Effect of Extract of Aerial Parts of Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) on the Stability of Soybean Oil

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) extract as a natural antioxidant and compare with the most commonly used synthetic antioxidants, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).Methods: Three different U. dioica extracts, viz, chloroform, methanol (80 %) and water extracts, were prepared. The antioxidant activity of the extracts were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and soybean oil models. Varying concentrations of the extracts (200, 500 and 800 ppm), BHA and BHT (100 and 200 ppm) were separately added to soybean oil and stored in the oven (60±1 °C) for 25 days. Peroxide and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values were measured at various heating periods for the oil samples. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods, respectively, while the aerial parts of the plant were also phytochemically screened.Results: Analysis of the chemical composition of U. dioica aerial parts showed they contain crude proteins (21.78 %±0.11), crude lipids (1.66 %±0.03), total soluble carbohydrates (37.19 %±0.21), crude fibers (19.62 %±0.14) and ash (19.75 %±0.17). The aqueous extract contained the highest level of total phenolic contents (7.89 ±0.38, mg g-1 of powder) while the choroform extract contained the highest level of flavonoid contents (15.40 ±0.53 mg g-1 powder). The half-maximal concentration (IC50) values for chloroform, methanol (80 %) and aqueous extracts in respect of DPPH radical scavenging activity were 77.53±0.99, 199.71±1.02 and 159.88±1.57 μg ml-1, respectively. Mixing soybean oil with 200 - 800 ppm of extract decreased oil oxidation and formation rate of TBA reacting substances at a level that is almost equivalent to the synthetic antioxidant, BHT, at a concentration of 200 ppm.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that mixing soybean oil with U. dioica extract can improve the quality of the oil during frying process.Keywords: Antioxidant activity; Soybean oil; DPPH; Peroxide value; Thiobarbituric acid value; Urtica dioic

Eimeria species occurrence varies between geographic regions and poultry production systems and may influence parasite genetic diversity

Coccidiosis is one of the biggest challenges faced by the global poultry industry. Recent studies have highlighted the ubiquitous distribution of all Eimeria species which can cause this disease in chickens, but intriguingly revealed a regional divide in genetic diversity and population structure for at least one species, Eimeria tenella. The drivers associated with such distinct geographic variation are unclear, but may impact on the occurrence and extent of resistance to anticoccidial drugs and future subunit vaccines. India is one of the largest poultry producers in the world and includes a transition between E. tenella populations defined by high and low genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the prevalence of Eimeria species defined by high and low pathogenicity in northern and southern states of India, and seek to understand factors which vary between the regions as possible drivers for differential genetic variation. Faecal samples and data relating to farm characteristics and management were collected from 107 farms from northern India and 133 farms from southern India. Faecal samples were analysed using microscopy and PCR to identify Eimeria occurrence. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to transform correlated putative risk factors into a smaller number of synthetic uncorrelated factors. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify poultry farm typologies, revealing three distinct clusters in the studied regions. The association between clusters and presence of Eimeria species was assessed by logistic regression. The study found that large-scale broiler farms in the north were at greatest risk of harbouring any Eimeria species and a larger proportion of such farms were positive for E. necatrix, the most pathogenic species. Comparison revealed a more even distribution for E. tenella across production systems in south India, but with a lower overall occurrence. Such a polarised region- and system-specific distribution may contribute to the different levels of genetic diversity observed previously in India and may influence parasite population structure across much of Asia and Africa. The findings of the study can be used to prioritise target farms to launch and optimise appropriate anticoccidial strategies for long-term control

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. Infections in Arab Horses, Southwest of Iran

Background: Because of the economic importance of the Arab race horses and also the role of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in abortion and reproductive failure of these animals, we decided to perform this study. Objectives: We designed this study to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies in Arab horses from 12 cities of Khuzestan province in southwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: From October 2009 to March 2011, a total of 235 blood samples were collected from jugular veins of Arab horses of different ages and genders from 12 cities of Khuzestan province. All the sera were tested for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the existence of anti-Neospora antibodies were tested using N-MAT for Neospora spp. Results: According to the MAT results, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 114 (48.5%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:20 in 84, 1:40 in 19, 1:80 in four, 1:160 in four, and 1:320 in three horses. According to the N-MAT results, antibodies to Neospora spp. were found in 47 (20%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:40 in 39, 1:80 in five, and 1:160 in three horses. We did not observe any statistically significant differences regarding age groups and genders between seropositive and seronegative horses for Neospora spp. using chi-square (chi(2)) test, but it seemed that anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were more prevalent in older horses ( >= 10 years old). Conclusions: The results indicated that Arab horses are exposed to these parasites in southwest of Iran. Further research is required to determine the genomic structures of these parasites in Arab horses in southwest of Iran

Survey on infestation to external parasites and their roles in of in transmission of protozoan disease in goat in Maku Region

The present study aims to determine the rate of infestation to external parasites, determine the fauna (genus and species) and also investigation their role in transmission of protozoan infections in goat in maku region. This survey was conducted from March 2010 (Farvardin 1389) to April 2011 (Esfand 1389). The data was analyzed by SPSS software (Ver. 16) .The results revealed that 137 goats (33.5%) were infested by hard ticks. There weren`t any infestation by other external parasites (mite, lice, flea, myias). The whole detected ticks were 435 and each goat had an average of 1.08 ticks. The identified hard ticks on goats in respect to their prevalence were Rhipicephalus bursa (68.50%),Hyaloma anatolicum.anatolicum (16.32%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (9.46%), Haemaphysalis punctata(3.21%) and Dermacentor marginatus( 2.52%). Distribution of ticks over different parts of the body surface was as follows: groin and breasts (50.80%), head and neck (25.05%), subscapula (13.10%) and genital organs and under tail (11.03%). Out of 137 positive samples 103 goats (25.75%) were infected with Babesia, out of which 87 goats (84.46%), 12 goats (11.65%) and 5 goats (3.89%) infected with B. ovis, B. mutasi and mixed infection with B. ovis and B. mutasi, respectively. There wasn`t any infection with Theileria and Anaplasma. The results indicated that infections with Rhipicephalus bursa was the highest in goats in Maku region, and among protozoan infections, B. ovis infection was the highest one , that is the frequency of Rhipicephalus bursa in comparison to other kinds of detected ticks among positive samples of Babesia was high and is meaningful (

MICROWAVE-ASSISTED EXTRACTION OF PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOID COMPOUNDS FROM Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn LEAVES AS COMPARED WITH ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED EXTRACTION

Abstract In the present study, a microwaveassisted extraction (MAE) technique has been developed for extraction of phenolic and flavonoid compounds from eucalyptus leaves. Various experimental conditions, such as solvent type, ethanol concentration, MAE time, liquid/solid ratio and preleaching time before MAE were examined to optimize the extraction. Among the solvents tested, 50% aqueous ethanol extracted the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents from eucalyptus leaves. The extraction of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with MAE for 5 min was equivalent with ultrasoundassisted extraction (UAE) (60 min) and traditional extraction (24 h) methods. Time of extraction at room temperature and UAE was about 288 and 12 times higher than the needed with MAE, respectively. Due to the considerable saving in time, MAE was more effective than the traditional and UAE methods

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis on technological properties of sourdough and voluminous bread quality

Sourdough applications in bread production are rising in recent decades continuously due to consumers' desire for natural products containing less chemical preservatives. In sourdough, lactic acid bacteria play a key role in the fermentation process. In this study Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis as single starter and their mixture as a mixed starter were used in the preparation of sourdough. The results showed that the use of single starters increased diacetyl and hydrogen peroxide of sourdough and sourdough fermented with mixed starter had the highest content of diacetyl and hydrogen peroxide. In the end sourdough fermentation period the highest lactic acid bacteria count was associated with sourdough containing L. sanfranciscensis. Effects of different starters were significant on the pH of TTA of sourdough, dough and bread, and also resulted in decreased pH and increased of TTA compared to control bread. The results of the assessment of physicochemical and organoleptic properties of bread showed that sourdough containing mixed starter resulted in increasing of height, specific volume and porosity; however, it reduced the hardness of bread crust and crumb, and retarded the emergence of mold colonies. Sourdough bread containing mixed starter gained the highest score of organoleptic properties. Therefore the use of mixed starters consisting of L. plantarum and L. sanfranciscensis could be considered as a suitable starter culture for the production of sourdough and high quality bread

Prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in Iranian goats

Many species of animals play the role of intermediate host for Neospora caninum. Although the neosporosis has a global distribution, however there is no information on goats’ infection in Iran. The main goal of present study was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in goats of western Iran. A total of 450 sera were taken and analyzed for antibodies to N. caninum using ELISA technique. Of those, 28 (6.2%) examined goats were found to be seropositive (95%, CI=6.2±2.2%). In which male goats (11.1%) had the highest IgG against N. caninum with more than 2 years-old (54.4%). There was significant difference between prevalence and age. Positive association were in animals with history of abortion (18/30, 60%) and IgG against N. caninum. No correlations were found between male and female. This was the first report on N. caninum infection in Iranian goats and may be responsible for abortion and economic losses in goat husbandry in the region