Plain Food Research Articles

Factors influencing dietary patterns among the youth from higher educational institutions in India.

To determine the factors influencing the dietary habits of the varied groups among adults in India. Data on food habits such as choice of diet, preference toward meat, spicy food, sugar/calorie etc., were collected from the participants (from several higher education institutions) of different training programmes and events organised at ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad and its students of Post Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management. Results of the study indicated that the food choice of the respondents is highly influenced by their region, age and gender. Most of the respondents preferred vegetarian food with increasing age. We also noticed that as age of the respondents increased, their preference toward simple & plain food (with less oil/spice) also increased. From the present investigation, it is recommended that the customized food menu should be prepared in every food serving institution based on the region, age and gender of the consumer. Analysis of dietary patterns can be helpful for doctors, dieticians, food policy-making, restaurateurs, youth hostels, food organisations, mega kitchens etc. that would also contribute to responsible food consumption.

Exposure of zebrafish to an environmental mixture of persistent organic pollutants triggers an increase in anxiety-like syndrome but does not affect boldness in unexposed offspring.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are present as complex mixtures in all environmental compartments, including aquatic ecosystems. However, little is known about the effects of such complex mixtures on teleost behaviour. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were chronically exposed to an environmentally relevant mixture (MIX) containing 22 PCB and 7 PBDE congeners through diet from 5days post fertilization onwards. MIX-exposed F0 fish produced offspring (F1 and F2 generations) that were fed using plain food and grown until adulthood. In each generation, five behavioural traits (i.e. boldness, activity, sociality, exploration and anxiety) were evaluated by the mean of different experimental set-ups. Two distinct behavioural syndromes were identified: boldness, positively correlated to activity and exploration; and anxiety, associated with low sociality. F0 fish did not display any behavioural disruption resulting from POP exposure whereas F1 MIX fish were bolder than fish from other generations but did not differ significantly from F1 controls. F2 MIX fish displayed a higher anxiety syndrome than F2 controls. This is of particular importance since such behavioural changes in offspring generations may have persistent ecological consequences, may affect fitness and hence cause detrimental effects on wild fish populations exposed to POP mixtures.

Dietary practices, beliefs and behaviours of adults with inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study.

It is widely accepted that there is an association between diet and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diet may play a role in disease pathogenesis but also in treatment and management of IBD. There is an increased interest in dietary aspects of people with IBD. To investigate dietary practices, beliefs and behaviours of adults with IBD in Ireland. An online questionnaire was adapted to explore dietary practices, beliefs and behaviours of people with IBD, and to identify any dietary modifications made due to their IBD. A total of 475 participants (female n = 354, male n = 121) took part in this study, 62% had Crohn's disease and 38% had ulcerative colitis. Dietary restrictions were imposed in the hope of preventing a relapse by 85% of participants. The most reported foods avoided included fatty foods (68%), spicy foods (64%) and raw vegetables or fruit (58%). Low fibre white plain foods (74%) appeared to improve symptoms during a relapse. Participant's appetites were higher during remission (8.36, SD = ± 1.95), compared to during relapse (3.71, SD = ± 2.32) (P ≤ 0.001). Almost three-quarters (73%) avoided the same menu as others living in their household and 56% avoided eating out to prevent or for fear of causing a relapse. Additionally, 70% avoided food or drink they liked to try prevent a relapse. These findings provide important insights into the dietary practices, beliefs and behaviours of adults with IBD. Its evident diet plays an important role, and our findings reiterate the importance of patient education and support.

Neural Substrates of Food Valuation and Its Relationship With BMI and Healthy Eating in Higher BMI Individuals.

Considerable evidence points to a link between body mass index (BMI), eating behavior, and the brain's reward system. However, much of this research focuses on food cue reactivity without examining the subjective valuation process as a potential mechanism driving individual differences in BMI and eating behavior. The current pre-registered study (https://osf.io/n4c95/) examined the relationship between BMI, healthy eating, and subjective valuation of healthy and unhealthy foods in a community sample of individuals with higher BMI who intended to eat more healthily. Particularly, we examined: (1) alterations in neurocognitive measures of subjective valuation related to BMI and healthy eating; (2) differences in the neurocognitive valuation for healthy and unhealthy foods and their relation to BMI and healthy eating; (3) and whether we could conceptually replicate prior findings demonstrating differences in neural reactivity to palatable vs. plain foods. To this end, we scanned 105 participants with BMIs ranging from 23 to 42 using fMRI during a willingness-to-pay task that quantifies trial-by-trial valuation of 30 healthy and 30 unhealthy food items. We measured out of lab eating behavior via the Automated Self-Administered 24 H Dietary Assessment Tool, which allowed us to calculate a Healthy Eating Index (HEI). We found that our sample exhibited robust, positive linear relationships between self-reported value and neural responses in regions previously implicated in studies of subjective value, suggesting an intact valuation system. However, we found no relationship between valuation and BMI nor HEI, with Bayes Factor indicating moderate evidence for a null relationship. Separating the food types revealed that healthy eating, as measured by the HEI, was inversely related to subjective valuation of unhealthy foods. Imaging data further revealed a stronger linkage between valuation of healthy (compared to unhealthy) foods and corresponding response in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and that the interaction between healthy and unhealthy food valuation in this region is related to HEI. Finally, our results did not replicate reactivity differences demonstrated in prior work, likely due to differences in the mapping between food healthiness and palatability. Together, our findings point to disruptions in the valuation of unhealthy foods in the vmPFC as a potential mechanism influencing healthy eating.

Locomotor sensitization modulates voluntary self-administration of methamphetamine in Drosophila melanogaster.

As complexities of addictive behaviors cannot be fully captured in laboratory studies, scientists use simple addiction-associated phenotypes and measure them in laboratory animals. Locomotor sensitization, characterized by an increased behavioral response to the same dose of the drug, has been extensively used to elucidate the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms of neuronal plasticity. However, to what extent it contributes to the development of addiction is not completely clear. We tested if the development of locomotor sensitization to methamphetamine affects voluntary self-administration, and vice versa, in order to investigate how two drug-associated phenotypes influence one another. In our study, we used the genetically tractable model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, and quantified locomotor sensitization and voluntary self-administration to methamphetamine using behavioral tests that were developed and adapted in our laboratory. We show that flies express robust locomotor sensitization to the second dose of volatilized methamphetamine, which significantly lowers preferential self-administration of methamphetamine. Naive flies preferentially self-administer food with methamphetamine over plain food. Exposing flies to volatilized methamphetamine after voluntary self-administration abolishes locomotor sensitization. We tested period null (per01 ) mutant flies and showed that they do not develop locomotor sensitization, nor do they show preferential self-administration of methamphetamine. Our results suggest that there may be partially overlapping neural circuitry that regulates the expression of locomotor sensitization and preferential self-administration to methamphetamine and that this circuitry requires a functional per gene.

Conditioned food aversion mediated by odour cue and microencapsulated levamisole to avoid predation by canids

Worldwide, predators and humans are in conflict for resources such as game species or livestock, especially in the case of wild canids. One non-lethal method to reduce predation is conditioned food aversion (CFA), in which animals learn to avoid a food due to the illness after ingestion, caused by the addition of an undetected chemical compound. CFA can be enhanced by adding an artificial odour cue, in a process known as taste-potentiated odour aversion (TPOA). We tested CFA and TPOA with three experimental groups of penned dogs. Food was offered with a combination of microencapsulated levamisole + vanilla odour (ODO), microencapsulated levamisole (LEV), or plain food as a control. The aims were (a) to test whether dogs detected the microencapsulated levamisole, (b) to analyse the strength and extinction time of CFA induced by microencapsulated levamisole, and (c) to analyse the strength and extinction time of TPOA. Two-choice tests were carried out during 11 post-conditioning months, and two reinforcements with microencapsulated levamisole were performed during the first post-conditioning month. In the first post-conditioning test, ODO and LEV groups ate significantly less untreated food than control group. After reinforcement, the dogs in LEV group resumed eating the food. Three of four dogs in ODO group showed long-lasting CFA until the 11th month. These results show that TPOA could be used to induce odour aversion on canids and that the odour cue overshadows the slight bitter taste of microencapsulated levamisole. These results show TPOA as a promising tool to reduce predation by wild canids.

A Study on Metabolic, Nutritional and Biochemical Profile of Tobacco Users With and Without Oral Precancer Lesions

The tobacco use and the dietary intake/levels of vitamin C and E, and the trace elements, iron, copper, zinc, and selenium are interrelated with the development of oral precancer. These micronutrients are necessary for maintaining good oral health. To estimate the nutritional status, vitamin E, C and micronutrient level of zinc, iron, copper, and selenium, and basic vitals in all study groups. The study sample is comprised of 384 subjects. There were three study groups, and in each study group, there were 128 subjects. Group A was tobacco users without oral precancer/dysplasia. Group B was tobacco users with oral precancer (H/P confirmed). Group C was healthy individuals with no history of tobacco or areca nut use and oral precancer. Data have been collected using a standard structured predesigned questionnaire for evaluation of the nutrition level of the subject; 5mL blood has been collected for estimation of micronutrients; and basic vitals such as pulse rate and blood pressure have been examined using the digital machine. Questionnaire data will also be entered in the worksheet for the purpose of analysis. The analysis will be performed using the commercially available Statistical Package SPSS. The serum level of zinc, iron, selenium, vitamin E and C was decreasing in Groups A and B, i.e., users with precancer and users without precancer as compared to Group C, i.e., controls. But serum copper level was increasing in Groups A and B, i.e., users with precancer and users without precancer, and the level was found to be decreased in Group C, i.e., controls. Later on, in the present study, basic vitals such as blood pressure and pulse rate of all the study subjects in all the three groups were clinically examined. No significant differences were found in blood pressure, pulse rate (radial pulse), and height in all groups. But the weight was slightly higher in Groups A and B as compared to Group C. Diet plays an aggressive role in the development of oral precancer. The deficiency of certain micro nutrients may lead to disease progression. We can say that a healthy diet comprising of vegetarian and plain food may lead to solving issues of oral health. The above-highlighted text shows that micronutrients play dominant role in maintenance of oral health and its deficiency may result in the growth of oral precancer. So involving diet rich in zinc, iron, selenium, vitamin E and C may help in maintaining healthy nation.

Increased food choice-evoked brain activation in adolescents with excess weight: Relationship with subjective craving and behavior

ObjectiveWe used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess brain regions associated with food choices between appetizing (i.e., high sugar, high fat) and plain food in adolescents with excess weight and those with normal weight. The associations between choice-evoked brain activation and subjective food craving and behavioral food choices were also evaluated. MethodsSeventy-three adolescents (aged 14–19 years), classified into excess weight (n = 38) or normal weight (n = 39) groups, participated in the study. We used a food-choice fMRI task, between appetizing and plain food, to analyse brain activation differences between groups. Afterwards, participants assessed their "craving" for each food presented in the scanner. ResultsAdolescents with excess weight showed higher brain activation in frontal, striatal, insular and mid-temporal regions during choices between appetizing and standard food cues. This pattern of activations correlated with behavioral food choices and subjective measures of craving. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that adolescents with excess weight have greater food choice-related brain reactivity in reward-related regions involved in motivational and emotional responses to food. Increased activation in these regions is generally associated with craving, and increased dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is specifically associated with appetizing food choices among adolescents with excess weight, which may suggest greater conflict in these decisions. These overweight- and craving-associated patterns of brain activation may be relevant to decision-making about food consumption.

Healthy Food Choice in Thailand: An Investigation into Illness Knowledge and Sociodemographics

You are what you eat. Food choices have been found to have effects on people and their diseases. Given plain taste, healthy food choices are less popular. This study aimed to investigate relevant factors of healthy food-choice decisions among healthy and unhealthy consumers. We examined the impact of awareness of health conditions (illness knowledge) and sociodemographics on food-consumption behavior using logistic regression models. Empirical results showed that consumers place taste as the key determinant when making food-consumption decisions. Men are more inclined towards unhealthy food choices than women. Ageing helps sway consumers to eat more plain food. Illness knowledge influences consumer preferences towards a healthier option, the plain taste food. However, illness knowledge has less influence on educated consumers and older consumers who exhibit strong fixation on tasty food preference. Education helps consumers form healthy food preferences rather than alters existing preferences towards healthy food choices. In promoting healthy food choices, awareness of health status becomes a vital factor. Health checkup campaign is therefore encouraged, supporting consumers to wisely consider healthier food choices.

Comparative evaluation of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides against <italic>Mus musculus</italic>

An investigation was carried out at the Animal House cum Rodent Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during 2013-14 to evaluate the efficacy of four anticoagulant rodenticides against commensal rodent, <italic>Mus musculus</italic>. The efficacy of anticoagulant rodenticides viz., brodifacoum, flocoumafen and difenacoum along with bromadiolone were evaluated against <italic>Mus musculus</italic> under no-choice and choice feeding trial. In both choice and nochoice feeding trials the efficacy of brodifacoum (0.005%) wax block was significantly better than flocoumafen (0.005%) and difenacoum (0.005%) but at par with bromadiolone (0.005%). In no-choice feeding trial, 100 per cent mortality was achieved with brodifacoum and bromadiolone within 4-7 days observation period but significantly lower mortality was recorded in flocoumafen (80%) and difenacoum (60%). The wax block formulation of difenacoum showed poor palatability as more consumption of plain bait was recorded over poison bait against test animals. Under no-choice test, the poison ingested between male and female were not significant in case of all the toxicants. The consumption of poison bait by the test animals of both the sexes under choice test was reduced in comparison to no-choice test because of availability of an alternate plain food along with the poison bait. The post treatment consumption of bait was significantly lower in case of brodifacoum and bromadiolone in comparison to flocoumafen and difenacoum. This shows the effectiveness of these two rodenticides <italic>viz</italic>. brodifacoum and bromadiolone against rodent species.

Is plain food packaging plain wrong? Plain packaging increases unhealthy snack intake among males

Public policy makers have recently recommended deactivating the marketing functions of unhealthy food packaging by enforcing the use of plain food packaging. It is noteworthy, however, that no study to date examined the impact of plain packaging on consumers’ perceptions and actual consumption of unhealthy food items. Three studies reported here addressed the latter questions. Study 1 shows that the plain packaging negatively impacts product and brand attitudes as well as intention to consume an unhealthy snack when consumers only evaluate the packaging. Study 2, however, reveals that when they taste the product, the plain packaging increases food consumption among males, while there is no difference for females. As a further insight, Study 2 shows that the plain packaging does not influence consumers’ product and brand perceptions anymore following actual food consumption. Study 3 fully replicates Study 2 findings and additionally shows that the plain packaging and the low fat label packaging increase unhealthy snack intake to a similar extent in males and females, respectively.

Bio-efficacy of denatonium benzoate added formulation of bromadiolone against commensal rodents

Present day rodent management technology mostly relies on use of rodenticides, which is unsafe for human beings and other non-targets. Denatonium benzoate (DB) is an intensely bitter and non-toxic substance which is detectable by humans at a concentration of 10 ppb. Denatonium benzoate added wax block formulation of bromadiolone (0.005%) (an anticoagulant rodenticide) was evaluated against commensal rodents (house rat, Rattus rattus and lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis), which are always found in the proximity of pets, domestic animals and human beings. Single day exposure to bromadiolone (0.005%) formulation with DB and without DB in no-choice tests yielded 100% mortality in both the test rodent species in 2–11 days. The amount of poison bait ingested by R. rattus and B. bengalensis for both the formulations did not differ significantly, ranging between 5.87 - 7.30 and 6.51–6.71 g/100 g body weight, respectively. In choice tests in the presence of alternate plain food (broken wheat grain), consumption of both the formulations of bromadiolone (0.005%) (with and without DB) was similar to plain food at both the exposure periods (1 and 2 days), indicating a good acceptability of test rodenticide. However, mortality with a single day exposure to bromadiolone (0.005%) formulation with DB was 70% and without DB was 60–80% in both test rodent species within 3–14 days. With a two days exposure period, mortality was 100% in both the species of test rodents in 3–13 days. Single day choice test between the formulations revealed that intake of baits of both formulations by both the test rodents was similar i.e., in the range of 8.16–8.94 g/100 g b wt (bromadiolone with DB) and 8.20–9.5 g/100 g b wt (bromadiolone without DB) indicating that incorporation of a bittering agent (DB) with bromadiolone did not alter the consumption of poison in both the test species. In field trials the mean control success as assessed by census baiting and trapping methods with the application of bromadiolone (0.005%) with DB ranged between 54.0% (houses and shops) to 68.4% (poultry farms) and was 55.6% (houses and shops) to 68.4% (poultry farms) in treatments with bromadiolone (0.005%) without DB. It can be concluded that denatonium benzoate could be a best additive in rodenticidal formulations as the acceptability, palatability and toxicity in the laboratory and also its performance in field in managing the pest rodents were not altered.

Rodenticidal potential of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol in synergism against Bandicota bengalensis

The toxicity of standard doses of the rodenticides cholecalciferol and bromadiolone and different combinations of their use at reduced concentrations were compared against lesser bandicoot rats, Bandicota bengalensis. Mature and healthy B. bengalensis were live trapped, acclimatized, weighed and divided into groups. Cereal based baits of standard doses of cholecalciferol (0.075%) and bromadiolone (0.005%) and four combinations at lower than standard concentrations were fed to different groups of rats for 3 days in no-choice feeding tests. Rats of the control group were fed on plain food. Whole blood of treated and untreated rats was collected before treatment and 48 h of treatment to determine changes in levels of calcium and phosphorous and clotting time. 100% mortality of rats was caused at all the treatments with in 3–6 days. Acceptance of treatment baits over plain food was found to vary from 62 to 92%. A significant increase in serum levels of calcium (P ≤ 0.05) and phosphorous (P ≤ 0.05) was recorded after 48 h of treatment in groups of rats fed on bait containing the standard dose of cholecalciferol as well as the four combination baits. In groups of rats fed on the standard dose of bromadiolone as well as the four combinations, a significant increase in blood clotting time after 48 h of treatment as revealed by the increase in prothrombin time (P ≤ 0.05) and international normalized ratio (P ≤ 0.05) was observed. The consumption of treatment bait on day 3 of treatment was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less from that consumed on days 1 and 2 of treatment. Present studies suggest the bait combination having lowest concentrations of bromadiolone (0.001%) and cholecalciferol (0.005%) to be cost effective for population management of B. bengalensis.

INVESTIGATION INTO WATER CONSUMPTION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON DEPRESSION, MEMORY PROBLEMS AND CONSTIPATION IN OLDER PERSONS

Objective: This study examines a possible relationship between plain water consumption, mild cognitive impairment, depression and constipation in a cohort of Greek-born Australians aged 65 and over. Design: A cross-sectional study using a semi-quantitative food frequency and lifestyle questionnaire. Participants: We recruited 150 elderly Greek migrant volunteers who were born on Greek Mediterranean islands and collected detailed diet and lifestyle data using an established protocol used in the Mediterranean Islands Study (MEDIS) in Greece. Measurements: Water intake from plain water, beverages and foods was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Depression and memory were assessed using the validated Geriatric Depression Scale – Short version. Results: Mean water intake from all sources for all participants was 2871 mL (p = 0.010), water derived from foods was 1048mL (p = 0.014), beverage intake other than plain water was 876mL (p < 0.001) and plain water consumption was low with a mean of 947mL (p = 0.001) per day. Those who reported as not depressed (GDS < 6) consumed 100 mL less total water from food and beverages than those who scored 6 or above and those who self-reported no constipation consumed nearly 300mL more water in foods than those who self-reported being constipated. Conclusion: Results suggest that habitual low consumption of plain water (< 1000mL/day) was not associated with constipation or self-reported mental-emotional disorders in this group. Water consumption from food was significantly higher in those with no constipation suggesting that consumption of water in food may be a significant factor in ensuring adequate water needs. Clinicians should consider water intake in food when assessing patient water intake.

Behavioral effects of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor allosteric modulator ORG27569 in rats.

The cannabinoid CB1 receptor system is involved in feeding behaviors and the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A is an effective antiobesity drug. However, SR141716A also has serious side effects, which prompted the exploration of alternative strategies to modulate this important drug target. Recently a CB1 receptor allosteric modulating site has been discovered and the allosteric modulating activity of several modulators including ORG27569 has been characterized in vitro. Yet, little is known of the in vivo pharmacological effects of ORG27569. This study examined the behavioral pharmacology of ORG27569 in rats. ORG27569 (3.2–10 mg/kg, i.p.) selectively attenuated the hypothermic effects of CB1 receptor agonists CP55940 (0.1–1 mg/kg) and anandamide (3.2–32 mg/kg). In contrast, SR141716A only attenuated the hypothermic effects of CP55940 but not anandamide. SR141716A but not ORG27569 blocked CP55940-induced catalepsy and antinociception. In addition, ORG27569 did not modify SR141716A-elicited grooming and scratching behaviors. In feeding studies, ORG27569 decreased palatable and plain food intake which was partially blocked by CP55940. The hypophagic effect of ORG27569 developed tolerance after 4 days of daily 5.6 mg/kg treatment; however, the effect on body weight gain outlasted the drug treatment for 10 days. These data suggest that ORG27569 may not function as a CB1 receptor allosteric modulator in vivo, although its hypophagic activity still has potential therapeutic utility.

Text for Dinner: ‘Plain’ Food in Colonial Australia … Or, Was It?

Text for Dinner: ‘Plain’ Food in Colonial Australia … Or, Was It?

“We eat more than kangaroo tail or dugong you know…”: Recent Indigenous Australian Cookbooks

This paper focuses on a series of cookbooks published by Indigenous Australian groups. These cookbooks are typically produced with government funding, and are developed by nutritionists, dieticians, and health workers in consultation with local communities. They are designed to teach Indigenous Australians to cook healthy, nutritious, low-cost meals. In this paper, Fredericks and Anderson identify the value of these cookbooks as low-cost, public health interventions. However, they note that their value as health interventions has not been tested. Fredericks and Anderson question the value of these cookbooks within the broader context of the health disadvantage faced by Indigenous Australians. They argue that the cookbooks are developed from a Western perspective of health and nutrition that fails to recognise the value of traditional Indigenous foodways. They suggest that incorporating more Indigenous food knowledge and food-related traditions into cookbooks may be one way of improving health among Indigenous peoples and revitalising Indigenous knowledge.

The Black Atlantic as Dystopia:

The Black Atlantic as Dystopia:

Carbon flows in the benthic food web of the Porcupine Abyssal Plain: The (un)importance of labile detritus in supporting microbial and faunal carbon demands

Carbon flows in the benthic food web of the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (4850 m, northeast Atlantic) were reconstructed using linear inverse modeling based on mass balances of the various compartments, biomass data, carbon flux measurements, physiological constraints, and data from a previously published 13C‐phytodetritus pulse‐chase experiment. Food web compartments consisted of bacteria, Foraminifera, three feeding types of nematodes and of macrofauna, and four feeding types of megafauna. Three lability classes of detritus were defined to clarify especially the possible role of labile detritus in this abyssal plain food web. Total detritus inputs to the food web were 0.56 mmol C m−2 d−1, with only a minor (3.8%) contribution of labile detritus. The dominant pathway in the food web was dissolution of more refractory detritus, uptake by bacteria, and subsequent respiration (0.36 mmol C m−2 d−1, 80% of the community respiration). Lower contributions to community respiration were found for surface‐deposit‐feeding macrobenthos (5.6%), Foraminifera (4.9%), predatory macrobenthos (3.8%), and other deposit‐feeding macrobenthos (3.1%). Contributions by other benthic compartments were < 1%. 13C‐phytodetritus transfer data strongly constrained the carbon source for bacteria, Foraminifera, and the nematode and macrobenthic compartments. Surprisingly, labile detritus contributed < 5% of the total carbon requirements for all these compartments. Carbon sources were much less constrained for the megabenthic compartments because for these compartments no 13C pulse‐chase data were available. The carbon flow model evidently shows a limited role of labile detritus in the food web.

Evaluation in broilers of the probiotic properties of Pichia pastoris and a recombinant P. pastoris containing the Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin gene

The probiotic properties of Pichia pastoris and of a recombinant P. pastoris containing the Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin gene were evaluated in broilers. One-day-old chicks randomly divided in four groups were fed with commercial feed devoid of antibacterials. The control group (1) received plain food, while the other groups were supplemented with either P. pastoris (2), the recombinant P. pastoris (3) or Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi (4). At day 49, live weights, feed efficiency and seroconversions were higher (P<0.05) in the supplemented groups than in the control groups. Group 3 showed the best results, while group 2 had lower weight gain than groups 3 and 4 although food conversion was better than in group 4. Seroconversions were not different (P>0.05) among the supplemented groups. Adverse reactions were not observed in histopathologic evaluation. We concluded that P. pastoris and the recombinant P. pastoris could be used as probiotics in broilers.