Ministry of Agriculture

About: Ministry of Agriculture is a government organization based out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Biology & Chemistry. The organization has 1153 authors who have published 1189 publications receiving 14442 citations.

(Epidemiological situation of bovine brucellosis in the State of Rondônia, Brazil)

Abstract: A study to characterize the brucellosis epidemiological situation in the State of Rondonia was carried out. The State was divided into three regions. Three hundred herds were randomly sampled in each region. A pre-established number of animals were sampled in each of these herds. From 927 herds and 9,717 serum samples were collected. In each herd, it was applied an epidemiological questionnaire regarding herd features and also husbandry and sanitary practices that could be associated with risk of infection. The serum samples were screened for antibodies to Brucella spp. by the Rose-Bengal Test (RBT), and all RBT-positive sera were re-tested by the 2-mercaptoethanol test (2-ME). The herd was considered positive if at least one animal was positive on both RBT and 2-ME tests. The prevalences of infected herds and animals in Rondonia State were 35.2% [32.1–38.4%] and 6.2% [4.9–7.6%], respectively. In the regions, the prevalences of infected herds and animals were, respectively: region 1, 41.9% [36.3–47.6%] and 8.3% [5.9–10.8%]; region 2, 31.7% [26.5–37.2%] and 5.9% [4.3–7.6%]; and region 3, 31.9% [26.7– 37.4%] and 4.6% [2.5–6.6%]. The risk factors (odds ratio, OR) associated with the presence of the infection were: recent history of abortion (OR= 1.42 [1.04–1.95]) and beef herd (OR=1.75 [1.30–2.38]).

Testing green coffee for ochratoxin A, part I: estimation of variance components.

Abstract: The variability associated with testing lots of green coffee beans for ochratoxin A (OTA) was investigated. Twenty-five lots of green coffee were tested for OTA contamination. The total variance associated with testing green coffee was estimated and partitioned into sampling, sample preparation, and analytical variances. All variances increased with an increase in OTA concentration. Using regression analysis, mathematical expressions were developed to model the relationship between OTA concentration and the total, sampling, sample preparation, and analytical variances. The expressions for these relationships were used to estimate the variance for any sample size, subsample size, and number of analyses for a specific OTA concentration. Testing a lot with 5 microg/kg OTA using a 1 kg sample, Romer RAS mill, 25 g subsamples, and liquid chromatography analysis, the total, sampling, sample preparation, and analytical variances were 10.75 (coefficient of variation [CV] = 65.6%), 7.80 (CV = 55.8%), 2.84 (CV = 33.7%), and 0.11 (CV = 6.6%), respectively. The total variance for sampling, sample preparation, and analytical were 73, 26, and 1%, respectively.

Risk assessment of 22 chemical elements in dry and canned pet foods

Abstract: There is little information on the levels of chemical elements in pet food considering the dietary requirements as well as risk assessment of toxicity. This study aimed to determine the essential and toxic elements in dry and canned foods for dogs and cats and estimate their daily intake. We compared the levels of the chemical elements between the dry and wet (canned) food to the levels recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) and the maximum tolerable level proposed by European Commission (EC). In addition, the estimated daily intake (EDI) for each one of the elements through food was calculated. Seventy-six dry food samples (dogs n = 62 and cats n = 14) from 43 brands and 12 canned foods (dogs n = 6 and cats n = 6) from 5 brands, were purchased from Brazilian supermarkets. Mean levels of all essential elements reached the minimum level recommended by AACFO. Selenium levels were very close to the maximum limit proposed by AAFCO. Besides, the iron concentrations in canned (moist) food were statistically higher than in dry food and its EDI for cats (54 mg/day × kg body weight) exceeded the maximum limit recommended by FEDIAF. Regarding the toxic metals, the concentrations of mercury and cadmium, in dry and canned food, were considerably higher than the maximum tolerable level proposed by EC. Overall, the results show that levels of essential elements are in agreement with the nutrient requirement. On the other hand, mercury and cadmium in pet food are an issue of concern.

Uso de óleo na dieta de eqüinos submetidos ao exercício

Abstract: The objective of this research was to estimate, by haematophysiological parameters, the physical performance of horses under exercise of mid intensity and fed diets with two levels of vegetal oil (250 and 500 g/day). Eighteen castrated thoroughbred horses aging from 4 and 8 years old and averaging body weight of 456±2.90 kg were alloted to a split plot approach with repeated measures over time in a completely randomized design, with the collection times in the sub-plots and the soybean oil levels (0, 250 and 500 g per horse per day) in the plots. During 30 days, the horses were fed 8.40, 7.95, and 7.30 kg/day of diets with 0, 250 and 500 g of oil, respectively, divided in three daily feeds. At the end of 30 days, the exercise test was performed with all horses, during 2 hours, at large trot. At the beginning and at the end of the exercise, the levels of glucose, lactate, haematocrit, body temperature were estimated. The heart and respiratory rates were taken at the beginning, 1 and 2 hours of exercise and 15 minutes after the end of the exercise. Interaction of collection times ´ dietary oil levels on the levels of glucose, lactate, and haematocrit, body temperature, and heart and respiratory frequencies was observed. The supplementation of 250 and 500 g of oil in the diet of equines under exercise of mid intensity increased haematophysiological performance, that can improve horse athletic performance. The horses daily fed 500 g of oil showed better recovery post-trial, and that is verified by the values of heart rate and of haematocrit.