Salmonella enterica can penetrate inside eggshells through horizontal transmission; thus, a rapid detection method on this matrix is needed. This study aimed to develop an electrochemical nanobiosensor prototype based on the hyperinvasive locus A (hilA) gene of Salmonella enterica for rapid (< 8 hrs) detection of the foodborne pathogen in this matrix. The biosensor was characterized in terms of sensitivity, selectivity and linear detection range as well as its capability to rapidly detect artificially spiked S. enterica in chicken eggshells. The presence of the target hilA gene was also validated through PCR. The hilA genosensor had a linear detection range of 0.30 – 30 ng/µL or 6.84 – 684.5 nM with R2 = 0.8647 at p<0.01 as well as having sensitivity as low as 0.3 ng/µL or 6.84 nM. The nanobiosensor is specific to S. enterica with significantly higher current responses for S. enterica subsp. enterica serotype Enteritidis (6.13±0.69 µA) and S. enterica subsp. enterica serotype Typhimurium (3.59±0.26 µA) as compared with Shigella spp. (1.08±0.23 µA), E. coli O157:H7 (0.88±0.58 µA) and blank (0.67±0.08 µA). Artificially spiked S. enterica serovar Enteritidis (8×104 CFU/mL) in chicken eggshell samples were successfully detected, without DNA amplification, with peak current response of 4.69±1.38 µA against the blank (0.47±0.18 µA). With rapid analysis time (1.5 hrs target hybridization and detection excluding sample processing and 2.5 hrs offline screen-printed carbon electrode preparation), preliminary results show that the developed nanobiosensor could be used to monitor eggs for horizontal Salmonella contamination and improve food safety monitoring in layer farms.

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This research focused on the screening of indigenous microorganisms isolated from banana soils for their capability to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) extracellularly. Ninety-five isolates were screened for AgNP production. The cell-free extracts of these isolates were added to silver nitrate (AgNO3) aqueous solution and were observed for color changes from original pale yellow to dark brown. Ten isolates (3 bacteria and 7 fungi) were found capable of producing AgNPs. Bacterial isolates B2, B3, and B5 were molecularly identified as Bacillus aryabhattai, Priestia megaterium, and B. megaterium, respectively. The AgNPs produced by these bacterial isolates were circular and showed an absorbance peak at approximately 420 nm. On the other hand, the fungal isolates F2, F3, and F43 were molecularly identified as Penicilliumcitrinum, P. glaucoroseum, and P. oxalicum. The AgNPs produced by the Penicillium spp were aggregated, circular and showed absorbance peaks at 420 nm. The other four fungal isolates, F7, F24, F29, and F40, were identified as Aspergillus flavus, A. terreus, and A. japonicum (F29 and F40), respectively. The AgNPs produced by the Aspergillus spp. were circular and showed absorbance peaks between 420 nm and 450 nm. The continuous search for novel isolates that can carry out the biogenic synthesis of AgNPs remains the focus of nanotechnological research. This study confirms microorganisms of Bacillus, Penicillium, and Aspergillus genera can effectively biosynthesize AgNPs.

The comparative effects of potentiated zinc oxide (pZnO) and antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) supplementation on intestinal morphometry and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens were studied. Four hundred straight-run Cobb 500-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments replicated 10 times with 10 birds per replicate. Dietary treatments were as follows: T1: basal diets without AGP (negative control; NC), T2: basal diets with 500 g/t maduramicin 10 g and 500 g/t zinc bacitracin 150 (positive control; PC), T3: NC added with 150 g/t pZnO, and T4: PC added with 150 g/t pZnO in a 2 × 2 factorial design in RCBD. At days 18 and 35, 10 birds were randomly selected per treatment for morphometry of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. At day 38, eight birds per treatment were used for the nutrient digestibility study. Results showed significant interaction effects ( P < 0.05) of AGP and pZnO supplementation on day 35 intestinal morphometry of duodenum’s villi height and villi height: crypt depth, and ileum’s crypt depth; apparent COD GE , AME, CP, DM, and EE. Significant differences ( P < 0.05) with pZnO supplementation were only observed on feed intake and FCR of birds fed with pZnO at days 8–14 and fecal quality at days 0–7. Results of present study suggested that pZnO has the potential to replace AGPs without negatively affecting the intestinal morphometry, digestibility, and growth performance of broiler chickens.

A study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, agronomic traits, and cost of production of 3d, 6d, 9d, and 12d corn sprouts. Corn seeds were steeped for 24hr and laid out in a 12 in x 24 in x 2 in a tray at a density of 10.7 kg/m2. Watering was done 3x daily at 8 am, 12nn, and 4 pm. Production was repeated in 6 batches which served as replicates. Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in CRD with subsamples using the Proc Mixed procedure of SAS. Trend comparison was used and means were reported as LS means with standard error. Significance was declared if P <0.05 and trend if 0.05< P <0.10 using Tukey's HSD test. Results showed a significant decrease in DM and NFC contents. Thus, there was a decrease in the DM yield of corn sprouts after 6d due to depletion of stored nutrients over time to support plant shoot growth. The decrease in DM led to an increase in CP, Ash, NDF, ADF, and GE from 3d to 12d due to metabolic interconversion of nutrients. Roots increased progressively from 3d to 12d in terms of length and number and so was the plant height. Leaves started to appear between 3d to 6d with a maximum of 3 leaves after 12d. Lastly, corn sprout production using low-cost technology resulted to an increase in cost per kilogram DM from 3d to 12d due to water usage and labor cost.

The study aims to isolate, characterize, and evaluate the antioxidant activity of A1 and A2 β-casein (β-CN) variants from milk of Siquijor native cattle (SN) and compare it to that of Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal (HF). Four milk samples from SN and three milk samples from HF, collected at 60-90 days during the first and second parities, were used in this study. Caseins were isolated from the milk samples by isoelectric precipitation at pH 4.5, urea denaturation, and SDS-PAGE. The fractions were quantified by Bradford assay. Antioxidant activity of the fractions was determined by DPPH scavenging assay. All the samples were analyzed using one-way ANOVA to determine the statistical difference. The concentrations of β-CN variants isolated from the milk of Siquijor native cattle and the milk of Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal were not significantly different (p>0.05). All of the casein samples exhibited DPPH scavenging activity with A2 β-CN exhibiting significantly higher scavenging activity (p<0.05). SN1 A2 β-CN exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity at 5.298% ± 0.17 among all of the samples. These results indicate that A2 β-CN may play a vital role in maintaining antioxidant homeostasis in the human body when the milk is consumed. These results also indicate the significance of A2 β-CN in extending the shelf-life of milk and other dairy products. In conclusion, this study successfully fractionated and characterized both A1 and A2 β-CN variants in the milk of Siquijor native cattle and Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal, with A2 β-CN having higher antioxidant activity compared to A1 β-CN.

Two studies were conducted to investigate the effects of Biological Resonance Catalyst (BRC) as a feed additive on milk production performance and apparent total-tract digestibility in lactating Anglo-Nubian x Saanen goats. Nine (9) primiparous and nine (9) multiparous dairy goats on the early stage of lactation were used in a 56-day feeding trial and five-day digestibility trial following a randomized complete block design with parity as the blocking factor. Treatments for both experiments were the inclusion rate of BRC added on top of the basal diet as follows: 0g h-1 d-1, 0.77g h-1 d-1, and 1.44g h-1 d-1. Results showed that the supplementation of BRC had no effects ( P >0.05) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk protein, milk fat, milk total solids and SCC per period and for the duration of the experiment. Similar values ( P >0.05) were also observed from the coefficient of digestion of gross energy (GE), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) across treatments. The current study was not able to establish a positive effect on production performance and nutrient digestibility in dairy goats. In vitro studies should be performed to validate the mode of action of BRC with increasing inclusion rate.

Two experiments, namely the situ nylon bag technique and the in vitro gas production technique, were carried out to determine the correlations between the in situ ruminal degradability and the in vitro gas production of different forages, and to predict the ruminal degradability of the forages using the gas production parameters. Forage samples from Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), Para grass (Brachiaria mutica), Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), Rain tree (Samanea saman), and Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) were incubated in the rumen of three rumen-cannulated buffaloes using the in situ nylon bag technique for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The six forage samples were also subjected to the in vitro gas production analysis following the modified methods developed by Menke & Steingass (1988), along with 30 other commonly used forages in the Philippines. Both experiments followed a randomized complete block design. Their dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and crude protein (CP) degradation kinetics and effective degradability (ED) as well as the gas production parameters were then estimated. Results revealed that the ED of each nutrient was found to be moderately to strongly correlated with some of the gas production times and estimated gas parameters. The predictor models generated using the gas production parameters for the ED of DM, OM, and NDF were sufficiently strong (R-2 = 0.740, p value= 0.0002; R-2 = 0.659, p value= 0.0009; and R-2 = 0.813, p value < 0.0001, respectively) while that of CP was only moderate (R-2 = 0.500, p value= 0.0055). It was concluded that the relationship between the two techniques is sufficiently strong and therefore the gas production parameters can be used to predict the in situ ruminal nutrient degradability of forages.

A nanobiosensor was developed for the electrochemical detection of Phytophthora palmivora, a notorious pathogen of cacao causing severe crop loss. Sandwich hybrids between two oligonucleotide probes and the genomic DNA of P. palmivora were prepared and electrochemically detected. The oligonucleotide probes were designed based on the ITS sequence of the P. palmivora field isolates. The detection of sandwich hybrids with P. palmivora genomic DNA and the selectivity of the nanobiosensor towards it compared to other cacao-associated fungal pathogens were demonstrated. The detection limit was determined to be at 0.30 ng DNA mu L-1. Detection of P. palmivora DNA on cacao samples was also demonstrated. The result of the preliminary analysis on cacao pod samples shows the potential of the developed nanobiosensor for reliable and more cost-effective analysis of field samples.

N-15-labeled tryptophan was used to trace the synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by plant growth promoting Klebsiella sp. (PGPB1). Preliminary thin layer chromatography analysis of crude extracts showed that IAA was produced from labeled tryptophan. This is further supported by high pressure liquid chromatography wherein the components of the crude extracts separated to two major peaks corresponding to indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPyA). Using Salkowski colorimetric assay, the extract was found to contain 11.81 +/- 5.98 x 10(-3) ppm of IAA and 56.91 +/- 0.35 ppm of IPyA. The crude extract, IAA and IPyA fractions were found to be enriched with N-15. Likewise, the presence of higher concentration of IPyA in the extract indicates that PGPB1 is probably using the IPyA pathway in synthesizing IAA. Rice seedlings germinated and grown in the N-15-labeled IAA produced by PGPB1 showed significant differences from the control treatment in terms of higher fresh weight, root length, and shoot length. Rice seedlings were also found to be enriched in N-15, confirming that they were able to take up the applied N-15 -labeled IAA.

This study was conducted to determine the optimum growth performance and nutrient digestibility of dairy calves fed starters containing high or low ener­gy and protein. Ten male and ten female growing Holstein-Friesian x Sahiwal calves (n=20) initially weighing 42.9±15.1 kg at 2±0.98 months were divided into four groups and blocked by weight. Starter feeds containing ME at 3.11 and 2.83 Mcal ME/kg and CP at 19 and 16% were used in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement in 5 randomized complete blocks, where each block consisted of calves in the same weight range. Body weight (BW), BW gain, and feed conver­sion ratio (FCR) of calves were not affected by both levels of energy and pro­tein in starter diets. Calves fed low energy starter diets have better fecal scores ( P <0.05). Energy levels mainly influenced energy and nutrient digestibility. Feeding calves high energy starter feeds could generate higher income which requires lesser cost to gain 1kg of live weight per kg BW. However, calves can still be fed cheaper concentrates containing 2.83 Mcal ME/kg and 16% CP without any adverse effect on growth performance.

Common levels of blood metabolites of post-calving crossbred dairy cows under different production systems in Batangas and Laguna, Philippines were determined to deduce the general health and nutritional status of the animals. Thirty-six apparently healthy Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal post-calving cows were selected using purposive sampling. Blood samples were collected via the coccygeal vein and were analyzed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), betahydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). Mean NEFA, BHBA, cholesterol and P concentrations in the blood and NEFAto-cholesterol ratio were within the normal range. Mean glucose and BUN concentrations, on the other hand, were higher than the maximum range while macro minerals Ca, K and Mg were lower than the minimum normal levels. Only mean NEFA concentrations from the intensive and semi-intensive production systems were significantly different (P<0.05). Mean concentrations of BHBA, glucose, cholesterol, BUN, Ca, P, K and Mg and NEFA-to-cholesterol ratio had no significant differences among the three production systems. Therefore, apparently healthy crossbred post-calving dairy cows from Batangas and Laguna did not experience negative energy balance but had macro mineral (Ca, K and Mg) deficiency when compared with reference standards in temperate countries.

“Batuan” fruit (Garcinia binucao [Blco.] Choisy), an indigenous acidulant grown in the Visayas State University, Baybay City, Leyte was analyzed for its organic acid profile at different stages of maturity for the development of potential food and non-food products. The analysis of organic acid content was done using Reverse Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Organic acids in the dried, powdered “batuan” fruit samples were extracted with the mobile phase (50mM KH2PO4/ H3PO4, pH2.8). The sample extracts and organic acid standards (oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and succinic acid) were injected to RP-HPLC under isocratic elution with the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0mL min-1 and using UV-vis detection at 210nm. “Batuan” fruit samples contain oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, and a few unidentified organic acids. Among the organic acids present, citric acid accumulated the highest in the ripe “batuan” fruit; fumaric acid, the least. Results of this study show that “batuan” fruit could be a good natural source of acidulant for food and non-food applications.

Sea cucumbers contain many bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. Their widespread use in East Asia, in traditional medicines and as food supplements, are depleting many local stocks and thus increasing their harvest worldwide. In recent years this has included heavy fishing of Isostichopus badionotus from the Yucatan Peninsula. The bioactivities in sea cucumber are known to vary greatly with species and growth conditions. Despite this, little study has been done on the capacity of I. badionotus captured from Yucatan to modulate health in vivo. Sea cucumbers were harvested from the Yucatan coast and body wall prepared, freeze dried and ground. The anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated using a hen’s egg test – chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay, a rat feeding trial, and with a mouse ear inflammation model. Additional analysis was done by histology and qRT-PCR. Extracts of lyophilized I. badionotus exerted a strong anti-inflammatory activity in each of the assays. They attenuated histological disruption caused by inflammatory agents, repressed the expression of pro-inflammatory genes including TNFα, iNOS, COX2, NFκB or IL-6, and slightly enhanced the expression of anti-inflammatory or survival genes. Our study demonstrates that sea cucumber I. badionotus from the Yucatan Peninsula exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.

Akasya pods are seasonally abundant and are good sources of protein and energy and have been considered as an alternative feed source for livestock. This study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding Akasya pod meal (APM) on the growth performances and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Three hundred straight-run 7-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments containing 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.5%, and 5.0% APM following a completely randomized design. Each treatment was replicated 10 times with 10 birds per replicate. The digestibility of nutrients was also evaluated to determine the effect of different levels of APM on the efficiency of nutrient digestion in broilers. Broilers fed APM level at more than 1.0% had lower body weights and body weight gains, but feed intake, feed conversion ratio, livability, and carcass characteristics were not affected by increasing levels of APM. The digestibility of crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), nitrogen free extract (NFE), ether extract (EE), and energy were the same in broilers across treatments. Increased income over chick and feed cost (IOFCC) was generated from broilers fed diets with 0.5% APM, but progressively declined as APM level in the diet was increased. In conclusion, APM can be used in broiler diets at inclusion levels up to 1.0% wherein growth performance and carcass characteristics were optimum in broilers and income generated was improved at 0.5% level.

To determine the effects of supplementation of different toxin binders (TB) on production performance traits and total tract nutrient digestibility of broilers fed aflatoxin-contaminated diets, five hundred (500) straight-run day-old chicks were used in the study to evaluate five dietary treatments: basal/control diet with low aflatoxin B1 (LAD), basal/control diet with high aflatoxin B1 (HAD), HAD + crosspovidone polymer (HADA), HAD + bentonite (HADB), and HAD + hydrated sodium calcium alumino-silicates (HADC). The broilers were divided into five groups and randomly distributed to one of the treatment groups following a complete randomized design with cage as experimental unit. The treatment groups were replicated 10 times with 10 birds per cage. Body weight, weight gain, feed consumption and livability were reduced on HAD-fed broilers, while growth performances of those fed LAD, HADA, HADB and HADC were not statistically different from each other. Apparent digestibility of nutrients and feed efficiency of broilers were not significantly different among treatments. The addition of toxin binders (TB) in the aflatoxin-contaminated diet was effective in counteracting the adverse effects of aflatoxin on the performance of broilers without affecting the apparent digestibility of nutrients.

In an effort to lower the cost of raw-starch-digesting amylase (RSDA) production for E. faecium DMF78, statistical tools were used to optimize production parameters. Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken has been carried out to evaluate the effects of 17 different parameters and conditions. Proteose peptone, beef extract, and MRS salts were found to be positive significant effectors for amylase production. On the other hand, yeast extract, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and corn steep liquor (CSL) were negative effectors. The optimized medium resulted to a 466.67% increase in amylase activity and 41.99% decrease in cost compared to the modified MRS medium with the elimination of yeast extract, trub, SDS, and CSL. (C) All Rights Reserved

Improved solubility of the PGR-loaded liposomes in aqueous solution was also observed. The PGR-loaded liposomes showed controlled-released behavior of the active component at pH 5.0 and 7.0. Higher stability of the encapsulated PGRs was observed at 0 - 4

The physicochemical and functional properties of mango seed starch (MSS) and its derivative, carboxymethyl starch (CMS), were determined. The purity of the extracted MSS was 99.62 +/- 0.06% (db). Amylose content, molecular weight (MW) and degree of polymerization (DP) of MSS were 24.93 +/- 1.68%, 6.34 x 10(3) +/- 3.10 x 10(3) KDa, and 39,141, respectively. CMS had a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.12 +/- 0.02, MW of 23.99 x 10(3) +/- 8.50 x 10(3) KDa, and DP of 148,107. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed round or oval-shaped MSS granules with smooth surfaces and some damaged starch. CMS granule surfaces were smooth, some exhibiting wrinkling and scarring. At 25 degrees C, the CMS pastes were more viscous and resistant to shear stress, and had lower pasting properties than MSS. Both CMS and MSS gels had soft consistencies. CMS pastes exhibited greater freeze-thaw stability than MSS pastes. The low syneresis and high light transmittance of CMS paste suggested that the carboxymethyl groups impede retrogradation. CMS exhibited better solubility, swelling power and water retention capacity than MSS.

The seed oil of “batuan” [Garcinia binucao (Blco.) Choisy] fruit, an indigenous, lesser known, and with promising economic potential, was characterized to evaluate its quality and potential for product development. Using standard AOAC methods, thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography, the physicochemical properties, lipid and fatty acid profile were determined. Oil yield from “batuan” seeds was high. The extracted oil was yellowish white, soft solid at room temperature. Iodine value, acid value, and peroxide value of the seed oil were low while saponification value was high. Lipid presents in “batuan” seed oil is mostly triglycerides while diglycerides are in low amount. Unsaponifiable matter (<1.0%) was abundant in sterol, squalene and beta-carotene, and minor amount of Vit. A palmitate, and-tocopherols. Stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1), and palmitic (C16:0) acids were the major fatty acids while arachidic, linoleic and linolenic acids constitute the minor components. “Batuan” seed oil contained more saturated fatty acids than the unsaturated fatty acids which could be responsible for its being a soft solid at room temperature. Results of this study show that “batuan” seed oil is of good quality and could be a potential source of valuable oil for food and other industrial applications.