Percentage Yield Research Articles

Effects of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Oil on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Parameters, Carcass Quality, and Metabolomics Profile of Breast Muscle of Thai Native Chickens

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the replacement of rice bran oil (RBO) with black soldier fly larvae oil (BSFLO) on growth performance, blood biochemicals, carcass quality, and metabolomics profile of breast muscle of Thai native chickens. A total of 192 1-day-old, mixed-sex, Pradu Hang Dam (Mor Kor 55) chickens were randomly allocated to one of three dietary groups. Each treatment had four replicates with 16 chicks per replicate (8 males and 8 females). Three dietary treatments were used: (T1) the control group, based on a corn–soybean meal with RBO, and two treatment groups that replaced 50% (T2) and 75% (T3) of RBO in the basal diet with BSFLO, respectively. Results showed that BSFLO inclusion at 50% and 75% did not adversely affect the productive performance of Thai native chickens (p > 0.05). Regarding blood profiles, on day 28, chickens fed 75% BSFLO exhibited significant increases in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) with lower eosinophil percentages compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, BSFLO supplementation raised glucose levels but decreased globulin and total protein levels (p < 0.05). On day 63, BSFLO inclusion primarily affected MCV (mean corpuscular volume), with higher values in the 50% BSFLO group (p < 0.05). It also increased globulin and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels while lowering AST (aspartate transaminase) concentrations (p < 0.05). For carcass and meat quality, BSFLO supplementation did not affect dressing percentage or edible meat yield (p > 0.05). However, it influenced meat pH and shear force (p < 0.05), with a higher pH at 24 h post-mortem in BSFLO-fed chickens. Metabolomics showed that arginine biosynthesis; phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; arginine and proline metabolism; and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism were the most differentially abundant. These findings suggest that BSFLO can be used for a partial replacement (50 to 75%) for RBO in Thai native chicken diets, potentially offering benefits for animal health and meat quality without compromising growth performance.

Effect of Stocking Density on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers Grown to 3 Kg under Antibiotic Free Diets1,2

Background: Stocking densities could have a significant impact on birds when reducing or eliminating antimicrobials (antibiotic-free; ABF) in poultry diets. This study investigated the effects of stocking densities on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers fed antibiotic-free diets grown to 3 kg. Methods: A total of 888 1-d-old Ross × Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 24 pens. The treatments were four stocking densities including 29, 33, 39 and 42 kg of BW/m2; each treatment was represented by six replicates. Treatments were blocked within the room to account for any variations in room conditions. Treatment assignments were randomized within each block. Used bedding was obtained from commercial farms to simulate commercial conditions and litter microflora. Birds were fed antibiotic-free (ABF) diets and provided a three phase-feeding program (Starter: 0-14 d, Grower: 15-28 d and Finisher: 29-42 d). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Birds and feed were weighed on 1, 14, 28 and 42 d of age to measure growth performance. On d 43, 10 (5 males and 5 females) birds from each pen were processed to determine weights and yields. Result: The BW and BW gain, live weight, carcass weights and carcass yield percentage were not affected by stocking density. Also, mortality was not affected by stocking density. However, FI and FCR for the starter period were significantly elevated (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.001, respectively) at lower stocking densities, but were not different for the remainder of the growout. In conclusion, stocking densities evaluated from 29 to 42 kg/m2 with appropriate environmental management has a negligible effect on overall production and processing yield in ABF broilers.

Synthesis of biocompatible hydroxyapatite from quail eggshell, oyster shell, and periwinkle snail shell

This study focuses on the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) from calcium carbonate (CaCO3)-rich quail eggshells, oyster shells, and periwinkle snail shells (Filopaludina bengalensis) through the use of the wet precipitation method. The methodology involved calcining the shell waste to convert CaCO3 to calcium oxide (CaO), undergoing hydration, and reacting with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to synthesize HA. The results indicated that periwinkle snail shells had the highest percent yield of HA at 92.12%, followed closely by quail eggshells at 92.01%, and oyster shells at 73.65%. For producing CaO, oyster shells provided the highest percent yield of CaO at 103.72%, followed by quail eggshells at 98.6% and periwinkle snail shells at 92.09%. The synthesized HA exhibited high biocompatibility, which is crucial for its potential applications in medical fields such as bone replacement and regeneration. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of high-quality HA, with characteristic peaks indicative of excellent crystallinity and purity and near identicality to the standard XRD pattern of HA of ICDD 9-432 and the XRD pattern of successfully synthesized HA in other studies, indicating high biocompatibility. The research highlights the potential of recycling food waste, specifically shell waste, into valuable biomaterials. This not only addresses environmental concerns but also supports sustainable practices in the food industry. Moreover, the study contributes to advancements in biomaterials for medical applications, emphasizing the viability of utilizing organic waste for high-value products. By transforming food waste into useful medical materials, this research offers promising solutions for waste management and resource utilization, particularly within Thailand's ecological and industrial framework.

Using cross-country datasets for association mapping in Arachis hypogaea L.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most important climate-resilient oil crops in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a significant yield gap for groundnut in Africa because of poor soil fertility, low agricultural inputs, biotic and abiotic stresses. Cross-country evaluations of promising breeding lines can facilitate the varietal development process. The objective of our study was to characterize popular test environments in Uganda (Serere and Nakabango) and Malawi (Chitala and Chitedze) and identify genotypes with stable superior yields for potential future release. Phenotypic data were generated for 192 breeding lines for yield-related traits, while genotypic data were generated using skim-sequencing. We observed significant variation (p<0.001; p<0.01; p<0.05) across genotypes for all yield-related traits: days to flowering (DTF), pod yield (PY), shelling percentage, 100-seed weight, and grain yield within and across locations. Nakabango, Chitedze, and Serere were clustered as one mega-environment with the top five most stable genotypes being ICGV-SM 01709, ICGV-SM 15575, ICGV-SM 90704, ICGV-SM 15576, and ICGV-SM 03710, all Virginia types. Population structure analysis clustered the genotypes in three distinct groups based on market classes. Eight and four marker-trait associations (MTAs) were recorded for DTF and PY, respectively. One of the MTAs for DTF was co-localized within an uncharacterized protein on chromosome 13, while another one (TRv2Chr.11_3476885) was consistent across the two countries. Future studies will need to further characterize the candidate genes as well as confirm the stability of superior genotypes across seasons before recommending them for release.

HPLC Profile of Bioactives and Antioxidant Potential in Acalypha indica Extract

Acalypha indica is a plant found in many parts of Africa and Asia. The plant is used for the treatment of many respiratory diseases, management of cancers, diabetes and other diseases. The leaves of Acalypha indica were harvested, washed and shade dried. They were later extracted with methanol. The methanolic extract of Acalypha indica was subjected to DPPH radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant and HPLC quantification of phenols and flavonoids. The result showed a percentage yield of 5.72 %. Also the antioxidant capacity of Acalypha indicia based on the phosphomolybdenum method showed 13.60 ± 0.21 mg AAE/g extract. The DPPH radical scavenging potential of Acalypha indica showed that at 100 – 1000 µg/ml, the extract of Acalypha indica inhibited 7.2 ± 0.35 – 65.13 ± 1.53 % of DPPH radical as compared with standard gallic acid. The phenolics and flavonoids detected through HPLC are shown in Table 3. The phenolics and polyphenols with higher quantity in Extract of Acalypha indica are naringenin (169.91 mg/100 g), gallic acid (131.51 mg/100 g), rutin (76.72 mg/100 g), syringic acid (35.75 mg/100 g), ferulic acid (30.10 mg/100 g) and quercetin (11.36 mg/100 g). The results showed that Acalypha indica possesses antiradical, total antioxidant properties including a wide range of phenols and polyphenols. Therefore the extract can be a source of dietary supplement. This plant extract is a source of medicine if further research is applied.

Synthesis of Montmorillonite-Silica Nanocomposite Using Millet Husk and Montmorillonite Clay and Optimization of Adsorption Parameters for Congo Red Dye Adsorption

Dyes are substances that, when applied to a substrate provides color by a process that alters, at least temporarily, any crystal structure of the colored substances The discharge of these effluents into the receiving environments results in hazardous health problems as most of these dyes have carcinogenic effects on the living organisms. Generally, dyes are classified into three categories: a) anionic: direct, acid, and reactive dyes; b) cationic: basic dyes; and c) non-ionic: disperse dyes. The chromophores in anionic and non-ionic dyes mostly consist of azo groups or anthraquinone types. However, Congo red, are difficult to biodegrade due to their complex aromatic structures, which provide them with physico-chemical, thermal, and optical stability. This study is aimed at synthesizing Montmorillonite-silica nanocomposite, a cost effective adsorbent from millet husk and Montmorillonite-clay with the determination of its optimum adsorption parameters for Congo Red Dye adsorption. Here, synthesis of Montmorillonite-silica nanocomposite and optimization parameters were carried out using standard procedures. The unbiased result demonstrated that the percentage yield was found to be 94.51 %. The optimum adsorption parameters studied were adsorbent dose, adsorbate concentration, pH and Kinetics studies. The optimum adsorption parameters were found to be 8.0 g/L, 2.0 mg/L, 8 and 30 minutes, respectively. Hence, the synthesized Montmorillonite-silica nanocomposite obtained from montmorillonite clay and millet husk ash can serve as a cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of Congo Red Dye from waste waters.

Licorice-root extract and potassium sorbate spray improved the yield and fruit quality and decreased heat stress of the 'osteen' mango cultivar.

Heat stress, low mango yields and inconsistent fruit quality are main challenges for growers. Recently, licorice-root extract (LRE) has been utilized to enhance vegetative growth, yield, and tolerance to abiotic stresses in fruit trees. Potassium sorbate (PS) also plays a significant role in various physiological and biochemical processes that are essential for mango growth, quality and abiotic stress tolerance. This work aimed to elucidate the effects of foliar sprays containing LRE and PS on the growth, yield, fruit quality, total chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzymes of 'Osteen' mango trees. The mango trees were sprayed with LRE at 0, 2, 4 and 6 g/L and PS 0, 1, 2, and 3 mM. In mid-May, the mango trees were sprayed with a foliar solution, followed by monthly applications until 1 month before harvest. The results showed that trees with the highest concentration (6 g/L) of LRE exhibited the maximum leaf area, followed by those treated with the highest concentration (3 mM) of PS. Application of LRE and PS to Osteen mango trees significantly enhanced fruit weight, number of fruits per tree, yield (kg/tree), yield increasing%, and reduced number of sun-burned fruits compared to the control. LRE and PS foliar sprays to Osteen mango trees significantly enhanced fruit total soluble solids ˚Brix, TSS/acid ratio, and vitamin C content compared to the control. Meanwhile, total acidity percentage in 'Osteen' mango fruits significantly decreased after both LRE and PS foliar sprays. 'Osteen' mango trees showed a significant increase in leaf area, total chlorophyll content, total pigments, and leaf carotenoids. Our results suggest that foliar sprays containing LRE and PS significantly improved growth parameters, yield, fruit quality, antioxidant content, and total pigment concentration in 'Osteen' mango trees. Moreover, the most effective treatments were 3 mM PS and 6 g/L LRE. LRE and PS foliar spray caused a significant increase in yield percentage by 305.77%, and 232.44%, in the first season, and 242.55%, 232.44% in the second season, respectively.

Effects of In Ovo Administration of Freeze-Dried Royal Jelly on Hatchability, Blood Parameters, and Organ Weights of Day-Old Chicks.

Royal jelly renowned for its robust nutritional, functional, and biological properties, is a pivotal product derived from honeybees. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the theory that in ovo injection of freeze-dried royal jelly (FDRJ) solutions at varying concentrations can influence the hatchability, blood properties and hatching characteristics of day-old chicks. A total of 480 eggs (54.81 ± 0.187 g) were allocated into four experimental groups: negative control (NC), without injection, positive control (PC), administered with regular saline, a low FDRJ dose group (9 mg/egg), and a high FDRJ dose group (18 mg/egg). The in ovo injections were administered on Day 18 of incubation, and the experiment was subsequently continued until the incubation period concluded at 21 days. Results revealed that the lower FDRJ dose (9 mg/egg) significantly improved hatchability percentages compared to other treatments. Conversely, the higher FDRJ dose (18 mg/egg) and control groups (NC and PC) resulted in significantly higher chick yield percentages than the lower FDRJ and PC groups. The NC group showed the supreme yolk sac (YS) percentage, whereas the yolk-free body mass (YFBM) percentages displayed an inverse trend. Furthermore, the in ovo FDRJ injection did not affect haematological values or the relative organ weight of day-old chicks. In conclusion, in ovo FDRJ injection demonstrated beneficial effects on hatchability and chick weight, as evidenced by the studied parameters.

Nickel doped enhanced LaFeO3 catalytic cracking of tar for hydrogen production

The transformation of biomass into green energy was pivotal for sustainable development, yet the efficient conversion of biomass-derived tar into hydrogen-rich syngas remained a significant challenge. This study addressed the catalytic demand for hydrogen production from tar, focusing on the development of LaNixFe1-xO3 perovskites as catalysts. A series of LaNixFe1-xO3 perovskites with varying nickel doping levels (x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) were synthesized to evaluate their catalytic performance in converting toluene, a representative tar component, into hydrogen. The LaNi0.5Fe0.5O3 catalyst demonstrated the highest hydrogen yield (14.5L/6h) and volume percentage (82.9V/V%), highlighting the optimal nickel doping level for enhancing hydrogen production. The hydrogen production performance of LaNixFe1-xO3 was significantly affected by nickel doping. In particular, a small amount of nickel doping can significantly enhance the hydrogen production capacity of LaFeO3 and maintain good reaction stability. The enhanced performance was attributed to the high oxygen storage capacity of perovskite, which facilitated the removal of surface carbon and promotes the methanation reaction. Notably, the total content of defect oxygen and surface adsorbed oxygen/hydroxyl groups significantly impacted the hydrogen production efficiency. These findings indicated that LaNi0.5Fe0.5O3 was an effective catalyst for converting biomass-derived tar into hydrogen-rich syngas, offering a promising solution to the catalytic demand in the hydrogen production system.

ANALISIS HASIL PENGUJIAN ALAT DESTILASI MINYAK SEREH DENGAN KAPASITAS 10 KG

Lemongrass is one type of essential oil plant, which is considered to have developed. From the distillation of its leaves, lemongrass oil is obtained which is known in the world of trade as Citronella Oil. Currently, the development of essential oils is a major concern for the Indonesian government. Of the various raw materials for making Essential Oils, one of the essential oil raw materials in Indonesia that is good to be developed is Lemongrass. The purpose of this study was to obtain essential oils through the Extraction and Distillation process, obtaining Yield percentage and Water Content. Based on the results of the test and observation, the essential oil produced has physical and chemical characteristics that are in accordance with the requirements. The characteristics of lemongrass essential oil produce essential oils with a specific gravity of 0.86 mg/L.

Synthesis of a TBA‐Based Polymeric Photocatalyst for Boosting the Selective Bio‐Reduction of Furfural Under Solar Light Illumination

AbstractPhotocatalyst‐enzyme coupled system for harnessing solar light stands out as a highly promising avenue that facilitates bio‐transformation and produces solar fuels. This study explores the integration of a metal‐free photocatalyst in the bio‐reduction of furfural to produce furfuryl alcohol. However, the bio‐reduction of furfural to produce furfuryl alcohol faces challenges due to harsh reaction conditions and expensive catalysts. Likewise, photocatalysts confront various research obstacles, including the absence of long‐lasting photogenerated charge carriers (electrons and holes), stability, and reusability. This work introduces an eco‐friendly and benign catalytic system, featuring an easily prepared photocatalyst using TBA (2,4,6‐tribromo aniline) by standard Ullman coupling. The newly designed polymeric tribromo aniline (PTBA) is cost‐effective, with outstanding light harvesting characteristics, appropriate energy band gap, and remarkably enhanced ability for transfer and migration of photo‐generated carriers. The research aims to optimize parameters for efficient conversion of furfural to produce furfuryl alcohol and also the photocatalytic production of NADH (80.08 %) from consumed NAD+. The photocatalytic efficiency was estimated by the yield percentage of this organic transformation. The absence of metals in the photocatalyst enhances sustainability, showcasing its potential in the green synthesis of furfuryl alcohol which is a valuable chemical with diverse applications.

A tactical carcass optimisation tool for assisting boning room managers to increase boning room profit

In collaboration with Australian lamb supply chains, an integer linear programming model was developed for use by processors to optimally allocate carcasses to different cutting plans for implementation in a boning room on a daily or lot basis. This tactical carcass optimisation tool (TCOT) address the daily challenge of developing operational plans to process carcasses into products whilst maximising profitability subject to constraints on carcass availability, variability of carcass weight and fatness, number of product orders, product size and retail prices. Predicted weights for all available products were derived from cut-weight prediction algorithms established from the combination of carcass weight and fatness ranges. Carcass fatness was expressed as lean meat yield percentage (LMY%) and measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of hot carcasses immediately after slaughter. The TCOT utilises a group-based labour cost model which closely aligns with real-world supply chain practices. The function and application of the optimisation tool were tested in two contrasting case studies. The first case study demonstrated the ability of the optimiser to allocate carcasses to optimal cutting plans based on carcass weight and LMY%. The second case study examined the potential value of the tool for processors supplying lamb into the Australian domestic lamb market and subject to the constraints applied, demonstrated opportunities to increase profitability by at least 1 % compared to current best practice. This work provides a pathway whereby objective carcass measurement technology, combined with carcass sortation and optimisation algorithms, can be leveraged to improve profitability for the lamb supply chain.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Certain Pesticides and Black Plastic Mulch as an Approach of Developing Integrated Pest Management for Melon Fruit Fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae)

A field experiment was conducted at Pyuthan Municipality, Pyuthan district of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to develop an integrated pest management strategy against melon fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae). The experiment was laid out in two factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The first factor was different doses of pesticides; Spinosad (45% SC) @ 1ml/3l water, Cypermethrin (10% EC) @5ml/20l water and, botanical Jholmol @ 1:3 ratio (1 part Jholmol and 3 part water). The second factor was Black plastic mulch and no mulch. The pesticides were applied at 9 day intervals and data on fruit infestation, ovary damage, yield and, post-set damage were collected at 3 day intervals and the data analysed using R Studio. The result revealed highly significant differences among mulching and non-mulching plots. Mulching plots had the lowest fruit infestation (3.95%), lowest ovary damage (0.88%), lowest post-set damage (2.38%) and, higher yield per plot (21.25 kg) than non-mulched plots. Highest protection against melon fruit fly was observed by Spinosad at the third spray; percentage of fruit infestation (3.71%), ovary damage (0.76%) and yield (20.20 kg/plot) followed by Cypermethrin and Jholmol. The highest protection was obtained by the application of Cypermethrin (1.78%) at the post-set stage followed by Spinosad and Jholmol. The application of Spinosad, Cypermethrin alone with black plastic mulch provided superior protection than Jholmol and control. However, the pest reduction and yield observed on the treatments with the combination of Jholmol and black plastic mulch was satisfactory (21.87 kg/ha) than control (14.58 kg/ha). Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 12(3): 126-136.

Formulation and Evaluation of Lungs-Specific Doxorubicin-Loaded Chitosan-PLGA-Alginate Polymeric Nanoparticles

Background: An antibiotic called doxorubicin is produced by the Streptomyces peuce-tius bacterium, which is a member of the anthracycline drug class and is used in chemotherapy. Usually, doxorubicin is employed to cure solid tumors in children and adult patients. The physical and biological stability of the medicine can be increased by encasing it in nanoparticles, which increases the active pharmaceutical ingredient's bioavailability. Objective: This study aimed to create lungs targeting doxorubicin-loaded biodegradable polymer-ic nanoparticulate system by utilizing an appropriate method and conducting its evaluation. Methods: The polymeric nanoparticles using biodegradable polymers were prepared by the emul-sion polymerization method. Franz- diffusion cells were utilized to conduct in-vitro drug diffu-sion investigations. Results: Based on the outcomes of the experiments carried out for the research, polymeric nano-particles of doxorubicin were prepared utilizing different concentrations of chitosan, Sodium al-ginate, and PLGA. The visual appearance of doxorubicin polymeric nanoparticles shows homo-geneous dispersion with no phase separation form. The percentage yield, % entrapment efficien-cy, and drug content obtained for the final formulation were 93.43 ± 1.776, 87.31 ± 1.075, and 91.98 ± 0.493, respectively. A size dimension of 174.51 nm with a PDI of 0.242 and zeta poten-tial value of -36.1 mV of prepared nanoparticles demonstrate the stability of the formulation. The presentation of the PNPs of the optimized formulation having 310mg Tween 80 showed in vitro diffusion of 98.93% ± 0.296 % and an increased flux rate. Based on the determination coeffi-cients, the Higuchi model (K0 = 20.43 and R2= 0.982) was determined to have the best fit for the release data. Conclusion: Based on the trials conducted during the investigation, it was determined that the emulsion polymerization technique was best for the fabrication of the polymeric nanoparticles by utilizing different concentrations of chitosan, Sodium alginate, and PLGA. The formulation F6 containing 310mg Tween 80 suggested improved in vitro diffusion following the Higuchi model throughout all formulations. The findings suggest that a sustained process was responsible for the drug's release from the doxorubicin polymeric nanoparticles.

Identification of Genetic Associations of IDH2, LDHA, and LDHB Genes with Milk Yield and Compositions in Dairy Cows.

Previous study revealed that isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP (+)) 2, mitochondrial (IDH2), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), and lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) genes were significantly differentially expressed in liver tissues of Holstein cows among different lactation periods and associated with lipid and protein metabolism; hence, they were considered as candidates for milk production traits. Herein, the genetic effects of the three genes on milk yield, fat, and protein traits were studied by association analysis using 926 Chinese Holstein cows from 45 sire families. As a result, five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IDH2, one in LDHA, and three in LDHB were identified by re-sequencing, and subsequently, they were genotyped in 926 Chinese Holstein cows by genotyping by target sequencing (GBTS). With the animal model, single-locus association analysis revealed that four SNPs in IDH2 and one SNP in LDHA were significantly associated with milk, fat, and protein yields (p ≤ 0.0491), and three SNPs in LDHB were associated with milk yield, milk fat yield, and fat percentage (p ≤ 0.0285). Further, four IDH2 SNPs were found to form a haplotype block significantly associated with milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, and protein percentage (p ≤ 0.0249). In addition, functional predictions indicated that one SNP in LDHA, g.26304153G>A, may affect transcription factor binding and two SNPs, g.88544541A>G and g.88556310T>C could alter LDHB mRNA secondary structure. In summary, this study profiled the significant genetic effects of IDH2, LDHA, and LDHB on milk yield and composition traits and provided referable genetic markers for genomic selection programs in dairy cattle.

Carcass Characteristics and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Cobb-500 and Hubbard Chicken Strains Fed on Commercial and Farm-Formulated Diets

The limits of commercial diets, their quality, and their rising costs are some of the major challenges to broiler production in Ethiopia. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate carcass yield characteristics and blood biochemical parameters of Cobb-500 and Hubbard chicken strains fed on farm-formulated diets (T1) and three different commercial diets (T2, T3, and T4). A total of 384 mixed-sex day-old chicks (192 per strain) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with four replicates, each consisting of 12 broilers. The experiment was set up as a 2 × 4 factorial design, providing each strain with four diets in a completely randomized design. After 42 days of the experiment, one male and one female of each strain from each pen (eight birds per treatment) were slaughtered for carcass yield and hematological analysis. Although diets had a significant impact on live body weight, feed conversion ratio, and feed consumption among the study treatments, they had no significant effect on the mortality rate of the broilers as a whole. There was a significant effect of strains on the weight of eviscerate, dress, thigh, drumstick, breast, neck, back, and eviscerate yield percentage, with Cobb 500 showing higher values than Hubbard broilers. The farm-formulated diet (T1) significantly increased the weight of non-edible offal compared to the commercial diets, except for the weight of crops and lungs, which were similar to those in commercial diet group T4. The Hubbard strain showed a higher least square mean for packed cell volume than the Cobb-500 strain. Sex was found to have no significant impact on the hematological parameters. The farm-formulated diet (T1) also resulted in a higher marginal return rate than that of the commercial diet (T3) in the Cobb-500 strain. These findings suggest that locally sourced farm-formulated diets could be a viable alternative to commercial diets for broiler chickens in the study area. Keywords: Broiler chicken, biochemical parameter, Carcass trait, Farm-made diet, Haematology, Profitable

Comparative Analysis of Biochar Derived from Rice Straw and Soybean Straw

Aim: Recycling agricultural postharvest waste and re-introducing it again into farmland is one of the tangible ways to address zero waste dream, soil infertility and climate change. Pyrolysis of crop leftovers into biochar remains the most acceptable alternative for proper management of crop waste. The possibility of sustainable biochar production practices and multi-functionality features makes it promising to fufill an increasing demand for soil amendment, agricultural sustainability, environmental protection, cutting-edge materials and mitigation of climate change. Methodology: Same amount (14450 g) in feedstock of rice straw (RS) and soybean straw (SS) undergo slow pyrolysis separately to produce biochar. Physical (percentage yield, moisture, ash, volatile matter, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity), chemical characterization (Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES), Scanning Electron Microscope Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis and Derivative Thermogravimetry (TGA and DTA)) and evaluation of bochar was determined. Results: Rice straw biochar (RSB) recorded a higher char yield of 42.1%. Both lignocellulosic biochars were black and porous with a higher silica (10.6%) content in RSB and higher carbon (82.2%) content in SSB as was revealed by SEM-EDX. Higher ash 27.1%, volatile matter (VM) 31.3% and moisture 29.4% content was seen in RSB compared to SSB because of feedstock composition. Rice straw biochar show higher peaks of macro and micro mineral elements K(14561.21mg/kg), Ca (2401.28 mg/kg), and Na(1735.27 mg/kg) than soybean straw biochar. FTIR was used to identify functional groups that might act as cation adsorbents. As the temperature increased, the TGA and DTG graphs showed mass loss and sample breakdown. Conclusion: Rice and soybean crop wastes were converted into biochar, a nutrient-rich material that maybe utilized to balance acidic soils promoting healthy plant growth and also protecting the environment.

Effects of cassava root meal on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, organ and intestinal indices, and slaughter performance of yellow-feathered broiler chickens.

With the global population growth and shortage of food, the competition between humans and animal for food will become increasingly fierce. Therefore, the development of unconventional energy feed cassava feed is of great significance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cassava root meal (CRM) on the growth performance, apparent digestibility, and organ and intestinal indices of broiler chickens. A total of 140 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups [control diet (CT), 15% CRM (CRM15), 30% CRM (CRM30), and 45% CRM (CRM45)] with five replicates of seven birds per replicate. The results showed that the body weight of broiler chickens fed diets containing CRM were significantly lower than that in the CT group at 21 and 42days of age, the average daily gain and average daily feed intake in the CRM group were significantly lower than those in the CT group from 1 to 21days of age. However, from days 22 to 42, there were no significant differences between CRM15 and CT birds regarding average daily gain and average daily feed intake. but there was no difference in feed conversion rate between the CRM15 and CT groups. At 42days of age, there were no significant differences between CRM15 and CT birds in in body measurements, the slaughter performance and the percentage of semi-eviscerated yield. The addition of CRM reduced the proportion of breast and thigh muscles during the feeding period, although we detected no significant difference between CRM15 and CT regarding the apparent digestibility of nutrients. Collectively, our findings indicate that 15% cassava was the optimal proportion for supplementing diets for broiler chicken production.

Exploring Potential Aquaculture-Immunostimulant-Peptides Derived from Chlorella sorokiniana

Chlorella sorokiniana is a microalgae with an outstanding nutritional profile and numerous therapeutic substances that can be used as an immunostimulant, including in aquaculture. This research aimed to investigate and characterize peptides isolated from C. sorokiniana protein using TCA digestion and hydrolyzed enzymatically with trypsin. Peptides were then subsequently identified using Tandem LC-MS/MS and Mascot Distiller. Results showed that the percentage of pure protein yield following TCA digestion was 54.66%, and 12 peptides with lengths ranging from 7 to 23 sequences were discovered after trypsin digestion. These peptides originated from various enzymes and chloroplast proteins, including protein synthesis elongation factor TU, photosystem I iron-sulfur center, photosystem II 43 kDa, Ycf4, ATP-dependent zinc metalloprotease FtsH homolog, nitrate reductase, chloroplastic glucose-6-phospate dehydrogenase, and ATP synthase CF1 alpha chain. These findings demonstrated that C. sorokiniana might serve as a source of immunostimulant peptides and proteins, particularly for aquaculture biota.

Humic acid: A promising bio-organic catalyst for green synthesis of phenol in aqueous medium at room temperature

A simple and mild catalytic protocol has been described using humic acid as a reusable catalyst for the synthesis of phenol in aqueous medium. Humic acid is an inexpensive, non-toxic and easily available high molecular weight polymer. The mentioned catalytic protocol utilizes hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant and water: isopropanol as solvent which has several advantages like commercially available, cheap and reusable catalyst, high percentage yield, short reaction time, room temperature etc.