Combining ability of Egyptian cotton(Gossypium barbadense L.)reveals genetic potential for improved yield and fiber quality

Background As the most widely cultivated fiber crop,cotton production depends on hybridization to unlock the yield potential of current varieties.A deep understanding of genetic dissection is crucial for the cultivation of enhanced hybrid plants with desired traits,such as high yield and fine fiber quality.In this study,the general combining ability(GCA)and specific combining ability(SCA)of yield and fiber quality of nine cotton parents(six lines and three testers)and eighteen F1 crosses produced using a line×tester mating design were analyzed.Results The results revealed significant effects of genotypes,parents,crosses,and interactions between parents and crosses for most of the studied traits.Moreover,the effects of both additive and non-additive gene actions played a notably significant role in the inheritance of most of the yield and fiber quality attributes.The F1 hybrids of(Giza 90×Aust)×Giza 86,Uzbekistan 1×Giza 97,and Giza 96×Giza 97 demonstrated superior performance due to their favorable integration of high yield attributes and premium fiber quality characteristics.Path analysis revealed that lint yield has the highest positive direct effect on seed cotton yield,while lint percentage showed the highest negative direct effect on seed cotton yield.Principal component analysis identified specific parents and hybrids associated with higher cotton yield,fiber quality,and other agronomic traits.Conclusion This study provides insights into identifying potential single-and three-way cross hybrids with superior cotton yield and fiber quality characteristics,laying a foundation for future research on improving fiber quality in cotton.

Exploring groundwater quality in semi-arid areas of Algeria:Impacts on potable water supply and agricultural sustainability

Groundwater quality assessment is important to assure safe and durable water use.In semi-arid areas of Algeria,groundwater represents the main water resource for drinking water supply of the rural population as well as for irrigation of agricultural lands.Groundwater samples from wells and springs were collected from the Gargaat Tarf and Annk Djemel sub-watersheds of the Oum El Bouaghi,Algeria,and were analyzed and compared with the World Health Organization(WHO)standards.Results showed that most of the measured physical and chemical parameters exceeded the quality limits according to the WHO standards.Groundwater had a slightly alkaline water pH(7.00-7.79),electrical conductivity>1500μS/cm,chloride>500 mg/L,calcium>250 mg/L,and magnesium>155 mg/L.Water quality index(WQI)results showed that 68%of the area had excellent water quality,24%of the samples fell into good category,and only 8%were of poor quality and unsuitable for human consumption.Six wells in the area showed bacterial contamination.Total coliforms(453.9(±180.3)CFU(colony-forming units)/100 mL),fecal coliforms(243.2(±99.2)CFU/100 mL),and fecal streptococci(77.9(±32.0)CFU/100 mL)loads were above the standard limits set by the WHO.These results confirmed that water resources in the study area were strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities and were not recommended for consumption as drinking water.

Genetic Variability and Phenotypic Correlations Study among Grain Quality Traits and Mineral Elements Concentrations in Colored and Non-Colored Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Twenty-four rice genotypes were examined to assess genetic variability,heritability,and correlations for seven-grain quality traits,eight nutritional elements,and protein.ANOVA revealed significant differences for the quality traits studied.For every trait under study,the phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the correspon-dence genotypic coefficient of variation.Heritability in a broad sense varied from 29.75%for grain length to 98.31%for the elongation trait.Hulling percentage recovery had a highly significant positive correlation with milling and head rice percentage.Consequently,milling percentage had a highly positive correlation with head rice percentage.In amylose percentage,all the genotypes belonged to low amylose except the Hassawi-1 variety,which had intermediate amylose content.Mineral nutrition contents of magnesium(Mg),sodium(Na),potas-sium(K),calcium(Ca),copper(Cu),manganese(Mn),zinc(Zn),iron(Fe),or protein percentage gave different variations for 24 rice genotypes under all the nutritional elements.Among the 24 genotypes,ten rice genotypes–HighNutrient-1,HighNutrient-2,HighNutrient-9,HighNutrient-8,HighNutrient-3,Hassawi-2,HighNutrient-7,HighNutrient-6,Hassawi-1,and HighNutrient-4–had the highest heist value for all nutritional and protein con-tents,and could be used as a donor to improving new varieties.There was a positive and significant correlation between magnesium Mg,K,Zn and Fe.Consequently,K had a positive correlation with zinc Zn,Fe,and protein percentage.Clustering analysis was divided into two groups:thefirst group included all genotypes rich in nutri-ents,while the remaining genotypes with low nutritional content were included in the second group.

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.

Assessment of water quality suitability for agriculture in a potentially leachate-contaminated region

Dump sites pose a significant threat to groundwater resources due to the possibility of leachate leakage into the aquifer.This study investigated the impact of leachate on groundwater quality in the southwest region of Zanjan City,Iran,where groundwater is utilized for drinking,agricultural,and industrial purposes.We analyzed 18 parameters of dump site leachate,including physicochemical,heavy metals,and bacterial properties,alongside 13 groundwater samples.Sampling was conducted twice,in November 2020 and June 2021,within a five-kilometer radius of the Zanjan dump site.We utilized the Leachate Pollution Index(LPI)to evaluate potential groundwater contamination by leachate leakage from nearby dumpsite.Additionally,due to the predominant agricultural activities in the study area,various indices were employed to assess groundwater quality for agricultural purposes,such as Sodium Adsorption Ratio(SAR),Soluble Sodium Index(SSI),Kelly Ratio(KR),and Permeability Index(PI).Our analysis revealed no observed contamination related to leachate in the study area according to the LPI results.However,with the persistent pollution threat,implementing sanitary measures at the dump site is crucial to prevent potential impacts on groundwater quality.Moreover,the assessment of groundwater quality adequacy for irrigation yielded satisfactory results for SAR,KR,and PI indices.However,during both the dry(November 2020)and wet seasons(June 2021),the SSP index indicated that 80%of the samples were not classified as excellent,suggesting groundwater may not be suitable for agriculture.Overal,our qualitative study highlights the significant impact of the dry season on groundwater quality in the study area,attributed to elevated concentration levels of the investigated parameters within groundwater sources during the dry season.

Affordability, Accessibility, and Quality of Maternal Health Care Services and Level of Satisfaction of Mothers in Rural Areas in China

Objective:This study aimed to understand the affordability,accessibility,and quality of maternal and child health services for postpartum mothers,and their impact on satisfaction.Methods:The study utilized the Anderson model and revised the Maternal Pregnancy and Perinatal Health Service Questionnaire.A survey was conducted among 289 mothers aged 20–49 in Feicheng City.Results:Regarding accessibility,most respondents(133)reported that travel time to healthcare services exceeded 60 minutes,while 99 respondents indicated a travel time of 16–30 minutes.The issue of affordability was highlighted,with 86.85%of participants perceiving maternal healthcare services as costly,indicating a significant financial burden.More than 50%of respondents were satisfied with two specific dimensions(P<0.05)regarding the quality of maternal healthcare services.Conclusion:The study found that accessibility,affordability,and quality significantly affect mothers’satisfaction with maternal health services.Future research should focus on developing more suitable service pathways for rural mothers.

Effect of Main Cultivation Factors on Oil Quality and Stability of Brassica napus Hybrids

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the influence of five cultivation factors： sowing date, plant density, nitrogen fertilizer amount, phosphate fertilizer amount and potash fertilizer amount on oil quality and stability of Brassica napus hybrids. [Method] Statistical analysis was carried out based on the data from previous studies and our work. [Result] Sowing date had no significant influence on oil quality and stability of B. napus hybrids. The plant density shared a positive correlation with 18-C fatty acid （FA） content, unsaturated fatty acid （UFA） content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, index of unsaturated fatty acid （IUFA）, so a large plant density can improve the oil quality （by increasing18-C FA content, UFA content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid）, but reduce the oil stability （by increasing IUFA）. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer had no significant influence on the contents of 18-C FA and UFA, but significant positive correlations with the total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid and IUFA. So, the total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid can be reduced by increasing nitrogen amount, meanwhile the oil stability was also decreased. Phosphate fertilizer amount did not affect 18-C FA significantly, but was negatively correlated with the UFA content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, and IUFA. So, increasing the amount of applied phosphate fertilizer can reduce UFA content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, thereby improving oil stability. Potash fertilizer had no significant influence on the IUFA, a significant positive correlation with 18-C FA content, an insignificant positive correlation with the the UFA content, and a negative correlation with the total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid. The oil content of rapeseed shared an extremely significant positive correlation with 18-C FA content and UFA content, an negative correlation with the total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, and no significant correlation with IUFA. [Conclusion] This study identified the effects of five main cultivation factors on oil quality and stability of B. napus hybrids, and the correlations of oil content with 18-C FA content, UFA content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, and IUFA.

Design and Implementation of Traceability Management System of Agricultural Products Quality and Safety Based on Domestic Basic Software of China

[Objective] To establish the traceability mechanism of agricultural products safety, and the application of promote domestic based software in the supervision area of agricultural products quality and safety. [Method] Through the analysis on the circulation characteristics of agricultural products, like fruits, vegetables, livestock and poultry, the agricultural products quality safety management and traceability query business component libraries were designed. Based on the run-time-supporting environment provided by domestic based software, traceability management system of agricultural products quality and safety was constructed. [Result] The traceability management system provided the information interaction and comprehensive management platform of agricultural product quality and safety based on domestic based software for the government, enterprises and consumers. [Conclusion] Through the application demonstration, the quality control and information traceability of full circulation of agricultural products was achieved effective and reliably, and the management level of agricultural products quality and safety was improved.

Study on Pork Quality and Safety Traceability System and Relevant Management Systems

It is the key to construct the traceability mechanism of quality responsibility for ensuring the quality and safety of animal products. In this study, after defining the concept of traceability system and analyzing its function mechanism, the design ideas of pork quality and safety traceability system based on bar code and Internet were put forward, including network structure, system process, business process and information identifica- tion. Then the relevant management systems were proposed.

Breeding and Application of Japonica CMS Line Yangfujing 7A with Fine Grain Quality, Disease Resistance and High Combining Ability in Rice

Yangfujing 7A, derived from the cross between Xu 9201A and Yangfujing 7 and its successive backcrosses, is a BT-type japonica CMS line developed by the Agricultural Institute of Riparian Region of Jiangsu Province. It shows good integrat- ed characteristics, stable male sterility, good flowering habits, high out crossing rate, strong disease resistance, fine grain quality （reaching the 1st class of national standards for fine quality rice） and high combining ability. In 2012, it was technically identified in Jiangsu Province. Its F1 hybrid combination Tongyoujingl （Yangfujing 7 A/R98）, showing high yield and good grain quality, was registered and released to commercial production by Jiangsu Crop Variety Appraisal Committee in 2013.

Effects of selenium source and level on growth performance, antioxidative ability and meat quality of broilers

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of selenium(Se) source and level on growth performance, carcass traits, antioxidative ability and meat quality of broilers. A total of 320 one-d-old Arbor Acres commercial broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments with 8 replicates in a completely randomized design involving a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments plus one Se-unsupplemented basal diet control for 42 d. The two Se sources were sodium selenite and Se yeast, and the two supplemental Se levels were 0.20 and 0.40 mg Se kg^–1. The results showed that broilers fed the Se-supplemented diets had higher(P<0.05) average daily gain and average daily feed intake from 22 to 42 d of age, eviscerated yield and abdominal fat percentages, Se concentrations and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activities in breast and thigh muscles on d 42, and lower(P<0.05) feed/gain from 1 to 21 and 22 to 42 d of age, mortality from 22 to 42 d of age and malondialdehyde(MDA) concentration in thigh muscle on d 42 than those fed the control diet. Broilers fed the diets supplemented with Se yeast had higher(P<0.05) p H value and lower(P<0.05) shear force in thigh muscle than those fed the diets supplemented with sodium selenite. Additionally, broilers fed the diets supplemented with 0.40 mg Se kg^–1 had lower(P<0.05) shear force in thigh muscle and higher(P<0.05) GSH-Px activities in breast and thigh muscles than those fed the diets supplemented with 0.20 mg Se kg^–1. Furthermore, broilers fed the diet supplemented with Se yeast at 0.40 mg Se kg^–1 had higher(P<0.05) Se concentrations in breast and thigh muscles than those fed the diet supplemented with Se yeast at 0.20 mg Se kg^–1, but no differences(P<0.05) were observed in these indices of broilers fed the diets supplemented with sodium selenite between 0.20 and 0.40 mg Se kg^–1. The results from the present study indicated that supplemental Se could increase the growth performance, muscle Se concentration and antioxidative ability of broilers;and the Se from Se yeast was more effective than the Se from sodium selenite in improving meat quality of broilers.

The influence of land use change on the spatial–temporal variability of habitat quality between 1990 and 2010 in Northeast China

Land use changes are a direct consequence of interactions between humans and nature.Analysing the spatial and temporal changes in habitat quality brought about by land use change can provide a scientific basis for ecological protection and land planning.Based on the analysis of land use change from 1990 to 2010 in Northeast China,we used the InVEST(integrated valuation of ecosystem services and trade-offs)module to evaluate habitat quality based on watershed subdivision.The results show that:(1)the main land use changes from 1990 to 2010 were the transition from grasslands and forest lands to agricultural lands,which led to a decrease in connectivity of landscape and an increase in fragmentation;(2)areas of high habitat quality were distributed north of the Greater Khingan Mountains,the region of the Lesser Khingan Mountains and east of the Changbai Mountains,while the central plain had low habitat quality;(3)agricultural lands had the largest effect on habitat degradation among all habitat threats.During these 2 decades,the contribution of agricultural lands to habitat degradation were 43.4%in 1990,44.6%in 2000 and 43.9%in 2010;and,(4)at a landscape scale,patch density and splitting index present noticeable negative correlations with habitat quality index.Habitat quality was significantly affected by landscape fragmentation and decreased connectivity.

Availability and Quality of Emergency Obstetric Care, an Alternative Strategy to Reduce Maternal Mortality: Experience of Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China

The burden of maternal mortality (MM) and morbidity is especially high in Asia.However,China has made significant progress in reducing MM over the past two decades,and hence maternal death rate has declined considerably in last decade,To analyze availability and quality of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) received by women at Tongji Hospital,Wuhan,China,this study retrospectively analyzed various pregnancy-related complications at the hospital from 2000 to 2009.Two baseline periods of equal length were used for the comparison of variables.A total of 11 223 obstetric complications leading to MM were identified on a total of 15 730 hospitalizations,either 71.35％ of all activities.No maternal death was recorded.Mean age of women was 29.31 years with a wide range of 14-52 years.About 96.26％ of women had higher levels of schooling,university degrees and above and received the education of secondary school or college.About 3.74％ received primary education at period two (P2) from 2005 to 2009,which was significantly higher than that of period one (P1) from 2000 to 2004 (P＜0.05) (OR:0.586; 95％ CI:0.442 to 0.776).About 65.69％ were employed as skilled or professional workers at P2,which was significantly higher than that of P1 (P＜0.05).About 34.31％ were unskilled workers at P2,which was significantly higher than that of P1 (P＜0.05).Caesarean section was performed for 9,930 women (88.48％) and the percentage of the procedure increased significantly from 19.25％ at P1 to 69.23％ at P2 (P＜0.05).We were led to conclude that,despite the progress,significant gaps in the performance of maternal health services between rural and urban areas remain.However,MM reduction can be achieved in China.Priorities must include,but not limited to the following:secondary healthcare development,health policy and management,strengthening primary healthcare services.

Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Its Suitability for Domestic and Irrigation Use in Parts of the Chandauli-Varanasi Region, Uttar Pradesh, India

The present study focused on the hydrochemistry of groundwater in parts of Chandauli-Varanasi region to assess the quality of groundwater for determining its suitability for drinking and agricultural purposes. Urbanization and agriculture activities have a lot of impacts on the groundwater quality of the study area. A total of 70 ground water samples were collected randomly from different sources viz. hand pump, dug wells and bore wells, and analyzed for major cations and anions. The domination of cations and anions was in the order of Na > Ca > Mg > K and HCO3 > Cl > SO4 > NO3 > F. The Piper classification for hydrogeochemical facies indicates that alkaline earth exceeds alkalis and weak acids exceed strong acid. Water quality index rating was calculated to quantify overall water quality for human consumption. Out of 70 groundwater samples, 7% and 10% samples exhibit water unsuitable for drinking purposes in pre- and post-monsoon, respectively, due to effective leaching of ions, direct discharge of domestic effluents and agricultural activities. Residual sodium carbonate values revealed that 6% sample is not suitable for irrigation purposes in both the seasons due to low permeability of the soil. The calculated values of PI indicate that the water for irrigation uses is excellent to good quality in both seasons. As per Wilcox’s diagram and US salinity laboratory classification, most of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation except one sample which is unsuitable for irrigation purposes. The overall quality of groundwater in post-monsoon season in all chemical constituents is on the higher side due to dissolution of surface pollutants during the infiltration and percolation of rainwater at few places due to agricultural and domestic activities.

Analysis Approach to Durability Based on Material Initial Fatigue Quality and S-N Curve

Based on probabilistic fracture mechanics approach, a new concept of material initial fatigue quality （MIFQ） is developed. Then, the relation between S-N curve and crack propagation curve is studied. From the study, a new durability analysis method is presented. In this method, S-N curve is used to determine crack growth rate under constant amplitude loading and evaluate the effects of different factors on durability and then the structural durability is analyzed. The tests and analyses indicate that this method has lower dependence on testing, and higher accuracy, reliability and generality and is convenient for application.

Mechanical Harvesting Effects on Seed Yield Loss,Quality Traits and Profitability of Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

China is one of the most important rapeseed producing countries in the world. Effective mechanical harvesting time for decreasing harvesting loss of winter oilseed rape has been becoming a critical factor. An elite cultivar Zhongshuang 11 （Brassica napus L.） was employed in two rounds of field experiments from 2009 to 2011. Seeds were sown with machine, three combine harvesting times namely combine harvesting A, B, and C （CHA, CHB, and CHC） were designed and manual harvesting （MH） as control was performed at maturity. The harvesting treatments were determined according to color of pod and seed in the field. Seed yield loss and quality in different treatments were evaluated. Results showed that both seed yields and harvesting losses in 2009-2010 were higher than that in 2010-2011, whereas seed oil contents in 2010-2011 were higher than that in 2009-2010. The highest yield appeared in CHB, which was significantly higher than that in MH. Furthermore, harvesting loss in CHB were 50% that in MH. Seed oil content and chlorophyll exhibited no obvious difference between CHB and MH. Economic profit analysis demonstrated that mechanical sowing/combine harvesting （MS/CH） showed an input/output ratio of 1：1.6, and it was 1：1.2 in mechanical sowing/manual harvesting （MS/MH）. Labor-cost accounted for more than 70% of the total cost in MS/MH, which led to low profitability to a great extent. Our results suggested that CHB was the optimum harvesting time for winter oilseed rape along the Yangtze River.

Novel assays for quality evaluation of XueBiJing:Quality variability of a Chinese herbal injection for sepsis management

XueBiJing is an intravenous five-herb injection used to treat sepsis in China.The study aimed to develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)-or liquid chromatography-ultraviolet(LC-UV)-based assay for quality evaluation of XueBiJing.Assay development involved identifying marker constituents to make the assay therapeutically relevant and building a reliable one-point calibrator for monitoring the various analytes in parallel.Nine marker constituents from the five herbs were selected based on XueBiJing's chemical composition,pharmacokinetics,and pharmacodynamics.A selectivity test(for“similarity of response”)was developed to identify and minimize interference by nontarget constituents.Then,an intercept test was developed to fulfill“linearity through zero”for each analyte(absolute ratio of intercept to C response,<2%).Using the newly developed assays,we analyzed samples from 33 batches of XueBiJing,manufactured over three years,and found small batch-to-batch variability in contents of the marker constituents(4.1%-14.8%),except for senkyunolide I(26.5%).

Comparison of forage yield,silage fermentative quality,anthocyanin stability,antioxidant activity,and in vitro rumen fermentation of anthocyanin-rich purple corn(Zea mays L.) stover and sticky corn stover

The objective of this study was to observe the forage yield, silage fermentative quality, anthocyanin stability, and antioxidant activity during the storage period and in vitro rumen fermentation of anthocyanin-rich purple corn （Zea mays L.） stover （PS） and sticky corn stover （SS）. Forage yield of corn stover was weighed and ensiled with two treatments： （1） hybrid sticky waxy corn stover （control）, and （2） hybrid purple waxy corn stover （treatment）. Samples were stored in mini-silos for periods of 0, 7, 14, 21,42, 63, 84, and 105 d. The results showed that PS had significantly higher （P〈0.05） yields of dry matter （DM）, organic matter （OM）, gross energy （GE）, crude protein （CP）, neutral detergent fiber （NDF）, acid detergent fiber （ADF）, and total anthocyanins than that of the SS. Anthocyanin-rich purple corn stover silage （PSS） showed higher （P〈0.05） levels of DM and CP relative to the sticky corn stover silage （SSS）. Although anthocyanin-rich PSS displayed a lower （P〈0.05） level of pelargonidin-3-glucoside （P3G）, it had higher （P〈0.05） levels of peonidin （Peo） and pelargonidin （Pel） compared to the control. Delphinidin （Del） and malvidin （Mal） were not detected in SSS during the ensilage period; in PSS, Del was no longer detected after 7 d of ensilage. Specifically, total anthocyanins in anthocyanin-rich PSS decreased rapidly （P〈0.05） prior to 7 d of ensilage, and then remained at relatively stable （P〉0.05） constants. Compared to the anthocyanin-rich PSS, SSS displayed significantly higher （P〈0.05） pH value and ammonia nitrogen （NH3-N） content. Propionic acid （PA） at 0 d and butyric acid （BA） during the entire study period were not detected, whereas anthocyanin-rich PSS showed a higher （P〈0.05） level of lactic acid （LA） than that of the SSS. Compared with the SSS extract, anthocyanin-rich PSS extract showed a higher （P〈0.05） level of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryihydrazyl （DPPH） scavenging activity and displayed a lower （P〈0.05） half maximal inhibitory concentration （IC50） value. Moreover, anthocyanin-rich PSS reduced （P〈0.05） gas production （GP）, and displayed lower levels of immediately soluble fraction and ratio of acetic acid （AA） to PA at 12 h, but the other parameters were unaffected （P〉0.05） relative to the control. Taken together, the results indicated that： （1） anthocyanins could be stable in silage; （2） anthocyanin-rich PSS showed better silage fermentative quality and stronger antioxidant activity; and （3） anthocyanin-rich PSS had no negative effect on rumen fermentation parameters.

Effects of Dietary Isoflavone Supplementation on Meat Quality and Oxidative Stability During Storage in Lingnan Yellow Broilers

To investigate the effects of a synthetic isoflavone （SI） on meat quality and oxidative stability, 1 500 43-d-old Lingnan yellow male broilers were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments： diets supplemented with 0, 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg SI kg-1, fed ad libitum for a period of 3 wk. After refrigerated storage, a＊ value of the meat increased with dietary SI supplementation using 10 and 40 mg kg-1 level （P〈0.05）, L＊ value decreased （P〈0.05）, and 40 mg kg-j increased the pH （P〈0.05）. Supplementation with SI, at all levels, increased water holding capacity （P〈0.05） and decreased lactic acid content of meat （P〈0.05）. The concentration of malondialdehyde at 72 h decreased linearly （P=0.005） and quadratically （P=0.004） with increasing levels of SI. Dietary SI at 20 and 40 mg kg-1 levels enhanced total superoxide dismutase activity in meat （P〈0.05）. Meat pH quadratically decreased as the storage time increased （P〈0.05）, with the highest value at 24 h （P〈0.05）. Lactic acid and malondialdehyde concentrations of meat increased over time, with value at 96 h being far higher than at earlier times （P〈0.05）. Supplemental SI linearly and quadratically increased the mRNA abundance ofglutathione peroxidase （GPX） （P=0.001 and P=0.002） and catalase （CAT） （P=0.003 and P=0.006） in breast muscle. The results from this study indicate that dietary supplementation with SI can improve meat quality during refrigerated storage by decreasing lipid peroxidation and enhancing oxidative stability and, for male broilers from 43 to 63 d of age, the optimal level of SI was 40 mg kg-1.

Effect of dietary supplementation with flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi on growth performance,meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi（SBGFN） as SBGFN-zinc（SBGFN-Zn） on growth performance, meat quality, immune responses and antioxidation of broilers. A total of 450 one-d-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated to 5 treatments with 6 replicates of 15 birds per replicate for each treatment in a completely randomized design. Birds were fed a SBGFN-unsupplemented cornsoybean meal basal diet（control） or the basal diet supplemented with 60, 120, 180 or 240 mg SBGFN kg-（–1） from SBGFN-Zn for 42 d. Dietary SBGFN supplementation affected（P〈0.03） drip loss in thigh muscle, total superoxide dismutase（T-SOD） and glutathione peroxidase（GSH-Px） activity in liver of broilers at 42 d of age. Chicks fed the diets supplemented with 120, 180 and 240 mg SBGFN kg-（–1） had lower（P〈0.03） drip loss of thigh muscle than those fed the control diet. Chicks fed the diet supplemented with 180 mg SBGFN kg-（–1） had higher（P〈0.03） liver T-SOD and GSH-Px activity than those fed the diets supplemented with 0, 60 and 120 mg SBGFN kg-（–1）. The results from the present study indicate that dietary supplementation with 180 mg SBGFN kg-（–1） as SBGFN-Zn improved both meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers.