d) for a 350kg growing steer. Higher average daily gain was verified in steers of groups D and C than those of group E. The highest mineral intake was observed in steers fed loose mineral (60g/head/d) followed by partially block (45g/d); the lowest consumption occurred in the steers fed hard block mineral (27g/d). The coefficient of variation of supplement intake increased as mineral hardness increased. The higher the mineral intake, in the second experiment, the greater the average daily gain. Grazing steers should be offered mineral supplements with 40% and 60% of NaCl changed weekly in order to avoid the hardening of its contents.

Trinta garrotes cruzados, com dois anos de idade, mantidos em pastos de capim Braquiria decumbens, foram utilizados em dois experimentos, com duração de 90 dias cada. No primeiro deles, os garrotes foram distribuídos, ao acaso, em cinco grupos de seis animais cada, para avaliar a influência de diferentes porcentagens de cloreto de sódio (CS) na mistura mineral (MM), contendo os principais macro e microelementos essenciais, (A - 100% CS; B - 80% CS/20% MM; C - 60% CS/40% MM; D - 40% CS/ 60% MM; E - 20% CS/80% MM) sobre o consumo de suplemento mineral e o ganho de peso, no período. No segundo experimento, os mesmos garrotes foram redistribuídos, ao acaso, em três grupos de 10 animais cada, para verificar a influência da oferta de suplemento mineral na forma solta, parcialmente empedrado ou totalmente empedrado, sobre o consumo deste alimento e sobre o ganho de peso, no período. No primeiro experimento, maior ingestão de suplemento foi detectada no grupo recebendo a fórmula D, seguida pelas fórmulas B e C; menor ingestão ocorreu nos garrotes que receberam o suplemento E. Com exceção deste último grupo, o suplemento mineral dos demais foi ingerido adequadamente para suprir o requerimento diário de sódio (6,3g/cabeça) de um garrote de 350kg. Maior ganho de peso médio diário foi constatado em garrotes dos grupos D e C, comparados com os do grupo E. No segundo experimento, maior ingestão de suplemento ocorreu em garrotes que receberam mineral solto (60g/cabeça/dia), seguido pelos que ingeriram sal mineral parcialmente empedrado (45g/dia); o menor consumo foi constatado nos garrotes para os quais foram ofertados suplemento empedrado (27g/dia). O coeficiente de variação da ingestão do suplemento mineral, pelos garrotes, aumentou quanto maior foi o grau de empedramento do sal oferecido. Quanto maior foi a ingestão de suplemento mineral, ofertada aos garrotes no segundo experimento, maior foi o ganho de peso constatado. Os dados obtidos permitem concluir que garrotes em pastoreio devem receber suplementos minerais contendo 40% a 60% de cloreto de sódio nas suas fórmulas, e que os mesmos devem ser reabastecidos semanalmente, nos cochos, a fim de evitar o empedramento de seus conteúdos.