The effect of bone choice on quantification of mineralization in broiler chickens up to 6 weeks of age

An experiment was conducted to assess the most appropriate bone type for measuring bone mineralization in male broiler chicks up to 42 d. A total of 72 male broilers were raised in 0.64 m2 pens on a litter floor. The study design included 2 dietary treatments (Control and Low) containing differing levels of total phosphorus (7.8 and 4.4 g/kg for Control and Low diets respectively) and calcium (22.7 and 13.1 g/kg for Control and Low diets respectively) with each fed to 6 replicate pens of 6 birds. Each wk, 6 birds per diet were euthanized and leg bones removed to measure ash percentage. Foot, toe, tibia, and femur ash were compared using the mean of both legs from each bird, via t-tests to separate Control and Low diets. At the end of wk 1, diets could not be separated using any of the bone ash measures. From wk 2 to wk 5, both tibia and foot ash differentiated between the Control and Low diets, and tibia continued to show significant differences between the diets into wk 6. Femur ash did not show any dietary differences until wk 3, but then showed significant differences between the diets until wk 6. Toe ash only differentiated between diets at wk 2, and variation both within and between birds was high, particularly with younger birds. These results suggest that bird age has implications when choosing a bone for assessing possible differences in dietary phosphorus and calcium uptake. Femur ash may be more appropriate for showing differences in broilers aged 6 wk and older. Foot ash provides a comparable alternative to tibia ash in birds aged 2 to 5 wk of age, providing a labor- and time-saving alternative

Nutritional composition, vitamins, minerals and toxic heavy metals analysis of Trianthema portulacastrum L., a wild edible plant from Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study aimed at analyzing the nutritional potential of a wild edible plant, Trianthema portulacastrum L. widely used in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The nutritional composition, vitamins, minerals and heavy elements were analyzed following the standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The nutritional assessment included determination of moisture, ash, lipid, fiber, protein, carbohydrate and energy. Among the nutrient values, fiber was found to be the highest (430.0 mg/g), followed by ash (348.0 mg/g), total protein (91.9 mg/g), moisture (80.0 mg/g), carbohydrate (30.2 mg/g) and total lipid (20.0 mg/g). The vitamins analyzed were found to have greater value for riboflavin (2.02 mg/g), than retinol (0.81 mg/g). Among the macro minerals, potassium was present in high concentration (51.6 mg/g) than sodium (44.0 mg/g). The trace elements were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and their decreasing order was Fe>Zn>Mn>Ni>Cu. Two toxic metals, Pb and Cd were present in very minute quantities of 0.08 and 0.0006 mg/g, respectively. The results suggest that T. portulacastrum L. is a good source of fiber, proteins, riboflavin, potassium, sodium and iron.Keywords: Peshawar, Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), Trianthema portulacastrum L., nutritional composition, vitamins, minerals.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(42), pp. 6079-608

Determinación de nicotina en cigarrillos aplicando la técnica de la segunda derivada

En el presente trabajo de investigación se ha determinado nicotina en muestras de tabaco, correspondientes a marcas de cigarrillos nacionales, utilizando la destilación por arrastre de vapor y posterior determinación mediante espectrofotometría derivativa aplicando la técnica de la segunda derivada. El método de extracción es el sugerido por la Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Sin embargo, para el análisis y expresión final de resultados, en este estudio se ha optado por utilizar la espectrofotometría derivativa por su simplicidad, sin requerir de una corrección de fondo. Los resultados están expresados en mg/L y % de alcaloides totales, y como nicotina.In the present work we have evaluated nicotine in tobacco samples corresponding to local cigarette brands by using steam destilation and to later evaluation by derivative spectrophotometry using the second derivative technique. We uses here the extraction method suggested by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC).However, for the final analysis and expression of results we have chosen the derivative spectrophotometry because of its simplicity; it doesn' t need to background correction and, its to better accuracy because of the uses of to calibration curves which differs from the conventional spectrophotometric method of determination suggested by the AOAC. The results plows expressed in mg/Land % of total alkaloids and nicotine

Reuse of paraformaldehyde tablets: evaluation of the sterilizing activity

A atividade esterilizante das pastilhas de paraformaldeído reutilizadas foi avaliada por meio do monitoramento microbiológico, segundo a técnica da Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), exigida no Brasil para o registro desta categoria de saneastes junto à Vigilância Sanitária do Ministério da Saúde. Preliminarmente aos testes ulometria iodométrica segundo a Society of Japanese Pharmacopeia que permitiram a construção de uma curva de concentração de formaldeído gasoso liberado por ciclo de esterilização, em relação ao número de reutilizações, subsidiando, desta forma, a escolha do momento da realização das análises microbiológicas. As pastilhas de paraformaldeído mantiveram atividade esterilizante na concentração de 3% (3g/100 cm³) num período de exposição de 4 h à temperatura de 50ºC sob umidade relativa máxima, após 12 ciclos de reutilizações de um mesmo grupo de pastilhas.La actividad esterilizante de las pastillas de paraformaldeído, reutilizadas, fué evaluada por medio de control microbiológico, según la técnica de la Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), exigida, en Brasil, por la Unidad de Vigilancia Sanitaria del Ministerio de Salud. Preliminarmente , se realizaron ensayos físicoquimicos por medio de la titulometria yodométrica, según la Society of Japanese Pharmacopeia, que permitieron la construcción de una curva de concentración de formaldeído gaseoso, liberado por ciclo de esterilización, en relación al número de reutilizaciones, y subsidios para la elección del momento de realización de los andlisis microbiológicos. Las pastillas de paraformaldeído mantuvieron actividad esterilizante en una concentración del 3% (3g/100cm3) en un período de exposición de 4 horas a una temperatura de 50o C sometida a humedad relativa máxima, después de 12 ciclos de reutilizaciones del mismo grupo de pastillas.The sterilizing activity of reused Paraformaldehyde tablets was assessed by microbiologic monitoring according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) technic required in Brazil to register this class of sanitizing substances into the Health Ministery. Previous to the microbiologic tests, physical-chemscs assays were done through iodine titration according to the Society of Japanese Pharmacopoeia. It was possible, than, to draw a graphic showing a curve of the gaseous formaldehyde concentration discharged, at each sterilization cycle in relation to the number of reuse of the paraformaldehyde tablets.Through this graphic it was possible to chose the adequate moment to make the microbiologic analysis. After 12 cycles, the some group of the paraformaldehyde tablets kept the sterilizing activity at 3% concentration (3g/ 100 cm³), at 50ºC, for 4 hours of exposition time with great relative humidity

Seed quality, physical properties and proximate compositions of Adan rice

In the presence study, Adan rice was evaluated for seed quality, some physical and proximate compositions. The seed purity and moisture content and germination was 99.76±0.07%, 10.53 ±0.50% and 91.33±1.29% respectively. Adan rice seed took minimum 4 days to fully germinate. The physical properties of Adan Rice were evaluated at 12.03 ±0.14% moisture content. The length, width, thickness, 1000 grain weight, geometric mean dimension, surface area aspect ratio, and bulk density were 8.60mm, 2.13 mm, 1.67 mm, 15.28 g, 10.22mm, 27.04 24.83%, 0.50±0.01 g/ml respectively. Proximate composition analysis assessment was done using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method. The moisture content, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate and fibre were 10.43%, 0.50%, 6.30%, 0.22%, 81.49% and 5.61%. Gelatinization temperature was determined by using alkali-digestion test. Adan rice has an intermediate gelatinization temperature

Study on the Formulation and Characterization of Herbal Toothpaste

The present research work focused on the formulation and characterization of herbal toothpaste from neem oil. Firstly, the physico-chemical properties of Neem seeds (Azadirachtaindica A. Juss) were determined. The Neem oil was extracted from Neem seeds by using solvent extraction process with ethanol (material-to-solvent ratio 1:4 w/v) at extraction temperature 60ºC for 150 min. The physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid profile of extracted neem oil were also determined using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method and Gas Chromatography (GC). Then, the herbal toothpaste was formulated using extracted neem oil with active and inactive ingredients. The effect of foaming agent, humectant, binder and preservative on the quality of formulated herbal toothpastes were investigated. Finally, the properties such as pH, alkalinity, viscosity, density, lead content, arsenic content, foaming power and physical appearance of formulated herbal toothpastes were also evaluated and compared with commercial product

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) in the Central Adriatic Sea

Surveillance of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) in the Ka{tela Bay, Central Adriatic Sea, was conducted in the summers of 1995 through 1997. Toxicity was assessed by the mouse bioassay according to the method proposed by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Incidence of shellfish intoxication by PSP toxins was recorded on several occasions, however at levels not endangering human health. Along with shellfish sampling, seawater samples were taken for analysis of the phytoplankton community and the numerical cell abundance. The phytoplankton composition demonstrates a recurring incidence of Lyngulodinium polyedra, and frequent presence of species from the Alexandrium, Gymnodinium and Gyrodinium genera, well known progenitors of PSP and its analogues. Possible recurrence of such phenomena and their distribution to other regions of the Adriatic coast may have serious health and economic consequences, calling for continuous monitoring of phytoplankton composition and toxicological studies of shellfish

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) in the Central Adriatic Sea

Surveillance of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) in the Ka{tela Bay, Central Adriatic Sea, was conducted in the summers of 1995 through 1997. Toxicity was assessed by the mouse bioassay according to the method proposed by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Incidence of shellfish intoxication by PSP toxins was recorded on several occasions, however at levels not endangering human health. Along with shellfish sampling, seawater samples were taken for analysis of the phytoplankton community and the numerical cell abundance. The phytoplankton composition demonstrates a recurring incidence of Lyngulodinium polyedra, and frequent presence of species from the Alexandrium, Gymnodinium and Gyrodinium genera, well known progenitors of PSP and its analogues. Possible recurrence of such phenomena and their distribution to other regions of the Adriatic coast may have serious health and economic consequences, calling for continuous monitoring of phytoplankton composition and toxicological studies of shellfish

Investigation of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin E and other nutritional compounds of banana flower of two cultivars grown in China

The nutritional composition of banana flowers of two cultivars [cvs. Baxijiao (AAA) and Paradisical (AAB)] grown in Hainan of China has been studied. Flower samples were collected and extracted according to methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Results showed thatbanana flowers contained abundant dietary fiber (4.96-5.74 g/100g) and proteins (1.62-2.07 g/100 g). The major amino acids are glycine, leucine, alanine, and aspartic acid. Lysine had a lowest chemical score of 64% among the essential amino acids. In both species, flowers contained a higher composition of unsaturated fatty acids (65-66%), mainly the linoleic acid, while saturated fatty acids (mainly palmitic acid) is low. The contents of vitamin E, total saponin and flavonoids were 0.87-1.07, 0.12 and 5.27–5.90mg/100 g, respectively. This study provides a fundamental nutritional data of banana flowers which can be essential in food science

Analysis of dietary fibre of boiled and canned legumes commonly consumed in the United Kingdom

The use of different analytical methods to measure the dietary fibre content of foods complicates the interpretation of epidemiological studies. The aim of this study was to determine the total (TDF) and insoluble (IDF) fibre content of 14 boiled and canned legumes commonly consumed in the UK using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) enzymatic gravimetric method. The fibre values obtained were compared to non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) values. The results showed that mean values for TDF (2.7–11.2 g/100 g) were higher than NSP (2.6–6.7 g/100 g), with a mean NSP:TDF ratio of 1:1.43. TDF was correlated with NSP (r = 0.6; p = 0.02). Canning significantly reduced TDF and IDF by an average of 30% and 26% compared to boiling respectively. However, IDF represented at least 60% of the TDF in both boiled and canned samples. In conclusion, fibre values are affected by the processing and analytical method used