Productive features of broiler chickens in hot weather: effects of strain and sex

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of broiler strains (Cobb 500, Ross 308, and Hubbard Flex) in hot weather. Environmental temperatures above thermal comfort trigger responses of the animals to maintain homeothermia, which negatively affects productive performance. A total of 2,160 chicks of both sexes, were distributed in an experimental design that was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement of 3 × 2 (strains and sexes) with six replicates of 60 birds each. Feed intake (FI), live weight (LW), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion (FC) were analyzed at periods of 1–7, 1–21, 1–28, 1–42, and 1–49 days old. At 42 and 49 days old, the carcass weight (CW), carcass yield (CY), breast yield (BY), thigh yield (TY), and drumstick yield (DY) were analyzed. The strains differed in LW and WG in most periods, especially for Cobb broilers in the pre-start period (1–7 days) and Hubbard broilers in the last two periods (1–42 and 1–49 days). Except for the pre-initial stage, which there was no influence of the strains on FC, the Hubbard broilers showed the best FC, at 1–49 d, similarly to Cobb broilers. Regardless of strain, the males showed superior performance to that of females. At 42 d, the Cobb broilers showed a superior BY to that of the other strains, presenting better TY than did the Ross and Hubbard strains. At 49 d, the Cobb and Ross strains showed the best BY, with the Hubbard strain having the greatest DY. Males showed higher values in cut yields, except in the BY in which females showed better results

Study on the microbiological quality of industrialized and handmade cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica de castanhas industrializadas e das castanhas artesanalmente processadas, comercializadas por ambulantes em Teresina (PI). Foram coletadas 40 amostras de castanhas, sendo 21 amostras de castanhas industrializadas de três marcas (“A”, “B” e “C”) e 19 amostras de castanhas processadas artesanalmente (“D”), nas quais foram realizadas a determinação de coliformes a 35 °C e a 45 °C (NMP/g), a pesquisa de Salmonella spp. e a contagem de fungos. As amostras da marca “D” apresentaram maiores valores de coliformes a 35 °C (1,16 × 101 NMP/g); para coliformes a 45 °C, foram detectados valores de 7,0 NMP/g, e de 1,22 × 102 UFC/g para fungos e leveduras. Nas amostras da marca “A”, os valores para coliformes a 35 °C e 45 °C foram de 4,0 NMP/g e, para fungos e leveduras, de 1,0 × 102 UFC/g. Foram isoladas 43 cepas fúngicas. Do gênero Aspergillus, houve maior prevalência da espécie Aspergillus niger agregados (64,7%), e as espécies P. corylophillum (33,3%) e P. citrinum (29,2%) do gênero Penicillium. As amostras de castanhas industrializadas e processadas artesanalmente apresentaram condições higiênico-sanitárias satisfatórias e de acordo com a legislação vigente.This study evaluated the microbiological quality of industrialized and handmade cashew nuts sold by street sellers in Teresina, PI. Forty samples of cashew nuts were collected, being 21 samples of industrialized products from three brands (“A”, “B” and “C”) and 19 samples of handmade nuts (“D”), which were analyzed on coliforms enumeration at 35 °C and 45°C (MPN/g), Salmonella spp. isolation, and fungi and yeasts counting. Samples of brand “D” showed the highest coliforms counting at 35 °C (1.16 × 101 MPN/g);values of 7.0 MPN/g were found for coliforms at 45 °C, and of 1.22 × 102 CFU/g for fungi and yeasts. In the brand “A” samples, values of 4.0 MPN/g for coliforms at 35 °C and 45 °C, and of 1.0 × 102 CFU/g for fungi and yeasts were detected. Forty-three fungi strains were isolated. The mostly prevalent specieswerethe aggregated Aspergillus niger (64.7%), P. corylophillum (33.3%) and P. citrinum (29.2%). The samples of industrialized cashew nuts and the handmade nuts showed satisfactory hygienic and sanitary conditions in compliance with the legislation in force.Fil: Dourado Rodrigues, Aline Maria. Universidade Federal do Piaui; BrasilFil: Calvet, Rodrigo M.. Universidade Federal do Piaui; BrasilFil: Macêdo da Silva, Melina da Conceição. Universidade Federal do Piaui; BrasilFil: Filho, Francisco das Chagas Cardoso. Universidade Federal do Piaui; BrasilFil: Marques Monte, Aline. Universidade Federal do Piaui; BrasilFil: Pereyra, Carina Maricel. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Muratori, Maria Christina Sanches. Universidade Federal do Piaui; BrasilFil: Nóbrega, Fábio Coelho Gomes. Universidade Federal do Piaui; BrasilFil: Nóbrega, Maria Marlucia Gomes Pereira. Universidade Federal do Piaui; Brasi