Aluminas, silicas and aluminosilicates were evaluated for their ability to sorb radiolabeled aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from aqueous solution (in vitro). Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) was selected for testing in vivo due to its high affinity for AFB1, because of its stable association with AFB1, and its GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status as an anticaking agent. The HSCAS, when added to the diet of Leghorn and broiler chicks at a level of .5%, significantly diminished the adverse effects of feeding 7.5 mg AFB1/kg of feed. Thus, this agent (and other aluminosilicate congeners) may prove effective in the preventive management of aflatoxicosis.

Comparison was made between three methods for calculating the protein content of 68 foods. The 3 methods of calculation were: (1) multiplication of Kjeldahl nitrogen by 6.25; (2) multiplication of Kjeldahl nitrogen by factors varying from 5.30 to 6.38 depending on food type; and (3) summation of amino acid content as determined by chemical analyses. New conversion factors were calculated based on amino acid analyses. Substantial differences (20 to 40%) were found in protein content for many foods depending on the calculation method. The protein content of six typical menus for mature American males was calculated using the three methods. The resulting protein content of menus did not vary substantially (less than 3%) as a function of calculation method since relatively large differences in various foods tended to cancel out. Conversion factors based on amino acid analyses are recommended whenever more accurate approximation of protein content of individual food is required.

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In the study of the oxidation rate of methyl linoleate in protein and cellulose systems, a prooxidant effect was found at intermediate moisture contents. At lowwater content, water hydrates metals and hydrogen bonds with peroxides, and an overall decrease in the rate of lipid oxidation results. With an increase in the water content to the region with a water activity of 0.6 to 0.7, the water predominantly acts as a solvent to dissolve and mobilize previously unavailable trace metals with the result of increased oxidation rates. Use of chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and citric acid reduced oxidation significantly although some antioxidant activity was also observed for butylated hydroxyanisole. These results have important implications in the preparation of intermediate moisture foods. INTRODUCTI ON

The effects of ochratoxin A (OA) and tannic acid (TA) on growing chicks were determined. One-day-old male broiler chicks were fed a diet containing the following additives for 26 days: A) none; B) 3.0 ppm OA; C) 1.5% TA; D) 3.0 ppm OA plus 1.5% TA. When compared to the controls, body weights and feed efficiencies were significantly depressed in the OA and TA groups. There was a further depression in body weights and a dramatic depression of feed efficiency in the OA-TA combination group. Pigmentation, as measured by visual shank scores, was reduced in chicks fed OA singly or in combination with TA but was not affected by feeding TA singly. There were no consistent treatment differences in the relative weights of the kidney, gizzard, proventriculus, liver, bursa, or pancreas, although there was a trend toward an elevated relative kidney weight in the groups receiving OA. Serum uric acid levels were significantly elevated in the OA and the OA-TA combination group indicating impaired renal excretory function attributable to OA. Total serum protein levels were significantly depressed in the groups receiving OA, and serum calcium levels were depressed in all treatment groups. Serum phosphorus levels were decreased in the OA and OA-TA groups but were only decreased significantly in the OA group. There were no consistent treatment differences in the hematology and other blood chemistry and mineral values.