The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of feed supplements with alfa-amylase and beta-glucanase (Optipartum C+ 200) on ingestive-related behaviour biomarkers registered with real-time sensors: rumination behaviours and reticulorumen parameters (pH and temperature). Cows (n=20) in the treatment group (TG) were fed with Optipartum C+ 200 (Enzymes feed supplement: Alfa-Amylase 57 Units; Beta-Glucanase 107 Units) from 21 days before calving until 30 days after calving with a feeding rate of 200 g/cow/day. Cows (n=22) in the control group (CG) were fed a feed ration without feed supplement. Measurements started from 6 days before calving and continued until 21 days after calving. The following indicators were registered: with the RumiWatch System: Rumination time; Eating time; Drinking time; Rumination chews; Eating chews; Drinking gulps; Bolus; Chews per minute; Chews per bolus. With the SmaXtec system: the temperature, pH of the contents of the cows’ reticulorumens, and cows’ walking activity.
According to our results, feed supplementation with alfa-amylase and beta-glucanase (Optipartum C+ 200) in the TG group resulted in increases in the following parameters: 9% rumination time and eating time, 19% drinking time, 11% rumination chews, 16% eating chews, 13% number of boluses per rumination, 5% chews per minute and 16% chews per bolus. The rumination time showed a strong, positive relation with rumination chews and bolus indicators in both groups (TG and CG) (p<0.001); while the rumination time in both groups of cows showed an opposite direction and was negatively related to eating time and eating chews (p<0.05).
We found a 1.28 % lower reticulorumen pH and a 0.64 % lower reticulorumen temperature in cows fed with the supplement compared with cows in the control group. Cows in TG were 8.80% more active than those in the CG group. For improvement of ingestive-related behaviour we suggest adding a feed supplement with alfa-amylase and beta-glucanase (Optipartum C+ 200).

Plant derived α-amylase inhibitors are proteinaceous molecules that regulate the enzyme activity in plants and also protect plants from insect attack. In the current study, 28 accessions of 19 plant species were screened for their α-amylase inhibitory activity. The durum wheat varieties, Beni Suef-1 and Beni Suef-5, showed strong α-amylase inhibitory activity and were subjected to further purification studies using ammonium sulfate fractionation and DEAE-Sephadex G-25 column. The isolated inhibitors were found to be stable at temperatures below 80°C with maximum activity obtained at 40−50°C. Also, they were stable in a wide pH range (2−12). The ion exchange products of purified α-amylase inhibitors from Beni Suef-1 and Beni Suef-5 varieties showed a molecular weight of 16 and 24 kDa, respectively. The purified α-amylase inhibitors were tested against Tribolium castaneum and Callosobruchus maculatus both in vitro and in vivo. There was linear inhibition of α-amylase activity with increasing inhibitor concentration until saturation was reached. Beni Suef-5 α-amylase inhibitor was more potent against α-amylase with lower IC50 values than Beni Suef-1 α-amylase inhibitor except in the case of T. castaneum larva. Kinetics analysis revealed that Beni Suef-1 and Beni Suef-5 α-amylase inhibitors are non-competitive types of inhibitors with high affinity toward α-amylase of T. castaneum and C. maculatus. Results of the in vivo studies demonstrated that α-amylase inhibitors isolated from durum wheat, Beni Suef-1 and Beni Suef-5 varieties, were very effective in inhibiting the development of T. castaneum and C. maculatus and could be used for future studies in developing insect resistant transgenic plants approaching α-amylase inhibitor genes.

As polycarbonate is frequently used in many products, its accumulation in landfi lls is absolutely harmful to the environment. The aims of this study were the screening and isolation of polycarbonate-degrading bacteria (PDB) and the assessment of their ability in the degradation of polycarbonate (PC) polymers. Nine-month buried-PC films were used for PDB isolation and identification. The biodegradation ability of the isolates was determined by growth curve, clear zone formation, lipase and amylase production, AFM and FTIR. Bacillus cereus and Bacillus megaterium were identifi ed and considered as PDB. The degradation ability of B. megaterium was significantly higher than that of B. cereus. Both were lipase and amylase positive. AFM and FTIR results showed the initiation of bacterial attachment. The PC biodegradation ability of isolates can be very efficient. Finding such efficient isolates (which was less studied before) will promise a decrease in plastic contamination in the future.

The demand of energy and the search for alternative energy sources are the reason why scientists are interested in starch hydrolysis. The aim of the work was to experimental study of the hydrolysis of starch by α–amylase from porcine pancreas with α–amylase deactivation. Based on the experiments data, the parameters of starch hydrolysis by α– amylase with deactivation of enzyme was estimated. A mathematical model of temperature impact on the activity of α–amylase from porcine pancreas was used. It has been estimated that the activation energy E_a and the deactivation energy E_d were equal to 66 ± 4 kJ/mol and 161 ± 12 kJ/mol, respectively. Additionally, specific constant of starch hydrolysis k ₀ and specific constant of α–amylase deactivation k _d0 were calculated. The optimum temperature T_opt equal to 318 ± 0.5 K was obtained from mathematical model. The obtained values of E_a, E_d, k ₀ and k _d0 parameters were used to the model starch hydrolysis by α–amylase from porcine pancreas at 310 K and 333 K.

Background: Despite advanced research and great progress in understanding the chronic pancreatitis (CP) pathogenesis, no current causal treatment for the condition is available. For preclinical studies, the existence of a well-characterized CP animal model is essential.
The aim of the study was to assess the impact of chronic pancreatitis on the antioxidant enzymes activity in rat blood serum and on the level of glutathione (intracellular antioxidant) in rat pancreas.
Methods: The experiments were carried out on the Wistar Kyoto rats in two groups: control and study group (CP), in which chemical induction of pancreatitis with dibutyl dichloride was performed. Serum enzyme activities of amylase, lipase, catalase and superoxide dismutase were analyzed. The levels of the following biochemical parameters were also investigated: total protein, albumin, calcium, magnesium, and triglycerides. Levels of low-molecular-weight thiols: reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, were determined in pancreatic homogenates.
Results: Histopathological imaging of rat pancreatic parenchyma with induced inflammation confirmed focal lymphocytic interstitial chronic pancreatitis with fibrosis features and mild parenchymal atrophy, as well as pancreatic islets degeneration. In the CP group, we observed a statistically significant decrease in serum amylase and lipase activities and in total protein/albumin levels. Also, the elevated catalase activity was registered. In CP rats’ tissues, we observed a 15-fold reduction in GSH levels. The other examined parameters remained unchanged. Clinically relevant are hypoalbuminemia and a moderate decrease in lipase activity. The described changes are most probably indicative of the impaired exocrine pancreas function, however without organ failure features.