Olive oil by-products as potential alternative substrates for xylooligosaccharides production

Olive pomace (OP) and olive stones (OS) are industrial by-products from the olive oil production. These residues have a high percentage of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which makes them a good source of fermentable sugars and xylan, as well as a potential alternative substrate for xylooligosaccharides (XOS) production. In this work, OP and OS were chemically characterized and used for the first time as a xylan source to produce XOS through direct fermentation by Bacillus subtilis 3610 containing the xylanase gene xyn2 from Trichoderma reesei. OS presented the highest potential for XOS production. The fermentation process was further optimized for this residue in terms of residue concentration (5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 g L-1), pH (5.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0), and temperature (30, 37, 45 and 50°C). The highest total sugars yield (27 ± 2 mg g-1) was achieved after 12 h, using 20 g L-1 of OS at pH 7.0 and 45°C.CA and AC acknowledges her junior researcher contract (CEECIND/00293/2020) and her PhD scholarship (UI/BD/153689/2022), respectively, from the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology (FCT). This study was supported by FCT under the scope of the strategic funding of CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020), CEB (UIDB/04469/2020) and Associate Laboratory SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biochemical and nutritional profile of glutamic acid and vitamin K in serum and liver of broilers from 1 to 21 days

Nutritional effects of two levels of L-glutamic acid (L-Glu) combined with four levels of vitamin K (vit. K) in serum and the liver of chicks of day-old broilers, male, Hubbard, raised in brooded batteries, receiving basic purified diet supplemented with 6.25 and 12.5% of L-Glu combined with 0.02, 0.2, 2.0 and 20.0 mg vit. K/kg. Two hundred and fifty birds were allotted to completely randomized design an in 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, with four replications of eight birds each. Calcium and alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme concentrations in serum did not differ at 7, 14 and 21 days old. Serum phosphorus levels differed at 21 days and were higher with 12.5% L-Glu. Liver weight was higher in birds fed diet with 6.25% L-Glu and 12.5% L-Glu + 0.02 mg vit. K/kg. Total serum protein remained far below normal levels. Concentrations of the alanine aminotransferase enzyme were high in birds fed L-Glu and vit. K in the evaluated levels. Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase enzyme was much higher than that levels considered normal for birds fed diets containing L-Glu and vit. K, in the evaluated levels. Vitamin K levels affected nor the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and the AP enzyme neither the bone tissue metabolism. No-specific nitrogen level (glutamic acid) of 6.25% of the diets changed the metabolism of bone tissue, as a result of the higher concentration of alkaline phosphatase enzyme in the serum of birds.Foram investigados os efeitos nutricionais de dois níveis de ácido L-glutâmico (L-Glu) combinados a quatro níveis de vitamina K (vit. K) no soro e no fígado de pintos de corte machos, Hubbard, de 1 dia de idade, criados em baterias aquecidas recebendo dieta básica purificada suplementada com 6,25 e 12,5% de ácido glutâmico combinados a 0,02; 0,2; 2,0 e 20,0 mg de vit. K/kg. Duzentas e cinqüenta e seis aves foram distribuídas em esquema fatorial 2 × 4, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições de oito aves. As concentrações de cálcio e a fosfatase alcalina (FA) no soro não diferiram aos 7, 14 e 21 dias de idade. Os níveis séricos de fósforo diferiram aos 21 dias de idade e foram maiores com 12,5% de ácido glutâmico. O peso de fígado foi maior nas aves alimentadas com a dieta com 6,25% de ácido glutâmico e 12,5% de ácido glutâmico + 0,02 mg vit. K/kg. Os níveis séricos de proteínas totais mantiveram-se muito abaixo do normal. As concentrações da enzima glutamato-piruvato transaminase (GPT) foram elevadas nas aves alimentadas com ácido glutâmico e vit. K nos níveis avaliados. A enzima alanina aminotransferase foi encontrada em concentração muito superior aos níveis considerados normais para aves alimentadas com dietas contendo ácido glutâmico e vitamina K nos níveis avaliados. Os níveis de vit. K estudados não afetaram a absorção de cálcio e fósforo e da enzima fosfatase alcalina nem o metabolismo do tecido ósseo. O nível de nitrogênio não-específico (ácido glutâmico) de 6,25% das dietas alterou o metabolismo do tecido ósseo, como resultado da maior concentração de fosfatase alcalina no soro das aves

Effects of dietary levels of L-glutamic acid and vitamin K in the activity of a-amylase of chicks

The effects of two levels of L-glutamic acid (L-Glu) combined with four levels of vitamin K (Vit K) were studied with the objective of evaluating the activities of a-amylase in the chyme and pancreas of chicks. Day-old male broilers were reared in eletrically heated batteries, fed with purified amino acids diets, minerals and vitamins (except Vit K) at the requirement levels, for 14 days. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The experimental design was a factorial 2x4 with four replicates with eight chicks each The experimental diet was supplemented with 6.25 and 12.5% of L-Glu combined with .02; .2; 20; 200 mg Vit K/kg diet. Effects of L-Glu and Vit K were observed in the chyme with maximum specific activity (1,005.78±245.25 IU/g tissue) observed in chicks fed with 6.25% of L-Glu and 20 mg of Vit K. Reduction in activity was observed with 12.5% L-Glu. In pancreas, there was no significant interaction between L-Glu and Vit K for a-amylase activity, but significant effect of L-Glu was observed (IU/g tissue and IU/100 g body weight). Results suggest that a-amylase activity is affected by an association between L-Glu and Vit K in chickens fed purified diets. In general, 12.5% L-Glu regardless of Vit K levels led to reduction in a-amylase activity.Foram investigados os efeitos nutricionais de dois níveis de ácido L-glutâmico (L-Glu) combinados com quatro níveis de vitamina K (Vit K) sobre a atividade de a-amilase no quimo e pâncreas de aves de corte. Frangos de corte machos de um dia foram criados em baterias aquecidas e alimentados, à vontade, com dietas contendo todos L-aminoácidos essenciais, minerais e vitaminas (exceto Vit K) até os 14 dias de idade. O experimento foi realizado em esquema fatorial, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado 2x4, com quatro repetições de oito aves cada. A dieta básica foi suplementada com 6,25 e 12,5% de L-Glu combinados com 0,02; 0,2; 20,0 e 200,0 mg de Vit K/kg de ração. Efeitos significativos de L-Glu e Vit K foram observados no quimo. A atividade específica máxima (1.005,78±245,25 UI/mg de proteína) foi observada nas aves alimentadas com 6,25% de L-Glu e 20,0 mg de Vit K. Houve redução da atividade com a suplementação de 12,5% de L-Glu. No pâncreas, não houve interação entre L-Glu e Vit K, todavia, foi observado efeito de L-Glu sobre as atividades relativas, expressas em UI/g de tecido e UI/100 g de peso corporal. Os resultados sugerem que a associação entre L-Glu e Vit K interfere na atividade enzimática de a-amilase em aves de corte submetidas a dietas purificadas. Os resultados indicam que o nível de 12,5% de L-Glu associado aos diferentes níveis de vitamina K reduziu a atividade enzimática

Utilização de resíduos de AZOLLA SP. na densidade populacional de eisenia foetida/Use of AZOLLA SP. residues in the population density of foetid eisenia

A Eisenia foetida, conhecida como minhoca vermelha da Califórnia é um Anelídeo, pertencente a classe Oligochaeta. É um organismo amplamente utilizado em processos de vermicompostagem devido à sua fácil adaptação a variações estacionais, rápido desenvolvimento, grande capacidade de multiplicação e, também, alta eficácia na conversão de resíduos orgânicos. A Azolla sp. é uma planta aquática, que possui alta capacidade de absorção de nitrogênio do ar atmosférico, e é altamente utilizada na adubação verde, melhorando a qualidade do solo para plantios subsequentes e como fonte de nitrogênio e de outros macro e micronutrientes em culturas de arroz irrigado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a densidade populacional e o acasalamento de Eisenia foetida, a partir de resíduos de azolla. No experimento foram inoculadas 20 minhocas adultas e cliteladas da espécie Eisenia foetida acondicionadas em garrafas pet, perfazendo quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições totalizando 20 garrafas pet. O esterco utilizado foi de bovinos de leite e a Azolla foi misturada in natura ao esterco em diferentes proporções. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: T1– 100% de esterco bovino, T2 – 75% de esterco bovino + 25%% azolla, T3 – 50% de esterco bovino + 50% azolla, T4 – 25% de esterco bovino + 75% azolla. Após 65 dias da instalação do experimento, foi realizada a contagem de todas as minhocas e casulos de cada tratamento do experimento. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias ao teste Duncan ao nível de 5% de probabilidade utilizando o programa SASM-Agri. Com os testes realizados, foi observada uma maior população de minhocas no tratamento T1 (esterco bovino 100%) bem como um maior número de casulos foram gerados nesse mesmo tratamento. A medida que foram acrescidas as porcentagens de azolla nos substratos, evidenciou-se uma queda na população de minhocas, e tal comportamento foi constatado, de modo geral, na quantidade de casulos. A partir dos experimentos realizados, conclui-se que os resíduos de Azolla, a medida que mais concentrados, apresentaram um efeito negativo sobre a população de minhocas e na quantidade de casulos

Efeitos do Ácido L-Glutâmico e da Vitamina D3 na composição química de Fêmures e Tibiotarsos de Pintos de Corte

The experiment aimed to study the effects of three levels (5; 10; and 15%) of L-Glutamic Acid (L-Glu) and four levels of vitamin D3 (VD) on the chemical composition of bones of broiler chicks, Hubbard. The purified diets used contained all essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals at adequate levels and were supplemented with of L-Glu and with 0, 5,000, 10,000 and 15,000 IU of vitamin D3. The experimental design was a factorial 3 x 4 with four replicates with seven chicks each. The highest content of femur ash (40.6%) and tibiotarsus ash (40.73%) was obtained with, respectively, 15% of L-Glu and 8,503 IU of VD and 15% of L-Glu and 15,000 IU of VD. There was no significant effect on calcium (37.01%) and phosphorus (20.55%) contents of tibiotarsus ash. The better Ca:P relationship on tibiotarsus was equal 1.80. The better Ca:P relationship of the femur (1.95) was obtained with 5% of L-Glu and 15,000 IU of VD. There was a reduction on magnesium contents of the femur with L-Glu and VD supplementation. The highest tibiotarsus magnesium content (1.2%) was obtained with 5% of L-Glu and 5,000 IU of VD. Although some differences were observed in the mineral composition of bones, the mineral contents were in physiological range and were not related with leg weakness incidence observed.Um experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos de níveis (5, 10 e 15%) de ácido L-Glutâmico (L-Glu) e níveis (0, 5.000, 10.000 e 15.000 UI de vitamina D3/kg) de vitamina D3 (VD) na composição química de ossos de pintos de corte, machos, Hubbard, criados em baterias aquecidas, recebendo dieta básica purificada. O experimento foi realizado utilizando-se esquema fatorial, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado 3 x 4, com quatro repetições de sete aves cada. A maior porcentagem de cinza óssea do fêmur (40,6%) foi obtida com 15% de L-Glu e 8.503 UI de VD e a do tibiotarso (40,73%), com 15% de L-Glu e 15.000 UI de VD. Não houve efeito de tratamento para as concentrações de cálcio (37,01%) e fósforo (20,55%) nas cinzas do tibiotarso. A relação Ca:P no tibiotarso foi constante e igual a 1,80. No fêmur, a melhor relação Ca:P (1,95) foi obtida com 5% de L-Glu e 15.000 UI de VD. No fêmur, houve decréscimo nos níveis de magnésio com a suplementação de L-Glu e de vitamina D3. No tibiotarso, a maior concentração de magnésio (1,2%) foi obtida com 5% de L-Glu e 5.000 UI de VD. Embora algumas diferenças tenham sido observadas na composição mineral dos ossos, os conteúdos se encontravam numa faixa fisiológica normal e não foram relacionados com a incidência de problemas de pernas

Influenza severe cases in hospitals, between 2014 and 2016 in Portugal

Rede Portuguesa de Laboratórios para o Diagnóstico da GripeBackground: Since 2009, the Portuguese Laboratory Network (PLNID) for Influenza Diagnosis has integrated 15 Laboratories in mainland and Atlantic Islands of Azores and Madeira. This PLNID added an important contribute to the National Influenza Surveillance Program regarding severe and hospitalized influenza cases. The present study aims to describe influenza viruses detected in influenza like illness (ILI) cases: outpatients (Outp), hospitalized (Hosp), and intensive care units (ICU), between 2014 and 2016. Methods: The PLNID performs influenza virus diagnosis by biomolecular methodologies. Weekly reports to the National Influenza Reference Laboratory ILI cases tested for influenza. Reports include data on detecting viruses, hospital assistance, antiviral therapeutics, and information on death outcome. Were reported during two winter seasons 8059 ILI cases,being 3560 cases in 2014/15 (1024 in Outp, 1750 Hosp, and 606 in ICU) and 4499 cases in 2015/2016 (1933 in Outp, 1826 Hosp, and 740 in ICU). Results: The higher percentage of influenza positive cases were detected in Outp in both seasons, 18% during 2014/15 and 20% in 2015/16. In 2014/15,influenza cases were more frequent in individuals older than 65 years old and these required more hospitalizations,even in ICU. In 2015/16,the influenza cases were mainly detected in individuals between 15-64 years old. A higher proportion of influenza positive cases with hospitalization in ICU were observed in adults between 45-64 years old.During the study period,the predominant circulating influenza viruses were different in the two seasons: influenza B and A(H3) co-circulated in 2014/15,and influenza A(H1)pdm09 was predominant during 2015/16. Even when influenza A is notthe dominant virus, A(H3) and A(H1)pdm09 subtypes correlate with higher detection rate in hospitalized cases (Hosp and UCI), with higher frequencies in adults older than 45. Influenza B,detected in higher proportion in outpatients, was frequently relatedwith influenza cases in younger age groups: 0-4 and 5-14 years old. Conclusions: This study highlights the correlation of theinfluenza virus type/subtype that circulates in each season with the possible need for hospitalization and intensive care in special groups of the population. Circulation of influenza A subtypes can cause more frequentdisease in individuals older than 45, with need of hospitalization including intensive care. On the other hand, influenza B is more frequently associated with less severe cases and with infection in children and younger adults. Influenza B circulation might predict lower number of hospitalizations.The identification of influenza type in circulation,byPLNID ineach season, could guide action planning measures in population health care.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. Methods By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARSCoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal. Results We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during early March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal throughout February, before the first cases were confirmed. Conclusions Here we conclude that the earlier implementation of measures could have minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion in Portugal. This study lays the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlights the need for systematic and geographically-representative genomic surveillance.We gratefully acknowledge to Sara Hill and Nuno Faria (University of Oxford) and Joshua Quick and Nick Loman (University of Birmingham) for kindly providing us with the initial sets of Artic Network primers for NGS; Rafael Mamede (MRamirez team, IMM, Lisbon) for developing and sharing a bioinformatics script for sequence curation (https://github.com/rfm-targa/BioinfUtils); Philippe Lemey (KU Leuven) for providing guidance on the implementation of the phylodynamic models; Joshua L. Cherry (National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) for providing guidance with the subsampling strategies; and all authors, originating and submitting laboratories who have contributed genome data on GISAID (https://www.gisaid.org/) on which part of this research is based. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government. This study is co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica (234_596874175) on behalf of the Research 4 COVID-19 call. Some infrastructural resources used in this study come from the GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio