Edyta Kowalczuk-Vasilev

Effect of Dietary Inulin Source on Piglet Performance, Immunoglobulin Concentration, and Plasma Lipid Profile

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an inulin source (aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic extract, dried chicory root, or dried Jerusalem artichoke tubers) on piglet performance, plasma lipid profile, and immunoglobulin concentration. The study was conducted on 534 piglets (44 litters) allocated to five nutritional groups: group I (control) - fed basal diet, groups II and III receiving basal diet supplemented with 2% of inulin (aqueous and aqueous-alcoholic extract respectively), and groups IV and V -4% additive of dried artichoke or dried chicory respectively. During the trial, piglets’ body weight, feed intake, diarrhoea incidence, and mortality were controlled. Blood samples were collected twice from six animals of each group. In blood plasma, indices of lipid profile and concentrations of IgA, IgG and IgM were measured. The addition of inulin, regardless of its form (extracts or dried plants), significantly improved the rearing indices. In piglets of groups III, IV and V a significant improvement of daily weight gains and feed efficiency was noted. Inulin showed hypolipidemic activity (lowered total cholesterol level) and stimulated piglet immune system manifested by elevated IgA and IgG concentrations. Irrespective of the inulin source, a lower mortality rate resulting from the improvement of animal health was noted in all experimental groups.

Estimation of weekly intake of cadmium and lead by consumption of commercial ready-to-feed infant foods

ABSTRACT The purpose of this survey was to estimate the safety of ready-to-eat infant foods in terms of Pb and Cd content. The studied samples were ready-to-eat infant products: dinners (n = 74), soups (n = 27) and desserts (n = 82) containing components of animal origin: meat and/or milk. Cd and Pb content was determined using a GF-AAS method. The analysed products contained 1.82–3.54 µg Pb and 1.32–1.50 µg Cd per kg. The content of Pb per kg of the product can be represented as dinners > soups > desserts, whereas the content of Cd was dinners > desserts > soups. The analysed ready-to-eat products could be regarded as safe, because they supply 12-month-old infants with Pb in an amount accounting for nearly 22% BMDL01 and Cd accounting for ca. 8.6% of the total weekly intake.

Peroxidation and unsaturation indices as potential biomarkers of multifarious zinc and copper micro-supplementation in Helix pomatia L.

The work is a continuation of two previous studies in which biomarker fatty acids (12 of 56 FA pools) were analysed in Helix pomatia L. after heterogeneous micro-supplementation of Zn and Cu (administered in five micro-doses in the form of salts and EDTA and lysine chelates). This time, peroxidation (PI) and unsaturation coefficients (UI) as biomarker were analysed. These indices were calculated based on the FA profile in the foot and hepatopancreas of snails. The correlation of frequently used oxidation status indicators of organisms (catalase - CAT, glutathione peroxidase - GPx, selenium-dependent peroxidase - se-GPx, superoxide dismutase - SOD, glutathione transferase - GST, glutathione reductase - GR, glutathione - GSH, carbonyl protein - CP, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS) with the rarely used UI and PI ratios was analysed. It was found that the 12-week micro-exposure to Zn and Cu did not inhibit but rather stimulated antioxidative defence at a sufficient level to increase the values of peroxidation/unsaturation indices in comparison to the control groups. Induction of an opposite process to oxidation of fatty acids was demonstrated. Maximum activities and amounts of antioxidants as well as minima of protein and lipid decomposition were recorded in groups supplemented with 0.75mg/l Zn and 1.0mg/l Cu. The possibility of a direct use of fatty acids as well as peroxidation/unsaturation indices as sensitive and reproducible biomarkers of exposure and oxidative physiological status in snails was confirmed.

Growth performance, digestibility, haematology, biochemistry, and some humoral immunity blood parameters of broiler chickens fed different levels of Boswellia serrata resin

The study determined the effect of three different levels of Boswellia serrata tree resin (BSR) supplementation in diets for broiler chickens on the growth performance, selected slaughter analysis, nutrient digestibility, as well as haematology, biochemical and some humoral immunity blood parameters. In total, 200 1-day-old broiler chickens were assigned randomly to four treatments. The broiler chickens were fed diets containing 0 (C), 1.5 (BSR1.5), 2 (BSR2), or 2.5% Boswellia serrata resin (BSR2.5). The BSR treatments improved (P < 0.05) the feed intake and feed conversion ratio at breeding Days 22–35, but did not differentiate the nutrient digestibility in the diets. The best-quality carcass with a high proportion of muscles and low fat content (Control versus BSR diets, linear, P < 0.05) was obtained in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with 2% and 2.5% BSR. The blood profile was affected by the BSR treatments. The lymphocyte count increased linearly in blood (P < 0.05) along the increasing amounts of BSR. The content of uric acid and aspartate aminotransferase activity in blood plasma decreased upon the BSR supplementation (Control vs BSR diets, linear, P < 0.05; and Control vs BSR diets, linear, P < 0.01, respectively). The resin of Boswellia serrata can be considered as a good botanical feed additive, which can have positive effects on the performance and health of broiler chickens.

Selected health behaviours of type 2 diabetes patients

Abstract Introduction. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease with an epidemic character. Its prevalence is associated with lifestyle, many environmental factors, and genetic determinants. Implementation of diet therapy is the basis for treatment of the disease. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess health behaviours and differences in these behaviours in type 2 diabetes patients taking their age into consideration. Material and methods. The questionnaire survey was carried out among 120 subjects diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The original questionnaire comprised questions on selected pro-health behaviours, e.g. prophylactic behaviour or self-monitoring in the disease. The statistical analysis was performed on 111 properly completed surveys. The respondents were divided into three age groups: subjects under 60 (n=24), between 60 and 75 (n=64), and over 75 years old (n=23). Results. Regardless of their age, the patients with type 2 diabetes indicated mainly arteriel hypertension as a coexisting complication. The basic element of patients’ self-monitoring was checking the blood pressure and glycaemia. Half of the patients declared body weight control, however, a majority were characterised by excessive body weight and abdominal fat deposits, irrespective of their age. Walking was the most popular form of physical activity chosen by the respondents. Regardless of their age, the type 2 diabetes patients exhibited similar readiness for self-education related to their disease. Conclusions. The surveyed respondents exhibited similar behaviours undertaken to keep healthy. The increase in the regularity of doctor appointments and in the use of pharmacotherapy was closely related to age of the respondents. The advanced age of the respondents had an impact on the regularity of foot inspection. Respondents over 75 years of age adhered to recommendations on the schedule of food and medicine intake, but used diet therapy less frequently.

Pregnant women’s attitudes towards organic food

Abstract Introduction. Proper and healthy nutrition during pregnancy is one of the strongest external determinants of normal development of the foetus. Due to its health-enhancing properties, organic food is its desirable element. Therefore, the analysis of the consumer behaviour associated with organic food among pregnant women seems relevant, in particular given the small number of scientific reports addressing this problem. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyse pregnant women’s behaviour and attitudes towards organic food. The investigations included opinions of the entire group of respondents and was intended to show differences between individual groups of women classified in terms of having children already or not. Material and methods. The survey involved 100 pregnant women living in Lublin and its surroundings, which were assigned into two survey groups: women already having children and those without children. An anonymous questionnaire designed as part of the study was the research tool. The questions were focused on indication of the motivations in the purchase and sources of information about organic food as well as consumer behaviour on the organic food market. Results. A majority of pregnant women assessed their financial situation as satisfactory. The main motive behind buying organic food was their wish to take special care of their health during the pregnancy period and the need to take care of the family. The women were familiar with the concept of organic food. Commercials were the frequent source of information among women expecting the first child and the Internet was the main source of information for those already having children. As specified by the pregnant women, health benefits, naturalness and the absence of chemical contamination are the characteristic features of organic food. Most of the respondents declared an intention to feed their children with organic food to minimise the exposure to chemical contamination. Conclusions. There were differences in the use of sources of information about organic food or the importance of individual determinants of their purchase by the pregnant women. This knowledge can be used on the organic food market to develop marketing solutions, which will be useful in satisfying the needs of this group of consumers more effectively.

Dietary supplementation with glucogenic precusors and fatty acids improves performance and health of periparturient dairy cows

This experiment aimed to make a comparison between the effect of a mix of two energy preparations (a glucogenic preparation (G) and a free fatty acid preparation (F)), administered in the diet during the transition period over different periods of time (5 or 8 weeks), on the animal condition, feed intake, yield and composition of milk, and blood and urine parameters. The experimental additive was a mixture (1 : 1) of two energy preparations, namely, a loose mixture of propylene glycol and sodium propionate and a free fatty acid preparation in the form of rumen-undegradable pellets. The study included 50 Polish Black-and-White Holstein–Friesian dairy cows, allocated into five treatment groups, including one control (C) and four experimental ones (G1F1, G2F2, G2F1 and G1F2). The preparations were mixed at a 1 : 1 weight ratio (500 g per head, comprising 250G and 250F) and they were administered to all experimental groups of cows daily as a component of the experimental concentrate for 5 weeks (from the 2nd week before the expected calving and until the 3rd week of lactation). From the 4th until the 6th week of lactation, the supplementation in the experimental groups changed and animals received either no additive (G1F1), or were continuously supplemented with the G–F mix (G2F2), or received only G (G2F1) or only F (G1F2). The preparations used in the study had a long-term influence on the increase in the milk yield of cows, on the improvement of their health condition, and on the reduction of weight loss. The study results confirmed that prolongation of the supplementation until the 6th week of lactation may cause favourable changes in animal performance and milk quality. Due to different modes of action, the simultaneous supplementation of G and F reduced the negative energy balance in the cow and improved milk production and composition. The best results were obtained after administration of the mixture (1 : 1) of the G and F at the dose of 500 g/cow.day over the 8-week periparturient period.