Commercial Premix Research Articles

Effect Of Formulation On The Fluffiness And Volume Of A Commercial Cake Premix In Relation To Its Acceptability

Making a commercial cake based on a premix is a matter of finding the balance of key ingredients that influence the uniform distribution and homogeneous size of the pockets in order to obtain an acceptable commercial sponginess in a premix. The objective of this work was to evaluate the formulation of a commercial premix in relation to its fluffiness and volume employing image analysis and its acceptability. Initially, a screening was performed with Taguchi's methodology evaluating statistical descriptors of texture by image analysis and volume. The sponginess was evaluated by means of the statistical descriptors of texture ASM, contrast, IDM, and entropy determined by the GLCM method. Two optimum formulations were obtained, formula A consisting of monoglyceride, egg, oil, sugar, xanthan gum, and baking powder, the values of 4.0, 80.0, 50.0, 70.0, 0.05, and 2.0 percent respectively, and formula B; monoglyceride, egg, oil, sugar, xanthan gum, and baking powder; the values of 7.0, 80.0, 30.0, 70.0, 0.05 and 5.0 percent respectively, which were subjected to an acceptability test with 80 consumers. In the result, according to the statistic t = 0.375858 > α (significance level=0.05), the null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted, which means that there is no statistically significant difference between formulas A and B for consumers. This means that, in a cake, not only the volume is important, but also its sponginess (the latter is due to the correct size, distribution, and dispersion of alveoli, as well as its homogeneity in all the cut surface of the crumb of the cake).

Pharmacokinetics of doxycycline hyclate in pigs with a new feed premix formulation.

This study aimed to evaluate the administration of doxycycline hyclate in a long-acting pharmaceutical preparation in pigs when administered either adlibitum as a feed medication or an oral bolus dose. In all instances, the studied dose was 20 mg/kg b.w. A total of 48 healthy crossbred, castrated male pigs (Landrace-Yorkshire) weighing 23 ± 4.3 kg were included in this trial. They were randomly assigned to six groups as follows: two groups for the experimental prototype 1 of doxycycline hyclate administering it adlibitum (Fad-lib) or as forced bolus (Fbolus); two groups for the experimental prototype 2 of doxycycline hyclate as for the former groups (FCad-lib and FCbolus), and two control groups receiving the same dose of doxycycline hyclate, but of a commercial premix, also as previously explained (Cbolus and Cad-lib). Statistical analysis of the mean pharmacokinetic values was carried out with Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests. The relative bioavailability (Fr) of the best prototype, when administered adlibitum (FCad-lib), was five times larger than the reference group (Cadlib). These results allow the proposal that the referred differences achieved in the presented prototypes can mark a notable clinical difference, particularly in pathogens with some resistance.

Corn physical characteristics on piglet performance

This study aimed to correlate the physical characteristics of ground corn, at different crushing intensities, with the zootechnical performance of piglets in the nursery phase. Forty piglets (20 castrated males and 20 females) with an initial average weight of 15.7±1.98 kg and final weight of 32.5±3.27 kg were used. They were subjected to the same type of experimental diet (4% of commercial premix for the phase, 29% of soybean meal, and 67% of ground corn), with the only difference being the corn grinding process. The corn used was fractionated into five portions, and each one of them was crushed in a hammermill equipped with a different screen hole diameter (2; 2.5; 3; 3.5 and 4 mm). Which resulted in ground corn with the following particle sizes (PS): 518, 580, 628, 706 and 740 μm, and the following corn geometric standard deviations (GSD): 1.72, 1.71, 1.75, 1.80 and 1.90, respectively. The piglets were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications, with the experimental units being formed by pens with two piglets each. There was no effect (p > 0.10) from grinding intensities on daily feed intake (DFI) and daily weight gain (DWG). Conversely, there was an effect (p < 0.10) from different grinding intensities on feed conversion (FC). The PS and GSD of both the corn and diet, as well as the corn fractions retained on the 4-, 2- and 1.2-mm test sieves showed positive correlations with FC (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the corn fractions retained on the 0.6-, 0.3- and 0.15-mm teste sieves showed negative correlations with FC (p < 0.05). The linear model was the one that fitted the estimated data into the data observed for FC. A corn PS reduction from 740 to 580 μm promoted a linear improvement in FC. The use of corn fractions, retained on the 1-, 2- and 0.3-mm test sieves, and the use of corn GSD and diet GSD as independent variables showed a higher R² than that obtained with the use of corn PS as an independent variable in linear equations for estimating FC.

Evaluation of anthocyanin rich color wheat lines (black, blue, purple) for their cake making quality

India mainly produces hard wheat suitable for good chapatti, and uses the same for cake making using additives. Recently, anthocyanin rich colored wheat (Black, Blue and Purple) has attracted attention. The study aimed to develop good cake making colored wheat line. A set of 37 colored wheat lines {9 white (W1-W9), 9 purple (P1-P9), 11 black (Bk1-Bk11), 8 blue (B1-B8)} were developed and screened for yield, grain, dough, flour, cake baking and sensory parameters. Two black wheat lines (Bk10 and Bk11) showed high yield and low grain hardness. The physicochemical characteristics of grain, flour, milling parameters and cake baking of Bk10 and BK11 {low protein 9.9% and 9.8% compared to control W9 (13.7%), high volume index 14 and 12.1 compared to control W9 (11.8), and low crumb hardness 1041.3 and 977.1g, compared to control W9 (1378.6 g)} confirmed suitability of these lines for cake making. These values were close to commercial premix (PM) control with added starch, emulsifiers and stabilizers that has low protein content (10.6%), high volume index 13.1 and low crumb hardness 806.1g. Despite baking, colored wheat cakes had 1.4 fold higher antioxidant activity than the control. Thus, Bk10 and BK11 have good commercial potential for exploitation and scale-up.

Effects of Malva parviflora Leafs as the Herbal Additives on Broilers Productivity.

Malva parviflora is a leafy vegetable belonging to the family Malvaceae. Medicinal plants have had several vital chemical compounds, with some biological functions. Supplementation of these plants to the animals diets lead to significant betterments in the animals' productivity and health status. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Malva parviflora as a substitute for commercial premix carrier in the poultry diets to see the response on some of the productive and economic traits in broilers. 576 one day old Ross 308 chicks were randomly divided into eight groups with three replicate (24 bird /replicate) per group. Each group was subjected to the one of the following treatments: Tr 1. (Control) contained 2.5% of diet supplemented with homemade premix (with carrier Malva parviflora weed leaves meal), Tr 2. 2.5% provimi premix, Tr 3. 2.5% Turkis hpremix, Tr 4. Dutch premix, Tr 5. 50% homemade premix + 50% provimi premix, Tr 6. 50% homemade premix + 50% Turkish, Tr 7. Homemade premix + 50% Dutch 50% Tr 8. 25% from each four types premixes. Live body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion, growth rate، Production Index، economic indicator and mortality rate averages were measured to the 5 weeks of age. Result showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments in weight gains at all periods. Treatment 1،26،5 ،4، showed the highest weight gain at 5 weeks of age;however, Tr.3،7 showed the lowest value. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the rate of feed consumption among treatments during the different periods. Birds in Tr.3 consumed the highest amount of feed compared with control, Also there was significant differences in feed conversion ratio among all treatment groups at all periods where, the highest value was found in (Tr.3), and the lowest value was recorded in Tr.1.At least there was large differences in cost of locally premix which recorded the cheapest and lowest value about 1300 U.S.A$ less in every ton compared with the commercial premixes.

Is tank mixing site-specific premixes and multi-site fungicides effective and economic for managing soybean rust? a meta-analysis

Soybean rust (SBR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is controlled with sequential applications of commercial premixes containing two and, more recently, three site-specific fungicides. However, their efficacy has been reduced due to the development of fungicide resistance in the fungal population; hence the use of multi-site fungicides in tank mixing has been encouraged. In this work we used data from 45 uniform fungicide trials conducted across eight Brazilian states during three crop seasons (2014/15, 2015/16, and 2017/18) to identify scenarios when the practice of adding multi-site fungicides in commercial premixes was both technical- and cost-effective. Premixes of quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) + demethylation inhibitors (DMI) or succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI) were applied alone, or tank mixed with multi-site fungicides. Three premixes (PICOxystrobin + CYPRoconazole, PYRAclostrobin + FLUXapyroxad and AZOXystrobin + BENZovindiflupyr) were tank mixed with one of three multi-site fungicides (+MANCozeb, +COPpeR oxychloride, and +ChLORothalonil). The benefits from tank mixing a multi-site tended to be highest for the least effective premix. Improvements in control efficacy (C‾, percent point; p.p.) and yield response (D‾, kg/ha) ranged from 3 to 15 p.p. and 58–240 kg/ha, respectively. The improvements in C‾ and D‾ were affected by severity in the non-treated check; significantly higher improvements in D‾ were determined in trials experiencing high SBR severity levels (>80%). The economic analysis for scenarios of soybean price and multi-site costs showed that the addition of +MANC, given its lower price, was more likely to be profitable compared with +CLOR and +COPR, particularly when tank mixed with the least effective commercial premix.

Development of gluten-free premixes with buckwheat and chia flours: Application in a bread product

The objective of the present work was to develop novel alternative gluten-free premixes for their application in the production of a bread product. Eight formulations of premixes based on light buckwheat flour (LBF) or whole buckwheat flour (WBF) supplemented with chia flour (CF) in a 90:10 ratio (w/w), with and without the addition of xanthan gum (XG 2 g/100 g) were evaluated. A commercial gluten-free premix was used as control. Breads were baked using each formulation and the control premix. The loaves prepared with buckwheat flour and supplemented with CF and XG exhibited a significantly lower mass loss during baking than the control. All the loaves made with LBF presented a higher air fraction, alveolar area and lightness than those prepared with WBF. The joint addition of XG:CF decreased the hardness of the LBF-based loaves. The selected premix (LBF:XG:CF) and the bread exhibited a higher protein, ash, crude fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acid content and antioxidant activity than the commercial premix and its bread (control). The development of premixes based on buckwheat and chia flour represents an alternative with high nutritional value that can be applied to the formulation of gluten-free breads, with adequate technological properties.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Duodenum Targeted Oral Delivery of Tilmicosin.

Developing a targeted oral delivery system to improve the efficacy of veterinary antibiotics and reduce their consumption and environmental risks is urgent. To achieve the duodenum-targeted release of tilmicosin, the enteric granule containing tilmicosin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (TIL-SLNs) was prepared based on its absorption site and transport characteristics. The in vitro release, release mechanisms, stability, palatability, and pharmacokinetics of the optimum enteric granules were studied. The intestine perfusion indicated that the main absorption site of tilmicosin was shifted to duodenum from ileum by TIL-SLNs, while, the absorption of TIL-SLNs in the duodenum was hindered by P-glycoprotein (P-gp). In contrast with TIL-SLNs, the TIL-SLNs could be more effectively delivered to the duodenum in intact form after enteric coating. Its effective permeability coefficient was enhanced when P-gp inhibitors were added. Compared to commercial premix, although the TIL-SLNs did not improve the oral absorption of tilmicosin, the time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) was obviously shortened. After the enteric coating of the granules containing SLNs and P-gp inhibitor of polysorbate-80, the oral absorption of tilmicosin was improved 2.72 fold, and the Tmax was shortened by 2 h. The combination of duodenum-targeted release and P-gp inhibitors was an effective method to improve the oral absorption of tilmicosin.

Preparation, characterization, and pharmacokinetics of tilmicosin taste-masked formulation via hot-melt extrusion technology

Tilmicosin (TMS) is a macrocyclic antibiotic specially used in veterinary clinics, but its extreme bitterness limits its use. This study aimed to obtain a taste-masked formulation of TMS by hot melt extrusion (HME) technology and to investigate the formulation’s characterization, stability, and effects in vitro/in vivo. Eudragit® E PO was selected as the carrier, and TMS dissolution in artificial saliva was used as a reference. The HME parameters were optimized via an orthogonal design. The optimized results were as follows: 135 ℃ extrusion temperature, 100 rpm screw speed and 30 % drug load. The masking efficiency of the formulation was evaluated by both simulated oral drug release in vitro and electronic tongue tests. The release of the taste-masked formulation in artificial saliva medium was significantly reduced within 60 s (less than 2%), while the release in 0.1 M HCl buffer was fast (more than 80 %) within 30 min. As suggested by the results of the electronic tongue, the taste-masked formulation had a better taste-masked effect than the commercial premix and the commercial enteric granules. Finally, a pharmacokinetic study was performed. Analysis of variance demonstrated that the pharmacokinetic behavior of the TMS taste-masked formulation was similar to that of the commercial premix, while the absorption effect was better than that of the commercially available enteric granules. This research indicates that the taste-masked formulation has the potential for future commercialization.

169 Increasing levels of sorghum dried distillers grains with solubles in feedlot diets: effects on nutrient digestibility, ruminal degradability and fermentation

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing levels of sorghum dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in high concentrate feedlot diets in the nutrient digestibility (%), ruminal degradability (%), pH, NH4 (µg N-NH4/ml) and volatile fatty acid (VFA, mM/l) concentration. Four ruminally cannulated steers (450 ± 63 kg) were used in a 4x4 Latin square design, evaluating four treatments in four periods of 19 days each, with 14 days of adaptation and 5 days of measurements. Animals received a TMR, 92% concentrate (63% sorghum grain, 25% soybean meal, 4% mineral commercial premix), with DDGS (90% DM, 29% CP, 51% NDF, 9% EE) in increasing levels generating 4 treatments: 0, 15, 30, or 45%. Replacing a combination of sorghum grain and soybean meal to maintain diets isoproteic. The TMR was offered ad-libitum to each animal in individual pens. Greater levels of DDGS increased the consumption of NDF (P = 0.0001) and EE (P = 0.0004), and NDF total tract apparent digestibility (linear; P = 0.038), but it decreased quadratically EE total tract apparent digestibility (P = 0.017). The DM (84.2 ± 0.17) and the CP total tract apparent digestibility (85.3 ± 2.0) was not affected by increasing levels of DDGS. Nevertheless, the ruminal degradability of total DM (P = 0.01) and CP decreased linearly (P = 0.01), without affecting NDF degradability (65.6 ± 4.3). Increasing levels of DDGS did not change ruminal pH (5.6 ± 0.14), acetate (45.1 ± 6.3), propionate (24.8 ± 3.6), and butyrate (5.2 ± 0.7) concentration, but NH4 concentration decreased linearly (P &lt; 0.0001) directly related to the decreased CP ruminal degradability. Increasing levels of DDGS inclusion in a high concentrate diet reduce the CP ruminal degradability, without changes in total CP digestibility, what indicates a change of the site of digestion.

Arachidonic Acid in the Diet of Captive Yellowtail and Its Effects on Egg Quality

AbstractMarine finfish require long‐chain (LC) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for normal physiological function, and because these LC‐PUFAs cannot be synthesized by the fish, they must be obtained from the diet. Three LC‐PUFAs—arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4[n‐6]), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5[n‐3]), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6[n‐3])—are especially important for growth and development of marine fish embryos and larvae. We supplemented ARA in the diet of Yellowtail Seriola dorsalis to determine whether ARA levels have an effect on egg and larval quality. Two experimental diets were offered to replicate groups of Yellowtail held in 10‐m3 tanks under ambient water temperature and photoperiod conditions. The reference diet (REF‐D; 1.4 g of ARA per 100 g of total fatty acids) was a commercial premix (BioVita Starter Mash; Bio‐Oregon) without ARA supplementation; the ARA diet (ARA‐D; 4.7 g/100 g total fatty acids) was the commercial premix with 1.0% concentrated ARA oil (40% ARA, weight/weight) added. Fish in the REF‐D treatment spawned 53 times during the spawning season for a total of 18.0 million eggs. Fish in the ARA‐D treatment tanks spawned 30 times during the spawning season for a total of 13.0 million eggs. Viability, hatch rates, and egg diameter were all significantly higher in the ARA‐D treatment. Fatty acid analysis of the diets showed a significant increase in ARA in the ARA‐D diet, and that same increase was seen in the resulting eggs. Correspondingly, ARA‐D eggs had a lower EPA : ARA ratio than REF‐D eggs. The supplementation of ARA generated increases in key performance indices, which might have biological significance in a production setting. We additionally demonstrated that Yellowtail will spawn without hormone induction in small (10‐m3) breeding tanks, which facilitates manipulative studies of broodstock nutrition as reported here. These data represent an excellent starting point for dietary refinements in the future.

ARACHIDONIC ACID IN THE DIET OF CAPTIVE CALIFORNIA YELLOWTAILSeriola dorsalisAND ITS EFFECTS ON EGG QUALITY

AbstractMarine finfish require long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) for normal physiological function, and because these LC-PUFAs cannot be synthesized by the fish they must be obtained from the diet. Three LC-PUFAs—arachidonic acid (ARA; c20:4 n-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (c20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (c22:6 n-3) are especially important for growth and development of marine fish embryos and larvae. Here we supplemented ARA in the diet of California yellowtail (CYT; Seriola dorsalis), to determine whether ARA levels have an effect on egg and larval quality.Two experimental diets were offered to replicate groups of CYT held in 10 m3 tanks under ambient water temperature and photoperiod conditions. The reference diet (REF-D; 1.4 g ARA 100 g−1 total fatty acids) was a commercial premix (Bio Vita Starter Mash; Bio-Oregon) without ARA supplementation, the ARA diet (ARA-D; 4.7 g 100 g−1 total fatty acids) was the commercial premix with 1.0% concentrated ARA oil (40% ARA, w/w) added.Fish in th...

FORMULATION OF GLUTEN FREE BREAD FRIENDLY FOR DIABETICS

To reduce the glycaemic index of gluten free foods maintaining their nutritional and sensory characteristics is nowadays a scientific challenge and the aim of the present investigation. To achieve the goal the formulation of a commercial gluten-free pre-mix was improved by adding as novel ingredients concentrated rice protein, inulin and robusta coffee silverskin extract (RCSE) (del Castillo M. D. et al., 2013) enriched in phytochemicals presenting antioxidant and antidiabetic properties (del Castillo M. D. et al., 2014; Fernandez-Gomez B. et al., 2016; Mesias M. et al., 2014). Breads were prepared following the instructions of the manufacture of the pre-mix in presence and absence of RCSE (controls) in an automatic bread maker. The bread characterization was performed by analysis of protein, total carbohydrates, sugars, total phenolic compounds, overall antioxidant capacity, activity of alfa-glucosidase and sensory analysis. A novel bread source of protein, high content of dietary fibre, enriched in antioxidants (2.23 mg eq. CGA/g of bread) and inhibitors of alfa-glucosidase (IC50 27 mg/mL) as well as with acceptable sensory quality was obtained. In conclusion, a novel food friendly for celiac and diabetics has been developed.

Hipervitaminose induzida pela suplementação de vitamina A em rações para pós-larvas de tilápia do Nilo

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the hypervitaminosis by supplementation of vitamin A in balanced ration, on the performance of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) during sex reversal phase. The experiment was carried out during 30 days in a randomized experimental design with six treatments and five repetitions. Was considered an experimental unit an aquarium of 50L contends 70 post larvae. The first treatment was consisted by a ration where was added only commercial premix how a vitamin A (30 KUI) source. The others had been supplemented with 1.030, 2.030, 3.030, 4.030 e 5.030 KUI of vitamin A. At the end, the final average weight (FAW), the standard (SL) and total length (TL), the weight gain (WG), the biomass gain (BG), the apparent feed conversion (FA), the condition factor (CF) and the survival (SU) were assessed. The results of FAW, SL, WG and BG showed a negative linear effect (P<0,05) by the increase of the vitamin A in the ration. The hipervitaminosis of vitamin A above of 30 KUI damaged the post larvae Nile tilapia growth.

The Effect of Vitamins on Weight Gain and Organ Production in the Sea Urchin, Lytechinus variegatus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

We investigated the requirements for a commercial vitamin premix in diets of Lytechinus variegatus. Small L. variegatus (ca. 28 mm diameter) were collected from Saint Joseph Bay, Florida, and acclimated to laboratory conditions (32 ppt salinity, 22 C, 12:12 photoperiod) for 3 wk, then placed individually into plastic mesh cages (n = 16 per treatment). Sixteen urchins were dissected to obtain initial weights of organs (gut, gonad, test). Each treatment was fed one of five semipurified diets supplemented with levels of a commercial shrimp vitamin premix ranging from 0 to 0.9% dry weight. At 4-wk intervals, wet weights and test diameters were measured. At 16 wk, urchins were dissected and organs weighed. Significant weight gain and 100% survival was observed with all diets. At 16 wk, urchins fed 0% vitamin premix exhibited no noticeable pathology but had significantly less weight gain than those fed the 0.6% vitamin premix. Those fed the 0.6% vitamin premix had significantly greater weight gain than all other diets (P < 0.0001). Gonad weights increased in all treatments, but did not vary significantly. Under the conditions of this study, L. variegatusexhibited a satisfactory nutritional response. Experiments are planned to determine specific dietary vitamin requirements for L. variegatus.

Effects of type of ionophore and carrier on in vitro ruminal dry matter disappearance, gas production, and fermentation end products of a concentrate substrate

Effects of ionophore type and carrier on in vitro ruminal digestion and fermentation patterns of a concentrate substrate were evaluated at various incubation times. Treatments were: control (no ionophore); lasalocid sodium commercial premix (Bov); lasalocid sodium mycelium cake (LasBio); laidlomycin sodium salt (LaidNa); laidlomycin propionate commercial premix (LaidPro); monensin sodium salt (Mon); and monensin sodium commercial premix (Rum). The Bov, LasBio, Mon, and Rum treatments supplied 4μg of ionophore/mL of culture volume, whereas the LaidNa and LaidPro treatments supplied 1.33μg of ionophore/mL. Total gas and methane production did not differ among treatments at any of the incubation times (P>0.09). Similarly, in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) was not affected by treatment (P>0.28) at 6, 18, and 24h of incubation; however, IVDMD (P=0.03) was greater for ionophores than for the control at 12h of incubation. Molar proportions of acetate (P<0.01), acetate:propionate (P<0.01), and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations (P<0.01) were decreased and propionate was increased (P<0.001) for the average of all ionophore-containing substrates compared with the control. Total VFA were decreased by Bov, LaidNa, and Rum, contrasted with their specific counterparts (LasBio, LaidPro, and Mon, respectively; P<0.05). Differences were detected among ionophore types for acetate (lasalocid vs. laidlomycin; P<0.05), propionate (lasalocid vs. monensin; P<0.05), and butyrate (monensin vs. lasalocid or laidlomycin; P<0.05). Capture of metabolic hydrogen in end products of fermentation was greater for ionophore-containing treatments (P<0.01) than for the control. These data suggest limited unique effects of ionophore type or carrier on IVDMD, total gas production, and methane; however, VFA proportions varied among ionophore types and carriers, which deserves further study.

Karakteristik Endapan Cairan Rumen Sapi asal Rumah Potong Hewan sebagai Feed Supplement

The aims of this experiment were to identify and characterize of sediment product from cattle rumen liquor as a source of amino acids, minerals and vitamins. The sediment were obtained as pellets upon centrifugation of rumen liquor at 10,000 g for 10 minutes for collection of supernatant. The sediment were evaluated for amino acids, minerals and vitamins composition and chararacterized for the pH, solubility of dry matter, specific density, bulk and compacted bulk densities and angle of response. Result of the experiment showed that sediment contained higher minerals: Na, K and Fe compared with the commercial premix, but lower in B-vitamins and amino acids. The composition of mineral Na, K, and Fe from rumen liquor of local cattle was 13.47%, 7.73 % and 14.52 %, while Na, K, and Fe from rumen liquor of imported cattle was 18.40%, 10.25%, and 14.52% respectively. The sediment had pH range from 10.01-10.03, the dry matter solubility was 35.5% up to 39.1%. The sediment from imported cattle had higher specific density, bulk and compacted bulk densities and angle of response than that of local cattle. It is concluded that sediment from cattle rumen liquor contained high Na, K and Fe, low amino acids and B-vitamin, high pH and low solubility.

Ammonia emissions from broiler litter: response to bedding materials and acidifiers

1. In a pen study, NH3 flux estimates were performed when clean wheat straw or wood shavings were used as bedding materials in combination with two NH3 control amendments: sodium bisulphate and a commercial premix of phosphoric + hydrochloric + citric acids. 2. Ammonia emissions from wood shavings were 19% greater than from wheat straw around waterers, but statistically similar around feeders. These results could be due to the greater caking observed when wheat straw was used. 3. Sodium bisulphate reduced NH3 emissions significantly only in the first half of the rearing period; the loss of efficacy in the second half resulted in total NH3 volatilisation not statistically different from the untreated control. The treatment containing phosphoric + hydrochloric + citric acids did not have a significant effect in decreasing NH3 emissions. 4. Bird mortality was not affected by the treatments, but broiler weight gain when wheat straw was used was significantly lower than with wood shavings, which could have been caused by the greater caking observed with wheat straw.

Corn and Rice Response to Simulated Drift of Imazethapyr Plus Imazapyr

Field research was conducted for 2 yr to evaluate response of corn and rice to simulated drift rates of a commercial premix of imazethapyr plus imazapyr [3:1 (w/w)]. Drift rates of the imazethapyr plus imazapyr premix represented 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.3, and 12.5% of the usage rate of 63 g ai/ha (0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 7.9 g/ha, respectively). The imazethapyr plus imazapyr premix applied to six-leaf corn at 7.9 g/ha reduced height 11% compared with the nontreated control 7 days after treatment (DAT) but did not affect corn height 14 and 28 DAT. Corn yield was equivalent regardless of imazethapyr plus imazapyr rate and ranged from 10,200 to 11,500 kg/ha. At 28 DAT, rice height was reduced 12% when 7.9 g/ha of the imazethapyr plus imazapyr premix was applied early postemergence (EPOST) at two- to three-leaf and 14 and 5% when the imazethapyr plus imazapyr premix at 7.9 and 4 g/ha, respectively, was applied late postemergence (LPOST) at panicle differentiation. Reductions in mature rice height of 11 and 6% were observed when the imazethapyr plus imazapyr premix was applied LPOST at 7.9 and 4 g/ha, respectively, and a 5% reduction was observed for 7.9 g/ha of the imazethapyr plus imazapyr premix applied EPOST. Application of the imazethapyr plus imazapyr premix EPOST at 7.9 g/ha delayed heading in only 1 yr, but heading was delayed both years when applied LPOST. Rice yield was reduced 39 and 16% when the imazethapyr plus imazapyr premix was applied LPOST at 7.9 and 4 g/ha, respectively, compared with a 9% yield reduction for 7.9 g/ha applied EPOST.

Acute toxicity of ivermectin to the lugworm Arenicola marina

Ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a and B1b), as the commercial Premix for Pigs, was found to be acutely toxic to the marine sediment-dwelling polychaete Arenicola marina (10-day LC50 0.023 mg/kg dry weight of sediment, confidence limits 0.018 and 0.027 mg/kg). At all concentrations tested (i.e., 0.006 mg/kg dry weight and above), ivermectin reduced the rate of cast production. Prior exposure to 0.010 mg/kg or more reduced the rate at which A. marina was able to rebury in clean sediment. The results indicate that there is a clear case for targeted field studies at marine salmon farming sites where permission may be given to use ivermectin to control ectoparasitic sea lice infections.