Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum and rumen protected fat on meat quality,oxidative stability,and chemical composition of finishing goats

Background Clostridium butyricum(CB)is a probiotic that can regulate intestinal microbial composition and improve meat quality.Rumen protected fat(RPF)has been shown to increase the dietary energy density and provide essential fatty acids.However,it is still unknown whether dietary supplementation with CB and RPF exerts beneficial effects on growth performance and nutritional value of goat meat.This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary CB and RPF supplementation on growth performance,meat quality,oxidative stability,and meat nutritional value of finishing goats.Thirty-two goats(initial body weight,20.5±0.82 kg)were used in a completely randomized block design with a 2 RPF supplementation(0 vs.30 g/d)×2 CB supplementation(0 vs.1.0 g/d)factorial treatment arrangement.The experiment included a 14-d adaptation and 70-d data and sample collection period.The goats were fed a diet consisted of 400 g/kg peanut seedling and 600 g/kg corn-based concentrate(dry matter basis).Result Interaction between CB and RPF was rarely observed on the variables measured,except that shear force was reduced(P<0.05)by adding CB or RPF alone or their combination;the increased intramuscular fat(IMF)content with adding RPF was more pronounced(P<0.05)with CB than without CB addition.The pH24h(P=0.009),a*values(P=0.007),total antioxidant capacity(P=0.050),glutathione peroxidase activities(P=0.006),concentrations of 18:3(P<0.001),20:5(P=0.003)and total polyunsaturated fatty acids(P=0.048)were increased,whereas the L*values(P<0.001),shear force(P=0.050)and malondialdehyde content(P=0.044)were decreased by adding CB.Furthermore,CB supplementation increased essential amino acid(P=0.027),flavor amino acid(P=0.010)and total amino acid contents(P=0.024)as well as upregulated the expression of lipoprotein lipase(P=0.034)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ(PPARγ)(P=0.012),and downregulated the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase(SCD)(P=0.034).The RPF supplementation increased dry matter intake(P=0.005),averaged daily gain(trend,P=0.058),hot carcass weight(P=0.046),backfat thickness(P=0.006),concentrations of 16:0(P<0.001)and c9-18:1(P=0.002),and decreased the shear force(P<0.001),isoleucine(P=0.049)and lysine content(P=0.003)of meat.In addition,the expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase(P=0.003),fatty acid synthase(P=0.038),SCD(P<0.001)and PPARγ(P=0.022)were upregulated due to RPF supplementation,resulting in higher(P<0.001)content of IMF.Conclusions CB and RPF could be fed to goats for improving the growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality,and promote fat deposition by upregulating the expression of lipogenic genes of Longissimus thoracis muscle.

Chemical Composition of Pineapple Press Residues (Ananas comosus) and Effect on Growth Performance of Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

With a view to improving rabbit production performance, a trial on the chemical composition of pineapple press residue (Ananas comosus) and the effect of its incorporation in the ration on rabbit growth performance (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was carried out at the KUATE Cunicole Farm in Bandjoun, in Western Cameroon. To do this, 36 rabbits of the local breed, aged 53 days with an average weight of 1337 ± 119 g were distributed and randomly assigned to 3 experimental rations corresponding respectively to treatments or batches T0, T1 and T2. The animals in treatment T0 received a ration containing no pineapple press residue, while those in treatments T1 and T2 received a ration containing 20% and 40% pineapple press residue, respectively. These residues were dried and ground for chemical composition analysis. The feed served as well as refusals from the previous day were weighed each morning to assess feed intake. The animals were weighed every 7 days to assess weight performance. At the end of the trial which lasted 7 weeks, the animals were fasted for 24 hours, then sacrificed to evaluate carcass characteristics and the relative weights of some digestive organs. The results of this study showed that pineapple press residues had a high crude fiber content (19.2%) and energy (2500 Kcal/kg DM). Their incorporation had no significant effect on feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The average live weight, weight gain and average daily weight gain of the animals receiving the ration with 20% inclusion of pineapple press residue were comparable to those of the control group and significantly higher than those of animals fed with 40% inclusion of pineapple residue. The highest carcass yields were obtained with rabbits fed 20% pineapple press residue in their ration. The cost of feed for the production of a kilogram live weight of rabbit tends to decrease with the ration incorporated with 20% pineapple press residue. Pineapple press residues constitute a by-product that can be recycled and their incorporation at 20% can increase rabbit growth performance and reduce production costs.

Effects of Different Exogenous Substances on Seed Germination of Isatis indigotica Under Drought Stress and Chemical Composition of Isatis indigotica leaves

This study was to investigate the effects of three exogenous substances on chemical constituents of Isatis indigotica leavesand their efficacy in alleviating drought stress, and explore the methods of applying exogenous substances to efficient cultivationof Isatis indigotica. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to simulate drought stress to deal with seeds of Isatis indigotica at thegermination stage (concentration: 0, 10%, 15%, and 20%). Simultaneous operation of exogenous growth regulators [microbialinoculum (MI), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and salicylic acid (SA)] and PEG were implemented in seeds of Isatis indigotica.The effects of drought stress and the mitigation of exogenous substances were observed by statistics of seed germination potential,germination rate, hypocotyl length, and radicle length of each treatment. The effects of exogenous substances on the content ofalkaloids, crude protein and free amino acids in the leaves of Isatis indigotica grown in a greenhouse were determined after sprayingexogenous substances on the plants. The differences of germination potential, germination rate, hypocotyl length, and radicle lengthamong 15% PEG stress treatment, 10% PEG stress treatment and the control were significant (P<0.05). According to the predesignedgermination standard, the seeds did not germinate under 20% PEG stress treatment. When the PEG concentration was 15%, the resultsof seed germination potential and germination rate after adding MI were significantly different from those under stress alone (P<0.05).When exposed to 10% PEG stress, the supplementation of GABA led to a notable increase in radicle length of Isatis indigotica seeds,showing significant differences compared to other three treatments. The application of MI and GABA under 15% PEG stress resultedin a significant increase in the radicle and hypocotyl length of Isatis indigotica seeds compared to other two treatments. The contentof the total alkaloids in leaves of Isatis indigotica was significantly increased after spraying GABA. Meanwhile, the contents of crudeprotein and the total free amino acids were kept constant after spraying exogenous substances. Application of MI and GABA couldalleviate drought stress of Isatis indigotica. The content of the total alkaloids in leaves of Isatis indigotica could significantly increaseafter spraying GABA.

Chemical composition and biological activity of Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata is an important traditional Chinese medicine.It is widely used for clearing heat and detoxification,reducing swelling and treating sores,diuresis and dehumidification.It is also used to treat lung carbuncles,ulcers,hemorrhoids,rectal bleeding,spleen and stomach heat,which are caused by excess heat,heat toxicity,dampness,and disease heat.Modern pharmacological experiments have shown that H.cordata has antibacterial,antiviral,immune enhancing,diuretic and other effects.This article reviews the chemical components and biological activities of H.cordata to provide reference for clinical application.

Chemical composition and pharmacological activities of Atractylodes lancea:A review

Atractylodes lancea(called Cangzhu in China)is a medicinal plant that has long been used as tonic agent in various ethno-medical systems in East Asia,especially in China,for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction,cancer,osteoporosis,obesity and fetal irritability.We used the TCMSP database to search for the main active ingredients and traditional Chinese medicine targets of Atractylodes macrocephala.There are a total of 38 related articles,of which 27 are closely related to chemical composition and activity.This study reviews the chemical components and pharmacological effects of A.lancea,aiming to provide reference for its further research and development.

Study of the Chemical and Mineralogical Composition of Kindia Bauxite in the Republic of Guinea: The Case of the Saföfö Site

The chemical and mineralogical composition of bauxite deposits is a key factor in the profitability of refining processes. The study of bauxites from the Saföfö site has assessed variations in chemical and mineralogical composition under various conditions, as well as the optimum conditions for their exploitation. The methodologies used in this study include experimental methods for determining moisture content, chemical composition, mineralogical composition, and specific density of bauxite. The results show significant variation in moisture content among the bauxite samples, with values ranging from 2.90% to 17.80%. The silica percentages in the samples range from 1.69% to 8.14%, while alumina percentages vary from 36.81% to 54.03%. After calcination, alumina oxide percentages range from 40% to 75%. After chemical activation, alumina oxides Al2O3 range from 40% to over 50%. Gibbsite is the most abundant mineral, accounting for about 60% - 70% of the total composition of the bauxite samples. Samples A to F have bulk densities varying between approximately 3.6 and 3.9. Sample B has the highest density, around 3.9, while sample C has the lowest, at around 3.5. Bauxite mining at the Saföfö site offers significant potential for the alumina industry, provided appropriate processing methods are selected to maximize quality and profitability while minimizing environmental impact.

Chemical Compositions of Volatile Oil from Fruiting Body of Armillaria luteo-virens

The chemical compositions of volatile oil from fruiting body of Armillaria luteo-virens in Qinghai Province were firstly analyzed with GC-MS and its relevant compositions were detected by calculating chromatographic peak area with normalized method. 21 peaks were separated and 13 compositions were identified which were mainly unsaturated fatty acids, taking 97.1% of the total volatile oil.

Effects of Biological Organic Fertilizer on Flue-cured Tobacco Chemical Composition

Through field experiment,special biological fertilizer and cake fertilizer were applied collectively to tobacco,and chemical compositions of Wanxi flue-cured tobacco leaves were researched.The results showed that the increase of biological organic fertilizer would significantly improve soil nutrient supplying capacity.Compared with conventional fertilization,the contents of reducing sugar,total sugar and starch in different parts of tobaccos which were applied with biological organic fertilizer were closer to standards of excellent tobacco.In the treatment,the ratio of reducing sugar and nicotine in tobacco was more suitable in middle and lower parts of the plant and the contents of total N,nicotine and chlorine in tobacco were lowered,improving tobacco quality.

Study on Main Chemical Compositions of Rice Straw in Three Different Areas of Jiangsu Province

[Objective] The research was aimed to study the main chemical composi- tions of rice straw in the three different areas of Jiangsu Province. [Method] The cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and crude ash of rice straw collected in Huaian, Changzhou and Zhenjiang of Jiangsu Province during 2011-2013 were determined. [Result] The change trends of cellulose and hemicellulose in three arrears in differ- ent years were consistent. The cellulose content increased after falling, and hemi- cellulose content presented declining tendency. The lignin content of rice straw fist rose then declined in Huaian and Changzhou in different years, while it presented the declining tendency in Zhenjiang. The ash content of rice straw changed little and was all less than 65% in the three areas in different years. And the chemical composition of rice straw changed significantly in different years. [Conclusion] The research could provide basis for high added-value use of crop straw.

Phase-field study for effect of chemical composition on pre-precipitation process of γ′ phase in Ni-Al-Ti alloy

The pre-precipitation processes of γ＇ phase in Ni-Al-Ti alloy with different chemical compositions are investigated by microscopic phase-field dynamics model. The simulation results show that the early precipitated phase with L10 structure is formed before the formation of γ＇ phase. With the increase of Al content, the composition of precipitated phase is transformed from the co-existence of γ＇ phase and material phase into single y phase. Furthermore, excessive Al content can stimulate the production of γ＇ phase, and the conversion time from L10 phase to L12 phase will lag behind other samples with lower Al con-tent. By analyzing the occupation probability of Ti, it can be found that the solid solution strengthening effect of Ti is reduced with the increase of Al component.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Horns Sheaths Particles for the Manufacture of Composite Materials

Salvaged cow horns from slaughterhouses have been transformed into fine particles for a physical characterization that has led us to determine the humidity rate (2.34% ± 0.054%), the actual density situated between 0.586 g/cm3 and 0.732 g/cm3, the swelling rate (12%), and one chemical characterization that permitted us to determine the rate of dry matters (97.05%), of mineral matters (2.5%), of protein matters (94.52%). From these weak values, it can easily be seen that cow horn case doesn’t absorb much water and improve the mechanical characteristics of the composite;the high rate of protein shows that keratin which is the structural molecule favors its gripping as reinforcing element in the manufacturing of composite materials.

A Comparison Analysis of Chemical Composition of Aerosols in the Dust and Non-Dust Periods in Beijing

Dust events occurred frequently in Beijing in recent years. In this work, 120 aerosol samples were collected in two typical dust events (21-22 March and 15 May) and a non-dust period in Beijing from March to May 2001. Samples were analyzed for major elemental components by the Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) method. Results show that the enrichment factors of crustal elements such as Mg, Al, and Ti had little differences between the dust period and the non-dust period in Beijing, while the enrichment factors of other elements that have a relation to anthropogenic emissions were very low during the dust period. The results derived by using multivariate factor analysis from the observation data show that the sources such as soil dust, industry, and fuel combustion were among the major contributors to the particles in Beijing.

Liquefaction and Product Identification of Main Chemical Compositions of Wood in Phenol

To clarify liquefaction ratios and their construction variations of the main chemical compositions of wood in phenol using phosphoric acid as a catalyst, the chemical ingredients of wood such as holocellulose, cellulose and lignin, were measured and extracted according to GB methods. With Fourier transform infrared （FTIR）, the product identification of reactant before and after liquefaction in phenol was investigated. The molecular weights and their distributions of the liquefaction results （acetone soluble parts） were studied by gel permeation chromatography （GPC）. Results show that the molecular weights and their distributions of poplar and Chinese fir are almost the same. In poplar, the distribution of cellulose is the largest, and that ofholocellulose the smallest after liquefaction. For Chinese fir, the distribution of holocellulose is the largest, and that of cellulose the smallest. After liquefaction of poplar cellulose, the change bands of FTIR spectrum observed below 1 600 cm^-1, can be attributed to new substitute groups. The same is true for poplar lignin. For Chinese fir, the spectra of liquefaction results of all chemical compositions differ from that of wood meal. This reveals the more activity groups were produced because of the reactions between Chinese fir and phenol. The research shows that the liquefaction ratios of poplar decrease in the following order： holocellulose 〉 lignin 〉 cellulose, and those of Chinese fir in the order： lignin 〉 cellulose 〉 holocellulose.

Effect of Cellulase and Lactic Acid Bacteria on Fermentation Quality and Chemical Composition of Wheat Straw Silage

The object of this study was to determine the effect of cellulase and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on fermentation quality and chemical composition of wheat straw silage. Silages were prepared using a small-scale fermentation system and the moisture level was adjusted to 60% of fresh matter (FM) with deionized water. Treatments were designed as: control silage without additives, LAB inoculant Lactobacillus casei Z3-1 (1.0 × 106 cfu·g-1 of FM), commercial inoculant L. plantarum FG 1 (1.0 × 106 cfu·g-1 of FM), Z3-1 + cellulase and FG 1 + cellulase. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude protein (CP) contents of the wheat straw prior to ensiling were 76.93%, 48.52% and 4.63% of dry matter (DM), respectively. After 30 days of fermentation, the silages treated with LAB and LAB + cellulase had a lower (P < 0.05) pH and higher (P < 0.05) lactic acid content than the control, and the coliform bacteria, yeast and mold were inhibited at the early stage of fermentation. Besides, silages treated with cellulase had lower (P < 0.05) values of ADF and NDF than the control. The results confirmed that the addition of cellulase and LAB contributed to improving the fermentation quality of wheat straw silage.

Ore Genesis of the Kalatongke Cu-Ni Sulfide Deposits, Western China: Constraints from Volatile Chemical and Carbon Isotopic Compositions

The Kalatongke Cu-Ni sulfide deposits located in the East Junggar terrane, northern Xinjiang, western China are the largest magmatic sulfide deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt （CAOB）. The chemical and carbon isotopic compositions of the volatiles trapped in olivine, pyroxene and sulfide mineral separates were analyzed by vacuum stepwise-heating mass spectrometry. The results show that the released volatiles are concentrated at three temperature intervals of 200-400°C, 400-900°C and 900-1200°C. The released volatiles from silicate mineral separates at 400-900°C and 900-1200°C have similar chemical and carbon isotopic compositions, which are mainly composed of H2O （av. ~92 mol%） with minor H2, CO2, H2S and SO2, and they are likely associated with the ore-forming magmatic volatiles. Light δ13CCO2 values （from -20.86‰ to -12.85‰） of pyroxene indicate crustal contamination occurred prior to or synchronous with pyroxene crystallization of mantlederived ore-forming magma. The elevated contents of H2 and H2O in the olivine and pyroxene suggest a deep mantle-originated ore-forming volatile mixed with aqueous volatiles from recycled subducted slab. High contents of CO2 in the ore-forming magma volatiles led to an increase in oxygen fugacity, and thereby reduced the solubility of sulfur in the magma, then triggered sulfur saturation followed by sulfide melt segregation; CO2 contents correlated with Cu contents in the whole rocks suggest that a supercritical state of CO2 in the ore-forming magma system under high temperature and pressure conditions might play a key role in the assemblage of huge Cu and Ni elements. The volatiles released from constituent minerals of intrusion 1# have more CO2 and SO2 oxidized gases, higher CO2/CH4 and SO2/H2S ratios and lighter δ13CCO2 than those of intrusions 2# and 3#. This combination suggests that the higher oxidation state of the volatiles in intrusion 1# than intrusions 2# and 3#, which could be one of key ore-forming factors for large amounts of ores and high contents of Cu and Ni in intrusion 1#. The volatiles released at 200-400°C are dominated by H2O with minor CO2, N2＋CO and SO2, with δ13CCO2 values （-25.66‰ to -22.98‰） within the crustal ranges, and are considered to be related to secondary tectonic-hydrothermal activities.

The Impact of the South Asia High Bimodality on the Chemical Composition of the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere

The South Asia High （SAH） is the dominant feature of the circulation in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere （UTLS） during the boreal summer, and the upper tropospheric anticyclonic circulation extends into the lower stratosphere. The preferred locations of the center of the SAH occur in two different regions, and the center can be located over the Iranian Plateau or over the Tibetan Plateau. This bimodality has an impact on the distribution of chemical constituents in the UTLS region. We analyzed water vapor （H20）, carbon monoxide （CO）, and ozone （03） data derived from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder （MLS） and total column ozone data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument （OMI）. For the Iranian Plateau mode of the SAH, the tropospheric tracers exhibited a positive anomaly over the Iranian Plateau and a negative anomaly over the Tibetan Plateau, whereas the stratospheric tracer exhibited a negative and a positive anomaly over the Iranian Plateau and the Tibetan Plateau, respectively. For the Tibetan Plateau mode, however, the distribution of the anomaly was the reverse of that found for the chemical species in the UTLS region. Furthermore, the locations of the extrema within the anomaly seemed to differ across chemical species. The anomaly extrema for H20 occurred in the vicinity of the SAH ridgeline, whereas CO and O3 exhibited a northward shift of 4-8 degrees. These impacts of the variation in the SAH on the chemical constitutes in the UTLS region can be attributed in part to the dynamical structure delineated by the tropopause field and the temperature field at 100 hPa.

Optimization model coupling both chemical compositions and high-temperature characteristics of sintering materials for sintering burden

We developed a mathematical optimization model coupling chemical compositions and high-temperature characteristics of sintering materials, targeting the best quality and lowest cost. The simplex algorithm was adopted to solve this model. Four kinds of imported iron ores, two kinds of Chinese iron ore concentrates, and two kinds of fluxes were selected to verify both the model and the algorithm. The results confirmed the possibility of considering both chemical compositions and high-temperature characteristics of iron ores in the optimization model. This model provides a technical roadmap to obtain a precise mathematical correlation between the lowest cost and the grade of iron in sinters based on the condition of given raw materials, which can provide a reference to adjust the grade of iron in the sintering process for enterprise.

Antimycobacterial natural products from Moroccan medicinal plants: Chemical composition, bacteriostatic and bactericidal profile of Thymus satureioides and Mentha pulegium essential oils

Objective: To evaluate the susceptibility of Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis in vitro to the essential oils obtained from two medicinal plants: Thymus satureioides(T. satureioides) and Mentha pulegium(M. pulegium), and to study their chemical composition.Methods: The aerial parts of T. satureioides and M. pulegium(leaves and stems) were hydro-distillated using a Clevenger-type apparatus and essential oils were analyzed and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antimycobacterial screening of essential oils was performed on the basis of the inhibition zone diameter by disc diffusion method against two mycobacterial strains whereas the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration were determined by using the micro-dilution method.Results: Chemical analysis of their aerial part's essential oils gave as major compounds,borneol(34.26%), carvacrol(31.21%) and thymol(3.71%) for T. satureioides and R(+)-pulegone(75.48%), carvone(6.66%) and dihydrocarvone(4.64%) for M. pulegium.Thereafter their antimycobacterial effect evaluation, using the micro-dilution method,indicated that minimal inhibitory concentration values of T. satureioides essential oil ranged from 0.062% to 0.015%(v/v) and from 0.125% to 0.031%(v/v) for M. pulegium respectively against Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis.Conclusions: It is clearly evident from the results obtained that the Moroccan medicinal plants have great potential to be used as anti-tuberculosis agents. These findings may help scientists to undertake several research projects to discover useful natural product as new anti-tuberculosis drug.

Effect of harvest time on the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of Gannan navel orange(Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck 'Newhall')juice

The present study investigates the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of juice from the Gannan navel orange, which is harvested at one-to two-week intervals during the ripening period. The total soluble solid(TSS), total polyphenol content(TPC), total flavonoid content(TFC), sucrose and hesperidin contents gradually increase with the ripening of the fruit, followed by slight declines at the late maturity stage. Contrary to these observations, the contents of titratable acid(TA), vitamin C(Vc), and limonin trend downward throughout the ripening period. However, the contents of fructose, glucose, and narirutin fluctuate throughout the harvest time. Three in vitro antioxidant assays consistently indicate that the harvest time exerts no significant influence(P>0.01) on the antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, principal component analysis(PCA) and Pearson’s correlation test are performed to provide an overview of the complete dataset.This study provides valuable information for evaluating the fruit quality and determining when to harvest the fruit in order to meet the preferences of consumers. Meanwhile, our observations suggest that the fruits subjected to juice processing should be harvested at the late maturity stage to alleviate the "delayed bitterness" problem without compromising the antioxidant capacity and the flavonoid content in the juice.

Synthesis of steel slag ceramics: chemical composition and crystalline phases of raw materials

Two types of porcelain tiles with steel slag as the main raw material （steel slag ceramics） were synthesized based on the CaO-A1203-SiO2 and CaO--MgO-SiO2 systems, and their bending strengths up to 53.47 MPa and 99.84 MPa, respectively, were obtained. The presence of anorthite, a-quartz, magnetite, and pyroxene crystals （augite and diopside） in the steel slag ceramics were very different from the composition of traditional ceramics. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and electron probe X-ray microanalysis （EPMA） results illustrated that the addition of steel slag reduced the temperature of extensive liquid generation and further decreased the firing temperature. The considerable contents of glass-modifying oxide liquids with rather low viscosities at high temperature in the steel slag ceramic adobes promoted element diffusion and crystallization. The results of this study demonstrated a new approach for extensive and effective recycling of steel slag.