Endoparasites in pigs raised in smallholder farms in Hung Yen province of Vietnam

As being part of an ongoing project, assessing animal health and food safety risks in smallholder pig value chains in Hung Yen province of Vietnam, the presence of endoparasites was investigated in a repeated study. Three communes, with a total of 545 smallhoder pig farms, from three districts were selected. In each commune, ten farms were randomly chosen. On farm data including farm management and biosecurity measures were recorded by using a checklist and observations. From each farm, one pooled fecal sample was collected from a randomly chosen barn monthly and followed from June to December 2014 for seven months. Fecal samples were analyzed for intestinal parasites by floatation and sedimentation methods. The intensity of most commonly seen parasites was determined by the McMaster counting technique. In 198 collected fecal samples, six types of parasites were detected, namely Eimeria 89 (44.95%), Ascaris suum 43 (21.72%), Strongyloides sp. 41 (20.71%), Trichocephalus suis 19 (9.60%), Fasciolopsis buski 10 (5.05%), and Fasciola 2 (1.01%). Highest intensities were observed for Eimeria (maximum 80900 oocyst/g), followed by Ascaris suum (2400 egg/g), Strongyloides sp. (1900 egg/g), and Trichocephalus suis (1300 egg/g); the others were reported at much lower intensities. Infection levels and intensities of the parasites tended to be higher during the hot months, June to September. No significant difference between communes was found. At least one type of parasites was present in 137 samples (69.19%). Most of farms (96.67%) were positive for at least one type of parasites in at least one sample. There was a significant difference in infection level of endoparasites between biogas and non-biogas farms. The general high parasite burden reported in this study will be addressed in future interventions which will include parasite control apart from other measures

Alkaloids and Their Pharmacology Effects from <em>Zanthoxylum</em> Genus

Zanthoxylum genus (Rutaceae) comprises about 212 species distributed in warm temperature and subtropical areas in the worldwide. Zanthoxylum species have been used in traditional for the treatment of tooth decay, snakebites, blood circulation problems, stomach problems, inflammation, rheumatic, and parasitic diseases. The chemical investigations of Zanthoxylum have been studied by many scientists over the world. Several classes of compounds have been isolated from this genus such as alkaloids, coumarins, and monoterpenes. Of these, alkaloids are the main components and play an important role in Zanthoxylum species. Alkaloids have been shown the potential promise about biological activities: cytotoxic, antimalarial, leishmanicidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, and antibacterial activities. This chapter will focus on the structure elucidation and pharmacological activities of alkaloids from Zanthoxylum species. In addition, the absolute configuration of some alkaloids from Zanthoxylum genus will be also discussed

LIGNANS FROM LEAVES OF AMESIODENDRON CHINENSE AND THEIR CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY

ABSTRACTFrom leaves of Amesiodendron chinense (Mer.) Hu four lignans (+)-aptosimon (1), (+)-isolariciresinol (2), (-)-cleomiscosin A (3), and (-)-cleomiscosin C (3) were isolated. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis including MS, 1D and 2D NMR as well as by comparison with reported data in literature. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines, KB, SK-LU-1, MCF-7, HepG-2, and SW-480. They showed weak cytotoxic activity on five tested human cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 32.61 to 95.18 µg/ml

Study on synthesis of some new derivatives of Malloapelta B isolated from Mallotus apelta

Six new benzopyran derivatives were synthesized by reduction reaction and Michael reaction from malloapelta B. Their structures were determined as 8-(1’-oxo-butyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran (2), 8-(1’-oxo-3’(R)-methyl-4’-acetyl-5’-oxo-hexyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran (3), 8-(1’-oxo-3’(R)-methyl-4’(S/R)-(methyl fomiate)-5’-oxo-hexyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran (4,4’), 8-(1’-oxo-3’(R)-methyl-4’(S/R)-(ethyl formiate)-5’-oxo-hexyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran (5,5’) by spectroscopic data, including two-dimensional NMR techniques and ESI spectrum.Keywords: Malloapelta B; Michael reaction; reduction reaction; 5,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran

Megastigmans and other compounds from Antidesma hainanensis Merr.

Four megastigmans 7-megastigmene-3-ol-9-one 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside]  (1),  alangionoside L (2),  alangioside (3), ampelopsisionoside (4), and other constituents as N–trans-feruloyloctopamide (5), trans-linalool-3,6-oxide-β-D-glucopyranoside (6),  5α,8α-dipioxiergosta-6,22-diene-3β-ol (7), and (Z)-2-hexenyl β-D-glucopyranoside (8) were isolated from the methanol extract of the Antidesma hainanensis leaves. Their chemical structures were successfully determined using NMR and ESI-MS analysis as well as in comparison with the reported data. This is the first report of these compounds from Euphorbiaceae family

Biosecurity practices in small-scale pig farms in Hung Yen and Nghe An, Vietnam

With pork representing more than 70% of meat consumption in Vietnam pig production is growing fast and plays an important role in the livestock production. Especially smallholder farms contribute substantial to the pork supply (approximately 80 %) because of consumer preferences, subsistence and commercial purposes. Despite of this considerable market share the overwhelming majority of smallholder pig farms lack of technologies, biosecurity and control measures in terms of diseases, hygiene and environment conditions. As being part of a wider research on improving smallholder pig value chains in Vietnam a longitudinal survey was conducted with the objectives to assess biosecurity practices and related farm management which will be used to identify suitable options for improved disease control. The survey was carried between March and December 2014 in the Hung Yen and Nghe An provinces of Vietnam. Thirty farms were selected randomly in each provinces as a sub-sample from a larger sampling frame (N=416) and visited in fortnightly intervals. On farm data by using a checklist and observations included information on farm management, biosecurity measures, working and feed storage conditions as well as diseases events. In general diseases control measures were found insufficient. The majority of farmers allowed visitors to access the farm without any restrictions (69.7%) throughout the entire observation period. Disinfection mattresses were installed only in 42.7% of visits, and even applied, often not maintained. The use of protective clothes and boots by workers was the exception (81.2%). Pre-weaning piglets were usually not provided with litter (88.9%) and/or heat sources (74.1%), the latter being a particular constraint during the cold season. From an animal welfare perspective it was notable that only approximately half of farms provided permanent water access to their pigs (48%). Poor management was also reported for feed handling and storage with clear signs of rodents or pests in feed (47.9%) and visible signs of moisture (49.4%). Observed gaps in farm management will be addressed in the upcoming intervention phase by developing and testing of packages guided by feasibility, cost benefit and farmers compliance

Animal health and food safety in smallholder pig value chains in Vietnam

Pork represents more than 70% of meat consumption in Vietnam and production delivers significant benefits to smallholders who supply 80% of the market. Lack of technologies and poor hygienic/biosecurity measures are common challenges resulting in increased disease risk (including food borne) along the chain. Vietnamese consumers prefer fresh, un-chilled pork provided at outlets supplied by smallholders but increasingly concerns about pig diseases and food safety are expressed by consumers. While research has been done at selected nodes of the chain (e.g. slaughterhouses), “farm to fork” approaches are still lacking. Here we present selected results and the development of feasible interventions from an ongoing study involving two provinces of Vietnam (Nghe An and Hung Yen) that aims for improved productivity and food safety in smallholder pig value chains. An initial assessment phase (finalized) is followed by interventions targeting identification of “best bets” (ongoing). Involved chain actors range from suppliers, via producers, slaughterhouses/markets to consumers. Data collection comprises quantitative and qualitative tools supported by a microbiological risk assessment. Identified constraints along key nodes of the chain include, for example, poor on-farm and slaughterhouse hygiene determined by presence of biological hazards aligned with rudimentary control/prevention measures. Selected results on food safety include considerable high pathogen loads for Salmonella along the chain (e.g. on-farm drinking water, 19%; slaughterhouses, floor swabs 22%; and, pork cuts at markets, 45%). Basic on-farm biosecurity is rare (e.g. use of disinfection matrices, quarantine or visitor control). Examples for the development of specific interventions will be discussed

Food safety from a global perspective to a country perspective addressing challenges along smallholder pig systems in Vietnam

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Researc

Food safety assessment and challenges along small-scale pig systems in Vietnam

Food borne diseases (FBD) are an increasing global public health concern with estimated 1 in 10 people falling ill every year from eating contaminated food causing 420,000 deaths. Diarrheal diseases accounted for more than half of the global burden with children at especial risk (WHO 2015). Evidence on FBD in low and middle income countries, including Vietnam, is still limited but the risk is considered to be higher than in high income countries due to poor hygiene, inadequate food production and storage, risky consumption habits, and weak legislation and enforcement. For Vietnam, pork is an important component of the diet and accounts for more than 70% of meat consumed: most (84%) is supplied by small and medium scale farmers. Recent ILRI studies have demonstrated strong preferences of Vietnamese consumers for fresh, un-chilled pork sold at conventional wet markets but also increasing concerns over food safety have been expressed by urban consumers. Existing food safety studies along the pig sector have focused on assessment of hazards (mainly Salmonella) at a specific actor of the pork chain while farm to fork approaches or studies measuring the impact of hazards to human are limited. Since 2012 ILRI has implemented specific studies assessing food safety issues including zoonoses along pig value chains in selected regions of Vietnam. This included risk assessments of food safety hazards in pork such as Salmonella along a more peri-urban value chain with mainly exotic pigs or their crosses (Hung Yen province). In addition, we assessed the presence of two major zoonoses (trichinellosis and cysticercosis) in a rural indigenous pig value chain in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Results for Hung Yen show a high presence of biological hazards (e.g. 43% pork cuts at market are Salmonella contaminated). Key challenges include poor slaughter and meat handling hygiene (eg. floor slaughter) aligned with low awareness on related health risks among interviewed actors. Another challenge is to identify feasible incentives to motivate change of behavior and practice of actors. For the native pig system (Central Highlands) sporadic infections with trichinellosis and cysticercosis were found. Key challenges include here predominant risky farm management practices (free roaming of pigs) but also very low awareness and knowledge on zoonoses of native pig producers who are often members of poor ethnic minorities

Merosesquiterpenes from marine sponge Smenospongia cerebriformis

Using various chromatography methods, three merosesquiterpenes belonging to sesquiterpene quinone type, neodactyloquinone (1), dactyloquinone D (2), and dactyloquinone C (3) together with two indole derivatives indole-3-aldehyde (4) and indole-3-cacboxylic methyl ester (5) were isolated from the methanol extract of the Vietnamese marine sponge Smenospongia cerebriformis. Their structures were determined by 1D-, 2D-NMR spectra, HR-ESI-MS and in comparison with those reported in the literature. Keywords. Smenospongia cerebriformis, merosesquiterpene, sesquiterpene quinone, indole derivative