Master of Science / Department of Kinesiology / Timothy I. Musch / Aged rats exhibit a decreased muscle microvascular O[subscript]2 partial pressure (PO[subcript]2mv) at rest as well as during contractions compared to young rats and this may contribute to their reduced exercise tolerance. Age-related reductions in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability due, in part, to elevated reactive O[subscript]2 species (ROS) constrain muscle blood flow (Qm). Therefore, antioxidants may restore NO bioavailability, Qm and ameliorate the reduction in PO[subscript]2mv and hence the decrease in exercise tolerance seen in aged rats. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that antioxidants would elevate Qm at rest and during contractions and therefore PO[subscript]2mv in aged muscle. METHODS: PO[subscript]2mv and Qm were measured in the spinotrapezius while muscle oxygen consumption (VO[subscript]2m) was estimated in 20 anesthetized male Fisher 344 x Brown Norway hybrid (F344xBN) rats at rest and during 1 Hz contractions before and after antioxidant intravenous infusion (76mg/kg vitamin C and 52mg/kg tempol). Moreover, muscle force production was measured in a subset of animals. RESULTS: Before infusion, contractions invoked a biphasic PO[subscript]2mv that fell from 30.6 [plus or minus] 0.9 mmHg to a nadir of 16.8 [plus or minus] 1.2 mmHg with an 'undershoot' of 2.8 [plus or minus] 0.7 mmHg below the subsequent steady-state (19.7 [plus or minus] 1.2 mmHg). Antioxidants elevated baseline PO[subscript]2mv to 35.7 [plus or minus] 0.8 mmHg (P<0.05) and reduced or abolished the 'undershoot' (P<0.05) without changing the steady-state contracting PO[plus or minus]2mv. Antioxidants did not change Qm at rest but during contractions Qm was reduced from 157 [plus or minus] 28 to 91 [plus or minus] 15 ml min[superscript]-1 100g[superscript]-1 (P<0.05). Antioxidants produced no significant effect on VO[subscript]2m. However, antioxidant supplementation produced a 16.5% decrease (P<0.05) in muscle force production that occurred within the first contraction and remained throughout the duration of stimulation. In addition, the ratio of muscle force production to VO[subscript]2m (F/VO[subscript]2m) actually increased from 0.92 [plus or minus] 0.03 to 1.06 [plus or minus] 0.6 (P<0.05) following infusion of antioxidants. CONCLUSION: Antioxidant supplementation significantly alters the balance between muscle O[subscript]2 delivery and VO[subscript]2 at rest and during contractions, which modifies the microvascular PO[subscript]2mv profile. Specifically, antioxidants elevate PO[subscript]2mv, which improves the potential for diffusive blood-myocyte flux. This effect arises, in part, from the unanticipated fall in muscle force production consequent to antioxidant supplementation.

La nutrition est un élément clé du maintien de la performance opérationnelle chez le chien de service, lequel fait souvent face à des périodes de travail intense suivies de périodes de récupération de courte durée, l’enchaînement des efforts se répétant fréquemment sur plusieurs jours. Afin d’optimiser la performance, d’éviter l’émergence de pathologies liées à l’effort physique et aux contraintes mentales, et d’améliorer la récupération, l’alimentation est maintenant intégrée de manière prépondérante dans la préparation des athlètes de haut niveau que sont ces chiens. Les objectifs de ce travail furent de : (1) concevoir un supplément nutritionnel de mise/maintien en condition et en étudier les impacts biologiques lorsqu’il est distribué avant et pendant l’effort physique, en s’intéressant plus particulièrement à son adaptation au métabolisme spécifique de l’effort demandé ; (2) concevoir un supplément nutritionnel de récupération et en étudier les impacts biologiques lorsque distribué après l’effort physique en s’axant sur les capacités de récupération à court terme. Le premier supplément développé dans cette thèse se présente sous forme extrudée spécialement conçu, et contenant des acides gras à chaînes courtes et moyennes, associés à un complexe antioxydant. Distribué une heure avant, et au bout de vingt minutes d’effort dans un protocole de course en continu chez le chien de recherche de personnes, il a généré une amélioration de la réponse de l’organisme à l’exercice via un impact positif sur les paramètres physiologiques cardiovasculaires, l’augmentation des triglycérides circulants en début d’effort, et la moindre expression plasmatique de marqueurs pro-inflammatoires et du stress oxydatif dans le groupe supplémenté. Notre deuxième étude, portant sur une supplémentation post-effort chez le chien militaire, a pour objectif d’observer l’impact d’un mélange de maltodextrines (1,5g/kg de poids corporel) et protéines auparavant sélectionnée (0,3g/kg de poids corporel) distribué immédiatement après effort, durant trois périodes d’exercice intense séparées par une heure de repos au cours d’une même journée. Nos résultats montrent une moindre augmentation plasmatique des marqueurs de l’inflammation et des témoins de lésions musculaires dans le groupe supplémenté. Des études complémentaires sont indispensables à envisager pour adapter la supplémentation à chaque typologie d’effort (endurance, mixte, résistance), en testant différents apports qualitatifs et quantitatifs. Elles permettront également de préciser les moments optimaux de distribution de celle-ci (prise unique ou fractionné, délai par rapport à l’effort), et de l’adapter aux conditions environnementales (en particulier les climats chauds, sources de nombreux problèmes chez les chiens de service projetés en opérations extérieures). / Nutrition is a key point in order to maintain performance during operationnal missions in the service dog, who often faces intense periods of work, followed by short resting periods, with a high number of working periods during several consecutive days. To optimise performance, reduce pathologies related to an intense physical exercise and mental stress and improve recovery, nutrition is now considered as one of the most important point in those elite athletes. This work objective were : (1) to develop a nutritionnal supplementation to set and maintain physical conditions when distributed before and during physical exercise, focusing our approach on the necessary adaptation to the specific metabolism involved during the exercise ; (2) to develop a nutritionnal supplementation for the recovery period, distributed just after the exercise and study the consequences of its distribution on biological markers during short term recovery period. The first supplement develop in this work contain short and medium chains fatty acids associated with an antioxidant complex. Given one hour before the work, and after a twenty minutes run during a continuous running test performed on search and rescue dogs, this supplement shows positive impacts on cardiovascular parameters, an increase of triglycerids at the onset of exercise, a reduction of plasmatic expression of proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the supplemented group. Our second study focusses on postexercise nutritionnal supplementation in the military dog, in order to observe impacts on a mix of maltodextrins (1.5g/kg body weight) and proteins (0.3g/kg body weight) provided just after the exercise, during three periodsof intense exercise separated by one hour rest periods during a single day. Our results include a reduction of plasmatic inflammatory markers production and of mucular lesions markers in the supplemented group. Further studies are required in order to adapt nutitionnal supplementation to each type of exercise (endurance, mix, resistance), by testing different qualitative and quantitative inputs. They will also permit to precise optimal timing for its distribution (single or fractionned inputs, timing before or after the exercise), and to adapt it to environmental conditions (especially hot climate, that is a cause of numerous problems for service dogs sent to oversees operations).

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de novilhas da raça Nelore, suplementadas com níveis de proteína bruta em pastagem de capimbraquiarão (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), no período de transição água-seca. O experimento foi conduzido na Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA/USP em Pirassununga-SP. Utilizou-se quatro tratamentos: Controle (CTRL) sendo sal mineral; Suplemento com 20% de proteína bruta (20%); suplemento com 40% de proteína bruta (BC 40%), sendo esses de baixo consumo e suplemento 40% de proteína bruta de alto consumo (AC 40%). O ciclo de pastejo foi de 35 dias, sendo sete dias de ocupação e 28 dias de descanso. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos casualizados com 4 repetições.Foram utilizadas 96 novilhas da raça Nelore com peso médio inicial de 316 kg e cerca de 18 meses de idade, num período experimental de 105 dias, tendo início em 09 de abril e término em 27 de agosto de 2008, considerado período de transição água-seca. Para o ganho de peso médio diário, não houve diferença estatística entre os tratamentos AC 40% e BC 20% (p<0,05), sendo o GPD de 0,470 e 0,369 gramas/dia, respectivamente, enquanto que para os tratamentos CTRL, 20% e BC 40%, não houve diferença estatística (P>0,05), sendo osGPD de 0,336, 0,369 e 0,353 gramas/dia, respectivamente. A utilização de suplementos protéicos no desempenho de novilhas teve desempenhos satisfatórios no período de transição água-seca, porém, para a recomendação da utilização, recomenda-se realizar uma análise econômica, pois somente assim, garantirá qual será o melhor tratamento para o período. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Nelore heifers supplemented with crude protein levels in pasture of Brachiaria grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), during the transition period of wet-dry seasons. The experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering - FZEA / USP in Pirassununga-SP. It was used four treatments: Control (CTRL) being mineral salt, supplement with 20% of crude protein (20%) supplement with 40% of crude protein (BC 40%), as low consumption and with crude protein of 40% as high consumption (AC 40%). The grazing cycle was 35 days, seven days of occupation and 28 days of interval. A randomized complete block design, with 4 repetitions was utilized. It was used 96 Nelore heifers with an average weight of 316 kg and around 18 months, in a probationary period of 105 days, starting on 09 April and ending in August 27, 2008, considered the transitional period of wet-dry seasons. For the average daily gain, there was no statistical difference between treatments AC 40% and 20% (p<0,05), being GPD of 0.470 and 0.369 grams/day, respectively, while for the treatments CTRL, 20% and BC 40%, there was no statistical difference (P>0,05), being GPD of 0.336, 0.369 and 0.353 grams/day, respectively. The use of crude protein supplements on performance of heifers had performed satisfactorily during the transition period of wet-dry seasons however, to recommend the use, it is suggest to perform an economic analysis, for only thus ensure the best treatment for the period.

O estudo dos teores protéicos oferecidos aos animais possui crucial importância, pois estes exercem influência determinante no desenvolvimento da infecção parasitária. Investigou-se o efeito da utilização de dois diferentes teores protéicos (18,5% e 8,6% de PB na MS) sobre as alterações fisiopatológicas desenvolvidas por bezerros primo infectados com o nematóide intestinal Cooperia punctata. Objetivando determinar se a suplementação possibilitaria aos animais infectados responderem mais prontamente ao desafio parasitário, realizaram-se estudos de composição corporal, retenção de compostos nitrogenados, acompanhamento clínico completo, avaliação de peso e carcaça, avaliação quantitativa e qualitativa da carga parasitária e exames histopatológicos. Os animais que receberam suplementação apresentaram um quadro clínico menos severo, perderam menos peso, tiveram um maior rendimento de carcaça, apresentaram lesões teciduais mais exuberantes, maiores taxas de excreção urinária de nitrogênio, expulsaram os parasitos para porções distais do trato gastrointestinal e demonstraram uma eficiência de retenção de nitrogênio 3,6 vezes maior que os animais mantidos na dieta basal. Demonstrou-se que a suplementação protéica resultou em efeitos positivos para os animais infectados. / The study of protein levels offered to cattle is very important when one aims at nematode control, since they can effectively affect the development of parasitic infection. The effect of two different levels - 18.5% and 8.6% CP on DM basis on the pathophysiology of Cooperia punctata infection on naive calves was examined. Aiming at determine if protein supplementation allow animals to better withstand parasitic challenge, several parameters were evaluated: body composition, nitrogen retention, clinical evolution, weight gain, carcass yeld, quantitative and qualitative assessment of parasitic burden and histopathology. Supplemented animal presented a milder clinical signs, lost less weight, had higher carcass yeld, greater tecidual lesions, higher urinary nitrogen excretion, expelled parasites to distal parts of gastrointestinal tract and showed a 3.6 greater efficiency for nitrogen retention than animal kept on basal diet. It became clear that protein supplementation resulted in benefits to infected animals.

Neste trabalho, construiu-se linhagens recombinantes de Pichia pastoris e Saccharomyces cerevisiae que expressam hormônio de crescimento de carpa (GHc). Para expressão de GHc em P. pastoris, o cDNA de GH de H. molitrix foi inserido nos plasmídeos pHILD2 (expressão interna) e pPIC9K (expressão e secreção) dando origem aos plasmídeos pHILGH e pPICGH. A expressão em S. cerevisiae foi controlada pelo promotor e terminador PGK e o cassete de expressão ladeado por elementos &#948;, dirigindo a integração em múltiplas cópias no genoma. Ainda, construiu-se um plasmídeo onde a sequência de GHc foi fusionada a uma sequência sinal modificada (sequência sinal de proteína de K. lactis, fusionada a fragmento de interleucina humana), visando altos níveis de secreção. Os transformantes (expressão interna) expressaram proteína recombinante de 20 KDa. Um dos transformantes de S. cerevisiae secreta cerca de 1045,0 µg/ml de GHc. As proteínas recombinantes apresentaram hibridação específica contra anticorpo anti GHc comercial indicando que são biologicamente ativas. / In order to achieve the GHc expression in P. pastoris, the GH cDNA of the carp H. molitrix was introduced into the plasmids pHILD2 (intracellular expression) and pPIC9K (expression and secretion) originating the plasmids pHILGH and pPICGH. The expression of the GH cassette in S. cerevisiae was driven by the PGK promoter and terminator and the cassette was flanked by the &#948; elements, which provides multiple copies integration into the genome. We also constructed a plasmid in which the GHc cDNA sequence was fused to a modified signal sequence (K. lactis protein signal sequence fused to a human interleukin fragment), aiming to reach high levels of secretion. P. pastoris and S. cerevisiae recombinant clones (intracellular expression) were shown to express a recombinant protein of 20 KDa. One of the S. cerevisiae recombinant clones secreted around 1045.0 µg/ml of GHc. The recombinant proteins showed hybridization of the bands against antibody anti-commercial GHc. The results indicate that the recombinant proteins produced in this work are biologically active.

A caprinocultura leiteira é uma atividade que contribui para a melhoria da geração de renda e emprego, em várias localidades do Nordeste do Brasil. O uso de pasto cultivado pode reduzir o efeito da estacionalidade e tornar sustentável a produção de leite de cabra utilizando pastagem. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito de tipos de manejo sobre o potencial de produção de leite de cabra em pasto de capim-tanzânia. O experimento foi conduzido na Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos no Ceará (3°40´58.42 latitude sul; 40°1650.5 longitude e 79m de altitude). Foram utilizadas 65 cabras Anglo Nubianas, mantidas em pasto de capim-tanzânia manejado sob lotação rotativa, com taxa de lotação variável. Os manejos foram combinações entre alturas residuais do pasto (Altr) e doses de nitrogênio (N). Os manejos foram: intensivo (Altr=32,7 cm e 600 kg de N/ha ano-1); moderado (Altr=47,2 cm e 300 kg N/ha ano-1), leve (Altr=47,3 cm sem N) e extensivo (Altr=32,1 cm sem N). Foram avaliadas características na planta, no animal e no solo. As variáveis analisadas foram: o fluxo de biomassa através da morfogênese e as características estruturais do pasto, comportamento animal, o peso e o escore de condição corporal, produção de leite, as perdas de água e sedimentos e a densidade do solo. As eficiências de uso de nitrogênio (EUN), de água (EUA) e concentrado foram quantificadas. Uma análise econômica foi realizada para determinar a viabilidade econômica dos manejos. O moderado apresentou produtividade de 10.806 kg de leite por ha ano-1 e apresentou maior ERUN (1 kg N produziu 120 kg MS) e do concentrado (0,65kg concentrado por kg de leite). Apesar da densidade do solo ter sido 1,55 g/cm3, apresentou baixa perda de sedimento (72 kg/ha ano-1) e água (0,9%) por erosão. Apesar dos bons índices técnicos o manejo foi economicamente inviável. O manejo leve, também apresentou bons indicadores técnicos, no entanto, a produção de 7.032 kg/ha ano-1 deu prejuízo. O uso de animais mais produtivos e criação de linhas diferenciadas de crédito para investimento e subsídio são opções para estimular produtores a fazer uso destes tipos de manejo. Maiores produtividades (19.442 kg leite/ha ano-1) foram registradas no manejo intensivo, que foi o único que apresentou viabilidade econômica. Apesar da maior EUA (2 kg leite/mm de água), sua dependência de insumos externos (600 kg N/ha ano-1 e 0,89 kg/kg de leite) aumenta o risco de alterações de mercado no preço de insumos o que pode tornar inviável o uso intensivo. O extensivo foi o pior desempenho (1kg concentrado/kg de leite), registrou-se perda no vigor das plantas, queda na densidade de perfilhos ao longo do ano (de 200 para 150 perfilhos/m2) e maior perda dágua por escorrimento superficial (3%) sendo o único dos manejos não indicado. Sistemas de produção sustentáveis de leite de cabra em pastagem cultivada usando os manejos moderado, leve ou intensivo dependem do desenvolvimento de métodos mais eficientes de controle de verminose. Políticas públicas incluindo linhas de crédito e subsídios são necessários para produzir leite de cabra em pastagem cultivada. / The goat milk production is an activity that contributes to improve income generation and employment in several locations in northeast of Brazil (3°40´58.42 latitude south; 40°1650.5 longitude and 79m of elevation). The use of cultivated pasture can reduce the effect of seasonality making the dairy goat production more sustainable using pasture. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of types of management on the potential production of dairy goats in Tanzania grass pasture. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Goats and Sheep in Ceará. Anglo Nubian goats (65) were kept in Guineagrass pasture managed under rotational stocking with variable stocking rate. The managements were combinations of pasture residual heights (Altr) and nitrogen doses (N). The managements were: intensive (ALTr = 32.7 cm and 600 kg N / ha year-1), moderate (ALTr = 47.2 cm and 300 kg N / ha year-1), light (ALTr = 47.3 without N cm) and extensive (ALTr = 32.1 cm without N). Plant, animal and soil characteristics were evaluated. The variables analyzed were: the flow of biomass through the morphogenetics and structural characteristics of the pasture, animal behavior, weight and body condition score, milk production, losses of water and sediment and soil density. Nitrogen (UEN), Water (WUE) and concentrate use efficiency were quantified. An economic analysis was performed to determine the economic viability of each management. Moderate treatment productivity was 10,806 kg of milk per ha year-1 and UEN (1 kg of N produced 120 kg of DM) and concentrate use efficiency (0.65 kg concentrate per kg of milk) were higher. Although soil density was 1.55 g/cm3, this treatment showed losses of sediment (72 kg / ha year-1) and water (0.9%) by erosion. Despite the good technical indexes moderate one was not economically different sustainable. Light management, as the moderate one, had good technical indicators, however, the production of 7032 kg / ha year-1 determined a negative economically viable treatment. The use of more productive animals and the possibility to create differentiated lines of credit for investment and subsidies are alternatives to encourage producers to use this kind of management. The highest yield (19,442 kg milk / ha year-1) was observed in the intensive management, which was the only economically viable treatment. Despite the higher WUE (2 kg milk/mm of water), its dependence on external inputs (600 kg N/ha year-1 and 0.89 kg/kg of milk) increases the risk of changes in market prices of inputs making the intensive system risky. Extensive management had the worst performance (1kg concentrate/kg of milk), there was loss in plant vigor, decrease in tiller density throughout the year (from 200 to 150 tillers/m2) and greater water loss by leaching (3%) and is not recommended. Sustainable goat milk production systems using moderate, light or intensive pasture management depends on the development of more efficient methods of worms control. Public policies including lines of credit and subsidies are necessary to goats milk production on cultivated pastures in Northeast area of Brazil.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar os efeitos da suplementação energético-protéica na contagem de células T e de seus subtipos CD4 e CD8. Os sujeitos eram praticantes de atividade física de carga alta e diária. Foram avaliados em dois momentos: repouso (antes da atividade) e agudo (após a atividade). A contagem de células foi feita por citômetro de fluxo. A atividade física alterou os parâmetros escolhidos e a mesma, associada com a suplementação, alterou mais ainda. Observou-se que a suplementação reduziu a contagem das células T e de seus subtipos, no momento de repouso, indicando possível ação redutora na mobilização celular gerada pelo exercício. Foram levantados indícios que apontam para o fato da proteína de soja ter uma ação potencialmente melhor em relação às proteínas do soro do leite, para os parâmetros estudados. A suplementação com proteína e maltodextrina não se mostrou mais eficaz do que a suplementação com proteínas somente. / The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of energetic-proteic supplementation on T cells counting as well as its CD4 and CD8 subtypes. The subject individuals studied were practitioners of daily high-load physical activities. The evaluations took place in two different moments and respective conditions: at rest (prior to the development of activities) and peak (immediately after performing activities). The physical activity modified the chosen parameters as long it was more effective as associated with the supplementation. At the rest moment, it was observed that the supplementation reduced the counting of T cells and its subtypes, thus indicating possible reducing action in the cellular mobilization generated by the exercise. For the studied parameters, indications were detected that point to the fact of the soy protein as having a potentially better action in relation to whey proteins. The supplementation with protein and maltodextrin did not prove to be more efficient than the supplementation only with proteins.

The purposes of this dissertation were to investigate the acute effects of branched-chain amino acids on psychological, physiological, and subsequent performance changes following high volume resistance training. The rationale for this study design was based on abrupt or contiguous training/ competitions that specific athletes encounter in a competitive season. This study design also sought to fill some gaps in the scientific literature concerning the efficacy of BCAAs for subjective fatigue in a resistance training paradigm. To address the purposes of this dissertation, a one-week study was conducted on resistance trained males, in which half of the subjects were randomly selected to receive BCAAs and the other half was a non-supplement group. The subjects in this study performed two high volume resistance training bouts consisting of squat and bench press (5 sets x 10 repetitions at 95% relative intensity) separated by two days. The physiological variables tested in this study were creatine kinase, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, testosterone, and cortisol. The performance variables tested in this study were static and counter-movement jumps, isometric mid-thigh pull, and Bosco repeated jumps. The primary findings from this study was that subjects in the BCAA group had a statistically significant decrease in muscle damage, indicated by levels of CK. Additionally, there was a statistically significant increase in T:C ratio for the BCAA group compared to the NS group. Concerning performance variables, BCAAs had a small to moderate effect on rate of force development; however, this result was not statistically significant. There were no differences in psychological variables between the groups. Based on the findings of this dissertation, BCAAs mitigate levels of muscle damage and rate of force development. To conclude, BCAAs may provide a competitive advantage for athletes when training volume and competitions become contiguous.

Thesis (M.A. (Agricultural Management) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of natuzyme50® supplementation on fibre digestion, growth and carcass characteristics of Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 42 days. The first experiment determined the effect of natuzyme50® supplementation on feed intake, growth and live weight of unsexed Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. Unsexed day old chicks were assigned to 4 different natuzyme50® supplementation levels of 0.0 (UNZ0), 0.75 (UNZ0.75), 1.0 (UNZ1.0) and 1.5 (UNZ1.5) g/kg DM feed, replicated 4 times and each replicate having 10 chicks. A general linear model (SAS, 2008) was used to analyse the data. Ross 308 broiler chickens on a diet supplemented with 1.5g of natuzyme50® per kg DM had higher (P<0.05) DM feed intake than those on a diet not supplemented with natuzyme50®. Natuzyme50® supplementation did not (P>0.05) have any significant effect on growth rate of unsexed Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. Unsexed broiler chickens on a diet supplemented with 1.5g of natuzyme50® per kg DM had higher (P<0.05) live weights than those on a diet not supplemented with natuzyme50® at the age of 21 days The second experiment determined the effect of natuzyme50® supplementation on feed intake, growth performance and carcass characteristics of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 to 42 days. The chickens aged 22 days were assigned to 4 natuzyme50® supplementation levels of 0.0 (MNZ0), 0.75 (MNZ0.75), 1.0 (MNZ1.0) and 1.5 (MNZ1.5) g/kg DM feed, replicated 4 times and each replicate having 6 chickens. The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. A general linear model (SAS, 2008) was used to analyse the data obtained. Natuzyme50® supplementation level had no effect (P>0.05) on feed intake of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 to 42 days. However, natuzyme50® supplementation level had effect (P<0.05) on growth rate of male Ross broiler chickens aged 22-42 days. Male Ross 308 broiler chickens on a diet supplemented with 1.5g of natuzyme50® per kg DM had higher (P<0.05) growth rates than those on a diet supplemented with 1.0g of natuzyme50® per kg DM. However, the significant differences did not extend to birds on a diet not supplemented with natuzyme50®, diets supplemented with 0.75 or 1.5g of natuzyme50® per kg DM which vi showed similar (P>0.05) growth rates. Natuzyme50® supplementation levels used had no effect (P>0.05) on carcass, breast and drumstick weights of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Natuzyme50® supplementation levels had no effect (P>0.05) on meat juiciness. However, natuzyme50® supplementation improved (P<0.05) meat tenderness and flavour. Increasing natuzyme50® level of supplementation decreased (P<0.05) meat shear force values. It is concluded that natuzyme50® supplementation improved (P<0.05) meat tenderness and flavour, and reduced meat shear force values of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. However, further studies are recommended to ascertain the current results. / Edu-loan

<p>The most common food and supplement prebiotic fiber is inulin – most commonly extracted from chicory root. Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) is a smaller version of inulin, both containing mainly fructose units with β-1,2 linkages. FOS/inulin has been used, and studied, as a prebiotic for decades. The potential of alternative prebiotics intrinsic in whole foods, such as in tubers, grains, vegetables, and pulses – the world’s most common staple crops – are not as commonly recognized as prebiotics, though have this potential if fermentable in the gut. If such alternative sources of prebiotic ingredients could be established it would allow for cheaper, possibly more effective, and more diverse food product development options beyond FOS/inulin. </p> <p>This study demonstrates the potential of tubers, grains, and pulses as prebiotics in relation to their <i>in vitro</i> human fecal fermentation rate, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and microbiota indicators of alpha diversity and impact on key bacterial genera. Fecal samples were obtained from three diverse healthy human donors and used as the initial bacterial inoculum to simulate conditions in the human gut (colon). Substrates (n=35), after undergoing an upper gastrointestinal tract simulated digestion, were fermented by each individual donors’ inoculum separately, and measurements after 6, 12, and 24 h of fermentation were made on gas production, SCFA metabolite production, and microbiome composition. </p> <p>The results of this study establish high fermentability and potential prebiotic effects of dietary fibers from tubers, grains, and pulses. Whole foods, ground and cooked the same way, produced dietary fibers that were largely insoluble, but surprisingly fermentable with high SCFA levels, mostly slow fermentation profiles indicating high tolerability, and mostly promoting diverse microbiota responses compared to FOS. Generally, whole food fibers had higher fermentability than similar isolated fibers. Overall, the processing steps, such as atmospheric or pressure cooking, tested in some pulses did not detract, or add to, the prebiotic abilities of the substrates. Each food fiber substrate had unique effects on the gut microbiota parameters tested. Gut microbiome compositional responses to the same substrate varied significantly among the three donors, but notably SCFA metabolite responses were similar among donors. </p>