The effect of a Lactobacillus-based probiotic for the control of necrotic enteritis in broilers

Necrotic Enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens (CP) in poultry is probably the most important bacterial disease in terms of economic implications. The disease is multi-factorial and is invariably associated with predisposing factors. The present study investigated the effect of a commercially available Lactobacillus-based probiotic (FM-B11) for the control of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. In experiment 1, one-day-of-hatch broiler chicks were randomly allocated to the following treatment groups: 1) Non-challenged (NC); 2) Challenged (C); 3) Challenged + probiotic (C+ FM-B11). Prior to placement, chicks in groups 2 and 3 received 0.25 mL of Salmonella typhimurium (ST) containing 105 cfu of viable cells by oral gavage. At 14, 15 and 16 days of age, all chicks in group 3 were treated with FM-B11 in the drinking water at a concentration of 106 cfu/ml. At 21d of age, all chicks in groups 2 and 3, were individually challenged with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts of E. maxima by oral gavage. At 26d of age, all chicks in groups 2 and 3, were individually challenged with 108 cfu CP; body weight (BW) was recorded prior to challenge. The experiment was terminated at 29 days of age and the following parameters were evaluated: NE-associated mortality, CP lesion scores, CP concentrations in ileum, BW, and body weight gain (BWG). Chicks treated with FM-B11 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain after challenge when compared to control challenge chickens. Total mortality was higher in the C group (48.8%) when compared to the C + FM-B11 (12.7%). Even though there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in lesion score between C and C + FM-B11, group C + FM-B11 had significantly (P < 0.05) lower total number of cfu of CP recovered from the ileal mucosa and content samples when compared to group C. Experiment 2 was a unique and remarkable case report of a field outbreak of NE in a commercial broiler farm in Argentina. A reduction and control of the mortality associated with NE following 3 days of administration of FM-B11 was observed as compared with the control non treated house. These results imply that the commercially available Lactobacillus-based probiotic FM-B11 was able to reduce the severities of NE, as a secondary bacterial infection, in an experimental NE challenge model; as well as, in a commercial field outbreak of NE.

Quality and safety of pet treats: assessment of the microbial safety and quality of pet treats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hygienic and sanitary conditions of pettreats from an export industry. The occurrence of Salmonella, enumerated sulfite-reducing Clostridium (SRC), coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (CPS) and total(TC) and thermotolerant coliforms (TTC) was studied. Of the 108 samples ana-lyzed, 22 were contaminated by some microorganism. TC were detected at twosamples (3.5 × 101and 4.5 × 101colony-forming units [cfu]/g), SRC in 19 samples(1.0 × 101to 1.3 × 105cfu/g) and Salmonella spp. at only one sample; CPS andTTC were not detected. These findings indicate the microbiological safety of mostitems, except for a mix of dried bovine offal, with 1.3 × 105cfu/g of SRC, and onemix of dehydrated bovine viscera contaminated with Salmonella. The current pro-duction processes and the food safety management system are adequate to guar-antee the production of microbiologically safe foods, but that some improvementscan still be made with regard to cleaning and disinfection and hygiene training.

Efeito do Ácido Ascórbico em melões 'Orange Flesh' minimamente processados

The aim of this work was to evaluate the application of different concentrations of ascorbic acid on Orange Flesh melon. Whole Melons were sanifi ed with 500 mg L-1 of sodium hypochlorite for 10 minutes and the cuts into cubes with 100 mg L-1 for 1 minute before being tested under different concentrations of ascorbic acid (0, 1, 2 and 3%) in immersion at room temperature for 10 minutes. After drainage, the cuts were packed in PET packages lined with polyethylene fi lm of 18 µm and stored at 5 ± 1°C and 85 ± 5% of RH for 8 days, being evaluated every 2 days. Physicochemical, microbiological and sensorial analyses were performed. The experimental design utilized for the experiment was the completely randomized in factorial scheme. Ten replicates were used for non-destructive analyses and 3 replicates were used for destructive ones. The application of ascorbic acid reduced the loss of mass; the fruits presented a low population of psychrotrophic bacterias, fi lamentous, fungi and yeasts, reduction of soluble solids, pH and fi rmness and, consequently, extended postharvest life of the fruits by 2 days. The appearance, fl avor and taste were also affected. The application of 1% of ascorbic acid was the best treatment for the fresh cuts “Orange Flesh” melons.

Gamma irradiation can control the number of psychotrophic bacteria in Agaricus bisporus during storage

We evaluated the effect of gamma irradiation doses (0, 125, 250, and 500 Gy) in control of psychrotrophic bacteria in different strains of Agaricus bisporus (ABI-07/06, ABI-05/03, and PB-1) during storage, cultivated in composts based on oat straw (Avena sativa) and Brachiaria spp. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme 4  2  3 (irradiation doses  composts  strains), with 24 treatments, each consisting of 2 replicates, totaling 48 experimental units (samples of mushrooms). The mushrooms collected from all culture conditions were packaged in plastic polypropylene with 200 g each and subjected to Cobalt-60 irradiator, type Gammacell 220, and dose rate 0.740 kGy h–1 , according to the treatments. Subsequently, the control (nonirradiated) and other treatments were maintained at 4 ± 1°C and 90% relative humidity (RH) in a climatic chamber to perform the microbiological analysis of mushrooms on the 1st and 14th day of storage. According to the results, it was found that the highest mean colony psychotrophic count, after 14 days of storage, was observed in strain ABI-07/06 1.30 × 108 g -1 most probable number (MPN) in nonirradiated mushrooms, coming from Brachiaria grass-based compost, and this same strain under the same storage conditions, coming from the same type of compost that underwent a dose of 500 Gy, obtained a significant reduction in mean colonies of psychrotrophic bacteria (2.25 × 104 g –1 MPN). Thus, the irradiation doses tested favored reducing the number of colonies of psychrotrophic bacteria, regardless of the type of compound and strain of A. bisporus.

Influência do suco de laranja na microbiota intestinal humana

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aditivo alternativo, associado ou não ao antimicrobiano, na dieta de leitões recém-desmamados

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Animal - FEIS