ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients and digestible values of crude protein, ethereal extract, gross energy and dry matter of mulberry leaf meal (MLM) (Morus alba L.) as Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) feed. A total of 135 Nile tilapia juveniles were used, and the indirect methodology (Cr2O3) was applied for digestibility determinations. Mulberry leave meal presented good apparent digestible coefficients of protein, ethereal extract and energy with respective values of 0.94, 0.58 and 0.39. The mulberry leave meal thus comprises adequate digestible protein and digestible energy values, similar or better than other leafy foods, presenting potential for inclusion in Nile tilapia diets.

Resumen El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo optimizar el proceso de corte unidimensional de barras de aluminio para la producción de puertas de aluminio. Reducir el uso de barras y la cantidad de material que se convierte en chatarra es un factor clave en la eficiencia del proceso, reduciendo la necesidad de adquisición de materia prima. El modelo matemático utilizado considera el tamaño de la barra, el número y el tamaño de los cortes, el tamaño sobrante a que se puede usar y el tamaño sobrante que se considera chatarra. Basado en datos reales de una compañía en el segmento de marcos de aluminio, el modelo matemático se utilizó para simular tres escenarios diferentes. Se utilizaron tres funciones objetivo diferentes para el mismo modelo en las simulaciones y se describieron los resultados obtenidos en cada escenario para las tres funciones con el fin de indicar las ventajas y desventajas de usar cada función objetivo. Para los tamaños de instancia estudiados, el modelo puede obtener soluciones óptimas con poco tiempo computacional.

Abstract This study aims to optimize the one-dimensional cutting process of aluminum bars for the production of aluminum doors. Reducing the use of bars and the amount of material that becomes scrap is a key factor in process efficiency, reducing the need for raw material procurement. The mathematical model used considers the size of the bar, the number and size of cuts, the size of the leftovers that can be used and the size of the leftovers that are considered scrap. Based on real data from a company in the aluminum frame segment, the mathematical model was used to simulate three different scenarios. Three different objective functions were used in the simulations, and the results obtained in each scenario were described in order to indicate the advantages and disadvantages of using each objective function. For the instance sizes studied, the model is able to obtain optimal solutions with little computational time.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different crude glycerin levels in the diet of Nile tilapia fingerlings (mean initial weight 0.32 ± 0.06 g, n = 450) on growth performance parameters, whole-body composition, blood glucose and liver morphology. Crude glycerin was tested at six different levels (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20%) in diets containing 30% digestible protein and 3,000 kcal kg-1 digestible energy. After 37 days of feeding, the inclusion of crude glycerin resulted in positive effects on final weight, visceral fat, weight gain, feed conversion, specific growth rate and feed intake. The different treatments did not influence fillet yield, glycemia, survival and hepatosomatic index, but intermediate levels of inclusion decreased the area of hepatocytes. Regarding fish body composition, significant differences were found in moisture and ash contents, with no changes in crude protein and total lipid. The inclusion of crude glycerin in the Nile tilapia diet improves growth performance without negatively affecting survival rate and glycemia of fingerlings.

ABSTRACT The red-tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) is a threatened species of psittacine bird that inhabit coastal regions of Brazil. In view of the threat of this species, the aim of this study was to perform a health evaluation in wild nestlings in Rasa Island, determining the prevalence of enterobacteria and infectious agents according to type of nest. Blood samples were collected from 64 birds and evaluated for antibodies of Chlamydia psittaci by commercial dot-blot ELISA. Cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs samples were collected from 23 birds from artificial wooden nests, 15 birds from PVC nests and 2 birds from natural nests for microbiological analysis. Swab samples were collected from 58 parrots for C. psittaci detection by PCR and from 50 nestlings for Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease and West Nile viruses’ detection analysis by real-time RT-PCR. Ten bacterial genera and 17 species were identified, and the most prevalent were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella oxytoca. There was no influence of the type of nest in the nestlings’ microbiota. All samples tested by ELISA and PCR were negative. There is currently insufficient information available about the health of A. brasiliensis and data of this study provide a reference point for future evaluations and aid in conservation plans.

O aumento na produção mundial de biodiesel está gerando um excesso de glicerol, sem destinação definida. Uma alternativa para superar este problema é seu uso como fonte de energia na alimentação animal. No Brasil, o pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) é uma das espécies de peixes nativas mais cultivadas, enquanto que o jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) é apropriado para a produção na região subtropical. Considerando a falta de conhecimento sobre a utilização do glicerol bruto em rações para espécies de peixes Neotropicais, determinaram-se os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDAs) para a energia do glicerol bruto em P. mesopotamicus e R. quelen. A digestibilidade e o conteúdo de energia digestível do glicerol bruto podem ser considerados excelentes, mesmo quando comparados à energia de ingredientes comuns, como o milho e o trigo, apresentando para energia CDA de 0,97 e 0,89, e 15,2 e 13,95MJ kg-1 de energia digestível para o pacu e o jundiá, respectivamente. Por fim, o glicerol bruto é um ingrediente energético com bom potencial para dietas de peixes nativos do Brasil.

The increase in global biodiesel production is originating a glycerol surplus, which has no defined destination. An alternative to overcome this problem is its use as energy source in animal feeding. In Brazil, Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) is one of the most farmed native fish species, whereas Silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) is suitable for production in subtropical region. Considering little knowledge about crude glycerol utilization in feeds for Neotropical fish species, it was evaluated the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for energy of crude glycerol for P. mesopotamicus and R. quelen. The digestibility and digestible energy content of crude glycerol can be considered excellent even when compared to energy of common ingredients such as maize and wheat, presenting 0.97 and 0.89 of energy ADCs, and 15.2 and 13.95MJ kg-1 of digestible energy for Pacu and Silver catfish, respectively. In conclusion, crude glycerol is an energetic ingredient with good potential in Brazilian native fish diets.

O pacamã (Lophiosilurus alexandri) é uma espécie de peixe com hábito alimentar carnívoro, apropriada para o cultivo, porém, ainda pouco estudada. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a exigência de proteína bruta (PB) do pacamã, L. alexandri, na fase juvenil. O experimento foi conduzido por um período de 45 dias utilizando um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos (dieta contendo 36,2; 38,2; 42,0; 44,4 e 48,8% de PB) e quatro repetições cada, onde 100 juvenis (5,19 ± 0,01g) foram distribuídos em 20 caixas com volume útil de 36 L, sendo considerada como unidade experimental uma caixa com cinco juvenis. Foram avaliados os parâmetros de peso final, percentagem de ganho de peso, taxa de crescimento específico, sobrevivência, índice hepatossomático, rendimento de carcaça com e sem cabeça, comprimento total, comprimento da cabeça, largura e altura. Pela análise de regressão foi verificada uma redução linear (P<0.01) nos parâmetros de desempenho em função do nível protéico da ração. Quando comparados pelo teste de Tukey, o melhor resultado (P<0.01) foi obtido com 36,2% de PB. Não houve influência dos tratamentos nos outros parâmetros avaliados (p>0,05). Deste modo, recomenda-se a utilização de rações contendo entre 36,2% de proteína bruta para juvenis de pacamã (L. alexandri).

Pacamã (Lophiosilurus alexandri) is a species of carnivorous fish, suitable for farming, but little studied. The aim of this study was to determinate crude protein (CP) requirement to pacamã, L. alexandri, in juvenile phase, an experiment was conducted during 45 days in a completely randomized design, with five treatments (36.2, 38.2, 42.0, 44.4, and 48.8% CP of diet) and four replications, where a hundred juvenile fishes (5.19 ± 0.01 g) were distributed in twenty 36 L aquaria. Each aquarium with five juveniles was considered an experimental unit. The parameters evaluated were final weight, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate, survival rate, hepatosomatic index, carcass yield with and without head, total length, head length, width, and height. By the regression analysis was verify a (P<0.01) linear decrease to performance parameters in function to ration protein growth, however to Tukey test the best (P<0.01) result was obtained with 36.2% of CP. There was no influence of treatments on the other evaluated parameters (p>0.05). Thus, it is recommended to use feed containing 36.2% of crude protein to pacamã (L. alexandri) juveniles.