Viability of tallow inclusion in Atlantic salmon diet, as assessed by an on-farm grow out trial

The results of a recent increase in research interest directed at the inclusion of tallow in fish feed formulations are suggesting tallow is viable as a potential substitute for other alternative lipid sources such as poultry by-product oil. Although strong growth performance data has been shown, reservations still exist regarding reduced digestibility and the potential impacts this could have on performance over the duration of a grow-out period in low temperature conditions. Also little information is yet available on the potential effect of dietary tallow inclusion on final product quality. A large scale farm based study testing the inclusion of tallow at 40% inclusion, partially replacing poultry by-product oil, in commercial diets of Atlantic salmon over a winter grow-out period in southern Tasmania, Australia was conducted. Tallow inclusion had no impact on growth performance or nutrient digestibility. Tallow resulted in a slight improvement in fillet quality exhibiting a significant reduction in n - 6 PUFA and the n6:n3 ratio, and an increased n - 3LC-PUFA tissue deposition. Consumers were unable to display any preference in liking between 3 salmon products (cold smoked, hot smoked, and cooked) as a result of tallow inclusion. This study demonstrates the viability of partial inclusion of tallow in Atlantic salmon diets over a winter grow-out period. Statement of relevance: Improved knowledge of alternative dietary energy sources (oils and fats) to be used in aquafeed, (replacing the increasingly expensive, and diminishingly available, fish oil) is a key area of research towards improved environmental sustainability and economic viability of the aquaculture sector. Following a promising laboratory based, research scale, in vivo trial aimed at assessing the viability of tallow in salmon feed, a larger and longer duration farm-based trial was implemented to validate initial findings. Consumer test of final products (fresh-cooked, hot smoked and cold smoked fillets) showed no modification of sensorial attributes. Tallow is hereto shown to be a highly viable alternative oil for the salmon aquafeed industry.

By-product recovery in industrial wastewater pollution control

By-products from most industries become waste when they are not recovered. This article gives examples of by-product recovery from industries such as pulp and paper, dairy, pig farm and food processing.

Although the recovery of by-products will require new processes, the investments on those processes will be paid-back easily from the benefits brought by those by-products. Also, in order to have a sustainable development, by-product recover will play a significant role in all industries in the near future.

An improved purification procedure for cyclosporine synthetase

We have developed expedient and reliable methods to isolate cyclosporin synthetase for in vitro biosynthesis of cyclosporins. We have examined enzyme purification strategies suited to large-scale processing and present a chromatographic sequence that serves as a pilot model for industrial scale preparation of cyclosporin synthetase from cyclosporin producing fungi. A chromatographic sequence consisting of ammonium sulfate precipitation → gel filtration → hydrophobic interaction chromatography → anion exchange chromatography, yielded an electrophoretically homogeneous cyclosporin synthetase preparation (Coomassie G-250 brilliant blue staining). Furthermore, a native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system was developed for the isolation of active cyclosporin synthetase enzyme from crude extracts of cyclosporin producing fungi. The environmental factors affecting enzyme stability and the continuity of the in vitro cyclosporin biosynthetic reaction-temperature, pH, and substrate depletion were assessed and manageable conditions have been defined for sustainable cyclosporin biosynthesis with enzyme isolates. Cyclosporin synthetase exhibited an optimal temperature range of 24–29 °C and a pH optimum of 7.6. The native enzyme displayed a pI of 5.7, as determined by isoelectric focusing. The industrial implementation of an in vitro biosynthetic approach could potentially prove useful for the production of important therapeutic cyclosporins which occur as only minor fermentation by-products.

An improved method for the purification of rat liver-type fatty acid binding protein from Escherichia coli

We have developed expedient and reliable methods to isolate cyclosporin synthetase for in vitro biosynthesis of cyclosporins. We have examined enzyme purification strategies suited to large-scale processing and present a chromatographic sequence that serves as a pilot model for industrial scale preparation of cyclosporin synthetase from cyclosporin producing fungi. A chromatographic sequence consisting of ammonium sulfate precipitation → gel filtration → hydrophobic interaction chromatography → anion exchange chromatography, yielded an electrophoretically homogeneous cyclosporin synthetase preparation (Coomassie G-250 brilliant blue staining). Furthermore, a native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system was developed for the isolation of active cyclosporin synthetase enzyme from crude extracts of cyclosporin producing fungi. The environmental factors affecting enzyme stability and the continuity of the in vitro cyclosporin biosynthetic reaction-temperature, pH, and substrate depletion were assessed and manageable conditions have been defined for sustainable cyclosporin biosynthesis with enzyme isolates. Cyclosporin synthetase exhibited an optimal temperature range of 24–29 °C and a pH optimum of 7.6. The native enzyme displayed a pI of 5.7, as determined by isoelectric focusing. The industrial implementation of an in vitro biosynthetic approach could potentially prove useful for the production of important therapeutic cyclosporins which occur as only minor fermentation by-products.

Does the inclusion of moderate amounts of red meat in the diet of exercising older women impact on faecal markers of bowel health, including faecal lactoferrin?

Background: High intakes of red meat may be associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), however, to determine CRC risk, it is important to assess faecal changes related to protein and carbohydrate metabolism.

Objective: To determine the influence of three weekly meals rich in red meat as opposed to a carbohydrate control diet on faecal markers which are involved in the aetiology of CRC.

Design: Twenty post-menopausal women (aged 60-75) undertook, 3 times a week for 12 weeks, a 30 minute exercise session followed immediately by a cooked meal that was high in lean red meat, low in carbohydrate (n= 10) or low in lean red meat, high in carbohydrate (n=10). Dietary fibre intake and macronutrients were kept constant. At the beginning and end of the study, three-day faecal samples were collected and by-products of protein fermentation and carbohydrate metabolism, undigested fibre residues, and faecal output and colonic bacterial microbiota changes measured.

Outcomes: No significant differences were observed in subjects on either diet when comparing faecal output, faecal pH, other faecal markers, nor faecal lactoferrin. There was a trend observed in changes in the population of colonic microbiota using FISH analysis. Bacteroides spp. and Prevotella spp. appeared to decrease in women consuming a high red meat diet compared with an increase in women consuming a high carbohydrate diet.

Conclusions: In this pilot study the trend in colonic microbiota change is interesting and suggests that dietary influence of colonic microbiota, especially changes in Bacteroidetes, may be indicative of risk of gut damage and disease compared to other faecal markers.

Vegetarian microcapsules

Disclosed are microcapsules with shells that are not animal by-products and methods for preparing and using such microcapsules.

Active recovery, training status, muscle metabolism and repeated sprint performance

This thesis found that light exercise between repeated sprints improved performance in a subsequent bout. This was attributed to a reduction in potentially fatiguing by-products within the muscle and an increased aerobic metabolism in the second sprint.

Innovative reuse options for water treatment plant sludges

Reuse options were investigated for drinking water sludge. Research found sludges could be included with raw materials in brick and cement manufacturing with minimal impact. Poly-aluminium chloride sludge was found to an excellent adsorbent of phosphorus from wastewaters thus indirectly reducing potential algal blooms in our rivers.

Ecologically sustainable noise barrier – further developments

This paper reports on the second phase of a research project aimed at the development of an environmentally friendly noise barrier for urban freeways, also known as KMAK (Krezel and McManus, 2007). The concrete barrier, which has some unique capabilities to mitigate transportation noise, is made from recycled concrete (RC) aggregate and industrial by-products such as fly ash and reclaimed water. The current developmental work expands on a research project that resulted in a two-layer (2L) concrete barrier. Two prototypes of the 2L barrier were produced, followed by extensive acoustic testing and a number of simulations where standard timber and/or concrete barriers were substituted with KMAK barrier (Krezel et al, 2004). Current research investigates a variety of architectural finishes applied to the original KMAK barrier with the aim of improving its visual appearance and also fine-tuning its acoustic performance. The new three-layer (3L) barrier optimises sound absorption in a frequency range characteristic to that of transportation noise, especially road traffic noise. Three major aspects related to the development of architectural finishes were considered; environmentally responsible materials, surface features and production methods. The light-weight material used in the architectural finish is based on ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and uses very fine fraction of RC aggregate. The manufacturing process of the 3L barrier was tested in a commercial setting and two sets of prototype barrier were cast. An innovative, cost effective method of applying pattern and perforation to the surface of architectural finish was also developed and tested. The findings of the current investigation demonstrate that there is a positive correlation between surface features, percentage of perforation as well as depth of the architectural layer and increased potential of the 3L barrier to mitigate transportation noise. On average, the addition of perforated architectural finish contributes to 20% increase in sound absorption. The preliminary results also show that the sound absorbency of the 3L barrier can be better controlled and tuned to specific noise frequency. The visual appearance has been significantly improved with the addition of the architectural finish, which makes the barrier an attractive, feasible and viable alternative to road barriers made from standard concrete or timber.

The transformation of development strategy in Korea : a 'risk society' perspective

After undergoing rapid socio-economic and political transformation, the Republic of Korea has arrived at the stage of development which Beck refers to as a risk society. Korea has experienced both sides of the risks which accompany modernity: the wealth associated with an advanced economy and also the hazards which are by-products of industrial society. However the Korean case is distinctive, this article argues, due to the state’s role in calibrating and managing risk. Whereas prior to the financial crisis of 1997–98 state elites privileged big business and exposed workers to higher levels of risk, calculations of the costs and benefits of risk have changed since the financial crisis. A notable outcome has been the straining of traditionally close ties between the state and the chaebŏl.

Environmentally friendly sound absorbing noise barrier made from concrete waste - further developments

This paper reports on the second phase of a research project aimed at the development of an environmentally friendly noise barrier for urban freeways, also known as KMAK [1]. The concrete barrier, which has some unique capabilities to mitigate transportation noise, is made from recycled concrete (RC) aggregate and industrial by-products such as fly ash and reclaimed water. The current developmental work expands on a research project that resulted in a two-layer (2L) concrete barrier. Two prototypes of the 2L barrier were produced, followed by extensive acoustic testing and a number of simulations where standard timber and/or concrete barriers were substituted with KMAK barrier [2]. Current research investigates a variety of architectural finishes applied to the original KMAK barrier with the aim of improving its visual appearance and also fine-tuning its acoustic performance. The new three-layer (3L) barrier optimizes sound absorption in a frequency range characteristic similar to that of transportation noise, especially road traffic noise. Three major aspects related to the development of architectural finishes were considered; environmentally responsible materials, surface features, and production methods. The findings of the current investigation demonstrate that there is a positive correlation between surface features, percentage of perforation as well as depth of the architectural layer, and increased potential of the 3L barrier to mitigate transportation noise. On average, the addition of perforated architectural finish contributes to a 20% increase in sound absorption. The preliminary results also show that the sound absorbency of the 3L barrier can be better controlled and tuned to specific noise frequency than the 2L type. The visual appearance has been significantly improved with the addition of the architectural finish, which makes the barrier an attractive, feasible, and viable alternative to road barriers made from standard concrete or timber.

Chlorine decay and biofilm growth in tropical drinking water distribution systems - a case study for Townsville

Water quality modelling is becoming increasingly popular in the water industry due to its applications in drinking water and treated wastewater reuse. Microbial growth and disinfectant decay are the two most important factors to be considered in drinking water if they are to comply with stringent guidelines imposed by relevant water regulatory authorities. In the case of drinking water, an optimum level of disinfectant is an important criterion to have pathogen free water with minimal disinfectant by products (DBPs) below the acceptable levels.

Prediction of chlorine and THMs concentration profile in bulk drinking water distribution systems from laboratory data

Nearly all drinking water distribution systems experience a "natural" reduction of disinfection residuals. The most frequently used disinfectant is chlorine, which can decay due to reactions with organic and inorganic compounds in the water and by liquid/solids reaction with the biofilm, pipe walls and sediments. Usually levels of 0.2-0.5 mg/L of free chlorine are required at the point of consumption to maintain bacteriological safety. Higher concentrations are not desirable as they present the problems of taste and odour and increase formation of disinfection by-products. It is usually a considerable concern for the operators of drinking water distribution systems to manage chlorine residuals at the "optimum level", considering all these issues. This paper describes how the chlorine profile in a drinking water distribution system can be modelled and optimised on the basis of readily and inexpensively available laboratory data. Methods are presented for deriving the laboratory data, fitting a chlorine decay model of bulk water to the data and applying the model, in conjunction with a simplified hydraulic model, to obtain the chlorine profile in a distribution system at steady flow conditions. Two case studies are used to demonstrate the utility of the technique. Melbourne's Greenvale-Sydenham distribution system is unfiltered and uses chlorination as its only treatment. The chlorine model developed from laboratory data was applied to the whole system and the chlorine profile was shown to be accurately simulated. Biofilm was not found to critically affect chlorine decay. In the other case study, Sydney Water's Nepean system was modelled from limited hydraulic data. Chlorine decay and trihalomethane (THM) formation in raw and treated water were measured in a laboratory, and a chlorine decay and THM model was derived on the basis of these data. Simulated chlorine and THM profiles agree well with the measured values available. Various applications of this modelling approach are also briefly discussed.

Efficient management of drinking water distribution systems through the application of water quality modeling

The quality of drinking water generally degrades when it is delivered through a distribution system due to the decay of disinfectant, which subsequently allows the re-growth of microorganisms in the distribution system. A model that describes the changes that occur in the water quality in distribution system is needed to determine whether to enhance the treatment processes or to improve the distribution system so that microbiological criteria are met. This paper describes how chlorine decay kinetics are modeled and the model output is used in finding the elements that are contributing to the consumption of chlorine at the treatment plant other than the water itself; this allows better control of chlorine dosing at the treatment plant, which in tum will reduce the formation of disinfectant by-products. In addition, the model will accurately predict the decay due to the organic/inorganic and nitrogenous compounds that are remaining in the water at any point in the distribution system, which will indicate the status of the distribution system with respect to its chlorine consumption. Further, if re-chlorination is introduced in the distribution system downstream of the treatment plant, the model will predict the chlorine decay due to the slow reacting organic and nitrogenous compounds accurately.