Influence of calcium propionate, water activity and storage time on mold incidence and aflatoxins production in broiler starter feed

Effects of Mixed Organic Acids and Essential Oils in Drinking Water on Growth Performance, Intestinal Digestive Capacity, and Immune Status in Broiler Chickens

In order to evaluate the effects of acidifiers and essential oils in drinking water on growth, intestinal digestive capacity, and immune status in broilers, a total of 480, 1-day-old Arbore Acres broilers were randomly assigned to four treatments including normal tap water (Ctr) and tap water supplemented with acidifier I (ACI), acidifier I and essential oils (ACI+EO), and acidifier II (ACII). Both ACI+EO and ACII increased final body weight. The pH value of the crop and gizzards was reduced by ACI+EO, and ACII decreased the pH values of the proventriculus and gizzards (p < 0.05). Compared with control group, ACI, ACI+EO, ACII significantly enhanced lipase activity in jejunum but ACII decreased the level of serum total cholesterol and total triglyceride (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, ACI+EO and ACII significantly increased the relative weight of the spleen, increased the level of serum IgA and IgM, and decreased E. coli in excreta, while ACII significantly decreased Salmonella in excreta (p <0.05). All treatments significantly increased Lactobacillus in excreta. In conclusion, ACI+EO improved immune status and ACII was effective in reducing Salmonella and promoting Lactobacillus, contributing to intestinal health.

Toll-like receptors and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway involvement in hepatorenal oxidative damage induced by some food preservatives in rats

Chemical food preservatives are extensively found in various processed food products in the human environment. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to five food preservatives (potassium sorbate (PS), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), sodium benzoate (SB), calcium propionate (CP), and boric acid (BA)) on the liver and kidney in rats and the probable underlying mechanisms. For 90 days, sixty male albino rats were orally given either water (control), 0.09 mg/kg b.wt BHA, 4.5 mg/kg b.wt PS, 0.9 mg/kg b.wt SB, 0.16 mg/kg b.wt BA, or 0.18 mg/kg b.wt CP. Liver and kidney function tests were assessed. Hepatic and renal oxidative stress biomarkers were estimated. Histologic examination analysis of liver and kidney tissues was achieved. Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR-2 and TLR-4), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) mRNA expression levels were measured. The results revealed that long-term oral dosing of the five food preservatives resulted in significant increases in alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels. There were significant reductions in hepatic and renal antioxidant enzymes, an increase in MDA concentrations, and pathological alterations in renal and hepatic tissues. The mRNA levels of TLR-4, TLR-2, NF-κB, and TNF-α were elevated in the food preservatives-exposed groups. Conclusively, the current findings revealed that long-term exposure to PS, BHA, SB, CP, and BA has a negative impact on liver and kidney function. Furthermore, these negative effects could be mediated via oxidative stress induction, inflammatory reactions, and cytokine production.

Research on the Applications of Calcium Propionate in Dairy Cows: A Review

Calcium propionate is a safe and reliable food and feed additive. It can be metabolized and absorbed by humans and animals as a precursor for glucose synthesis. In addition, calcium propionate provides essential calcium to mammals. In the perinatal period of dairy cows, many cows cannot adjust to the tremendous metabolic, endocrine, and physiological changes, resulting in ketosis and fatty liver due to a negative energy balance (NEB) or milk fever induced by hypocalcemia. On hot weather days, cow feed (TMR or silage) is susceptible to mildew, which produces mycotoxins. These two issues are closely related to dairy health and performance. Perinatal period metabolic disease significantly reduces cow production and increases the elimination rate because it causes major glucose and calcium deficiencies. Feeding a diet contaminated with mycotoxin leads to rumen metabolic disorders, a reduced reproductive rate (increased abortion rate), an increased number of milk somatic cells, and decreased milk production, as well as an increased occurrence of mastitis and hoof disease. Propionic acid is the primary gluconeogenic precursor in dairy cows and one of the safest mold inhibitors. Therefore, calcium propionate, which can be hydrolyzed into propionic acid and Ca2+ in the rumen, may be a good feed additive for alleviating NEB and milk fever in the perinatal period of dairy cows. It can also be used to inhibit TMR or silage deterioration in hot weather and regulate rumen development in calves. This paper reviews the application of calcium propionate in dairy cows.

Effect of water activity and temperature on the growth of Eurotium species isolated from animal feeds

BACKGROUND

Xerophilic fungi represent a serious problem due to their ability to grow at low water activities causing the spoiling of low and intermediate moisture foods, stored goods and animal feeds, with the consequent economic losses.

AIMS

The combined effect of water activity and temperature of four Eurotium species isolated from animal feeds was investigated.

METHODS

Eurotium amstelodami, Eurotium chevalieri, Eurotium repens and Eurotium rubrum were grown at 5, 15, 25, 37 and 45°C on malt extract agar adjusted with glycerol in the range 0.710-0.993 of water activities.

RESULTS

The cardinal model proposed by Rosso and Robinson (2001) was applied to fit growth data, with the variable water activity at fixed temperatures, obtaining three cardinal water activities (a_wmin, a_wmax, a_wopt) and the specific growth rate at the optimum a_w (μ_opt). A probabilistic model was also applied to define the interface between growth and no-growth. The cardinal model provided an adequate estimation of the optimal a_w to grow and the maximum growth rate. The probabilistic model showed a good performance to fit growth/no-growth cases in the predicted range.

CONCLUSIONS

The results presented here could be applied to predict Eurotium species growth in animal feeds.