-The experiment evaluated the influence of isolated or associated phytogenic additives (PA) and organic acids (OA) on nutrient digestibility, performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Two experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments (with or without PA × with or without OA + antibiotic performance enhancer and anticoccidial). In the first experiment, two metabolic tests were conducted to determine the metabolizability coefficients of the nutrients of starter and growth diets. In the second experiment, 2520 one-day-old chicks were housed in 40 experimental units to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics. The phytogenic additives and organic acids, isolated or associated, improve the nutrient digestibility of the diet and replace the growth-promoting antibiotics. The use of organic acids isolated or associated with phytogenic additives in broiler diets improves broiler performance in comparison with free antibiotic performance enhancer at 42 days of age. Isolated or associated phytogenic additives and organic acids provided better carcass characteristics.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of corn texture and the particle size on broiler performance, carcass yield, nutrient digestibility, and digestive organ morphometrics. In Experiment I, 720 male Cobb chicks were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, consisting two corn textures (dented and hard) and three corn particle sizes, was applied, with four replicates of 30 birds each. Corn particle size was classified according to geometric mean diameter (GMD) as fine - 0.46 mm; medium - 0.73 mm, and coarse - 0.87 mm. In Experiment II, 120 broiler chicks were used to evaluate corn digestibility during the periods of 16 to 22 days and 35 to 41 days of age, using the method of total excreta collection. In Experiment I, corn particle size influenced body weight, average weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of 21-day-old birds. Corn texture and particle size did not affect the performance of 42-day-old broilers or carcass traits. In Experiment II, there was no influence of corn texture and particle size on digestive organ weights. Dented corn increased nitrogen excretion in the first trial, and hard corn improved dry matter digestibility in the second metabolic trial. Corn with fine particle size promotes better performance of broilers at 21 days of age. Hard corn results in higher dry matter digestibility and lower nitrogen excretion, and consequently higher production factor in 42-day-old broilers

BackgroundLocal timber is still one of the main sources of work and income for mountain communities. However, illegal logging is a major cause of deforestation in many countries and has significant impacts on local communities and biodiversity. Techniques for tracing timber would provide a useful tool to protect local timber industries and contribute to the fight against illegal logging. Although considerable progress has been made in food traceability, timber provenance is still a somewhat neglected research area. Stable isotope ratios in plants are known to reflect geographical variations. This study reports accurate spatial distribution of δ18O and δ2H in timber from north-eastern Italy (Trentino) in order to trace geographical origin.Methodology and principal findingsWe tested the accuracy of four kriging methods using an annual resolution of δ18O and δ2H measured in Picea abies. Pearson’s correlation coefficients revealed altitude to be the most appropriate covariate for the cokriging model, which has ultimately proved to be the best method due to its low estimation error.ConclusionsWe present regional maps of interpolated δ18O and δ2H in Picea abies wood together with the 95% confidence intervals. The strong spatial structure of the data demonstrates the potential of multivariate spatial interpolation, even in a highly heterogeneous area such as the Alps. We believe that this geospatial approach can be successfully applied on a wider scale in order to combat illegal logging.

RESUMOObjetivou-se avaliar o efeito da suplementação com glutamina e nucleotídeos na dieta sobre o desempenho e morfologia da mucosa intestinal de frangos de corte criados no sistema alternativo. Foram utilizados 600 pintos de corte machos distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 3x2 (três níveis de glutamina: 0,0; 0,5 e 1,0% e dois níveis de nucleotídeos purificados na dieta: 0,0 e 0,04%), totalizando 6 tratamentos, com 4 repetições de 25 aves cada. Foram obtidos os dados de desempenho (peso corporal, ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e mortalidade) aos 7, 21 e 42 dias de idade. Ao final do experimento foram abatidas 4 aves/tratamento para avaliação do peso de órgãos e da morfologia intestinal. A adição de 1% na dieta melhorou o ganho de peso, consumo de raçao e conversão alimentar na primeira semana de idade. Não sendo encontrados resultados positivos nos períodos de 21 e 42 dias de idade. A suplementação de glutamina e nucleotídeos em dietas de frangos de corte criados no sistema alternativo não influencia o desempenho e a morfologia intestinal, a inclusão de 1,0% de glutamina no período de 1 a 21 dias de idade, favorece o desempenho das aves. SUMMARYThe experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing glutamine and nucleotides on growth performance and development intestinal morphology in broiler chicks. In the trial, 600 male broiler chicks distributed in randomized blocks in a 3x2 factorial arrangement (consisting of a uniform basal diet supplemented with: 0.0, 0.5 or 1.0% glutamine, and 0.0 or 0.04% nucleotides), for a total of 6 treatments with 25 birds each. Means of performance (weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and mortality) were obtained 7, 21 and 42 days of age. At the end of the experiment 4 broilers per treatment were used to determine organs weight and development intestinal morphology. Glutamine supplementation (1%) improved the body weight, feed intake and feed conversion in the first week. Glutamine and nucleotides supplementation did not affect performance in broiler chicks in the period one to 21 and one to 42 days of age. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that feeding 1.0% glutamine improved growth performance of broiler birds at 21 days of age. INTRODUÇÃONo Brasil, como em outros países, temse observado crescente preocupação dos consumidores com a origem e qualidade dos produtos, exigindo alimentos saudáveis e ausência de resíduos. Com isso, as empre-