Chicken Gizzard Research Articles

Elemental imbalance elicited by arsenic and copper exposures leads to oxidative stress and immunotoxicity in chicken gizzard, activating the protective effects of heat shock proteins.

Arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) are ubiquitous pollutants that pose a threat to the environment. Our aim is to study the underlying mechanisms by which As and Cu act on the chicken gizzard. In order to detect ionic disorders in chicken gizzard under chronic treatment with As3+ and/or Cu2+ and whether they can induce oxidative damage as well as immune disorders, 30 mg/kg arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and/or 300 mg/kg copper sulfate (CuSO4) were added to the chicken's basal diet. After 12 weeks of exposure, trace elements were found to have significant interference, accompanied by damage to the antioxidant system. In addition, As3+ and/or Cu2+ activated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), inducing severe inflammation. At the same time, damaged structural integrity which might be caused by inflammation was discovered after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Moreover, symbolic Th1/Th2 (Th, helper T cell) drift was also observed in treatment groups, meaning that immune function is left to be affected, and the increment in heat shock proteins may be a self-protective mechanism of gizzard. Interestingly, we found that the damage to the gizzard of chicken was aggravated in a time-dependent manner, and the combined exposure was more pathogenic than the single exposure, of which the mechanism needs further exploration. Together, this work helps move us toward a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate the interactions between Cu excess and As3+ exposures and possible health consequences in susceptible species.

Carcass Characteristics and Nutritional Composition of Some Edible Chicken By-products

The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of chicken carcass and determine the nutritional composition of some edible chicken by-products, including liver, gizzard, wings, and skin. The total yield of liver, gizzard, wings and skin of chicken was found to be about 23.43%of carcass weight. The results showed that these chicken by-products are good sources of protein, fat, and minerals (ash). The greatest protein content was found to be 26.33% (wb) for wings; while, skin showed the greatest fat content of 34.48% (wb) compared with other by-products. On the other hand, liver showed the greatest ash content of 1.42% (wb) and skin showed the lowest ash content of 0.46% (wb). Moreover, the greatest caloric value of 362.36 Kcal/100 g was found for skin, followed by wings, liver, and gizzard. In addition, the results showed good contents of potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, and zinc in chicken by-products. These by-products were found to be a good source of essential amino acids such as leucine and lysine. Furthermore, liver, gizzard, wings, and skin of chicken showed greater unsaturated fatty acids content than that of saturated fatty acids. Oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids are the most predominant unsaturated fatty acids found in these chicken by-products. However, palmitic and stearic acids are the predominant saturated fatty acids found in the studied chicken by-products. The obtained results revealed that the liver, gizzard, wings, and skin of chicken are rich of healthy nutrients; therefore, the utilization of these by-products as food should be promoted by development of new food products through the advances in meat processing techniques.

Evaluation of some Heavy Metals in Cows Meat and some Chicken Organs in Damietta Governorate Markets and Effect of the Heat on their Levels.

The concentrations of some heavy metals, (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb ,Cd and Co) in Cowsmeat, and some chicken organs collected from five regions of Damietta governorate (ElZarka, Faraskour, Kafr El-Batiekh, Damietta City and New Damietta city) in Egyptcountry were assessed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (A.A.S). Alsothe study aimed to evaluate the effect of heat on the heavy metals concentrations. Theobtained results declared that the concentrations of heavy metals in cows meat samplesfrom different regions showed a variation followed the order Zn> Fe> Cu> Pb> Cd> Co.The same observation was found in concentrations of heavy metals in chicken gizzardsamples, Zn> Fe> Cu> Pb> Cd> Co. While, in the chicken livers the concentrations ofheavy metals followed the sequence of Fe > Zn> Cu > Pb> Cd > Co. According tomaximum allowable levels the concentrations of Zn, Cu and Cd in chicken gizzard andlivers below the allowable levels, while the concentrations of Fe and Pb above the safelimits. Also according to allowable levels of (FAO, 1983), Cd concentration in cows meatwithin safe limit of 0.1 µg/g, while Pb concentration above allowable level of 0.1 µg/g. Cuconcentration in cows meat above maximum allowable level of 5 µg/g according to (EC,2005) also the mean concentrations of Cu and Fe in all the meat samples were higherthan the regulatory limit for (FAO/WHO, 2000), 0.1 and 0.3 µg/g, respectively.Through the results, boiling method had a highly efficiency in reduction of some heavymetals concentrations more than grilling method.

Quality and Acceptability of Pickle from Chicken and Turkey Gizzard

Gizzard pickles prepared from chicken and turkey gizzard were studied for various physicochemical, microbial, and sensory qualities. Significantly (p 0.05) higher pH and titrable acidity (% acetic acid) values were observed in chicken gizzard pickle as compared to turkey gizzard pickle. The product yield (%), TBA value (mg malonaldehyde/kg), moisture (%), protein (%) and fat (%) were significantly (p 0.05) higher in turkey gizzard pickle as compared to chicken gizzard pickles. Total plate counts of gizzard pickles did not differ significantly. No coliform and yeast and mold counts were observed in gizzard pickles. All sensory scores were significantly (p 0.05) higher for chicken gizzard pickle as compared to turkey gizzard pickle and were rated moderately to highly acceptable. Therefore, it can be concluded that highly acceptable pickle can be prepared from chicken and turkey gizzard had better physicochemical, microbial qualities, and sensory acceptability.

DuPont launches with a new take on innovation

Last year, DuPont opened the refurbished Building E353 at its 115-year-old Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware. The building serves as the global headquarters of the firm’s industrial bioscience division. The top floor houses executives and other business personnel. Scientists working on enzymes and probiotics occupy the three newly equipped levels below. A high-throughput screening laboratory allows DuPont researchers to rapidly evaluate new enzymes for applications such as laundry detergents. The scientists swap out amino acids in the proteins one by one and set up large arrays to see if they work under the temperature and pH conditions of washing machines. Another lab is equipped with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter for probiotic work and an Illumina DNA sequencer for enzyme and probiotic science. The building has an enormous anaerobic chamber, allowing scientists to study probiotic bacteria without exposing them to oxygen. In another room, scientists examine chicken gizzards brought in from

The disturbance of autophagy and apoptosis in the gizzard caused by copper and/or arsenic are related to mitochondrial kinetics

As toxic elements when excessive, arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) are two naturally occurring elements that may be ingested by the organism at the same time. However, the precise damaged mechanism and the pathways that are activated by As and/or Cu is rarely researched in gizzard, a unique organ of birds. In this study, ultrastructural observations, TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were performed to evaluate the toxic effects of chronic exposure to Cu2+ and/or arsenite on chicken gizzard. The results revealed that increased apoptosis and autophagy levels induced by Cu2+ and arsenite appeared to be independent of oxidative stress, which didn't have significant changes in different treatment groups at the same time point. Nevertheless, the redox balance gradually deviated with the extension of time. And increased mitochondrial division and decreased fusion were also caused by Cu2+ and arsenite. In conclusion, apoptosis and autophagy in gizzard induced by Cu2+ and/or arsenite, at least, strongly linked with the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis. Our study showed that the combination of Cu2+ and arsenite produces stronger toxicity. The results of this study can serve as a reference for agicultural feeding and environmental protection, that is, to avoid the combined exposure of Cu2+ and arsenite to prevent greater economic losses and health risks.

ENROFLOXACIN RESIDUES IN CHICKEN MEAT AND GIBLETE

It is very important to achieve the safety and sanitary quality of the meat as the presence of antibiotic residues in food stuff can cause hazards to human so that the aim of this study is evaluation the level of enrofloxacin residues in chicken meat and giblets and the effect of different cooking methods on reduction of these levels.One hundred and twenty random samples of chicken breast, thigh, gizzard and liver (30 of each) were collected from different chicken slaughter shops located in Menoufia government for evaluation of their enrofloxacin residues. The collected samples were examined by using microbiological inhibition technique (MIT) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in addition to the effect of heat treatment (boiling, grilling and frying) on these residues was studied. The obtained results revealed that the incidence of enrofloxacin residues in chicken breast, thigh, gizzard and liverwere 13.33%, 16.67%, 26.67% & 40% by MIT and 13.33%, 20%, 30% & 43.33% by HPLC, respectively. The results indicated that 85% of the examined samples not exceeded the MRL of enrofloxacin residues. The reduction% of enrofloxacin levels in thigh muscle samples was 28.3%, 17.8% &11.2by boiling57.4%, 43.6% &35.2%by frying and69.5%, 62.4% & 47.7% by grilling of such samples. The public health significance and some recommendations to control such antibiotic residue in chicken tissues for human safety were discussed.

Campylobacter coli From Retail Liver and Meat Products Is More Aerotolerant Than Campylobacter jejuni.

Aerotolerance in the microaerophilic species Campylobacter was previously reported and could increase bacterial survival and transmission in foods during stressful processing and storage conditions. In this study, 167 Campylobacter isolates (76 C. jejuni and 91 C. coli) were screened for aerotolerance; these strains were previously isolated from retail chicken meat, chicken livers, chicken gizzards, turkey, pork, and beef liver samples. Bacterial cultures were incubated aerobically in Mueller Hinton broth with agitation and viable cell counts were taken at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h. Approximately 47% of the screened Campylobacter isolates were aerotolerant (viable after a 12-h aerobic incubation period), whereas 24% were hyper-aerotolerant (viable after a 24-h aerobic incubation). A greater prevalence of aerotolerant strains (80%) was found among C. coli isolates as compared to C. jejuni isolates (6%). Differences in the oxidative stress response related genes were detected among C. jejuni and C. coli isolates when comparative genomics was used to analyze 17 Whole Genome Sequenced (WGS) strains from our laboratory. Genes encoding putative transcriptional regulator proteins and a catalase-like heme binding protein were found in C. coli genomes, but were absent in the genomes of C. jejuni. PCR screening showed the presence of a catalase-like protein gene in 75% (68/91) of C. coli strains, which was absent in all tested C. jejuni strains. While about 79% (30/38) of the hyper-aerotolerant C. coli strains harbored the catalase-like protein gene, the gene was also present in a number of the aerosensitive strains. The Catalase like protein gene was found to be expressed in both aerobic and microaerobic conditions with a 2-fold higher gene expression detected in aerobic conditions for an aerosensitive strain. However, the exact function of the gene remains unclear and awaits further investigation. In conclusion, aerotolerant Campylobacter strains (especially C. coli) are prevalent in various retail meats. Further studies are needed to investigate whether the genes encoding catalase-like heme binding protein and putative transcriptional regulators in C. coli strains are involved in stress response.

Utilization of some Chicken Edible Internal Organs and Wheat Germ in Production of Sausage

Relatively huge amounts of wheat germ are produced annually as a by-product of wheat milling industry in Egypt. Wheat germ had high amounts of protein, ash, fat, carbohydrates and bioactive compounds. The aim of the work was to study the possibility of using chicken’s gizzard and liver in production of sausage and effect of substitution of gizzards and liver meat by wheat germ at levels 5, 10, 15 and 20% on proximate composition, physical properties, sensory characteristics and microbiological criteria and after storage at 4oC for 15 day. A sensory evaluation showed that gizzards and liver sausage was very acceptable from the standpoint of color, taste, odor, juiciness, tenderness and overall acceptability. Storage at 4oC for 15 day of studied sausage caused slightly decreased in moisture, crude protein and fat but increase in total carbohydrates. The results of microbiological analysis showed that refrigerated storage of gizzards and liver sausage samples lead to increase in the total viable bacterial count and psychrophilic count whereas all samples was free from coliform, Salmonella and Shigella. It is recommended to use chicken gizzards and liver in sausage processing after good and quick cleaning with a percentage exceeds 20% of wheat germ.

Prevalence of pathogenic Arcobacter species in South Korea: Comparison of two protocols for isolating the bacteria from foods and examination of nine putative virulence genes

Contamination of foodstuffs by potentially enteropathogenic Arcobacter spp. is becoming a concern worldwide. However, few studies have examined virulence-associated genes in isolates of Arcobacter spp. from food. Here, we investigated the prevalence of three pathogenic Arcobacter species, A. butzleri, A. cryaerophilus, and A. skirrowii, in chicken, pork, and leafy green vegetables (n = 323) in South Korea. Samples were examined using two different protocols selected from a literature review: Acrobacter selective broth (ASB) II + Arcobacter selective medium (ASM) II (protocol A), and ASB II + modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar supplemented with CAT (protocol B). Overall, Arcobacter spp. were detected in 45.8% of food samples, and the recovery rate of protocol B (37.8%) was significantly higher than that of protocol A (30.7%) (p < 0.05). Refrigerated chicken gizzard samples showed the highest detection rate (100%), followed by refrigerated chicken wing (79.5%), intestine (77.3%), neck skin (63.3%), pork (55.6%), frozen chicken legs (5.0%), and leafy green vegetables (4.4%) (p < 0.05). All isolates from chicken and leafy green vegetables were identified as A. butzleri, whereas A. cryaerophilus and A. skirrowii were mainly detected in pork. Most samples (95.8%) harbored more than one of nine putative virulence factors (cadF, ciaB, cj1349, hecA, hecB, mviN, pldA, irgA, and tlyA), and 91.3% harbored more than two. Isolates harboring all nine putative virulence genes were obtained from 1.9% of samples: five pork and one chicken. This study provides comprehensive and de facto evidence regarding prevalence of an emerging pathogen, Arcobacter spp., in various foods, along with their virulence potential. The results justify further research with respect to their role in food safety.

Spatial distribution of and seasonal variations in endosulfan concentrations in soil, air, and biota around a contaminated site

Soil, air, tree bark, rice, wheat, invertebrates, and chicken tissues around a typical endosulfan-contaminated site were analyzed in each season in each of two years. The total endosulfan (the sum of α-, β-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate) were significantly different in soil and air samples collected in the four seasons (P < 0.01) and the mean concentrations were 6.53 ng/g dry weight (d.w.) and 2.40 ng/m3, respectively, in autumn, 3.32 ng/g d.w. and 2.48 ng/m3, respectively, in winter, 2.10 ng/g d.w. and 0.93 ng/m3, respectively, in spring, and 1.03 ng/g d.w. and 0.83 ng/m3, respectively, in summer. The total endosulfan concentrations in tree bark, rice, wheat, and invertebrates were 23.0–278 (mean 95.5) ng/g d.w., 7.36–35.5 (mean 17.4) ng/g d.w., 34.3–158 (mean 83.1) ng/g d.w., and 401–4354 (mean 2125) ng/g lipid weight, respectively. The total endosulfan concentrations in the chicken gizzard, heart, liver, and meat samples were 552, 212, 699, and 221 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. The endosulfan concentrations in soil, air, and biota around the site were strongly influenced by endosulfan emissions from the site, and the concentrations had decreased to half the initial concentrations six months after endosulfan production stopped. The invertebrate and chicken bioconcentration and biomagnification factors indicated that endosulfan accumulated in the invertebrates and chicken tissues was slightly biomagnified by chickens.

Isolation and application of bacteriophages to reduce Salmonella contamination in raw chicken meat

Chicken meats are considered as main sources associated with Salmonella infections in humans. In this study, lytic phages against Salmonella were isolated and examined for their efficacy to control Salmonella. Eighteen lytic phages were isolated from raw chicken skin and gizzard. Five phages belonging to Myoviridae and Siphoviridae families were characterized and selected for bacterial challenge tests. The treatment of raw chicken breast samples contaminated with S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium at 8 °C by the cocktail of five phages significantly reduced (P < 0.05) viable counts by 1.41 and 1.86 log CFU/piece, respectively. When incubated at 25 °C, the highest reductions of viable counts of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium in the phage-treated samples were 3.06 and 2.21 log CFU/piece, respectively (P < 0.05). These data suggested that the phages isolated from raw chicken meats are potential agents for controlling Salmonella in raw meats.

Helicobacter pylori in a poultry slaughterhouse: Prevalence, genotyping and antibiotic resistance pattern.

Although Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a highly significant pathogen, its source remains unclear. Many people consume chicken daily as a source of animal protein worldwide; thus, hygienic methods of supplying chickens for consumption are critical for public health. Therefore, our study examined the distribution of the glmM (ureC), babA2, vacA and cagA virulence genes in H. pylori strains in chicken meat and giblets (gizzards and livers) and the resistance of the strains to various antibiotics. Ninety chicken meat, gizzard and liver samples were obtained from a semi-automatic abattoir in Sadat City, Egypt, and were cultured and preliminarily analyzed using biochemical tests. The presence of the ureC, babA2, vacA and cagA genotypes was tested for in samples positive for H. pylori by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (Multiplex-PCR). The resistance of H. pylori to various antimicrobial drugs was tested using the disc diffusion method. In total, 7 of the 90 chicken samples were positive for H. pylori (7.78%); in 3/7 (42.85%) samples, the bacteria were found in the chicken liver, while the bacteria were found in the meat in 2/7 (28.57%) and in the gizzard in 2/7 (28.57%) samples. The total prevalence of both the ureC and babA2 genes in the isolated H. pylori strains was 100%, while the prevalence of the vacA and cagA genes was 57.1% and 42.9%, respectively. The resistance of H. pylori to the antibiotics utilized in our study was 100% for streptomycin; 85.7% for amoxicillin and penicillin; 71.4% for oxytetracycline, nalidixic acid and ampicillin; 57.1% for sulfamethoxazole and erythromycin; and 42.9% for neomycin, chloramphenicol and norfloxacin. In conclusion, the chicken meat and giblets were tainted by H. pylori, with a higher occurrence of the ureC, babA2, vacA and cagA genotypes. Future investigations should investigate the resistance of H. pylori to various antimicrobial agents in Egypt.

Accumulation patterns and risk assessment of metals and metalloid in muscle and offal of free-range chickens, cattle and goat in Benin City, Nigeria

The use of free range animals for monitoring environmental health offers opportunities to detect exposure and assess the toxicological effects of pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems. Potential human health risk of dietary intake of metals and metalloid via consumption of offal and muscle of free range chicken, cattle and goats by the urban population in Benin City was evaluated. Muscle, gizzard, liver and kidney samples were analyzed for Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb concentrations using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) while Hg was determined using Hg analyzer. Mean concentrations of metals (mg/kg ww) varied significantly depending upon the tissues and animal species. Human health risk estimations for children and adults showed estimated daily intake (EDI) values of tissues below oral reference dose (RfD) threshold for non essential metals Cd, As, Pb and Hg thus strongly indicating no possible health risk via consumption of animal based food. Calculated Hazard quotient (THQ) was less than 1 (< 1) for all the metals analyzed for both adult and children. However, Cd and As had the highest value of THQ suggestive of possible health risk associated with continuous consumption of Cd and As contaminated animal based foods. Hazard Index (HI) for additive effect of metals was higher in chicken liver and gizzard for children and chicken liver for adults. Thus, HI indicated that chicken liver and gizzard may contribute significantly to adult and children dietary exposure to heavy metals. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear species difference in metal accumulation between chickens and the ruminants. This study provides baseline data for future studies and also valuable evidence of anthropogenic impacts necessary to initiate national and international policies for control of heavy metal and metalloid content in food items.

Characterization of myosin heavy chains from the mantle muscles of cephalopods

Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) genes from the mantle muscles of three cephalopod species, namely, golden cuttlefish Sepia esculenta, Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus, and spear squid Loligo bleekeri were subjected to synthesis of first strand cDNA by reverse transcription-PCR. As a result of sequencing of the obtained cDNA fragments, the MyHCs from S. esculenta and L. bleekeri were found to consist of 1936 amino acids, while T. pacificus MyHC consisted of 1939 residues. The sequences were found to be 73%, 55%, and 41% identical to those of the Ca2+-regulated scallop MyHCs, human skeletal MyHC, and chicken gizzard (smooth muscle) MyHC, respectively. The cephalopod MyHCs conserved ATP- and actin-binding sites as well as light chain binding sites in the head (S1) region with the clear differences in sequence homology from those of higher organisms, and typical ?-helical heptad repeats involved in the formation of coiled-coil structure in the rod region. The sequences of the two surface loops at the 25/50 kDa and 50/20 kDa junctions of the motor domain were found to be conserved among cephalopods compared to those from the other sources. In the phylogenetic tree based on the amino acid sequences, the cephalopod MyHCs formed a cluster, clearly different from the other invertebrate counterparts, in accordance with the results of tertiary structure modeling of the head regions.

Investigation of the Chemical Composition and Functional Proteins of Chicken Gizzard Inner Lining

Investigation of the Chemical Composition and Functional Proteins of Chicken Gizzard Inner Lining

Complete Genome Sequences of Campylobacter jejuni Strains Isolated from Retail Chicken and Chicken Gizzards.

ABSTRACTGenome sequences of Campylobacter jejuni FJ3124 and ZP3204 isolated from retail chicken gizzards and Campylobacter jejuni TS1218 isolated from retail chicken showed the presence of 1,694,324-, 1,763,161-, and 1,762,596-bp circular chromosomes, respectively. Campylobacter jejuni ZP3204 and TS1218 harbored large tetracycline resistance plasmids with type IV secretion systems.

Field evidence for transfer of plastic debris along a terrestrial food chain

Although plastic pollution happens globally, the micro- (<5 mm) and macroplastic (5–150 mm) transfer of plastic to terrestrial species relevant to human consumption has not been examined. We provide first-time evidence for micro- and macroplastic transfer from soil to chickens in traditional Mayan home gardens in Southeast Mexico where waste mismanagement is common. We assessed micro- and macroplastic in soil, earthworm casts, chicken feces, crops and gizzards (used for human consumption). Microplastic concentrations increased from soil (0.87 ± 1.9 particles g−1), to earthworm casts (14.8 ± 28.8 particles g−1), to chicken feces (129.8 ± 82.3 particles g−1). Chicken gizzards contained 10.2 ± 13.8 microplastic particles, while no microplastic was found in crops. An average of 45.82 ± 42.6 macroplastic particles were found per gizzard and 11 ± 15.3 macroplastic particles per crop, with 1–10 mm particles being significantly more abundant per gizzard (31.8 ± 27.27 particles) compared to the crop (1 ± 2.2 particles). The data show that micro- and macroplastic are capable of entering terrestrial food webs.

Aflatoxin B1 Contamination in Chicken Livers and Gizzards from Industrial and Small Abattoirs, Measured by ELISA Technique in Maputo, Mozambique.

Aflatoxins are the most toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus species. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination in industrial and local chicken livers and gizzards in Maputo was investigated. One hundred boiler livers and 80 boiler gizzards were collected from industrial and local cutting poultry production sectors. The samples were analyzed by the ELISA method (MaxSignal®, Bioo Scientific Corporation). AFB1 was found in 39% of liver samples and 13.8% of gizzards, with mean levels of 1.73 µg/kg and 1.07 µg/kg, respectively. The frequency of contamination and AFB1 levels in samples from local sector producers was not significantly higher than those from industrial sector producers (p > 0.05). No correlation was found (p = 0.493; r2 = 0.013) between AFB1 levels in livers and hepatic weights. The AFB1 levels were lower than the allowed limits, suggesting that these products do not pose high risk to consumers. Notwithstanding, there is a need to implement aflatoxin residue monitoring and controls in all chicken meat products; this economic and efficient technique appears to be valuable for improved food safety in Mozambique.

Different amyloid aggregation of smooth muscles titin in vitro

A comparative study of amyloid properties of the aggregates of smooth muscle titin (SMT) from chicken gizzard was carried out. These aggregates were formed in two solutions: 0.15 M glycine-KOH, pH 7.2–7.4 (SMT(Gly)) and 0.2 M KCl, 10 mM imidazole, pH 7.0 (SMT(KCl)). Electron microscopy data showed that SMT aggregates has an amorphous structure in both cases. The results of atomic-force microscopy demonstrated slight differences in morphology in two types of aggregates. The SMT(Gly) aggregates were represented as branching chains, composed of spherical aggregates approximately 300–500 nm in diameter and up to 35 nm in height. The SMT(KCl) aggregates formed sponge-like structures with strands of 8–10 nm in height. Structural analysis of SMT aggregates by X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of cross-β-sheet structure in the samples under study. In the presence of SMT(Gly) aggregates, thioflavine T fluorescence intensity was higher (~3-fold times) compared with that in the presence of SMT(KCl) aggregates. Congo red-stained SMT(Gly) aggregates had yellow to apple-green birefringence under polarized light, which was not observed for SMT(KCl) aggregates. Dynamic light scattering data showed the similar rate of aggregation for both types of aggregates, though SMT(KCl) aggregates were able to partially disaggregate under increased ionic strength of the solution. The ability of SMT to aggregation followed by disaggregation may be functionally significant in the cell.