Effect of wheat processing on rumen characteristics and rumen parameters in Holstein-Friesian calves.

In this experiment, effect of wheat processing on rumen conditions and development were investigated. Fifty-six neonatal Holstein-Friesian calves (22 male and 34 female) were fed calf starters and post-weaning diets containing 35 (pre-weaning) and 21.90% (post-weaning) popped wheat (PW), steam-flaked wheat (SFW), dry-rolled wheat (DRW) or ground wheat (GW) till 12 weeks of age. Calves were weaned at the end of 9th week, and a post-weaning-specific starter diets were fed for 1 month. Rumen liquor was analysed in days 30, 60 and 90 of the experiment to determine volatile fatty acids (VFA), pH and ammonia nitrogen concentrations. Twelve male calves (three calves/treatment) were slaughtered, and digestive tract was emptied. Forestomach empty weight and rumen parameters were assessed. Results indicated that calves received PW had the highest total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, ammonia nitrogen, rumen wall thickness, papilla width and density. Calves fed DRW experienced the lowest rumen pH throughout the experiment probably because high proportion of fine particles in GW. Calves consuming PW apparently had more functional rumen in comparison with other groups.

Nutritional value of raw soybeans, extruded soybeans, roasted soybeans and tallow as fat sources in early lactating dairy cows.

Thirty multiparous Holstein cows (29.8 ± 4.01days in milk; 671.6 ± 31.47 kg of body weight) were used in a completely randomized design to compare nutritional value of four fat sources including tallow, raw soybeans, extruded soybeans and roasted soybeans for 8 weeks. Experimental diets were a control containing 27.4 % alfalfa silage, 22.5% corn silage, and 50.1% concentrate, and four diets with either tallow, raw soybean, extruded soybean, or roasted soybean added to provide 1.93% supplemental fat. Dry matter and NEL intakes were similar among treatments, while cows fed fat diets had significantly (P<0.05) high NEL intakes when compared to control with no fat. Supplemental fat, whether tallow or full fat soybeans increased milk production (1.89-2.45 kg/d; P<0.01) and FCM production (1.05-2.79; P<0.01). Milk fat yield and percentage of cows fed fat-supplemented diets were significantly (P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively) higher than control. Between fat-supplemented diets, roasted soybean caused highest milk fat yield and extruded soybean caused lowest milk fat yield. There was no significant effect of supplemental fat on the milk protein and lactose content and yield. Feed efficiency of fat-supplemented diets was significantly (P<0.01) higher than control. Body weight, body weight change and BCS (body condition score) of cows, as well as energy balance and energy efficiency were similar between treatments. In conclusion, while there was no significant effect of fat sources on production response of cows, fat originating from heat-treated soybean help to minimize imported RUP (rumen undegradable protein) sources level as fish meal in comparison with tallow and raw soybean oil. In the Current study, there was no statistical significance among nutritional values of oil from extruded soybeans and roasted soybeans.

Identification and quantitation of sodium-thyroxine and its degradation products by LC using electrochemical and MS detection.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used in combination with an amperometric and mass spectrometric detection to elucidate and quantitate the degradation products and contaminants of the photo-sensitive Na-thyroxine. Using HPLC with amperometric detection, seven decomposition compounds were separated. These products, which occur mostly as contaminants, were then identified by a developed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. The same HPLC method was also employed to analyze Na-thyroxine and its degradation products in three commercially available brands of Na-thyroxine tablets.

Simultaneous determination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid in pharmaceutical dosage forms by LC with amperometric detection.

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical (EC) detection is described for the quantitative determination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Sample components were separated by a reversed phase C18 column, using a mixture of methanol-phosphate buffer (pH 3.2-3.4) (5:95, v/v) as the mobile phase. Detection of antibiotics was performed amperometrically by applying a potential of +1.25 V. High linearity over a concentration range of 15.625-500 ng was demonstrated for amoxycillin (r=0.9999) and clavulanic acid (r=0.9979). Detection limits were 0.8 ng ml(-1) for amoxycillin and 15 ng ml(-1) for clavulanic acid. This method was found to be convenient and reproducible for analysis of these two components in oral suspensions and tablets and might be useful for other pharmaceutical dosage forms.