Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin notably produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract (BSFE) contains specific enzymes which hydrolyse OTA. This study evaluated the efficiency of BSFE in ameliorating the immunotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of OTA in broiler chickens.

Introduction: The aim of the study was the application and evaluation of real-time PCRs based on the fluorescence of SYBR Green I intercalating dye for the detection of three Bacillus anthracis genes in contaminated liver and blood samples. The goals for detection were rpoB gene as a chromosomal marker, pag gene located on plasmid pXO1, and capC gene located on plasmid pXO2. Material and Methods: Five B. anthracis strains were used for the experiments. Additionally, single strains of other species of the genus Bacillus, i.e. B. cereus, B. brevis, B. subtilis, and B. megaterium, and strains of six other species were used for evaluation of the specificity of the tests. Three SYBR Green I real-time PCRs were conducted allowing confirmation of B. anthracis in the biological samples. Results: The observation of amplification curves in real-time PCRs enabled the detection of the chromosomally encoded rpoB gene, pag gene, and capC gene of B. anthracis. The specificity of the tests was confirmed by estimation of the melting temperature of the PCR products. The sensitivity and linearity of the reactions were determined using regression coefficients. Strains of other microbial species did not reveal real-time PCR products. Conclusion: All real-time PCRs for the detection of B. anthracis in biological samples demonstrated a significant sensitivity and high specificity.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin notably produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract (BSFE) contains specific enzymes which hydrolyse OTA. This study evaluated the efficiency of BSFE in ameliorating the immunotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of OTA in broiler chickens. Day-old broiler chicks were divided equally into four groups of ten: control, OTA (0.5 mg/kg feed), BSFE product (1 mL/L water) and OTA + BSFE at the same concentrations. The chicks were vaccinated against avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and infectious bronchitis, and lymphoproliferation was induced in all birds by phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P). Serum samples were taken before sacrifice and organ tissue samples were taken after, in which renal function biomarkers were assayed and the presence of OTA residue was evaluated by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Protein markers of apoptosis were determined by qPCR, and tissue lesions were examined histopathologically. Exposure to OTA significantly decreased the antibody response to the vaccines and the lymphoproliferative response to PHA-P, and significantly elevated the renal function indicators: serum urea, uric acid and creatinine. It also induced oxidative stress (reduced catalase activity and glutathione concentration), lipid peroxidation (increased malondialdehyde content), apoptosis (increased Bax and Caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2 gene levels) and pathological lesions in kidney, bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus tissue. Residues of OTA were detected in the serum and tissue. BSFE mitigated most of these toxic effects. BSFE counters OTA-induced immunotoxicity and nephrotoxicity because of its content of carboxypeptidase and protease enzymes.

Objectives: The research was carried out on broilers to determine the efficacy of probiotics (Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces boulardii combined) supplementation on growth performances, nutrient retention (metabolizable energy, dry matter, and crude protein), and cecal microbiology (Bifidobacteria spp., Clostridium spp., and coliforms). Materials and Methods: A total of 160 broiler chicks (day-old) were selected and differentiated randomly into 4 groups (T0, T1, T2, and T3) (40 × 4) comprising 40 birds in every single group. The control group (T0) was fed commercial broiler feed only and the other three groups, referred to as treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3), were treated with 1 gm ciprofloxacin, 1 gm probiotic, and 1 gm probiotic plus 0.5 gm enzyme, respectively, in per liter of fresh dietary water 8 h daily for 7 days in each phase. Experimental trials were divided into 2 phases, the starter phase from day 0 to 21 and the finisher phase from day 22 to 35. Results: Bodyweight gain and nutrient retention in experimental broiler birds in treatment groups were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control group. Overall body weight gain and nutrient retention of broiler chicks in treatment groups T2 and T3 were better than T1. From day 22 to 35, cecal Clostridium and coliform bacterial load counts were significantly lower p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively, in T1, T2, and T3 treatments than T0. Overall, Clostridium and coliform bacterial counts in the birds of treatment group T2 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than T0. Conclusion: The probiotics, in addition to enzyme supplementation, had suitable influence effects on growth performance of broilers, birds retention of nutrient, and microfloral count in birds cecum. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(4.000): 534-539]

Microbial proteases have been preferred over animal and plant proteases because of their basic properties and ease of production. Bacillus subtilis SFL, an alkaline-thermal protease-producing bacterium was isolated from different sources of wastewater and identified using morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods. The 16S rDNA sequence has been deposited in GenBank with accession number OP714187. Partial purification of alkaline protease was performed by precipitation by 60% ammonium sulfate and ethyl acetate by the ratio (1:1) and column chromatography (gel filtration) by using a sephadex G-100. The optimum temperature and pH of the partially purified alkaline-thermal protease of Bacillus subtilis SFL was at 40°C and pH 8.0. Our results show that 40 g/l of meat extract and 12 g/l of xylose serve as the best nitrogen and carbon sources respectively for the production of this enzyme. The effect of tested metal ions indicated that Mg+2, Ca+2, Na+, Fe+2, Cu+2, Co+2 and Cd+2 inhibited the activity of the protease from Bacillus subtilis SFL. The crude and partially purified protease from B. subtilis SFL substantially degraded red blood cells, distained blood color, dehaired cow skin and decomposed cow hair.

Meat industry preservation methods to extend the shelf life and maintain the microbial safety of meat products. There is big shortage in research that conducting examination of the antimicrobial activity of Abutilon pannosum choline chloride based extracts (APCCBE). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of APCCBE in inhibiting the growth of common meat pathogens, investigated the potential impact of APCCBE treatment on the meat products shelf life. The polar fraction of Abutilon pannosum leaves fine powder was obtained via a solid-liquid extraction, GC-MS analysis, Antibacterial activity of fresh APCCBE was performed against four strains of microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis using Muller Hinton and six antibiotics discs (50 mg/mL) as follows; “Cefoxitin (FOX), Cephalothin (KF), Cotrimoxazole (TS), Gentamicin (GM), Augmentin (AUG) and Ampicillin (AP). Determination of the storage period of meatballs using packages containing APCCBE were each 100g of meatballs were wrapped by each package film concentration, stored in dark and cool conditions and compared with meatballs wrapped by uncoated PE film package. the study has declared that the APCCBE possess efficient antimicrobial effects against the test bacterial strains. These findings provide valuable knowledge in pathogenic bacteria treatment and food preservation, in addition to its ability in extension the shelf life of the chilled meatballs to about 2 weeks instead of 5 days only in case of control meatballs before and after cooking. Further research is needed to achieve the best application and usage of the extractions of APCCBE.

The survival of pseudorabies virus in an aerosol was studied under different environmental conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Pseudorabies virus decayed logarithmically with mean half-lives of 17.4 (85% relative humidity, 22 C), 18.8 (25% relative humidity, 22 C), 27.3 (85% relative humidity, 4 C), 36.1 (55% relative humidity, 22 C), and 43.6 (55% relative humidity, 4 C) minutes. Virus survival was significantly improved in environments at 55% relative humidity, compared with those at 85% relative humidity (P = 0.017). Rates of survival were improved in environment at 4 C in comparison with those at 22 C. Results suggest that, under the best conditions of this study, the infectivity of pseudorabies virus in an aerosol decreases by 50% in < 1 hour.