Feed contamination can lead to nutrient losses and detrimental effects on animal health and production. The purposes of this study were to investigate the mycobiota in equine mixed feeds and to determine natural contamination with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1). Fungal enumeration of equine feed samples was done. A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was applied to quantify AFB1 and FB1. A comparison between ELISA and HPLC was carried out. Feed mould counts ranged from <1 x 10(2) to 1 x 10(5) cfu/g. The most frequent genus isolated was Aspergillus (40.54%), followed by Penicillium (18.38%) and Fusarium (16.22%). The most prevalent Aspergillus sp. was A. flavus (36%). AFB1 values ranged between 0.01 and 99.4 microg/kg. FB(1) levels ranged between 0.01 and 7.49 microg/kg. HPLC and ELISA methods showed positive correlation for AFB1 and FB1 determinations (r = 0.9851 and r = 0.9791, respectively). The ELISA analytical method was efficient for AFB1 and FB1 detection. The scarcity of studies on natural fungal contamination and on the presence of AFB1 and FB1 in materials used as equine feed ingredients highlights the value and contribution of this study.
Significance and Impact of the Study: The mycotoxin contamination in ornamental birds is still poorly studied. There are limited numbers of reports about this subject. Most studies are still carried out in the poultry production. Due to potential contamination by fungi and mycotoxins in this feed, and the fact that there are limited data available in the world, the monitoring is highly relevant. Even if the amount of mycotoxins found is not enough to cause acute adverse effects, it is a sign that the feed will be less nutritious, and it will increase the risk of chronic mycotoxicoses. This is the first study supplying data on fungi and the occurrence of mycotoxins in Brazilian ornamental birds feed. AbstractThe purposes of this study were to determine the distribution of total mycobiota, to determine the occurrence of Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp. and to detect and quantify fumonisin B 1 and aflatoxin B 1 in birds' feedstuffs. Sixty samples from different commercial feeds were collected. Analysis of the total mycobiota was performed and total fungal counts were expressed as CFU g À1 . The isolation frequency (%) and relative density (%) of fungal genera and species were determined. Mycotoxins determination was carried out using commercial ELISA kits. The 48% of standard, 31% of premium and only 9% of super premium feed samples were found above of recommended limit (1 9 10 4 CFU g À1 ). Aspergillus (82%), Cladosporium (50%) and Penicillium (42%) were the most frequently isolated genera. Aspergillus niger aggregate (35%), Aspergillus fumigatus (28%) and Aspergillus flavus (18%) had the highest relative densities. Contamination with fumonisins was detected in 95% of total samples with levels from 0Á92 to 6Á68 lg g À1 , and the aflatoxins contamination was found in 40% of total samples with levels between 1Á2 and 9Á02 lg kg À1 . Feed samples contaminated with fumonisins and aflatoxins are potentially toxic to birds.
PurposeInspired by a framework about the insertion of sustainable development in business strategy proposed by Steurer et al., the purpose of this article is to describe the Caras do Brasil (Faces of Brazil) program, highlighting its characteristics and how these can contribute to a new interpretation of the framework initially proposed.Design/methodology/approachA posteriori longitudinal research was undertaken with the first phase containing the theoretical research and the second phase containing the study of the Caras do Brasil (Faces of Brazil) program, which was designed as an incentive for the commercial development of small producers.FindingsThe present case demonstrates two characteristics that give reason to refine the framework proposed by Steurer et al. stakeholder pressures (either transactional or interactional) present differently; and the pressure of stakeholders is predominantly related to social concerns, rather than the predominance of environmental concerns stated by Steurer et al.Research limitations/implicationsThe study limited itself to a posteriori data collection of the presented case, given that it was impossible to follow the program regularly from its implementation. The results were generated through the perspectives of employees in the sustainable development department of the Pão de Açucar Group, in view of the fact that it was not possible to interview each of the stakeholders involved.Practical implicationsFor managers of many companies, the case can be considered an example of programs that seek to develop commercial activities with producers of poorer regions through the equilibrium of the economic, social and environmental dimensions.Originality/valueThe article demonstrates the differences of interpretation of the framework proposed by Steurer et al. when it is used to analyze a business program in a southern country such as Brazil. Separating transactional and interactional stakeholders grants the framework a higher level of detail.
The meat of sharks and rays is commonly traded in Brazil under the generic name of cação. This compromises the monitoring of which species are being traded. In the present study, molecular marker techniques were applied to the species-level identification of elasmobranch meat traded in the southwest of the State of São Paulo. A total of 15 meats purchased in 2019 were partially sequenced (up to 655 base pairs) for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Of these meats, 14 were from Blue Shark, Prionace glauca, and one from Shortfin Mako Shark, Isurus oxyrinchus. Only two (13,3%) out of the 15 cação meat were species identified on its product label – the other meat was only labeled as cação. Both shark meat that had the scientific name stated on the package label correctly corresponded to the species identification obtained through DNA sequencing. It is suggested that similar studies be conducted in other non-coastal regions of the country to further understanding of the cação trade in locations where elasmobranch consumption is not habitual. The present study was the first to detect the Shortfin Mako Shark sold as cação in Brazil.Keywords: DNA Barcoding, elasmobranch, molecular marker, conservation
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.