Cerrado: Agricultural and Biological Research

Response of sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus L.) to different concentrations of metals and doses of gamma radiation (241Am)

2024-03-06T23:55:14-03:00

The sunflower crop (Helianthus annuus L.) presents great tolerance to heavy metals and in pre-determined doses of gamma (γ) radiation it presents gains in plant increments. This study aimed to evaluate the response to doses of γ radiation and different concentrations of toxic metals in the vegetative development of sunflower. Mirasol sunflower seeds were subjected to different doses of ²⁴¹Am γ rays and concentrations of Aluminum, Cerium and Copper (mg L^-1). Sunflower plants were evaluated only in the vegetative period for germination, aerial length, root length, aerial and root fresh mass, aerial and root dry mass. The doses of γ radiation promoted increases in the variables in the vegetative phase, especially for 5 and 10 minutes of exposure to γ rays. The concentrations of the toxic elements Al and Ce showed significant differences in all increments, however, doses higher than 85 mg L^-1 demonstrated losses in length and mass of sunflower plants. For the Cu element, the doses did not have a significant effect, these being non-significant and the cultivar Mirasol resistant. Future studies should be carried out evaluating the reproductive phase and its gains in increasing biomass and production.

Proximate, vitamin and GC-MS profiling of Kigelia africana fruit powder

2024-03-27T10:31:51-03:00

Phytochemicals come from plants and are generally recognized as safe which make them good candidates to be used as feed additives in livestock production. These compounds are non-toxic, effective, environmentally friendly and it performs several biological activities viz: antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, immune-stimulatory, hepato-protective, antiviral amongst others. This study was carried out to examine the proximate, vitamin and bioactive profiling of Kigelia africana fruit powder. Results on proximate of the sample revealed the presence of moisture 10.33%, dry matter 89.67%, crude protein 7.98%, crude fibre 2.71%, ether extract 2.10%, ash 5.49% and carbohydrate 72.06%. Vitamin composition of Kigelia africana fruit powder showed that it contained vitamin A 4.24 iu/100 g, vitamin B1 82.9 mg100 g, vitamin B2 25.1 µg/100 g, vitamin B3 49.6 µg/100 g, vitamin B6 143.1 µg/100 g, vitamin B9 6.70 µg/100 g, vitamin B12 3.90 µg/100 g, vitamin C 5.86 µg/100 g, vitamin D 124.4 iu/100 g, vitamin E 44.2 mg/100 g and vitamin K 39.2 iu/100 g. Bioactive profiling by GC/MS revealed the presence of 19 compounds. These compounds have different therapeutic properties with 2-Dimethylsilyloxytetradecane 27.42% as a major compound followed by 3,7-dimethyl- Pentaerythritol 22.08%, 9-Octadecenoic acid 14.84%, Cyclopropaneoctanal 12.60%, Allyl fluoride 4.50%, 2-hydroxy- Propanenitrile 3.80%, 9-Octadecenoic acid 3.60%, 2-octyl- 6-Octadecenoic acid 2.48%, 2- Chloropropionic acid 2.42%, 1-Tricosene 2.19%, 13-Octadecenal 1.28%, Dimethyl Urethane 1.19%, 2,2-dimethyl-Cyclohexanol 0.57%, 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-, acetate 0.40%, Hexanoic acid 0.30%, 2-Chloroethyl 1-propynyl sulfoxide 0.12%, 10-Azido-1-decanethiol Cyclopentaneundecanoic acid 0.10%, Isopropylcyclobutane 0.10% and Cyclopentaneundecanoic acid 0.01%. It was concluded that Kigelia africana fruit powder is loaded with several nutrient and could be used as a natural alternative to antibiotics in animal production.

The approximate mineral and phytochemical content of the leaves, stem bark, and roots of Pterocarpus erinaceus in India

2024-04-16T09:26:46-03:00

Proximate analysis of dried Pterocarpus erinaceus leaves (DPE), stem bark (DSB) and root (DSR) contained moisture (9.11%, 7.61%, 7.02%), crude protein (7.60%, 5.11%, 4.33%), crude fibre (12.2%, 25.6%, 18.5%), ether extracts (0.58%, 0.42%, 0.30%), ash (12.6%, 10.5%, 10.2%) and carbohydrates (45.4%, 38.0%, 37.2%) respectively. Mineral composition of DPE revealed the presence of calcium (108.6 mg/100 g), phosphorus (60.38 mg/100 g), potassium (39.7 mg/100 g), magnesium (12.51 mg/100 g), zinc (10.44 mg/100 g), manganese (8.55 mg/100 g), cobalt (1.16 mg/100 g), copper (4.58 mg/100 g), sodium (25.2 mg/100 g) and iron (16.13 mg/100 g) while those of DSB and DSR contained calcium (90.60, 91.55 mg/100 g), phosphorus (40.11, 43.80 mg/100 g), potassium (30.2, 30.0 mg/100 g), magnesium (9.93, 8.90 mg/100 g), zinc (7.55, 7.00 mg/100 g), manganese (5.20, 4.88 mg/100 g), cobalt (1.11, 1.00 mg/100 g), copper (2.40, 2.21 mg/100 g), iron (19.6, 18.4 mg/100 g) and iron (11.0, 10.67 mg/100 g). The phytochemical analysis of DPE, DSB, and DSR revealed that it contains high levels of flavonoids (11.20, 7.51, 7.20 mg/g), tannins (8.81, 4.91, 4.10 mg/g), steroids (1.61, 1.14, 1.02 mg/g), glycosides (4.42, 1.20, 6.19 mg/g), phenols (41.5, 30.4, 31.2 mg/g), saponins (28.6, 15.1, 14.0 mg/g), alkaloids (19.6, 15.8, 25.3 mg/g), flavonoids (11.20, 7.51, 7.20 mg/g), tannins (8.81, 4.91, 4.10 mg/g), and terpenoids (1.40, 0.65, 0.55 mg/g), respectively. According to the findings, DPE, DSB, and DSR are rich in minerals and phytochemicals, and they can be utilized as a natural substitute for antibiotics in animal production.

Growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices of broiler chicken fed Aristolochia indica as a phytogenic feed additive

2024-03-27T10:28:00-03:00

This experiment was carried out to examine the growth performance and some heamato-biochemical indices of broiler chicken fed Aristolochia indica (ALM) as a phytogenic feed additive. A total of 500 – 1-day old (Vencobb 450) with initial body weight of 48.0 ± 0.02 g were randomly divided to 5 groups with 5 replicates for each group. Basal diet (a corn-soya meal based diet) was sufficient in all nutrients (NRC, 1994). Birds in group 1 was fed basal diet without A. indica leaf meal, those in group 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed basal diet with supplemented with A. indica leaf meal at 100 g, 200 g, 300 g and 400 g per 100 kg^-1 respectively. Fresh clean water and feed were offered ad libitum. Results on phyto-constituents of Aristolochia indica leaf meal showed that it contained flavonoids (996.05 mg/100 g^-1), tannins (609.7 mg/100 g^-1), phenols (1341.8 mg/100 g^-1), steroids (206.17 mg/100 g^-1), alkaloids (151.8 mg/100g) and saponins (91.21 mg/100g). Average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were higher in group 4 and 5, intermediate in group 3 and lower in group 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Mortality of 2.20 % was recorded in group 1 while none was recorded in the other treatment (P < 0.05). Pack cell volume, red blood cell, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, lymphocytes and monocyte values were significantly (P < 0.05) different among the groups except for basophil values (P > 0.05). Total protein, albumin/globulin ratio, urea, creatinine, glucose and cholesterol were influenced (P < 0.05) by the treatment except for alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase values (P > 0.05). In conclusion, ALM can be fed up to 400 g in the diet of broilers without compromising their performance and health status.

Clerodendron splendens leaf extract supplementation in weaner rabbits: impact on growth performance, haematology and intestinal microbial population

2024-03-16T08:33:57-03:00

This experiment was carried out at Sumitra Research Institute, Gujarat, India to investigate the effect of supplementing Clerodendron splendens leaf extract on the growth performance, intestinal microbial population and some heamatological parameters. A total of fifty cross breed male rabbits (New Zealand white × Chinchilla) with initial body weight of 502 ± 0.80 g and weaned at five weeks of age was used for the experiment. On arrival, animals were quarantined for 14 days, stratified based on their body weight and randomly distributed into five groups consisting of 10 rabbits each in a completely randomized design. Experimental diet (basal) which was adequate in all nutrients; rabbits in group 1(G1) was fed basal diet only while G2, G3, G4 and G5 were fed basal diet with Clerodendron splendens leaf extract at 0.2 mL, 0.4 mL, 0.6 mL and 0.8 mL/day respectively. Average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake of rabbits fed 0 mL (control; group 1), 0.2 mL (group 2) were similar to those given 0.4 mL (group 3) and 0.6 mL (group 4) (P > 0.05) but significantly lower than those in group 5 (0.8 mL). Average daily feed intake also increased in rabbits fed 0.8 mL (91.11 g) in group 5 followed by 0.6 mL (89.26 g), 0.4 mL (89.26 g), 0.2 mL (89.17 g) and 0 mL (89.12 g) in group 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. Higher mortality of 2 % was recorded in group 1 while none was recorded in the other treatment (P < 0.05). Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus sp., count were significantly (P < 0.05) different among the group. Pack cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, lymphocytes and neutrophil count were not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced by the treatment. However, values were within the established range for healthy rabbits. It was concluded that supplementation of Clerodendron splendens leaf extract up to 0.8 mL/day had no negative effect on the performance and health status of rabbits.