In vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics of diets with crambe cake protein replacing soybean meal protein by gas production technique / Cinética de fermentação ruminal in vitro de dietas com proteína de torta de crambe em substituição à proteína do farelo de soja pela técnica de produção de gás

The objective of this study was to evaluate ingredients and diets containing increasing levels of crambe cake protein replacing soybean meal protein, with in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters using a gas production technique. Diets were formulated for feedlot lambs and contained different levels of crambe cake protein (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 g kg-1) replacing soybean meal protein. Corn silage was used as roughage. Carbohydrate digestion rates were estimated using the in vitro gas production technique and the cumulative gas production kinetics were analyzed using the bicompartmental logistic model. The parameters values of ruminal degradation kinetics were generated using the R statistical program with the Gauss-Newton algorithm and then subjected to analysis of variance and regression (when necessary) according to a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and five replications. Upon carbohydrate fractionation of ingredients and experimental diets, it was observed that corn grain and corn silage presented the highest levels of total carbohydrates (TC), with values of 128.3 and 464.8 g kg-1 dry matter (DM) in fraction B2, respectively. Lower TC content was found for soybean meal and crambe cake (CC). There was a predominance of fractions A + B1 in the ingredients and experimental diets. The B2 fraction decreased in the diets with the inclusion of the CC protein, and CC presented the highest C fraction. Protein fractionation (g kg-1 DM and g kg-1 crude protein - CP), the ingredients and diets showed a higher proportion of fractions A and B1 + B2. In in vitro degradation, the diet without CC (0 g kg-1 DM) showed the highest final cumulative gas production (365.04 mL g-1 of incubated DM), while the CC presented the lowest volume (166.68 mL g-1 of incubated DM). The gas volume of non-fibrous carbohydrate fermentation and fibrous carbohydrate degradation rate exhibited a quadratic effect according increasing levels of CC (Pmax = 265.8 g kg-1 DM and Pmin = 376.3 g kg-1 DM, respectively). The lag time and final gas volume showed a decreasing linear effect with increasing levels of CC protein. The degradation rate of non-fibrous carbohydrates and the final volume of fibrous carbohydrates did not differ. Replacing soybean meal protein with CC protein at the level of 250 g kg-1 of dry matter in diets formulated for feedlot lambs leads to good profiles of ruminal fermentation kinetics with respect to the degradation of fibrous and non-fibrous carbohydrates.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar ingredientes e dietas contendo diferentes níveis de proteína da torta de crambe como substituto da proteína do farelo de soja utilizando parâmetros de fermentação ruminal in vitro pela técnica de produção de gás. Foram formuladas dietas para cordeiros em confinamento e continham níveis crescentes de proteína da torta de crambe (0, 250, 500, 750, e 1000 g kg-1) em substituição à proteína do farelo de soja. A silagem de milho foi utilizada como volumoso. As taxas de digestão de carboidratos foram estimadas usando a técnica in vitro de produção de gás, e a cinética cumulativa de produção de gás foi analisada usando o modelo logístico bicompartimental. Os valores dos parâmetros da cinética de degradação ruminal foram gerados usando o programa estatístico R com o algoritmo de Gauss-Newton e posteriormente submetidos à análise de variância e regressão (quando necessário) em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. Sobre o fracionamento dos carboidratos dos ingredientes e das dietas experimentais observou-se que o milho e a silagem de milho apresentaram maiores teores de carboidratos totais (CT), com valores de 128,3 e 464,8 g kg-1 matéria seca (MS) na fração B2, respectivamente. O menor teor de CT encontrado foi para o farelo de soja e a torta de crambe (TCr). Houve predomínio das frações A+B1 nos ingredientes e nas dietas experimentais. A fração B2 diminuiu nas dietas com a inclusão da proteína da TCr, e a TCr apresentou a maior fração C. No fracionamento de proteínas (g kg-1 MS e g kg-1 proteína bruta - PB), os ingredientes e as dietas apresentaram maior proporção das frações A e B1+B2. Na degradação in vitro, a dieta sem TCr (0 g kg-1 MS) apresentou a maior produção final cumulativa de gases (365,04 mL g-1 de MS incubada), enquanto que a TCr apresentou o menor volume (168,68 mL g-1 de MS incubada). O volume de gás da fermentação de carboidratos não fibrosos e taxa de degradação de carboidratos fibrosos exibiram um efeito quadrático de acordo com os níveis crescentes de TCr (Pmáx= 265.8 g kg-1 DM e Pmin= 376.3 g kg-1 DM, respectivamente). O tempo de latência e o volume final do gás apresentaram efeito linear decrescente com o aumento dos níveis de proteína da TCr. A taxa de degradação dos carboidratos não fibrosos e volume final de carboidratos não diferiram. A substituição da proteína do farelo de soja pela proteína da torta de crambe no nível de 250 g kg-1 MS em dietas formuladas para cordeiros em confinamento leva a um bom perfil cinético de fermentação ruminal em relação à degradação de carboidratos fibrosos e não fibrosos.(AU)

Fermentative profile and nutritive value of corn silage with Tamani guinea grass / Perfil fermentativo e valor nutritivo de silagens de milho com capim-Tamani

The use of silage has been an efficient alternative to feed supply during the shortage of roughage in dry periods, providing quality feed that is widely used in ruminant feeding. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentative characteristics and nutritive value of corn silage with Tamani guinea grass (Panicum maximum BRS cv. Tamani) through chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and protein fractionation. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. The treatments consisted of five silages: corn; corn with 10% Tamani guinea grass; corn with 20% Tamani guinea grass; corn with 30% Tamani guinea grass; and corn with 40% Tamani guinea grass, totalling 20 experimental silos. The addition of tamani grass to silages was determined based on fresh matter. For ensiling, corn was harvested with 320 g kg-1 DM (dry matter) and Tamani guinea grass in a 30-day development cycle with 286 g kg-1 DM. After 50 days of silage, the silos were opened to analyse the fermentative characteristics, chemical composition and protein fractionation of the silage. The results showed that the addition of Tamani guinea grass in corn silage increased the pH and buffering capacity and reduced the dry matter and lactic acid concentration but did not compromise the fermentative characteristics of silages. The addition of 40% Tamani guinea grass in corn silage provided increased levels of crude protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility, protein A, B1 and C, and decreased the fractions B3 and C, which makes Tamani guinea grass an alternative to improve the quality of exclusive corn silage, resulting in better quality silage.(AU)

A utilização de silagens tem sido uma alternativa eficiente para suprir a escassez de volumoso no período seco, proporcionando alimento de qualidade, largamente utilizada na alimentação de ruminantes. Objetivou-se avaliar as características fermentativas, valor nutritivo, através da composição bromatológica digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca e fracionamento de proteína da silagem de milho com capim-tamani (Panicum maximum BRS cv. Tamani). Foi utilizado delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de silagem: milho; milho com 10% de capim-tamani; milho com 20% de capim-tamani; milho com 30% de capim-tamani e milho com 40% de capim-tamani, totalizando 20 silos experimentais. A adição de capim-tamani na ensilagem foi calculada com base na matéria natural. Para a ensilagem, o milho foi colhido com 320 g kg-1 de matéria seca (MS) e o capim-tamani no ciclo de desenvolvimento de 30 dias, com 286 g kg-1 MS. Após 50 dias da ensilagem, os silos foram abertos, para serem analisadas as características fermentativas, bromatológicas e fracionamento de proteína das silagens. Os resultados mostraram que adição do capim-tamani na ensilagem de milho aumentou o pH, capacidade tampão e reduziu os teores de matéria seca e concentração de ácido lático, mas não comprometeu as características fermentativas da silagem. A adição de 40% do capim-tamani na ensilagem de milho proporcionou maiores teores de proteína bruta, digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca e fração proteína A, B1 e B e diminuiu a fração B3 e C, sendo alternativa para melhorar a qualidade da silagem exclusiva de milho.(AU)

Concentration-dependent effects of latex F1-protein fraction incorporated into deproteinized bovine bone and biphasic calcium phosphate on the repair of critical-size bone defects.

F1-protein fraction (F1) is a natural bioactive compound extracted from the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, and has been recently studied for its therapeutic potential in wound healing. In this study, we investigated the concentration-dependent effects of F1 (0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%) incorporated into deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) and porous biphasic calcium phosphate (pBCP), on the repair of rat calvarial critical-size bone defects (CSBD). The defects were analyzed by 3D-microtomography and 2D-histomorphometry at 12 weeks postsurgery. The binding efficiency of F1 to pBCP (96.3 ± 1.4%) was higher than that to DBB (67.7 ± 3.3%). In vivo analysis showed a higher bone volume (BV) gain in all defects treated with DBB (except in 0.1% of F1) and pBCP (except in 0.05% and 0.1% of F1) compared to the CSBD without treatment/control group (9.96 ± 2.8 mm3 ). DBB plus 0.025% F1 promoted the highest BV gain (29.7 ± 2.2 mm3 , p < .0001) compared to DBB without F1 and DBB plus 0.01% and 0.1% of F1. In the pBCP group, incorporation of F1 did not promote bone gain when compared to pBCP without F1 (15.9 ± 4.2 mm3 , p > .05). Additionally, a small BV occurred in defects treated with pBCP plus 0.1% F1 (10.4 ± 1.4 mm3, p < .05). In conclusion, F1 showed a higher bone formation potential in combination with DBB than with pBCP, in a concentration-dependent manner. Incorporation of 0.25% F1 into DBB showed the best results with respect to bone formation/repair in CSBD. These results suggest that DBB plus 0.25% F1 can be used as a promising bioactive material for application in bone tissue engineering.

Fermentative profile and nutritive value of corn silage with Tamani guinea grass / Perfil fermentativo e valor nutritivo de silagens de milho com capim-Tamani

The use of silage has been an efficient alternative to feed supply during the shortage of roughage in dry periods, providing quality feed that is widely used in ruminant feeding. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentative characteristics and nutritive value of corn silage with Tamani guinea grass (Panicum maximum BRS cv. Tamani) through chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and protein fractionation. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. The treatments consisted of five silages: corn; corn with 10% Tamani guinea grass; corn with 20% Tamani guinea grass; corn with 30% Tamani guinea grass; and corn with 40% Tamani guinea grass, totalling 20 experimental silos. The addition of tamani grass to silages was determined based on fresh matter. For ensiling, corn was harvested with 320 g kg-1 DM (dry matter) and Tamani guinea grass in a 30-day development cycle with 286 g kg-1 DM. After 50 days of silage, the silos were opened to analyse the fermentative characteristics, chemical composition and protein fractionation of the silage. The results showed that the addition of Tamani guinea grass in corn silage increased the pH and buffering capacity and reduced the dry matter and lactic acid concentration but did not compromise the fermentative characteristics of silages. The addition of 40% Tamani guinea grass in corn silage provided increased levels of crude protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility, protein A, B1 and C, and decreased the fractions B3 and C, which makes Tamani guinea grass an alternative to improve the quality of exclusive corn silage, resulting in better quality silage.

A utilização de silagens tem sido uma alternativa eficiente para suprir a escassez de volumoso no período seco, proporcionando alimento de qualidade, largamente utilizada na alimentação de ruminantes. Objetivou-se avaliar as características fermentativas, valor nutritivo, através da composição bromatológica digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca e fracionamento de proteína da silagem de milho com capim-tamani (Panicum maximum BRS cv. Tamani). Foi utilizado delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de silagem: milho; milho com 10% de capim-tamani; milho com 20% de capim-tamani; milho com 30% de capim-tamani e milho com 40% de capim-tamani, totalizando 20 silos experimentais. A adição de capim-tamani na ensilagem foi calculada com base na matéria natural. Para a ensilagem, o milho foi colhido com 320 g kg-1 de matéria seca (MS) e o capim-tamani no ciclo de desenvolvimento de 30 dias, com 286 g kg-1 MS. Após 50 dias da ensilagem, os silos foram abertos, para serem analisadas as características fermentativas, bromatológicas e fracionamento de proteína das silagens. Os resultados mostraram que adição do capim-tamani na ensilagem de milho aumentou o pH, capacidade tampão e reduziu os teores de matéria seca e concentração de ácido lático, mas não comprometeu as características fermentativas da silagem. A adição de 40% do capim-tamani na ensilagem de milho proporcionou maiores teores de proteína bruta, digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca e fração proteína A, B1 e B e diminuiu a fração B3 e C, sendo alternativa para melhorar a qualidade da silagem exclusiva de milho.

The action of red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus coconsis, pocock) venom and its isolated protein fractions on blood sodium levels

Red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus or Buthus tamulus) venom samples were collected at different regions of India: western (Chiplun and Ahmednagar from Maharashtra State) and southern (Ratnagiri and Chennai from Tamil Nadu State). The action of whole venoms on the blood sodium levels of mice was assessed using flame photometry. Seven peptides were common to all venom samples. They were separated using the native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique and their activities were also studied using flame photometry. There was a decrease in the concentration of sodium ions in the serum, which suggested the blockage of such ions by scorpion venom toxins. Among the 10 protein bands isolated, the band at 79.6 kDa presented maximum activity in decreasing serum sodium ions concentration. Whole venom from Chiplun region also showed maximum activity. The western blotting technique demonstrated that the anti-scorpion venom sera produced by Haffkine Biopharmaceuticals Corporation Ltd., India, neutralized all four venom samples.

The action of red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus coconsis, pocock) venom and its isolated protein fractions on blood sodium levels

Red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus or Buthus tamulus) venom samples were collected at different regions of India: western (Chiplun and Ahmednagar from Maharashtra State) and southern (Ratnagiri and Chennai from Tamil Nadu State). The action of whole venoms on the blood sodium levels of mice was assessed using flame photometry. Seven peptides were common to all venom samples. They were separated using the native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique and their activities were also studied using flame photometry. There was a decrease in the concentration of sodium ions in the serum, which suggested the blockage of such ions by scorpion venom toxins. Among the 10 protein bands isolated, the band at 79.6 kDa presented maximum activity in decreasing serum sodium ions concentration. Whole venom from Chiplun region also showed maximum activity. The western blotting technique demonstrated that the anti-scorpion venom sera produced by Haffkine Biopharmaceuticals Corporation Ltd., India, neutralized all four venom samples.(AU)

Composição químico-bromatológica da forragem durante o período de ocupação em pastagens de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) e capim-mombaça (Panicum maximum, Jacq) sob manejo rotacionado / Forage composition during the occupation period in elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) and mombaça grass (Panicum maximum, Jacq) pastures under rotational system

Os valores nutritivos do capim-elefante e do mombaça foram avaliados por intermédio de amostras de extrusa esofágica, determinando-se a composição químico-bromatológica, o fracionamento dos compostos nitrogenados e carboidratos, e a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca. Foram utilizados 15 e 13 piquetes de capim-elefante e capim-mombaça, períodos de descanso de 42 e 36 dias, respectivamente, e período de ocupação de três dias. Em cada pastagem, eram mantidas quatro novilhas mestiças. As coletas de extrusa foram realizadas, seqüencialmente em cada piquete ocupado, de forma que se obtivessem amostras do terceiro, segundo e primeiro dias de ocupação. A comparação entre as médias das amostras de extrusa dos primeiros, segundos e terceiros dias de ocupação foi realizada por contrastes ortogonais e equações de regressão. No capim-mombaça foi observado comportamento quadrático (P<0,05) no teor de proteína bruta. Os teores de carboidratos totais, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, celulose e fração potencialmente degradável dos carboidratos (B2) aumentaram linearmente 1,95, 2,74, 2,57, 2,42 e 2,3 pontos percentuais por dia sob pastejo, respectivamente (P<0,05). Houve redução na qualidade do capim-mombaça com o avançar do período de ocupação, principalmente, quanto ao acréscimo dos constituintes fibrosos. No capim-elefante não foram observadas alterações nas variáveis estudadas (P>0,05).(AU)

The chemical composition, the fractions of nitrogenous and carbohydrates compounds and the in vitro dry matter digestibility, were evaluated in elephant and mombaça grasses pastures under rotational system. Fifteen paddocks of elephant grass and thirteen of mombaça grass were used with three days of occupation period and 42 and 36 days of resting periods, respectively. Extrusa samplings were done in order to get samples relating to third, second and first days of the occupation period. In each pasture were kept four crossbreds heifers. The comparison between the average composition of esophageal extrusa samples of to the first, second and third days of the occupation periods was done by the orthogonal contrast, with further adjustment by regression equations. For mombaça grass it was observed quadratic behavior (P<0.05) for crude protein content. In function of the occupation period carbohydrates, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and potentially degradable fraction of carbohydrates (B2), contents increased linearly by 1.95, 2.74, 2.57, 2.42 and 2.3 percent respectively by day of occupation (P<0.05). The mombaça grass quality decreased with the occupation period, mainly due to increases in the fibrous constituents. Were no differences in the chemical composition of elephant grass were observed the occupation period (P>0.05).(AU)

Factors underlying the natural resistance of animals against snake venoms

The existence of mammals and reptilia with a natural resistance to snake venoms is known since a long time. This fact has been subjected to the study by several research workers. Our experiments showed us that in the marsupial Didelphis marsupialis, a mammal highly resistant to the venom of Bothrops jararaca, and other Bothrops venoms, has a genetically origin protein, a alpha-1, acid glycoprotein, now highly purified, with protective action in mice against the jararaca snake venom.