Influence of long-term supplementation of a formulated botanical blend on growth performance and carcass traits in feedlot steers.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if a formulated blend of capsicum oleoresin, clove essential oil, and garlic essential oil (Fytera® Advance - Selko® USA, Indianapolis IN; CCG) influences measures of cattle growth, efficiency, or carcass traits, during the finishing phase in steers fed a concentrate-based diet. Methods: Charolais × Angus steers (n = 96; initial shrunk BW = 391± 34.0 kg) were used in a 144-d (16 February 2023 to 9 July 2023) finishing feedlot experiment in Brookings, SD. Steers were individually weighed and allotted to one of 14 pens (6 to 7 steers; 7 pens/treatment) in a randomized complete block design and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: control diet without the test product (CON) or a diet including CCG at 500 mg/steer daily (CCG). Steers were fed twice daily, and bunks were managed according to a slick bunk system. Results: There were no differences (P ≥ 0.10) in any growth performance outcomes from d 1 to 35, 36 to 70, or 71 to 98. From d 99 to 144 steers from CCG tended to have 5% greater ADG (P = 0.09) and 8% improved G:F (P = 0.01). No differences (P ≥ 0.15) were noted for cumulative growth performance measures. No differences were noted for any carcass measurements or categorical carcass outcomes, nor lung or liver health outcomes (P ≥ 0.15). Conclusion: The use of CCG had no influence on cumulative growth performance responses. However, the use of CCG improved G:F during the late feeding period.

Novel methods to extract and quantify sensors based on single wall carbon nanotube fluorescence from animal tissue and hydrogel-based platforms.

Sensors that can quickly and accurately diagnose and monitor human health are currently at the forefront of medical research. Single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) based optical biosensors are a growing area of research due to the high spatiotemporal resolution of their near infrared fluorescence leading to high tissue transparency and unparalleled sensitivity to analytes of interest. Unfortunately, due to the functionalization requirements of SWNT-based sensors, there are concerns surrounding accumulation and persistence when applied in vivo. In this study, we developed protocols to extract and quantify SWNT from complex solutions and show an 89% sensor retention by hydrogel platforms when implanted in vivo. Animal tissues of interest were also extracted and probed for SWNT content showing no accumulation (0.03 mg l-1 SWNT detection limit). The methods developed in this paper demonstrated one avenue for applying SWNT sensors in vivo without concern for accumulation.