No abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of curcumin‐loaded nanocapsules (prepared and characterized) in the diets of dairy sheep improved milk quality. The nanocapsules were prepared using two polymers: poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) and Eudragit L‐100. The nanocapsules contained 0.25 mg/ml (Nano‐Eudragit L‐100) and 2 mg/ml (Nano‐PCL) of curcumin. Dairy sheep were divided into four groups: A (control), B (30 mg free curcumin/kg concentrate), C (3 mg Nano‐PCL/kg concentrate), and D (3 mg Nano‐Eudragit/kg concentrate). We observed that the number of total leukocytes and serum globulin levels were lower in Group D than in the control (Group A) (p < 0.05). Antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP) and catalase enzymes was elevated in Group D, with consequently reduced lipid peroxidation (LPO; p < 0.05). In milk, there were no differences in production and composition between groups during the experimental period (p > 0.05); however, ACAP increased and LPO decreased in milk. Practical applications Curcumin is a functional molecule with potent antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial actions, used frequently and with medical indications in human food. Free curcumin in sheep diets improves milk quality and increases its shelf life. This study showed that curcumin nanocapsules produced from the Eudragit L‐100 polymer potentiated the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant actions of dairy sheep when used in the diet daily, at doses 10 times lower than that of free curcumin. These positive effects were reflected in higher total antioxidant capacity and lower lipid peroxidation in milk in sheep‐fed curcumin‐loaded Eudragit L‐100 nanocapsules, generating desirable milk properties. In practice, the use of nanotechnology enhances the beneficial effects of curcumin in milk, possibly creating a nutraceutical food desirable to consumers.

Graphical abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Contamination of crops with aflatoxin is considered a serious global threat to food safety, since potent carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic and immunosuppressive effects of aflatoxins are well recognized. Recently, the use of adsorbents has been linked with protective effects against oxidative stress in several diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of oxidative stress in quails (Coturnix coturnix) fed with aflatoxin-contaminated diet, as well as the protective effect of an adsorbent. Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty-eight quails were divided into four groups (n = 7): diet without additives (control; the group A), diet and adsorbent containing aluminosilicates (the group B), aflatoxin-contaminated diet (200 ppb) (the group C), and aflatoxin-contaminated diet (200 ppb) and adsorbent containing aluminosilicates (the group D). The composition of the adsorbent containing aluminosilicates was 0.3% based on yeast cell wall, silymarin, and bentonite. The animals received feed and water ad libitum during 20 days. At the end of the experimental period, total blood was collected by cardiac puncture in tubes without anticoagulant to obtain serum (centrifuged at 3500 g during 10 min) for later determination of biochemical parameters. The liver was placed in a solution of Tris-HCl 10 mM, pH 7.4 for TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), ROS (Reactive oxygen species), SOD (Superoxide dismutase) and CAT (Catalase) analysis. The hepatic tissue was gently homogenized in a glass potter in specific buffer, homogenated, and centrifuged at 10.000 g at 4ºC for 10 min to yield a supernatant (S1) used for analyses. Homogenate aliquots were stored at -80°C until utilization. Fragments of liver and intestine (5 cm) were collected for histopathological analyses. Between days 15 to 20 of the experiment, group C quails showed clinical signs, such as apathy, creepy feathers and reduced feed intake. At day 20 of experiment, macroscopically, the liver of quails belonging to the group C showed greenish yellow color differently from the other groups. Microscopically, no alterations were observed in the liver of animals in groups A and B. Severe diffuse microvacuolar degeneration (hydropic) of hepatocytes and small foci of necrosis in the liver were observed in the group C, as observed in the group D, but in a more moderate degree to microvacuolar degeneration. Seric total protein, albumin, globulin and uric acid levels decreased in the group C and D. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased in the group C, and the treatment with adsorbent was able to avoid this increment. Seric and hepatic reactive oxygen species and TBARS increased in the group C, and the treatment with adsorbent reduced theses parameters in the group D. Catalase (CAT) activity decreased, while ALA-D increased in the group C. The treatment with adsorbent was able to prevent CAT activity decrease, but it did not prevent the increase in ALA-D activity. Discussion: Aflatoxins are considered one of the mo...

No abstract

RESUMO:Alphitobius diaperinus, popularmente conhecido como cascudinho, é um inseto que se destaca na avicultura por ser vetor de patógenos e de difícil controle. Esta dificuldade está relacionada à contraindicação na utilização de produtos químicos, já que enquanto as aves estão no aviário, grandes prejuízos podem ocorrer em consequência de elevadas infestações. Portanto, produtos naturais com potencial inseticida e larvicida poderiam ser usados, sem prejudicar as aves e sem deixar resíduo na carne do frango. Em virtude disso, neste estudo objetivou-se verificar o efeito dos óleos essenciais de Capim limão (Cymbopogon citratus), Cedro (Cedrus atlantica), Gengibre (Zingiber officinale), Gerânio (Pelargonium graveolens), Junípero (Juniperus communis), Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii), Tomilho (Thymus vulgaris) e Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) sobre a suscetibilidade de A. diaperinus. Os testes foram realizados em triplicata com os óleos essenciais nas concentrações de 1, 5 e 10%. A fim de validar os testes, foram utilizados dois controles: sem tratamento e com diluente (Triton). Os efeitos larvicida e inseticida do óleo de Capim limão não foi satisfatório, pois a taxa de mortalidade superior a 50% foi atingida apenas 14 e 16 dias após o início do teste, respectivamente. O óleo de Cedro não demostrou efeito significativo sobre adultos e larvas, pois os valores de mortalidade foram inferiores a 50% em todas as concentrações avaliadas. Os efeitos inseticidas e larvicidas não foram observados nos demais óleos nas concentrações testadas neste experimento (P>0,05). Portanto, com base nos resultados de baixa ação inseticida e larvicida dos óleos testados sobre A. diaperinus in vitro, concluímos que os mesmos são inadequados para o controle alternativo desta praga Palavras-chave: controle alternativo; óleos essenciais; inseticida; avicultura ABSTRACT: Alphitobius diaperinus, the aviary mealworm, is an insect that stands out in poultry to be vector of pathogens and difficult to control. The difficulty in control is related to the contraindication in the use of chemicals while the birds are in the aviary, and large losses can occur as a result of high infestations. Therefore, natural products with potential insecticide and larvicide could be used without harming the birds, as well as without leaving residue in chicken meat. As a result, this study aimed to verify the effect of Lemon Grass oil (Cymbopogon citratus), Cedar (Cedrus atlantica), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Junipero (Juniperus communis), Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) on the susceptibility of