Bronius Bakutis

Acoustic sensing of deoxynivalenol in co-occurrence with zearalenone and T-2/HT-2 toxin in winter wheat cultivar Sirvinta from Lithuania

A fast acoustic screening method in combination with an ELISA method was applied for the detection of deoxynivalenol (DON) in co-occurrence with some trichothecenes such as zearalenone (ZEA) and T-2/HT-2 toxins in winter wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L.) of the most popular Lithuanian cultivar Sirvinta. Strong correlations between the amplitude of the acoustic signal that penetrated the wheat samples and DON as well as total amount of mentioned trichothecenes quantified by ELISA method were found (R2=0.787 and R2=0.794, respectively). It turned out that weak correlations between the acoustic signal and the concentrations of ZEA and T-2/HT-2 were found. These correlations suggest that DON is the marker of the Fusarium infected wheat grain. This statement is also strengthened by the fact that DON is the most significant trichothecene contaminant of cereal grains in the world and levels are generally higher in the wetter climates. The dependency determined between the acoustic signal and structural physica...

Application of hydrolases and probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici BaltBio01 strain for cereal by-products conversion to bioproduct for food/feed

Abstract The aim of this study was to apply the enzymatic treatment and fermentation by Pediococcus acidilactici BaltBio01 strain for industrial cereal by-products conversion to food/feed bioproducts with high amount of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB propagated in potato media and spray-dried remained viable during 12 months (7.0 log10 cfu/g) of storage and was used as a starter for cereal by-products fermentation. The changes of microbial profile, biogenic amines (BAs), mycotoxins, lactic acid (L+/D−), lignans and alkylresorcinols (ARs) contents in fermented cereal by-product were analysed. Cereal by-products enzymatic hydrolysis before fermentation allows to obtain a higher count of LAB during fermentation. Fermentation with P. acidilactici reduce mycotoxins content in fermented cereal by-products. According to our results, P. acidilactici multiplied in potato juice could be used for cereal by-products fermentation, as a potential source to produce safer food/feed bioproduct with high amount of probiotic LAB for industrial production.

Stable isotope ratio method for the characterisation of the poultry house environment.

ABSTRACT Stable isotope analysis was applied to describe the poultry house environment. The poultry house indoor environment was selected for this study due to the relevant health problems in animals and their caretakers. Air quality parameters including temperature, relative humidity, airflow rate, NH3, CO2 and total suspended particles, as well as mean levels of total airborne bacteria and fungi count, were measured. Carbon isotope ratios (13C/12C) were obtained in size-segregated aerosol particles. The carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) isotope ratios were measured in feed, litter, scrapings from the ventilation system, feathers and eggs. Additionally, the distribution of δ13C and δ15N values in different tissues of the chicken was examined. The airborne bacteria and fungi extracted from the air filters collected from poultry farms were grown in the laboratory in media with known isotope values and measured for stable isotope ratios. Analysis of isotope fractionation between microorganisms and their media indicated the applicability of stable isotope analysis in bulk samples for the identification of source material. The analysed examples imply that stable isotope analysis can be used to examine the indoor environment along with its biology and ecology, and serve as an informative bioanalytical tool.

HYGIENIC SANITARY ESTIMATION OF MAIZE SILAGE IN DAIRY FARMS IN LITHUANIA

The aim of this study was to estimate maize silage hygienic sanitary parameters, contamination with mycotoxins in dairy farms in Lithuania. In 2011–2012 maize silage samples were collected from 20 dairy farms: prior to ensiling and 3 and 8 months after ensiling. In maize samples, prior to ensiling, L. monocytogenes was detected 25.0 % and after 3 months of ensiling – 10 %. Average of yeast and filamentous fungi in raw material samples were respectively – 71.39 ± 32.17 and 47.67 ± 18.31 CFU/g, after 3 months – 50.06 ± 16.09 CFU/g and 28.27 ± 13.18, after 8 months – 213.81 ± 55.98 and 215.08 ± 56.16 CFU/g. In raw maize dominated Fusarium spp. and in silage – Aspergillus, Penicillium spp. Average of lactic acid bacteria – 189.01 ± 57.79 (3 months after ensilage) and 436.11 ± 93.97 CFU/g (8 months after ensilage). Compared prior to ensilage and 3 and 8 months after ensilage maize samples, higher mycotoxins concentrations of DON – 36.96 % (P 0.05) in samples after 3 months of ensiling. Dry matter and pH respectively: prior to ensiling – 36.96 % and 5.26, 3 months after ensiling – 33.17 % and 3.84, 8 months after ensiling – 40.52 % and 3.91. The current results indicate the presence of yeast, viable fungi spores and mycotoxins AFL (total), ZEA, DON, T-2 and OTA contamination in maize silage in Lithuania. Keywords: fungi, maize silage, mycotoxin, yeast. Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2015.023