Microbiota, Phagocytic Activity, Biochemical Parameters and Parasite Control in Horses with Application of Autochthonous, Bacteriocin-Producing, Probiotic Strain Enterococcus faecium EF 412

The beneficial influence of bacteriocin-producing, probiotic, mostly non-autochthonous bacteria has already been reported in various animals. However, their use in horses provides limited information, and results with autochthonous bacteria have not been reported. Therefore, the main objective of this model study was to test the effect of autochthonous, bacteriocin-producing faecal strain Enterococcus faecium EF 412 application in horses. One gram of freeze-dried EF 412 strain (10⁹ CFU/mL for 21 days) was applied to horses in a small feed ball. Clinically healthy horses (12), Slovak warm-blood breed of various ages (5-13 years), were involved in a 35-day-long experiment, also functioning as control for themselves. They were stabled in separate boxes (university property), fed twice a day (hay, whole oats or grazed) with water access ad libitum. Sampling was performed at the start of the experiment, i.e. at days 0/1, 21 (3 weeks of EF 412 application) and at day 35 (2 weeks of EF 412 cessation). EF 412 colonized GIT of horses was 3.54 ± 0.75 CFU/g (log 10) at day 21. The eggs of the nematode Strongylus spp. were not found in horses after EF 412 application, and Eimeria spp. oocysts were similarly not found. The other microbiota were not reduced as evaluated by the use of standard method. Using next-generation sequencing, at phylum level, phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes dominated and at family level, they were Bacteroidales BS11 and S24-7 gut goups and Lentisphaerae. In horses, the increasing tendency in phagocytic activity was noted after EF 412 application. Biochemical parameters were in the physiological range. Total protein value was significantly decreased at day 21 compared with day 0/1 as well as with day 35 (P < 0.05). Cholesterol and triglycerides were influenced (decreased) at day 21 compared with day 0/1 and day 35. Neither nematode eggs Strongylus spp. nor Eimeria spp. oocysts were found in faeces after EF 412 application. Autochthonous, faecal strain E. faecium EF 412 showed promising application potential.

Influence of Probiotic Strains Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus on the Health Status and Weight Gain of Calves, and the Utilization of Nitrogenous Compounds

The aim of this study was to monitor the effect of Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) and the combination of Lactobacillus sporogenes, Enterococcus faecium, and Bifidobacterium bifidum (LEB) on the health status and weight gain of calves, and the utilisation of nitrogenous substances. The experiment was performed in the period from April 2020 to September 2020. A total of 90 Holstein heifers, which were one to 56 days old, were used as experimental animals. Differences in live weight gain were significant if we compared the LEB vs. BB group and the LEB vs. C, the control group (86.23 ± 5.49 kg vs. 84.72 ± 6.22 kg, p < 0.05; 86.23 ± 5.49 kg vs. 82.86 ± 5.35 kg, p < 0.01). Considering the live weight gain, group BB was heavier than group C only (84.72 ± 6.22 kg vs. 82.86 ± 5.35 kg, p < 0.05). An effect on reducing the incidence and duration of diarrheal diseases was not demonstrated in this study (p = 0.1957). The administration of feed additives had no statistically significant effect on the amount of N excreted in the feces. The values of hematological and biochemical parameters were unaffected except for the first sampling of urea. Other blood parameters were not affected by the addition of probiotic feed additives. The bacterial populations in the feces 5 days and 56 days after birth were not affected by the inclusion of feed additives.

The energetic, immunology and amino acids quality of sow's colostrum – a review

Along the increasing number of live born piglets in a litter, which reduce the newborn live weight, plays the colostrum nutritional quality an essential role to the survival of newborn piglets. Concentration of colostrum nutrients is affected with several factors from which the time from the start of parturition has the greatest impact. On the second place is nutrition of pregnant sows. A lot of scientific articles were published with the goal to describe sow's colostrum nutrients. In this review we would bring closer look on the sow's colostrum, where the concentration of energy, immunoglobulins and amino acids are the main determinants for successful survive of piglets first days of life.

Physico-Chemical and Sensory Profiles of Enriched Linz Biscuits

The aim of the present study was to determine the physico-chemical properties (dry matter content, combustion heat, electrical properties, total protein, ash, fat and crude fibre contents, selected amino acids, and trace elements), antioxidant content, and sensory profile of Linz biscuits. They were enriched by the addition of powdered carrot, nettle leaves and elderberry fruit, which is 3% of the product. For comparison of results, a control variant without the addition of these components was also prepared. The enriched biscuits showed slightly higher total ash and crude fibre contents in comparison to the control samples. Results for the antioxidant activity and total polyphenol, flavonoid, and phenolic acid contents of the enriched biscuits were higher in all observed parameters than in the control sample with the best results obtained for Linz biscuits enriched with elderberry and nettle powder. In enriched biscuits, higher contents of iron, zinc, and manganese were measured, especially in biscuits with nettle. Linz biscuits with nettle had higher combustion heat values than control samples; the other two sample types had lower values. We found that the resistance, capacitance, and relative permittivity of the enriched biscuits decreased with frequency according to the power regression function. On the contrary, the conductivity increased with an increasing frequency. Electrical properties were mainly influenced by the water content but also by added components.

Thermo-degradative changes of rapeseed and sunflower oils during deep-frying French fries

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in TPCs, acid value and peroxide value as well as fatty acids composition in edible oils during french fries production. Lower TPCs content was found in rapeseed oil (3.3%) and the threshold (24%) was achieved on the fourth day. The total time for the deterioration of deep-frying rapeseed oil was 23½ hours. On the contrary, in fresh sunflower oil at the first day was TPCs content 5.5% and the limit of 24% was reached on the third day. The total time for the deterioration of deep-frying sunflower oil was 17½ hours. The results indicated significant differences (<0.05) in TPCs content between rapeseed and sunflower oils during deep-frying process. At the beginning of deep-frying French fries in rapeseed oil, the acid number was 0.374 mg KOH.g-1 and 1.271 mg KOH.g-1 at the fourth day of deep-frying. The measured peroxide value was 4.3 mEq O2.kg-1 at the beginning and at the end of deep-frying 10.5 mEq O2.kg-1. The initial peroxide and acid values were higher in sunflower oil compared with rapeseed oil, respectively. It should be note, then the acid values and peroxide values, respectively, in the two fresh oils used in this study were below the limit of refined oil according to Slovak legislation (peroxide value - not more than 10 mEq O2.kg-1, acid value - not more than 0.6 mg KOH.g-1). However, detected values varied during deep-frying process. Monounsaturated fatty acids were predominantly observed in fresh rapeseed oil (61.22%) wherever in sunflower oil they were much lower (29.77%). A slight increase of MUFA was found in both oils. The initial content of saturated fatty acids in rapeseed oil was 6.94%, in fresh sunflower oil was observed slightly higher content of SFA (10.37%). The major groups of fatty acids in fresh sunflower oil were polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which have in principle a significant effect on oil deterioration. A slight decrease of PUFA was observed in both oils throughout the frying period. The content of PUFA was reduced by about 9.42% in rapeseed oil and by 10.8% in sunflower oil. The initial content was 28.14% and 58.91%, respectively.