Evaluation of the and efficiency of in-feed bacteriophage cocktail application to control Typhimurium and Enteritidis infection in broiler chicks.

Bacteriophage (BP) cocktail was partially resistant to different temperatures and pH values.The BP cocktail showed lytic effects on different isolates.The BP cocktail reduced colonization in the internal organs of broilers.

The effect of heavy metals on the nutritional value of Alfalfa: comparison of nutrients and heavy metals of Alfalfa () in industrial and non-industrial areas.

The aim of this study is to compare the nutritional value of Alfalfa and accumulation of heavy metals in the farms near and far from the industrial regions. Three regions were considered located at 2, 32 and 65 km distances from an industrial region, and the nutrient content of the Alfalfa including crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, nitrogen-free extract, and Ash as well as soil and plant heavy metals was determined. The results showed no significant difference in the value of nutrients in the three regions except nitrogen-free extract (mainly starch and sugars).

Effects of diets containing alfalfa hay or barley flour mixed alfalfa silage on feeding behavior, productivity, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites in lactating cows.

The effects of barley flour on the fermentation parameters of alfalfa silage and on the productivity of dairy cows were investigated. Alfalfa forage was ensiled either with or without barley flour. Barley flour was soaked in water for 24 h before being mixed with alfalfa (12 kg: 100 kg dry matter bases) at ensiling.

Relative fibrolytic activities of anaerobic rumen fungi on untreated and sodium hydroxide treated barley straw in in vitro culture.

The fibrolytic activities of rumen fungi were studied in terms of dry matter loss, plant cell wall degradation and enzyme (cellulase and xylanase) activities, when grown in vitro on either untreated or sodium hydroxide treated stems of barley straw over a 12 day period. Changes in fungal growth, development and overall biomass were followed using chitin assay and scanning electron microscopy. Treatment with sodium hydroxide resulted in a decrease in the NDF content together with the disruption of cuticle and the loosening and separation of the plant cells within the straw fragments.

Distribution and estimation of anaerobic zoosporic fungi along the digestive tracts of sheep.

The status of anaerobic zoosporic (Chytridiomycota) fungi along the entire digestive tract of sheep was assessed both analytically and microscopically. Digest samples were taken from different segments of the digestive tracts of three newly killed sheep that previously had been used in experimental dietary studies. These digest samples were tested for the presence of rumen fungi by assessing the recovery of live fungi from the samples, direct observation of digested plant remains under the scanning electron microscope (SEM), and using a chitin assay as an estimation of fungal biomass.

Methods for the isolation, culture and assessment of the status of anaerobic rumen chytrids in both in vitro and in vivo systems.

Anaerobic fungi were isolated from both the rumen and faeces of nine sheep and a cow. A reliable and simple method for the isolation of anaerobic fungi using 24 h rumen incubated milled straw as the inoculum source was developed. We also evaluate the use of chitin measurements as an assay of rumen fungal biomass.