Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research
Volume:2 Issue: 1, Winter 2014

Laboratory cheese making trials were conducted in a rural area of western Sudan (North Kordofan) to study the effects of milk type (goat vs. cow) and cheese type (white soft vs. braided) on cheese characteristics. Randomized complete block design for the cheese samples data and a 2×2 factorial randomized complete block design for the laboratory trials data were used. Goat milk recorded the highest (P < 0.05) ash contents, whereas cow milk contained the highest total solids (TS), fat, lactose and protein. Goat milk required longer coagulation time compared with cow milk. White cheese required relatively (P > 0.05) more time to coagulate compared with braided cheese. White cheese made from goat milk (WG) required the longest (P < 0.05) coagulation time, followed by braided cheese from goat milk (BG), braided cheese from cow milk (BC) and then white cheese from cow milk (WC). Cheese yield was significantly affected by both milk and cheese types (P < 0.01) and their interaction (P < 0.05). The yield of WC was the highest, followed by WG, BC and the least was for BG. Goat cheese had the highest pH, whereas cow cheese had the highest TS, fat and protein contents. Braided cheese had the highest pH, TS, and protein contents while fat contents were highest in white soft cheese. Efficiency of protein and fat recovery were highest in cow cheese (P < 0.05). The highest efficiency of recovery was found in braided cheese. No staphylococcus and Coliform bacteria were detected in milk samples used in cheese making trials. BG recorded the highest scores in color (P < 0. 001), texture (P > 0.05) and flavor (P< 0.01). However, taste score was higher (P < 0.05) in BC compared to the other three cheese types. Cheese produced under laboratory conditions in this study was of high quality. However, there is a high need to raise the awareness of rural dairy producers on hygiene and public health measures necessary for obtaining safe dairy products. Milk intended for dairy processing should be heated (boiling, pasteurization) in order to control bacterial growth and to ensure good quality dairy products. Moreover, there is also a high need for setting quality standards and measures for the different dairy products. Cheese making from sheep and camel milk should also be tested. Other milk coagulants (natural and/or synthetic) should also be evaluated to reduce cost.

The microbial quality of beef, table and apron in five meat retail shops in the Yendi Municipality of Ghana was investigated in order to ascertain their safety. The shops were selected from Central market A (external), Central market A (internal), Central market B, Central mosque and Taxi rank. A total of 45 samples were collected, 9 from each meat shop (retailer). The samples were stored under 4oC for transportation to the laboratory. Microbiological analysis was carried out immediately upon arrival in the laboratory under aseptic conditions. Beef, table and apron samples from Central market B had the highest mean total bacterial count of 5.8×107 cfu/cm2, followed by Taxi rank (9.5×106 cfu/cm2), Central mosque (1.5×106 cfu/cm2), Central market A (external) (1.0×106 cfu/cm2) and Central market A (internal) (8.1×105 cfu/cm2). Mean bacterial count of beef, table and apron were 5.0×106 cfu/cm2, 3.7×107 cfu/cm2 and 3.1×105 cfu/cm2, respectively. Table surface bacterial count from Central market B was significantly higher (p<0.05) than bacterial counts from the other samples. Bacterial species identified on the beef, apron and table samples were Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Proteus spp., and Bacillus spp. Among the five meat shops/retailers sampled, Central market B was the most contaminated shop. Table surfaces were also the most contaminated source compared to beef and apron. Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia coli were the most common identified bacteria. There is the need for improvement is the standard of selling meat in the Yendi Municipality.

This study was conducted in El-Obeid, North Kordofan State, Sudan with the objective of evaluating the effects of inclusion of different levels of watermelon bug meal (WMBM) as a substitute for sorghum grains in rations on broiler chick’s performance. One day old unsexed 200 broiler chicks with an average weight of 40g /bird were used in an experiment designed as completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments and four replicates. At the beginning of the experiment the chicks were fed a pre-starter ration for one week and then offered five rations prepared using (WMBM) at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 percent. The rations were offered twice a day. Chicks were weighed weekly during the experimental period. The collected data were analyzed using analysis of varianceThe results indicated that feed intake of broiler chicks increased significantly (P <0.05) with inclusion of WMBM. The chicks consumed 67, 89, 94, 97 and 97 g/day/bird when the WMBM constituted 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 percent in the rations respectively. The final body weight followed the same trend where the groups weighed 1332.5, 2130, 2100.6, 1922.5 and 1772.3 g for the birds that consumed rations of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 percent (WMBM) respectively. Weight gains and feed conversion ratio were also significantly (P <0.05) improved. It was concluded that WMBM could replace sorghum grains as source of energy in broiler rations and it was recommended that more studies be carried out to investigate effects of inclusion of the WMBM on weight of cuts and meat quality.

The study was conducted in and around Shashamane city to assess commonly used feed resources, feed intake and productive performance of crossbred dairy cows during early lactation under farmers’ management. A total of 60 dairy farmers from urban and 60 from peri-urban (Kerara Filicha = 20, Kuyera = 20 and Arsi Negele = 20) were selected for the study. Structured questionnaire, secondary data sources and field observations were employed to generate data. A total of 48 animals from both small (16) and medium scale farms (32) in early lactation and parity from 2 to 6 were used for monitoring study for the period of 90 days. Fifteen major feed types used by dairy farms were identified in the area and categorized into five classes. Significant differences were observed in daily intakes of DM, crude protein and ME (P<0.001) between production sub-systems and herd size groups. Higher daily energy requirement was satisfied in urban and medium scale farms than peri-urban and small scale farms. Daily milk yield was also significantly different (P<0.05) between production sub-systems and herd size groups (P<0.01). Therefore, from the current study it was concluded that the quality of available basal roughage feed is generally low and the productivity of animals on both production sub-systems and farm scale was below their expected genetic potential. Hence, large variation between production sub-systems and farm scale groups showed the opportunities for further improvement with strategic supplementation of energy and protein rich feeds.

Concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd were determined in edible finfish species (Polynemus paradiseus, Tenualosa ilisha, Liza parsia, Liza tade and Stolephorus commersonii) collected from four stations in and around Indian Sundarbans. Levels of the selected heavy metals were determined in the muscle of edible finfish species in the Gangetic delta region using a Perkin-Elmer Sciex ELAN 5000 ICP mass spectrometer and expressed as mg kg-1 dry weight. To determine whether heavy metal concentrations varied significantly between sites and species, Duncan multiple range test was performed. In finfish species the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd ranged from 15.89±0.58 – 124.12 ±1.63, 13.68±0.83 – 75.91±0.49, 3.34±0.90–19.89±0.54 and BDL–4.01±0.03 respectively.For Zn and Cu, accumulated metal concentration in Stn. 4 is significantly lower than accumulated metal concentration in Stn. 1 and Stn. 2. For Pb, significant difference between stations was not found. Among the selected species, lowest metal accumulation values was found for S. commersonii (p<0.05). The selected heavy metals in finfish muscle (except Zn in Liza parsia and Liza tade in Stn. 1) were also within the permissible limits for human consumption as indicated by the Food and Agricultural Organization

Rabbit meat is a cheap source of high quality animal protein which could be reared in any agro-vegetational zone without any cultural and religious constraints. The rate of growth and reproductive ability of the different breeds differ, however. The aim of the present study was to determine the post weaning growth traits of exotic rabbit breeds which are commercially available in Nigeria. The two rabbit breeds used for this study were New Zealand White and California White. The study commenced from when the rabbits were 8 weeks old and lasted till 30th week of age. Analyzed data revealed that both breeds were not significantly (P>0.05) different in live body weight and linear measurements. Age of rabbits has significant effect (P<0.01) on all the traits evaluated, that is, all the body dimensions measured increased in size as the animals advanced in age. In addition, there was statistically significant (P<0.01) positive phenotypic correlations between live weight and linear measurements. This implies that all the body dimensions were good indicators of live weight and anyone of them could be used to predict its value. Age of rabbits also has significant positive phenotypic correlation with all the traits. There was significant breed x age interaction effects on all the traits measured. In this study, it was revealed that either of the two breeds could be used to cross with our local breeds of rabbits in order to improve their productivity.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of ‘prekese’ (Tetrapleura tetraptera) pod extract (PPE) on the sensory characteristics and nutritional qualities of smoked pork sausages. Four kilograms of minced pork was used. The pork was divided into four equal parts (1kg per treatment). Each product contains the following: (T1) control (without PPE), (T2) 10 ml of full pod PPE/1kg of pork, (T3) 10 ml of chopped pod PPE/1kg of pork, and (T4) 10 ml of grind pod PPE/1kg of pork. Sensory analysis was conducted to determine the effect of the ‘prekese’ pod extract on the sensory characteristics of the product. Crude fat, crude protein and moisture content were determined to find out the effect of the pod extract on the nutritional qualities of the products. There were no significant differences in the sensory characteristics. There were significant differences in the nutritional qualities of the products in terms of crude protein, crude fat, pH and moisture contents. The inclusion of PPE in the sausage at 10ml/1kg of pork improved the protein content of the products.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of silybum marianum (SM), Curcuma spp (CP), or their mixture (PM) on intestinal microflora and broiler chicken performance. A total of 180 unsexed broiler chicken (Ross-308) were randomly assigned to 4 diets with 3 replications of set 15 chickens in each. Diets were included control or the inclusion of SM, CP, or PM (equal amount) at level of 0.5% in diets. Feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were significantly increased by diets contained CP and PM rather other diets at 42 days of age (P<0.05). In contrast, the inclusion of SM and PM in diets resulted in significantly decreases in total number of bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and coliforms bacteria in ileum rather other diets at 42 days of age (P<0.05). The inclusion of tested medicinal plants in diets led to significantly decreases in pH value in ileum and significantly increases in intestinal weight and length rather control (P<0.05). The results of present study have shown that the inclusion of 0.5% Curcuma spp or Silybum marianum in diets boost up broiler chicken performance and reduced ileum pathogenic bacteria. The equal mixture of tested medicinal plants showed mutual effects which could help to improve intestinal health and well being of poultry.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the sudden interruption or decrease of blood supply (oxygen and glucose) to the brain resulting in cerebral infarction, permanent neurological damage, severe functional limitations and death. Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide and the leading cause in Brazil. The risk factors for CVA include systemic arterial hypertension and other vascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, sedentarism, dyslipidemia, and smoking. These risk factors are at high prevalence, globaly, increasing the prospects for new incidents of the disease. Currently, the treatment options for CVA are limited, partially because many promising medicines presented intolerable side effects or limited therapeutic effects in the clinical trials. In the acute and subacute phases of the CVA the therapeutic goals are to protect the neurons at risk, increase the endogenous capacity of the central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate itself, and diminish functional sequelae. This review discusses the role of molecular mechanisms underlying CVA is the key for new therapeutic discoveries aiming at neuroprotection, neuroregeneration and neurogenesis.