The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of fungi and aflatoxins in fish feeds. We analyzed 36 samples of feed for fish, with two protein compositions (juvenile/fattening) and two forms of use (sealed/open). Aspergillus and Penicillium species were counted, isolated and identified, the toxic capacity of Flavi strains was measured and aflatoxins in the feed were researched. The mean fungal counts ranged from 2.96 to 4.00 log10 CFU/g and there was no significant difference between treatments. The most isolated species were Aspergillus flavus, Eurotion spp. and Penicillium implicatum. We concluded that the feeds studied had high fungal counts; the isolated Aspergillus flavus strains were not producers of aflatoxin; and aflatoxin was not detected in the feed samples analyzed

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril) and angiotensin II antagonist (valsartan) on the oestradiol and progesterone production in ewes submitted to oestrous synchronization protocol. The animals were weighed and randomly divided into three groups (n = 7). A pre-experiment conducted to verify the effectiveness and toxicity of enalapril (0.5 mg/kg LW) and valsartan (2.2 mg/kg LW) showed that, in the doses used, these drugs were effective in reducing blood pressure without producing toxic effects. In the experiment, all animals were subjected to oestrous synchronization protocol during 12 days. On D10, D11 and D12, animals received saline, enalapril or valsartan (same doses of the pre-experiment), according to the group randomly divided. The hormonal analysis showed an increase in oestradiol on the last day of the protocol (D12) in animals that received enalapril (p < 0.05), but not in other groups, without changing the concentration of progesterone in any of the treatments. It is concluded that valsartan and enalapril are safe and effective subcutaneously for use in sheep and that the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition with enalapril leads to an increase in oestradiol production near ovulation without changing the concentration of progesterone. This shows that ACE inhibition may be a useful tool in reproductive biotechnologies involving induction and synchronization of oestrus and ovulation in sheep.

Rev. Bras. Saúde Prod. Anim., Salvador, v.15, n.3, p.731-739 jul./set., 2014 http://www.rbspa.ufba.br ISSN 1519 9940 731 Qualidade do mel de Apis mellifera L. relacionadas às boas práticas apícolasHoney quality from "Apis mellifera" L. related to good apicultural practices

RESUMOA adaptabilidade de caprinos de dois grupos genéticos, Saanen e Azul, às condições climáticas do MeioNorte do Brasil foi avaliada por meio dos testes de Ibéria, Benezra e Rainsby. Nos dois primeiros, foram utilizadas sete fêmeas de cada grupo racial e, no terceiro, quatro fêmeas de cada grupo. Foram realizadas quatro coletas de dados em cada período (chuvoso e seco) de 2005. Foi utilizado delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em fatorial 2x2 (duas raças e dois períodos). Os valores do coeficiente de tolerância ao calor do teste de Ibéria no período seco diferiram entre os grupos (P<0,05) (Saanen = 97,65 e Azul = 94,31). Houve diferença entre grupos (P<0,05) quanto ao coeficiente de adaptabilidade 1 do teste de Benezra, nos dois períodos (chuvoso: Saanen = 5,13 e Azul = 3,26; seco: Saanen = 5,86 e Azul = 2,87). No teste de Rainsby, no grupo Azul, houve o retorno à temperatura de repouso nos dois períodos. Na Saanen, no período no seco, 100 minutos não foram suficientes para o retorno à temperatura de repouso. O grupo racial Azul mostrou-se mais adaptado às condições do Meio-Norte.Palavras-chave: caprino, adaptação, climática, estresse térmico, índices (Saanen = 97.65 and Azul = 94.31) was observed for heat-tolerance coefficient (Iberia) during the dry period (P<.05). Significant differences between groups (P<0.05) were also observed for adaptability, coefficient 1 (Benezra) for both rainy (Saanen = 5.13 and Azul = 3.26) and dry periods (Saanen = 5.86 and Azul = 2.87 ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to evaluate Saanen and Azul goats' adaptability to the Brazilian Middle-North region, based on adaptation indexes (Iberia, Benezra and Rainsby tests). A totall of seven and four females, respectively, of each group were used in two tests and four collections were performed during the rainy and dry periods of 2005 year. A completely randomized experimental design in a 2 x 2 (2 groups x 2 period) factorial treatment combination was used. Significant difference between groups

Pesquisa de fungos produtores de ocratoxina A em granola comercializadaOchratoxin A-producing fungi in commercial granola RESUMOEste trabalho efetuou a identificação das espécies fúngicas presentes na granola e analisou a capacidade das cepas produzirem ocratoxina A. As amostras foram adquiridas no comércio do município de TeresinaPiauí, no total de 60 amostras de quatro diferentes marcas. Foram realizadas as metodologias de contagem, isolamento e identificação das espécies fúngicas; e as cepas da seção Nigri foram testadas quanto à capacidade de produção de ocratoxina A. Em 11 das amostras analisadas não houve o crescimento fúngico, e nas amostras em que houve os valores chegaram a 5,17 log 10 UFC/g. Houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) entre as diferentes marcas de granola analisadas. Os gêneros fúngicos mais frequentemente isolados foram Cladosporium (46,9 %), seguido de Aspergillus spp. e seus teleomorfos (37,4 %), e do gênero Penicillium spp. (5,4 %). A amostra de granola da marca A apresentou contagens bem mais elevadas do que as demais, o que indica que possivelmente tenha ocorrido falhas em alguma(s) etapa(s) do processo de industrialização. Todas as cepas isoladas de Aspergillus seção Nigri não apresentaram capacidade de produção de ocratoxina A. Palavras-chave. Aspergillus, aveia, ceral, micotoxinas, milho. ABSTRACTThe present study aimed at identifying the fungal species occurring in granola, and to verify the ability of the strains in producing ochratoxin A. Sixty granola samples of four different brands were purchased in commercial establishments located in the city of Teresina -Piauí state. The fungi were counted, isolated and the species were identified, and the section Nigri strains were tested for detecting their ability in producing ochratoxin A. No fungal growth was found in 11 of the analyzed samples. In samples showing fungal growth, it was as high as 5.17 log 10 CFU/g. A significant difference (p<0.05) among the analyzed granola brands was found. The most frequently isolated fungus genus was Cladosporium (46.9 %), followed by Aspergillus spp and its teleomorphs (37.4 %), and Penicillium spp. (5.4 %). The granola brand A showed the highest counting among the analyzed brands, which demonstrated that a possible failure at some stages of the industrialization process might be occurred. None of the isolated Aspergillus section Nigri strains showed the ability in producing ochratoxin A.