No abstract

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi. The occurrence of mycotoxins in food and feed causes negative health impacts on both humans and animals. Clay binders, yeast cell walls, or antioxidant additives are the most widely used products for mycotoxin elimination to reduce their impact. Although conventional methods are constantly improving, current research trends are looking for innovative solutions. Nanotechnology approaches seem to be a promising, effective, and low-cost way to minimize the health effects of mycotoxins. This review aims to shed light on the critical knowledge gap in mycotoxin elimination by nanotechnology. There are three main strategies: mold inhibition, mycotoxin adsorption, and reducing the toxic effect via nanoparticles. One of the most promising methods is the use of carbon-based nanomaterials. Graphene has been shown to have a huge surface and high binding capacity for mycotoxins. Attention has also been drawn to polymeric nanoparticles; they could substitute adsorbents or enclose any substance, which would improve the health status of the organism. In light of these findings, this review gives new insights into possible future research that might overcome challenges associated with nanotechnology utilization for mycotoxin elimination from agricultural products.

-7 (P≤0.05), C18:1 n-7 (P≤0.001), C20:5 n-3 (P≤0.01) and C22:6 n-3 (P≤0.05) in BF were found in LWLDP pigs, however the content of C24:1 n-9 (P≤0.01), C18:2 n-6 (P≤0.05), C18: n-3 (P≤0.05), C20:4 n-6 (P≤0.01) and C22:5 n-3 (P≤0.01) was higher in PBP pigs. SFA content was higher (P≤0.001) in LWLDP hybrid, but PUFA (P≤0.01), n-6 PUFA (P≤0.05) and mainly n-3 PUFA (P≤0.01) were higher in PBP pigs. In BF, the MUFA/SFA (P≤0.05) and PUFA/SFA (P≤0.001) ratios were higher in PBP pigs; on the contrary the MUFA/PUFA (P≤0.05) ratio was higher in LWLDP pigs.

Essential oils (EOs) are now a hot topic in finding modern substitutes for antibiotics. Many studies have shown positive results and confirmed their high antibacterial activity both in vitro and in vivo. Deservedly, there is an attempt to use EOs as a substitute for antibiotics, which are currently limited by legislation in animal breeding. Given the potential of EOs, studies on their fate in the body need to be summarized. The content of EO’s active substances varies depending on growing conditions and consequently on processing and storage. Their content also changes dynamically during the passage through the gastrointestinal tract and their effective concentration can be noticeably diluted at their place of action (small intestine and colon). Based on the solubility of the individual EO’s active substances, they are eliminated from the body at different rates. Despite a strong antimicrobial effect, some oils can be toxic to the body and cause damage to the liver, kidneys, or gastrointestinal tissues. Reproductive toxicity has been reported for Origanum vulgare and Mentha arvensis. Several publications also address the effect on the genome. It has been observed that EOs can show both genoprotective effects (Syzygium aromaticum) and genotoxicity, as is the case of Cinnamomum camphor. This review shows that although oils are mainly studied as promising antimicrobials, it is also important to assess animal safety.

The aim of this publication is to compile a summary of the findings regarding punicalagin in various tissues described thus far in the literature, with an emphasis on the effect of this substance on immune reactions. Punicalagin (PUN) is an ellagitannin found in the peel of pomegranate (Punica granatum). It is a polyphenol with proven antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-atherosclerotic and chemopreventive activities, antiproliferative activity against tumor cells; it inhibits inflammatory pathways and the action of toxic substances, and is highly tolerated. This work describes the source, metabolism, functions and effects of punicalagin, its derivatives and metabolites. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are described.

Background The high doses of zinc oxide (ZnO) administered orally to piglets for the prevention of diarrhea and increase of growth rate can contaminate pig farms and the surrounding environment. Therefore, there is a need to find a replacement of high doses of dietary ZnO with an equally effective alternative. In the present study, the effect of two formulations of zinc phosphate-based nanoparticles (ZnA and ZnC NPs) on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, antioxidant status, and intestinal and liver morphology was evaluated. A total of 100 weaned piglets were randomly divided into 10 equal groups with the base diet (control) or the base diet supplemented with ZnA, ZnC, or ZnO at concentrations 500, 1000, and 2000 mg Zn per kilogram of diet. Supplements were given to animals for 10 days. Fecal samples were collected on day 0, 5, 10 and 20. At the end of the treatment (day 10), three piglets from each group were sacrificed and analyzed. Results Comparing to that of control, the significantly higher piglet weight gain was observed in all piglet groups fed with ZnA (P < 0.05). Differences in the total aerobic bacteria and coliform counts in piglet feces after NPs supplementation compared to that of control and ZnO groups were also found (P < 0.05). The majority of aerobic culturable bacteria from the feces represented Escherichia (28.57–47.62%), Enterococcus (3.85–35.71%), and Streptococcus (3.70–42.31%) spp. A total of 542 Escherichia coli isolates were screened for the virulence genes STa, STb, Stx2, F4, and F18. The substantial occurrence of E. coli virulence factors was found on day 5, mainly in fimbrillary antigen and thermostable toxins, except for piglets fed by ZnC. Zn treatment decreased Zn blood levels in piglets fed with ZnO and ZnA (500 mg/kg) and increased in ZnC (2000 mg/kg) compared to that of control (P < 0.05). The antioxidant status of piglets was affected only by ZnA. While some changes in the liver and the intestinal morphology of piglets with NPs were observed, none were serious as reflected by the normal health status and increased weigh gain performance. Conclusions Our results indicate that ZnA NPs have a positive effect on the piglet growth performance even at the lowest concentration. The prevalence of E. coli virulence factors was lowest in pigs supplemented with ZnC. Zinc phosphate-based nanoparticles may be an effective alternative to ZnO.

the aim of the experiment was to determine the effect of selected antioxidants (selenium, copper, vitamins E and c) on the antioxidant status of breeding boar ejaculate and ejaculate quality. in the first control group of boars (n = 10), the amount of antioxidants was not increased in feed. The second experimental group (n = 10) received the addition of selenium (0.5 mg/kg of diet), copper (10 mg/kg of diet), vitamin C (350 mg/kg of diet) and vitamin E (70 mg/kg of diet) in feed. The experiment lasted for 90 days. The addition of antioxidants increased GPx (by 28%), selenium content (by 49%; P<0.05), SOD (by 9%; P<0.05) and level of copper (by 63%; P<0.05) in the experimental group of boars. In the control group, the decrease of sperm motility (by 22%; P<0.05) was found at the end of the experiment. other measured parameters such as abts antioxidant capacity, levels of mda, metallothionein, zinc, ejaculate volume, concentration, total count of sperm and percentage of abnormal sperm cells were not significantly affected. The above mentioned results show that the addition of antioxidants does not increase the ejaculate quality but their lack can damage the quality indicators of boar ejaculate. Key words: selenium, copper, vitamin E, vitamin c, boars, ejaculateThe excessive production of oxygen free radicals (ROS) results in the damage of cell structures. Sperm is included in the most sensitive one to ROS damage due to a high content of MUFA and PUFA (Horký and Cerkal, 2014; Jankowiak et al., 2015). Antioxidants play an important role in the animal organism. The negative impact of ROS on the animal organism can be eliminated due to antioxidants. Among *This project was funded from grants and IGA TP 2/2015: Effect of selenium on the quality of plant and animal production from the perspective of safety and NAZV QJ1310100 -Development and optimization methods for the determination of biogenic amines in response to increasing health security of silage.

The aim of the experiment was to determine the effect of selenium nanoparticles (SeN) and selenium nanoparticles bound with glucose (SeN-GLU) on the antioxidant status of rats. The rats were fed with two defined forms of selenium nanoparticles for ten days. The first experimental group (n=6) was dosed with SeN solution (0.06 mg of Se per kg of body weight / day). The second experimental group (n=6) was dosed with SeN-GLU (0.06 mg of Se and 0.3 mg of glucose per kg of body weight / day). In both experimental groups, the antioxidant activity was decreased in rat plasma and increased in liver, when measured using the both free radicals (FR) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) method. Electrochemical technique (differential pulse voltammetry-DPV) was applied to analyze the content of metallothionein (MT) and heavy metals. The reduced and oxidized forms of glutathione were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED). In the analysis of whole blood, a significant increase of reduced glutathione (GSH) by 41% (P < 0.05) was observed in the SeN-GLU group compared with the control goup. Higher levels of GSH were also observed in the SeN group by 12%, but without any statistical significance. On the other hand, a smaller increase in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) by 22% (P < 0.05) was observed for the SeN-GLU group and an insignificant decrease by 13% was recorded for the SeN group which implies