-
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022A novel composite binder (humic acid modified bentonite, HAMB) and two other binders (bentonite and Modified humic acid, MHA) were used to explore the effects of binders...
A novel composite binder (humic acid modified bentonite, HAMB) and two other binders (bentonite and Modified humic acid, MHA) were used to explore the effects of binders on the properties of magnetite green pellets in this study. The results of green pellet properties and drying tests show that the low doses of a humic substance-based binder can achieve the same effect as high doses of bentonite binder. A humic substance-based binder could be a promising organic binder to replace bentonite. Meanwhile, the influence mechanism of adding different binders on the strength of green pellet was discussed, and the relationship between moisture content in the pellet and the compression strength of three binders was determined. A TG-DSC analysis found that the novel composite binder (HAMB) was not a simple mix of humic acid and bentonite, in which a humic substance could change the structure of bentonite and reduce the thermal stability of bentonite, causing the HAMB composite binder to have a high decomposition temperature.
PubMed: 36234339
DOI: 10.3390/ma15196999 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023Due to the detrimental impact of steel industry emissions on the environment, countries worldwide prioritize green development. Replacing sintered iron ore with pellets...
Due to the detrimental impact of steel industry emissions on the environment, countries worldwide prioritize green development. Replacing sintered iron ore with pellets holds promise for emission reduction and environmental protection. As high-grade iron ore resources decline, research on limonite pellet technology becomes crucial. However, pellets undergo rigorous mechanical actions during production and use. This study prepared a series of limonite pellet samples with varying ratios and measured their compressive strength. The influence of humic acid on the compressive strength of green and indurated pellets was explored. The results indicate that humic acid enhances the strength of green pellets but reduces that of indurated limonite pellets, which exhibit lower compressive strength compared to bentonite-based pellets. Furthermore, artificial neural networks (ANN) predicted the compressive strength of humic acid and bentonite-based pellets, establishing the relationship between input variables (binder content, pellet diameter, and weight) and output response (compressive strength). Integrating pellet technology and machine learning drives limonite pellet advancement, contributing to emission reduction and environmental preservation.
PubMed: 37512459
DOI: 10.3390/ma16145184 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2021Analysis of the human milk microbiome is complicated by the presence of a variable quantity of fat. The fat fraction of human milk is typically discarded prior to...
Analysis of the human milk microbiome is complicated by the presence of a variable quantity of fat. The fat fraction of human milk is typically discarded prior to analysis. It is assumed that all cells are pelleted out of human milk by high speed centrifugation; however, studies of bovine milk have reported that bacteria may remain trapped within the fat fraction. Here, the bacterial DNA profiles of the fat fraction and cell pellet of human milk (n = 10) were analysed. Human and bacterial DNA was consistently recovered from the fat fraction of human milk (average of 12.4% and 32.7%, respectively). Staphylococcus epidermidis was significantly more abundant in the cell pellet compared to the fat fraction (P = 0.038), and three low-abundance species (< 5% relative abundance) were recovered from one fraction only. However, inclusion of fat reduced the efficiency of DNA extraction by 39%. Culture-based methods were used to quantify the distribution of an exogenously added strain of Staphylococcus aureus in human milk fractions. S. aureus was consistently recovered from the fat fraction (average 28.9%). Bacterial DNA profiles generated from skim milk or cell pellets are not representative of the entire human milk microbiome. These data have critical implications for the design of future work in this field.
Topics: Centrifugation; DNA, Bacterial; Fats; Humans; Milk, Human; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 33436707
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79793-y -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2020Two experiments were conducted to determine the stability of microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated forms of vitamins in diets during extrusion and pelleting. We...
Two experiments were conducted to determine the stability of microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated forms of vitamins in diets during extrusion and pelleting. We investigated the recovery of vitamins in swine diets after extrusion at 100 °C, 140 °C, or 180 °C. Next, two diets were conditioned at 65 °C (low temperature; LT) or 85 °C (high temperature; HT), and pellets were formed using a 2.5 × 15.0 mm (low length-to-diameter ratio; LR) or 2.5 × 20.0 mm (high length-to-diameter ratio; HR) die. The extrusion temperature had a significant effect on the recovery of vitamins E, B, B, B, and B in the diets. The diet extruded at 100 °C had higher B, B, B, and B vitamin recoveries than diets extruded at 140 °C and 180 °C. Microencapsulated vitamins A and K had greater stability than non-microencapsulated vitamins A and K at 100 °C and 140 °C extrusion. In the diet extruded at 180 °C, microencapsulated vitamins A, D, and K had higher recoveries than non-microencapsulated vitamins A, D, and K. The recovery of vitamin K in diets after LTLR (low temperature + low length-to-diameter ratio) or HTLR (high temperature + low length-to-diameter ratio) pelleting was greater ( < 0.05) than after LTHR (low temperature + high length-to-diameter ratio) and HTHR (high temperature + high length-to-diameter ratio) pelleting. Our results clearly show that low extrusion temperature and low pellet temperature, and a low length-to-diameter ratio (L:D ratio) for pellet mill die are recommended for pig feed. Moreover, microencapsulated vitamins had greater stability compared to non-microencapsulated vitamins.
PubMed: 32443930
DOI: 10.3390/ani10050894 -
Drug Delivery Dec 2022Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide, and reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only factor that can be interfered to delay...
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide, and reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only factor that can be interfered to delay disease progression. As the first line and preferred method to treat glaucoma, eye drops have many shortcomings, such as low bioavailability, poor patient compliance, and unsustainable therapeutic effect. In this study, a highly efficient brimonidine (BRI) silicone rubber implant (BRI@SR@TPU implant) has been designed, prepared, characterized, and administrated for sustained relief of IOP to treat glaucoma. The BRI release from BRI@SR@TPU implants shows a sustainable release profile for up to 35 d, with decreased burst release and increased immediate drug concentration. The carrier materials are not cytotoxic to human corneal epithelial cells and conjunctival epithelial cells, and show good biocompatibility, which can be safely administrated into rabbit's conjunctival sac. The BRI@SR@TPU implant sustainably released BRI and effectively reduced IOP for 18 d (72 times) compared to the commercial BRI eye drops (6 h). The BRI@SR@TPU implant is thus a promising noninvasive platform product for long-term IOP-reducing in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
Topics: Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Brimonidine Tartrate; Cell Line; Delayed-Action Preparations; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Implants; Drug Liberation; Glaucoma; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Ophthalmic Solutions; Rabbits; Random Allocation; Silicones
PubMed: 35174743
DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2039806 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2020This study aimed to optimise the production conditions of wheat straw (WS) pellets and pellets with the additives of cassava starch (CS) or calcium carbonate (CC) based...
Characterisation of Wheat Straw Pellets Individually and in Combination with Cassava Starch or Calcium Carbonate under Various Compaction Conditions: Determination of Pellet Strength and Water Absorption Capacity.
This study aimed to optimise the production conditions of wheat straw (WS) pellets and pellets with the additives of cassava starch (CS) or calcium carbonate (CC) based on the criteria of pellet strength and water absorption by crushed pellets. The pellets produced using a 2-10%-wt/wt additive ratio, material moisture of 10-30% w.b., die height of 66-86 mm, and material temperature of 78-108 °C were tested. The influence these factors on the strength parameters of pellets was different than on the water absorption by the crushed pellets. The pellets made of WS blended with CC additive were characterised by better strength parameters and the compressed pellets were characterised by better water absorption than those with CS. High and positive correlation among specific pellet compression work, elasticity modulus for pellet compression, and tensile strength values were observed. As the strength parameters of pellets showed high correlation with single pellet density, for the consistency of conclusions, the optimal conditions for pellet production were assumed based on the density. For optimal conditions at 4% wt/wt additive ratio, 23% w.b. material moisture, 78 mm die height, and 80 °C material temperature, the specific pellet compression work was 3.22 mJ·mm, elasticity modulus was 5.78 MPa, and maximum tensile strength of the pellets was 2.68 MPa; moreover, the water absorption by crushed pellets amounted to 2.60 g HO·g of dry matter.
PubMed: 33019574
DOI: 10.3390/ma13194375 -
Drug Delivery Dec 2021Minocycline hydrochloride (MINO) has been one of the most frequently used antibiotics in the treatment of periodontitis due to its antibacterial activity and...
Minocycline hydrochloride (MINO) has been one of the most frequently used antibiotics in the treatment of periodontitis due to its antibacterial activity and osteogenesis effects; however, high levels of MINO administered during the treatment halt the formation of new bone. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to prepare a MINO-microsphere/sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) hybrid depot to reduce the burst release of MINO and ensure antibacterial and osteogenesis effects of MINO in the treatment of periodontitis. Uniform microspheres, approximately 5 µm size, with a slightly rough surface and different MINO loading (10, 12, and 14%) were prepared, and the microspheres were added into SAIB, after which the burst release significantly decreased from 66.18 to 2.92%, from 71.82 to 3.82%, and from 73.35 to 4.45%, respectively, and the release from all the MINO-microspheres/SAIB hybrid depots lasted for 77 days. In addition, cytotoxicity test showed that the MINO-microsphere with 12% drug loading promoted the proliferation of osteoblasts the most and was subsequently used in vivo experiments. Moreover, in the model of ligatured-induced periodontitis in SD rats, the MINO-microsphere/SAIB hybrid depot not only significantly increased the alveolar bone height and bone volume but also reduced the inflammation of the periodontal tissue. Additionally, it also inhibited the expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and promoted the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG).. These results indicated that the MINO-microsphere/SAIB hybrid depot might be promising in the treatment of periodontitis.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Implants; Drug Liberation; Microspheres; Minocycline; Osteoblasts; Osteogenesis; Osteoprotegerin; Periodontitis; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; Sucrose
PubMed: 33779441
DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2021.1902020 -
Veterinary World Aug 2021Poor palatability, low bulk density, and low nutritive value restrict the utilization of the crop residues as animal feeds. Altering the physical characteristics of feed...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Poor palatability, low bulk density, and low nutritive value restrict the utilization of the crop residues as animal feeds. Altering the physical characteristics of feed by blending the roughage and concentrates in the form of complete feed improves the nutrient use efficiency and reduces the feed wastage, feed cost, and labor cost. The study aims to determine suitable processing methods (mash, pellet, or block forms) for efficient utilization of sorghum stover-based complete rations vis-a-vis conventional feeding methods in sheep.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The sorghum stover was incorporated in complete rations with roughage to concentrate ratio of 50:50 proportion in a growth trial of 120 days. The feed ingredients were chaffed, ground in a hammer mill, passed through expander-extruder, and compressed by feed block machine to prepare chop, mash, pellet, and block form of rations, respectively. Twenty-four male intact growing Nellore×Deccani cross lambs (3.5±0.5 months age, 14.50±0.41 kg (mean ± SD) at the start of the experiment) were divided into four experimental groups of six animals each in a complete randomized design. The experimental rations were randomly allotted to each group and evaluated for their intake, nutrient utilization, and growth performance.
RESULTS
The sheep fed on pellet-based ration consumed a higher (p<0.05) quantity of dry matter. The digestibility coefficients of organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber were higher (p<0.05) in processed rations (mash, pellet, or block). Further, the nitrogen balance (g/d) was higher (p<0.05) in the mash, pellet, and block form of rations, compared to chopped ration. The processing method did not influence calcium or phosphorous balance parameters, except for their urinary losses, which showed an increasing trend (p=0.07). The ram lambs fed with pelleted ration showed higher (p<0.05) weight gain than mash, block, or chaff forms. The efficiency of feed utilization in gaining one kg body weight was higher (p<0.05) in lambs fed a pelleted diet. Feeding pelletized ration was more economical to gain one kg body weight. The bulk density was highest for block-based ration followed by pellet, mash, and conventional rations, and the carrying capacity of truck was highest with the least transport cost in block-form of rations.
CONCLUSION
Physical processing (mash, pellet, and block) of sorghum stover-based complete rations increased the nutrient utilization and growth performance of sheep compared to conventional chopped form. Pelleting the mash with expander-extruder procedure was found to be more profitable. Nevertheless, the cost economics revealed blocks as more preferable forms for transporting the complete rations to larger distances.
PubMed: 34566349
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.2273-2281 -
Journal of Animal Science Mar 2020There is no generally accepted optimal feed form and delivery method for feeding finisher pigs. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of feed form (meal... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
There is no generally accepted optimal feed form and delivery method for feeding finisher pigs. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of feed form (meal and pellet) and delivery method (liquid, dry, and wet/dry) on feed microbiology and growth, gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), and carcass quality of finisher pigs. Two batches of pigs were used, each with six pen replicates per treatment. In each batch 216 pigs (32.7 kg; ± 0.48 SE) housed in same-sex (entire male or female) pens of six pigs per pen were on treatment for ~62 d prior to slaughter. The experiment was a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two factors for diet form (meal and pellets) and three factors for feed delivery (dry, wet/dry, liquid). The treatments were 1) meal from dry feeder, 2) meal from wet/dry feeder, 3) meal from liquid system, 4) pellet from dry feeder, 5) pellet from wet/dry feeder, and 6) pellet from liquid system. Pig growth performance was determined, blood samples collected at slaughter for hematological analysis and microbiological and proximate analysis of feed performed. A significant feed form × delivery interaction was found for G:F. During the overall period G:F was 0.446, 0.433, 0.423, 0.474, 0.459, and 0.418 g/g (SE = 0.0080; P < 0.01) for treatments 1 through 6, respectively. When feed was pelleted, G:F was improved when feed delivery was dry or wet/dry compared to meal but when the delivery was liquid, pelleting did not affect G:F. There were no interactive effects for overall average daily gain (ADG). Overall ADG was 1,114 and 1,156 g/d (SE = 16.9; P < 0.01) for pigs fed diets in meal and pellet form, respectively and 1,080, 1,114, and 1,210 g/d (SE = 18.4; P < 0.001) for dry-, wet/dry-, and liquid-fed pigs, respectively. Carcass weight was 76.6 and 79.0 kg (SE = 0.55; P < 0.001) for pigs fed in meal and pellet form, respectively, while it was 74.7, 77.3, and 81.5 kg (SE = 0.60; P < 0.001) for pigs delivered dry, wet/dry, and liquid diets, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria (P < 0.05) and yeast (P < 0.01) counts in troughs were greater for the liquid than the dry diet in both meal and pelleted form. There was also evidence of lysine degradation in the liquid diet but this did not impact pig growth. Feeding the diet in pelleted vs. meal form led to lower hemoglobin and greater white blood cell and neutrophil counts (P < 0.05). To conclude, wet/dry feeding of a pelleted diet is recommended to maximize growth rate while optimizing G:F in grow-finisher pigs.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Diet; Eating; Enterobacteriaceae; Female; Food Microbiology; Fungi; Male; Pork Meat; Swine; Yeasts
PubMed: 31957788
DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa021 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2021The increasing market demand for decapods has led to a considerable interest in cultivating decapod species at a larger scale. Following the development of hatchery... (Review)
Review
The increasing market demand for decapods has led to a considerable interest in cultivating decapod species at a larger scale. Following the development of hatchery technologies, most research has focused on the development of formulated feeds for commercially farmed decapods once they enter the juvenile stages. The use of formulated feed for decapods at a commercial scale is still in the early stages. This is probably because of the unique feeding behavior that decapods possess: being robust, slow feeders and bottom dwellers, their feeding preferences change during the transition from pelagic larvae to benthic juveniles as their digestive systems develop and become more complex. The current practice of decapod aquaculture involves the provision of juveniles with food such as natural diet, live feed, and formulated feed. Knowledge of nutrient requirements enables diets to be better formulated. By manipulating the levels of proteins and lipids, a formulated feed can be expected to lead to optimal growth in decapods. At the same time, the pellet's physical characteristics are important factors to be considered upon formulating commercially farmed decapod feeds, considering the unique feeding behavior of the decapod. However, most published studies on decapod nutrition lack data on the physical characteristics of the feed types. Thus, it is difficult to establish a standard feed formulation that focuses on the physical pellet properties. Moreover, careful consideration must be given to the feeding behavior of species, as decapods are known as bottom feeders and are robust in terms of handling feed. Information on the pellet forms, diet composition, and unique feeding behaviors in commercially farmed decapods is gathered to suggest potential better formulated diets that can optimize growth and reproduction. Thus, the purpose of this review is to summarize the information that has been published to date and to come up with suggestions on ways to improve the feed formulation in decapods that comply with their feeding behavior and nutrient requirements. Further research is needed to explore the potential of the pelleted feed at the adult stage so the decapod can take full advantage of the nutrients present in the pellets.
PubMed: 34204676
DOI: 10.3390/ani11061761