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Hypothesis is that dietary ajwain (Trachyspermum copticum L.), a phytogenic feed additive, could improve the performance of broiler chickens. On a total of 200 Ross 308 male broilers, during the 42-d growing period (starter: day 1–14; grower: day 15–28 and finisher: day 29–42), varying levels of ajwain alcoholic extract (0, 150, 350 and 450 ppm) were added to the drinking water. A control treatment containing the Virginiamycin antibiotic was also studied. Within each treatment and period, the performances were evaluated and the Economic index calculated. On day 42, two birds per pen were killed and the carcase and organ weights determined. On day 42, on two birds per pen, blood samples were collected on the farm to study the serum parameters. On birds, vaccinated against sheep red blood cells at 14 and 35 days, blood samples were collected at 21 and 42 days of age to determine total Ig, IgG and IgM antibodies and, at day 42, the spleen and bursa of Fabricius were weighed. The microflora on the caecum content was counted. Ajwain extract significantly (p <.05) influenced productive performances, blood parameters, immune parameters and gut microbiota, indicating its possible role as a substitute for antibiotics in a sustainable poultry industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the production system on growth performances and meat quality of suckling Messinese goat kids. At birth, 102 suckling kids were divided into two homogeneous groups for sex and body weight (3.4 kg); animals of the SES group were fed exclusively with spontaneous pasture and kept in the stable during the evening; animals of the ES group were fed exclusively with spontaneous pasture, characterised by the presence of Quercus suber, and kept exclusively outdoors. From birth to weaning, kids were weighed every10 days. At slaughter, carcase yields and meat quality traits on the Longissimus dorsi muscle were studied. Data were subjected to ANOVA. ES group showed the highest final body weight (10.53 kg vs. 9.40 kg; p <.001). As regard the meat traits, ES group showed the lowest final pH (5.63 vs. 5.96; p <.001), the lowest value of Hue (46.24 vs. 62.64; p <.005) and the highest values of cooking loss (ES 25.53% vs. SES 19.60%; p <.05) and shear force (ES 5.04 kg/cm2 vs. SES 3.63 kg/cm2; p <.05). Chemical composition showed similar values in both groups. Meat fatty acid composition showed the highest values of MUFA (45.89% vs. 40.90%; p <.05) and PUFA (0.14% vs. 0.11%; p <.05) and the lowest of ω – 6/ω – 3 ratio (4.89 vs. 6.98; p <.05) and Thrombogenic Index (1.64 vs. 1.98; p <.05) in the ES group. The results confirm the favourable characteristics of goat meat and the relation between the typical production system of goats in the Nebrodi area and their performances. The production system did not affect the weight of kids at birth, while there were significant differences in kid's performance in relation to the breeding system. The chemical composition of the LD muscle was not affect by the production system. The production system significantly influenced the fatty acid composition of the meat. The meat quality parameters studied reflect the modern guidelines for a healthy diet recommend, that reduce the animal fat consumption, especially if rich in saturated fatty acids, and could be a tool to identify and characterise a product with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) as 'capretto Messinese'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For over three centuries, thoroughbred (TB) horses have been selected exclusively for traits enhancing racing performances. Officially the TB origins can be genetically traced back along the male line due to the crossbreeding among 50 English royal mares and four Arab oriental stallions in 1700s. Because of the TB population is tightly controlled, possible loss of genetic variability should be carefully evaluated for breed conservation and management programme. To this aim FTA® cards of 10032 TB foals over a 14-year new-born campaign period were collected for genetic variability evaluation using 16 microsatellite markers. Total number of allele was 118 with a mean value of 7.37 alleles per locus; Polymorphic information content (PIC) values were above the informative threshold (PIC >0.5) for all microsatellites except for HTG4 and HMS2 whereas no significant differences were showed between the mean expected (He) and observed heterozygosity (Ho) values (0.674 vs. 0.675, respectively). Hardy–Weinberg proportion exhibited no statistically significant deviation from equilibrium (p <.05) for all loci; the inbreeding coefficient mean was close to zero suggesting very low probability of autozygosity. The number of genotypes observed (Ng) was calculated for each microsatellite and the most representative was found at the HMS2 locus (LL, frequency 0.557). Parentage testing was also investigated reporting a combined probability of identity (PI) for the 16 loci of 4.1 × 10−14 while the probability of exclusion (PE) exceeded 99% in all cases. Overall data reported a reasonable level of informativeness which genuinely reflect the narrower genetic structure of the Thoroughbred population. Thoroughbred population from Italy did not show any significant evidence for close inbreeding; a moderate level of genetic diversity was found at some loci yet still adequate for parentage and identity verification. Appropriate management programme could be placed to introduce new genetic variability in the Italian Thoroughbred population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to characterise some of the most representative Sicilian honeys. Sugars, pH and minerals were determined with conventional analyses. Chestnut honeys showed the lowest sugar content, with a fructose and glucose sum of 62.31 g/100g. Citrus and Eucalyptus honeys showed the highest fructose content (38.08 and 38.04 g/100g), while Citrus and Sulla honeys had the highest sucrose content (3.16 and 3.92 g/100g). The highest fructose to glucose ratio was 1.59, found for Chestnut honeys, which had also the highest pH-value of 4.98. Potassium is the most abundant element in honey and the highest values were found for Chestnut and Eucalyptus honey (4.412 and 1.956 mg/g). Among micro-minerals, Zinc showed the highest concentration, ranging from 4.64 to 7.16 µg/g. Alongside physicochemical analyses, E-tongue and computer vision was used to estimate the organoleptic proprieties of honey. In particular, Pearson's correlation was used to study the relationship between the electrical E-tongue' signals, pH and sugars content, which have a major influence on the main taste attributes investigated in honey. Chestnut honeys scored the lowest values for the sweet and sour taste, being the bitterest among the samples evaluated. On the other hand, Sulla and Citrus honeys were the sweetest and the sourest. The colour of honey was examined with machine vision and the weight of the different minerals on the colour parameters was disclosed, resulting in dark colours correlated to sodium and microelements, and in a light colour that showed a negative correlation with potassium and magnesium. A novel instrumental approach was used to characterise Sicilian honey. Physicochemical parameters of Sicilian honeys were determined. Electronic senses were used to perform a human-like sensory evaluation. Correlation between physicochemical and organoleptic properties has been disclosed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on nine buffalo farms (a total of 692 buffaloes), five intensive herds (161 lactating buffalo cows) and four semiextensive herds (111 lactating buffalo cows), which are the most common in Sicily. The average milk and cheese yield, fat, protein and lactose contents were very similar between the two breeding systems. Milk casein was higher (P=0.04) in intensive herds than in semiextensive herds (4.07% vs 3.51%), whereas the urea content was higher in semi-extensive herds (40.68 mg/dL vs 37.50 mg/dL), yet within the normal range for buffalo milk. As regards milk pH and titration acidity (°SH), no difference was observed between the two breeding systems. Milk produced by the intensive herds scored the best clotting ability with shorter curd firming time (k20 3.08 min) and greater curd firmness (a30 32.69 mm). Milk produced by the semi-extensive herds, instead, was characterized by a longer curd firming time (k20 5.26 min) and lower curd firmness (a30 27.33 mm). This milk from buffaloes bred in Sicily (Italy) also showed a good chemical composition and clotting ability in particular when produced by the intensive herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to make an initial contribution to carcass traits and meat quality for typing and product certification, using sixteen male (M) and twelve female (F) Cinisara cattle, a native Italian breed. The animals were sampled in the most representative farms of the Consortium of Cinisara breed. Carcass traits of the Cinisara males showed significantly higher carcass weight and SEUROP scores in comparison to the females, while similar values were observed for fatness scores. As regards meat quality, lightness (M 44.90 vs F 43.25), redness index (M 18.03 vs F 17.86), hue angle (M 21.71 vs F 23.76), cooking losses (M 24.44% vs F 24.98%), tenderness (M 3.36 kg/cm2 vs F 3.41 kgf/cm2), protein (M 22.58% vs F 21.84%) and fat (M 1.88% vs F 2.63%) showed no significant differences between males and females. No data are available in the literature for Cinisara cattle; therefore, our results may be considered as an original set of knowledge useful for the salvage of this endangered, local, native breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]