Urinary excretion of the mycotoxins lolitrem B and lysergic acid in cattle consuming perennial ryegrass straw over 56 days

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) hay is an important source of forage for a variety of livestock species, and is most common in cool, coastal climates such as the Pacific Northwest. An endophyte fungus called Neotyphodium lolii frequently colonizes this grass to promote insect resistance, drought tolerance, and growth enhancement without the need to incorperate excessive use of fertilizers, irrigation or pesticides. Unfortunately, encouragement of endophyte infection can also result in the production of mycotoxins including lolitrem B and ergot alkaloids. Lolitrem B is a tremorgenic neurotoxin that effects livestock and other herbivores and is responsible for the condition known as “ryegrass staggers,” in which animals develop tremors, ataxia and frequently collapse. The ergot alkaloids are vasoconstrictors and prolactin inhibitors that negatively affect thermoregulation, reproductive efficiency and milk yield. The toxicokinetics of lolitrem B have not yet been fully elucidated; however, that of the ergot alkaloid mycotoxin ergovaline has, and the main urinary metabolic breakdown product was determined to be lysergic acid. A thorough understanding of the metabolism of lolitrem B/ergot alkaloids from perennial ryegrass in cattle must be established before a risk assessment can be extended to humans. Therefore, the goal of this project was to evaluate one toxicokinetic compartment, the urine, of cattle fed varying doses of lolitrem B- and ergovaline-containing perennial ryegrass hay for 60 days for lolitrem B and the ergot alkaloid breakdown product lysergic acid via LC-MS/MS. Our experiment confirmed that lolitrem B is not secreted in bovine urine; lysergic was detected in a dose-dependent manner. The tendency for lysergic acid to be excreted in aqueous matrices raises concerns for human consumption of milk products from exposed animals

Characterization of Sidr (Ziziphus spp.) Honey from Different Geographical Origins

The current investigation was conducted to assess the melissopalynological, physicochemical, and biochemical properties, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities as well as total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of 794 Sidr honey samples collected from the Saudi market that had been imported from 12 different countries. Testing Sidr honey from different countries showed different levels of growth suppression observed against five drug resistant bacterial strains. The pathogenic strains were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antimicrobial activity showed growth suppression levels which varied according to the origin of the honey. The comparative study of Sidr honeys revealed a strong correlation between total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and significant radical scavenging activities in particular Egyptian and Saudi Arabian honeys. The melissopalynological and physicochemical properties of different Sidr honeys complied with the recommendations of the WHO Codex Alimentarius, the European Union standards for honey quality, and the Gulf Technical Regulation on honey (GSO 147:2008-Standards Store-GCC Standardization Organization). It was concluded that Sidr honey from different geographical areas has the capacity to suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria and perform significant radical scavenging activities

Acute emphysema of cattle

Published May 1980. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

The Bioactive Value of Tamarix gallica Honey from Different Geographical Origins

This study was conducted to assess the bioactive value of Tamarix gallica honey samples collected from three countries. In total, 150 Tamarix gallica honey samples from Saudi Arabia (50), Libya (50), and Egypt (50) were collected and compared, based on the results of the melissopalynological analysis, their physicochemical attributes, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and biochemical properties, together with their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Depending on the geographical origin, we observed different levels of growth suppression for six resistant bacterial strains. The pathogenic microorganisms tested in this study were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was a strong correlation between the polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as significant (p < 0.05) radical scavenging activities. The melissopalynological analysis and physicochemical properties complied with the recommendation of the Gulf and Egyptian Technical Regulations on honey, as well as the Codex Alimentarius of the World Health Organization and the European Union Normative related to honey quality. It was concluded that Tamarix gallica honey from the three countries has the capacity to suppress pathogenic bacterial growth and has significant radical scavenging activities. Moreover, these findings suggest that Tamarix gallica honey may be considered as an interesting source of antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants for therapeutical and nutraceutical industries or for food manufacturers

Metagenomic Insights into the RDX-Degrading Potential of the Ovine Rumen Microbiome

The manufacturing processes of royal demolition explosive (RDX), or hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, have resulted in serious water contamination. As a potential carcinogen, RDX can cause a broad range of harmful effects to humans and animals. The ovine rumen is capable of rapid degradation of nitroaromatic compounds, including RDX. While ruminal RDX-degrading bacteria have been identified, the genes and pathways responsible for RDX degradation in the rumen have yet to be characterized. In this study, we characterized the metabolic potential of the ovine rumen using metagenomic approaches. Sequences homologous to at least five RDX-degrading genes cloned from environmental samples (diaA, xenA, xenB, xplA, and xplB) were present in the ovine rumen microbiome. Among them, diaA was the most abundant, likely reflective of the predominance of the genus Clostridium in the ovine rumen. At least ten genera known to harbor RDX-degrading microorganisms were detectable. Metagenomic sequences were also annotated using public databases, such as Pfam, COG, and KEGG. Five of the six Pfam protein families known to be responsible for RDX degradation in environmental samples were identified in the ovine rumen. However, increased substrate availability did not appear to enhance the proliferation of RDX-degrading bacteria and alter the microbial composition of the ovine rumen. This implies that the RDX-degrading capacity of the ovine rumen microbiome is likely regulated at the transcription level. Our results provide metagenomic insights into the RDX-degrading potential of the ovine rumen, and they will facilitate the development of novel and economic bioremediation strategies

Changes to the rumen bacterial population of sheep with the addition of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene to their diet

Abstract Previous work has shown that bacterial isolates from the sheep rumen are capable of detoxifying 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) into polar constituents. In this study, the dietary effects of TNT on the sheep rumen microbial community were evaluated using molecular microbiology ecology tools. Rumen samples were collected from sheep fed with and without TNT added to their diet, genomic DNA was extracted, and the 16S rRNA-V3 gene marker was used to quantify changes in the microbial population in the rumen. Control and treatment samples yielded 533 sequences. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to determine the microbial changes between the two conditions. Results indicated the predominant bacterial populations present in the rumen were comprised of the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, irrespective of presence/absence of TNT in the diet. Significant differences (P \ 0.001) were found between the community structure of the bacteria under TNT (-) and TNT (?) diets. Examination of the TNT (?) diet showed an increase in the clones belonging to family Ruminococcaceae, which have previously been shown to degrade TNT in pure culture experiments

Determination of the Ergot Alkaloid Ergovaline in Tall Fescue Seed and Straw Using a QuEChERS Extraction Method with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Fluorescence Detection

Ergovaline is an ergot alkaloid produced by the symbiotic endophyte Epichloë coenophiala which can colonize varieties of the cool-season grass tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). It is the principle toxicant responsible for the vasoconstrictive and reproductive sequelae seen in “fescue toxicosis” in livestock which consume forage exceeding the threshold of toxicity established for this compound. A new method for extraction of ergovaline from tall fescue seed and straw was optimized and validated, based upon the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method, with high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection. Fourteen extraction solvents were tested; 2.1 mM ammonium carbonate: acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) had the highest and most consistent recovery (91-101%). Linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, accuracy, intra- and inter-day precisions for tall fescue seed and straw were 100-3500 µg/kg; 37 and 30 µg/kg; 100 µg/kg; 98%; 3.0 and 1.6%; and 3.8 and 1.0%, respectively. When applied to 17 tall fescue straw samples, there was good agreement between the currently used solid phase extraction (SPE) and QuEChERS methods (correlation coefficient = 0.9978). The QuEChERS method achieved the goals of eliminating chlorinated solvents, and developing a fast, efficient, reliable method for quantitating ergovaline in tall fescue forage that can be applied in a high-throughput food safety laboratory.Keywords: ergovaline, ergot alkaloids, HPLC-fluorescence, tall fescu

Cases of ergotism in livestock and associated ergot alkaloid concentrations in feed

Ergot-induced disease was known long before Biblical times and has been the root cause for countless human epidemics spanning from the early fourteenth century to the late sixteenth century. In contrast, many of these same ergot alkaloids have been utilized for their medicinal properties to mitigate migraine headaches and have had indications as anticarcinogens. Although ergot alkaloids have been used for centuries, basic pharmacokinetic data has not been documented for clinical disease. Consequently, a threshold dose and accurate dose-response data have yet to be established. Throughout the past several years, new detection techniques have emerged to detect these alkaloids at the parts per billion which have allowed for new efforts to be made with respect to determining threshold levels and making accurate clinical diagnoses. This perspectives article provides a critical initial step for establishing a uniform interpretation of ergot toxicosis from limited existing data

Persia URSA Lolitrem B Final.pptx

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) hay is an important source of forage for a variety of livestock species, and is most common in cool, coastal climates such as the Pacific Northwest. An endophyte fungus called Neotyphodium lolii frequently colonizes this grass to promote insect resistance, drought tolerance, and growth enhancement without the need to incorperate excessive use of fertilizers, irrigation or pesticides. Unfortunately, encouragement of endophyte infection can also result in the production of mycotoxins including lolitrem B and ergot alkaloids. Lolitrem B is a tremorgenic neurotoxin that effects livestock and other herbivores and is responsible for the condition known as “ryegrass staggers,” in which animals develop tremors, ataxia and frequently collapse. The ergot alkaloids are vasoconstrictors and prolactin inhibitors that negatively affect thermoregulation, reproductive efficiency and milk yield. The toxicokinetics of lolitrem B have not yet been fully elucidated; however, that of the ergot alkaloid mycotoxin ergovaline has, and the main urinary metabolic breakdown product was determined to be lysergic acid. A thorough understanding of the metabolism of lolitrem B/ergot alkaloids from perennial ryegrass in cattle must be established before a risk assessment can be extended to humans. Therefore, the goal of this project was to evaluate one toxicokinetic compartment, the urine, of cattle fed varying doses of lolitrem B- and ergovaline-containing perennial ryegrass hay for 60 days for lolitrem B and the ergot alkaloid breakdown product lysergic acid via LC-MS/MS. Our experiment confirmed that lolitrem B is not secreted in bovine urine; lysergic was detected in a dose-dependent manner. The tendency for lysergic acid to be excreted in aqueous matrices raises concerns for human consumption of milk products from exposed animals