Evaluation of some commercial media for the cultivation and enumeration of Clostridium perfringens from the chick intestine.

Four commercial media marketed for the detection and enumeration of Clostridium perfringens were found to adequately support the growth of a pure culture (ATCC 13124) of this species but enumeration of colony-forming units was difficult on Clostrisel and lecithin-lactose-agar base (LLA) media. Colonies of C. perfringens on LLA had typical opalescent zones, a distinctive feature that can aid in presumptive identification. Colonies on sulfite-polymyxin-sulfadiazone and tryptose-sulfite-neomycin (TSN) agar media were morphologically similar but black colonies were observed on TSN incubated at 46 C. Extreme difficulty was encountered in enumerating enteric bacteria from the chick intestine on Clostrisel medium because of the pinpoint size of the colonies and on LLA because of the opacity of the medium. Morphological characteristics of bacteria picked from colonies which formed after these media had been inoculated with chick intestinal contents were in sharp contrast to those of the pure culture of C. perfringens. Numbers of colony-forming units were higher than documented levels of C. perfringens in the intestine of chicks. These observations led to the conclusion that these formulations are inadequate for the selective cultivation and enumeration of this bacterial species from the intestine of healthy chicks, unless used in combination with further tests for specific identification.

Nutritional value of aerobically fermented poultry manure and offal (Fermway) for broiler chicks.

The nutritional value of two samples of an aerobically fermented poultry product (Fermway) were evaluated for broiler chicks. Fermway is a combination of broiler house litter and offal from a broiler processing plant. A significant (P less than .05) growth stimulation was obtained with one sample at 8 to 16% of the diet. Feed efficiency generally improved, but the effect was not significant. Gizzard weight was also significantly increased.

Studies on the utilization of leaf protein concentrates as a protein source in poultry nutrition.

Spray-dried leaf protein concentrate prepared from Red Clover and alfalfa with low or high saponin content were evaluated by studying their effect on growth and feed efficiency of broiler chicks at the 40% level. Excellent growth and feed efficiency were recorded when 40% of low saponin alfalfa protein concentrate (APC) prepared from fresh alfalfa was incorporated in the diets. Saponin in APC estimated by hemolysis test was an important factor affecting the growth, feed efficiency, and mortality of chicks. Analysis of variance showed no significant (P less than .05) difference in body weight gain between Red Clover protein concentrate and low saponin APC. A significant reduction in body weight gain of both broiler and egg type chicks was observed when 40 parts of wet alfalfa protein concentrate were incorporated in the diets. A combination of 30 parts of wet alfalfa protein concentrate (wet APC) and rice bran in a broiler diet did not adversely affect growth. Supplementation of additional vitamins did not improve gain in body weight when 40 parts of wet APC and rice bran were included in the diet. Supplementation of vitamin E seems to be crucial when higher levels of wet APC and rice bran are included in broiler diets.

Dietary survey of low-income, rural families in Iowa and North Carolina. I. Research procedures.

Methods used in assessing the dietary intake of selected low-income, rural families are described. The sample consisted of 668 families randomly selected from predetermined locations in Iowa and North Carolina. A 24-hr. recall method supplemented with food models was used in gathering data on family food intake. The nutritional "adequacy" of the family diets was then evaluated according to family composition and the 1968 Recommended Dietary Allowances. The adequacy of individual nutrients was also evaluated by the same criteria. Nutrients studied included: protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, thiamin, and riboflavin. The selection of the method in relation to opinions of previous investigators is discussed.

Dietary survey of low-income, rural families in Iowa and North Carolina. II. Family distribution of dietary adequacy.

Distribution patterns of Iowa and North Carolina families for dietary adequacy at various income levels were compared according to: (a) two family dietary standards, based on the 1968 Recommended Dietary Allowance and the Ten-State Nutrition Survey dietary standards, and (b) two income standards, family income and per capita income. A 24-hr. recall method was used to collect the dietary data. Nutrients studied included: protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, thiamin, and riboflavin. Clear differences emerged in family distribution patterns by the two dietary standards and by the two income standards. Comparison of family distribution patterns for dietary intake by the two standards showed that percentages of families with poor nutrient intakes were lower by Ten-State evaluation than for the recommended allowance evaluation, except for protein and iron. For example, the percentage of families with poor calcium intakes, by Ten-State criteria, was approximately half that measured by the recommended allowances. While, according to the latter, calcium was the most limiting nutrient in many family diets, vitamin A was most limiting by Ten-State evaluation. The proportions of families with poor ascorbic acid, thiamin, and riboflavin intakes were also lower by Ten-State standards. While the iron adequacy remained approximately the same by both dietary standards, the percentage of families with poor protein intakes was higher by the Ten-State criteria. A higher percentage of families at each income level had fair and good diets by Ten-State comparison. Family distribution patterns for intakes of individual nutrients at various family income levels demonstrated a positive relationship between nutritional intake and income. Proportions of families with poor nutrient intakes according to per capita income tended to increase with the income level. For both income standards, the percentages of families with good and fair diets in the total family sample gradually increased with income. Percentages of Iowa families with fair and good diets at various income levels were, in general, higher than those of North Carolina families. The lowest and the highest percentages of families with poor diets of two population groups were higher for per capita income distribution than for family income distribution.

Dietary survey of low-income, rural families in Iowa and North Carolina. III. Contribution of food groups to nutrients.

Percentage contributions of specific food groups indicated in the Basic 4 to protein, calcium, vitamin A, and ascorbic acid in one day's diets of thirty-five Iowa families and twenty-five North Carolina families are reported. All members of the families ate all meals at home. Their diets met or exceeded two-thirds of the 1968 Recommended Dietary Allowances for seven nutrients. Data were collected by the 24-hr. recall method. While the percentage contribution of the meat group to protein intake of the North Carolina families ranged from zero to 84 per cent, that of the Iowa group was from 35 to 85 per cent. The range for the percentage contribution of the milk group to calcium intake of North Carolina families was similar; however, in the Iowa group the range was from 2 to 97 per cent. The vitamin A-rich fruit and vegetable group contributed from zero to 99 per cent for the North Carolina families of vitamin A intake and from zero to 88 per cent for the Iowa group. Ascorbic acid-rich fruits and vegetables contributed from zero to 100 per cent of the ascorbic acid intake of the Iowa group and from zero to 95 per cent in North Carolina families. The results support the argument that the exclusive use of the "Daily Food Guide" or the "Basic 4" to assess nutritional intake of diets may produce biased in formation.