Improvement of Kolbroek Boar Growth Performance and Carcass Quality through Dietary Crude Protein Supplementation

Kolbroek pigs have numerous advantages as an indigenous breed including its contributions to food security. However, there are numerous concerns over the current feed regime that compromises its growth performance and carcass quality. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance traits, attainment of puberty, backfat thickness (BFT), and carcass traits when boar fed diets supplemented with 10% (standard diet), 13% and 16% crude protein. Fifteen pigs per protein diets were individually housed and fed ad-libitum for eight weeks in a complete randomised design. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured on a weekly basis. At the end of the trial, all boars were slaughtered and carcass quality parameters measured. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated between growth performance parameters. Our data revealed that there was an increase in final body weight, ADG, ADFI accompanied by decreases in BFT and the age of attainment of puberty. There was also a positive correlation between ADFI and ADG (r = 0.78) accompanied by a low positive correlation between ADG and BFT (r = 0.12) with a high negative correlation between FCR and ADG (r = -0.94). The water holding capacity (WHC), dressing percentage and marbling mass appeared to decrease while the eye muscle area increased with protein supplementation of the diet. There were also increases in the lungs, liver, small plus large intestines and stomach with no changes in the pancreas and heart tissues. Accompanying these was observations that the meat colour lightness improved accompanied by a decline in meat redness and yellowness. In conclusion, supplementation of boar diet with increasing crude protein improved the carcass quality and growth performance of Kolbroek boars.

Bioassays and proteomics as early detection tools in postharvest management of table grapes(Vitis vinifera L.)diseases-A Review

Postharvest diseases are a major concern to the table grapes(Vitis vinifera L.)industry,leading to huge economic losses worldwide.Monitoring postharvest disease and early detection of fruit pathogens are crucial to mitigate disease infestation and facilitate effective management practices.Over the years,traditional visual scouting for symptoms combined with biochemical assays,serological tests and/or DNA-based approach have been useful tools in fruit disease diagnosis.However,these tools have drawbacks in accurately detecting diseases during asymptomatic stage.Hence,these methods are not the most effective for disease confirmation and pathogen identification.In contrast,proteomics could provided instantaneous results that can be used to identify asymptomatic disease stages on table grapes.Therefore,this review provides an overview on the postharvest disease causing pathogens and associated symptoms on table grapes.Prospects of using changes in biochemical assays and proteomics as early response signal in postharvest disease management were discussed.This article proposed the need for continued advancement in the development of conventional tools,with emphasized on combining these tools with more robust and responsive novel approaches for better early disease diagnostic strategies.

Advances in non-thermal technologies for whole and minimally processed apple fruit–A review

Apples are rich sources of bioactive compounds(e.g.,anthocyanins,flavanols,flavonols,and antioxidant activity),and micronutrients(e.g.,vitamins,zinc,and iron)that are essential for normal human body functions.These compounds in apples help to regulate immune responses and protect against chronic diseases by neutralizing and eliminating cellular free radicals.Apple fruit production is ranked second globally,which has economic implication.The conventional industry practice of using chlorine-based chemical disinfectants has been discouraged based on public health concerns,and by strict policies limiting chemical residues on fresh or minimally processed ready to eat fruit.Therefore,the aim of this review is to provide a critical assessment on the status of emerging non-thermal technologies such as cold plasma,pulsed electric fields,ozone,electrolyzed water,and edible coatings for the whole and minimally processed apple fruit industry.The influence of these non-thermal technologies on microbial decontamination,preservation of bioactive compounds,and overall quality of apples during storage is discussed.In addition,based on extensive report on various studies about non-thermal technologies for apples.This review concluded that future investigations should focus on balancing the decontamination performance of these non-thermal technologies with the preservation of essential nutritional quality attributes,providing guidance for the apple fruit industry.