Presented diploma work is focused on study of antioxidants in different kinds of dried fruits. Analyses of ascorbate, tocopherols, carotenoids and flavonoids were performed using RP-HPLC with spectrophotometric detection. Analysis of dried fruits showed high level of vitamins and phenolocs mainly in berries. High level of carotenoids was observed in dried apricots and plums. Further, antioxidant activity of dried fruit extracts was tested by ABTS method. High antioxidant activity was found mainly in dried apples, cranberries and blueberries. The biological test with yeast Sascharomyces cerevisiae D7 was used for the analysis of antimutagenic efects of dried fruits. High antimutagenic activity exhibited dried cranberries and blueberries. Most of tested dried fruits with high antimutagenic effect exhibited also high antioxidant activity as well as high content of some antioxidants. No direct correlation was found among these parameters. Last part of this work was focused on study of influence of drying on antioxidant content in two types of apples. Drying at mild controlled conditions exhibited no significant negative effect on active substance content; in some samples their concentration was observed.

The objective of the experiments conducted for this dissertation was to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in a variety of feed ingredients for broiler chickens and pigs. The effects of casein in experimental diets on the SID of AA in corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) fed to pigs were evaluated. The SID of AA in feed ingredients, which include full-fat soybean (FFSB), two soybean meals (SBM), peanut flour (PNF), full-fat canola seeds (FFCS), canola meal (CM), canola expellers (CE), hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM), flash dried poultry protein (FDPP), poultry meal (PM), and meat and bone meal (MBM), were compared in broiler chickens and pigs. One of the studies determined the ileal digestibility of AA in casein by regression analysis and investigated the effects of 60 g/kg casein in experimental diets on the SID of AA in DDGS. The ileal digestibility of AA in casein were close to 100%, ranging from 95.5% (SE = 9.10) for Cys to 103.1% (SE = 4.40) for Arg. In addition, the SID of Lys and Phe in DDGS determined by pigs fed the diet containing DDGS and casein were greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than the values determined by pigs fed the diet containing DDGS without casein. Based on the results of this experiment, two additional experiments were conducted to determine the effects of graded concentrations of casein from 55 to 165 g/kg in experimental diets on the SID of AA in DDGS and to determine the effects of dietary DDGS concentrations (i.e., 155.6 or 466.8 g/kg) and addition of casein in experimental diets on the SID of AA in DDGS. The SID of indispensable AA, except for Arg and Lys, linearly decreased (<i>P</i> < 0.05) as the concentration of casein in experimental diets increased. Moreover, pigs fed the diets containing 155.6 g/kg DDGS had less (<i>P</i> < 0.05) SID of indispensable AA, except for Trp, in DDGS than those fed the diets containing 466.8 g/kg DDGS regardless of the addition of casein in experimental diets. Therefore, it may be concluded that the addition of casein improves the SID of AA in DDGS, but reduced DDGS concentration in experimental diets decreases the SID of AA in DDGS. In one pair of experiments conducted to compare the SID of AA in FFSB, SBM containing 430 g/kg crude protein, SBM containing 470 g/kg crude protein, and PNF between broiler chickens and pigs, the SID of AA, except for Trp, Ala, and Glu, in test ingredients for pigs were greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than the values for broiler chickens. In addition, in both broiler chickens and pigs, the SID of Ile, Leu, and Val in FFSB were less (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than in the other test ingredients. In another pair of experiments conducted to compare the SID of AA in FFCS, CM, and CE between broiler chickens and pigs, interactions (<i>P</i> < 0.05) between experimental diets and species were observed in the SID of AA, except for Lys, Gly, Pro, and Ser. The SID of AA in FFCS for broiler chickens were greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than pigs; however, there was no difference in the SID of AA in CM or CE between broiler chickens and pigs. The objective of a third pair of experiments was to compare the SID of AA in HFM, FDPP, PM, and MBM fed to broiler chickens and pigs. There were interactions (<i>P</i> < 0.05) between experimental diets and species in the SID of His, Thr, Trp, and Val. In broiler chickens, the SID of His, Thr, and Trp in FDPP and PM were greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than in HFM but were less (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than MBM; however, difference in SID of His, Thr, and Trp among FDPP, PM, and MBM was not observed in pigs. Based on the results of three pairs of studies, it was revealed that differences in SID of AA in common feed ingredients for both broiler chickens and pigs were affected by species. Therefore, it may be concluded that the effects of feed ingredient-specific factors on the SID of AA are different between broiler chickens and pigs.

Water was applied to swaths of cut alfalfa forage with oscillating sprinklers to stimulate rain damage to field drying alfalfa hay to determine the changes in chemical composition, loss of yield, and acceptability of rain damaged hay to sheep. An additional objective was to develop models to estimate yield losses form experimental hay. The experimental hay was prepared with a 2x2x4x4x2 factorial design. The factors were two different cuttings (July and September), two width of swath (3.05 m and 4.27 m), four times of applying artificial rain (3h, 8h, 13h, and 24h after cutting), four levels of artificial rain (no rain, 12.5 mm, 25.0 mm, and 50.0 mm), and two applications of artificial rain (initially and repeated 24h after first application). The hay was dried in favorable weather conditions during the summer season. Fair weather, was observed in the fall season. Chemical composition of the fresh forage at each of the seasons of cutting was closely comparable. Main factors (cut, swath width, time, level, and application of water) and their respective interactions (cut x swath, cut x time, cut x level, time x level) affected chemical composition and voluntary intake of the experimental hay. Samples were analyzed for dry matter, ash, crude protein, plant cell walls, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and acid detergent fiber. No significant changes in the chemical composition occurred when the artificial rain was applied on the fresher forage (<3h after cutting). However, substantial losses were observed after the forage wilted (>13h after cutting). Plant cell contents (100% minus plant cell wall %) decreased while plant cell wall constituents increased with increasing levels of water applied after cutting, and with double application of water. Cell wall content of the hay increased more from rain damage during the fall season than during summer period. Most of the loss of soluble components (cell contents) occurred with the initial application (12.5 mm) of water. Protein content proved to be a poor indicator of rain damage in alfalfa hay. The width of the swather used to harvest the hay (P<.0001), and amount of water applied (P<.0001) were negatively correlated with voluntary intake by lactating ewes. Models for estimating loss of yield from the experimental hay were developed. The amount of rainfall and other descriptive factors were useful to estimate of yield from specific lots of rain damaged alfalfa hay.

A 2 x 3 x 2 factorial arranged split plot experiment was used to determine the decrease of dry matter yield from field-dried alfalfa hay caused by the application of a measured quantity of artificial rain (sprinkling irrigation). The three hay treatment factors were (1) alfalfa hay was cut at late vegetative and early bloom stage of maturity and (2) leached by 0, 5 mm or 20 mm of artificial rain applied by sprinkling and (3) sprinkled in the swath, 24 or 48 hours after cutting. Changes in dry matter yield were not significantly (P<.05) related to stage of maturity of forage, level of artificial rain applied or the time of application of artificial rain. There were no significant interactions for dry matter yield. The non-significant interactions for dry matter yield. The non-significant results were probably due to the variability of the alfalfa stand among the specific areas harvested for each treatment and insufficient replications to control the variability. Forty-eight lambs were fed for 56 days on the twelve experimental hays with four lambs (replications) per treatment. The 56 day feeding period was split into four 14-day pen-type feeding periods. (1, paired feeding in pen; 2, individual feeding in pen; 3, individual feeding in cage; and 4, paired feeding in pen.) There was no significant response of the lamb to alfalfa hay quality (feed intake, weight gain or feed efficiency). Lambs increased feed intake when fed individually compared to pair feeding. The result was increased weight gain and feed efficiency of individually fed lambs. This was particularly evident during period two. There was a significant (P<.05) increase of feed intake associated with advancing maturity of forage during the individual pen feeding period. Feed intake was higher during the second paired pen feeding period relative to the first paired pen feeding, but lower than the single pen feeding. Lambs consumed the rain damaged hay as well as or better than the control hay when fed individually. The also gained faster with the greater feed intake. These results show that sheep will utilize rain leached hay efficiently if it is not heat damaged. The complication of heat damage needs additional study.

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<p>Istraživanja u okviru disertacije usmerena su na razvoj vakuumskog postupka su&scaron;enja voća. Konstruisan je prototip laboratorijske vakuumske su&scaron;are i optimizovan proces su&scaron;enja vi&scaron;anja i borovnica. U cilju optimizacije procesa su&scaron;enja ispitan je uticaj nezavisno promenljivih procesa, temperature i pritiska, na parametre kvaliteta osu&scaron;enog voća (aktivnost vode, sadržaj ukupnih fenola, ukupnih monomernih antocijana i vitamina C, antioksidativnu aktivnost, promenu boje, teksturu i sposobnost rehidratacije). Proces su&scaron;enja optimizovan je kori&scaron;ćenjem metode odzivnih povr&scaron;ina (engl. Response Surface Methodology, RSM).<br />Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da tehnika su&scaron;enja voća u vakuumu daje odlične rezultate u pogledu očuvanja visokovrednih komponenata voća i ima perspektivu za &scaron;iru primenu u zanatskim i poluindustrijskim postrojenjima.</p> / <p>Research in the framework of the thesis focuses on the development of fruit vacuum-drying process. Laboratory vacuum dryer prototype was constructed. Cherries and blueberries vacuum drying process was optimized. In order to optimize the drying process, the influence of independent variables of the process (temperature and pressure) on the quality parameters of dried fruit (water activity, total phenol content, total monomeric anthocyanins and vitamin C, antioxidant activity, colour change, texture, and rehydration capability) was investigated. The drying process was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).<br />There is the possibility of application of the results in plants at semi-industrial and industrial level.</p>

The primary purpose of newborn screening is to quickly identify children that are at risk of having a specific disorder in order to start treatment, prevent early death and reduce the chances of permanent physical or mental damage. The current and widely accepted approach used for identification of metabolism disorders involves a flow injection analysis with mass spectrometry detection of acylcarnitines and amino acids. Although this approach is widely accepted and has shown to be sufficient for identification of multiple metabolism disorders the method is not fully quantitative and results often have to be confirmed by second-tier tests. The primary focus of this research was to improve the accuracy and selectivity of this screening method by employing a high resolution chromatographic separation for the combined analysis of twelve acylcarnitines and seven amino acids. This method is an improvement over the current methodology allowing for separation of key isomers that are diagnostic for different metabolism disorders, reducing the need for multiple second-tier tests to confirm results and shortening the time to diagnosis. In order to further improve the efficiency of newborn screening we developed an in-line desorption device, which allows for direct analysis of DBS eliminating the need for punching disks from the filter paper cards. Our device was the first published paper that demonstrated the ability to directly analyze dried blood spots, without the need for any offline sample processing. Using this device, we validated a method to quantify biomarkers related to Maple Syrup Urine Disease, a disorder that requires a second-tier test for confirmation. To further improve the accuracy of dried blood spot analysis we evaluated a technique to correct the sample volume in low and high hematocrit samples. The level of hematocrit in blood spotted on filter paper cards affects the volume of sample analyzed, leading to errors in accuracy. Diffuse reflectance was used to relate differences in sample hematocrit on dried blood spots. We validated our technique with eighteen donor samples at various levels of hematocrit. Correcting sample volume for hematocrit showed improved precision and accuracy over the standard approach, ultimately reducing the potential to misidentify samples.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Joel M. DeRouchey / A total of 6,858 pigs were used in 6 experiments to evaluate the effects of crude glycerol, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), Ractopamine HCl (RAC), NutriDense corn, and feeder adjustment on growing and finishing pig performance. In Exp. 1, pigs were fed diets with 0, 2.5, or 5% crude glycerol with 0 or 20% DDGS. Adding DDGS increased ADFI and decreased G:F with no differences for pigs fed glycerol. Neither glycerol nor DDGS affected any carcass characteristics. Pigs fed DDGS had increased iodine value in carcass fat. In Exp. 2, pigs were fed diets with 0 or 5% glycerol with 0 or 7.5 ppm RAC. Feeding RAC increased ADG and G:F and decreased ADFI while glycerol tended to improve G:F. Ractopamine HCl improved carcass traits. Loin chop drip loss worsened when glycerol and RAC were added separately, however, drip loss decreased when the combination of both were fed. Glycerol did not affect loin characteristics. Neither RAC nor glycerol influenced iodine value of carcass fat. Exp. 3 and 4 were conducted to determine the 4th limiting amino acid in diets containing NutriDense corn. In Exp. 3, pigs fed the positive control and the diet with added Ile, Trp, and Val (in combination) had greater ADG. Pigs fed added Ile or Trp had greater ADG than pigs fed the negative control indicates these amino acids were co-4th limiting for 37 to 59 kg pigs. In Exp. 4, pigs fed the positive control, added Trp, or the combination of added Ile, Trp and Val had greater ADG then pigs fed the negative control or pigs fed either Ile or Val indicates these amino acids were co-4th limiting for 77 to 100 kg pigs. Exp. 5 and 6 evaluated feeder adjustment on growth performance of finishing pigs. In Exp. 5, reducing feeder opening decreased ADFI. In Exp. 6, pigs were fed at three feeder opening and either a corn-soybean meal or byproduct-based diet. Diet type did not affect pig performance. Widening feeder openings increased ADG and ADFI. Feeder setting tended to influence G:F with the best G:F at the intermediate opening.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Terry A. Houser / A total of 48 carcasses were taken from a larger trial using 288 pigs (PIC TR4 × 1050, initially 58.9 kg) in a 73 d feeding study to determine the effects of sorghum dried distillers grains with solubles (S-DDGS) in sorghum- or corn-based diets on ground pork quality. The dietary treatments included: sorghum-based diets with 0, 15, 30, or 45% SDDGS, a sorghum-based diet with 30% corn DDGS (C-DDGS) and a corn-based diet with 30% C-DDGS. Shoulders from 24 barrow and 24 gilt carcasses were ground and evaluated for proximate and fatty acid composition, iodine value (IV), objective color, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and sensory attributes. No finishing diet × gender interaction was detected for composition, fatty acid profile, color or TBARS (P > 0.05). Pork from gilts contained less fat and more moisture (P < 0.001), was less saturated with a greater IV and total percentage of PUFA (P < 0.01), and also had a lower L* value (P < 0.001) and higher a* value (P = 0.006) than pork from barrows. Gender did not affect total color change ( E) from 0 to 120 h (P = 0.30), TBARS (P = 0.08), or sensory attributes (P ≥ 0.32). Finishing diet had no affect on total fat, moisture, or protein composition (P ≥ 0.18). Increasing S-DDGS resulted in a linear (P < 0.001) decrease in SFA and MUFA and an increase (P < 0.01) in PUFA and ground pork IV. Pork from pigs fed 30% S-DDGS had a greater percentage of MUFA (P = 0.01) and a lower percentage of PUFA (P > 0.006) and reduced IV (P = 0.03) compared to pork from pigs fed the sorghum-based diet with 30% C-DDGS. Diet did not affect TBARS (P = 0.37) or L*, a*, or b* values (P ≥ 0.11) but was shown to influence E (P = 0.01) with pork from pigs fed sorghum grain and 30% S-DDGS having less total change than all other treatments. It is concluded that consumers will not be able to differentiate ground pork from pigs fed DDGS and that feeding sorghum grain and S-DDGS can be done without affecting ground pork quality.