Monoterpene concentrations in fresh,senescent, and decaying foliage of singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frem.: Pinaceae) from the western Great Basin

Senescent foliage from pines is potentially a large contributor to the total monoterpene content of the litter layer, and the availability of these compounds as phytotoxins may result from release of these compounds into the vapor phase. In order to determine the fate of several monoterpene hydrocarbons in the natural environment, we examined their concentrations in fresh, senescent, and decaying needles from 32 single-leaf pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frem.: Pinaceae) trees growing at two different locations. Total monoterpene content was highest in the fresh needles (mean=5.6 ± 2.2 mg/g extracted air dry weight), but also remained relatively high in senescent needles (mean=3.6 ±1.8 mg/g extracted air dry weight), either still attached to the tree or forming the freshest layer of understory litter. Decaying needles within a dark decomposing layer of litter material 5–20 cm from the surface were found to contain much lower amounts of total monoterpenes (average: =0.12 ±0.06 mg/g extracted air dry weight). Further investigation of the fate of these compounds in the pinyon understory is required to determine if these hydrocarbons are indeed exerting phytotoxic characteristics.     

Simulation of a localized heating system for broiler brooding to improve energy performance

The aim of this work is to evaluate the performance of an innovative localized solar‐assisted pen heating system for brooding using a 3D computational simulation model of the heated space. The warm air‐curtained pen ensures acceptable temperature, air velocity, relative humidity, and air quality that meet the ventilation and heat requirements for a typical pen of 100 chicks as recommended by the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers and American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The supply flow characteristics and the simulated velocity and temperature field of the curtained region were determined such that they meet the ventilation requirements and comfort criteria. Results show that air supplied at 40°C is capable of delivering the desired microenvironment at bird level while the heat input to the unit is 685 W when outdoor temperature is ?5°C. The system's energy performance was then analyzed using a prototype of 16 pens. The energy consumption of the new heating scheme consumed one third of the energy required by conventional non‐localized system. Moreover, integrating the new design with a solar system utilizing parabolic concentrators provided 72% of the power load from solar energy during a winter flock operation and 100% during other seasons. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

湖北早籼糙米营养价值研究(III)——糙米代替玉米作能量饲料对蛋鸡产蛋率和肉鸡增重与肉蛋品质影响的研究

以同一批孵化 1日龄AA肉鸡 4 4 0只、2 9周龄伊莎产蛋高峰期母鸡 4 0 0 0只 ,随机各分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ四个组 ,肉雏鸡每组 110只 ,产蛋母鸡每组 10 0 0只。两种鸡日粮中以糙米代替玉米 ,Ⅰ组为 0 ,即为对照组 ,Ⅱ组为 50 % ,Ⅲ组为 75% ,Ⅳ组为 10 0 %的处理 ,按单因子设计 ,进行对比饲养试验 ,肉鸡正试期 4 5d ,试验结束时进行屠宰试验 ,测定肉品质 ,产蛋鸡正试期 30d ,试验中采蛋进行蛋品质测定。对肉鸡以日增重、料肉比和肉品质为指标 ,产蛋鸡以产蛋率、料蛋比和蛋品质为指标 ,来考察糙米作为能量饲料的饲养效果和营养价值。试验结果 ,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组 ,肉鸡的日增重依次为 4 2 .7、4 4 .7、4 7.8和 50 .4g ;料肉比依次为 2 .12、2 .0 9、2 .0 4和1.96 ;肉品质各组接近 ,处于良好水平 ;蛋鸡产蛋率依次为 92 .5%、91.8%、93.2 %和 91.7% ,料蛋比依次为 2 .70、2 .75、2 .6 5和 2 .71,蛋品质各组间差异不显著 (P >0 .0 5) ,且居较好水平。结果表明 ,肉鸡和产蛋鸡各组间的各项考核指标与全玉米日粮组均很接近 ,差异不显著 (p >0 .0 5) ,证明了早籼糙米具有与玉米相同的饲养效果和营养价值 ,以 50 %至 10 0 %的比例代替玉米是完全可行的     

不同杀菌条件对软包装肉鸡鸡翅感官品质的影响

对比分析了相同杀菌值F=6 min下,不同杀菌温度(115、121、127℃)对软包装肉鸡鸡翅品质及感官的影响。试验结果表明,相同的环境升温时间6 min,达到相同的杀菌值F=6 min时,115、121、127℃的恒温时间分别为35、15、11 min,降温时间分别为12.5、13.5、15.5 min。杀菌温度对鸡翅色泽、质构TPA、剪切力的影响显著(P<0.05);杀菌温度越高,L*、b*值越大,而a*越小;不同杀菌温度处理后鸡翅的TPA与剪切力的变化具有协同性,127℃处理后的鸡翅剪切力值及硬度、弹性、咀嚼性等指标值最大。感官分析比较得出,不同杀菌温度处理后的鸡翅之间气味和滋味差异不大,而高温短时鸡翅外观更好,咀嚼性、弹性更高,总体口感更佳。因此,鸡翅的高温短时杀菌,不仅效率高,且色泽好,剪切力高,对鸡翅品质破坏小。     

Effect of Echinacea purpurea L. on oxidative status and meat quality in Arbor Acres broilers

BACKGROUND: Echinacea purpurea L. (EP) is a popular herbal antioxidant and immunomodulator. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of EP on meat quality and oxidative status in broilers. Two hundred and fifty (1‐day‐old) male broilers (Arbor Acres) were randomly allocated to five groups including the control (corn‐soybean meal diet) and 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% EP powder groups, with two replicates per treatment group. RESULTS: The results indicated that the addition of 0.5% and 1.0% EP significantly increased water‐holding capacity and decreased storage loss of breast and thigh fillets at 35 days old. For fillet colour, L* (lightness) values were lower, and a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values were higher with EP supplementation. Lower crude fat contents were observed in EP groups in comparison with control at 35 days of age in breast and thigh fillets, respectively. Production of malondialdehyde was slightly reduced in serum of EP supplemented birds compared to the control group. Results for Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly higher for the 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% EP supplemental groups than control group in serum. Liver and spleen tissues results showed that the antioxidative enzymes activities were higher with EP powder at 35 days of age. CONCLUSION: Dried EP can be used as a feed additive to improve the meat quality and oxidative status in Arbor Acres broilers. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Growth performance,nutrient digestibility and immune response of broiler chicks fed diets supplemented with a culture of Lactobacillus bulgaricus

BACKGROUND: Probiotics are being developed for use in animal feed to enhance production performance and prevention of gastrointestinal infections. The ban on using antibiotics as growth promoters, antibiotic resistance and the inherent problems of developing new vaccines make a compelling case for developing alternatives for in‐feed antibiotics. The alternatives of choice have to be considered under the environmental conditions of the animal. Among the probiotics in use today, Lactobacillus has been shown to play a vital role in disease prevention, immune enhancement, improved growth and carcass yield in poultry. The present study investigates the effect of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (LB)‐based probiotic on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and immune response of broilers under tropical environmental conditions. RESULTS: Broilers fed LB diets consumed more feed (P < 0.05) and had greater body weight gain than the control group. Feed/gain ratio improved significantly (P < 0.05) with the 20, 40 and 60 mg kg^?1 LB diets compared with the control or 80 mg kg^?1 LB diet. The apparent digestibilities of nitrogen and fat increased with LB supplementation. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in fibre digestibility. White blood cell count increased significantly in broilers fed higher levels (>40 mg kg^?1) of LB compared with the control group. Antibody production measured as antibody titre against Newcastle disease vaccine showed a curvilinear response over the range of LB concentrations examined. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that LB addition to broiler chick diets significantly improved growth performance, increased nutrient digestibility and stimulated humoral immune response. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

五种单体酶配伍对肉仔鸡生长性能及非淀粉多糖消化率的影响

研究在小麦基础日粮中添加五种单体酶制剂(木聚糖酶、β-葡聚糖酶、纤维素酶、植酸酶和甘露聚糖酶)对1～21日龄肉仔鸡生长性能和非淀粉多糖(NSP)消化率的影响。试验将624只1日龄肉仔鸡按均匀设计方法随机分成13组,其中第13组为对照组,各处理组日粮为上述五种单体酶制剂的不同配伍添加在基础日粮中组成。结果表明,五种单体酶制剂的不同配伍能不同程度提高肉仔鸡生长性能和NSP的消化率。其最佳的配伍水平为:木聚糖酶450 u·kg-1、β-葡聚糖酶47 u·kg-1、纤维素酶333 u·kg-1、植酸酶135u·kg-1、甘露聚糖酶153 u·kg-1。     

L-肉碱对肉鸡腹脂沉积的影响及作用机理探讨

选用 4 80羽 1日龄Avain肉鸡 ,随机分成 4个处理组 ,分别饲喂添加 0、2 5、5 0、75 (mg/kg)L -肉碱的试验饲粮 4 9d ,研究L -肉碱对肉鸡腹脂沉积的影响及其作用机理。结果表明 :不同水平L -肉碱对肝重比率和肝脂含量均无明显影响 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,但添加 5 0mg/kg和 75mg/kgL -肉碱均显著地降低了肉鸡腹脂重比率(P <0 .0 5 )。添加 5 0mg/kg和 75mg/kgL -肉碱使腹脂中激素敏感脂酶的总活力增强 (P <0 .0 3) ,苹果酸脱氢酶的总活力降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;使胸肌中总肉碱含量 (P <0 .0 5 )、酸不溶肉碱含量 (P <0 .0 1)及其与游离肉碱含量的比值 (P <0 .0 3)增高 ;使血清中总肉碱 (P <0 .0 1)、游离脂肪酸 (P <0 .0 1)和肌酸酐浓度 (P <0 .0 3)提高 ,甘油三酯浓度降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。上述结果提示 :L -肉碱通过改变鸡体内脂肪代谢相关酶的活力 ,促进脂肪酸的氧化利用 ,而产生降低腹脂沉积的效果