Populations Of Coliform Bacteria Research Articles

Performance, HSP70 expression, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative DNA damage biomarkers, metabolic hormones, and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens fed mistletoe leaf powder supplemented diets under tropical high ambient temperatures

The study investigated the impact of Mistletoe Leaf Powder (MLP) supplementation on some parameters in heat-stressed broiler chickens. The standard baseline diets, comprising four different formulations, were provided during the starter and finisher stages. Chickens were randomly assigned to the 4 dietary groups: a negative control (CON) with no supplementation, a positive control (VTC) with 200 mg/kg vitamin C, and 2 experimental treatment groups with 2500 mg/kg (MLP2) and 5000 mg/kg (MLP5) MLP supplementation. The Body Weight Gain (BWG) in MLP2 and MLP5 treatment groups was comparable (P > 0.05) to those in VTC, while the CON group exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower BWG. Feed consumption was significantly (P < 0.05) lower broiler chickens in the CON group compared to those VTC, MLP2, and MLP5. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels were lower in broiler chickens belonging to VTC, MLP2, and MLP5 groups compared to those in CON, and MLP2 showed no difference (P > 0.05) from MLP5 and VTC. Serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in birds belonging to MLP5, MLP2, and VTC groups compared to CON. The 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in birds of VTC, MLP2, and MLP5 compared to the CON, with VTC showing the least concentration. Serum insulin levels were higher (P < 0.05) in MLP5 compared to those in CON, while serum triiodothyronine and leptin concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in CON compared to birds in VTC, MLP2, and MLP5. Microbiota analysis revealed that the Coliform bacteria population was higher (P < 0.05) in birds belonging to CON compared to those in VTC, MLP2, and MLP5 groups, whereas lactic acid-producing bacteria were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in birds of CON and highest in MLP2 and MLP5 groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of MLP at 5000 mg/kg enhanced performance, oxidative status, influenced metabolic hormones, and gut microbiota in broiler chickens raised under high ambient temperature.

Heat-resistant lactic acid bacteria inoculants modulated the bacterial microbiota and fermentation quality of whole plant maize silage after long-term storage in the subtropical area

In tropical or subtropical areas, high temperatures and prolonged storage time usually result in poor fermentation quality, poor aerobic stability and dry matter loss of silages. This study explored the effect of heat-resistant Lactobacillus buchneri TSy1–3 (LB), Lactobacillus rhamnosus BDy3–10 (LR), and their combination (M) on the nutritional characteristics, fermentation parameters and microbiota of whole plant maize silage during long-duration ensiling in the subtropical area. The results showed that long-term ensiling naturally led to a decrease in water-soluble carbohydrate, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber concentrations. In contrast to the control treatment, LB, LR and M reduced the coliform bacteria population and the nutrient loss, while increased lactic acid bacteria population and acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations after 180 d of fermentation. Moreover, they helped to increase Lactobacillus abundance and made it still dominate the bacterial community during long-term storage. The negative/positive ratio was higher in the LR and LB treatments when compared with the control treatment, suggesting that LR and LB increased the stability of the bacterial community networks. The heat-resistant inoculants rapidly produced lactic acid to modulate the bacterial community composition during 60 d of ensiling, while generated more acetic acid and propionic acid to alter the microflora during 180 d of ensiling. This may be caused by predicted functions indicating that metabolism pathways were modulated by different inoculations and storage times. Overall, heat-resistant lactic acid bacteria improved the nutritional and fermentation quality of ensiled forage and regulated the bacterial community during long-term storage in the subtropical region.

Effects of Phenyllactic Acid on Fermentation Parameters, Nitrogen Fractions and Bacterial Community of High-Moisture Stylo Silage

To investigate the effect of phenyllactic acid (PLA) on the dynamic changes of high-moisture stylo silage, fresh stylo was ensiled with addition of PLA at the levels of 0, 1% and 2% using lab-level silage bags, where samples were collected on days 3, 7, 14 and 30 of ensiling fermentation to analyze fermentation parameters, nitrogen distribution and bacterial community. The results showed that PLA addition at ensiling led to the increase (p &lt; 0.01) in dry matter content, lactic acid concentration and Flieg’s score of stylo silage as well as the decrease (p &lt; 0.01) in dry matter loss, pH value and coliform bacteria population, with butyric acid only detected in the control group. It also resulted in the increase (p &lt; 0.01) in true protein content and its proportion as well as the decrease (p &lt; 0.01) in ammonia-N content and its proportion, almost with linearly dose effect. Sequencing analysis revealed that PLA addition led to the increase (p &lt; 0.05) in Sobs, Shannon, Chao and Ace of bacterial community in the stylo silage, where the relative abundance of Enterobacter, Clostridium, and Kosakonia was decreased, and that of Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Pantoea was increased. Furthermore, Kosakonia, Terriglobus, Sphingomonas and Sphingopyxis had an important role in the bacterial interaction network. It is suggested that PLA application at the level of 1–2% could improve silage quality of stylo silage via modifying bacterial community.

Nutraceutical Effects of Justicia carnea Leaf Powder Supplementations on Performance, Blood Indices, Heat Shock Protein 70, Oxidative Deoxyribonucleic Acid Damage Biomarkers and Intestinal Microbes of Broiler Chickens, Under Tropical Condition.

The main reason preventing broiler chickens from reaching their genetic potential and hurting their performance in the tropics is heat stress. This study aimed to ascertain how Justicia carnea leaf powder (JLP) supplementation affects broiler chickens' performance, blood indices, antioxidant status, and gut microflora in tropical environments. A completely randomized method was used to assign 240 Cobb 500 broiler chicks to the experimental diets (6 replicates per diet, 10 birds per replication). Diet 1 included no supplement (negative control), diet 2 included 200 mg/kg vitamin C (positive control), diet 3 included 2,500 mg/kg JLP, and diet 4 included 5,000 mg/kg JLP. On day 42, the body weight gain (BWG) of the birds fed on diet 4 was significantly higher than those on diet 1. The packed cell volume, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration of the birds fed on diets 3 and 4 were significantly higher than those of the control (P<0.05). The serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and cholesterol were lower in birds fed on diets 3 and 4, compared to those on diet 1 (P<0.05). The serum heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were lower in birds fed on diets 3 and 4, compared to those on diet 1 (P<0.05). The lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) population was higher in birds fed on diets 3 and 4, compared to those on diet 1(P<0.05). However, the Coliform bacteria population was reduced in birds fed on diets 3 and 4, compared to those on diet 1. The 2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg JLP dietary supplementations enhanced BWG, improved erythrogram indices, and reduced blood AST, ALT, cholesterol, HSP 70, 8-OHdG, and caeca Coliform population but increased the caeca LAB population.

CHLORINE CONTENTS AND BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF SWIMMING POOLS WATER IN JAYAPURA

Chlorine is a chemical that functions as water disinfection, often used in swimming pools to kill microorganisms such as pathogenic bacteria in the water. The general objective of this study was to determine the relationship between chlorine levels, and microbiological quality in swimming pool water in Jayapura City. This type of research is descriptive research with a cross-sectional design. Determination of residual chlorine content, and microbiological quality in this study was carried out using Spectrophotometry, and MPN Test methods. The results showed that the chlorine content of the swimming pool Wa 5.00 mg/l, Fu 0.23 mg/l, and Aj 0.13 mg/l. The examination of the coliform bacteria population showed that the MPN value in Wa coliform swimming pool water was 0/100 ml, and coliform stools were 0/100 ml. Swimming pool Fu coliform as much as 91/100 ml, and fecal coliform as much as 23 /100 ml. Swimming pool Aj coliform as much as &gt;1100/100 ml, and fecal coliform as 20/100 ml. This study concludes that the chlorine levels in the Wa swimming pools, and the MPN swimming pools of Fu, and Aj are not under the Minister of Health Regulation No. 32 years 2017. Keywords : Coliform, Swimming pool, MPN

Bacteriological and Nutritional Quality of Irvingia gabonensis Fruit Juice

Aims: This study was undertaken to examine the bacteriological and nutritional quality of Irvingia gabonensis fruit juice locally produced and stored for 28 days at 40C.&#x0D; Study Design: Four groups of the Irvingia fruit samples were prepared and stored at 4oC. The samples were analysed at different intervals, beginning from day 0, to day 28. The juice was also observed for onset of spoilage and turbidity during sampling days.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Biological Sciences, Faculty Of Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State between July 2019 to September 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: The microbiological analysis was done using culture dependent methods.&#x0D; Results: The results revealed the weighted mean of the total heterotrophic bacterial count increased as the storage days’ increases (3.76 ± 0.04 at day 0 to 4.03 ± 0.02 at day 28). Similar results were obtained for the population of coliform bacteria (from 3.59 ± 0.03 to 3.89 ± 0.02), Staphylococcal counts (3.73 ± 0.01 to 3.98 ± 0.00) and pseudomonads’ counts (3.64 ± 0.02 to 3.88 ± 0.07). A total of 240 bacterial isolates were isolated throughout the storage days. However, Escherichia coli recorded the highest percentage of occurrence while Bacillus sp., had the least. The proximate analysis of the juice samples indicated a decline in the fibre content (0.84- 0.72), protein (7.46- 6.53), carbohydrate (64.3 – 55.6), ash (2.46 – 2.18), and fat 23.41 – 21.1). It also showed that freshly prepared Irvingia gabonensis fruit juice is of high quality.&#x0D; Conclusion: The degradation of the nutrients is suggested to result from the bacterial activities in the stored juices. There is also an increase in the bacterial population as the storage days’ increase. The presence of contaminating bacteria was found to deplete the nutritional content of the fruit juice from their metabolic activities.

Evaluating Drinking Water Treatment Methods in the Njala University and Neighboring Mokonde Communities in Southern Sierra Leone

Rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are always faced with the challenge of securing safe water for beneficial uses. Most communities lack a centralized water supply system and, thus, each residence utilizes the treatment method that they can afford. This study evaluated three treatment methods for drinking water in the Njala University and Mokonde communities in southern Sierra Leone. In the perceived natural treatment, residents in the Mokonde community believe that groundwater has been purified by the soil media and, hence, does not require further treatment. In the conventional treatment, the Njala University Water Works use sand filtration and chlorine disinfection to treat water from the Taia River. The third treatment method, first flush diversion, was introduced by Njala University researchers in 2014. We studied the populations of coliform bacteria and E. coli in untreated and treated water samples to determine if each of the treatment methods supported the beneficial use of drinking. This study concludes that the natural filtration does not remove pathogens in the well water. Even though the first flush and conventional treatments were efficient in reducing microbial populations in the water, the World Health Organization’s 100% removal guideline was not achieved most of the time. Therefore, all three treatment methods did not support the beneficial use of drinking. Further treatment was needed to render the water potable.

TOTAL BAKTERI ASAM LAKTAT DAN COLIFORM USUS ITIK CIHATEUP YANG DIBERI PAKAN MENGANDUNG KOMBINASI TEPUNG KULIT MANGGIS DAN KUNYIT (Total Lactic Acid Bacteria and Coliform of Cihateup Ducks Intestine that Given Feed Containing the Combination of Mangosteen Peel and Turmeric Flour)

The number of beneficial microbial populations (lactic acid bacteria/LAB) and pathogens (coliform) in the digestive tract of ducks is one indicator of duck health status. Healthy ducks have a beneficial microbial population more than pathogenic bacteria. The addition of herbal ingredients such as mangosteen peel and turmeric flour is thought to improve the health of ducks by increasing the LAB population. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the combination of mangosteen peel flour and turmeric flour on the total lactic acid bacteria and coliform of small intestine and caecum of Cihateup duck. The study was conducted experimentally using 60 male Cihateup ducks grouped into 5 feed treatments which contains a combination of mangosteen peel and turmeric flour at different levels as follows: 0.5% (R1); 1.0% (R2); 1.5% (R3); 2.0% (R4); and 2.5% (R5), respectively. The variables studied were total lactic acid and coliform bacteria in the small intestine and caecum of Cihateup ducks. The results showed that the treatments of feed significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected the total lactic acid bacteria (except caecum) and coliform bacteria. The population of lactic acid bacteria tended to increase along with the increasing dose of combination treatment of mangosteen peel and turmeric flour. In contrast, the total population of coliform bacteria in the small intestine and caecum of ducks showed a tendency to decrease with increasing treatment doses. The use of a combination of mangosteen peel and turmeric flour at higher levels (2.0 – 2.5%) can increase the total LAB and decrease coliform bacteria in the small intestine and cecum of Cihateup duck.

Effects of feeding fermented rapeseed meal on growth performance, gastrointestinal microflora population, blood metabolites, meat quality, and lipid metabolism in broiler chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with rapeseed meal (RSM) or fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) in diets on growth performance, gastrointestinal microflora population, blood metabolites, meat quality, and lipid metabolism in broiler chickens. Three hundred 1-d-old male broiler chickens were allocated to 5 dietary treatments with 4 pens and 15 chickens in each pen (including a corn-SBM control diet as well as 4 experimental diets in which 50 and 100% of SBM protein in the corn-SBM control diet was replaced with RSM or FRSM) in a completely randomized design. Broiler chickens fed diets containing 50 and 100% FRSM had greater weight gain (WG) and a better feed conversion ratio (FCR; P < 0.05) than those fed 50 and 100% RSM, and there were no differences in WG and FCR of the chickens fed diets containing 50% FRSM or control diet. The serum concentrations of triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05), and coliform bacteria population in ileum (P < 0.05) of broiler chickens fed FRSM diets were lower than others. Broiler chickens fed diets containing FRSM had lower cholesterol and malondialdehyde concentration in thigh muscle (P < 0.05), but greater total superoxide dismutase activities and total antioxidant capacity in both breast and thigh muscles compared to other treatments (P < 0.05). In thigh muscle, FRSM diets reduced total saturated fatty acid contents and increased total polyunsaturated fatty acids contents compared to the others (P < 0.05). In conclusion, replacing SBM with FRSM improved growth performance as well as antioxidant capacity and meat quality of broiler chickens and can be used as a suitable alternative protein source for SBM in broiler chicken diets.

Atoyac River Pollution in the Metropolitan Area of Puebla, México

The Atoyac River crosses the metropolitan area of Puebla-Tlaxcala in Mexico and presents a state of pollution that has been scarcely studied. In 2016, the water quality of the river was evaluated based on physicochemical and bacteriological parameters, under the guidelines established for the Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL) for Aquatic Life Protection (ALP) and Agricultural Irrigation (AI). The sampling sites were the Covadonga Dam, the Echeverría Dam, and an irrigation canal. Water from wells and a spring in the Emilio Portes Gil (EPG) population that uses Atoyac water for agricultural irrigation was also analyzed. The data obtained from the river were compared with the 2011 data published in the declaration of classification of Atoyac and Xochiac or Hueyapan and its tributaries. There was a notable increase in hemical oxygen demand (COD) (49%) and in heavy metals with varying percentages. The anoxic condition of the river (mean 1.47 mg of O2/L) with large populations of coliform bacteria was demonstrated, 11 pathogenic members of the Enterobacteriaceae were found, and high organic pollution concentrations were shown, particularly during droughts. Irrigation and well water was contaminated with fecal bacteria (104–549 NMP/100 mL), which included pathogens.

Influence of probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilusNCFM,L. paracaseiLPC37, andL. rhamnosusHN001) strains on starter cultures and secondary microflora in Swiss- and Dutch-type cheeses

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of three probiotic strains on microbial quality of industrially produced Swiss- and Dutch-type cheeses. The levels of starter cultures were higher in Swiss-type cheeses containing L. paracasei LPC37 and L. rhamnosus HN001. Mesophilic citrate-fermenting bacteria were more abundant in cheeses containing L. acidophilus NCFM. The greatest reduction in Propionibacterium sp. counts was observed in cheeses produced with the addition of L. paracasei LPC37. All adjunct Lactobacillus sp. cultures stimulated changes in Enterococcus sp. counts and significantly influenced the counts of yeasts and molds in cheeses. Populations of coliform bacteria were lower in experimental cheeses than in control cheeses. The counts of butyric acid bacteria and anaerobic sulfite-reducing bacteria were reduced in experimental Swiss-type cheeses. Lactobacillus sp. used in the study are characterized by good viability and have no negative influence on starter cultures in cheese production. Practical applications Effect of three Lactobacillus sp. strains on technologically harmful microflora in cheeses. The protective (antibacterial) effect of bacteria depends on the type of cheese, temperature of ripening and storage, and the applied strain.

Evaluating magnetic nano-ferrofluid as a novel coagulant for surface water treatment

In the area of environmental remediation, nanomaterials offer the potential for the efficient removal of pollutants and biological contaminants. With the rapid development of nanotechnology, nano-ferrofluid or magnetic fluids are currently being widely studied in water treatment field. The utilization of iron oxide nanomaterials or magnetic nanoparticles (MNs) has received great attention due to their unique properties, such as biocompatibility, small size, high surface area to volume ratio, and easy separation from solution using an external magnetic field. However, a few works have been conducted on coagulant and enhancing coagulation process using simple nano-ferrofluid without any modification. In the present study, at first, we synthesized nano-ferrofluid; then, after characterizations, we use the magnetic fluid for water treatment. For this purpose, we choose Karun River in the southwest of Iran as a model and water samples are collected. Then, they are treated with a small amount of magnetic fluid. In this process, the effect of this nanomaterial on turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, removal of some important heavy metal cations, and important anions like phosphate, population of coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria, and amount of chemical oxygen demand (COD) is investigated separately. Also, the effect of some important parameters such as time and rate of mixing steps, pH, temperature, and reusability of these nanomagnetic particles as a coagulant is investigated and the interesting and applicable results are obtained. In general, the combination of removing important hazardous ions with 1μgmL−1 such as Cd2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ cations (more than 90%), great ability in decreasing turbidity (about 90%), excellent antibacterial efficiency (98% of fecal coliform bacteria and 97% of coliform bacteria were removed), decreasing COD (about 60%), green and cheap preparation, ease of use, and decreased time of separating those with external magnetic field compared to available commercial coagulants. To the best of our knowledge, most of available coagulants can only decrease turbidity. Notably, in decreasing turbidity, MNs have the same efficiency over the pH range (4.0–8.0) and temperature range (15–45°C) in real samples. Meanwhile the most coagulants do not have these properties simultaneously.

Presence and Correlation of Some Enteric Indicator Bacteria, Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Pathotypes, and Salmonella Serotypes in Alfalfa Sprouts from Local Retail Markets in Pachuca, Mexico

Data on the presence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes (DEPs) in alfalfa sprouts and correlations between the presence of coliform bacteria (CB), fecal coliforms (FC), E. coli, DEPs, and Salmonella in alfalfa sprouts are not available. The presence of and correlations between CB, FC, E. coli, DEPs, and Salmonella in alfalfa sprouts were determined. One hundred sprout samples were collected from retail markets in Pachuca, Hidalgo State, Mexico. The presence of indicator bacteria and Salmonella was determined using conventional culture procedures. DEPs were identified using two multiplex PCR procedures. One hundred percent of samples were positive for CB, 90% for FC, 84% for E. coli, 10% for DEPs, and 4% for Salmonella. The populations of CB ranged from 6.2 up to 8.6 log CFU/g. The FC and E. coli concentrations were between , 3 and 1,100 most probable number (MPN)/g. The DEPs identified included enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC; 2%), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC; 3%), and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC; 5%). No E. coli O157:H7 strains were detected in any STEC-positive samples. In samples positive for DEPs, the concentrations ranged from 210 to 240 MPN/g for ETEC, 28 to 1,100 MPN/g for EPEC, and 3.6 to 460 MPN/g for STEC. The Salmonella isolates identified included Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium in three samples and Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis in one. STEC and Salmonella Typhimurium were identified together in one sample. Positive correlations were observed between FC and E. coli, between FC and DEPs, and between E. coli and DEPs. Negative correlations occurred between CB and DEPs and between CB and Salmonella. Neither FC nor E. coli correlated with Salmonella in the sprout samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ETEC, EPEC, and STEC isolated from alfalfa sprouts and the first report of correlations between different indicator groups versus DEPs and Salmonella.

Dietary supplementation of phenyllactic acid on growth performance, immune response, cecal microbial population, and meat quality attributes of broiler chickens

A total of 750 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly fed 5 dietary treatments with 5 replicate pens per treatment. The 5 dietary treatments fed for 42 d were a corn-soybean meal basal diet without antibiotic (control); a mixture of 10 ppm of avilamycin + 60 ppm of salinomycin as antibiotic growth promoters (AGP); 0.1% phenyllactic acid (PLA); 0.2% PLA; and 0.4% PLA. The BW gain and FE were significantly improved in AGP and PLA groups compared with control group. The white blood cells and heterophil counts were significantly higher in the PLA-supplemented groups compared with AGP and control groups, but the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was lower in the control group than other groups. The plasma IgY concentration was significantly increased in birds fed PLA-supplemented diets, but the plasma IgA and IgM concentrations were not different among the treatment groups. In addition, the antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus was significantly higher in PLA-treated compared with control and AGP-treated groups. Neither PLA nor AGP treatments affected the cecal aerobes andSalmonella content; however, cecalLactobacillus population increased in chickens fed 0.1% PLA, and total coliform bacteria population significantly decreased in chickens fed various levels of PLA and AGP. Dietary supplementation of PLA did not affect the pH, lightness, and redness of breast meat, but the water-holding capacity and shear force value increased and the yellowness decreased significantly when birds were fed PLA. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of 0.1 and 0.2% PLA improves BW gain and FE of broiler chickens. In addition, PLA supplementation increases the immune characteristics and the number of lactic acid bacteria, decreases the number of coliform bacteria, and improves the meat quality attributes of broiler chickens. Thus, dietary PLA could be a viable alternative to antibiotics in broiler diets.

Coliform retention and release in biofilms formed on new and weathered irrigation pipes

Irrigation waters have come under increasing scrutiny as a potential source of pathogenic microorganisms contaminating fresh produce. It is generally assumed that the microbial concentrations entering and leaving irrigation pipe networks are identical. However, this may not be true if biofilms form on the inner surfaces of irrigation pipes. The retention and release of pathogens in biofilms are well documented in drinking water distribution systems, but very little data are available for irrigation systems. We examined the attachment and/or incorporation of total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli bacteria into biofilms in new and used aluminum irrigation pipe. Water from a local creek in Maryland was used to conduct weekly irrigation events. Prior to each event, removable sections of pipe (coupons) were scraped to determine the extent of bacterial attachment; in addition, bacterial concentrations in residual water were determined. Substantial populations of coliform bacteria were found on the pipe surfaces. Old pipes had fewer attached or biofilm-incorporated coliforms and lower coliform concentrations in the residual water. High probabilities were found for average fecal coliform and total coliform concentrations being different between creek water and sprinkler water. These results have implications for monitoring and control of microbial quality of irrigation waters.

Reclamation of municipal domestic wastewater by aquaponics of tomato plants

In search of low-cost eco-tech for the reclamation of municipal domestic wastewater, tomato plants ( Lycopersicum esculentum) were cultivated on the floating bed of pulp-free coconut fiber over four different concentrations of wastewater (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and groundwater as control, in 10 L plastic bucket for two months. The study revealed that PO 4-P was removed by 58.14–74.83% with maximum removal at 50% wastewater. More than 75% removal of NO 3-N was observed in all treatments. Both COD and BOD were reclaimed highest at 100% wastewater by 61.38% and 72.03%, respectively. Ammonium-N concentration was subsided below the toxic level in all the treatments. The population of coliform bacteria ( Escherichia coli) was reduced to 91.10–92.18% with maximum efficiency at 100% wastewater. Growth performance was observed relatively better at 100% wastewater. Crop production as the value addition of this technology was also recorded maximum at 100% wastewater. The bioaccumulation of Cd and Ni in tomato crop was far below the threshold level, but the bioaccumulation of Pb and Cr was above the safe level by 80 times and 660 times, respectively. The aquaponically reclaimed water can be reused in agriculture, aquaculture and industries.

THE EFFECT OF PREHARVEST TREATMENT, DISINFECTION AND STORAGE ENVIRONMENT ON QUALITY OF CARROTS

ABSTRACT The physiological, microbiological and chemical quality changes were studied in carrots that received preharvest sprays of a commercial plant extract (ComCat) and subjected to disinfection and storage at 1 and 22C. At harvest, ComCat-treated carrots had less aerobic and coliform bacteria population, higher contents of total available carbohydrates (TACs) and sucrose and lower glucose and fructose concentrations. During storage, ComCat-treated carrots displayed reduced physiological weight loss (PWL) with lower sucrose, glucose and fructose concentrations. Disinfectants reduced microbial populations in carrots. Chlorine disinfection resulted in an etched surface, which was not observed for anolyte treatment. Anolyte water showed a better positive effect on PWL. Higher temperatures deteriorated quality characteristics of carrots. The TAC accumulated better in ComCat-treated than in control carrots stored at room temperature. The combined effect of pre- and postharvest treatments had significant effect on maintaining postharvest quality and improvement of shelf life of carrots. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Preharvest ComCat treatment can be used to improve the overall quality of carrots. Disinfection of carrots using anolyte water was found to be superior to the chlorinated water dipping treatments. Thus, anolyte water is recommended for disinfection of carrots. Combining the preharvest ComCat treatment and disinfection using anolyte water, coupled with refrigerated storage environment should be used in the shelf life extension of carrots.

Effect of some plant extracts on growth performance, intestinal morphology, microflora composition and activity in broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of water-soluble carbohydrate extracts from Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis), Acacia (Acacia pycnantha), and Undaria seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) (at 5 or 10 g/kg diet) on the performance and gut microbiota of broilers. The plant extracts had no negative effect on growth performance, except that a high level of Undaria extract in the diet suppressed the growth of broiler chicks. Ileal digesta viscosity was increased (P &lt; 0.05) and apparent ileal digestibility of fat was depressed (P &lt; 0.05) in birds fed the higher level of Undaria extract compared with the negative control. The plant extracts increased (P &lt; 0.05) the numbers of lactobacilli in the ileum and caeca. The high levels of Acacia extract and Undaria extract significantly (P &lt; 0.05) reduced the population of coliform bacteria in the ileum compared with the negative control group. The population of Clostridium perfringens in caeca, but not the ileum, was reduced (P &lt; 0.05) by the plant extracts. An antibiotic positive control reduced the population of C. perfringens in both the ileum and caeca compared with the negative control group. The plant extracts altered microbial fermentation patterns in the ileum and caeca. The higher level of Undaria extract reduced villus height in the ileum while the antibiotic diet resulted in higher (P &lt; 0.05) villus height and villus height : crypt depth ratio compared with the negative control group. The results of the study suggest that prebiotic plant extracts had no negative effect on performance of broilers except at a high level (10 g/kg diet) of Undaria extract. The plant extracts beneficially modulated the composition of the microflora in the ileum and caeca by increasing the number of lactobacilli and reducing harmful bacteria, such as potential pathogenic coliforms and C. perfringens.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Gogu valley) protein as a novel antimicrobial agent in weanling pigs1

A total of 280 weaned pigs (Landrace x Yorkshire x Duroc) were used in a 28-d growth study to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of potato proteins on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immune response, small intestinal morphology, and bacterial populations in feces and large intestine. Pigs (initially 6.42 +/- 0.74 kg of BW and 23 +/- 3 d of age) were randomly allotted to 5 treatments on the basis of BW, each treatment composed of 4 pens, each pen having 14 pigs. Dietary treatments included positive control (PC; basal diet + 150 mg/kg apramycin and 10 mg/ kg colistin sulfate); and potato protein (PP), consisting of the basal diet with 0, 0.25, 0.50, or 0.75% of potato protein. Diets were fed in 2 phases: phase I (d 0 to 14 postweaning) and phase 2 (d 14 to 28 postweaning). Potato protein was extracted from a value-added type of the new potato variety, Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Gogu valley, and was shown to have a minimum inhibitory concentration of 300 to 500 mug/mL. Performance of PC was compared with 0.25 to 0.75% PP, whereas linear and quadratic trends of increasing PP (0 to 0.75% PP) were tested. Over the 28-d trial, pigs fed the PC diets showed improved overall ADG (P < 0.05) and G:F (P = 0.090) compared with pigs fed PP, whereas increasing levels of PP linearly improved ADG (P < 0.05), ADFI (P = 0.052), and G:F (P = 0.098). The digestibility of DM and CP in both the phases was greater in PC than PP, and feeding of PP linearly improved the DM digestibility (P < 0.05) in phase II. The bacterial populations in the feces of pigs fed PC and PP were comparable, except for total bacteria and coliform bacteria in the feces at d 14 and 28, which were decreased in PC; and feeding of PP was effective in linearly reducing the populations of microbes in feces and contents of cecum, colon, and rectum. There was linear increase (P < 0.10) in skin-fold thickness in response to phytohemagglutinin with an increase in PP levels. Haemagglutinin titers on d 21 were greater (P = 0.054) in PC, and at d 28 the haemagglutinin titers were quadratically affected in pigs fed PP (P = 0.070). There was a trend toward a decrease in crypt depth (P = 0.068) and a greater villus height:crypt depth ratio (P = 0.082) of ileum in PC compared with PP. These results suggest that PP may be an alternative to medicated feed with antibiotics because it showed antimicrobial activity by effectively reducing the population of coliform bacteria and also improved the performance of weanling pigs.

Effects of lactulose and lactitol on coliform bacteria and bacterial translocation in the caecum during 72-h starvation in rats

Lactulose and lactitol, non-absorbable disaccharides, prevent bacterial translocation (BT) arising from the gut. In contrast, lack of food into the gut leads to coliform bacterial overgrowth and even if it does not cause BT, can induce the risk from other stimuli for BT. In this study, we tested whether lactulose and lactitol affected populations of coliform bacteria in the caecum during starvation in Sprague–Dawley rats. Three groups of rats were starved for 72 h and given oral 2 ml undiluted lactulose (670 mg/ml), 2 ml undiluted lactitol (666 mg/ml) or 2 ml physiological saline, respectively, once a day. The caecum and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were removed for microbiological and histopathological analyses. The highest degree of coliform bacterial overgrowth, BT to MLNs and histopathological damage were observed in lactulose-treated rats, followed by the group treated with lactitol. As a result of this study, both drugs, especially lactulose augmented the proliferation and translocation tendency of coliform bacteria in the caecum during 72-h starvation in rats.