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Exploring the potential of cotton leafworm (Spodoptera litura) as a sustainable and efficient alternative protein source in broiler feed /
No full textIn recent times, poultry nutritionists have shown increased interest in incorporating insect meal as an alternative source to fulfil the protein needs of poultry, driven by sustainability issues related to conventional protein sources like soybean meal and fish meal. The present study shows the effects of replacing 4, 8 and 12% soybean meal (SBM) with cotton leaf worm ( Spodoptera litura ) on growth performance, blood haematology, intestinal histomorphology and meat quality of Ross 308 broiler. We also evaluated commercially available black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) larvae for comparison. A total of 350 one-day-old chicks were randomly divided into seven dietary treatments (5 pens/treatment and 10 birds/pen). The results showed that the broiler fed on 12% S. litura or H. illucens had notably ( ) higher live weight, average daily weight gain and better feed conversion ratios. The diets containing 12% S. litura or H. illucens significantly ( ) improved broiler blood haematology (haemoglobin, red blood cells, haematocrits, mean corpuscular volume, lymphocytes, heterophils, platelets and total leucocytes as well as serum bio-chemistry traits i.e. total protein and globulin) and gut histology (villus height (Vh), crypt depth (Cd), villus width (Vw), and Vh/Cd ratios). The broiler fed on a 12% S. litura or H. illucens diet indicated a higher L * (lightness) and b * (yellowness). It was concluded that replacing soybean meal up to 12% with either S. litura or H. illucens improves the growth performance, blood haematology, gut histomorphology, and meat quality traits of broiler and thus can be used as an alternate source of protein in broiler feed
Towards implementing water level variations into coastal vulnerability indexes in microtidal seas /
No full textWe explore the potential of several quantities that reflect the magnitude of local water level variations to characterize the contribution of water level into estimates of the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) in microtidal seas hosting substantial water level variations. The analysis is based on sea level time series reconstructed with the Rossby Centre Ocean model for 1961–2005 and an early version of the RCA4-NEMO model for 19612009. The projections of extremely high and low sea levels for return periods of 10 and 50 yrs are constructed using sea level extremes in 12 month long time intervals, block maximum method and several extreme value distributions. The focus is on the relatively straight Baltic proper shore of Lithuania. We show that projected extremely high and low sea levels once in 10 and 50 yrs provide certain independent information about vulnerability along this coastal segment. The use of a larger number of parameters shrinks the range of the output values of the CVI. The outcome provides important input for coastal management but also suggests that more elaborated quantities might better characterize the impact of varying water levels on coastal vulnerability
Distinct microbial communities associated with health-relevant wild berries /
No full textLingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), rowanberries (Sorbus aucuparia L.) and rosehips (Rosa canina L.) positively affect human health due to their healing properties, determined by a high content of bioactive compounds. The consumption of unprocessed wild berries is relevant and encouraged, making their in-depth microbiological characterization essential for food safety. This study presents the first high-throughput sequencing analysis of bacterial and fungal communities distributed on the surface of lingonberries, rowanberries and rosehips. Significant plant-defined differences in the taxonomic composition of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiota were observed. The bacterial community on rosehips was shown to be prevalent by Enterobacteriaceae, lingonberries by Methylobacteriaceae and rowanberries by Sphingomonadaceae representatives. Among the fungal microbiota, Dothioraceae dominated on rosehips and Exobasidiaceae on lingonberries; meanwhile, rowanberries were inhabited by a similar level of a broad spectrum of fungal families. Cultivable yeast profiling revealed that lingonberries were distinguished by the lowest amount and most distinct yeast populations. Potentially pathogenic to humans or plants, as well as beneficial and relevant biocontrol microorganisms, were identified on tested berries. The combination of metagenomics and a cultivation-based approach highlighted the wild berries-associated microbial communities and contributed to uncovering their potential in plant health, food and human safety
Checklist of agaricoid and boletoid fungi species from Lithuania.
No full textT he checklist summarises the available data on agaricoid and boletoid fungi species found in Lithuania. The scientific and Lithuanian names of the fungi are presented in alphabetical order. All Lithuanian names of fungi have been approved by the State Commission of the Lithuanian Language. By 2024, a total of 1463 species of agaricoid fungi from 165 genera have been identified in Lithuania
Phloroglucinol-based antimicrobial shape-memory photopolymers for microimprint lithography /
No full textIn this study, for the first time, biobased photopolymers were synthesized from phloroglucinol tris epoxy with and without different comonomers, phloroglucinol, 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-D-sorbitol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. The rheological, thermal, mechanical, shape-memory, and antimicrobial properties of photopolymers were investigated. The addition of comonomers reduced the photocuring rate (gel time increased from 325 s to 434-861 s) and rigidity (storage modulus decreased from 330.76 to 15.42-85.77 MPa), reduced their brittleness, and increased the flexibility (elongation at break increased from 0.9 to 1.89-4.51%), although the tensile strength of the polymers remained sufficiently high (tensile strength was reduced from 292.00 to 132.62-234.54 MPa). All polymers exhibited a thermoresponsive shape-memory behavior as they could maintain a temporary shape below their glass-transition temperature and return to the permanent shape when the temperature was raised again above the glass-transition temperature. All polymers showed high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (90.3-96.4%) and Escherichia coli (97.8-99.6%) even after 1 h of contact with bacteria. The photoresins were tested in microimprint lithography and confirmed to accurately reproduce the shape features of the 3D printed target. Compositions prepared with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol were the most promising due to fast photocuring and the highest flexibility. Synthesized biobased photopolymers have a wide range of properties, making them potential candidates for the production of functional coatings, biomedical devices, or flexible electronics
Lietuvos Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) rūšių sąrašo papildymas 5 naujomis rūšimis.
No full textContribution to the native flora of Lithuania. First report /
No full textComprehensive and accurate information on the diversity and distribution of native plant species in an area is essential for understanding its biodiversity, assessing ongoing changes in the flora and providing timely protection for threatened species. Some important information cannot be used effectively because it remains unpublished in the notebooks of researchers or is published in social networks, ever-changing websites, or other ephemeral publications. With this article, we initiate the regular publication of the most important information on the diversity of native plant species in Lithuania, especially on the recorded new native taxa, the status of rare species and their populations. Orobanche bartlingii, which parasitises Libanotis pyrenaica, was recorded for the first time in eastern Lithuania (Utena distr.) in 2017. Although Orobanche bartlingii flowered every year, there was considerable variation in the number of flowering individuals between years. A large population of Polystichum aculeatum, consisting of more than 500 individuals, was found near Ignalina (Ignalina distr., eastern Lithuania). Crambe maritima in Lithuania was first reported in the literature in the 19th century. Still, it was not observed until 2022, when solitary individuals of this species were again found at two sites on the Baltic Sea coast (near Karklė, Klaipėda distr., and Juodkrantė, Neringa). Seeds of this species, which originate from other coastal regions of the Baltic Sea, have probably been washed ashore during storms. Solidago virgaurea subsp. pineticola, previously recorded at only one site in Lithuania, was found to be much more widespread in the southern and eastern parts of the country. This subspecies differs from Solidago virgaurea subsp. virgaurea not only in morphology but also in phenology. Solidago virgaurea subsp. pineticola starts flowering about one month earlier than Solidago virgaurea subsp. virgaurea. Conservation issues of Polystichum aculeatum and Crambe maritima were analysed and discussed
Analysis of historical sources on bryophytes of the Šepeta peatland.
No full textT he present article summarizes data on the Šepeta peatland bryophyte diversity obtained from the reviewed historical sources and the bryophyte herbarium collections available applying the most recent taxonomic approach. A total of 82 bryophyte species were documented in the historical records produced between 1928 and 1940. Most of them were common bog species recorded during the complex survey of Šepeta mire plant communities conducted in 1940. Besides common bog moss species, rare fen and transitional mire bryophyte species such as Drepanocladus lycopodioides, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Meesia triquetra and Sphagnum platyphyllum were discovered. However, the herbarium collections assembled from the bryophytes collected from Šepeta during the 1940 survey have not survived. Therefore, the presence of Sphagnum jensenii and Scapania paludicola, the bryophyte species hitherto known only from the Šepeta mire, cannot be confirmed for Lithuania. 26 specimens of the bryophytes collected from the Šepeta mire by H. Wojtusiakowa are available in the Herbarium of Warsaw University. Vilnius University Herbarium contains 17 bryophyte specimens collected from the Šepeta mire and its environs by the student of Vytautas Magnus University E. L. Trapidaitė and 46 specimens collected by A. Minkevičius. The focus of 21st century publications on the Šepeta peatland is mainly on the anthropogenically induced spread of the invasive moss species Campylopus introflexus into this area. The liverwort Fossombronia incurva discovered in Šepeta in 2008, when the bog was already heavily exploited for peat extraction, was the first record for Lithuania. However, just two years later its locality in the Šepeta peatland was destroyed
Šepeta mire researchers affiliated with Agriculture Academy.
No full textIn the first half of the 20th century, studies of the Šepeta bog were conducted by researchers of both Vytautas Magnus University and Agriculture Academy. Although all research on this subject done at that time is significant, it is the monograph „Šepeta. Monograph on the raised bog“, prepared and published by researchers of the Agriculture Academy, that has the greatest lasting value for the long-term habitat and vegetation monitoring and assessment of changes therein. The data documented in this monograph represent the only extant source of validated information on the surface and water geography, plant diversity and communities of the former Šepeta bog that is now lost. It was the scientific proficiency of two scientists, i.e. Vincas Vilkaitis and Kazys Brundza, that empowered the research team of the Agriculture Academy to conduct the complex research on the mire. Due to the changed historical circumstances after the Second World War, the team of researchers got disbanded and was never reunited
Unveiling heavy metal links: correlating dust and topsoil contamination in Vilnius schools /
No full textThis study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the presence of heavy metals, specifically zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As), in dust samples collected from 24 schools in Vilnius during the year 2022. It compares these findings with topsoil data from prior investigations spanning from 2011 to 2023, obtained from the areas near the schools as well as multiple spots across Vilnius. The study reveals significant variations in the levels of heavy metals, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between urban sources of pollution, environmental processes, and the correlation between soil and indoor dust pollution. An important aspect of this work is the application of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering on the datasets from 2017 and 2020, which unveiled separate clusters from both dust and soil samples. Three major clusters were identified, highlighting the dynamic character of heavy metal distribution in these environments. Pearson’s correlation analysis provided additional evidence, demonstrating significant relationships between specific heavy metals in both dust and soil samples, emphasizing the interlinked nature of these environments. Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb) were determined to be the most commonly found heavy metals in the dust samples, which could potentially pose a health hazard in educational environments. This study distinguishes itself by examining indoor dust in educational facilities and topsoil in Vilnius, providing crucial insights into the relationship between these two environmental matrices. Recognizing the geographical limitations of this study, further research could be expanded to other cities to validate and compare these findings