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Oak acorn is widely used in livestock feeding due to its low price but in order to use it in the diet of aquatic animals, it is necessary to study the effect of the feed manufacturing process on its usability. Four diets containing: 1) 17% extruded wheat flour, 2) 5% non-extruded wheat flour and 12% extruded wheat flour, 3) 5% non-extruded oak acorn flour and 12% extruded wheat flour, and 4) 5% of extruded oak acorn flour and 12% of extruded wheat flour were evaluated in a completely randomized design with three replicates for each treatment. The fish were reared in round plastic tanks with a volume of 250 liters and a density of 15 fish with an average initial weight of 5.42 ± 0.03 g in each tank. After 8 weeks, the highest weight and total length of fish were observed in treatment 4, so that there was a significant difference with treatment 3 (P<0.05). The amount of protein in the enzyme extract of treatment 1 was significantly higher than other treatments (P<0.05). The highest protease activity was observed in treatment 2, which was significantly different from treatment 3 (P<0.05). Protein digestibility in treatment 2 was significantly higher than other treatments (P<0.05). Significantly, the highest amylase activity was observed in treatment 2 and the lowest carbohydrate digestibility was recorded in treatment 3 (P<0.05). Based on growth indicators, digestive enzyme activity and protein and carbohydrate digestibility, it is recommended to consume oak acorn flour at the level of 5% of common carp extruded diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of oak Acorn on the biodiversity of rumen epimural bacterial population using PCR-SSCP molecular technique in Merkhoz goats. A total of 24 Markhoz goats with a mean BW of 16.93±1.25 kg and an average age of 4-5 months were tested in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 6 replications for 105 days. Experimental treatments included 1) control diet, 2) diet containing 8% oak acorn, 3) diet containing 17% oak acorn and 4) diet containing 25% oak acorn. The results showed that the effect of diet on biodiversity of rumen bacterial epimural community was significant (P <0.001). There was no significant difference between other experimental treatments (P> 0.05), although treatments containing 8% and 17% oak had more variety than treatments containing 25% oak. Sampling site had no effect on biodiversity of rumen bacterial epimural community (P> 0.05). The highest value of Shannon index was related to ventral ruminal site and the lowest was related to reticulum. The interaction effect of diet and sampling position on biodiversity of rumen bacterial epimural community was significant (P> 0.05). The results showed that the use of oak acorn up to 17% in the diet increased the biodiversity of the of rumen bacterial epimural community, while the use of 25% oak in the diet decreased the biodiversity of the rumen bacterial epimural community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of oak inclusion into the diet of ruminants on performance, feed digestibility, milk production and blood metabolites are reviewed herein. Oak as an alternative and available feed are being utilized in many parts of the world, especially in areas suffering from a shortage of feed ingredients. It is evident that different oak species have different impacts on various animal species. Oak fed at low levels in the diet may not affect digestibility, but when they are fed at high level may lead to lessen the digestibility of dry matter. Adding oak products may improve the daily milk yield of goats. Feeding oak acorns and leaves to growing goat kids might not been accompanied by significant improvement in daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio, while when feeding adult sheep on high level of dietary oak, it may result in lowered daily weight gain. Different oak species produce different amounts of tannins, which after ingestion by animals, act to form complexes with the proteins of diet, this may lead to lower digestibility of nutrients or may beneficially affect to positive flow of amino acids into abomasum and small intestine by reducing the protein degradability in the rumen. Thus, the extent of the impact of dietary oak on ruminants’ performance depends on the species of both animals and oak, and the level of oak being used in the diet.

Quercus spp. (Oak) has been used in traditional medicine due to its medicinal properties for centuries. However, its effect on wound healing in the skin is well unknown. This experimental trial was performed to evaluate in vivo wound healing of Oak acorn in the skin of rats. In the present trial, 24 Wistar albino rats were allocated to three groups equally, control (n = 8), Madecassol® (n = 8), and Oak acorn (n = 8). The circular excision wound models by biopsy punch device were applied in the interscapular region in rats. Oak acorn and Madecassol® pomade have been applied to experimental groups per day and normal saline solution and glycerin have been given to the control group locally as placebo. Blood and skin tissue were collected to evaluate histopathological and biochemical alterations on days 7th and 15th. In comparison with the control group, the topical administration of Oak acorn showed definite effects on epithelization, proliferative impacts on fibroblast cells, and enhancing effect on collagen formation by reducing inflammation and edema. Biochemical investigations of skin and blood tissues exhibited that fluctuated malondialdehyde and antioxidant defense system components were rehabilitated in the Oak acorn group. This experimental study revealed that pomade obtained from the Oak acorn displays remarkable wound-healing activity.

The influences of oak inclusion into the diet of ruminants on performance, feed digestibility, milk production and blood metabolites are reviewed herein. Oak as an alternative and available feed are being utilized in many parts of the world, especially in areas suffering from shortage of feed ingredients. It is evident that different oak species have different impacts on various animal species. Oak fed at low levels in the diet may not affect digestibility, but when they are fed at high level may lead to lessen the digestibility of dry matter. Adding oak products may improve the daily milk yield of goats. Feeding oak acorns and leaves to growing goat kids might not been accompanied by significant improvement in daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio, while when feeding adult sheep on high level of dietary oak, it may result in lowered daily weight gain. Different oak species produce different amounts of tannins, which after ingestion by animals, act to form complexes with the proteins of diet, this may lead to lower digestibility of nutrients or may beneficially affect to positive flow of amino acids into abomasum and small intestine by reducing the protein degradability in the rumen. Thus, the extent of the impact of dietary oak on ruminants’ performance depends on the species of both animals and oak, and the level of oak being used in the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Key message Quercus ilex populations from cold habitats display a large lag between seed germination and shoot emergence time, favouring avoidance of late frost events. Populations from mild habitats show the fastest seed germination and shoot emergence rates at moderate temperatures, enabling them to synchronize germination in the late winter-early spring period and a rapid seed-to-seedling transition, during the favourable rainy period. Context Quercus ilex is the most abundant and representative Mediterranean oak species. Identifying and describing intraspecific variation in seed traits is necessary to characterize the germination niche, and to elucidate drivers of species’ range. Aims In order to identify adaptations to local environments that may reflect ecological strategies for stress avoidance and seed survival, we tested under common and optimal conditions whether seed functional traits vary, in Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia Lam., along climatic gradients within its distribution range in Tunisia. Methods We have explored variations in seed morphological traits, desiccation sensitivity level, germination and shoot emergence rates under different controlled temperature conditions, among 15 populations of Q. ilex sampled throughout the Tunisian distribution of the species. Results Significant between-populations differences were observed for morphological seed traits but no relationships could be established with the climate of the sampling sites. In contrast, key physiological traits varied significantly with elevation and temperature. Specifically, mild temperatures in lowland regions were associated with higher seed moisture content, fast germination and shoot emergence rates at moderate temperatures (13 °C) for germination. Seeds of Q. ilex populations from cold sites displayed the fastest germination rates at low temperatures (5 °C) as well as the greatest lag between seed germination and shoot emergence time. Conclusion Intraspecific variation in seed physiological traits is significantly associated with local climate. This functional diversity should be considered when evaluating germplasm and predicting suitability for reforestation and assisted migration programs.

Today, oak fruit as a food ingredient is identified as a substitute for corn in the poultry industry. However, this fruit contains significant amounts of phenolic compounds, such as tannins, which limits its use in poultry diets. Generally, food ingredients containing phenolic compounds can affect the expression of genes in the immune system. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of oak acorn on the expression of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) genes in the bursa Fabricius tissue of broiler chickens. In this study, three diets containing zero, 15% and 20% oak fruits were used to feed broiler chicks in a 42-day period. Total RNA were extracted from bursa Fabricius tissue of 6 chickens for each treatment (18 broiler chickens) on day 42. The expression levels of IL-5 and IL-6 genes were normalized with β-actin gene as a reference gene. To analyze the gene expression data, REST, 2009, V2.0.13 software was used. The results of this study showed that expression of IL-6 gene in bursa Fabricius was not significantly different between treatments at day 42 although its expression in the treatment of 20% of oak acorn was decreasing. The expression of IL-5 gene in bursa Fabricius was significantly decreased in 15% and 20% oak acorn treatments compared to control group. Generally, replacing 15 to 20% of dietary corn with oak acorn can reduce the expression of immune system genes in the tissue of the Bursa Fabricius in broilers due to increased phenolic compounds in the diet. Therefore, it is recommended that lower levels of oak acorn be used in diet of broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercus spp. (Oak) has been used in traditional medicine due to its medicinal properties for centuries. However, its effect on wound healing in the skin is well unknown. This experimental trial was performed to evaluate in vivo wound healing of Oak acorn in the skin of rats. In the present trial, 24 Wistar albino rats were allocated to three groups equally, control (n = 8), Madecassol® (n = 8), and Oak acorn (n = 8). The circular excision wound models by biopsy punch device were applied in the interscapular region in rats. Oak acorn and Madecassol® pomade have been applied to experimental groups per day and normal saline solution and glycerin have been given to the control group locally as placebo. Blood and skin tissue were collected to evaluate histopathological and biochemical alterations on days 7th and 15th. In comparison with the control group, the topical administration of Oak acorn showed definite effects on epithelization, proliferative impacts on fibroblast cells, and enhancing effect on collagen formation by reducing inflammation and edema. Biochemical investigations of skin and blood tissues exhibited that fluctuated malondialdehyde and antioxidant defense system components were rehabilitated in the Oak acorn group. This experimental study revealed that pomade obtained from the Oak acorn displays remarkable woundhealing activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Quercus ilex populations from cold habitats display a large lag between seed germination and shoot emergence time, favouring avoidance of late frost events. Populations from mild habitats show the fastest seed germination and shoot emergence rates at moderate temperatures, enabling them to synchronize germination in the late winter-early spring period and a rapid seed-to-seedling transition, during the favourable rainy period. Context: Quercus ilex is the most abundant and representative Mediterranean oak species. Identifying and describing intraspecific variation in seed traits is necessary to characterize the germination niche, and to elucidate drivers of species' range. Aims: In order to identify adaptations to local environments that may reflect ecological strategies for stress avoidance and seed survival, we tested under common and optimal conditions whether seed functional traits vary, in Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia Lam., along climatic gradients within its distribution range in Tunisia. Methods: We have explored variations in seed morphological traits, desiccation sensitivity level, germination and shoot emergence rates under different controlled temperature conditions, among 15 populations of Q. ilex sampled throughout the Tunisian distribution of the species. Results: Significant between-populations differences were observed for morphological seed traits but no relationships could be established with the climate of the sampling sites. In contrast, key physiological traits varied significantly with elevation and temperature. Specifically, mild temperatures in lowland regions were associated with higher seed moisture content, fast germination and shoot emergence rates at moderate temperatures (13 °C) for germination. Seeds of Q. ilex populations from cold sites displayed the fastest germination rates at low temperatures (5 °C) as well as the greatest lag between seed germination and shoot emergence time. Conclusion: Intraspecific variation in seed physiological traits is significantly associated with local climate. This functional diversity should be considered when evaluating germplasm and predicting suitability for reforestation and assisted migration programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oak acorn is widely used as human food and animal feed. This fruit contains considerable amounts of tannin. A large amount of tannin causes a disturbance in the digestion process. The aim of this study was to reduce the amount of tannin before consuming oak acorn in the diet. Dry and de-hulled acorns were soaked in tap water (1:5; w/v) for 24, 48 and 72 h (treatments 1, 2 and 3 without water exchange and treatments 4, 5 and 6 with water change every 12 h, respectively) at 50 °C. Then acorns were dried at 60 °C for 24 h, milled and sieved with a 250-micron sieve. The highest loss of total phenolic compounds (93.34%), non-tannin phenolic compounds (95.83%) and condensed tannins (96.92%) and the highest increase in protein digestibility were observed in treatment 6 (p

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Oak acorn is widely used as human food and animal feed. This fruit contains considerable amounts of tannin. A large amount of tannin causes a disturbance in the digestion process. The aim of this study was to reduce the amount of tannin before consuming oak acorn in the diet. Dry and dehulled acorns were soaked in tap water (1:5; w/v) for 24, 48 and 72 h (treatments 1, 2 and 3 without water exchange and treatments 4, 5 and 6 with water change every 12 h, respectively) at 50 °C. Then acorns were dried at 60 °C for 24 h, milled and sieved with a 250-micron sieve. The highest loss of total phenolic compounds (93.34%), non-tannin phenolic compounds (95.83%) and condensed tannins (96.92%) and the highest increase in protein digestibility were observed in treatment 6 (p<0.05). Carbohydrate digestibility only in treatment 2 was higher than the control, and the increased soaking time from 48 to 72 h caused a significant decrease in the digestibility of the carbohydrate. Acorn soaking caused a significant elevation in pH in treatment 6. The pH value of digested acorn was not different from the control when water was not changed, however, it was higher than the control when water was changed. In general, treatment 6 is recommended as the best treatment in acorn processing with tap water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]