Carina Van Nieuwenhove

Fatty acid profile of pig meat after probiotic administration.

The aim of this work was to study the fatty acid profile of pig meat after probiotic administration. Thirty postweaned pigs (25 day old) were distributed into 2 groups: control (n = 15) and probiotic (n = 15). Each experimental group was fed ad libitum on a commercial diet for 35 days. Lactobacillus amylovorus and Enterococcus faecium mixed culture (10(8) CFU/ml)was daily orally delivered to the probiotic group. At the end of the assay, six pigs randomly selected from each group were slaughtered and muscle samples (Longissimus dorsi) were taken for fatty acid analysis. Tissues from the probiotic group animals exhibited an increase in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids; furthermore, linoleic acid (C18:2), linolenic acid (18:3), and cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. These results suggest probiotic administration could be useful to modify and improve the fatty acid profile of pig meat.

Effect of Functional Buffalo Cheese on Fatty Acid Profile and Oxidative Status of Liver and Intestine of Mice

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of administration of buffalo dairy products on lipid content and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) incorporation on liver and intestine of mice. Buffalo cheeses were selected according to nutritional properties and CLA content. Cheeses were previously manufactured using as adjunct culture bacteria with probiotic or technological properties. BALB/c mice were fed for 28 days, and then a single dose of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) as oxidant agent was administered before the influence of diet and DMH on antioxidant status in tissues was evaluated. Mice fed buffalo cheese showed the highest body weight gain (P < .05). Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content in foods was very different, but total PUFA incorporation was similar in mouse tissues. CLA was only detected in fat tissues of mice fed dairy products, with cis-9, trans-11 being the major isomer. A higher linolenic (C(18:3)) acid content was found in tissues of mice fed commercial diet (control group), and it was partially replaced by CLA in groups receiving buffalo milk or cheese. Lipoperoxides (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) were higher in tissues of the control group with or without DMH administration, and DMH had a cytotoxic effect on colon cells (P < .05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in liver and intestine were similar among animals, with a slight increase of SOD detected after DMH treatment. Consumption of buffalo dairy products did not affect the oxidative status of mice tissues even after DMH application. In the present study, a protective effect of buffalo cheese and milk on intestine cells was determined.

Conjugated Linoleic and Linolenic Acid Production by Bacteria: Development of Functional Foods

© 2012 Van Nieuwenhove et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Conjugated Linoleic and Linolenic Acid Production by Bacteria: Development of Functional Foods

Effects of short-term mild calorie restriction diet and renutrition with ruminant milks on leptin levels and other metabolic parameters in mice

OBJECTIVE The adaptation of an organism to a calorie-restricted diet is characterized by metabolic, endocrine, and immunologic changes. The objective of this study was to determine, in a mouse model, the changes in serum leptin levels in response to short-term mild calorie-restricted and renutrition diets using different ruminant milks. METHODS Weaned Swiss albino mice were fed with a mild calorie-restricted diet for 12 d, after which they were renourished with cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk for 7 d. Body, thymus, and spleen weights and biochemical, hematologic, and endocrine parameters were evaluated. RESULTS The mild calorie restriction did not significantly modify insulin and leptin levels. The renutrition diets increased insulin levels, being significant (P < 0.05) only when buffalo and sheep milks were used. Leptin concentrations increased in the control ad libitum (AD) group during the assayed period. After the administration of cow and goat milks, lower leptin levels were observed compared with the control AD group. All repletion diets significantly increased body, thymus, and spleen weights; however, spleen weight did not reach the values observed in the control AD group. Serum glucose and triacylglycerol levels increased after feeding with the renutrition diets. However, serum cholesterol did not increase after the renutrition period. We observed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the leukocyte counts in calorie-restricted mice in comparison with AD mice; after the renutrition period, the leukocyte count did not reach the values for the AD mice. CONCLUSION This study suggests that a short-term change in diet with a relatively low body weight loss does not significantly affect leptin concentrations in our mouse model. However, the assayed milks could be effectively used as alternative milk sources for weight gain and for the improvement of other metabolic parameters.

Biopesticide effects on pupae and adult mortality of Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Reliance on broad spectrum insecticides for pest control has led to significant environmental damage, human health problems and rapid evolution of insect resistance. These shortcomings have caused a renewed interest in exploring biologically based pest control methods. Among these, the use of plant essential oils, hydrolates and other natural products offer a promising alternative to broad spectrum pesticides. Here, we explored the effect of several bioproducts on pupal and adult mortality (through contact and ingestion) of the two most important pest species of fruit production in South America, South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus and Medfly, Ceratitis capitata. Topical application of different bioproducts produced different effects on pupal mortality of A. fraterculus and C. capitata. Essential oils of Baccharis dracunculifolia and Pinus elliottii, both containing high proportions of α and β‐pinene and limonene (among other compounds), caused 100% mortality on C. capitata pupae and strongly suppressed adult eclosion of A. fraterculus in comparison with controls. Extracts of Solanum granulosum plus Ricinus communis also caused a moderate yet significant reduction in adult eclosion when compared with the control. All other tested products had no effect on adult emergence. Toxicity on adults through ingestion was greatest for extracts of S. granulosum plus R. communis, followed by Spinosad (Flipper®) and B. dracunculifolia oil (although in these two cases survival was above 40%), while other tested products had no effect on adult mortality. We discuss future research and the potential use of some of the tested products as a component for rational pest management strategies.