RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar concentrações de aminas biogênicas micotoxinas em silagem embalada (principalmente gramíneas da família Poaceae) preparada em fazendas orgânicas e convencionais e relacionar esses parâmetros a parâmetros fermentativos. A massa seca média (MS) foi 364,10±93,31 e 424,70±95,93g/kg na silagem de fazendas orgânicas e convencionais, respectivamente. As amostras de silagem de fazendas orgânicas tinham 17% a mais de tyramina (TY) (p≤ 0,05) que as de fazendas convencionais. As amostras de fazendas convencionais foram caracterizadas por histamina (HIS) 46,00% mais alta (P≤ 0,05), 9,80% putrecina (PUT) mais alta (P≤ 0,05), 17,30% de cadaverina (CAD) mais alta (P≤ 0,05). Aflatoxnas (AFL) (total) e zearalenone (ZEN), T-2/HT-2 tinham concentrações mais altas em respectivamente 16,00% (P≤ 0,05) e 13,40% (P≤ 0,05), 1,80% (P≤ 0,05) na silagem preparada em fazendas orgânicas. Deoxinivalenol (DON) tinha concentração mais alta 42,40% (P≤ 0,05) na silagem de fazendas convencionais. Ácidos graxos voláteis (AGV), ácido lático, etanol, pH e nitrogênio de amônia mostraram que as amostras de silagem de fazendas orgânicas e convencionais tinham boa qualidade. Nosso estudo sugere diferenças na formação biogênica de amônia ou micotoxinas em silagem de fazendas orgânicas ou convencionais mas, em geral, os valores medidos foram muito baixos para serem relevantes à saúde animal. Ademais, essas diferenças podem ser devido à diferença na matéria sólida e maturidade da planta entre as amostras de silagem orgânica e convencional.

ABSTRACT The aim of the current study was to investigate biogenic amines and mycotoxins concentrations in baled silage (mainly Poaceae family grasses) prepared in organic and conventional farms and to relate these parameters to fermentative parameters. The mean dry matter (DM) content was 364.10±93.31 and 424.70±95.93g/kg in the silage from organic and conventional farms respectively. The silage samples from organic farms had 17.00% higher (P≤ 0.05) tyramine (TY) than the silage from conventional farms. Conventional farm samples were characterized by 46.00% higher histamine (HIS) (P≤ 0.05), 9.80% higher putrescine (PUT) (P≤ 0.05), 17.30% higher cadaverine (CAD) (P≤ 0.05). Aflatoxins (AFL) (total) and zearalenone (ZEN), T-2/HT-2 concentrations were higher respectively 16.00% (P≤ 0.05) and 13.40% (P≤ 0.05), 1.80% (P≤ 0.05) in the silage prepared in organic farms. Deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration was higher 42.40% (P≤ 0.05) in silage from conventional farms. Volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactic acid, ethanol, pH and ammonia nitrogen showed that the silage samples from organic and conventional farms were of good quality. Our study suggests differences in biogenic amine formation or mycotoxins content in silage from organic and conventional farming, but, overall, the measured values are too low to be relevant for animal health. Furthermore, these differences might as well be due to the difference in dry matter content and plant maturity between the organic and conventional silage samples.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the phytogenic product, Ruchamax® (Ayurvet, India), on the productivity of sows and the performance of their first litters. Ruchamax® contains a blend of herbal extracts from Adrographis paniculata, Phyllanthus emblica, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum. It was incorporated into a lactation concentrate mixture (E) at an inclusion rate of 1 kg per 1000 kg. A total of 40 primiparous sows (PIC) were allocated to two equal groups: untreated (control (C)) and herb-supplemented (E). Treatments were from day 1 to 28 of lactation. Nursing sows fed the herb-supplemented diet had significantly increased average daily feed intake (5.84 vs. 5.46 kg) and milk output (7.58 vs. 6.71 kg). The experimental factor had a positive effect on the condition of sows (lower reduction of thickness during lactation). Changes in backfat thickness (farrowing-weaning) were significantly different (-6.45 vs. -9.40 mm). There were no differences in initial litter size and litter birth weight (BW) between groups. The average BW of piglets was similar (ca. 1.6 kg) in both groups. The herb-supplemented diet affected 28-day litter weight (69.95 vs. 63.40 kg), average piglet body weight (7.27 vs. 6.74 kg) and daily litter growth rate (1.79 vs. 1.68 kg) significantly compared with the control. It can be concluded that the sows receiving an herb-supplemented diet were characterized by better productivity indices than the control group.