Potential therapeutic applications of microbial surface-activecompounds

Numerous investigations of microbial surface-active compounds or biosurfactants over the past two decades have led to the discovery of many interesting physicochemical and biological properties including antimicrobial, anti-biofilm and therapeutic among many other pharmaceutical and medical applications. Microbial control and inhibition strategies involving the use of antibiotics are becoming continually challenged due to the emergence of resistant strains mostly embedded within biofilm formations that are difficult to eradicate. Different aspects of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm control are becoming issues of increasing importance in clinical, hygiene, therapeutic and other applications. Biosurfactants research has resulted in increasing interest into their ability to inhibit microbial activity and disperse microbial biofilms in addition to being mostly nontoxic and stable at extremes conditions. Some biosurfactants are now in use in clinical, food and environmental fields, whilst others remain under investigation and development. The dispersal properties of biosurfactants have been shown to rival that of conventional inhibitory agents against bacterial, fungal and yeast biofilms as well as viral membrane structures. This presents them as potential candidates for future uses in new generations of antimicrobial agents or as adjuvants to other antibiotics and use as preservatives for microbial suppression and eradication strategies

Performance, Carcass Traits and Economic Availability of Muscovy Ducks Fed on Different Nutritional Plans in Different Housing Densities

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate ducks on performance, carcass traits and economic availability, fed on different phases of nutritional plans and in different housing densities. Two hundred and forty Muscovy ducks of creole lineage were used, distributed in boxes with water and food ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement of 3x2 with three nutritional plans (3, 4 and 5 phases) and two housing densities (2 and 3 birds/m2) with four replicates. The ducks had weekly performance evaluations, and after 90 days, four birds in each treatment were slaughtered for evaluation of carcass traits. Differences (p<0.05) were observed on performance, carcass traits and economic analysis. The nutritional plans with 3 phases showed better results for feed intake and weight gain, as well as provided lower total cost production and higher operating profit. Ducks in higher densities showed smaller feed intake, weight gain, higher pro-ventricle weight and better results for total meet production, crude income and operating profit. In summary, nutritional plans with reduced phases (3 phases) and extensions of energy-protein relationships showed better results for ducks on performance and carcass traits in densities of 3 birds/m². More studies are necessary to determine other nutritional requirements for ducks in housing for a better nutritional and management control

Performance, Carcass Traits and Economic Availability of Muscovy Ducks Fed on Different Nutritional Plans in Different Housing Densities

<div><p>ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate ducks on performance, carcass traits and economic availability, fed on different phases of nutritional plans and in different housing densities. Two hundred and forty Muscovy ducks of creole lineage were used, distributed in boxes with water and food ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement of 3x2 with three nutritional plans (3, 4 and 5 phases) and two housing densities (2 and 3 birds/m2) with four replicates. The ducks had weekly performance evaluations, and after 90 days, four birds in each treatment were slaughtered for evaluation of carcass traits. Differences (p<0.05) were observed on performance, carcass traits and economic analysis. The nutritional plans with 3 phases showed better results for feed intake and weight gain, as well as provided lower total cost production and higher operating profit. Ducks in higher densities showed smaller feed intake, weight gain, higher pro-ventricle weight and better results for total meet production, crude income and operating profit. In summary, nutritional plans with reduced phases (3 phases) and extensions of energy-protein relationships showed better results for ducks on performance and carcass traits in densities of 3 birds/m². More studies are necessary to determine other nutritional requirements for ducks in housing for a better nutritional and management control.</p></div