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The number of nutraceuticals and functional foodsfrom marine origin is increasing in the worldwide market. Specifically, the red seaweeds Grareloupia turuturu and Porphyra umbilicalis have shown their potential considering relevant bioactive compounds and nutritional value [1,2]. Nevertheless, it is pertinent to explore knowledge gaps regarding their nutritional/chemical composition and bioactivities. Hence firstly G. turuturu and P. umbilicalis proximate composition and lipid classes were determined; secondly, after preparing hydroethanolic and aqueous infusion and decoction) seaweed extracts, mycosporine-like ami no acids (MAAs) and carbohydrates were quantified. and the immunomodulatory potential was assessed using RAW 264.7 cell line. Results show that dietary fibre was the most abundant nutritional parameter for both seaweed species, followed by relevant ash and protein contents. Free fatty acids were the main lipid class in both seaweed species, whereas tocopherols exhibited residual contentsby RP-HPLC-FLD. For hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts, several MAAs were quantified by RP-HPLC-DAD and LC-DAD ESI-MS. P. umbilicalis extracts demonstrated greater MAAs content than G. turuturu, and porphyra-334 was the main MAA. The aqueous extracts of both seaweeds showed higher carbohydrate contents than the hydroethanolic, with P. umbilicalis decoction exhibiting the highest level. Concerning the immunomodulatory activity, for 0.02 mg/mL, the exposure to P. umbilicalis aqueous extracts resulted in the most accentuated 'NO production by RAW 264.7 cells, showing immunostimulatory potential. MAAs and carbohydrates are believed to be responsible for the immunostimulatory activity [3,4]. G. turuturu and P. umbilicalis potential as functional food and nutraceuticals, relying on their relevance as sources of bioactive compounds to the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, is thus reinforced

This study aimed to compare feed intake, digestion, rumen fermentation parameters and bacterial community of 5 beef cows, 12 crossed ewes and 12 goats grazing together in spring–early summer on heather–gorse vegetation communities with an adjacent area of improved pasture. Organic matter intake (OMI) and digestibility (OMD) were estimated using alkane markers. Ruminal fluid samples were collected for measuring fermentation parameters, and studying the bacterial community using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP). Spot samples of urine were taken to determine purine derivative (PD) and creatinine concentrations to estimate microbial protein synthesis in the rumen. Herbaceous species were the main dietary component in all animal species. Cattle had higher (p < 0.05) daily OMI (g/kg LW^0.75) and OMD, whereas sheep and goats showed similar values. The highest ammonia concentration was observed in sheep. Total VFA, acetate and butyrate concentrations were not influenced by animal species, while propionate concentrations in goats were 1.8 times lower (p < 0.05) than in sheep. Acetate:propionate ratio was greater (p < 0.05) in goats, whereas cattle excreted more allantoin (p < 0.05). Estimated supply of microbial N was higher in cows (p < 0.01), whereas the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis was lower (p < 0.01) in this animal species. Hierarchical clustering analysis indicated a clear effect of animal species on rumen bacterial structure. Differences among animal species were also observed in the relative frequency of several T-RFs. Certain T-RFs compatible with Lachnospiraceae, Proteobacteria and Clostridiales species were not found in goats, while these animals showed high relative frequencies of some fragments compatible with the Ruminococcaceae family that were not detected in sheep and cattle. Results suggest a close relationship between animals’ grazing behaviour and rumen bacterial structure and its function. Goats seem to show a great

The effects of heather (composed primarily of Calluna vulgaris with a smaller content of Erica umbellata and Erica cinerea) consumption on the establishment of incoming infective larvae (experiment 1, preventive treatment) and an adult worm population (experiment 2, curative treatment) were investigated in Cashmere goats experimentally infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis. In experiment 1, 12 castrated male goats were divided into two groups: heather-supplemented vs. non-supplemented animals. After 2 weeks of adaptation to the diet, all goats were experimentally infected per os with 6,000 T. colubriformis third-stage larvae. Three weeks post-infection, the goats were slaughtered, and worm counts as well as female worm fecundity and development were determined. Heather consumption was associated with a close to significant (P = 0.092) reduction (mean 14 %) in larvae establishment. No effect on fecundity was observed, but the length of female worms in supplemented goats was greater (P < 0.001). In experiment 2, 15 nonlactating does were experimentally infected with 6,000T. colubriformis third-stage larvae. At 6 weeks post-infection, three groups were established: control, heather-supplemented and heather-supplemented with polyethylene glycol. Individual faecal nematode egg output was measured twice weekly to assess gastrointestinal nematode egg excretion. The goats were slaughtered 5 weeks after heather administration (11 weeks post-infection), and worm counts as well as female worm fecundity and development were subsequently determined. Heather administration was associated with a significant (P < 0.001) decrease (between 47 and 66% compared with control group) in egg excretion from 45 to 76 days postinfection. Although worm counts and female fecundity were lower in supplemented goats, no significant differences were observed. Overall, the results showed a reduction in T. colubriformis larvae establishment and a decrease in nematode egg excretion when heather

This study was performed in Cashmere goats that were experimentally infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta to investigate the effects of heather consumption on the establishment of incoming infective larvae (experiment 1) and on an adult nematode population (experiment 2). In experiment 1, 24 non-lactating goats were divided into 2 groups: heather-supplemented vs. non-supplemented. After 2 weeks of adaptation to the diet, all of the goats were experimentally infected with 6000 infective larvae of T. circumcincta. Twelve animals (6 controls and 6 supplemented with heather) were slaughtered at 6 days and at 3 weeks post-infection (pi). After slaughter, the worms were counted and the female worm fecundity and development were determined. Heather consumption was associated with a significant reduction in larval establishment at 6 days (P = 0.033) and at 3 weeks (P = 0.041) pi. No differences in worm counts between the slaughter times were found. In the goats slaughtered at 3 weeks pi, the number of eggs in utero and length of the female worms were significantly (P < 0.001) lower than those of control group. In experiment 2, 24 non-lactating goats were experimentally infected with 10,000 T. circumcincta infective larvae daily for 5 consecutive days (total infection of 50,000 larvae). After 3 weeks, 2 groups were established: control and heather-supplemented. The faecal egg output of each animal was measured at 2-days interval during the experimental period. The goats were slaughtered after 3 weeks of heather administration for parasitological studies. Heather administration was associated with a significant decrease in egg excretion between 25 and 29 days pi. The worm counts were similar in both groups, but the female length and fecundity were significantly (P < 0.001) lower in supplemented goats. These results show that heather consumption reduces the establishment of T. circumcincta larvae in goats and the development and fecundity of female adult parasites.

Some bioactive plants such as tannin-containing heather can reduce parasitic infections by gastrointestinal nematodes, enhancing goat performance. Thus, goats could select to feed on heather despite its low nutritive value to maintain a better health status. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of heather supplementation on diet selection, nutrient intake, and gastrointestinal nematode infections in grazing goats. Four 0.5 ha-paddocks with Agrostis capillaris-dominated grasslands were established in western Asturias (northern Spain). Twelve Cashmere goats with their kids were allocated in each paddock from April to November. In two of the paddocks, goats were offered freshly cut heather (mostly Calluna vulgaris) every 3 days, whereas no heather was supplied in the other two. Diet selection (pasture-heather) and daily dry matter intake (DMI) of goats were estimated in two periods (June and October) using alkane markers. Samples of pasture and heather were analysed for crude protein (CP), neutral and acid detergent fibre (NDF, ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL), and their daily intakes calculated. Faecal samples were collected monthly for faecal nematode egg count (FEC). In June, mean heather percentage in the diet of supplemented goats was 21%. Total DMI per metabolic body weight was not affected by heather supplementation (mean 64 g DM kg BW−0.75 d−1), indicating a total replacement of pasture by heather. As a consequence, CP intake was lower while ADF and ADL intakes were higher (P < 0.05) in supplemented than in pasture-fed goats. In October, heather percentage in the diet of supplemented goats was 35%, and total DMI was lower than in June in both supplemented and non-supplemented goats (31 and 27 g DM kg BW−0.75 d−1, respectively). Thus, goats again substituted pasture for heather to a large extent (68%). ADF and ADL intakes were higher (P < 0.01) in supplemented goats, with no differences for CP intake, partly due to the lower CP contents in the au

In the last decade, numerous studies have been carried out to evaluate the potential anthelmintic benefit of the consumption of bioactive plants in small ruminants, in order to reduce the dependence on conventional chemotherapy and supporting a sustainable control of gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism. This review summarizes the anthelmintic and nutritional effects of heather (shrub species belonging to the Ericaceae family, such as Erica spp. or Calluna vulgaris) supplementation in grazing goats naturally infected by GI nematodes. The experiments were carried out in a mountain area in north-western Spain where shrubby heather-gorse vegetation is dominant. Some plots were established, in which the vegetation had been improved by soil ploughed and dressing and sowing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens), and removing any heather that was present. Cashmere goats reared outdoors under pasture conditions were used in the experiments. The trials compared the response to GI nematode infections, animal performance and nutrition in goats supplemented or not with heather. Interactions between heather availability and other alternative methods to control GI nematode infections based on grazing management (stocking rate) or nutrition (energy supply) as well as the potential adaptation of the rumen microbiota to the consumption of tannins, were also studied. The results suggest that (i) heather supplementation in grazing goats significantly reduces the level of GI nematode egg excretion, (ii) the faecal nematode egg count reduction could be associated with a decrease in worm fertility and/or reduction in the establishment of incoming third-stage larvae, (iii) consumption of heather is associated with an apparent greater resilience of goats to GI nematode infections, and (iv) the amount of tannins consumed by the goats supplemented with heather does not seem to be associated to anti-nutritional effects which eventually resulted in a better animal

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of tannin-containing heather (Calluna vulgaris, Erica spp.) and energy (oats, Avena sativa) supplementation, combined or not, on feed intake, gastrointestinal nematode infections and performance of goats grazing mountain grasslands. Two successive experiments were established across one grazing season on four paddocks. The first (late April to early August, Period 1) involved two treatments, i.e., supplementation with heather (+H) vs. non-supplementation (−H), each randomly allocated to two paddocks. The second (mid-August to mid-November, Period 2) consisted on four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design, i.e., supplementation with heather and oats (+H+O), only heather (+H−O), only oats (−H+O), and no supplementation (−H−O). Results from Period 1 indicated that faecal nematode egg counts (FEC) were lower in +H goats (50% less in August), achieving more favourable live weight (LW) and body condition changes than −H goats. Total dry matter intake (DMI) in June was similar between treatments, with heather accounting for 0.21 of +H goat diets. Kids FEC and LW gains were not affected by heather supplementation. In Period 2, both heather and oat supplementation reduced FEC (45 and 61%, respectively) and improved goat performance, without an interaction between both factors. Total DMI in October was higher in +H+O compared to other treatments (48 vs. 30 g DM kg LW−0.75 d−1; P < 0.01). Rumen ammonia concentration was lower (P < 0.001) in +H than in −H goats, and in +O than in −O goats, whereas that of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was not affected by treatments, though the molar proportions of some VFA were modified. It is concluded that the combination of both supplements (tannins and energy) contributes to reduce gastrointestinal nematode parasitism and increases goat performance, allowing a lower dependence on conventional chemotherapy.

The aim of this study, performed on 62 adult dry cashmere goats grazing upland perennial ryegrass-white clover pastures and naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, was to investigate the effects of stocking rate (SR: 24 vs. 38 goats . ha(-1)) and tannin-containing heather supplementation (H: Calluna vulgaris [L.] Hull, Erica spp.) vs. nonsupplementation on parasite burden, fecal egg counts (FEC), and live weight (LW) changes. Goats were randomly assigned to four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement and grazed continuously from May to October. Six goats per treatment were slaughtered at the end of the grazing period, and adult worms in the abomasum and small and large intestines of each animal were recovered, Counted, and identified. FEC was affected by SR (P < 0.01.) but not by H. However, the SR X H interaction was significant (P < 0.05). FEC increased (P < 0.001) along the grazing season in all treatments, and the SR X time interaction was significant (P < 0.001). In general, mean total worm Counts in abomasum and small intestine tended to be higher under high SR, although the differences were only significant (P < 0.01) in Trichostrongylus spp. counts. In goats managed under the high SR, the mean of total Teladorsagia circumcinota counts was lower (P < 0.01) in supplemented animals, but no differences were recorded for Trichostrongylus spp., Chabertia ovina, Oesophagostomum columbianum, and Trichuris ovis. The goats gained more LW (P < 0.001) under low SR and when they were heather-supplemented. No significant SR x H interaction was found for LW change. In conclusion, high stocking rate increases the infectivity risk of pasture and the supplementation of grazing goats with heather contributing to improve animals' performance. Notwithstanding, the effect of heather availability on nematode FEC reduction could be highly dependent on the climatic conditions.

The aim of this study, performed on 62 adult dry CAshmere goats grazing pernnial ryegrass-shite clover pastures and naturally-infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, was to investigate the effects of tannin-containing heather supplementation on faecal egg counts, parasite burden and body weight changes in goats managed under two different stocking rates. Goatas were randomly assigned to four treatmentes in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: two feeding treatments (supplementation with heather vs non-supplementation) and two stocking rates (24 vs 38 goats/ha). Six goats per treatment were slaughtered at the end of the grazing period, with adult worms in the abomasum and small and large intestines of each animal recovered, counted, and identified according to species. Results showed that goats gained significantly (P < 0.001) more body weight when supplemented with heather. Faecal egg counts were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by socking rate, however for heather supplementation, no differences were observed in goats under the lower stocking rate, but lower mean values were found throughout the experiment in the group receiving heather under the higher stocking rate (P = 0.07). Mean total abomasal worm counts of Teladorsagia circumcincta were lower in supplemented animals, but the difference was only significant (P < 0.01) in those managed under the higher stocking rate. In conclusion, although feeding heather to goats has the potential to contribute to the control of some abomasal nematode parasites, it could be dependent on grazing pressure and climatic conditions.

To test the hypothesis that the beneficial anthelmintic effect of the consumption of moderate amounts of tannins is not always accompanied by anti-nutritional effects, we used 48 Cashmere goats randomly assigned to 2 treatments [supplemented with heather (6,4% total tannins) vs non-supplemented]. All goats grazed continously from May to September, under practical conditions in a mountain area of Northem Spain. Heather percentage in the diet of supplemented animals reached 29,1%. Supplementation with heather reduced the mean number of nematode eggs in faeces (P < 0.001) and the mortality rate (at the end of the grazing period, 2 goats had died in the group supplemented with heather vs 8 in the group without supplementation; P < 0.05). Rumen ammonia concentration was markedly decreased in goats receiving tannin-containing heather (160 vs 209 mmol/l; P < 0.01), which agrees with the well known effect of tannins on the proteolysis of feed protein. On the contrary, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were significantly greater in supplemented animals (63.0 vs 53.6 mmol total VFA/L) due mainly to acetic and propionic acid increases (approx. 26 and 16%, respectively), in spite of faleric and branched-VFA decreases, which suggests that ruminal fermentation was not adversely affected by tannin consumption. These data, together with a lower loss of live weight (P< 0.10) and body condition score (P< 0.05) in heather supplemented goats, support the absence of any apparent nutritional cost that counteracted the beneficial anthelmintic effect of the supplementation of grazing goats with tannin-containing heather.

To test the hypothesis that the beneficial anthelmintic effect of consuming moderate amounts of tannins may not always be accompanied by anti-nutritional effects in goats, two experiments were conducted In the first, 48 Cashmere goats were randomly assigned to two treatments: supplementation with tannin-containing heather (6.4% total tannins) and non-supplementation. All goats grazed continuously from May to September under farm conditions in a mountainous area of northern Spain. The mean percentage of heather incorporated into the diet of the supplemented animals was 29.1%. Supplementation reduced the mean number of nematode eggs in faeces (P < 0.001) and the goat mortality rate (P < 0.05). The rumen ammonia concentration was markedly reduced in the goats receiving the heather supplement (160 v. 209 mg/l, P < 0.01), while volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were significantly greater (63.0 v. 53.6 mmol total VFA/l, P < 0.05). The heather-supplemented goats also showed a lower loss of live weight (P < 0.01) and body condition score (P < 0.001). In the second experiment, batch cultures of rumen microorganisms with rumen fluid from nine goats whose diet included 29% heather - or not, were used to incubate three substrates (pasture, pasture + heather and pasture + heather + polyethylene glycol) to investigate in vitro ruminal fermentation. Differences (P < 0.01) among substrates were observed in terms of dry matter disappearance (DMD), in vitro true substrate digestibility (ivTSD), gas production and ammonia concentration, the greatest values always associated with the pasture substrate. cultures involving rumen inoculum derived from goats receiving the heather-containing diet showed slightly lower DMD (46.9 v. 48.5 g/100 g, P < 0.05), ivTSD (64.6 v. 65.9 g/100 g; P < 0, 10) and gas production (105 v. 118 ml/g; P < 0.001) values, but much greater total VFA concentrations (48.5 v. 39.3 mmol/l; P < 0.05), and suggest that the efficiency of ruminal fermentation in th

To investigate anthelmintic and nutritional effects of heather supplementation in goats grazing perennial ryegrass-white clover pastures, 40 dry Cashmere goats were randomly assigned to 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: 2 grazing management treatments (supplementation with heather vs. nonsupplementation) and 2 anthelmintic treatments (treatment vs. nontreatment). Goats grazed continuously from May to September 2004. At the end of the grazing period, the number of dead goats due to gastrointestinal parasitism was 1 in the group supplemented with heather and dosed with anthelmintic, 4 in the group that received neither supplementation nor anthelmintic, and 0 in the other 2 groups. For goats that did not receive anthelmintic treatment, the percentage of heather in the diet was negatively correlated with fecal egg count in August (r = −0.59, P < 0.05) and September (r = −0.49, P < 0.1) and positively correlated (r = 0.54, P < 0.05) with BW changes during the grazing season. Therefore, the correlation coefficient between BW change and fecal egg count was negative (r = −0.62, P < 0.05). Rumen ammonia concentrations were always lower in supplemented goats (P < 0.05). However, VFA concentrations were greater in goats consuming heather (58.9 vs. 50.9 mmol/L), which suggests that ruminal fermentation was not adversely affected by consumption of tannins. Heather availability in the vegetation might represent a valuable opportunity and sustainable method to control gastrointestinal nematode infections in a goat production system based on grazing perennial ryegrass-white clover pastures.

The enzymatic degradation of the plant cell wall is central both to the natural carbon cycle and, increasingly, to environmentally friendly routes to biomass conversion, including the production of biofuels. The plant cell wall is a complex composite of cellulose microfibrils embedded in diverse polysaccharides collectively termed hemicelluloses. Xyloglucan is one such polysaccharide whose hydrolysis is catalyzed by diverse xyloglucanases. Here we present the structure of the Clostridium thermocellum xyloglucanase Xgh74A in both apo and ligand-complexed forms. The structures, in combination with mutagenesis data on the catalytic residues and the kinetics and specificity of xyloglucan hydrolysis reveal a complex subsite specificity accommodating seventeen monosaccharide moieties of the multibranched substrate in an open substrate binding terrain., QC 20100624

The enzymatic degradation of the plant cell wall is central both to the natural carbon cycle and, increasingly, to environmentally friendly routes to biomass conversion, including the production of biofuels. The plant cell wall is a complex composite of cellulose microfibrils embedded in diverse polysaccharides collectively termed hemicelluloses. Xyloglucan is one such polysaccharide whose hydrolysis is catalyzed by diverse xyloglucanases. Here we present the structure of the Clostridium thermocellum xyloglucanase Xgh74A in both apo and ligand-complexed forms. The structures, in combination with mutagenesis data on the catalytic residues and the kinetics and specificity of xyloglucan hydrolysis reveal a complex subsite specificity accommodating seventeen monosaccharide moieties of the multibranched substrate in an open substrate binding terrain.

The enzymatic degradation of plant cell wall xylan requires the concerted action of a diverse enzymatic syndicate. Among these enzymes are xylan esterases, which hydrolyze the O-acetyl substituents, primarily at the O-2 position of the xylan backbone. All acetylxylan esterase structures described previously display a alpha/beta hydrolase fold with a "Ser-His-Asp" catalytic triad. Here we report the structures of two distinct acetylxylan esterases, those from Streptomyces lividans and Clostridium thermocellum, in native and complex forms, with x-ray data to between 1.6 and 1.0 A resolution. We show, using a novel linked assay system with PNP-2-O-acetylxyloside and a beta-xylosidase, that the enzymes are sugar-specific and metal ion-dependent and possess a single metal center with a chemical preference for Co2+. Asp and His side chains complete the catalytic machinery. Different metal ion preferences for the two enzymes may reflect the surprising diversity with which the metal ion coordinates residues and ligands in the active center environment of the S. lividans and C. thermocellum enzymes. These "CE4" esterases involved in plant cell wall degradation are shown to be closely related to the de-N-acetylases involved in chitin and peptidoglycan degradation (Blair, D. E., Schuettelkopf, A. W., MacRae, J. I., and Aalten, D. M. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 102, 15429-15434), which form the NodB deacetylase "superfamily."