Condensed tannins as antioxidants in ruminants : effectiveness and action mechanisms to improve animal antioxidant status and oxidative stability of products

Agriculture ; Veterinary Sciences ; ZoologyCondensed tannins (CTs) are widely distributed in plants, and due to their recognized antioxidant activity are considered as possible natural antioxidants for application in ruminant diets. A wide range of CT-rich sources has been tested in ruminant diets, and their effects on animal antioxidant status and oxidative stability of their products are reviewed in the present work. Possible mechanisms underlying the CT antioxidant effects in ruminants are also discussed, and the CT chemical structure is briefly presented. Utilization of CT-rich sources in ruminant feeding can improve the animals’ antioxidant status and oxidative stability of their products. However, the results are still inconsistent. Although poorly understood, the evidence suggests that CTs can induce an antioxidant effect in living animals and in their products through direct and indirect mechanisms, which can occur by an integrated and synergic way involving: (i) absorption of CTs with low molecular weight or metabolites, despite CTs’ poor bioavailability; (ii) antioxidant action on the gastrointestinal tract; and (iii) interaction with other antioxidant agents. Condensed tannins are alternative dietary antioxidants for ruminants, but further studies should be carried out to elucidate the mechanism underlying the antioxidant activity of each CT source to design effective antioxidant strategies based on the use of CTs in ruminant diets.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mechanical and durability performance of cementitious matrices with low cement and different additions

Nowadays, the decarbonization of the concrete sector is a priority to counteract the global environmental harmful. Knowing that Portland cement is responsible for significant anthropogenic emissions worldwide, the optimization of cement dosage on concrete mixtures is a key issue, combined with the mechanical and durability performances, allowing to improve its eco-efficiency. The goal of the present work consists in optimizing the formulation of concrete matrices, used to produce reinforced concrete poles for the electric lines, by increasing the packing density, reducing the cement dosage and incorporating different additions, in order to promote the performance. Two different formulations of matrices were considered, fresh moulded concrete with dry consistency and formwork moulded concrete with plastic consistency. For each one, different dosages of cement and various additions (limestone filler, fly ash, natural pozzolan, electric furnace slag) were considered to replace the cement, which were used single or combined. The mortar matrices of the concrete formulation were characterised regarding: fresh properties; mechanical properties (flexural and compressive strengths and Young’s modulus); shrinkage and durability properties (capillary water absorption, carbonation and chloride ingression resistances). The influence of the additions on those properties was analysed and compared with reference cement-based mixtures and the main conclusions are presented

Evaluation of Cistus ladanifer L. effect on gastrointestinal parasites in lambs

Evaluation of Cistus ladanifer L. effect on gastrointestinal parasites in lambs Inês Delgadoa, Sara Tudela Zúquete, David Soldado, Olinda Guerreiro, Eliana Jerónimo, Ludovina Neto Padre Cistus ladanifer L. (Cistaceae) is a bountiful available shrub at the western Mediterranean region, including the south of France, Spain, Portugal and the north of Morocco. It is commonly observed in uncultivated fields. This perennial shrub contains low protein levels and high levels of phenolic compounds, such as condensed tannins (CT). It has a low organic matter digestibility, which, enhanced by its anti-nutritional components results in a poor nutritional value. However, either by natural grazing or by encouraged consumption, the incorporation of Cistus ladanifer L. in small ruminants’ diet may simultaneously act as an important feeding complement as it can transform this shrub into a high-level end-use product. With this objective, our group wanted to determine if its composition could have an influence on gastrointestinal parasites. Gastrointestinal nematode and coccidia pose as a highly significant economic burden for small ruminant production systems. Phenolic compounds, such as tannins are associated with a decrease in gastrointestinal parasites, namely, nematodes. In this study, we evaluated the effect of three levels of Cistus ladanifer CT (0, 1.25 and 2.5%) and two ways of CT supply (C. ladanifer aerial parts and C. ladanifer CT extract) on on gastrointestinal parasites in lambs. Thirty-six crossbred Merino Branco x Romane ram lambs of approximately 60 days of age were randomly assigned to individual pens (6 per dietary treatment). A total of 4 stool collections were sampled from each animal – before dietary treatment application (day 0), at the end of the adaptation period of diets (day 7), and at days 24 and 42 of the trial. Coprological techniques included nematode egg (Epg) and coccidian count by the concentration technique McMaster and all samples were also evaluated by direct microscopic observation by the Willis fluctuation method. Data was analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model procedure that identified a significant interaction of treatment groups over time regarding the strongylid Epg count (Chi2 = 85.9, p ≤ 0.001), through the Penalized Quasi-Likelihood parameter estimation method. Pairwise contrast tests, with the Holm adjustment method, showed that both ways of C. ladanifer CT supply at level of 1.25% of CT (C. ladanifer aerial parts - Chi2 = 21.7, p = 0.0006; and C. ladanifer CT extract - Chi2 = 21.4, p = 0.0006) resulted in significantly lower Epg counts of strongylids over time when compared to treatments without CT supply. This work is funded by Alentejo2020 program through the FEDER under the project CistusRumen (ALT20-030145-FEDER-000023) and by National Funds through FCT under the Project UID/AGR/00115/2019

Effect of dietary neutral detergent fibre source on lambs growth, meat quality and biohydrogenation intermediates

Research Areas: Food Science & TechnologyABSTRACT - With this trial we have tested the effects of structural and chemical composition of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of the diet on lamb fatty acid composition of meat and subcutaneous fat. Twenty lambs, were fed complete diets with low starch and similar NDF content of different origin (ground alfalfa or soybean hulls). Animal performance and product quality were not affected by treatments. Rumen pH increased and parakeratosis intensity decreased with the level of alfalfa in the diet. Increasing the alfalfa proportion in the diet decreased t10–18:1 (P = .023), increased t11–18:1 (P = .003) and decreased the t10/t11 ratio according to a quadratic pattern (P = .020). Chemical composition and structure of the diet's fibrous fraction influenced the BI pattern of the final product. Forty percent of alfalfa in diet reduced the severity of t10-shift, but for its full resolution, other factors should be considered including forage particle size and buffering capacity of the diet.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

INCLUSION OF ROCKROSE AND QUEBRACHO CONDENSED TANNINS EXTRACTS IN DAIRY GOAT DIETS – INFLUENCE ON THE PRODUCTION, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF MILK

INCLUSION OF ROCKROSE AND QUEBRACHO CONDENSED TANNINS EXTRACTS IN DAIRY GOAT DIETS – INFLUENCE ON THE PRODUCTION, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF MILK Guerreiro, O.1,2*, Soldado, D.1, Fialho, L.1, Cachucho, L.1, Garrido, A.2, Francisco, A. 3,4, Alves, S.P.3, Bessa, R.J.B.3, Pinheiro, C.2, Santos-Silva, J.4, Jerónimo, E.1,2 1Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo (CEBAL)/Instituto Politécnico de Beja (IPBeja), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal 2ICAAM - Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal 3Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa (CIISA), Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal 4Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Polo de Investigação de Santarém (INIAV-Fonte Boa), 2005-048 Vale de Santarém, Portugal *[email protected] | http://cistusrumen.pt/ The effect of Rockrose (Cistus ladanifer L.) and Quebracho (Schinopsis lorentzii) condensed tannins (CT) extracts on goat milk production, chemical composition and fatty acid profile was evaluated in 18 Serpentina goats. Three experimental treatments were tested: 1) Basal diet (control - C); 2) Basal diet supplemented with Rockrose CT extract (E); and 3) Basal diet supplemented with Quebracho CT extract (Q). Basal diets (800 g/head) and 20 g/head of CT extracts was supplied daily. Milk production and chemical composition was not affected by the diets. Treatments did not alter concentrations of the major fatty acid classes in milk fat (i.e. saturated, mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids) and was not able to enhance milk fat contents of vaccenic and rumenic acids. However, results from milk fatty acid profile suggest that CT extracts, particularly from Rockrose affect the ruminal microbial population and the extension of ruminal biohydrogenation of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids. KEYWORDS: Rockrose; quebracho, condensed tannins; fatty acids; goat mil

Evaluating natural alternatives as hypothetical nutraceuticals against gastrointestinal parasites in lactating Goats

Evaluating natural alternatives as hypothetical nutraceuticals against gastrointestinal parasites in lactating Goats Sara Tudela Zúquetea, Inês Delgado, David Soldado, Liliana Cachucho, Letícia Fialho, Olinda Guerreiro, Eliana Jerónimo, Ludovina Neto Padre E-mail: [email protected] Gastrointestinal parasite burden on goats translates into high production losses due to inadequate growth and poor milk production. These parasites are also responsible for higher mortality rates when facing high infestations levels or, more frequently, in kids. During the last decades, effective anti-helminthic compounds controlled such situations. However, the approach to such problem shifted and marked animal production systems from the eighties onwards. Drugs used for treatment of severe situations started to be administered as prophylaxis at frequent time intervals. Initially, such switch had an enormous success as it allowed an unforeseen growth and intensification of animal production at a relative low cost. Later, the onset of the first anti-helminthic resistance was bypassed by new molecule research and synthesis. Notwithstanding, presently, resistance to the most recent anti-helminthics, macrocyclic lactones and monepantel, are reported at distinct regions of the globe, even though some countries have not yet approved the latter, as the US. Clinicians are now facing a new threat as we are on the verge to lose the molecules we use to treat. Furthermore, resistance also poses as a public health threat not only for the risks implied specially for soiltransmitted helminthes subjected to the pharmaceutical compounds excreted by animal feces, but also by the environmental contamination only recently being consciously addressed. In order to surpass such threats, new natural alternatives must be further investigated. At the present work, we evaluated the effect of two distinct condensed tannin (CT) plant extracts – Cistus ladanifer L. (Rockrose, Esteva in Portuguese) and Schinopsis lorentzii (Quebracho) on gastrointestinal parasites in lactating goats. Eighteen Serpentina goats were individually housed and randomly assigned to one of three diets (control – without CT; Ci – with C. ladanifer extract; Sc – with S. lorentzii extract). In both diets with CT extracts, 20 g/head of CT were supplied daily. Individual stool collections were sampled before dietary treatment application (day 0), at the end of the adaptation period of diets (day 14), and at days 21, 28 and 35 of the trial. Coprological analysis included concentration McMaster technique for egg count (Epg) and Willis fluctuation assay for microscopic observation. Data was analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model procedure that identified a significant interaction of treatment groups over time regarding the strongylid Epg count (Chi2 = 1355.6, p ≤ 0.001), through the Gauss-Hermite quadrature parameter estimation method. Pairwise contrast tests, with the Holm adjustment method, showed that both Ci (Chi2 = 148.1, p < 0.0001) and Sc (Chi2 = 962.3, p < 0.0001) treatments resulted in significantly lower Epg counts of strongylids over time when compared to the control group. The Sc group also presented a significantly lower Epg counts of strongylids over time when compared to the Ci group (Chi2 = 1054.8, p < 0.0001). This work is funded by Alentejo2020 program through the FEDER under the project CistusRumen (ALT20-03-0145FEDER-000023) and by National Funds through FCT under the Project UID/AGR/00115/2019

EXTRATOS DE TANINOS CONDENSADOS DE ESTEVA E QUEBRACHO NA DIETA DE CABRAS LEITEIRAS – EFEITO NA

Taninos condensados (TC), metabolitos secundários das plantas, são conhecidos pelas suas propriedades antioxidantes e a sua utilização na dieta de ruminantes como antioxidantes naturais tem sido explorada. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar se a inclusão de extratos de TC em dietas de cabras leiteiras permite aumentar a capacidade antioxidante no plasma, leite e queijo. Dezoito cabras da raça Serpentina foram alimentadas com uma das seguintes dietas (6 cabras/dieta): Controlo) alimento concentrado e feno ad libitum; Esteva) controlo + 20 g/dia de extrato de TC de Esteva (Cistus ladanifer); e Quebracho) controlo + 20 g/dia de extrato de TC de Quebracho (Schinopsis lorentzii). Todas as cabras receberam 800 g/dia de concentrado. O plasma e leite foram recolhidos nos dias 1, 7, 14 e 21 de ensaio, enquanto o queijo foi preparado uma vez no final do ensaio. A atividade antioxidante foi determinada nas dietas, plasma, leite e queijo pelos métodos de redução do ferro (FRAP) e capacidade antioxidante equivalente de Trolox (TEAC). As dietas suplementadas com os extratos apresentaram maior atividade antioxidante (P<0.001; FRAP – 14.5, 234 e 347 μM equivalentes (Eq) Fe2+/g e TEAC – 3.27, 9.14 e 11.1 mg Eq Trolox/g nas dietas Controlo, Esteva e Quebracho, respetivamente). A atividade antioxidante no plasma aumentou com a suplementação das dietas com os extratos (P<0.001; FRAP – 0.228, 0.247 e 0.271 μmol Eq Fe2+/mL e TEAC – 6.484, 7.625 e 7.432 μmol Eq Trolox/mL nas dietas Controlo, Esteva e Quebracho, respetivamente). A atividade antioxidante no leite, determinada pelo método TEAC, aumentou com a inclusão de ambos os extratos nas dietas (P<0.001; 0.165 vs. 0.203 μmol Eq Trolox/mL nas dietas controlo e com extratos de TC, respetivamente). No queijo, quando usado o método FRAP, verificou-se uma tendência para o aumento da atividade antioxidante com a inclusão dos extratos na dieta (P=0.066). Ambos os extratos de TC permitem melhorar a capacidade antioxidante no plasma e leite, conferindo ao animal e aos produtos uma maior resistência a condições de pressão oxidativa

Influence of Pozzolan, Slag and Recycled Aggregates on the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Low Cement Concrete

The sustainability of the construction sector demands the reduction of CO2 emissions. The optimization of the amount of cement in concrete can be achieved either by partially replacing it by additions or by reducing the binder content. The present work aims at optimizing the properties of concrete used in the production of reinforced concrete poles for electrical distribution lines, combining the maximization of compactness with the partial replacement of cement by fly ash, natural pozzolans, and electric furnace slags. Natural aggregates were also partially replaced by recycled ones in mixtures with fly ash. Two types of concrete were studied: a fresh molded one with a dry consistency and a formwork molded one with a plastic consistency. The following properties were characterized: mechanical properties (flexural, tensile splitting, and compressive strengths, as well as Young’s modulus) and durability properties (capillary water absorption, water penetration depth under pressure, resistance to carbonation, chloride migration, and concrete surface resistivity). The service life of structures was estimated, taking the deterioration of reinforcement induced by concrete carbonation or chloride attack into account. Results revealed that mixtures with fly ash exhibit higher mechanical performance and mixtures with fly ash or pozzolans reveal much higher durability results than the full Portland cement-based mixtures

Nanomaterials Applied in the Construction Sector: Environmental, Human Health, and Economic Indicators

Over the past two decades, the application of nanostructured materials in construction, such as concrete, paint, coatings, glass, renders, plasters, thermal insulation, steel, and even sensors, has become increasingly prevalent. However, previous studies and reports have raised concerns about the ecotoxicity and long-term impact of nanomaterials on human health and the environment. National and international legislation and regulations are struggling to keep up with the rapid development of nanomaterials, taking into account their unique characteristics and essential requirements for application and commercialization. This paper, based on existing standards for conventional materials and bibliometric networks of papers focused on nanomaterials, conducts a critical review and proposes relevant indicators for the application of nanomaterials in the construction sector. These indicators should be mandatory and are divided into environmental, human health, and economic perspectives, providing a risk assessment framework for applying nanomaterial-based constructive solutions oriented to environmental, social, and economic sustainability