Impact of feed supplementation with balsam poplar buds on performance of young bulls

There is an urgent need to develop new strategies to minimize the environmental impact of animal production and support sustainability of food production and consumption. Feed additives have been for a long time used in animal nutrition to improve animal growth and performance as well as animal health. Balsam poplar plants (Populus balsamifera) is well known as a rich source of bioactive compounds with positive health effects, and might be used in agriculture as a feed additive for ruminants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of balsam poplar-based additives on growth and performance of fattening young bulls of Simmental breed. In the present study, we used 4 combinations of extract from balsam poplar buds or its components as a feed additives. The animals were given the supplements at the age of 15 months, 3 months before slaughter. The growth and slaughter characteristics of young bulls were studied. After the first and second month of feeding with dietary supplements, animals from the groups fed 10% balsam poplar buds extract and dry shredded balsam poplar buds had significantly higher live weight compared to the control animals fed a diet without any supplements (P < 0.05). At slaughter, group fed 10% balsam poplar buds extract had significantly higher live weight compared to control. Average daily gain was also greatest in that group. Major sensory as well as physical and chemical parameters were not affected by balsam poplar-based supplements (p > 0.05 for all) and were in line with regulatory meat hygiene requirements.

Greening of Krasnoyarsk: problems and prospects

An assessment of the current state and topical directions of the reconstruction of green plantings in Kras- noyarsk, one of the most unsuccessful cities in Russia, is given. The problematic aspects of green building, determined by the peculiarities of large-scale landscaping of the city in 1950–70, when fast-growing biologically short-lived species were preferred, were diagnosed. Particular attention is paid to the phytosanitary problems of mass use of balsam poplar and ash-leaved maple in landscaping, technological nuances of pruning and control over the distribution of these species.

Assessment of the condition of Balsam poplar trees (Populus balsamifera L.) in a residental area of Bratsk

In this study, we investigated the health status of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) trees in a residential area of the city of Bratsk (Irkutsk Oblast, Russia). Visual and instrumental assessment of the health status of pruned and unpruned trees was performed. The identified internal defects in the tree were analyzed with a Resistograph device, which enabled the extent of decayed wood to be determined. Visual analysis revealed various types of damage: dried branches, brittle crowns, frost cracks, mechanical damage, curvature of trunks, decay and inclusions of foreign bodies. We compared trees with and without canopy pruning. We found that pruned trees were significantly more damaged than non-pruned trees. Decomposing wood at different stages of development was found in all the trees studied. A tree passport combining the visual and instrumental assessment data was compiled for each tree. The results of the research were used to formulate conclusions and recommendations for improving the management of urban trees in order to restore their ecological and aesthetic functions.

THE USE OF POLYFUNCTIONAL FEED ADDITIVES FOR CALFS IN THE DAIRY PERIOD

The purpose of these studies was an evaluation of the use of two developed formulations of multifunctional biologically active feed additives for calves during the dairy period. It was found that the average daily and absolute gain in both experimental groups is higher than that of the control by 11 and 8 %, respectively. Calves that received a feed supplement with active carbon and balsam poplar bud extract (group 1) exceeded the control group in girth measurements. In general, according to the results of the experiment, the positive effect of multifunctional feed additives on the growth and development of calves during the dairy period was determined.

TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENT AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF LITHUANIAN BALSAM POPLAR BUDS (POPULUS BALSAMIFERA L.) ETHANOLIC AND AQUEOUS EXTRACTS

The aim of this study was to prepare liquid aqueous and ethanolic extracts of poplar buds and to investigate their chemical composition.

Comparison of Ethanolic and Aqueous Populus balsamifera L. Bud Extracts by Different Extraction Methods: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities

The balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) buds that grow in Lithuania are a polyphenol-rich plant material with a chemical composition close to that of propolis. In order to potentially adapt the extracts of this plant’s raw material for therapeutic purposes, it is important to carry out detailed studies on the chemical composition and biological activity of balsam poplar buds. An important step is to evaluate the yield of polyphenols by different extraction methods and using different solvents. According to our research, extracts of balsam poplar buds collected in Lithuania are dominated by p-coumaric (496.9–13,291.2 µg/g), cinnamic acid (32.9–11,788.5 µg/g), pinobanksin (34.9–1775.5 µg/g) and salicin (215.3–1190.7 µg/g). The antioxidant activity of poplar buds was evaluated by the ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power) methods, all extracts showed antioxidant activity and the obtained results correlated with the obtained amounts of total phenolic compounds in the extracts (ABTS r = 0.974; DPPH r = 0.986; FRAP r = 0.955, p < 0.01). Studies of antimicrobial activity have shown that ethanolic extracts have an antimicrobal activity effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. The extracts showed a better antimicrobal activity against gram-positive bacteria.

Ophthalmic In Situ Gels with Balsam Poplar Buds Extract: Formulation, Rheological Characterization, and Quality Evaluation

Balsam poplar buds are a raw material with a high content of polyphenols. Various polyphenols are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, an aqueous extract of balsam poplar buds was prepared in order to use environmentally friendly and non-aggressive solvents. The aqueous extract was lyophilized, and a 1% aqueous solution of lyophilized balsam poplar buds extract (L1) was prepared. L1 solution was used as a source of polyphenols for the production of ophthalmic in situ gels, so as to develop a product featuring antioxidant properties. Poloxamer 407 (P407) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were selected as gelling agents for the in situ gels. In order to select the formulations with the best conditions of use, formulations of different polymer concentrations (P407—10%, 12%, 15%; HPMC—0.5%, 0.75%) were prepared, choosing the same amount of the active polyphenol source L1. The physicochemical properties, rheological parameters, stability, and irritant effect on the rabbit corneal cell line (SIRC) were evaluated. Formulations in which P407 and HMPC concentrations were 10/0.75% and 12%/0.75% reached a gelation point close to the ocular surface temperature; the gels remained stable for 30 days and did not cause an irritant effect on the SIRC cell line.

INFLUENCE OF STEM ROT ON THE COMPOSITION AND THE CONTENT OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN THE LEAVES OF BOPLAMIC POPULUS (POPULUS BALSAMIFERA L.) UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF URBANIZATION

Balsam poplar is important component of landscaping urban environments. It’s characterized by high growth rate and resistance to negative environmental factors, but in urbanization conditions it’s intensely affected by diseases, especially stem rot. Biochemical composition of poplar has been studied, mainly in buds [1–4]. In leaves, it’s less studied [5–7]. Therefore, study of influence of stem rot on phenolic compounds of Balsam poplar leaves at urbanization conditions was main purpose of research. Biochemical composition of leaves was studied by HPLC. Chromatography of leaf extracts revealed 88 compounds, identified 22 of them. Predominant tendency was activation of their synthesis: 45.46%. Flavonoids are dominated in their composition (50%). 27.27% of compounds inhibition of phenolic compounds synthesis was observed, 27.27% content is not change. This is consequence of reaction to oxidative stress. Differences in composition of chemical compounds in leaves of control and diseased plants were not observed. Reaction of woody plants different species to stem rot and pollution is different. This is due to both the species-specificity of the reaction and different levels of resistance and tolerance of various species and different mechanisms of adaptation to these factors. Probably different species of plants have different strategies for dealing with effects of environments factors, it’s possible that similar mechanism exists for different species of stands affected by rot.

Field Testing of Selected Salt-Tolerant Screened Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) Clones for Use in Reclamation around End-Pit Lakes Associated with Bitumen Extraction in Northern Alberta

For the oil sands mine sites in northern Alberta, the presence of salty process affected water, a byproduct of the hot-water bitumen extraction process, is anticipated to pose a challenge on some reconstructed landforms. The fundamental challenge when re-vegetating these sites is to ensure not only survival, but vigorous growth where plants are subjected to conditions of high electrical conductivity owing to salts in process affected water that may be contained in the substrate. Finding plants suitable for high salt conditions has offered the opportunity for Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac) to investigate the potential role of using native balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) as a key reclamation species for the oil sands region. Two years of greenhouse screening (2012 and 2013) of 222 balsam poplar clones from Al-Pac’s balsam poplar tree improvement program, using process affected discharge water from an oil sands processing facility in Ft. McMurray, has suggested an opportunity to select genetically suitable native clones of balsam poplar for use in reclamation of challenging sites affected by process water. In consideration of the results from both greenhouse and field testing, there is an opportunity to select genetically suitable native clones of balsam poplar that are tolerant to challenging growing conditions, making them more suitable for planting on saline sites.