Microsatellite analysis to estimate genetic relationships among five bulgarian sheep breeds

Herein, genetic relationships among five breeds of Bulgarian sheep were estimated using microsatellite markers. The total number of alleles identified was 226 at the 16 loci examined. DA distance values were used for phylogenetic tree construction with the UPGMA algorithm. The two Tsigai and two Maritza populations were found to be geneticallvery closely related to each other y (0.198, and 0.258 respectively). The Pleven Black Head population was distinct from the other four. These results could be useful for preserving genes in these breeds, thereby ensuring their preservation in Bulgaria

Rice flour as potential carbon source for production of phytase by Aspergillus niger F00735 strain

Production of phytase by Aspergillus niger F00735 strain in submerged fermentation was studied. The effects of various natural substrates with different phytate contents on secretion of extracellular phytase were investigated and the rice flour with about 5 mg g−1 of phytic acid was found to be the best one. The repression effect of high levels of phytic acid or inorganic phosphorous in fermentation medium (corn flour, wheat grit, soy flour, etc.) on production of phytase was also observed. The optimal concentration of rice flour as main carbon sourc e was determined in combination with sodium nitrate. The maximal activity (≈1500 U l−1, 1.5 times higher than using basal medium) was achieved on the 7th day in media containing 7.12% (w/v) rice flour and 0.86% (w/v) sodium nitrate. Supplementation of fermentation medium with different surfactants such as Tween series (20, 40, 60, 65, 80, 85) and Triton X-100 up to 0.1% (w/v) had no significant effects on the secretion of phytase enzyme, meanwhile at concentrations higher than 0.2% (w/v), decrease in enzyme activity was observed

Rice flour as potential carbon source for production of phytase by Aspergillus niger F00735 strain

Production of phytase by Aspergillus niger F00735 strain in submerged fermentation was studied. The effects of various natural substrates with different phytate contents on secretion of extracellular phytase were investigated and the rice flour with about 5 mg g−1 of phytic acid was found to be the best one. The repression effect of high levels of phytic acid or inorganic phosphorous in fermentation medium (corn flour, wheat grit, soy flour, etc.) on production of phytase was also observed. The optimal concentration of rice flour as main carbon sourc e was determined in combination with sodium nitrate. The maximal activity (≈1500 U l−1, 1.5 times higher than using basal medium) was achieved on the 7th day in media containing 7.12% (w/v) rice flour and 0.86% (w/v) sodium nitrate. Supplementation of fermentation medium with different surfactants such as Tween series (20, 40, 60, 65, 80, 85) and Triton X-100 up to 0.1% (w/v) had no significant effects on the secretion of phytase enzyme, meanwhile at concentrations higher than 0.2% (w/v), decrease in enzyme activity was observed

Variation in Weed Seed Fate Fed to Different Holstein Cattle Groups

Weed seeds may maintain their viability when passing through the digestive tract of cattle and can be therefore dispersed by animal movement or the application of manure. Whether different cattle types of the same species can cause differential weed seed fate is largely unknown to us particularly under non-grazed systems similar to Holstein-Friesian dairy farming. We investigated the effect on the seed survival of four weed species in the digestive tracts of four groups of Holstein cattle: lactating cows, feedlot male calves, dry cows and growing heifers. The weed species used were Cuscuta campestris, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus and Sorghum halepense. Cattle excretion was sampled for recovery and viability of seeds at four 24 hourly intervals after seed intake. The highest seed recovery occurred two days after seed intake in all cattle groups. Averaged over weed species, dry and lactating cows had the lowest and highest seed recovery of 36.4% and 74.4% respectively. No significant differences were observed in seed recovery of the four weed species when their seeds were fed to dry cows. Based on a power model fitted to seed viability data, the estimated time to 50% viability loss after seed intake, over all cattle groups ranged from 65 h (R. crispus) to 76 h (P. aviculare). Recovered seeds from the dung of feedlot male calves showed the highest mortality among cattle groups. Significant correlation was found between seed viability and ruminal pH (r = 0.86; P<0.05). This study shows that management programs aiming to minimize weed infestation caused by livestock should account for the variation amongst cattle groups in seed persistence. Our findings can be used as a guideline for evaluating the potential risk of the spread of weeds via the application of cattle manure