THE ANALYSIS OF THE CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND PHYSICAL-TECHNOLOGICAL QUALITY OF PORK AFTER THE USING DIET WITH THE ADDITION OF ORGANIC CHROMIUM AND SELENIUM

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of selenium and combination of selenium with chromium in the feed mixture on carcass and meat traits of finishing pigs. A total 90 castrates (Large White) were divided into the three groups. The control group received basal diet (BD) without selenium and chromium; the experimental group (Se) 0.3 mg Se*kg-1 in the form of selenomethionine was added to the basal diet. Experimental group (SeCr) was fed basal diet with added selenomethionine plus chromium nicotinate (0.3 mg Se*kg-1 , 0.75 mg Cr*kg-1 ). We found that added selenomethionine to the feeding ration increased carcass length (P < 0.001). Technological parameters were affected by selenium: reduced pH24 of ham and drip loss of muscle longissimus thoracic after 7-day post mortem (P = 0.01), and increased cooking loss in muscle abductor. Combination of selenium and chromium in the feeding ration significantly increased firmness of meat (Warner - Bratzler) in each muscle (P < 0.001). Cholesterol in muscles was lower (P < 0.01) in animals supplemented with a combination of selenomethionine and chromium. These results suggest that supplementation of organic selenium and chromium nicotinate in the feed had significant effect on carcass and meat quality of pigs

The backtest modification in piglet behavior test

The aim of presented study was to evaluate behavioral reaction to modified backtest in set of 25 piglets. The backtest was performed without holding or touching tested piglet. The backtest was repeated three times at the ages 3, 4 and 5 weeks and latency attempt to turn, number of attempts and duration test to turn were recorded. All backtest parameters were influenced by modification. Latency was shorter than in classical backtest, 7.48 s in 1st test, 6.69 s in 2nd test and 3.45 s in 3rd test on average. Number of attempts showed very low variability, most piglets did turn at first attempt (60% in 1st test, 76% in 2nd test and 84% in 3rd test). Duration correlated with latency and was shorter than in classical backtest as well. The consistency of behavior in repeated tests (Spearman rank correlation) was from 0.463 to 0.704 (P<0.05) and the repeatability (R) was higher than 0.7. High levels of consistency as well as repeatability indicate intra-individual stability of reaction and behavior to modified backtest in piglets

EFFECT OF ZEOLITE (CLINOPTILOLITE) ON CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF RABBIT MEAT

This work is aimed to evaluate the effect of natural zeolite on selected parameters of the rabbit's meat chemical composition. The rabbits of the Castorex breed (n=12) were divided into two groups: Control group C (n=6) without the addition of zeolite in feed and the experimental group Z (n=6) in which animals received zeolite daily in a peroral form in concentration 0.2 g/kg of body weight. Determination of the nutritional composition of rabbit meat and analysis of individual amino acids and fatty acids was performed by the Nicolet 6700 using FT-IR method (fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) in the musculus Longissimus dorsi (MLD) and the musculus Vastus lateralis (MVL). The content of water in meat in group Z (73.630 ± 0.270 g * 100g-1) was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) compared to group C (72.480 ± 0.530 g * 100g-1). Cysteine content in MLD in group Z (0.289 ± 0.007 g*100 g-1) was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher than in group C (0.277 ± 0.011 g*100 g-1). Another noticeable difference in the statistical level p &lt; 0.05 in favor of zeolite was found in linoleic acid content in MLD with mean values in group Z (0.324 ± 0.016 g*100g-1 FAME) against the group C (0.293 ± 0.009 g* 100 g-1 FAME). Therefore, the addition of zeolite to the rabbit feeding diet possibly increases the proportion of essential linoleic fatty acid and thereby may improve the nutritional value of the meat. Increased cysteine value can lead to a better degradation of heavy metals in meat

The effect of propolis extract in the diet of chickens Ross 308 on their performance

The focus of the study was the performance of Ross 308 chickens after the application of extract in their diet. The nutritional value of feed mixtures for chickens was equal, but the experimental groups were also added extract in the dose of 200 mg.kg-1 (E1), 300 mg.kg-1 (E2) and 400 mg.kg-1 (E3), respectively

Biomass as universal energy source for decentralized heating and electricity production of small cities

This paper deals with analyse of possible usage of biomass power plants for heating and electricity production in small villages and cities. The aim is to describe applicability of such plants in combination with other renewable energy sources in certain parts of electrical grid. Communities, such as local villages and small cities with agricultural companies or wood industry, can advantageously use residues from this production to produce electricity and heat. In paper, a case study for such heat and electricity system for such small city is presented