Effect of propolis extract on the parasite load of Nile tilapias reared in cages

Due to increase in demand for healthy and chemical residue-free products, natural therapeutic substances are being enhanced in fish cultivation. Current study evaluates in an unprecedented way (he effect of propolis on the parasite charge of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in fish cages. Six hundred male Nile tilapia (200g) conditioned in ten 1 m3 cages were used. Two treatments with five replications each were provided: TCON: control (extruded meal without propolis) and TPRO: extruded meal with 4% propolis extract. Parasite collection occurred on 0, 35, 70 and 105 days. At the same time, fillet was weighed and fish standard length measured. Temperature was kept within the comfort range for the species during the experimental period ( > 25ºC). Trichodinids and Monogenoids (Dactylogyridae) were detected in the two treatments. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) in mean parasite intensity (total parasites/specimens with parasites) and abundance (total parasites/examined specimens) among treatments in the four evaluation periods. Lowest parasite prevalence occurred after 70 days in TPRO (26.66%). There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) among treatments with regard to fillet weight and standard length of fish. Results show that propolis extract 4% did not significantly affect parasite load, fillet weight and standard length of Nile tilapia

Prediction models of the nutritional quality of fresh and dry Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã grass by near infrared spectroscopy

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to generate prediction models to estimate the chemical composition of fresh and dry Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã grass using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Chemical analyses of 249 samples were performed to determine oven-dried sample (ODS), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), cellulose (CEL) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). The samples were scanned in an NIRS spectrometer and different percentages were used to compose and develop the models (100% fresh; 100% dry; 25% fresh:75% dry; 50% fresh:50% dry and 75% fresh:25% dry). The purpose of these mixed models is to know if it is possible to obtain reliable predictions from fresh samples in a database that contains dry samples. The calibration models were developed using modified partial least squares (MPLS) and evaluated by statistical parameters, including coefficient of determination (R²) and residual predictive deviation (RPD). The model with 100% dry samples obtained the best results in R² and RPD validations, for CP (0.94; 3.98), NDF (0.92; 3,49) and TDN (0.90; 3.12). The 100% fresh samples produced the best R² results in ODS (0.83), CP (0.85), ADF (0.84) and ADL (0.83). A screening model was validated to predict the characteristics and components of the fresh samples. The model using 100% dry grass was suitable for predicting all the variables, except ODS, DM and CEL

Suplementação de novilhos de corte em pastagem de Brachiariabrizantha durante a estação seca e das águas: desempenho e predição ultrassonográfica de carcaça

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of genetic group, sex and level of protein-energy supplementation on the performance and carcass traitsultrasound prediction of weaned calves Nellore and crossbred animals ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus. A completely randomized design in a factorial 2x2x2, were used, with two levels of protein-energy supplementation, two sex and two genetic groups. Fifty-six animals were used (28 Nellore and 28 crossbred ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus), equally divided between males and females, maintained on grazing Brachiariabrizanthacv. Marandu and evaluated in three experimental periods: period 1 = protein-energy supplementation in the dry season; period 2 = protein-energy supplementation during the rainy season; period 3 = only mineral supplementation. In the dry season, they were supplemented with levels of 0.5 and 1% of body weight (BW) and in the rainy season with 0 and 1% BW. Dry matter intake (kg day-1, % BW, g kgBW0.75-1) was estimated. In vivo ultrasound measurements of carcass were: loin eye area (LEA), fat thickness (FT) and rump fat thickness (RFT). There was influence of genetic group and protein-energy supplementation levels on average daily gain (ADG) of animals in period 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Sex affected the ADG only in period 2, and the males had 754 gday-1 and females, 582 g day-1. There was no interaction of genetic group x sex x supplementation level. At the end of the experimental period (end of period 3), it was found that male animals and crossbred animals ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus had higher ADG (716 and 748 g day-1, respectively). The values of dry matter intake (DMI) were influenced by genetic group and sex, in all periods, verifying highest intake in crossbred animals ½ Nellore x ½ Aberdeen Angus, with better feed conversion for crossbred animals. Regarding ultrasound measurements taken on the carcass, the influence of sex on FT and RFT, it was observed, and the males showed higher values, 3.24 and 4.62 mm, respectively. LEA was influenced by protein-energy supplementation levels in the second period, herein animals receiving 1% of BW, showed higher values (56.04 cm2) than those receiving 0.5% of BW supplement (48.38 cm2). The use of protein-energy supplementation with 0.5% of BW in the dry season and 1% of BW in the rainy season, the best results of performance and contributes to larger loin eye area.Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar a influência do grupo genético, sexo e níveis de suplementação proteicoenergética sobre o desempenho e características de predição de carcaça de bezerros desmamados da raça Nelore e ½ Nelore x ½ Aberdeen Angus. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x2x2, sendo dois níveis de suplementação, dois sexos e dois grupos genéticos. Foram utilizados 56 animais (28 Nelore e 28 ½ Nelore x ½ Aberdeen Angus), divididos igualmente entre machos e fêmeas, mantidos em pastagem de Brachiariabrizantha cv. Marandu e avaliados em três períodos experimentais: período 1= suplementação proteico-energética na estação seca; período 2= suplementação proteico-energética na estação chuvosa; período 3= apenas suplementação mineral. Na estação seca, suplementou-se com níveis de 0,5 e 1% do peso corporal (PC) e na estação chuvosa 0 e 1% do peso corporal. Foram estimados o consumo de matéria seca (kg dia-1, % PC, g kgPC0,75-1). As mensurações ultrassonográficas de carcaça in vivo foram: área de olho de lombo (AOL), espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGS) e espessura de gordura na garupa (EGG). Houve influência (P < 0,05) do grupo genético e do nível de suplementação no ganho médio diário (GMD) dos animais no período 1 e 2. O sexo influenciou o GMD apenas no período 2, sendo que os machos apresentaram 754g dia-1 e as fêmeas, 582 g dia-1. Não houve interação de grupo genético x sexo x nível de suplementação. Ao final do período experimental (final do período 3), verificou-se que os animais machos eanimais cruzados ½ Nelore x ½ Aberdeen Angus apresentaram maior GMD (748 e 716 g dia-1, respectivamente). Os valores de consumo de matéria seca (MS) foram influenciados pelo grupo genético e pelo sexo, em todos os períodos avaliados, verificando-se maiores consumos em animais cruzados ½ Nelore x ½ Aberdeen Angus e em animais machos, sendo a conversão alimentar melhor em animais cruzados. Quanto às mensurações ultrassonográficas realizadas na carcaça, observou-se influência de sexo sobre EGS e EGG, sendo que os animais machos apresentaram valores maiores, de 3,24 e 4,62 mm, respectivamente. AOL foi influenciada pelo nível de suplementação proteico-energética, no período 2, sendo que animais recebendo 1% do PC em ambos os períodos apresentaram maiores valores (56,04 cm2) do que aqueles recebendo 0,5% do PC em suplemento (48,38 cm2). A utilização da suplementação proteico-energética com 0,5% do PC na estação seca e 1% do PCna estação chuvosa, apresenta melhores resultados de desempenho e contribui para maior área de olho de lombo

Desempenho, características de carcaça e avaliação econômica da substituição do milho grão inteiro por casca de soja peletizada na alimentação de cordeiros em confinamento

This work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of different levels of replacement of whole grain corn by pelleted soybean hulls in high concentrated diet, without long fiber use, on intake, productive performance and economical viability of feedlot lambs production. Twenty four Texel lambs, 12 males and 12 females of the same age, with average weight of 23 kg, distributed in 12 stalls, in a completely randomized design, were used. The treatments consisted of replacement of whole grain corn by pelleted soybean hulls, at levels of 0% (SH0), 15% (SH15) and 30% (SH30). Dry matter (DM) (kg day-1), crude protein (CP) (kg day-1, %AW, g AW0,75), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (kg day-1, %AW, g AW0,75) intake showed linear increasing behavior (P<0.05) according to increasing levels of soybean hulls replacing the corn grain in the diet, however, the ether extract (EE) intake (g day-1) presented quadratic effect. There were no differences in DM intake in relation to weight and metabolic body size, as well as, to mineral material (MM) (g day-1) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake (kg day-1, %AW, g AW0,75). In average daily gain (ADG), a quadratic effect of different levels of soybean hulls in the diet was observed (P<0.05), with weight gain of 0.267; 0.327 and 0.224 kg day-1, in levels of 0, 15 and 30%, respectively. The feed conversion was affected in a increasing linear way (P<0.05) with the soybean hulls inclusion in the diet. It was not observed differences in the carcass traits. When increasing levels of soybean hulls were added to the diet, it was observed decreasing in cost/kg ration (R$), however, there was increasing cost of meat produced (kg). In a general way, it can be concluded that replacement of whole corn by pelleted soybean hulls in high concentrated diet, in a proportion of 15$), porém houve aumento no custo do quilograma de carne produzida. De maneira geral, pode-se concluir que a substituição do milho inteiro por casca de soja peletizada em rações completas com alto teor de concentrados, na proporção de 15%, aumenta o ganho de peso de cordeiros em confinamento e na proporção de 30% afeta negativamente o desempenho animal, contudo não influencia as características de carcaça. Rações sem inclusão de casca de soja produz carne com menor custo

Dietas para ovinos contendo teores de óleo residual de frituras consequências sobre o comportamento ingestivo

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets containing different levels of residual frying oil. Different residual frying oil concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 g kg-1 dry matter base) in the diets of lambs were evaluated. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 12.8% crude protein (CP) with a 60:40 roughage:concentrate ratio. In each observation period, the following variables were measured: time spent eating, time spent ruminating, time spent idle, and number and time of ruminating chews per ruminated bolus. Animals were randomly allocated to treatment groups according to a Latin square design, with five treatments and five experimental periods. The average values were analyzed using regression analysis to 5%. There was no difference for the time spent feeding, ruminating and being idle. No differences in daily feeding number, total chewing time, number of rumination boluses, number of rumination chews per bolus, rumination chew time per bolus and feeding efficiency were observed. The efficiency of rumination for dry matter and neutral detergent fiber showed a decreased linear effect. It can be concluded that the inclusion of residual frying oil does not affect activities of feeding, rumination and being idle as well as the parameters of rumination chewing, but it does decrease the efficiency of rumination.Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de carneiros alimentados com dietas contendo teores de óleo residual de frituras. Foram avaliados os teores 0, 20, 40, 60 e 80 (g kg-1 base MS) de inclusão de óleo residual de frituras em dietas para carneiros. As dietas foram formuladas para conterem 12,8% de PB mantendo uma relação volumoso:concentrado de 60:40. Foram usados cinco carneiros com peso inicial de 36,8 ± 3,3 kg. O comportamento ingestivo foi avaliado no 11º dia de cada período experimental, através da medição do tempo gasto em alimentação, ruminação e descanso por meio de observações visuais realizadas a cada 5 minutos, durante 24 horas. No mesmo dia, foi realizada a contagem do número de mastigações merícicas e do tempo despendido para ruminação de cada bolo, com a utilização de um cronômetro digital. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi quadrado latino (5 x 5). Os valores médios foram analisados por meio de análise de regressão à 5%. Não houve efeito da adição do óleo residual de frituras sobre o tempo de alimentação, ruminação e ócio, nas variáveis relativas a mastigação merícica e eficiência de alimentação. Houve efeito linear decrescente para a eficiência de ruminação da MS e do FDN. Conclui-se que a inclusão de óleo residual de frituras não afetou as atividades de ingestão, ruminação e ócio, bem como, os parâmetros da mastigação merícica, mas reduz a eficiência de ruminação