440 research outputs found
Compost-bedded pack barns in the state of Minas Gerais: architectural and technological characterization
ArticleCompost bedding pack (CBP) barns have been receiving increased attention as an
alternative housing system for dairy cattle. Thus, a systematic investigation of the primary
management practices of dairy cattle in CBP barns in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil) has proven
to be of environmental and economic relevance. The aim of this research was to summarize the
compost bed data, barn dimension data and to determine the major interactive factors in the
success of bed composting from qualitative and quantitative methods. Data for this study was
collected from 16 CBP barns, distributed throughout the southern state of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
between March 2017 and July 2018. These data were used to describe the building layouts and
dimensions, to identify barn management practices, and to characterize the compost bedding
material concerning moisture content. The majority of these barns had feed alleys and driveways;
overshot ridges with frequent orientation from NE to SW; bedding process and aeration using
mechanical tillage. The average bedding moisture content was found to be 36.9 ± 5.2% (w.b.).
Based on the information found, it is possible to evaluate that there is still no defined construction
pattern, with a high variation of size and technologies employed
Analysis of environmental conditions in two different Compost Bedded Pack Barn systems for dairy cattle
Received: February 1st, 2023 ; Accepted: April 27th, 2023 ; Published: May 10th, 2023 ; Correspondence: [email protected], [email protected] objective of this study was to analyse and compare the thermal environment of
dairy cattle facilities in an open compost bedded pack barn (CBP) with natural ventilation and
closed CBP (without thermal insulation) and climate control system. The research was conducted
in a property located in Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During the summer and for different
periods of the day, the following average environmental variables observed inside the facilities
were measured: dry bulb temperature, relative humidity and Temperature and Humidity Index
(THI). The results were submitted to an analysis of variance to determine the significance of the
variables in the different treatments. It was found that the closed and climate control system CBP
promoted greater control of the facility's internal microclimate, registering smaller thermal
amplitudes and a greater reduction in the animals' exposure time to stressful thermal conditions,
compared to the CBP with natural ventilation. However, during summer afternoons, comfort
indices indicated moderate stress. It is concluded that the closed CBP, regarding the analysed
variables, indicated potential use, provided that a careful study of the climate of the region is
carried out before implementation, the factors related to the ambient conditioning and better
insulation of the construction are adjusted. The climatic variables inside the open CBP indicated
a high stress condition for the animals, suggesting the placement of positive pressure fans and
sprinklers properly distributed in the feed alley, to guarantee benefits to the entire area of the
animal housing
Development of nutraceutical formulations based on the mycelium of Pleurotus ostreatus and Agaricus bisporus
The present work is aimed at developing nutraceutical formulations based on the mycelium of Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus, highlighting the potential of in vitro culture as a tool to improve the production of bioactive compounds, namely phenolic acids and ergosterol. The mycelia of both species were cultured in different solid and liquid media in order to compare the growth rate and yielded biomass. Fruiting bodies, mycelia and culture media were compared regarding the antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects in RAW264.7 cells and cytotoxicity in human tumor cell lines and non-tumor porcine liver cells. P. ostreatus mycelia showed higher contents of ergosterol and phenolic compounds, and stronger antioxidant activity than the corresponding fruiting body. P. ostreatus and A. bisporus did not show anti-inflammatory activity, and P. ostreatus was the only one showing cytotoxicity in tumor cell lines. The results show that these mushrooms provide compounds with antioxidant and cytotoxic capacities, with variations among species.The authors are grateful to the Fundação para a CiĂȘncia e a
Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to CIMO
(strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2013) and for L. Barros
and R. C. Calhelha contracts.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
PRS8 Effectiveness and Cost Analysis of the Smoking Cessation Program in the Public Health System in Brazil
Clove and rosemary essential oils and encapsuled active principles (eugenol, thymol and vanillin blend) on meat quality of feedlot-finished heifers
Forty Nellore heifers were fed (73days) with different diets: with or without essential oils (clove and/or rosemary essential oil) and/or active principle blend (eugenol, thymol and vanillin). The pH, fat thickness, marbling, muscle area and water losses (thawing and drip) were evaluated 24h post mortem on the Longissimus thoracis, and the effects of aging (14days) was evaluated on the meat cooking losses, color, texture and lipid oxidation. Antioxidant activity was also evaluated. Treatments had no effect (P>0.05) on pH, fat thickness, marbling, muscle area, thawing and drip losses. However, treatments affected (P<0.05) cooking losses, color, texture and lipid oxidation. The diets with essential oil and the active principle blend reduced the lipid oxidation and reduced the color losses in relation to control diet. Aging affected (P<0.05) texture and lipid oxidation. The essential oil and active principles or its blend have potential use in animal feed aiming to maintain/improve meat quality during shelf-life
Duas novas espĂ©cies de Lopesia RĂŒbsaamen (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) do Brasil, com chave para as espĂ©cies
Improvement in RNA extraction from S. cerevisie by optimization in the autolysis and NH3 hydrolysis
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