Genotoxic activity of the Fumonisin B1 mycotoxin in cultures of bovine lymphocytes

The fumonisins, produced by fungi that infest foodstuffs, in particular corn, are responsible for a series of illnesses and toxicosis in various species of animals, including humans. There is still not detailed information about the genotoxic and mutagenic activity of Fumonisin B1 (FB1), but it is clear that it interferes with growth control, differentiation and cellu- lar apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the genotoxic potential of Fumonisin B1 using in vitrocultures of bovine lymphocytes, through the calculation of the ‘mitotic index’ (MI), the frequency of ‘sister chromatid exchange’ (SCE) and the ‘micronucleus test’ (MN). The bovine lymphocytes were exposed to different concentrations of FB1 (25, 50 and 100 µM) in order to find out which amount is sufficient to cause a reduction in the mitotic potential of the cells, the onset of MN and a higher frequency of SCE. The results obtained show a considerable reduction in the ‘mitotic index’ with a FB1 concentration of 50 µM, an increase in the frequency of MN with a concentration of 50 µM and a significant increase in the SCE with a concentration of 100 µM. In the light of the information we have obtained, compared with that of other Authors, we feel that the genotoxic poten- tial of FB1 has been underestimated until now and should, therefore, be reconsidered

Macro Minerals and Trace Elements in Milk of Dairy Buffaloes and Cows Reared in Mediterranean Areas

Aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se, Mo, Co, Li, B, Ti, Rb, and Sr concentrations in milk from buffaloes and cows reared in the same farm in Mediterranean areas and fed diets including the same ingredients. Individual milk samples were obtained from 32 Mediterranean buffaloes and 29 Italian Friesian cows and samples of milk, dietary ingredients and drinking water were analyzed for the investigated chemical elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Data about milk element concentrations were processed by one-way analysis of variance. Buffalo milk contains higher concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, B, Ti, and Sr, and lower concentrations of K, Na, Mo, Li, and Rb compared to cow milk, whereas milk from both species contains similar concentrations of Mn, Se, and Co. The concentrations of the investigated elements in the diet were similar for both species and the differences observed between buffalo and cow milk were not dependent on environmental factors

Effetti della somministrazione di Rhodiola Rosea L. sul comportamento di bovini di razza Chianina

Stimoli stressanti di varia natura possono incidere negativamente sul benessere animale, che diventa quindi un fattore di primaria importanza per tutelare anche l\u2019interesse economico dell\u2019allevatore. Scopo di questa ricerca \ue8 stato quello di verificare l\u2019effetto sul comportamento di fitoderivati nella riduzione dello stress su un gruppo di vitelloni di razza Chianina. La fitoterapia si basa sull\u2019azione biologica dei principi attivi naturali presenti nelle piante medicinali; il vantaggio di questi preparati risiede negli scarsi o nulli effetti secondari indesiderat

Evaluation of Physicochemical and Microbial Properties of Extracts from Wine Lees Waste of Matelica’s Verdicchio and Their Applications in Novel Cosmetic Products

Wine lees are sediments deposited on the walls and bottom of barrels resulting from wine fermentation and mainly consist of yeasts. Saccharomyces cerevisiae extracts, rich in beneficial components for the skin, have already been used in cosmesis, while wine lees have not been well exploited by the cosmetics industry yet. The aim of this work was the full characterization of the wine lees from Verdicchio's wine, with the aim to exploit it as a beneficial ingredient in new cosmetic products. After mapping the microbial composition of the sample waste, the parameters for the sonication extraction process were optimized and the physicochemical properties of the extract were analyzed. The efficiency of the aqueous extraction-and in particular the yeast cell lysis necessary for the release of proteins from the cell-was assessed by evaluating cell shape and size, and protein release, under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Bradford's protein assays. Thus, the total phenol content and antioxidant capacity of the supernatant recovered from native and sonicated lees were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu's and spectrophotometric assays, respectively. To quantify the heavy metals and highlight the presence of microelements beneficial for the skin, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied. In vitro metabolic activity and cytotoxicity were tested on both HaCat keratinocytes and human gingival fibroblasts, showing that wine lees are safe for skin's cells. The results show that sonicated lees appear to be more interesting than native ones as a consequence of the release of the active ingredients from the cells. Due to the high antioxidant capacity, content of beneficial elements for skin and an appropriate microbiologic profile, wine lees were included in five new solid cosmetic products and tested for challenge test, compatibility with human skin, sensory analysis, trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and sebometry

Use of clinoptilolite in piglet diets as a substitute for Colistine

The effects of adding 2% of natural zeolite, containing a high percentage of clinoptilolite, to the diet of piglets was evaluated by monitoring growing performance and plasma parameters. The diet was also deprived of Colistine, an antibiotic usually added to piglet diets at subtherapeutic levels to prevent gastrointestinal pathology. Sixty-four piglets, weaned at 7.9 kg live weight, were divided in 2 groups of 32 each. The control group was given commercial piglet feedstuffs; for the treated group, 98% of the same feed, deprived of Colistine, was used, with the addition of 2% of a natural zeolite. The trial lasted 36 days. The piglets fed the control diet exhibited greater weight in the first three weeks, after which the differences were not significant. The average daily weight gain in the first week was higher in the control group (+37%; P<0.01) whereas at the end of the trial no differences were found. The feed intake did not show significant differences between groups and, as a result, the Feed Efficiency at the end of the trial was higher in the control group (532 vs. 491, P< 0.05). The plasmatic nitrogen parameters did not show significant differences between groups. Only in the first three weeks post-weaning the group fed the diet containing Colistine showed better ADG, subsequently it can be eliminated and clinoptilolite could favour growth

Presenza di ocratossina A in alimenti destinati alla prima infanzia=Presence of achratoxin A in nursery food

Ochratoxin A is a typical cereal contaminant mainly produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium. With the aim to estimate the quantity of Ochratoxin A that can be taken in by a child, samples of Pasta and cereals food used in nursery school have been monitored in Milan. Cereal and cereal-based food have been monthly collected during one year. The analysis of ochratoxin A was performed by fluorimeter detector. Ochratoxin A has been found in all samples (100%): the average concentrations of OTA A were 0,64 \u3bcg/kg for children specific Pasta and 1,11 for organic Pasta; the average concentrations for cereals and cereals-based food 3,16 \u3bcg/kg