Estimates of daily oxygen consumption,carbon dioxide and methane emissions,and heat production for beef and dairy cattle using spot gas sampling

A simulation study was conducted to examine accuracy of estimating daily O₂ consumption, CO₂ and CH₄ emissions, and heat production (HP) using a spot sampling technique and to determine optimal spot sampling frequency (FQ). Data were obtained from 3 experiments where daily O₂ consumption, emissions of CO₂ and CH₄, and HP were measured using indirect calorimetry (respiration chamber or headbox system). Experiment 1 used 8 beef heifers (ad libitum feeding; gaseous exchanges measured every 30 min over 3 d in respiration chambers); Experiment 2 used 56 lactating Holstein-Friesian cows (restricted feeding; gaseous exchanges measured every 12 min over 3 d in respiration chambers); Experiment 3 used 12 lactating Jersey cows (ad libitum feeding; gaseous exchanges measured every hour for 1 d using headbox style chambers). Within experiment, averages of all measurements (FQALL) and averages of measurements selected at time points with 12, 8, 6, or 4 spot sampling FQ (i.e., sampling every 2, 3, 4, and 6 h in a 24-h cycle, respectively; FQ12, FQ8, FQ6, and FQ4, respectively) were compared. Within study a mixed model was used to compare gaseous exchanges and HP among FQALL, FQ12, FQ8, FQ6, and FQ4, and an interaction of dietary treatment by FQ was examined. A regression model was used to evaluate accuracy of spot sampling within study [i.e., FQALL (observed) vs. FQ12, FQ8, FQ6, or FQ4 (estimated)]. No interaction of diet by FQ was observed for any variables except for CH₄ production in experiment 1. No FQ effect was observed for gaseous exchanges and HP except in experiment 2 where CO₂ production was less (5,411 vs. 5,563 L/d) for FQ4 compared with FQALL, FQ12, and FQ8. A regression analysis between FQALL and each FQ within study showed that slopes and intercepts became farther from 1 and 0, respectively, for almost all variables as FQ decreased. Most variables for FQ12 and FQ8 had root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) less than 10% of the mean and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) greater than 0.80, and RMSPE increased and CCC decreased as FQ decreased. When a regression analysis was conducted with combined data from the 3 experiments (mixed model with study as a random effect), results agreed with those from the analysis for the individual studies. Prediction errors increased and CCC decreased as FQ decreased. Generally, all the estimates from FQ12, FQ8, FQ6, and FQ4 had RMSPE less than 10% of the means and CCC greater than 0.90 except for FQ6 and FQ4 for O₂ consumption and CH₄ production. In conclusion, the spot sampling simulation with 3 indirect calorimetry experiments indicated that FQ of at least 8 samples (every 3 h in a 24-h cycle) was required to estimate daily O₂ consumption, CO₂ and CH₄ production, and HP and to detect changes in those in response to dietary treatments. This sampling FQ may be considered when using techniques that measure spot gas exchanges such as the GreenFeed and face mask systems.     

Significant population genetic structuring in Rhyzopertha dominica across Turkey: Biogeographic and practical implications

Rhyzopertha dominica is a key pest of stored grain. Understanding the movement of this beetle on broad geographic scales is crucial, particularly when developing strategies to prevent the spread of phosphine resistance. We assessed population genetic structuring in this pest across Turkey, using a combination of mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I) and microsatellite markers. In addition, we screened samples for Wolbachia, as this endosymbiont has previously been suggested to be associated with low mitochondrial genetic diversity in this beetle. Mitochondrial genetic diversity was low, with only six haplotypes identified. The genetic diversity was, however, substantially higher than that previously found in Australia or India, suggesting that R. dominica may have originated in the Middle East. Wolbachia were detected only at a single site, indicating they are not impacting the mitochondrial genetic diversity of R. dominica across Turkey. Microsatellite markers indicated there is significant geographic genetic structuring across Turkey, even among sites less than 100 km apart, suggesting there is little movement of beetles across regions within the country. This contrasts with the significantly higher levels of gene-flow found in Australia and the United States. We suggest that the limited movement of beetles across Turkey may be due to a combination of the historically localised agricultural practices (which limits anthropogenic movement among regions), and the mountainous landscape (which limits active flight among regions). Our results demonstrate that the movement of stored product pests may differ significantly across studies conducted in different countries. As a consequence, phosphine resistance management strategies must incorporate region specific information on the extent of beetle movement.     

Insights into biological delignification of rice straw by Trametes hirsuta and Myrothecium roridum and comparison of saccharification yields with dilute acid pretreatment

Rice straw is the most abundant agricultural residue on a global scale and is widely available as feedstock for cellulosic fuel production. However, it is highly recalcitrant to biochemical deconstruction and also generates inhibitors that affect enzymatic saccharification. Rice straw from eastern Arkansas was subjected to dilute acid pretreatment (160 °C, 48 min and 1.0% sulfuric acid) and solid-state fermentation with two lignocellulolytic fungi, Trametes hirsuta and Myrothecium roridum, and their saccharification efficacies were compared. T. hirsuta and M. roridum were tested separately; pretreatment of rice straw with either strain for seven days resulted in 19 and 70% enrichment of its holocellulose content, respectively. However, liquid chromatography analysis of the alkali extracts showed significant differences in cell wall degradation by T. hirsuta and M. roridum. T. hirsuta removed 15% more phenolic compounds and 38% more glucan than M. roridum, while M. roridum removed 77% more xylan than T. hirsuta. Fungal and dilute acid pretreated biomass was then hydrolyzed using Accellerase^® 1500, a saccharification cocktail. Saccharification efficiency of M. roridum was 37% higher than that of dilute acid pretreatment of rice straw, requiring 8% lower enzyme loading and 50% shorter enzymatic hydrolysis duration. Alkali extraction of fungal pretreated biomass also yielded 10–15 g kg⁻¹ of acid precipitable polymeric lignin (APPL), which is a valuable co-product for biorefineries. In comparison to dilute acid pretreatment, fungal pretreatment could be a cost-effective alternative for the degradation of recalcitrant biomass, such as rice straw.     

Application of a membrane technology to remove bacteriophages from whey

Whey from former cheese batches can be recycled either to increase the yield or to improve texture properties of fat reduced cheeses. However, in the case of the presence of bacteriophages, pasteurization may not be sufficient to eliminate phages in whey. Therefore, in this work, a cross-flow membrane filtration process was designed to separate whey proteins from whey-derived phages. Filtration experiments were carried out using native whey as model filtration medium, three polyethersulfone membranes (100, 300 and 500 kDa) that were studied in detail, and lactococcal phage P008. Filtration performance was characterized by phage retention, total whey protein permeation, and permeation of the major whey proteins α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin. Filtration experiments showed that it is possible to reduce the number of phages in whey by filtration to a level at which subsequent phage multiplication is minimized and, concomitantly, high protein permeation through the membrane is ensured.     

Effects of developmental stage,cold acclimation and diet on the cold tolerance of three species of Cryptolestes (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae)

Flat grain beetles (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) are common stored-product insect pests in Canada, infesting cereals in grain bins, equipment and end products in flour mills. We studied the cold tolerance of the three most common flat grain beetles: Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Cryptolestes turcicus and Cryptolestes pusillus, by measuring the survival at −10 °C and supercooling point (SCP) for different life stages (egg, young larva, old larva, pupa and adult) reared on flour mixed with brewer’s yeast. Probit analysis was used to estimate the lethal time for 50 and 95% mortality. This was done with non-acclimated individuals (only held at 30 °C) or cold-acclimated individuals (held at 18, 10 and 5 °C, for 1 week/temperature). In general, adults were the most cold-hardy stage for each of the species. Acclimated insects were anywhere from no increase in cold tolerance to 14-fold more cold-tolerant than the corresponding non-acclimated stage and species. Cryptolestes ferrugineus was most cold-tolerant species (58 d at −10 °C to reach 95% mortality for acclimated adult), C. turcicus was the next most cold-tolerant, (39 d) and C. pusillus was the least cold-tolerant (11 d). The cold tolerance of adults reared on three diets was measured both for acclimated and non-acclimated insects. The adults reared on grain diet (whole wheat kernels, cracked wheat kernels and wheat germ (90:5:5 mass ratio) were the most cold-tolerant, adults reared on white-wheat flour and brewer’s yeast diet (95:5 mass ratio) had the next highest cold tolerance followed by the adults reared on 100% white-wheat flour. Supercooling point (SCP) of insects ranged from −20.6 to −26.7 °C. In general, acclimated insects had slightly lower SCP than non-acclimated insects.     

Mortality and progeny production of four stored-product insect species on three grain commodities treated with Beauveria bassiana and diatomaceous earths

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to estimate the effectiveness of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) at 1.5 × 10⁸ and 1.5 × 10¹⁰ conidia/kg grain alone or mixed with the diatomaceous earths (DEs) Protect-It at 150 ppm and DEBBM at 50 ppm against adults of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus Stephens (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae), the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and the psocid, Liposcelis paeta Pearman (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae). The adult insects were exposed to treated grains for 7, 14 and 21 days. For progeny emergence data, the treated units were remained under the same conditions for 62 days for all beetles and 30 days for psocids. The results revealed significant differences in mortalities of insect species among treatments and grains. The combined use of B. bassiana, at the highest dose, and DE increased adult mortalities of all species. In general, the treatments were least effective against T. castaneum and most effective against L. paeta. More numbers of dead insects were found on wheat than on rice or maize. The emergence of progeny was considerably reduced on grains treated with B. bassiana, at the highest dose, plus DE. The results of the present study suggest that the effectiveness of B. bassiana is fortified by the addition of DEs, but it varies among exposed insect species and commodities.     

New food safety challenges of viral contamination from a global perspective: Conventional,emerging, and novel methods of viral control

Food- and waterborne viruses, such as human norovirus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, rotaviruses, astroviruses, adenoviruses, and enteroviruses, are major contributors to all foodborne illnesses. Their small size, structure, and ability to clump and attach to inanimate surfaces make viruses challenging to reduce or eliminate, especially in the presence of inorganic or organic soils. Besides traditional wet and dry methods of disinfection using chemicals and heat, emerging physical nonthermal decontamination techniques (irradiation, ultraviolet, pulsed light, high hydrostatic pressure, cold atmospheric plasma, and pulsed electric field), novel virucidal surfaces, and bioactive compounds are examined for their potential to inactivate viruses on the surfaces of foods or food contact surfaces (tools, equipment, hands, etc.). Every disinfection technique is discussed based on its efficiency against viruses, specific advantages and disadvantages, and limitations. Structure, genomic organization, and molecular biology of different virus strains are reviewed, as they are key in determining these techniques effectiveness in controlling all or specific foodborne viruses. Selecting suitable viral decontamination techniques requires that their antiviral mechanism of action and ability to reduce virus infectivity must be taken into consideration. Furthermore, details about critical treatments parameters essential to control foodborne viruses in a food production environment are discussed, as they are also determinative in defining best disinfection and hygiene practices preventing viral infection after consuming a food product.