Academic literature on the topic 'Animal by-products (ABP)'

The objective of this study was to compare methane production and characteristics of digested material in anaerobic digestion concepts according to the Animal By-Products Regulation (ABP-Regulation) of the EC (hygienisation of biowaste for 1 hour at 70 °C, particle size <12 mm) and Finnish national regulations (treatment temperature 55 °C, feeding interval 24 h, hydraulic retention time (HRT) 20 d, particle size <40 mm) and with small variations in treatment methods for treating manure and biowaste. Moreover, the survival of three different salmonella bacteria in these processes was studied. Hygienisation of biowaste prior to digestion at 35 °C enhanced methane production by 14–18% compared to similar treatment without hygienisation. The differences in treatment temperature, HRT and hygienisation of biowaste prior to digestion did not significantly affect the characteristics of digested material. The concepts according to the ABP-Regulation and Finnish national regulations were effective in destroying salmonella bacteria to an undetectable level.

The term "functional foods" comprises some bacterial strains and products of plant and animal origin containing physiologically active compounds beneficial for human health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Among the best known functional compounds probiotics, prebiotics and natural antioxidants should be given as examples. These substances can be obtained by biotechnological methods and by extraction from plant or animal tissues.

Lanthanides, also called rare-earth elements, are an interesting group of 15 chemically active, mainly trivalent, f-electronic, silvery-white metals. In fact, lanthanides are not as rare as the name implies, except for promethium, a radioactive artificial element not found in nature. The mean concentrations of lanthanides in the earth's crust are comparable to those of life-important elements like iodine, cobalt and selenium. Many lanthanide compounds show particular magnetic, catalytic and optic properties, and that is why their technical applications are so extensive. Numerous industrial sources enable lanthanides to penetrate into the human body and therefore detailed toxicological studies of these metals are necessary. In the liver, gadolinium selectively inhibits secretion by Kupffer cells and it decreases cytochrome P450 activity in hepatocytes, thereby protecting liver cells against toxic products of xenobiotic biotransformation. Praseodymium ion (Pr3+) produces the same protective effect in liver tissue cultures. Cytophysiological effects of lanthanides appear to result from the similarity of their cationic radii to the size of Ca2+ ions. Trivalent lanthanide ions, especially La3+ and Gd3+, block different calcium channels in human and animal cells. Lanthanides can affect numerous enzymes: Dy3+ and La3+ block Ca2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase, while Eu3+ and Tb3+ inhibit calcineurin. In neurons, lanthanide ions regulate the transport and release of synaptic transmitters and block some membrane receptors, e.g. GABA and glutamate receptors. It is likely that lanthanides significantly and uniquely affect biochemical pathways, thus altering physiological processes in the tissues of humans and animals.

Since the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis, the use of animal proteins in animal feed has been prohibited. From October 2003, the European Union (EU) adopted Regulation (EC) no. 1774/2002 governing animal by-products (ABPs), which seeks to address the possible risks inherent in recycling potential infectivity due to the absence of barriers within species and to exclude the cannibalism which may be induced by intra-species recycling. There is an urgent need to develop fast and reliable methods for identification of low-level ABP origins. In this study, near infrared (NIR) microscopy was used to identify different classes of ABPs. Samples of fish meals ( n = 10) and meals of land-animal origin ( n = 50) were ground, sedimented and analysed using an Auto Image Microscope connected to a Fourier transform near infrared spectrometer (FT-NIR). Sediment fraction particles were spread on a Spectralon plate, presented to the NIR microscope and scanned in the 1112–2500 nm region. The support vector machine (SVM) algorithm was used to construct models to identify class origin. Models correctly classified 100% of the samples in the calibration set and between 95 and 95.5% in the validation set. The results demonstrated the potential of FT-NIR microscopy as a rapid method for distinguishing between fish and land-animal particles.

The only official method currently available for the identification of feed ingredients in mixtures and compound feedingstuffs is inspection by optical microscopy (OM). From October 2003, the EU adopted Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 governing animal by-products (ABPs), which seeks to address the possible risks inherent in recycling potential infectivity due to the absence of barriers within species and to exclude the cannibalism which may be induced by intra-species recycling. The main aim of the present work was to develop and validate near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy chemometric models for the identification of the animal species in ABPs. A total of 352 meat and bone meal (MBM) samples from different species ( n = 80 pure poultry MBM, 75 pure pork MBM and 197 mixtures of cattle MBM with other species) were scanned using a monochromator instrument equipped with a transport module. The total sample set was split into a training set ( n = 234) and a validation set ( n = 118). Various mathematical and scatter correction treatments were tested and used to develop two different PLS2 discriminant models: Model I, to discriminate between ruminant and non-ruminant meals; and Model II, to discriminate between poultry by-product meal, pork meal and a mixture of cattle meal with other species. All models yielded SECV values approaching 0.2 and over 95% correct classification in the training step; whereas in the validation step, approaching 90% (Model I and II) of samples were correctly classified. The methodology presented here, based on discriminant analysis of NIR spectra, for use as a “first line of defence” in identifying animal species in rendered ABP meals, provides a reliable, fast and affordable means of enforcing legislation concerning the ban on MBM.

Animal by-products (ABP) can be valorized via anaerobic digestion (AD) for biogas energy generation. The digestate issued from AD process is usually used to fertilize farming land for agricultural activities, which may cause potential sanitary risk to the environment. The European Union (EU) requires that certain ABP be thermally pasteurized in order to minimize this sanitary risk. This process is called hygienization, which can be replaced by alternative nonthermal technologies like pulsed electric field (PEF). In the present study, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 were used as indicator bacteria. Their resistance to thermal pasteurization and PEF treatment were characterized. Results show that Ent. faecalis and E. coli are reduced by 5 log10 in less than 1 min during thermal pasteurization at 70 °C. The critical electric field strength was estimated at 18 kV∙cm−1 for Ent. faecalis and 1 kV∙cm−1 for E. coli. “G+” bacteria Ent. faecalis are generally more resistant than “G−” bacteria E. coli. AD process also plays an important role in pathogens inactivation, whose performance depends on the microorganisms considered, digestion temperature, residence time, and type of feedstock. Thermophilic digestion is usually more efficient in pathogens removal than mesophilic digestion.

ABSTRACT Helminth infections are among the most potent stimulators of Th2-type immune responses and have been widely demonstrated to modify responsiveness to both nonparasite antigens and other infectious agents in a nonspecific manner in infected animals. We investigated the immunomodulatory properties of pseudocoelomic body fluid from adult Ascaris suum gastrointestinal helminths (ABF) and its defined allergen (ABA-1) by examining their effects on the immune response to a heterologous antigen, ovalbumin. Our results indicate that ABF has potent immunomodulatory activity and that the effects observed are consistent with skewing towards a Th2-type response rather than induction of anergy. Our findings show that the immunomodulatory activities of ABF are associated with components other than the major constituent and putative allergen, ABA-1. Furthermore, the allergic responses to ABA-1 are not a result of an intrinsic allergenicity of the protein but are more a reflection of the wider induction of a Th2 response by the infection. Importantly, the induction of interleukin-10 by ABF also suggests that T regulatory cells may play a role in immunomodulation of immune responses by parasitic helminths.

The ratification by Ukraine of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994, the approval of the Interlaken Declaration in 2007, the Global Plan of Action on Farm Animal Genetic Resources and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable Benefit-Sharing, signed in 2012, imposes certain obligations to our country, especially concerning farm animal breed conservation. Indigenous breeds have considerable store of variability, high cultural, aesthetic and ecological value and should therefore be unequivocally preserved. The state of this issue in Ukraine and the place of Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of NAAS in the solution of the issue are covered in this article. The research was conducted using methodological approaches that are consistent with the Global Action Plan on Animal Genetic Resources, EU Directives, the current legislative framework for livestock in Ukraine, programs and plans of breeding of specific breeds and herds of farm animals. The degree of inbreeding was determined using the method of S. Wright in the modification of D. A. Kislovsky. Conservation of farm animal gene pool is a global issue and affair of certain international organizations, in particular FAO. In Ukraine M.V.Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics has been actively engaged in the issue of conservation of biodiversity of farm animals during 1996–2017. By the decision of the Bureau of the Presidium of the UAAS on March 11, 2004 (protocol No. 3), the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics assigned to be the main institution for the organization and implementation of a new scientific and technical program "Preservation of farm animal gene pool". In 2004 there was prepared a "Report on the Status of Genetic Resources of Livestock in Ukraine: Materials for FAO" (authors: M. V. Zubets, V. P. Burkat, D. O. Melnychuk, O. I. Kostenko, Yu. F. Melnyk, I. V. Guzev, R. M. Schmidt, G. G. Omelyanenko, V. I. Drobot, V. A. Pidzhelkova, A.F. Gordin, M. V. Stompel) with the participation of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of the NAAS. To fulfill stated tasks, in 2006 the technology and methodology of breeding resources survey holding, breeding resources’ integrated assessment and identification of their economic and genetic specificity were proposed. According to the developed technology, in 2006–2010, 208 breeding herds of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and poultry were surveyed. In the next year (2007), the Institute held a creative discussion "Problems of farm animal gene pool conservation." In the same year, the Institute workers (I. V. Guzev) took part in the International Scientific Conference "Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources in Poland and Europe" (Krakow, Poland), in 2009 – at the International Congress "On the Traces of Grey Podolic Cattle" (Matera, Italy), 2012 (S. I. Kovtun, N. L. Rieznykova) – in the workshop of the ERFP working group on the conservation ex situ "Legal and institutional arrangements for ex situ conservation at national level" (Zagreb, Croatia), 2016 (N. L. Rieznykova) – in a seminar on the conservation in situ and ex situ (Godöllo, Hungary). M. V. Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of NAAS in 2017 formed the request for the participation in the international project of FAO on the conservation and rational use of the Brown Carpathian cattle gene pool. The monitoring of the status of local small-scale and endangered farm animal breeds of different species on their number and number of breeding farms in Ukraine (2011–2017), according to the State Breeding Registry, revealed a tendency to the annual reduction of both the number of subjects of the breeding business in the relevant livestock sector and the general number of animals in breeds. According to the results of the analysis conducted amongst a large number of small-scale farm animal breeds in Ukraine, the most vulnerable populations were chosen on the basis of the number of females and breeding farms. In Ukraine Grey Ukrainian, Ukrainian Whiteheaded, Brown Carpathian, Lebedyn cattle breeds, Hutsul horse breed, Sokil sheep breed, Mirgorodian, Ukrainian Steppe Black-and-White and Ukrainian Steppe White pig breeds are going to disappear. Taking into account the above mentioned, the Program of conservation of local and endangered breeds of farm animals in Ukraine for 2017–2025, based on the initiative and direct participation of Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, has been developed. It requires the annual budget subsidy at the level of 22.01–42.85 mln. UAH. One of the methods of rational use and conservation of local, small-scale and indigenous farm animal breeds’ gene pool is the establishment of banks for long-term storage of biological material. Inventory of available resources of local cattle sperm was carried out. The bulls' sperm is stored at the Bank of Genetic Resources of Animals at M.V.Zubets Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics of NAAS and nine enterprises of Ukraine. The level of inbreeding among local and endangered breeds was studied. It was established that the highest level of inbreeding is observed among the bulls of the Brown Carpathian breed. Amonst promising further scientific research directions are the next: expeditionary research on the availability of pure-blood animals in gene pool herds, identification of biological characteristics of indigenous animals’ products, estimation of cultural and aesthetic value, resistance level, adaptive ability, and the search for genetic markers of local, small-scale and disappearing breeds.

One of the most important problems is the timely and accurate accounting of costs and output. Providing benefits from sales, obtaining benefits from enterprises and, accordingly, improving the quality of products. In this regard, the problem of building a system of state accounting of costs in agriculture is very relevant for national scientists. The article explores the methods of calculating the cost of livestock production by the traditional method and the ABC method, and also studies the prospects for determining the nature of ABC in the practice of enterprises. The study should lead to difficulties. This system is not widespread and does not have developed guidelines. This can lead to an incorrect distribution of processes and costs, a distortion of the calculation of the cost of production. Nevertheless, with a competent approach to using these parameters, you can get more accurate results.

Introduction. Conceptual framework system biodiversity in livestock include a combination of a set of measures aimed at the conservation and repopulation animals - the preservation of genetic diversity in situ in vitro and preservation of genetic diversity through the accumulation of genetic material and its cryopreservation as germ and somatic cells, zygotes, tissues (ex situ in vitro). Gene pool facilities require maintenance system to produce the required number gene pool products, the main criterion of evaluation which is playing the typical breed characteristics and features. The unifying element in the system of biodiversity - a Bank of Animals of genetic resources of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS, which is attributed to objects of national heritage. Relevance of the creation and operation of the bank animal genetic resources of IABG nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS teeth caused by rapidly narrowing biodiversity in general and the diversity of farm animals in particular. According to the ratified November 29, 1994 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine "Convention on Biodiversity" Pan-European strategy and objectives of conservation of biological and landscape diversity Bank animal genetic resources of IABG nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS performs the task of enhancing the role of agriculture in maintaining biodiversity and fostering international cooperation for the conservation of genetic material of small species and endangered species according to the objectives of science and technology program number 37 "The system works in populations and biodiversity conservation of genetic resources of agricultural animals" ("Saving gene pool breeds"). It operates as a scientific and technological structure that provides storage and preservation of national and global gene pool of small, local and endangered species, populations and genotypes of rare farm animals. According to current trends driving the selection and breeding of livestock Ukraine and focusing on the short term, bank of sperm Institute also provides storage and rational use of better breeding material in the framework of breeding programs and improving the genetic potential productivity of animals. The purpose of this study was to conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of genetic material stored in the bank of Animal of Genetic Resources of Institute of Animals Breeding and Genetics nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS. Material and methods of research. A description of the genetic material that is deposited in the bank of animal genetic resources of IABG nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS the results of the inventory on January 1, 2017 and acts of reception and transmission. Analyzed information forms the primary account (1-mol and 1-beef) and certificates of origin bulls. To characterize the gene pool of animals breeding materials included books of evaluation on the quality sires and progeny data directory bulls allowed to use in the selection process. Results. Bank Animal of Genetic Resources was formed on the basis of the Republican gene pool bank of sperm, which was established in 1976 under former Ukrainian Research Institute Breeding and Artificial insemination of cattle (now the Institute of Animals Breeding and Genetics nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS. Forming of animal genetic resources IABG nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS was due to tribal enterprises, which sperm came from almost all regions of Ukraine. Since the gene pool of the National Bank of sperm of animal genetic resources deposited 26.043 thousand sperm doses of 44 bulls who participated in developing Ukrainian Beef breed, and founder of the Ukrainian Beef breed lines. The bank remains Institute of semen sires - the pioneers of related groups sperm are used to display the Ukarainian Beef breed: 81 Eoiziano, 2317 Eymo, 274 Desant and 382 Eufemio (Chianina), 5203 Juncker, 8574103527 Zheriko (Charolais) and founder of the factory line - 0988 Anchar (Ukrainian Beef). Also, the bank laid sperm factory line Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy cattle - 897 Elbrus. Now bank of sperm of Institute holds more than 145.3 thousand sperm doses outstanding bulls 16 dairy and 14 beef breeds in the number of 87.4 thousand doses of 116 sires and 38.6 thousand. Doses from 77 bulls beef breeds which is intended for use directly in selection and breeding work with breeds. To implement the program "Preservation of the gene pool of breeds" in the Bank of animal genetic resources generative cells remain in an amount of 19.5 thousand sperm doses of 27 bulls and four local endangered breeds (Ukrainian Whiteheaded, Lebedyn, Ukrainian Gray and Carpathian Brown). If necessary, use genetic material of these species in gene pool herds in the future will make it possible to recover the lost line. During 2011- 2013 the specialists studied indicators mobility, dynamic characteristics of movement and survival defrosting bull sperm stored in a bank animals genetic resources of IABG nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS using computer analyzer Sperm Vision company «Minitub» (USA). Indices straight-forward motion and absolute bull sperm survival rate for different shelf life. The Institute staff conducted molecular genetic evaluation of genotypes bulls for loci QTL (k-Cn, βLG, GH (dairy and cattle breeds) TG, CAPN1 530, MSTN), ISSR-markers using a as being primers for fragments of dinucleotide and trinucleotide microsatellite locus (ACC) 6G, (GAG) 6C, (AG)9C, (GA)9C and microsatellite markers that are included in the list of recommended ISAG (BM1824, BM2113, INRA023, SPS115, TGLA122, TGLA126, TGLA227, ETH10, ETH225 and ETH3). The information for the studied markers allows you to make more detailed description of the genetic diversity of planted material stored in a bank of genetic resources of animals IABG. The staff of the Institute and other academic Institutions in the system of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, which performs research program NAAS "Saving gene pool breds" continues to work to build a bank of animal genetic resources. Also, the Institute formed DNA bank of somatic cells and tissues of various farm animals, with appropriate breeding and genetic characteristics of genetic material. To enhance the role of the bank of Institute of Animals Breeding and Genetics nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS in the management of genetic resources and conservation of biodiversity in the future of its formation should be based on the basis that from commercial breeds of farm animals lay biological material only from their greatest representatives, and for indigenous, local and endangered breeds - representatives from the widest possible range of different genealogical structure that will characterize the entire population. Conclusions. Formation of the bank and its functioning is not only the accumulation and cryopreservation of genetic material of all kinds of animals, and in ensuring the implementation of scientific programs to maintain the diversity and specificity of gene pool facilities and breeding, biotechnology and other scientific research.

El presente trabajo de investigación surge para dar una respuesta alternativa a las tecnologías actuales de eliminación y/o aprovechamiento de los subproductos de origen animal (SANDACH) y revalorizar estos subproductos. Los residuos cárnicos generados en los mataderos, en los procesados de alimentos y los animales que fallecen en las granjas son considerados SANDACH y están sujetos a una legislación estricta que regula su manipulación y gestión. Entre otros aspectos, la legislación clasifica a los subproductos según su potencial peligrosidad y define los posibles usos y gestión como residuos. Los de mayor peligrosidad (Categoría 1) deben ser incinerados, enterrados previa esterilización y marcado o utilizados en la producción de biodiesel, biogás o en procesos de combustión. Los subproductos de peligrosidad media (Categoría 2), además de los usos anteriores, pueden aprovecharse para fabricar abono y sólo los SANDACH de baja peligrosidad (Categoría 3) pueden transformarse mediante renderizado en piensos para animales de compañía y animales de peletería. Esta tesis estudia la viabilidad del proceso de obtención de bio-combustible mediante licuefacción hidrotérmica de los subproductos de origen animal y de sus productos de renderizado. La tesis está estructurada en tres partes. La primera parte brinda una visión general de los subproductos de origen animal en la actualidad (Capítulo 1) así como una introducción a los fundamentos de la conversión de biomasa y la licuefacción hidrotérmica (Capítulos 2 y 3). La segunda parte describe el proceso experimental llevado a cabo a escala laboratorio (Capítulo 4), los estudios comparativos realizados entre licuefacción hidrotérmica y pirólisis de SANDACH y productos de renderizado (Capítulo 5), y el análisis de la influencia de los parámetros de reacción para la licuefacción de esta materia prima (Capítulos 6 y 7). La tercera y última parte de este trabajo presenta los estudios relacionados con el escalado a planta piloto (Capítulo 8) y la evaluación del análisis de ciclo de vida y costes del proceso (Capítulo 9). Este trabajo de tesis es altamente interdisciplinario por ser una combinación de ingeniería química, química orgánica, inorgánica, física y analítica.

Animal by-products (ABPs) can be a source for infectious diseases like BSE (mad cow disease) and to prevent spreading infectious diseases inspection of ABPs are necessary. The purpose of this study was to identify the problems that municipalities in Sweden experience with the inspection of ABPs and develop some solutions for these problems. The purpose was also to investigate whether amount and type of problems experienced by municipalities are depending on population size. The study was carried out in collaboration with Piteå municipality, with the aim to support municipalities and other central authorities in their work with inspection of ABPs. Data were collected through a survey that was sent to all municipalities in Sweden and approximately 60% of the municipalities participated in this study. Lack of knowledge, lack of time due to high workload and lack of support from central authorities were some of the most common problems that municipalities experienced. As a consequence, inspections get down prioritized or are not carried out at all. The study shows that there is a significant difference in the amount of problems that municipalities experience depending on the population. Large municipalities experience more problems than small and medium sized municipalities. The study also shows how municipalities can identify companies that manage ABPs. This study highlights that municipalities urgent need effective guidelines and support from central authorities, otherwise the control of ABPs is neglected, which - in worst case scenario - can lead to outbreaks of infectious diseases.

The drug approval process in any country involves a balancing of conflicting social objectives: safety and access. Faster approval leads to quicker access to potentially life-saving medicine, yet could also lead to false positives or, worse, unsafe products on the market. The United States has a widely respected but stringent and rigorous review process overseen by the Food and Drug Administration. This chapter performs an in-depth analysis of the pharmaceutical regulatory approval process in the United States. Standards, guidelines, and critical milestones for basic research, animal testing, and clinical trials in the drug R&D process are explained. It highlights major drug legislation since the beginning of the twentieth century and how this legislation has helped the FDA become the gold standard in pharmaceutical regulation worldwide. The registration pathways for generics and biosimilars are also discussed.

‘Blood transfusion’ outlines the history of transfusing animal blood dating back to the 17th century. The 19th century saw the first successful human blood transfusion, but two major issues remained: the problems of clotting and blood group incompatibility. Albert Hustin and Luis Agote resolved the first issue in 1914 by using sodium citrate in transfusions to work as an anticoagulant. Richard Lewisohn calculated the correct levels of citrate needed to avoid poisoning the blood. Karl Landsteiner’s work in early 20th-century Vienna revealed the ABO blood type distinctions, solving the latter problem. The creation of blood banks and the potential for viral contamination of blood and blood products are also discussed.

A number of studies on digestion of the ruminants have shown the process of synthesis of all the essential amino acids in the rumen (Abu Fadel, 2004; Trukhachev, V., Zlidnev, N. 2008). However, according to some researches, microbial protein is deficient in methionine and lysine. This assumption also proves the need for further study of the influence of balanced amino acids to these diets on the growth, development and productive performance of the ruminants. Scientific approbation of the issues related to establishing the requirements of young sheep in lysine and methionine with cystine and development of recommendations for their proper balance in animal rations have been conducted along with a series of physiological, scientific and practical experiments. For this purpose, we used the following research methods: preparative, analytical, measuring and calculating. Zootechnical evaluation of young sheep’s diet with different levels of lysine and methionine with cysteine has been conducted, and influence of these components on growth, development, metabolism, the use of amino acids and wool productivity have been studied. The importance of studying the content of amino acids in plasma is evident because they are the indicators of protein metabolism in the animals’ organism and represent themselves the exchange fund when used in the biochemical transformations in the process of updating the protein of the body tissues and the synthesis of animal products. Increase in young sheep’s diet of lysine and methionine can improve their productivity, reduce the cost of feed energy and improve biochemical indexes of meat, taking into account the optimization of its amino acid composition. Efficiency increase of young sheep during the process of the individual development is linked to conditions of feeding and in particular the usefulness of a protein food, which is primarily determined by sufficient intake of essential amino acids - lysine and methionine with cystine. Thus, the inclusion in the diet of growing young sheep some amount of synthetic amino acids – 6–8 grams of lysine and 3–4 g of methionine per 1 fodder unit, enhances oxidation-reduction processes, increase productivity, i.e. wool yield and other indicators. The content of free amino acids in plasma directly depends on their availability in feed. The use of synthetic amino acids (lysine, methionine and cystine) contributed to the increase of their content in a free state in the blood serum, indicating their increased demand in sheep. With the use of different doses of synthetic amino acids (lysine, methionine, cystine) in the diets of young sheep it has been found that the organization of optimum conditions of feeding, care and management of sheep in winter season help to avoid abrupt changes in the structure of the skin, to ensure the normal development of the histological structure and morphogenetic processes.)

Consumers are increasingly demanding choices of ready-made foods with excellent organoleptic and health-related properties. There are two main trends in Europe; firstly, consumers are increasingly choosing foods that are comfortable for use, secondly, the number of people who are overweight is increasing, with more consumers paying close attention to the ingredients and nutritional value of products in order to balance the amount of the food they consume per day. The aim of the research was to develop new potato main courses and to determine their nutritional value. The research was carried out at the Faculty of Food Technology of the Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" and Laboratory of Mineral Nutrition at the Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia. Four different potato main course types with amaranth, quinoa, bulgur and chicken were prepared for the study; plain potatoes were used as the control sample. The content of protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fibre and minerals (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B) was determined in all potato main course samples. The addition of amaranth, quinoa and bulgur significantly increased the content of dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrates and lipids (p<0.05), whereas the addition of chicken fillet significantly increased protein and lipid content, but reduced the content of carbohydrates and dietary fibre. The content of various minerals, which are an indispensable part of the diet as they are necessary for the body's life processes and normal development, was significantly increased by the addition of chicken to the potato main course. The highest dietary fibre content was detected in potato main course with amaranth (3.0 g per 100 g product), drawing up to 9.0 g dietary fibre per one serving (300 g). Following the Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, potatoes with amaranth can be defined as the “source of fibre”.

Ireland has been called the Silicon Valley of Europe. Like the Silicon Valley in the U.S. it has a large amount of waste created by the Microchip Industry. Ireland is also an agricultural country. A large amount of bio-waste has been stockpiled in Ireland. This is the result of recent outbreaks/epidemics of animal diseases in the EU. The current growth industry of Ireland is the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Nine of the top ten pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing in Ireland. Wastes from these industries are often toxic and hazardous. They can contain large amounts of combustible organic compounds depending on their source. Since Ireland is an island it has special problems disposing of waste. Waste comes in as products as packaging and it doesn’t go out. The emerging solution is Incineration. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) can contain many forms of metal and chemistry under normal conditions. When a large amount of the primary industry of a region is chemistry based and agricultural based there is the probability of more than usual amount of toxic residue in the refuse. The ash from incineration contains items such as dioxins & heavy metals that are environmental toxins. Using a Plasma Pyrolysis Vitrification (PPV) process the volume of the resultant ash from incineration can be further reduced by as much as 30 to 1. A PPV process has an added advantage of giving an incineration facility the capability of rendering ash safe for reuse as construction material and as a side benefit reclaiming many valuable elemental components of the ash. The PPV plant can be used to destroy waste directly and economically as long as the gate fees are high. One byproduct of incinerator ash smelting/destruction using a PPV process is CO gas, a combustible fuel resource for power generation. Precious metals may also be reclaimed as an alloy material by-product.