Impact Of Selected Rodenticides On The Acidic And Enzymatic Coagulation Properties Of Milk

The early detection of chemical contaminants in milk at the farm level is essential to prevent them entering into the food chain. The overall objective of this study was to determine the effect of selected rodenticides on the acidic and enzymatic coagulation properties of milk by using selected strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and to evaluate the suitability of lactic acid bacteria as a biomarker for early detection of toxins in milk. Specific objectives of this study were (a) to determine the optimum growth temperature for lactic acid bacteria in MRS broth for early detection of rodenticides; (b) to determine the effect of selected rodenticides on the growth and activity of different strains of lactic acid bacteria in MRS broth; and (c) to determine the effect of selected rodenticides on the growth and activity of different strains of lactic acid bacteria in milk. Serially diluted rodenticides were added to tubes containing MRS broth/milk. Commercial yogurt culture was then inoculated into the medium and incubated at 42 °C for 6 hours. The pH of the broth was recorded at 2, 4, and 6 hour intervals. The bacterial counts, lactic acid production, α-galactosidase and β-galactosidase activity were also measured at the end of incubation. In the MRS broth, the yogurt cultures YF001 and YI 885 showed highest sensitivity to diphacinone at the level of 0.005 mg/ml. YF001 showed detectable sensitivity to brodifacoum and bromadiolone at the level of 0.02 mg/ml. YG011 showed detectable sensitivity to brodifacoum, bromadiolone and diphacinone at the levels of 0.02, 0.04, and 0.02 mg/ml, respectively. The growth of YI 885 was inhibited by brodfacoum and bromadiolone at the levels of 0.01 and 0.04 mg/ml, respectively. In milk, the yogurt cultures YG011 and YI 885 showed highest sensitivity to diphacinone at the level of 0.04 mg/ml. YF001 showed detectable sensitivity to brodifacoum, bromadiolone and diphacinone at the levels of 0.12, 0.08, and 0.08mg/ml, respectively. The growth of YG011 was inhibited by brodfacoum and bromadiolone 2 at the levels of 0.08 and 0.16mg/ml, respectively. YI 885 showed detectable sensitivity to brodifacoum and bromadiolone at the levels of 0.08 and 0.16mg/ml, respectively. A significant (p \u3c 0.05) growth inhibition of all the yogurt cultures was observed in the presence of all the three rodenticides. There were significant differences (p \u3c 0.05) in the bacterial count, pH, lactic acid production, α-galactosidase and β-galactosidase activity in the presence of rodenticides in the medium. The results indicate that yogurt culture could be used as a biomarker for the early detection of rodenticides in milk. With some adjustments, this process could be utilized as a fast and accurate test for the presence of rodenticides in dairy food products

A SIX PLATE MICROBIOLOGICAL ASSAY FOR SCREENING OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESIDUES IN FOOD OF ANIMAL ORIGIN

Occurrence of antimicrobial residues in livestock and aquatic products is a current public health concern. The monitoring of food commodities for antimicrobial residues will ensure the consumer safety and promote trade. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish a screening test to detect antimicrobial residues in food of animal origin. A bioassay consists of six plates was established, which enables screening of six groups of antimicrobials, namely; penicillins, sulphonamides, streptomycin, erythromycin, tetracyclines and fluroquinolones. The Six Plate Test (SPT) is a bioassay technique, which is carried out using Bacillus subtilis BGA (Merck), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778), Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 9341) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 11303) as indicator organisms. The Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) was used as the test medium at optimum pH for all indicator organisms except B.cereus, for which the Media No.8 was used. The Minimum Detectable Concentrations (MDC) of SPT were determined using serial dilutions of antibiotics. All the MDC values obtained on SPT for the validated antimicrobials were below the recommended MRL of each antimicrobial. SPT can be developed to a quick, easy to perform, robust and low cost screening test to detect antimicrobial residues in food of animal origin.</jats:p

Case of the month: Dislodged tracheo‐oesophageal valve: importance of rapid replacement or stenting

Dislodgement of a tracheo‐oesophageal prosthesis needs prompt action to ensure patency and prevent aspiration in patients with total laryngectomy. Failure to do so may lead to an unnecessary repeat tracheo‐oesophageal puncture. This case report is about a patient who needed a repeat procedure under general anaesthetic. It highlights the need for emergency physicians to be aware of this not uncommon event in a patient with a laryngectomy and to refer them immediately for ENT review

A STUDY ON PRODUCTION OF BANANA FROZEN YOGHURT AND ASSESSING CONSUMER ACCEPTABILITY

Frozen yogurt is a frozen dairy dessert made with yogurt. It’s known for its frozen texture as a dessert and higher nutritional value in comparison with ice cream. Frozen yogurt is used much like ice cream and served in a wide variety of flavors and styles around the world.&#x0D; The objective of this project was to develop a healthier frozen yoghurt with natural banana flavour, and to evaluate its sensory acceptability.&#x0D; Banana frozen yoghurt was produced with vanilla and chocolate flavors.&#x0D; The sensory acceptability of products was tested at Department of Veterinary Public health and Pharmacology (VPHP) by conducting two sensory panels. According to the results, in sensory analysis both vanilla and chocolate flavored products were equally accepted. Further studies need to be carried out to improve the product with a higher probiotic value and better texture.</jats:p

Revisiting traditional SSR based methodologies available for elephant genetic studies

AbstractAsian elephant (Elephas maximus) plays a significant role in natural ecosystems and it is considered as an endangered animal. Molecular genetics studies on elephants’ dates back to 1990s. Microsatellite markers have been the preferred choice and have played a major role in ecological, evolutionary and conservation research on elephants over the past 20 years. However, technical constraints especially related to the specificity of traditionally developed microsatellite markers have brought to question their application, specifically when degraded samples are utilized for analysis. Therefore, we analyzed the specificity of 24 sets of microsatellite markers frequently used for elephant molecular work. Comparative wet lab analysis was done with blood and dung DNA in parallel with in silico work. Our data suggest cross-amplification of unspecific products when field-collected dung samples are utilized in assays. The necessity of Asian elephant specific set of microsatellites and or better molecular techniques are highlighted.</jats:p

Genetic features of Sri Lankan elephant, Elephas maximus maximus Linnaeus revealed by high throughput sequencing of mitogenome and ddRAD-seq.

Elephas maximus maximus Linnaeus, the Sri Lankan subspecies is the largest and the darkest among Asian elephants. Patches of depigmented areas with no skin color on the ears, face, trunk, and belly morphologically differentiate it from the others. The elephant population in Sri Lanka is now limited to smaller areas and protected under Sri Lankan law. Despite its ecological and evolutionary importance, the relationship between Sri Lankan elephants and their phylogenetic position among Asian elephants remains controversial. While identifying genetic diversity is the key to any conservation and management strategies, limited data is currently available. To address such issues, we analyzed 24 elephants with known parental lineages with high throughput ddRAD-seq. The mitogenome suggested the coalescence time of the Sri Lankan elephant at ~0.2 million years, and sister to Myanmar elephants supporting the hypothesis of the movement of elephants in Eurasia. The ddRAD-seq approach identified 50,490 genome-wide SNPs among Sri Lankan elephants. The genetic diversity within Sri Lankan elephants assessed with identified SNPs suggests a geographical differentiation resulting in three main clusters; north-eastern, mid-latitude, and southern regions. Interestingly, though it was believed that elephants from the Sinharaja rainforest are of an isolated population, the ddRAD-based genetic analysis clustered it with the north-eastern elephants. The effect of habitat fragmentation on genetic diversity could be further assessed with more samples with specific SNPs identified in the current study

A unique single nucleotide polymorphism in Agouti Signalling Protein (ASIP) gene changes coat colour of Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) to dark black.

The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is an endangered subspecies restricted to isolated and fragmented populations in Sri Lanka. Among them, melanistic leopards have been recorded on a few occasions. Literature suggests the evolution of melanism several times in the Felidae family, with three species having distinct mutations. Nevertheless, the mutations or other variations in the remaining species, including Sri Lankan melanistic leopard, are unknown. We used reference-based assembled nuclear genomes of Sri Lankan wild type and melanistic leopards and de novo assembled mitogenomes of the same to investigate the genetic basis, adaptive significance, and evolutionary history of the Sri Lankan melanistic leopard. Interestingly, we identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon-4 Sri Lankan melanistic leopard, which may completely ablate Agouti Signalling Protein (ASIP) function. The wild type leopards in Sri Lanka did not carry this mutation, suggesting the cause for the occurrence of melanistic leopords in the population. Comparative analysis of existing genomic data in the literature suggests it as a P. p. kotiya specific mutation and a novel mutation in the ASIP-gene of the Felidae family, contributing to naturally occurring colour polymorphism. Our data suggested the coalescence time of Sri Lankan leopards at ~0.5 million years, sisters to the Panthera pardus lineage. The genetic diversity was low in Sri Lankan leopards. Further, the P. p. kotiya melanistic leopard is a different morphotype of the P. p. kotiya wildtype leopard resulting from the mutation in the ASIP-gene. The ability of black leopards to camouflage, along with the likelihood of recurrence and transfer to future generations, suggests that this rare mutation could be environment-adaptable