The possibilities and limitations of supercritical fluid extraction of natural products of low, medium and high polarity under very high pressure and with polar modifiers has been investigated. The medicinal herbs marigold (Calendula officinalis), hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) and chamomile (Matricaria recutita) were used as models in this study. Extraction profiles and the spectra of extractable metabolites were recorded following extraction with mixtures of carbon dioxide:ethanol of varying proportions (0-20% ethanol) and at various pressures in the range 300-689 bar. Components were identified by HPLC-PAD-MS or GC-MS and quantified by HPLC or GC as appropriate. Extraction yields under the varying conditions depended to a large extent on the profiles of secondary metabolites present in the three drugs. Whereas the extractability of lipophilic compounds increased substantially at pressures above 300 bar, the yields of polyphenolic and glycosidic compounds remained low even at 689 bar and with 20% modifier in the extraction fluid.

Calendula↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radiographic findings in the thorax of dogs with leptospiral infection.

Thoracic radiographs of 4 dogs with confirmed and 1 dog with suspected leptospirosis were reviewed. In all dogs a reticulonodular pulmonary opacity was noted, affecting the entire lung in 3 and predominantly the caudodorsal lung field in 2 dogs. The radiographic lung pattern described is associated with pulmonary hemorrhage probably due to endothelial damage and vasculitis. Pulmonary manifestations in dogs with leptospirosis may be misinterpreted and attributed to neoplasia, pneumonia, edema, hemorrhage due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, adult respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary thromboembolism.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of highly fermentable dietary fiber on the development of swine dysentery and on pig performance in a "Pure--Culture Challenge Model".

This study tried to evaluate the effect of highly fermentable fiber on the incidence and severity of swine dysentery (SD) after experimental oral infection with pure cultures of Brachyspira (B.) hyodysenteriae. Forty eight growing pigs were allocated to two groups and treated until slaughter as follows: Group 1 (n = 24): infected with B. hyodysenteriae and fed with a food containing 9.6% highly fermentable neutral detergent fiber. Group 2 (n = 24): infected with B. hyodysenteriae and fed with a food containing 6.1% low fermentable neutral detergent fiber. Pigs of each group were intragastrically inoculated on each of three consecutive days with pure culture of 1.8 x 10(10) B. hyodysenteriae. All pigs were monitored daily until slaughter. Faecal shedding of B. hyodysenteriae by polymerase chain reaction, antibody response by IFA, clinical signs, growth performance and extents of gross and microscopical lesions specific for swine dysentery were determined. Faecal shedding of B. hyodysenteriae and antibodies specific for B. hyodysenteriae were detected at day 30 post infectionem. Significant (p < 0.05) milder clinical signs typical for swine dysentery were detected in group 1, fed with 9.6% high fermentable fiber compared to group two fed with a food containing 6.1% low fermentable neutral detergent fiber. Daily weight gain differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the groups (group one 780 g vs. group two 760 g). Food conversion efficiency showed in group one a significant (p < 0.05) better (3.28) result than in group two (3.38). Feed consumption presented significantly (p < 0.001) better results in group one compared to group two (2.38 kg vs. 2.25 kg). From our experimental findings we conclude that in production units suffering of swine dysentery high levels of highly fermentable fiber in diet may increase health and performance.

Animals↗