ABSTRACT. The present study was carried out to evaluate the substitution of synthetic performance enhancers by ethanolic propolis extract (EPE) in the diet of broilers and their effects on performance, carcass yield, noble cuts, viscera and bed quality. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and six replicates each, totaling 24 experimental plots with 20 birds each. The experimental treatments were: negative control, without the inclusion of performance improvement and EPE-free; positive control, containing avilamycin performance enhancer; Inclusion of 0.1% of EPE and; Inclusion of 0.2% EPE. The analyzed data were submitted to analysis of variance and applied the SNK test at 5% probability. There was no effect of the inclusion of additives on feed intake and feed conversion in the periods from 1 to 7, 1 to 21, and from 1 to 42 days of age. Weight gain was lower in birds receiving feed with the inclusion of 0.1% EPE in the period from 1 to 7 days, not differing from the other treatments in the other evaluation periods. Carcass characteristics, cuts, and viscera and bed moisture were not influenced by the treatments used. The inclusion of ethanol extract from propolis as a performance enhancer up to 42 days of age provided similar results to the use of performance enhancers based on avilamycin, thus being an efficient substitute in poultry production.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a digestibilidade ileal aparente do cálcio e do fósforo em frangos de corte alimentados com rações com diferentes fitases e relações cálcio:fósforo disponível (Ca:Pd). Foram realizados dois experimentos: um com frangos de 22 a 33 dias de idade, e outro com frangos de 35 a 42 dias. As relações Ca:Pd usadas foram de 4,5:1,0, 6,0:1,0 e 7,5:1,0, no primeiro período, e de 3,5:1,0, 5,0:1,0 e 6,5:1,0, no segundo. Todas as dietas foram suplementadas com 1.500 unidades de atividade de fitase por quilograma de seis diferentes fontes de fitase microbiana. Ao final de cada experimento, duas aves por repetição foram abatidas para a coleta do conteúdo ileal. Nas amostras de digestas, foram determinados os teores de Ca e P para posterior cálculo do coeficiente de digestibilidade ileal aparente destes minerais. A relação Ca:Pd influenciou a atividade das fitases, e a maior digestibilidade foi observada nas menores relações, em ambos os experimentos. As fitases que proporcionaram os maiores coeficientes de digestibilidade foram A, D e E. Em ambas as idades avaliadas, a inclusão de fitases às dietas aumentou a digestibilidade de Ca e P, a qual também foi afetada pelo teor de cálcio e pela fonte de fitase utilizada.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to determine the apparent ileal digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in broilers fed diets with different phytases and calcium:available phosphorus (Ca:aP) ratios. Two experiments were carried out: one with broilers with 22 to 33 days of age, and the other with broilers with 35 to 42 days. The Ca:aP ratios used were 4.5:1.0, 6.0:1.0, and 7.5:1.0 in the first period, and 3.5:1.0, 5.0:1.0, and 6.5:1.0 in the second. All diets were supplemented with 1,500 units of phytase activity per kilogram of six different sources of microbial phytase. At the end of each experiment, two broilers per replicate were slaughtered to collect the ileal content. In the samples of digested food, the Ca and P contents were determined for later calculation of the apparent ileal digestibility coefficients of these minerals. The Ca:aP ratio influenced the activity of phytases, and the highest digestibility was observed with lower ratios, in both experiments. The phytases that provided greater digestibility coefficients were A, D, and E. In both ages evaluated, the inclusion of phytases in the feed improved the digestibility of Ca and P, which was also affected by the content of calcium and by the phytase source used.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar a adição do prebiótico mananoligossacarídeo (MOS 0,2%), probiótico (Bacillus subtilis 30g/tonelada) e antibiótico (bacitracina de zinco 125g/tonelada) em rações para leitões na fase de creche. Utilizaram-se 80 leitões (Danbread x Agroceres), sendo 40 machos e 40 fêmeas, com peso inicial de 7,1±0,0175kg, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições: 1 - controle; 2 - prebiótico; 3 - probióticos; e 4 - antibiótico. As variáveis avaliadas foram ganho de peso diário (GPD), consumo de ração diário (CRD), conversão alimentar (CA), consistência fecal e leucometria global. Aos 43 dias de idade, os animais apresentaram o mesmo ganho de peso (P>0,05), porém, a dieta contendo prebiótico aumentou o consumo (P>0,05); a conversão alimentar foi melhor na dieta controle (P<0,05). No período de 54 dias de idade dos animais, não houve diferença para ganho de peso diário (P>0,05), consumo de ração diário (P>0,05) e conversão alimentar (P>0,05). Não houve diferença para consistência fecal (P>0,05). O número de leucócitos aumentou aos 32 dias de idade, quando as dietas contendo prebióticos e probióticos foram utilizadas (P>0,05). A ração contendo prebiótico aumentou o número de monócitos (P<0,05) e a dieta contendo antibiótico proporcionou maior número de basófilos (P<0,05), aos 36 dias de idade dos animais; o número de linfócitos não foi alterado pelas dietas experimentais (P>0,05). As dietas não promoveram alterações nas imunoglobulinas IgA, IgM e IgG (P>0,05). Conclui-se que o uso de prebióticos, probióticos e antibióticos não influenciou o desempenho dos animais dos 22 aos 54 dias de idade.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of the prebiotic mannan oligosaccharide (MOS 0.2%), probiotic (Bacillus subtilis30g/ton) and antibiotic (Bacitracin zinc 125g/ton) to piglets' feed in the post-weaning phase. Eighty (Danbread x Agroceres) pigs were used, that is, 40 males and 40 females, with initial weight of 7.1 ± 0.0175 kg. A randomized block design was used with four treatments and five replicates: 1 - Control; 2 - Prebiotic; 3 - Probiotic; 4 - Antibiotic. The variables evaluated were average daily gain (ADG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion (FC) fecal consistency and leukocyte count. At 43 days of age, the animals presented the same weight gain (P> 0.05); however, there was increased intake of the diet containing prebiotic (P> 0.05), and feed conversion was better for control diet (P <0 05). In the period of 54 days of age of the animals, there were no differences in daily weight gain (P> 0.05), daily feed intake (P> 0.05) and feed conversion (P> 0.05), and also no differences in fecal consistency (P> 0.05). The number of leukocytes increased at 32 days of age when the diets containing prebiotics and probiotics were used (P> 0.05). The diet containing prebiotics increased the number of monocytes (P <0.05), and the diet containing antibiotic provided greater number of basophiles (P <0.05) at 36 days of age. The number of lymphocytes was not altered by the experimental diets (P> 0.05), the diets promoted no changes in the immunoglobulins IgA, IgM and IgG (P> 0.05). The use of prebiotics, probiotics and antibiotics did not influence the animals' performance from 22 to 54 days of age.

Introduction: beta-glucans (BG) derived from plant tissues are reported to show metabolic effects. In contrast, those fibers isolated from yeast seem to be more related to immune response modulation. Since diabetic individuals are more susceptible to exacerbation of inflammatory signs, the ingestion of fibers that could conjugate both metabolic and immune effects would be of great importance. Objective: we investigated the effect of BG - Saccharomyses cerevisae - ingestion on glycemic and lipoprotein profile of diabetic rats. Design: twenty-four adult Wistar rats were used, distributed into 4 groups in a design of entirely casualized delineation with a 2 x 2 factorial model (with and without diabetes; with and without BG). Diabetes Mellitus was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 80mg/kg of strepzotocin. Thus, animals with fasting glycemia of over 250 mg/dl were considered diabetic. Forty-eight hours after induction, the rats received daily doses of 30 mg/kg of BG or saline solution by gavage during 28 days. Results and discussion: the Groups with DM presented a higher glycemic index and lower C peptide levels than the control groups, in addition to lower weight gain and higher ration consumption, water ingestion and urinary volume. Total cholesterol levels (CT), LDL-C + VLDL-C, plasma triacylglycerides (TAG) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also higher in the diabetic animals (p < 0.05), and there were no alterations in the HDL-C levels. The ingestion of BG reduced blood glucose concentrations (30%), TAG (32%) and ALT (41%) (p < 0.05). No histopathological hepatic alterations were observed in any of the groups. Furthermore, the diabetic animals present increase in villous:crypt ratio (V:C) in the duodenum, without interference of BG. No alterations in the carcass were observed between the groups. Conclusion: it was concluded that the use of BG significantly reduced the glycemic, TAG and ALT levels, showing its therapeutic potential.

Introducción: los beta-glucanos (BG) derivados de tejidos vegetales se ha informado que muestran efectos metabólicos. Por el contrario, esas fibras aisladas de levadura parecen estar más relacionadas con la modulación de la respuesta inmune. Dado que los individuos con diabetes son más susceptibles a la exacerbación de los signos inflamatorios, la ingestión de fibras sí podría conjugar ambos efectos metabólicos e inmunológicos, lo cual sería de gran importancia. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos de la ingestión de los BG -Saccharomyses cerevisiae- en el perfil glucémico y la lipoproteína de ratas diabéticas. Metodos: en el diseño de delineación, totalmente precario, fueron utilizadas 24 ratas Wistar macho adultas distribuidas en cuatro grupos, con un modelo factorial 2 x 2 (con y sin diabetes, con y sin BG). La diabetes mellitus fue inducida por la inyección intraperitoneal de un 80 mg/kg de estrepzotocina. Por lo tanto, los animales con glucemia en ayunas de más de 250 mg/dl fueron considerados diabéticos. Cuarenta y ocho horas después de la inducción, las ratas recibieron dosis diarias de 30 mg/kg de BG o solución salina mediante alimentación forzada durante 28 días. Resultados y discusión: los grupos con DM presentó el mayor índice glucémico y menores niveles de péptido C que los grupos de control, además de reducir el aumento de peso y un mayor consumo de la ración, la ingestión de agua y el volumen urinario. Los niveles de colesterol total (CT), LDL-C + VLDL-C, triacilglicéridos plasmáticos (TAG) y alanina aminotransferasa (ALT) también fueron más altos en los animales diabéticos (p < 0,05), y había alteraciones en los niveles de HDL-C. La ingestión de BG redujo las concentraciones de glucosa en sangre (30%), TAG (32%) y ALT (41%) (p < 0.05). No se observaron alteraciones hepáticas en ninguno de los grupos. Además, los animales diabéticos presentaron un aumento de la relación cripta:vellosidades (V:C) en el duodeno, sin interferencia de BG. No se observaron alteraciones en la carcasa entre los grupos. Discusión: se concluyó que el uso de BG redujo significativamente la glucemia, los niveles de TAG Y ALT, mostrando su potencial terapéutico.

Introduction: Functional foods have been widely utilized to reduce the symptoms of various diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Among the foods used to combat these effects are soluble fibres, mainly those rich in beta-glucans (BGs). Objective: To review the effects of beta-glucans (BGs) on glucose plasmatic levels of diabetic individuals. Design: A search was conducted using the Pubmed, Science Direct and Scielo databases using the keywords: diabetes mellitus and beta-glucan and glucose and glycaemia. As inclusion criteria, only studies on diabetic human individuals (type 1 or type 2) who consumed BGs were selected. Results and Discussion: Of the 819 initial articles retrieved, only 10 fit the inclusion criteria and were used in the study. It was observed that doses around 6.0g/person/ day, for at least 4 weeks were sufficient to provoke improvements in the blood glucose levels and also lipid parameters of individuals with DM. However, glucose levels do not reach normal levels using BG alone. Low doses of BG for at least 12 weeks were also reported to promote metabolic benefits. Conclusions: Based on previous research, it was concluded that the ingestion of BGs was efficient in decreasing glucose levels of diabetic patients. The consumption of greater doses or smaller doses for longer periods of time produced better results.

Introducción: Alimentos funcionales han sido ampliamente utilizados para reducir los síntomas de diversas enfermedades como la diabetes mellitus (DM). Entre los alimentos utilizados en el combate de estos efectos, están las fibras solubles, principalmente aquellas que tienen buena cantidad de beta-glucano (BG’s). Objetivo: El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática fue evaluar los efectos de los BG´s en los parámetros metabólicos de individuos diabéticos. Métodos: Fue conducida una búsqueda en las bases de datos Pubmed, ScienceDirect y cielo, utilizando las siguientes palabras-clave: diabetes mellitus and beta- glucano and glucosa and glucemia. Como criterio de inclusión, fueron seleccionados solamente estudios en individuos diabéticos (tipo 1 o tipo 2) que consumieron BG´s. Resultados y Discusión: De los 819 trabajos inicialmente encontrados, 10 artículos se encuadraron en los criterios de inclusión, y por eso fueran utilizados en el estudio. Fue observado que dosis superiores de 6,0 g/ individuo/día, o dosis más grandes que 3,0 g/individuo/ día por un periodo de tiempo más largo, son suficientes para provocar mejoras en los parámetros glucémicos y lipidicos de portadores de DM. Bajas dosis de BG por al menos 12 semanas también presentaron efectos metabólicos benéficos. Conclusión: Tomando en cuenta los resultados observados, se concluye que los BG´s son eficientes en la atenuación de los efectos indeseables del DM, siendo las dosis más grandes o el consumo de pequeñas cantidades por un tiempo más largo las que promueven resultados mejores.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of integral and decaffeinated coffee brews (Coffea arabica L and C. canephora Pierre) on the metabolic parameters of rats fed with hyperlipidemic diet. Thirty male Wistar rats (initial weight of 270 g ± 20 g) were used in the study, which were divided into six groups five each. The treatments were normal diet, hyperlipidemic diet, hyperlipidemic diet associated with integral coffee arabica or canephora brews (7.2 mL/kg/day) and hyperlipidemic diet associated to decaffeinated arabica, or canephora brews, using the same dosage. After 41 days, performance analyses were conducted.The rats were then euthanized and the carcasses were used for the analysis of dried ether extract and crude protein. Fractions of adipose tissue were processed for histological analysis. There was a reduction in weight gain and accumulation of lipids in the carcasses, lower diameter of adipocytes and a lower relative weight of the liver and kidneys of rats fed with hyperlipidemic diet associated with integral coffee brew. Integral coffee brew reduced the obesity in the rats receiving hyperlipidemic diet, but the same effect did not occur with the decaffeinated types.

Masticatory function can be evaluated objectively as the capacity of an individual to fragment solid food after a fixed number of chewing cycles, the so-called masticatory performance (MP). The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of four different test materials (Optosil, Optocal, Zetapuls, and Perfil) and five disinfection protocols by aspersion and immersion (no disinfection, 2% glutaraldehyde, 2% chlorhexidine, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, and 70% alcohol) on the MP, determined at three moments (24 hours, 15 and 60 days) after storing the fragmented blocks. MP was evaluated by calculating X50 through the sieving technique and the Rosim-Ramler equation. The weight and microbiologic count (colony forming units, CFUs) of chewed blocks were measured to identify any variations that would make MP determination unfeasible. Differences in MP were observed among the materials (p < 0.01). Perfil presented the highest X50 value (worst MP determination), followed by Zetaplus (both p < 0.05), Optosil, and Optocal (both p > 0.05). The time and disinfection type had no influence on MP (p > 0.05). The number of CFUs differed between the nondisinfected group and all other disinfection groups at all time points (p < 0.01). No other significant difference in CFU count between disinfection groups was observed. In conclusion, disinfection did not alter the reliability of the test materials for the MP calculation for up to 60 days.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do uso de probióticos em dietas para matrizes e leitões, sobre o desempenho, os parâmetros morfofisiológicos e a indicência de diarréia nos leitões durante 28 dias após o desmame. Foram utilizados 120 leitões desmamados aos 21 dias, provenientes de 24 leitegadas cujas matrizes (primíparas) receberam probióticos ou antibióticos a partir do 94º dia de gestação até o desmame. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 × 3 (probióticos ou antibióticos para matrizes e três dietas para leitões - antibióticos, probióticos ou associação antibiótico-probiótico) com quatro repetições de cinco animais para avaliação do desempenho e da incidência de diarreia. Aos 28 dias de experimento, dois animais de cada parcela foram sacrificados para mensuração de parâmetros histológicos do jejuno e pH do estômago e ceco. A associação probióticos + antibióticos na dieta dos leitões resultou em maior ganho de peso e consumo de ração nos animais filhos das matrizes que receberam probióticos durante as fases de gestação e lactação. Quando as fêmeas receberam antibióticos, os leitões que receberam apenas probióticos apresentaram maior consumo, porém não foram observadas diferenças na conversão alimentar. O uso de antibióticos + probióticos na dieta de leitões reduziu o pH do ceco e, quando associado ao uso de probióticos para matrizes, aumentou a relação vilosidade:cripta do jejuno. O uso de promotores de crescimento não influenciou o pH estomacal nem a incidência de diarreia. O fornecimento de probióticos na dieta das matrizes durante as fases de gestação e lactação em assossiação ao uso na dieta dos leitões após o desmame é eficaz em manter o desempenho dos animais, às condições histofisiológicas do trato gastrintestinal e o controle de diarreia durante a fase de creche.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of probiotics in diets for sows and piglets on performance and morphophysiologic parameters and the incidence of diarrhea in piglets during 28 days after weaning. A total of 120 pigs weaned at 21 days of age from 24 litters whose sows (primiparous) received probiotics or antibiotics from the 94th day of gestation until weaning. It was used a complete randomized design in a 2 × 3 factorial (probiotics or antibiotics for sows and three diets for piglets - antibiotics, probiotics or probiotic-antibiotic combination) with four replicates of five animals to evaluate the performance and incidence of diarrhea. At 28 days of experiment, two animals from each plot were sacrificed for histological parameter measurement of the pH of the stomach, jejunum and cecum. The association antibiotics+ probiotics in the diet of pigs resulted in greater weight gain and feed intake in animals born from of sows which received probiotics during the gestation and lactation phases. When females received antibiotics, the piglets receiving only probiotics showed higher consumption, but there were no differences for feed conversion. The use of antibiotics + probiotics in diets for piglets reduced the pH of the cecum and, when associated with the use of probiotics for sows, villous:crypt ratio in the jejunum increased. The use of growth promoters did not affect stomach pH neither the incidence of diarrhea. Supply of probiotics in the diet of sows during the gestation and lactation phases associated to the use in the diet of piglets after weaning is effective in maintaining animal performance, to histophysiological conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and control of diarrhea during the nursery phase.