M. Marounek

Growth performance and fatty acid profiles of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat from Limousin and Charolais heifers fed extruded linseed.

Forty-eight heifers, Limousin (LI) and Charolais (CH) breed, were used to evaluate the effect of a basal mixed diet with linseed supplementation (108g/kg DM) on performance and fatty acid (FA) composition of M. longissimus thoracis (MLT) and subcutaneous fat. The feed intake and weight gains were higher, and feed per gain ratio lower in CH heifers than in LI heifers. The muscle lipids and subcutaneous fat of LI heifers contained significantly more MUFA, PUFA, CLA, and less SFA than the lipids of CH heifers. The feeding of extruded linseed significantly increased the concentration of linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), CLA, and decreased PUFA n-6 to PUFA n-3 ratio in lipids extracted from both tissues. Linseed supplementation decreased SFA and increased PUFA in subcutaneous fat. In MLT lipids of linseed-fed heifers PUFA of the n-3 series were increased. It can be concluded that the growth performance of LI heifers was lower, but that their lipids contained more FA that are thought to be important for human health. The feeding of linseed at 108g/kg DM enhanced the nutritive value of beef in terms of FA profile. Breed differences were generally more important than effects of the diet. Dietary effects, however, were more pronounced in PUFA n-3 and arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6).

Susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens to C2–C18 fatty acids

Aims:  To determine susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens strains CCM 4435T and CNCTC 5459 to C2–C18 fatty acids, and evaluate influence of pH in cultures grown on glucose. Straw particles were added to cultures to simulate the presence of solid phase of the digestive tract milieu.

Susceptibility ofEscherichia coli to C2-C18 fatty acids

The antimicrobial activity of C2–C18 fatty acids was determinedin vitro in cultures of two strains ofEscherichia coli grown on glucose. Antimicrobial activity was expressed as IC50 (a concentration at which only 50 % of the initial glucose in the cultures was utilized). Utilization of glucose was inhibited by caprylic acid (IC50 0.30–0.85 g/L) and capric acid (IC50 1.25–2.03 g/L). Neither short-chain fatty acids (C2–C6) nor fatty acids with longer chain (C12–C18) influenced substrate utilization. Caproic acid, however, decreased cell yield in cultures ofE. coli in a dose-dependent manner. No inhibition of glucose utilization was produced with unsaturated fatty acids, oleic and linoleic. Calcium ions added in excess reversed the antimicrobial effect of capric acid, but not that of caprylic acid. Antimicrobial activity of caprylic and capric acid decreased when the bacteria were grown in the presence of straw particles, or repeatedly subcultured in a medium containing these compounds at low concentrations. Counts of viable bacteria determined by plating decreased after incubation with caprylic and capric acid (30 min; 1 g/L) at pH 5.2 from >109 to ≈102/mL. A reduction of a mere 0.94–1.96 log10 CFU was observed at pH 6.5–6.6. It can be concluded that caprylic acid, and to a lesser extent also capric acid, has a significant antimicrobial activity towardE. coli. Effects of other fatty acids were not significant or absent.

Influence of dietary selenium and vitamin E on quality of veal

Three groups of six calves each were fed a milk replacer and a starter concentrate for 15weeks. Calves of the first group received the basal diet containing selenium (Se) and vitamin E at 0.095-0.128mg and 30-33mg per kg of total solids, respectively. Calves of the second group received the basal diet supplemented with Se-enriched yeast to increase dietary Se concentration to 0.50mg/kg. The third group of calves received the latter diet supplemented with vitamin E to increase its concentration to 100mg/kg. There was no effect of diet on growth rate, digestibility of dry matter and Se, chemical composition of meat (M. Longissimus thoracis et lumborum), meat colour and fatty acid profile of meat lipids. The Se supplementation significantly increased Se concentration in muscle from 0.21 to 0.43mg/kg. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in muscle and liver tissue of Se-supplemented animals was increased by 56% and 67%, respectively, compared to the control. The combined supplementation of vitamin E and Se significantly improved the lipid stability of meat compared to the control diet, but not compared to the Se-supplemented diet. It can be concluded that dietary Se supplementation increases the concentration of Se and the GSH-Px activity in meat, but has limited potential for improving meat oxidative stability.

Influence of pH on antimicrobial activity of organic acids against rabbit enteropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli.

Susceptibility of the rabbit enteropathogenic strainEscherichia coli C6 (O 128 serogroup) to C6–C14 fatty acids, oleic, citric, lactic and fumaric acid at 5 mg/mL was determined by the plating technique in the near-neutral pH region (pH ≈ 6.5), and in a weakly acid and acid environment (pH 5.4±0.1 and 2.2–2.5, respectively). In the near-neutral pH region caproic and caprylic acid reduced the concentration of viable cells by 3 and 6 orders, respectively. At lower pH the bactericidal effect of caproic acid remained similar, but caprylic acid decreased the concentration of viable cells to <100/mL. The bactericidal activity of capric acid was low at pH 6.5 but increased at pH 5.3. High environmental acidity was intrinsically bactericidal and at very low pH the effects of fatty acids were thus less pronounced. Citric acid reduced the counts of viable cells to 1/10. Antimicrobial activity of other acids examined was marginal or absent. Medium-chain fatty acids, capry lic and, to a lesser extent, also caproic and capric acid were better antimicrobials than other organic acids examined; the antimicrobial activity of fatty acids toward the C6 strain was pH-dependent. Beneficial effects of citric, lactic and fumaric acid reported by animal nutritionists are thus probably related to factors other than their direct antimicrobial action.

The simple and sensitive measurement of malondialdehyde in selected specimens of biological origin and some feed by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography

A method for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in specimens of animal tissues and feed has been developed using high performance liquid chromatography. The MDA concentration in acidified urine samples was determined after its conversion with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) to a hydrazone (MDA-DNPH). Samples of blood plasma, muscle, liver and feed were prepared by saponification followed by derivatisation with DNPH to MDA-DNPH. The MDA concentration in chicken and hen feed samples was analysed after saponification and derivatisation followed by extractions with hexane. The free MDA in plasma samples was determined after deproteinization followed by derivatisation of MDA with DNPH. The chromatographic separation of MDA-DNPH samples was conducted using Phenomenex C(18)-columns (Synergi 2.5 μm, Hydro-RP, 100 Å, the length of 100mm) with an inner diameter of 2 or 3mm. MDA in processed biological samples was analysed using a linear gradient of acetonitrile in water, and the photodiode detector was set to 307 or 303 nm for detection. The current method that was utilised was based on the high-efficient derivatisation of MDA and was more sensitive compared to previously used methods. The selective and sensitive photodetection of the column effluent was found to be suitable for the routine analysis of MDA in urine, plasma, muscles and liver of animals and some feed samples. Because urine or blood plasma samples can be derivatised in a simple manner, the proposed method can also be suitable for the routine, non-invasive evaluation of oxidative stress in animals and humans.

Bifidobacteria in the digestive tract of bumblebees.

Bifidobacteria and other bacterial groups (lactobacilli, facultative anaerobes, anaerobes) from the digestive tract of three bumblebee species (Bombus lucorum (34 samples), Bombus pascuorum (18 samples) and Bombus lapidarius (9 samples)) were enumerated and characterised. Counts of facultative anaerobic bacteria and lactobacilli (5.41+/-2.92 and 2.69+/-3.02 log CFU/g of digestive tract content) were lower than those of anaerobes (7.66+/-0.86 log CFU/g). Counts of bifidobacteria were determined using two selective media: MTPY (Modified Trypticase Phytone Yeast extract agar) and a new medium with pollen extract. There was no significant difference between the counts of bifidobacteria from both media, 5.00+/-2.92 log CFU/g on MTPY and 5.00+/-2.87 on the pollen medium. Subsequently, 187 bacterial strains of the family Bifidobacteriaceae (fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive) were isolated from three different localities and from all three species of bumblebees. Bifidobacteria were found in 42 out of 61 specimens (69%). Twenty-three (38%) specimens had counts of bifidobacteria higher than 7.0 log CFU/g. Bifidobacteria represented the dominant group of anaerobes (>70% of total anaerobes), i.e., the principal group of bacteria in the bumblebee digestive tract, in only fourteen specimens (23% of total). For the first time, bifidobacteria were isolated from the digestive tract of bumblebees. In addition, we suggest, on the basis of biochemical tests (API 50 CHL and RAPID ID 32) and genetic methods (PCR and DGGE), that these bacteria may represent new species within the family of Bifidobacteriaceae.

Enrichment of bifidobacteria in the hen caeca by dietary inulin.

Caecal bifidobacterial concentration was increased more than 3-fold in inulin-treated laying hens. The counts of bifidobacteria in birds fed as the control were 9.64, in inulin-diet fed ones 10.17 log CFU/g of caecal content, respectively. Dietary inulin had no effect on caecal microbial metabolite concentration. The proportion of inulin-fermenting bifidobacteria in the total bifidobacteria increased 2-fold in inulin-treated birds.

Effect of feeding growing–fattening rabbits a diet supplemented with whole white lupin (Lupinus albus cv. Amiga) seeds on fatty acid composition and indexes related to human health in hind leg meat and perirenal fat

A total of 20 weaned rabbits (33 days old) (10 per treatment) were fed one of two diets that included 150 g of sunflower meal (SF)/kg of diet or 120 g of whole white lupin (WL)/kg of diet for 42 days. The WL diet contained less saturated fatty acids (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) but more monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) than the SF diet. The WL diet significantly decreased SFA and PUFA content, as well as the PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3 ratio and saturation, atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes in hind leg meat. The fatty acid composition in perirenal fat was similar to that of hind leg meat; however, significantly higher MUFA levels were observed in rabbits fed the WL diet. Thus, feeding rabbits the WL diet affected the fatty acid profile of hind leg meat and perirenal fat in a favourable manner.

Susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni to organic acids and monoacylglycerols

Organic acids can be used as feed supplements or for treatment of poultry carcasses in processing plants. The antimicrobial activity of nineteen organic acids and two monoacylglycerols in cultures of Campylobacter jejuni CCM 6214T (ATCC 33560) was determined using a SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay. The IC50 was a concentration at which only 50 % of a bacteria specific DNA sequence was amplified. Caprylic, capric and lauric acids were the most efficient antimicrobials among the compounds tested (IC50 ≤ 0.1 mg/mL). In a weakly acidic environment (pH 5.5), the antimicrobial activity was more pronounced than at pH 6.5. At pH 5.5, oleic and fumaric acid also had clear antimicrobial activity, as did monocaprylin. The antimicrobial activity of acetic, butyric, stearic and succinic acid was low. In cells treated with fumaric acid, the potential of potassium and tetraphenylphosphonium ion-selective electrodes changed, indicating an increase in cytoplasmic and outer membrane permeability, respectively. No changes in membrane permeability were observed in cells treated with capric acid or monocaprin. Transmission electron microscopy revealed separation of the inner and outer membrane in cells treated with capric and fumaric acid, as well as cytoplasmic disorganization in cells exposed to capric acid.