Effects of phenolic acids and IgY immunoglobulins on aspects of rumen fermentation, in vitro.

Publication history: Accepted – 4 January 2019; Published – 2019.The current study was carried out in order to determine the effects of simple phenols and of specific anti-methanogen IgY antibodies on ruminal gas production, methane emissions, volatile fatty acids (VFA) profile and pH in in vitro ruminal cultures. Caffeic and p-Coumaric acids and IgY antibodies were added anaerobically to ruminal batch cultures. Ruminal parameters were measured after 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation. The results showed that addition ofboth phenolic acids and IgY antibodies significantly (P <0.05) decreased methane production at 24 and 48 hours of incubation. At 24 and 48 hours of incubation some significant differences were observed in volatile fatty acids profile, while the pH was not affected by simple phenols and IgY antibodies addition. Simple phenols and IgY avian antibodies can be further tested in order to achieve the purpose of methane mitigation strategies, but the ideal way to inhibit the methanogenesis process in rumen would reduce methane production without altering the other ruminal parameters, such as VFAs, total gas production or pH.DBU (Deutsche BundesstiftungUmwelt) scholarship program at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany

Antimicrobial Activity of Bee Bread Extracts Against Different Bacterial Strains

Bee bread is a product of the hive obtained from pollen collected by bees, to which they add honey, digestive enzymes and subsequently is stored in the combs. Increasing evidence suggests bee bread’s potential therapeutic benefits, including antimicrobial properties. Bee bread is characterized by a bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity. The current study was carried out to test the antimicrobial activity of bee bread extracts, in various concentrations, against the bacterial strains: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results of this study indicate that the first two dilutions of bee bread extract, respectively 33% and 16.66%, showed higher antimicrobial activity and the other dilutions had a lower, but visible activity depending on the pathogen on which they are tested. The best antimicrobial activity was manifested on the Staphylococcus aureus strain, where all dilutions had an inhibitory effect both at 8 hours and 12 hours

Multidirectional Activities for Gene Pool Conservation in GCEARS-PSP

The Global Centre of Excellence for Advance Research in Sericulture and Promotion of Silk Production (GCEARS-PSP), recognised by ISC since 2014, was created with the main purposes: development of advanced research in sericulture and diagnostic services using modern techniques, achievement of a gene pool of different silkworms races and promotion of silk production. The objective of this study was to characterize the races from the GCEARS-PSP, in order to conserve the most valuable and resistant ones. This characterisation is a part of GCEARS-PSP’s strategy for the revival and development of sericulture and silk production in Romania. The GCEARS-PSP represents an important point of reference for Romanian sericulture. The experimental data described showed a good prospective for a proper functioning of the research centre and the obtained results are promising for the next lines of research

Beebread from Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata. Comparative Chemical Composition and Bioactivity

Beebread is a valuable bee product, both for bee nutrition and for humans. The high nutritional and bioactive properties of beebread were evaluated by chemical composition analysis of beebread from Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata. Bee bread harvested from Romania and India, coming from Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata bees, were evaluated for their chemical composition. Analyses were made in APHIS Laboratory from USAMV Cluj, using validated methods for bee products. Lipids were determined by the Soxhlet extraction method, total protein content was determined by Kjehldahl method, sugar spectrum was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection (HPLC-IR). Water content of beebread samples were situated between 11.45 and 16.46%, total protein content between 16.84 and 19.19% and total lipids between 6.36 and 13.47%.  Beebread has high bioactive properties which can be expressed as antioxidant and/or antibacterial activity. Chemical composition and bioactive properties of beebread is influenced by floral origin of the pollen which the bees collect and place in combs for fermentation. Also the climatic conditions have an important role in developing different fermentation compounds, that may act as antioxidants or antibacterial agents

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Beebread – Review

Beebread is a product of the hive obtained from pollen collected by bees, to which they add honey, digestive enzymes and subsequently is stored in the combs. The bees transform the bee pollen in beebread by an anaerobic fermentation process. A proper hive management promotes beebread collection, aimed at marketing it for human consumption since it can be considered a valuable food supplement due to its content of a wide range of nutrients. Its value is given by the content in protein, amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, mineral salts, polyphenols and flavonoids, which depends on the botanical source of bee pollen. The nutritional and functional composition of beebread is widely reported; nevertheless, few studies on transformation processes of the pollen to improve the availability of the compounds present in this product were found. Overall, beebread is a recent collected and consumed bee product and at this stage it can be used as a food supplement

ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF HONEYDEW HONEY IN COMBINATION WITH NATURAL OILS

Currently, the antibacterial properties of honeydew honey are increasingly valued, being regarded as superior to blossom honeys. Over the years, the antibacterial activity of propolis has been highly appreciated, due to the flavonoids and phenolic acids present in its composition. Moreover, essential thyme oil and sea buckthorn oil have been recognized as valuable resources of natural antimicrobial compounds. The present research aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of two natural mixtures, consisting of honeydew honey and sea buckthorn oil and honeydew honey, propolis soft extract and essential thyme oil respectively. The tested bacterial strains were represented by Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. Our results showed that the investigated products recorded good antibacterial activity and the Gram-positive bacterial strains were more sensitive than the Gram-negative ones

Does Genetic Engineering Influence the Nutritional Value of Plums? Case Study on Two conventional and One Genetically Engineered Plum Fruits

Plums are low-calorie fruits with a low glycaemic index score. Prunus domestica L. is one of the tree fruits threatened by Plum pox potyvirus (PPV), a quarantine disease that causes fruit loss to plums and other stone fruits. HoneySweet is a plum tree created to be resistant to this virus. Beside genetical determinations, chemical composition and nutritional value are important for a future acceptance in the cultivation of this type of fruit trees. Two conventional (Renclod Althan and Stanley) and one genetically engineered (HoneySweet) plum fruits were evaluated for the nutritional value determination. The analyzed samples showed nutritionally valuable features. HoneySweet variety had a balanced content of individual carbohydrates. The total lipid content had values quite close to the HoneySweet and Stanley varieties, far superior to Renclod Althan variety. HoneySweet transgenic plum had the highest total protein content. Also, HoneySweet variety is distinguished by a balanced protein and lipid content. By comparing the three analyzed varieties from the perspective of the most important physic-chemical nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids), the highest nutritional value was registered in Stanley variety, closely followed by HoneySweet, and then by Reine Claude d’Althan

Comparative Study on Quality Parameters of Royal Jelly, Apilarnil and Queen Bee Larvae Triturate

Given their beneficial effects in terms of health, the natural products, especially beehive products, have drawn the attention of consumers since long time ago. In order to guarantee the quality of these products on the market, their chemical composition needs to be analyzed. Thus, this current research had as objective the establishment of quality parameters for beehive brood food derived products: apilarnil and queen bee larvae triturate. These two products were compared with royal jelly which is the basis of brood food in the first 3 days of larval stage. The carbohydrates were determined by HPLC-IR and allowed the identification of seven carbohydrate compounds, predominantly glucose, fructose and sucrose. The lipid profile was analyzed by the Soxhlet method. The total protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method. Free amino acids were analyzed by LC-MS. A total of 31 amino acids were identified of which nine are essential amino acids for humans.Â